We’re stoked to be kicking off the Six of Crows blog tour along side Winged Reviews! Our joint topic is: Six Book Boyfriends of the Grishaverse. But first, a message for the mastermind behind the band of misfits, Leigh Bardugo!
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Cuddlebuggery—we’ve been through so much together. Slash fic. Grisha minions, what will happen next? So let’s talk book boyfriends. The only crush I’ve ever had on a YA character? Sean Kendrick from The Scorpio Races (so taciturn, so steely). The book crush of my youth? The Vampire Lestat (so bloodthirsty, so prone to monologues). My current crush? I don’t usually get book crushes these days, but I’ll admit to a soft spot for Aidan in Illuminae (so logical, so totally disembodied). Could any of these relationships work? Absolutely not. Sean is too young. Lestat would steal my leather pants. AIDAN would always be sending me weird emails.
As for the characters in Six of Crows? I don’t know if they’re relationship material. I didn’t want to create a “merry band of thieves” who talked tough but handed out presents to orphans at Christmas time. The members of Kaz’s crew are deadly, desperate, and occasionally legitimately despicable. So, maybe not the book boyfriends and girlfriends you want to introduce to your parents. Still, it would definitely make for a lively brunch!
Leeeeeeeeigh. I hear what you’re saying, but the rebel in me will not be discouraged by your logical way of thinking. 😛 The fact is, you’ve written some delicious bad boys, and as a lover of shenanigans, I can not resist such a smorgasbord of misfits ready and willing to get into loads of trouble.
Many of you might take offense to this, but I don’t plan to share any of these strapping lads. Leigh has created guys for any kind of date– specifically for me, thanks, Leigh — and I have given much thought to how each date would go. Allow me to explain.
Date #1: Mal
I’ve always envisioned Mal as a Zac Efron-esque kind of guy with that boy next door, come-get-lost-in-my-eyes thing going for him. A lot of people might think Mal is just a big teddy bear, eager to hand out cuddles at a drop of a hat. Maybe he started off that way, but Mal is deep, guys, and he knows exactly what to say at the right time. If Mal and I were to go out, he would be the perfect guy that I could safely introduce to the parentals, make a great impression on them and then sneak into a movie with kvas stashed in his leather jacket. Because even though he’s good down to his core, he’s still willing to bend and break a few rules when it comes to me. The only thing is, he’d probably get us caught. And as we’re getting escorted out of the theatre by police, he’d lock his pinky around mine, letting me know that we’re in this together. Gosh, he can make any situation feel super romantic.
Date #2: The Darkling
I know what you’re thinking… why would I want to date the Darkling, he’s evil! Yeah, sure, but no one said I had to marry him. Look, I’m here for a good time, and I’ve got a dark side, too. The Darkling gets that about me, you know? He fills that void in me. So he’d probably take me on a picnic. That’s right, a picnic. Just because one of his hobbies happen to include enslaving all of Ravka, doesn’t mean he can’t ride his volcra to the countryside and spend quality time with Darkling’s Darling — ME. He’d spread a blanket out, put a flower in my hair and feed me grapes as we listened to the sounds of unfortunate souls being tortured. Swoon.
Date #3: Sturmhond
GET BACK. HE IS MINE. THIS IS MY POST, LET ME HAVE THIS MOMENT. GEEZ.
Okay.
Sturmhond is hard to picture. But let’s be honest, I won’t be dialing his number for just his looks. Nope. What I need from Sturmhond is that care-free, devil may care, award-winning personality. He’s like a mix between a young Robert Downy Jr. and Peter Quill, ridiculously hilarious and highly inappropriate. More importantly, he’s just what I’d need after going on a date with the Darkling. Torturing people drains you and you need a little laughter to cheer you up after listening to screams of agony and misery. Sturmhond would obviously take me back to his palace, give me a grand tour, make tons of inappropriate, yet, well-timed jokes, flirt relentlessly with me and admire himself in a wall to wall mirror at the conclusion of the tour. He’s the perfect pick-me-up and the confidence that oozes from him is just super attractive. The worst-best part is that he knows it and will stop at nothing to use it to his advantage. I ain’t even bothered.
Date #4: Kaz
Being with Kaz on a date is not for the faint of heart. But that’s cool because I’m totally time enough to keep up with him. What Kaz needs is a ride or die kind of gal. He needs to know that he doesn’t always have to watch out for my back when we are in the midst of a gun fight. He knows that I can hold my own and then some. Basically, I’m the Zoë to his Mal.
Naturally, a date with Kaz would involve some type of illegal activity. Wether we’re breaking someone out of a high security facility, robbing a ship, snatching eyeballs out of our enemies or engaging in general tom-foolery, he knows I’m down for whatever.
Date #5: Jesper
Sometimes Kaz gets too intense but I’m still up for some adrenaline-pumping action. That’s where Jesper comes in. He has a sense of humor and a swagger that is hard to miss. Brandon T. Jackson, anyone? Please and thank you.
When we go out, he’d take me to a tall building with a bottle of Ravka’s finest wine. We’d watch the stars, chat about our hopes and dreams, and when the time is right, he’d pull out his sniper rifle and show me how to pick off my enemies one by one with ease. There’s nothing more adoring than one of your main squeezes exacting sweet revenge on the deserving.
Date #6: Matthias
Matthias needs a hug. Thankfully, he has me to be there for him and his hurt feelings. After a full day of running around wrecking havoc with Ravka’s finest, it’s nice to be able to sit down and just talk to someone. Matthias and I are there for each other. I’m the steady rock he can lean on even though it feels like his world is crumbling down around him. And because he’s getting in touch with his emotional side, the sweet innocent face of Chord Overstreet pops into my mind.
In this type of situation, I’d pick our location, and take him to a petting zoo because animal therapy and quality time with me can pretty much heal any and everything that he’s going through. I’ll be that shoulder he cries on and be ready with so many there_there.gifs. And maybe if he’s been extra good, I’ll untie him.
Hmmm… okay, so maybe Leigh’s slightly right. Not the best group of guys for romantic rendezvous. Buuuuuuut you have to admit, those dates would never be dull and if you actually did survive them, think of all the stories you could tell your friends. Think. of. the. stories.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | B&N | Indie Bound | Amazon
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.
[about-author]
Follow the rest of the tour!
September 24
UK: Winged Reviews US: Cuddlebuggery
Topic: Six Book BFs of the Grishaverse
September 25
UK: Ya Yeah Yeah US: Bookiemoji
Topic: Six Dos and Don’ts of the Grishaverse
September 26
UK: Mugglenet US: YA Interrobang
Topic: Six Companion Reads for Six of Crows
September 27
UK: Jess Hearts Books US: Reading Teen
Topic: Six Signs You Do/Don’t Have What it Takes to Join Kaz’s Crew
September 28
UK: Wondrous Reads US: The Midnight Garden
Topic: Six Favorite Quotes from SoC
September 29
UK: Dark Readers US: Mundie Moms
Topic: Six Tips for Surviving the Grishaverse
Tara
Sean Kendrick. Yes, I’m not alone!
Cali W.
I like Date #2. 🙂 I love Leigh’s books; I can’t wait to read Six of Crows. 🙂
SJ Bouquet
As a lover of shenanigans myself, I’d love to go on a date with Sturmhond xD I feel like those would result in some wild stories and tons of quotes to laugh over.
Anyways love your post! I think you described all these guys wonderfully (well…. three of the guys, because I’ve yet to be introduced to the others *gasp* how rude of me! I won’t speak of the Six of Crows men just yet because it’s highly improper to speak to or of people you haven’t met) … (do you ever write something and realize that you are quite possibly a freak?) (no regrets) (ok some)! Sturmhond has always been my favorite. I love all of the Grisha guys, but Sturmhond is da bomb diggity. Love the face claim you assigned to him! He is TOTALLY Peter Quill (of the Chris Pratt variety).
(I fangirl more about Sturmhond here with lots of Pirates of the Carribean gifs) http://sjbouquet.blogspot.com/2015/07/siege-and-storm-review.html
Lea Krnjeta
I havent read Six of Crows so I cant really comment on your last 3 choices, although I think I am hoing to like Jesper. And I just love Mal so he would probably be my pick, though I wouldnt mind having some fun with Sturmhond.
Vivien
I am SO eager to read another book by Leigh. I just love love love the grisha series!
Natalie
Wow, I’m not drooling, I swear. But Leigh has a special talent when it comes to creating book boys. Mal? YUM. The Darkling? H-O-T-T! Nikolai? Perfection. The new gang of guys? I’M SO PUMPED!!! Brilliant post!!
Jessica
Tbh I was 100% on the Darkling ship
Jessica
Tbh I was 100% on the Darkling ship no regrets at all
Natalie M.
Ah, Sturmhond. He reminds me of Puck from The Iron Fey—witty, adventurous, and MINE. BACK OFF.
Kayla
I know Nikolai so I am tempted for Date #3, but also Date #4 seems very intriguing~~
Lia
Ooooh! I also pictured Mal as Zac Efron (and I don’t get why everyone hates Mal so much)! I pictured The Darkling as Peter Pan from Once Upon A Time (Robbie Kay, I think?) and Sturmhound as Hook from OUAT. And yes, I would gladly go on any and all of these dates.
MJ
I love Sturmhound! He’s my favorite sort of male human!
horcrux-alchemist
I LOVE STURHOND. Most of our date would be pranking people and seeing how much trouble the two of us can get into.
Joanna W.
It’s funny how in books we seem to fall for the morally-gray guys, but in real life I’d pick a good guy. I like what you did with saying after dating the Darking you’d need to balance that with Sturmhond next.
I can’t wait to read Six of Crows. I bet I’ll fall in love with a lot of them. I’m curious now to see why this Matthias character needs such support.
Harrison
I’m slowly warming up to the darkling… I think I need a reread soon.
Holly J
I love ALL of Leigh’s boys, but I have such a soft spot for KAZ. <333 Also STURMHOND! Love them both so much. And I so enjoyed this post!
Jacklin Updegraft
OH MY YES! Matthias! I loved him in the book he is so freaking dreamy! That is definitely not who I would pick to play him but maybe that’s because I watched him in Glee and he was a huge dork!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
Nikolai and Kaz <3 And Matthias, but meh, I think Kaz is my favorite. Such great swoon boys! Though I see what you and Leigh are saying. Still! 😀
Thank you, ladies! 🙂
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Jamie Welch
Im gonna say Sturmhond, cause a guy with a sense of humor is key!!
Carina Olsen
lol, I love this post Steph 😀 Thank you oh so much for sharing. <3 Ugh, MAL. My love. I love him the very most. I don't like the Darkling at all, lol 🙂 But Mal. <3 Sigh. I would loooove to date Mal 🙂 I simply cannot wait to FINALLY get to read Six of Crows next week. <3 Waited so long. Never got any ARC, sniffs 🙁 So a bit sad. But excited to finally get to read it, and meet these lovely boys 😉 Can't wait. Thank you for sharing this precious. <3
Natasha
I’d have to choose Kaz since you used a Nathan Fillion photo to represent him
Molly Banks Wilsbacher
Sounds amazing!
Alice Lionel
Definitely in love with Kaz and the Darkling!
Lizzie
For some reason I could totally see the Darkling having a super secret soft side. It’s just hidden underneath a bunch of layers of viciousness.
I read the Darkling/Mal fanfic! BAHAHAHAHA!!! I don’t even like Mal and I loved it!
vvb
Super cute post with cuties! Matthias continues to hold my adoration 😉
Gaby
OMG I love your post about the dates xD
Honestly, how could a girl choose? But I do love Mal, so if I went on a date with a grisha guy, it’d be with him 🙂
KayCee K.
Oh, my Word! Look at that list… I just can’t… nope… I mean. How can someone pick… it’s just not right! Great post, one of my favorite of the week!
Maryssa L
Ahh who doesn’t love some bad boy loving?? It’s like you said, not marrying them so might as well have some fun! Can’t wait to read six of crows ???? A+ casting tbh
Karen Maldonad
I think Date 6 sounds so cute. Matthias just sounds like he needs to cuddle.
bn100
interesting characters
Laura Lawbaugh
YES YES!! 1, 3, and 6. oh yes. great choices!
Clarisa
#2 The Darkling is my all time favorite but #3 Sturmhond meets him to the punch and it’s true he is hilarious.
Nikki
All about the Darkling!!!!
Hannah
these would be some pretty great dates! Maybe not #2 but the rest of them would be ????
Veshani
All the characters are amazing but the Darkling though ahhh
Lyn Kaye
It is going to be really hard to replace Strumhond in my head. Seriously, at the SoC book launch party, there was about to be a freaking fight over him in the audience. And I would have joined in.