If your teen is asking for this book, they’ve likely seen it all over their "BookTok" feed or perhaps they stumbled upon the Shadow and Bone (Netflix) series before it was tragically canceled. Written by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows is a high-stakes heist novel set in the "Grishaverse"—a world where some people have magical abilities (Grisha) and others are very, very afraid of them.

The story follows Kaz Brekker, a 17-year-old criminal prodigy in the bustling, dirty city of Ketterdam. He assembles a crew of six outcasts for a literal suicide mission: break into the world’s most secure military stronghold to retrieve a scientist who has developed a drug that turns magical abilities into a terrifying, addictive weapon. It’s basically Ocean’s Eleven meets Game of Thrones, but with way more teenage angst and significantly better outfits.

The reason this book has such a chokehold on digital culture is the "found family" trope. Each of the six main characters is deeply broken in a way that resonates with modern teens. You have Kaz (the leader with a physical disability and severe touch aversion), Inej (a former victim of human trafficking turned elite spy), Jesper (a gambling addict with ADHD coding), Wylan (a runaway with a learning disability), Nina (a soldier with a big heart), and Matthias (a former witch-hunter struggling with his upbringing).

It’s a masterclass in character development. Screenwise notes that while the characters are technically 17 or 18, they often read like they are in their mid-20s because of the sheer amount of life-trauma they’ve endured. This "maturity" is exactly what draws in younger readers who are looking for stories that don't treat them like kids.

Ask our chatbot about other popular BookTok titles

When we talk about the "age rating," we aren't just looking at a number on a sticker. We’re looking at the emotional weight. Here is the "no-BS" breakdown of what is actually inside those pages:

This isn't cartoon violence. It’s visceral. There are scenes involving eyeballs being plucked out (off-page, but described), bones being broken, and the brutal reality of gang warfare. Kaz Brekker isn't a "soft" hero; he’s a guy who earned the nickname "Dirtyhands" for a reason. If your kid is sensitive to descriptions of physical injury or torture, this might be a skip for now.

Leigh Bardugo doesn't pull punches when it comes to the backstories of her characters. One of the main characters, Inej, was kidnapped and sold into a "pleasure house" (a brothel). While the book never describes sexual acts, the psychological impact of her being "owned" and the trauma of that experience are central to her character arc. It’s handled with extreme respect and isn't used for "titillation," but it’s a heavy topic for a 10 or 11-year-old to process without context.

Parents often worry that anything popular on TikTok is basically softcore porn. That is not the case here. While there are three central romances, they are very "slow burn." There is some kissing and a lot of longing looks, but Six of Crows and its sequel Crooked Kingdom are largely "closed door" when it comes to sexual content. It’s much safer in this department than something like A Court of Thorns and Roses.

A major plot point involves jurda parem, a highly addictive drug that enhances Grisha power while destroying the user's body. The book serves as a pretty stark allegory for the horrors of addiction and the predatory nature of those who profit from it.

If your teen is reading Six of Crows, you actually have a great opening for some real-world conversations that aren't eye-roll-inducing.

Learn more about navigating difficult themes in YA literature

Q: Is Six of Crows appropriate for a 12 year old?

It depends on the 12-year-old, but generally, Screenwise suggests waiting until 13 or 14. The themes of human trafficking and the level of visceral violence (like the mention of pulling out eyeballs) can be a lot for a middle-schooler who isn't used to gritty fantasy.

Q: Is there "spice" or sexual content in Six of Crows?

No, Six of Crows is not "spicy." While there are romantic subplots and mentions of characters working in brothels, there are no explicit sex scenes. It is much more focused on the heist and the characters' psychological trauma than on romance.

Q: Do you need to read Shadow and Bone before Six of Crows?

Not necessarily, but it helps. Six of Crows takes place in the same world after the events of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, but it features a different cast and location. Reading the original trilogy first provides better context for the magic system, but many fans (including us!) think Six of Crows is the much better series.

Q: What are the main trigger warnings for Six of Crows?

The primary warnings include human trafficking (non-graphic), physical torture, child neglect, gambling addiction, slavery, and graphic descriptions of violence/wounds. There is also a significant focus on the death of a sibling in a character's backstory.

Six of Crows is a fantastic, high-quality piece of literature that happens to be marketed to teens. It’s dark, yes, but it’s also a story about marginalized people finding power in a world that wants to throw them away. If your kid is 14+, let them dive in. If they’re younger, maybe start them with the Shadow and Bone trilogy first to see if they can handle the "vibe" of the Grishaverse before moving into the darker alleys of Ketterdam.

Check out our full guide on the best fantasy books for teens