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Cisco IR829 Wi-Fi 4 IEEE 802.11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem/Wireless Router - RefurbishedCisco IR829 Wi Fi 4 IEEE 802. 11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem Wireless Router Refurbished The Cisco IR829 WiFi 4 IEEE 802. 11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem Wireless Router Refurbished is engineered for dependable, highspeed connectivity in demanding environments. This refurbished model blends Ciscos industryleading networking reliability with flexible wireless and cellular capabilities, making it an ideal solution for small to midsized businesses, remote sites,
Cisco IR829 Wi-Fi 4 IEEE 802.11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem/Wireless Router - Refurbished
The Cisco IR829 Wi‑Fi 4 IEEE 802.11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem/Wireless Router - Refurbished is engineered for dependable, high‑speed connectivity in demanding environments. This refurbished model blends Cisco’s industry‑leading networking reliability with flexible wireless and cellular capabilities, making it an ideal solution for small to mid‑sized businesses, remote sites, manufacturing floors, fleets, and mobile operations. Designed to deliver secure, uninterrupted internet access even when traditional wired paths are unstable, the IR829 equips you with dual SIM cellular failover, robust firewall protections, and easy remote management. With rugged construction and enterprise‑grade features at a fraction of the price of new equipment, this device helps you reduce downtime, optimize application performance, and maintain seamless connectivity across dispersed locations.
- Reliable dual‑SIM cellular connectivity: The IR829 supports two SIM cards, enabling automatic failover between carriers and enhanced coverage across geographic regions. This feature ensures continuous internet access for critical applications, whether you’re in a busy urban area or a remote locale with spotty service. The dual‑SIM capability minimizes downtime and keeps business operations running smoothly, delivering a robust redundancy layer that’s essential for VPN tunnels, cloud services, and real‑time monitoring systems.
- Wi‑Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) access for local devices: The built‑in Wi‑Fi 4 access point provides solid wireless coverage for onsite devices, guest devices, and mobile workstations. With 802.11n support, you’ll enjoy dependable throughput for everyday business tasks, remote management, and IoT connectivity. The device supports multiple SSIDs and security features to segregate traffic and protect sensitive data as it traverses the wireless segment, making it suitable for small offices, retail spaces, and field offices that require flexible wireless networking without sacrificing security.
- Enterprise‑class security and policy controls: Cisco’s reputation for security shines through in the IR829. Expect robust firewall rules, VPN capabilities (including IPsec), access control lists, and centralized policy management to safeguard critical data traffic across WAN, cellular, and wireless links. The refurbished unit maintains essential security features to help you enforce safe access, segment guest traffic from corporate resources, and establish trusted remote connections to your data center or cloud environment.
- Rugged, flexible deployment for industrial and field environments: The IR829 is designed with versatility in mind. Its compact, wall‑mountable form factor and compatibility with diverse mounting options make it suitable for cabinets, enclosures, vehicle installs, or desk setups. The refurbishment process preserves performance while offering a cost‑effective option for deploying a reliable router/gateway at multiple sites, including customer locations, warehouses, kiosks, and temporary events.
- Simple management with scalable capabilities: Intended to simplify network administration, the IR829 supports intuitive configuration via a web interface and offers scalable features that can grow with your network. It’s ideal for organizations upgrading from basic consumer gear to a capable business router, while providing an upgrade path to more advanced Cisco solutions as your network matures. The refurbished unit delivers consistent performance, straightforward firmware updates, and dependable monitoring to help IT teams keep devices secure and up to date.
Technical Details of Cisco IR829 Wi-Fi 4 IEEE 802.11n 2 SIM Cellular Modem/Wireless Router - Refurbished
- Product type: Industrial router and cellular modem gateway designed for reliable WAN connectivity and secure local networking.
- Wireless standard: Wi‑Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) with support for multiple SSIDs and secure wireless access.
- Cellular capability: Dual SIM cellular modem for automatic failover, carrier diversity, and flexible data plans.
- Routing features: Built‑in firewall, VPN support (including IPsec), and policy‑based routing to secure and optimize traffic across WAN, cellular, and wireless links.
- Management and deployment: Compact, wall‑mountable design with options for remote management, scalable configuration, and straightforward firmware updates for refurbished devices.
How to install Cisco IR829
1. Prepare the device for deployment by inspecting the unit, ensuring the power supply is connected, and confirming you have access to SIM cards for the dual SIM cellular setup. If you’re mounting the unit, select a suitable location that allows for adequate ventilation and convenient access to power and network cables.
2. Insert the two SIM cards into their dedicated slots, ensuring they’re properly seated and oriented according to the manufacturer’s guidance. This enables immediate failover capability and carrier redundancy once configured.
3. Connect the WAN and LAN interfaces as required for your network topology. If you plan to use a wired broadband connection as a primary link, attach the WAN port to your corporate ISP modem or gateway. For separate local devices, connect them to the LAN ports to begin segmenting traffic.
4. Power on the device and access the management interface through the default IP address or hostname provided by Cisco’s documentation. Establish a secure admin password and verify you can reach the interface from a management workstation on the same network.
5. Configure wireless settings by defining one or more SSIDs, selecting the appropriate security mode (WPA2/WPA3 where available), and assigning VLANs or network policies to isolate guest traffic from corporate resources. If you’re deploying for field use, consider enabling captive portal options for guest access with splash pages and terms of use.
6. Set up the cellular profiles by selecting the two SIM cards, configuring APN settings, and enabling automatic failover or load balancing as needed. Test connectivity by initiating traffic over cellular and verifying successful internet access when the primary link is degraded or disconnected.
7. Implement VPN capabilities to securely connect remote sites, users, or cloud resources. Create IPsec or other supported VPN tunnels, assign appropriate authentication methods, and define encryption standards that meet your security requirements. Validate tunnel connectivity from both ends to ensure reliable, encrypted communications.
8. Apply any required firmware updates and security patches, restart the device if prompted, and monitor basic health indicators (link status, uptime, CPU/memory usage) via the management interface. Document the configuration for future maintenance and provide maintenance windows for ongoing updates to minimize downtime.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is this Cisco IR829 refurbished device a good value for small businesses?
A: Yes. Refurbished Cisco IR829 units deliver enterprise‑grade networking capabilities at a lower cost, offering dual SIM cellular redundancy, VPN capabilities, and secure wireless connectivity. They’re a solid choice for small businesses seeking reliability, robust security, and the flexibility to deploy across multiple locations without the price tag of new equipment.
Q: Does the device support dual SIM failover for uninterrupted connectivity?
A: Indeed. Dual SIM functionality enables automatic failover between carriers, helping to maintain continuous internet access even when one network experiences issues. This is especially valuable for mission‑critical applications like remote monitoring, cloud services, and VPN tunnels.
Q: Can the IR829 be used as a VPN gateway?
A: Yes. The router provides VPN capabilities, including IPsec, to securely connect remote sites, users, or cloud resources. Proper configuration of VPN profiles and security policies will ensure encrypted, reliable connectivity across your network environment.
Q: What kind of deployment environments is the IR829 best suited for?
A: The IR829 excels in industrial, field, and small business deployments. Its compact, wall‑mountable form factor, dual SIM capability, and reliable Wi‑Fi access point make it suitable for data centers, manufacturing floors, retail locations, transportation fleets, and remote offices where robust network connectivity is essential.
Q: What should I consider when configuring security and updates on a refurbished unit?
A: Prioritize updating firmware to the latest supported version and implementing strong password policies, WPA2/WPA3 wireless security, and VPN encryption settings. Regular monitoring of link status, intrusion attempts, and access control rules will help maintain a secure network environment, and keeping documentation of configurations will simplify future maintenance and audits.
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4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 16 reviews
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★★★★★ 4
Great read with an interesting plot
It took me quite some time to get to this book, mostly because I never managed to read the original Grisha trilogy, I tried several times to get started with it, but there was something about it that didn’t quite suck me in. Eventually though, I gave up that series and decided to dig into Six of Crows even though I had not read the Grisha trilogy in advance. And I am happy that I did because Six of Crows was an easy read that pulled me in rather quickly.
In Six of Crows we follow a group of six criminals from a gang called the Dregs, and when their leader, Kaz, gets a job that would change their lives forever, he can’t say no, despite the job being as impossible as it gets. So, in this book, we get to come along on the quest as they set out to break into one of the most secure prisoners in Fjerda.
There’s a lot of things that I really enjoy in this book, but also a few things that slightly annoyed me. But for the most part this is a great read and the way the author has managed to keep the reader invested in all three characters and their separate POVs is impressive, not once did I feel like any of the characters were unnecessary or flat. Every character is well developed with interesting backstory and there’s also a lot going on in their relationships and thanks to the separate POV’s you get a very intimate connection to each an ever characters emotions and reasons to what they do. It’s, like I said, beautifully crafted and the writing too is beautiful and vivid.
The wordbuiling is great and Bardugo manages to incorporate details of the world and the scenery in the story without it feeling heavy with information. It all flows very well, and as I read it was easy to picture the scenes.
The plot was interesting, full of twists and turns and seeing the team’s job take shape from the eyes of multiple POVs made for a very interesting read and also gave the heist that sense of mystery and surprise that we’re used to seeing on tv and in movies.
As for the things that I didn’t quite like it was not bad enough to really make a difference in the overall rating, but it was still things that stuck out to me. The first being that I felt like the heist sometimes got overshadowed by massive bits of backstory. The backstory itself didn’t bother me because they were interesting and great, and they made me understand and connect with the character a lot more, but I didn’t feel like they were necessary for the story in that elaborated manor they had been written in, less information had been enough and kept the pacing of the main plot more consistent. So, even though I enjoyed learning about the characters pasts and the reasons they ended up in the gang, I would have preferred more focus on the heist itself.
The second thing is the beginning. It was unnecessary and pointless. Why make us invested in Joost and Anya just to basically never mention them again? I get the point of showing what the drug could do, but there must have been a better way to do it.
The third thing is related to the Fjerdans and primarily their language. The Fjerdan’s are, according to what I’ve read from interviews with Leigh Bardugo, heavily influenced by Scandinavia, and more specifically Sweden and Norway. As a swede, I can totally see that, and I knew that it is a fictional language and that my own language has been used as inspiration. But I couldn’t help feel a bit thrown off when there was suddenly words that I knew from my own language being used when there was so many other words used that didn’t fit at all with the way we’d use those words. It’s hard to explain, and truly it doesn’t really matter since it’s fiction and not real, but it was something that stood out to me, like a hiccup that broke the flow of my reading. I think it would have bothered me less if the Fjerdans had actually spoken any of the Scandinavian languages, or at least had a more reasonable structure to their sentences and words that would have fit well with the use of actual words from our language. And in this same line are the names of the Fjerdan Drüskelle. There were typical Scandinavian names at a lot of the times, but then there were these names that stood out and didn’t fit in with the rest we’d been told. But, I’m not going to let any of this affect the rating since this is just a personal thing that most likely wouldn’t bothered anyone else, and if does not in any way affect the intensity and greatness of the story.
So, overall, this book will get a solid 4/5 stars from me, and I can’t wait to dig into the sequel. I can also highly recommend this book to basically everyone, it’s a great read and the way Leigh Bardugo handled all six POVs is reason enough for every author to pick up this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019
★★★★★ 5
SIX OF CROWS: My favorite book of 2015
Format: Hardcover
REVIEW: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Published September 29th, 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Edition: Hardcover Source: Purchased Pages: 465 Rating: 5/5 stars
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price–and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.
From the moment I heard the description of this book, I was intrigued. A band of thieves attempting to pull off a huge heist? Sign me up! I was counting down the days till it released. I had such high expectations for this book. And believe me, they were met. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved every minute of it. Now, it is one of my favorite books of all time, and I’ve read a lot of books. I titled this “review”. In a review, you usually find criticism of the book. But since I loved this book, it’ll mostly be me gushing about all my thoughts. I just want to run up to people, shove this book in their face, scream “READ IT”, and then go and reread it by myself.
the plot
It was so interesting! I loved the whole heist. Something was always happening, and it was always interesting. It kept me surprised: PLOT TWISTS!
the characters
The characters were probably my favorite part of this book. We meet six that, by the end of the book, I had come to love. They’re all so unique. I loved reading from each perspective, that way I got to know the characters a lot better.
“No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for “good luck.”
Kaz- The leader.
“Greed is your god, Kaz.”
He almost laughed at that. “No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever.”
“A liar, a thief, and utterly without conscience. But he’ll keep to any deal you strike with him.”
Nina- She’s so brave, snarky, funny, and just an amazing strong female character. I loved that we had a Grisha in the group.
Inej-MY FAVORITE. She’s an ex-circus performer who now is a spy known as The Wraith. She struggled between her dedication to the gang and her desire to see her family again.
“Besides, she was the Wraith-the only law that applied to her was gravity, and some days she defied that, too.”
Jesper- the sharpshooter, who added so much to the story. The chapter told from his point of view are really great, because you see the other characters how he does, and I think he sees them how they truly are.
“Take good care of my babies,” Jesper said as he handed [his guns] over to Dirix.
“If I see a single scratch or nick on those, I’ll spell forgive me on your chest in bullet holes.”
Wylan- He was this adorable, innocent, little boy at first. But his character changed/revealed as the story went along, and I LOVED it. I wished we could have gotten chapters from his POV, but Leigh said there will be in the 2nd!
“Always hit where the mark isn’t looking.”
“Who’s Mark?” Asked Wylan.
Matthias- I loved how he struggled with loyalty to his country and his love for Nina, and I also loved seeing the backstory of how him and Nina met.
“And what did you do, Matthias? What did you do to me in your dreams?”
“Everything,” he said, as he turned to go. “Everything.”
the romance!
I loved how the story was not overpowered by the romances in this book. It was a side plot that made the story more interesting. It wasn’t as prominent as the action part, but it was there. And it was amazing. I won’t spoil anything, but let me just say, I have 3 new OTPs just from this book.
the setting
In Bardugo’s previous trilogy, which I loved, we get to know the world a little, but it’s mostly set in Ravka, one country. Six of Crows was in a different country in this world, Kerch, and the group travels to a new country, Fjerda. I loved getting to know this world better. Also, the characters are from different countries so we get to know their view on their country and the others.
the writing
Her writing, like always, was incredible. It flowed beautifully. Some people have said it starts out slow, but once you pass the first 100 pages, things start picking up and getting really interesting. (I was interested the whole time, of course. I loved it from the very beginning.) But if you’re not enjoying it as much, I’m begging you. Keep trying. It’s SO worth it. There’s so many amazing quotes! I literally have notes and notes full of them.
This book is funny! It made me laugh out loud a lot (and I was in public, so people stared at me.)
“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.
Brekker’s lips quicker. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.”
“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”
This book is so gorgeous! The cover is beautiful, but my absolute FAVORITE thing about it has to be the black edged pages. And the maps!! There’s two beautiful maps. TWO!
what I didn’t like
I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like in this book. I tried to come up with something, but I loved it too much.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend you check this book out. It brings all the feels. I need the second book, Crooked Kingdom, NOW. Also, if you haven’t read Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy, you should. A lot of people have asked me, “Do I have to read the Grisha Trilogy before Six of Crows?” My answer has been: No, you don’t have to. Of course I would recommend that you do, as it is one of my favorite trilogies. If you don’t, you might be a little lost in the world, and there are some characters mentioned in here from that trilogy that you wouldn’t understand, but you could understand the story. There are minor spoilers of the end of Ruin and Rising in Six of Crows, but there is also some misleading. If you read the Grisha trilogy, you learn more about Ravka, where Nina is from, which helps you understand her better. Plus, it’s just an amazing trilogy. You SHOULD. But no, you do not have to.
Okay, I’ll just conclude my ramblings now. Go read this book, please. This review took so long to write, because I had so many good things to say, and I reread Six of Crows while writing it.
Ava
Bookishnessandtea.wordpress.com
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2016
★★★★★ 5
When you finish this book, be prepared to go through withdrawal.
Format: Hardcover
I finished Six of Crows and immediately found myself missing Kaz and his crew, which is a surefire sign that I just finished a book that I absolutely loved. Kaz Brekker, criminal, gang leader, outcast, has assembled a group of misfit criminals from The Barrel to pull off the crime of a lifetime, a crime that even the most capable and seasoned lawbreakers would find nearly impossible. But for a group of men and women who have nothing left to lose, the impossible could be the one thing that will bring them salvation and the wealth they need to start new lives. But before they can go about saving the world they must first get past the secrets they are hiding, the resentment they hold back, and the mistrust they feel towards one another, and focus on not getting killed by the odds stacked against them.
I had been looking forward to reading this book since it was released because there were so many tempting aspects to it: theft, magic, fantasy, so many things that I love in a good story. Six of Crows is set in the same world as Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy but in a different land, with different characters, and it is not necessary to read the other trilogy first. I felt like the story got off to a slow start but after the first part of the book (it is divided into several parts) it really picked up and I could not put it down. Once I was halfway through the book I caught myself thinking about it all the time and wondering what would happen next with each of the characters that I had grown to love so much.
To tell the story, Bardugo switches each chapter to be from a different main character’s point of view, but I felt she did it in a different and more engaging way than I have seen it done by other authors in the past. The trouble I fall into sometimes when reading a story that switches between characters is the breakup of the storyline, since each character usually jumps to a different time or location. Bardugo switches characters yet tells the story seamlessly so that each chapter starts exactly where the last left off, but with the point of view of someone new. So the story never breaks succession and there is never a lull in the action. This way we learn the emotions, motivations, and differing viewpoints of each character without the excitement of the story ever getting interrupted.
The character development in the story is incredible and you quickly begin to learn the talents and flaws of each character and feel as if you know them personally and love each of them for who they are. Bardugo uses the present, flashbacks, internal thoughts, etc. to teach you the history of each character and give you a glimpse into why they have each become the person they are. The storyline was very unique and often focused on special abilities that some characters possess (the Grisha) which are incredibly interesting and a different take on magic. Once you get about 100 pages into the book the story really picks up pace and it is basically nonstop action after that point, done in near flawless fashion. There were small things about the book that bothered me, but these are rather insignificant details like the ages of certain characters or odd interactions which took nothing away from the story at all and were just little things that I noticed occasionally. Overall Bardugo told a brilliant story and I loved every second of it.
I finished this book several days ago and I still find myself missing the characters, Ketterdam, and everything about the story. It has been a long time since I have read a book that tugged at my heart enough that it made me go through a slight withdrawal and left me feeling a little depressed that I was not still immersed in the world of the book and the lives of its characters. Six of Crows has done that to me and the more I think about the book the more I love it and I find myself already anticipating the next novel in the trilogy. The book ends with a cliffhanger but not one that leaves you screaming in rage at having to wait so long for the next book, but enough for you to feel eager with anticipation as you patiently await book two. I look forward to the day where I am back in The Barrel hanging out with Kaz and the rest of the crew as the next part of the incredible journey takes place.
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
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Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
★★★★★ 5
A fun heist adventure with a lovable cast of characters!
Format: Kindle
Kaz Brekker is a young criminal mastermind with a knack for meticulously planning every step of a greater picture before making a single move. He's spent a lot of time gaining a reputation, gathering a small gang, and building a legend and mystique around himself. His ultimate goal is revenge, and every move he makes is just another step toward it. When he is hired to carry out an impossible heist, he needs to gather a crew and plan his moves even more carefully.
Where this book truly shines is with its characters. Kaz and his crew are all very different personalities, and their banter and relationships with each other are all wonderful. Each of the six main characters are given full, compelling backstories, motivations, skill sets, personality quirks, and personal demons to sort out. It was a joy getting to know these characters and seeing them bounce off of each other. Kaz is an excellent character, and feels like a teenage supervillain-in-training. He is human, and suffers from trauma, insecurities, getting emotionally attached, but does everything he can to come off cold and detached to keep up with the legacy he has built for himself - and when you get to see Kaz from other peoples' perspectives, you can see just how successful he's become at it.
I'll admit I was not a fan of Matthias, one of the POV characters, at first. He's well-written, but his worldview and way of thinking were difficult for me to wrap my head around or justify. As the story went on and Matthias got more fleshed out and complex, I came to love him. Although there are six main characters, only five of them get POV chapters -- the sixth is still a very interesting character, and I would love to see a bigger glimpse into his mindset. After finishing the book I can understand why he was not given his own chapters, and I'm VERY excited to learn more about him in the sequel.
The worldbuilding is also very impressive. I understand that there are other books and trilogies and such set in this same world. I've yet to read the others at the time of writing this review, but I am intrigued by the world these characters live in, the customs and cultures of its people, the history that is alluded to, etc. This world feels real and fleshed out, and it's very clear that a lot of thought and care were put into it.
Six of Crows is an extremely fun book, I'm pumped to read its sequel and the other stories set in this world, and to check out the Netflix series based on one of them! I highly recommend this book!!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2025
★★★★★ 4
4-stars: 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Hardcover, Format: Hardcover
This is going to be a very long review. I’m sorry ahead of time, but I knew it wouldn’t be a short review after I finished the book. Lots needed to be typed, but I promise no spoilers.
Six of Crows is set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, but this time readers will get to follow six different characters on a mission to pull off a very dangerous heist together. This book will pull you in different directions because all six characters get to tell the story from their point of view before, during, and after the heist. It’s crazy how Leigh Bardugo managed to keep up with all six points of view while building the storyline to this new epic adventure in the Grishaverse.
Storyline/My Thoughts: First, if you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then I will let you know now that Six of Crows doesn’t take place simultaneously as the trilogy. It’s set further in the years after the war has happened. Unfortunately, the Grisha are still treated horribly, and most are hidden or at Ravka helping the King rebuild, but this book is not focusing on that storyline. Instead, it’s focusing on six different characters, which each have a different personality and background. They are all supposed to be in their teens but come off as maturer in age. If you lived the way they did, then you would be much wiser in years to deal with the issues they have had to succumb. Readers will get to read some of their backstories when they tell their points of view in Six of Crows. (It’s amazing how authors can keep up with everything. I can’t even remember yesterday sometimes due to memory issues.)
I’m going to try to break down what I liked about each character without going overboard. I loved how Leigh Bardugo wrote each character differently. This is one reason why I was interested in the book.
Kaz Brekker has a heartbreaking back story, but he has managed to fight through everything thrown at him. He has a disability that requires him to have a cane, but he’s stronger than ever. He’s one scary character, even to his team, because he plans things that will put himself and everyone at risk. I enjoyed his character, especially after finding out what happened to him. He’s on a mission for revenge for what happened to him, and he will do anything to get that revenge. One thing that drove me crazy about him is his feelings for a particular character that he would rather deny than tell the truth. Just tell her!!!!
Inej Ghafa is by far my favorite character of the six. She’s been through a lot too, and Kaz saved her from the life she had at the Menagerie. She became known as the Wraith since she’s able to sneak up on people. She’s a fighter. She puts Kaz in his place a couple of times, and only she can do it to him. I could go on and on about her character. I loved getting to read her point of view.
Jesper Fahey has a secret that he’s unwilling to share with anyone on the team until he has to on the heist. He has a gambling issue, but he’s an excellent sharpshooter. I loved how even he questioned Kaz, but he also became friendly with another person on the heist.
Nina Zenit is a Grisha Heartrender who uses her magic to survive the slums. Her abilities include controlling someone’s breathing, heart, and cells in their bodies. She’s one Grisha you don’t want to mess with, and in this book, she ends up putting herself at risk for everyone else to survive.
Matthias Helva is a former druskelle and a Fjerdan witch hunter. Both Nina and he are dangerous together because he can’t stand what she is, and Nina is trying to make it right by Matthias. They have a complicated past and relationship that could put the others at risk. Matthias is one person you either could trust or not, and there were times I didn’t feel I could trust him with the group during the heist.
Wylan Van Eck is someone that Kaz brings to the crew for leverage since the person who requested Kaz’s help happens to be Wylan’s father. Wylan, though, has his own tricks up his sleeve, and I hope I get to know him more in the next book. He fit right into the crew during the heist.
All six are on a dangerous heist to break out a scientist from an impenetrable prison and put themselves at risk of being put in jail or, worst, being killed. (It’s all Kaz’s fault, but it was a deal that no one could turn down.) The heist reminded me of the movie Ocean’s Eleven, but much more risk to it, and instead of stealing money and gold, they have to steal a person. This person is someone everyone wants for themselves since they have created something that will change the odds.
The thing that drove me bonkers about this book was how slow it started for me. It took me a while to gain my interest in the story. I’m used to reading multiple POVs, so that was not an issue. It was the issue of getting to the heist, going through everything, and then how it ended. It took a while to get through it all. I also was bothered by how Kaz did not get the revenge he wanted in this book. He had a chance but didn’t take it. He deserves revenge for what happened to him. He also didn’t share his feelings with a specific character that he should have in this book. I hope he starts sharing them in the next book. I know Kaz will be out for revenge even further in the next book, but for something else entirely. Overall, this book receives four stars from me. I think if the book would’ve grasped me from the beginning and not been slow to start, then I would have given it five stars. There was a lot to take in the beginning.
Leigh Bardugo is a master at storytelling, though, and I can’t wait to see the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows books be brought to life in the Netflix series. I already love the actors/actresses they chose to play the book characters.
Now I need to make time to read the Crooked Kingdom because this book left me with a cliffhanger.
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Six of Crows Duology. It’s also part of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. (If you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then you will read about certain characters in this book from the current characters. There will be a moment of clarity of who Nina is and where she came from, and why she ended up with the crew. I don’t think you have to read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy to read this book, but I feel readers will miss out on some connections between the books.)
Cliffhanger: Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of YA Fantasy involving a dangerous heist with six different characters, you will enjoy this book. I also would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to books. The narrators were fantastic at having the characters come to life when I listened to the book instead of reading it.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2021