This is one of those rare YA books that lives up to the hype. Bardugo crafted a genuinely clever heist story with characters who feel real—flawed, traumatized, and trying to survive in a brutal world. The found family dynamics are chef's kiss, and the disability representation is some of the best in YA fantasy.

Yes, it's dark. There's violence, references to sex trafficking, and morally complicated situations. But it's handled with nuance, not shock value. The characters grapple with real consequences and complex emotions. This isn't trauma porn—it's a story about resilience.

The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the magic system is interesting but doesn't overshadow the character-driven plot. Fair warning: it ends on a cliffhanger, so have Crooked Kingdom ready.

For mature 13-14+ readers who can handle darker themes, this is excellent. It's the kind of book that gets teens excited about reading and gives them genuinely complex material to think about.