Review: Six of Crows Book vs. TV Series Adaptation

Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows has been captivating readers since 2015, delivering a high-stakes heist, a cast of die hard and morally grey characters, and an immersive world rich with intrigue. When Netflix’s Shadow and Bone series incorporated the Crows crew, fans were eager but wary. Would the show do justice to the grishaverse’ arguably more popular spinoff, or would it fall short? Let’s break it down.

Six of Crows has the difficult task of controlling tension and pacing while weaving multiple perspectives as Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan embark on an impossible heist. Alternating viewpoints give us a deeper sense to their characters, revealing their personal struggles alongside the larger mission.

The TV adaptation, however, introduces Kaz, Inej, and Jesper as part of Shadow and Bone, serving as a prequel rather than an adaptation of their original storyline. While this approach provides fresh character dynamics, it also means the Crows’ defining heist is absent. No Ice Court, no Wylan (yet), and a different kind of high-stakes plotting than what fans expected.

One of Six of Crows' greatest strengths is its deeply layered characters. Kaz Brekker is a calculating mastermind with a haunted past, Inej Ghafa is a fierce yet compassionate force, and Jesper Fahey balances charm with (adorably) self-destructive tendencies. The book takes its time peeling back their motivations and relationships, making their arcs feel earned. 

The TV series gets the casting right—Freddy Carter’s Kaz is intimidating yet vulnerable, Amita Suman’s Inej is both sharp and soulful, and Kit Young’s Jesper is effortlessly charismatic. However, the constraints of Shadow and Bone mean their backstories and internal struggles aren’t explored as fully. Key elements, such as Kaz’s deep-seated trauma and Jesper’s gambling addiction, receive only passing mentions, leaving much of their complexity underdeveloped. Nina and Matthias’ book storyline is largely intact, but without the larger Crows narrative in place, their connection to the rest of the group feels somewhat isolated.

Bardugo’s Ketterdam is a city of ruthless ambition, shady deals, and constant power struggles. The book immerses readers in its cutthroat atmosphere, where survival depends on cunning and alliances are as fragile as they are necessary. The TV series brings Ketterdam to life visually, but blending the Crows storyline with Shadow and Bone shifts the focus. Instead of fully exploring the city’s criminal underworld, the show balances its time between Ketterdam and Ravka’s political conflicts. While still compelling, this change dilutes some of the Crows’ signature grit and tension.

The Six of Crows novel excels in its intricate storytelling, character depth, and immersive world. The TV adaptation offers a compelling introduction but serves more as a setup than a direct adaptation of the Crows’ iconic heist. It captures the essence of the characters and setting but doesn’t fully delve into their complexities—yet.

For longtime fans, the show is an enjoyable expansion but lacks some of the depth that made the book unforgettable. For newcomers, it’s an engaging entry point into the Grishaverse, with the hope that a future adaptation will do justice to the full Crows saga.