The wonderful Leigh Bardugo has a hugely anticipated novel coming out soon: Crooked Kingdom. It’s the sequel to what many consider one of last year’s very best novels, Six of Crows. Again, Game of Thrones will meet Ocean’s Eleven as the six characters we know and love attempt to survive their success and make their way in Ketterdam’s new world order.
Here’s the blurb:
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist in the notorious Ice Court so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.
Double-crossed and left crippled by a kidnapping, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. Powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.
A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
So, just how excited are you now?
Well, in addition to the official blurb, Leigh, herself, has been in touch to tell us about one of our favourite characters – ever – Jesper. She wanted to tell us a little something we may not already know about him. So, here we go:
“I didn’t know much about Jesper when I started writing Six of Crows, only that he was a sharpshooter. His friendship with Inej, his flirtation with Wylan, and his complicated relationship with Kaz were all things that evolved in the telling of the story. But I think his character really began with the line:
“Jesper always felt better when people were shooting at him.”
Anddddd, as if that isn’t enough, we’ve picked our six favourite scenes (three real, three maybe not, but so easily could be…) that Jesper was involved in and that made us laugh out loud too.
– – –
Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.”
– – –
“Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.
– – –
“Take good care of my babies,” Jesper said as he handed them over to Dirix. “If I see a single scratch or nick on those, I’ll spell forgive me on your chest in bullet holes.”
– – –
Inej and Nina are like the sisters I never had. Because the sisters I do have are normal and not terrifying.
– – –
Jesper: In twenty years, I guarantee I’ll be Wylan’s second husband.
Wylan: What happened to my first husband?
Jesper: Nothing you can prove.
– – –
Wylan: Please tell me you’re still alive.
Jesper: I’m texting you from beyond the grave.
Wylan: I can’t tell if you’re serious or not. Zombies can text.
– – –
From September 21st – 26th, bloggers (like us!) in the US and UK will be paired up to share the secrets of Kaz’s crew as we count down to publication of Crooked Kingdom.
Sounds good, right? Free content! But wait! There’s more! You could win yourself a Crooked Kingdom prize pack full of US AND UK swag (including the coveted Crooked Kingdom socks) by commenting on all twelve blog posts by 11:59pm EST Monday, October 3, 2016.
So, go find those already posted and keep an eye-out for those coming up!
