Crooked Kingdom

So, I recently picked up Crooked Kingdom, the second book in the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo. To be honest, I was kind of on the fence about it from the start because, let's face it, fantasy books just aren't my thing. Still, I gave Six of Crows a shot and ended up liking it. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was decent—especially once the story picked up after the first 50 pages or so.

Fast forward to Crooked Kingdom, and I can't lie—this book just isn't working for me. I'm about 150 pages in, and the excitement I felt in the first book is nowhere to be found. It's not that the writing is bad or that the book itself is flawed. I think the problem is me. This genre doesn't really click with me, and trying to get through a second installment feels like a chore.

I noticed that Crooked Kingdom doesn't seem to have the same momentum as Six of Crows. While the first book eventually grabbed my attention after a slow start, this one hasn't done the same. Even after 150 pages, I'm still waiting for something to hook me, but instead, it's been dragging. I wouldn't say it's boring in the traditional sense, but it feels like nothing is pulling me into the story.

What's making this even harder is that I've never DNFed a book in my life—ever. But this might just be the first one. It's tough to admit because I'm usually someone who powers through, no matter how slow or uninteresting the story gets.

If you're into the fantasy genre or loved Six of Crows, you'll probably enjoy Crooked Kingdom. For me, though, it feels like the wrong book at the wrong time, and I might not have the patience to see it through to the end. It's not the book; it's me.