If Six of Crows left you pacing the kitchen at 2 a.m., Crooked Kingdom is the audiobook you queue up before you’ve even taken your earbuds out. I’ve spent real hours with the Crooked Kingdom audiobook, so here is the verdict. This is the second half and grand finale of Leigh Bardugo’s duology, and I’d gently steer you toward listening to Six of Crows first, because the emotional payoff here is built entirely on that foundation. Don’t worry, though, I’m keeping this review completely spoiler-free for both books. What I can promise is that the full-cast narration turns Ketterdam’s crooked streets into something you can practically hear breathing.
Get the Crooked Kingdom Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat Crooked Kingdom is about
Kaz Brekker and his ragtag crew of thieves, spies, and sharpshooters are back in Ketterdam, the money-soaked, morally bankrupt port city where a good con is the only honest currency. After the events of the first book, the stakes have climbed higher and gotten far more personal. Debts are owed, betrayals sting, and every player at the table has a hidden card. What begins as a scheme to settle a score spirals into something that could reshape the balance of power across the whole city.
Bardugo weaves six distinct points of view together so tightly that the plot moves like a heist itself, all misdirection and satisfying reveals. But the real magic is the crew: sharp banter, slow-burn tenderness, and characters who feel like your own reckless, loyal friends. It’s clever, it’s ruthless, and underneath the schemes it’s surprisingly big-hearted.
| Author | Leigh Bardugo |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Roger Clark, Jay Snyder & full cast |
| Length | 17h 58m |
The narration: a heist told in eight voices
This audiobook runs 17 hours and 58 minutes and enlists a full cast of eight narrators: Roger Clark, Jay Snyder, Elizabeth Evans, Fred Berman, Brandon Rubin, Kevin T. Collins, Lauren Fortgang, and Peter Ganim. With six rotating perspectives, that multi-narrator approach is genuinely the right call. Each POV character gets their own distinct voice, so you always know whose head you’re in without needing a chapter heading to tell you. Jay Snyder’s clipped, cold-edged Kaz is a standout, and Lauren Fortgang and Elizabeth Evans give the women of the crew real interior weight. The accents stay consistent, the pacing during the tense set-pieces is razor-sharp, and the quieter, aching moments land because the performers trust the silence. It’s one of those rare full-cast productions where the format actively deepens the story rather than just decorating it.
Is the Crooked Kingdom audiobook worth a credit?
Absolutely, and without hesitation. At roughly eighteen hours you’re getting a generous, immersive listen, and the full-cast performance elevates already-brilliant writing into something you’ll want to replay. If you loved book one, spending a credit here is a no-brainer. If you’re new to Bardugo, start with Six of Crows, then come straight back for this one.
Who should press play
Press play if you love heist stories, ensemble casts, morally gray anti-heroes, and slow-burn relationships that make you clutch your chest. Fantasy fans who enjoy intricate plotting and witty dialogue will be in heaven. I’d say skip it only if you haven’t read or listened to Six of Crows yet, or if multi-POV storytelling with a large cast tends to lose you. Otherwise, this is a listen to savor.
If you like Crooked Kingdom, listen to these next
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo — the essential first half of this duology, so start here if you somehow haven’t yet.
- Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir — for the same snarky, found-family energy wrapped around a twisty, gothic mystery.
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon — a sweeping standalone fantasy if you want to stay lost in a richly built world.
How to listen to Crooked Kingdom
The easiest route is Audible, where you can grab it with a credit or start a free trial and use your first credit on it. You can also buy the audiobook outright through Amazon. Prefer to switch between formats? It pairs nicely with the Kindle edition or a print copy if you like to follow along.
Get the Crooked Kingdom Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
Who narrates the Crooked Kingdom audiobook?
It features a full cast of eight narrators: Roger Clark, Jay Snyder, Elizabeth Evans, Fred Berman, Brandon Rubin, Kevin T. Collins, Lauren Fortgang, and Peter Ganim, each bringing the rotating points of view to life.
How long is the Crooked Kingdom audiobook?
The unabridged Audible edition runs 17 hours and 58 minutes, so roughly eighteen hours of listening.
Do I need to read Six of Crows first?
Yes. Crooked Kingdom is the direct sequel and finale, and it picks up right where Six of Crows leaves off, so start with book one for the full experience.
Is Crooked Kingdom the last book in the series?
It’s the second and concluding volume of the Six of Crows duology, wrapping up the crew’s story, though the characters live in Bardugo’s wider Grishaverse.