Crooked Kingdom Summary: The Ultimate Heist Showdown in Ketterdam

Introduction: Crooked Kingdom Summary: Kaz Brekker’s High-Stakes Heist Continues

What Is Crooked Kingdom About?

What happens after the perfect heist goes wrong? Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo picks up right where Six of Crows left off—with Inej kidnapped, their reward stolen, and Kaz Brekker’s crew fighting for survival in Ketterdam’s cutthroat underworld.

This Crooked Kingdom Summary delivers higher stakes, darker twists, and the ultimate revenge plot as the team takes on merchants, gang lords, and even foreign governments.

TL;DR – Quick Summary

In “Crooked Kingdom,” Kaz and his crew must outwit rivals, confront their pasts, and execute an elaborate heist to save Inej and secure their future—while navigating betrayal, addiction, and violence.

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Questions Crooked Kingdom Answers

1. What drives Kaz Brekker’s ruthless behavior?

2. How does Nina Zenik cope with withdrawal from jurda parem?

3. What is the significance of loyalty in Kaz’s crew?

4. How does Wylan find his strength outside his father’s shadow?

5. What role does revenge play in the story’s progression?

6. What does “found family” mean to the characters of Crooked Kingdom?

7. How does the conflict between Grisha and drüskelle evolve in the book?

8. What are the stakes surrounding jurda parem?

9. How does Kaz use his genius to outsmart his enemies?

10. How does Matthias’ loyalty shift throughout the story?

✍️ About Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Grishaverse. Known for dark fantasy with intricate heists, she blends political intrigue with deep character arcs. A Yale graduate, her own bone disease inspired Kaz’s physical struggles.

 Crooked Kingdom Summary & Characters & Themes

Non-Spoiler Overview

After the Ice Court heist, Jan Van Eck betrays Kaz’s crew, refusing to pay their 30 million kruge reward and kidnapping Inej as leverage. Now, Kaz must:
✔ Rescue Inej from Van Eck’s clutches
✔ Outmaneuver Pekka Rollins, his long-time nemesis
✔ Expose Van Eck’s corruption to the Merchant Council
✔ Survive international factions hunting Kuwei Yul-Bo

The crew’s plan? A multi-layered con involving:

• A fake sugar market crash

• A staged auction for Kuwei

• A psychological revenge plot against Pekka Rollins

Spoiler Breakdown: Key Moments

Part 1: The Rescue Mission Begins

• Inej is tortured but refuses to break, using Suli defiance to unsettle her captors.

• Kaz infiltrates a lawyer’s office, stealing documents to track Van Eck’s hidden assets.

• Jesper’s father arrives, forcing him to confront his gambling addiction.

Part 2: The Sugar Market Conspiracy

• Wylan and Kuwei create a “chemical weevil” to destroy Van Eck’s sugar reserves.

• Kaz kidnaps Van Eck’s pregnant wife, Alys, to force a hostage exchange.

• Nina’s new Grisha power emerges—she can now control dead matter (bones, dust, even corpses).

Part 3: The Final Showdown

• The crew fakes Kuwei’s death at a public auction, fooling all factions.

• Kaz psychologically destroys Pekka Rollins, making him believe his son is buried alive.

• Wylan exposes his father’s crimes, inheriting the Van Eck fortune.

• Inej gets her own ship, The Wraith, to hunt slavers—funded by Kaz.

Ending Hook: The crew scatters—Nina leaves to cure jurda parem, Wylan takes over his father’s empire, and Kaz solidifies his rule in Ketterdam.

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 Crooked Kingdom Summary By Chapter (explained)

Part One: Forsaken

Chapter 1: Retvenko
Retvenko, a Grisha Squaller, is trapped in Ketterdam’s Barrel, frustrated by his indenture. He uses his powers to scatter papers and is soon attacked and abducted.

Chapter 2: Wylan
Wylan, anxious and working undercover, aids Kaz in distracting Smeet to retrieve vital information about his family and Van Eck’s shady dealings.

Chapter 3: Matthias
Matthias returns to the hideout, where the crew discusses plans to rescue Inej, who is being held hostage by Van Eck.

Chapter 4: Inej
Inej, imprisoned by Van Eck, plans to mislead her captor, but things take a turn when Van Eck reveals he’s ready to exchange her for Kuwei Yul-Bo.

Part Two: A Killing Wind

Chapter 5: Jesper
Jesper reflects on his strained relationship with his father and is injured during an ambush, while Wylan uncovers a secret passage in the university.

Chapter 6: Nina
Nina struggles with parem withdrawal while trying to maintain her focus on rescuing Inej. She learns that Kaz is holding the parem.

Chapter 7: Inej
Inej’s defiance leads Van Eck to set a trap, but Kaz and his crew use the opportunity to kidnap Van Eck’s wife, Alys, as leverage.

Chapter 8: Matthias
Matthias helps with the plan to kidnap Alys, and despite his personal discomfort, plays a key role in the execution.

Part Three: Brick by Brick

Chapter 9: Kaz
Kaz confronts Pekka Rollins in a tense moment, revealing their shared past. Kaz escapes with a fiery display, but worries about Inej and Nina.

Chapter 10: Jesper
Jesper’s fireworks signal a chaotic event at the exchange, where unexpected explosions disrupt the plan and confuse the crew.

Chapter 11: Inej
Inej discovers a deeper conspiracy involving Shu soldiers and the creation of enhanced Grisha, further complicating their mission.

Chapter 12: Kaz
Kaz reflects on his strategy and the brewing tensions as he prepares to confront the forces threatening his crew.

Part Four: The Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 13: Nina
Nina deals with the psychological effects of parem withdrawal and her guilt, but reaffirms her mission to free Inej.

Chapter 14: Wylan
Wylan, faced with his father’s betrayal, experiences a painful realization about his family and begins to accept his true identity.

Chapter 15: Matthias
Matthias’s internal conflict deepens as he grapples with his past loyalties while continuing to support Nina.

Chapter 16: Jesper
Jesper reflects on his past trauma and realizes the significance of his mother’s Grisha abilities.

Part Five: Kings & Queens

Chapter 17: Inej
Inej and Nina infiltrate the Van Eck silos, using their combined skills to avoid detection and sabotage key systems.

Chapter 18: Kaz
Kaz confronts Rollins again, using his cunning to outmaneuver him and keep his plans moving forward.

Chapter 19: Matthias
Matthias’s quick thinking helps the crew escape a dangerous situation as they make their way to safety.

Chapter 20: Inej
Inej faces off with Dunyasha on the rooftops, using her intimate knowledge of Ketterdam to outwit her opponent.

Part Six: Action & Echo

Chapter 21: Kaz
Kaz gathers the crew for a new plan involving a public auction for Kuwei, intending to use it to outsmart both Van Eck and Rollins.

Chapter 22: Nina
Nina uses her new necrotic powers to manipulate corpses, creating chaos in the city and forcing the enemy to retreat.

Chapter 23: Wylan
Wylan begins to accept his abilities and realizes his own strength, despite his father’s past mistreatment.

Chapter 24: Jesper
Jesper, now more self-aware, decides to confront his feelings for Wylan, leading to a moment of emotional growth.

Part Seven: Finale

Chapter 25: Matthias
During the auction chaos, Matthias helps revive Kuwei and strategizes the crew’s next move to escape.

Chapter 26: Kaz
Kaz orchestrates the auction to destroy Van Eck’s empire, manipulating multiple factions and ensuring the crew’s escape with Kuwei.

Chapter 27: Inej
Inej’s mastery of the rooftops and her bond with Kaz shine as she navigates the high-stakes auction to secure their survival.

Chapter 28: Jesper
Jesper finds himself in a crucial position, helping the crew execute their final plan and reflecting on his own personal growth.

Part Seven: Finale

Chapter 29: Nina
Nina, now fully aware of her terrifying new powers, uses necrotic cells to create chaos at the gambling hall. As she manipulates the bodies around her, she grapples with the immense strength of her powers while trying to control her fear of becoming consumed by them.

Chapter 30: Kaz
Kaz confronts Per Haskell and asserts his leadership over the Dregs, defeating gang members who question his authority. In the aftermath, he meets with Ravkan dignitaries, including Sturmhond (King Nikolai), to discuss their plans for the auction and Kuwei’s future.

Chapter 31: Wylan
Wylan reflects on his journey, feeling free after revealing his illiteracy and sharing his truth with others. At the Geldrenner Hotel, he deals with his father’s betrayal, realizing the full extent of his family’s manipulation. He prepares for the upcoming auction, where his fate will change forever.

Chapter 32: Inej
Inej navigates the chaos at the auction and watches as the bidding for Kuwei escalates. She witnesses the arrival of Kuwei, Kaz, and Matthias, causing an uproar in the crowd. During the tumult, Inej finds herself in a deadly face-off with Dunyasha, who relentlessly pursues her, leading to a fight on the city’s rooftops.

Part Eight: The Final Betrayals

Chapter 33: Matthias
Matthias assists in reviving Kuwei after a staged poisoning during the auction. He helps transport Kuwei to safety, reflecting on his moral conflict and the ongoing struggle between his loyalty to Nina and his former allegiance to the drüskelle.

Chapter 34: Nina
Nina and her allies, including Rotty, help Kuwei escape the chaos of the auction. They take to a bottleboat, a covert escape route, with Kuwei as their most valuable prisoner. Nina chooses to stay behind in Ketterdam to continue fighting for the Grisha cause, further cementing her loyalty to her friends.

Chapter 35: Inej
Inej confronts Dunyasha in a battle for survival, using her agility and knowledge of the rooftops to overcome her formidable opponent. She realizes the importance of Kuwei’s survival for the crew’s future and prepares for the next phase of their escape plan.

Chapter 36: Jesper
Jesper, Wylan, and their fathers gather after the auction’s success, which leads to Van Eck’s arrest. They prepare for the final escape, marking a turning point for Jesper as he reflects on his own growth, his past mistakes, and his relationship with Wylan.

Part Nine: The Future of Ketterdam

Chapter 37: Kaz
Kaz, three weeks after the auction, takes control of Per Haskell’s office and begins expanding the Dregs’ operations. With Van Eck’s empire in ruins, Kaz consolidates power, facing off with the Council of Tides to maintain control over the city. Kaz also receives a letter from the Ravkan king, signaling that new alliances may be on the horizon.

Chapter 38: Matthias
Matthias faces internal turmoil as he grapples with his past and his loyalty to Nina. He is confronted by a young drüskelle who accuses him of treason, reflecting on his ongoing journey toward self-acceptance and reconciliation.

Chapter 39: Nina
Nina, while helping the crew escape, reflects on her new power and her growing sense of responsibility. She’s no longer craving parem, but the emotional weight of her new abilities weighs heavily on her. Nina decides to stay behind in Ketterdam, solidifying her commitment to the Grisha cause and her love for Matthias.

Chapter 40: Matthias
Matthias struggles with his feelings of guilt and loyalty, both to Nina and his former drüskelle beliefs. Despite the chaos surrounding their escape, he resolves to stay true to Nina and their cause, even if it means going against his own people.

Part Ten: Kaz’s Legacy

Chapter 41: Wylan
Wylan, feeling free from his father’s oppressive grasp, prepares to move forward with his new life. He embraces his unique skills and begins to find acceptance among the crew. However, his mother’s legacy and the painful truths about his family continue to haunt him.

Chapter 42: Jesper
Jesper’s bond with Wylan deepens as they share a quiet moment of reflection after the intense events of the auction. Jesper acknowledges his growing feelings for Wylan and contemplates his future, realizing that his past mistakes are not an obstacle to his growth.

Chapter 43: Kaz
Kaz meets Inej at Wylan’s house and gives her the deed to a ship, fulfilling her long-held dream of owning a vessel. While Kaz remains cold and distant, his actions show his deep affection for Inej. He agrees to help her dismantle the corrupt system of slavery in Ketterdam, setting the stage for a new mission.

Chapter 44: Inej
Inej, now in possession of her own ship, reflects on her journey from indentured servant to independent woman. She decides to stay in Ketterdam to fight against the system of human trafficking, with Kaz’s support, using her newfound freedom to pursue justice.

Part Eleven: The Final Confrontation

Chapter 45: Pekka
Pekka Rollins, having lost everything, reflects on his past control over Ketterdam and his current situation. He acknowledges that Kaz Brekker and his crew are the new force to reckon with, bringing both vengeance and the promise of change. Rollins is left to contemplate the future, now powerless against Kaz’s relentless pursuit.

Main Characters & Their Arcs

Themes & Analysis

Final Takeaways: Should You Read It?

Crooked Kingdom is perfect if you love:
✅ Mind-blowing cons (Ocean’s Eleven meets Game of Thrones)
✅ Morally gray characters who steal your heart
✅ Explosive endings with emotional payoffs

Read this if you want a heist sequel that’s even better than the first.

❓ FAQ: Crooked Kingdom Questions Answered

1. Is Crooked Kingdom the last book?

Yes, it concludes the Six of Crows duology, but the Grishaverse continues in King of Scars.

2. Does Kaz and Inej’s romance progress?

Subtly—Kaz gives her a ship, showing care in his own way.

3. Who has the best character arc?

Wylan’s transformation from abused son to confident heir is deeply satisfying.

Get Your Copy

• Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows Book 2) by Leigh Bardugo
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Sources & References

• Amazon’s book page
• Goodreaders’s book page
• Author’s image source: altaonline.com
• Book Cover: Amazon.com
• Quotes sources: Goodreads