Crooked Kingdom

I clutched this book to my chest when I read the very last words and realized there were no more pages to be read....
This story is by far, THE best story I have ever read in my entire life, thus far.
Reading this book is like a breeze, it's so light and easy to read, Leigh is such an expert at her craft, she knows how to hook her readers, how to have them coming back for more after each paragraph and each page. The way she writes it's like you're on a boat and the water just carries you, sometimes the tide is high and whoah you are just on a ride and you're getting splashed but you're enjoying it OH SO MUCH, and then there is the low tide and the slow water, where you are moving along and it's just so peaceful and so beautiful and you are in awe of her writing.

There are times when you spend pages just reading the respective character's inner thoughts and it's not boring at all, it is so entertaining, you never find yourself having to skim over sentences or paragraphs, everything is so well written, I know I keep saying that so often, but WOW, can you imagine a book with over 500 pages that there is not a single dull moment, NOT EVEN ONE!

As for the characters... they all hold a special place in my heart, she has done such excellent work, especially with Kaz. Kaz is just so amazing, he goes through so much and you just go through it all with him. He is so brilliant, which just goes to show how brilliant the author is herself! How he gets them out of situations and the plot twists, you will never be able to predict what he does next or how he saves them, each and every time he does so you will be in awe and so appreciative of his mind and his talent. The same goes for Jesper, Nina, Wylan, and Inej.... Also poor Matthias, my heart broke for him.. They are all my favorite characters, I could never pick one because of the way she wrote this story you get to be inside each of their minds and you end up relating and loving each and every single one of them for their unique personalities and minds which end up being a perfect match all together.

Leigh is also excellent at character development, you feel the characters evolve, but not so much, they evolve just enough, it feels so believable, like they are actually real life people and you are growing with them. The progress of their growth feels so realistic and nothing is ever rushed or behind schedule, everything is on time. Also the choice of which character will have a chapter next is so expertly decided, it just all fits together like a rubric's cube.

When I finished reading this book I had to hold it for a few moments because of how it ended and it honestly feels like you have lived through their problems and went through everything they have gone through and you end up having to catch your breath and wishing you were there with Kaz and Inej on the harbor enjoying the view and wishing you had fresh sea air to fill your lungs.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series, and I am thankful that we will return to these characters and read them once again as I am not ready to let them go. That having said, I think I will read next King Nikolai's gorgeous debut novel just to get back into their world and not let them go.

I highly recommend this book to literally everyone regardless of what genre you like, give this book a go and hey you might end up absolutely loving it and creating a whole new shelf on goodreads entitled: LIFE CHANGING BOOKS.

:)