When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows and Grishaverse–rejoice! It’s very nearly publication date for the second book in the Six of Crows Duology. To celebrate the upcoming release of Crooked Kingdom, we are happy to be a stop on the official blog tour, focusing on one particular character in Kaz Brekker’s daring crew: Inej.
Both Leigh Bardugo and we smugglers share what we love so much about the talented spy, and offer up a chance to enter the official Cooked Kingdom blog tour giveaway in the comments below.
Inej by Kevin Wada
From Leigh Bardugo:
Inej really began as a skillset. I knew I needed an acrobat for the heist, and I’d touched on the Suli (and the way they were viewed and treated by the Ravkans) in the Grisha Trilogy. But I really didn’t understand how much she’d come to mean to me and how important she’d be to the way I saw the story. As far as I’m concerned, she’s the heart of the duology.
Six Reasons We Love Inej:
- Her moniker is “The Wraith.” Not “spider” or anything else. Because while she’s quick, silent, sure-footed, and graceful, she also moves like a ghost in the night and strikes terror into the hearts of her marks.
- Inej knows true sadness and despair… Her past is a hard one, having been snatched from her family as a child and sold into indentured servitude for the Menagerie–aka the pleasure district. Inej has lived the hard life of a slave to a pleasure house and her greatest fear is being made to return. Everything Inej does has a purpose; instead of collapsing on herself or being paralyzed by fear, she hones her fear into skill (and in the process becomes the best damn spy the city has ever seen).
- …and recognizes friendship and camaraderie. The relationship between Inej and Nina is awesome and understated and powerful. These two women not only ensure that Six of Crows passes the Bechdel Test, but make for a more nuanced and relationship-focused heist story. The scene where the two are trying to get into the Ice Court and are cut off from the rest of the group is a particular favorite.
- She has no delusions. Inej would rather die than return to servitude. She’s a little
- She refuses to settle for anything less. Sorry Kaz. Inej is an all-or-nothing kind of girl, and DAMN she has the willpower to do what she wants and not settle for anything less than what she deserves.
- She is the best damned acrobat and thief in the Grishaverse. She scales impossible castle walls! She gets stuck by a knife up to the hilt but manages to fight and climb and live. She. Is. A. Badass.
About the Author:
Born in Jerusalem, Leigh grew up in Los Angeles and is a graduate of Yale. She has written for 20th Century Fox and LA Weekly, among others. For more in the Grishaverse, read the original trilogy: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising.
The Giveaway:
From September 21 to September 26, bloggers in the US and UK will be paired up to share the secrets of Kaz’s crew as we count down to the publication of Crooked Kingdom.
Enter for a chance to win a Crooked Kingdom prize package full of US AND UK swag by commenting on all 12 blog posts by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 3, 2016.
Find the world of SIX OF CROWS and CROOKED KINGDOM at www.grishaverse.com, and follow Leigh on Twitter @lbardugo or by using hashtags #SixOfCrows and #CrookedKingdom
72 Comments
Marcela Zambrana
September 24, 2016 at 9:55 pmabsolute fave !! Inej is life <3
Dona
September 24, 2016 at 10:46 pmInej, is hands down, my favourite female fictional character of all-time. I don’t know what I was doing with my life before I read about Inej. I’m so thankful to Leigh for writing such a badass brown girl. I’m a brown girl and at that time, I hadn’t read any YA books with brown girls as MCs in them because I didn’t know that there was room for brown girls in predominantly white books, I didn’t even expect it. That’s when I read SoC, and it blew me away. Reading about Inej made me so proud. Since, then, I’ve read quite a few books with Brown MCs but Inej will always have a special place in my heart. And I sincerely want to thank Leigh for giving us Inej. Leigh you’re the best.
Joanna R.
September 24, 2016 at 11:33 pmInej is my favorite character! There’s no one else like the Wraith.
Vanessa
September 24, 2016 at 11:45 pmInej is my favorite female character in the series. I love her strength. The way that she rises above the terrible things in her past is so inspiring.
Fatma S
September 24, 2016 at 11:55 pmWords cannot describe how much I love Inej. I love her quiet strength and fierceness. She is never gratuitous. Everything she does is purposeful and once she has her sights set on something, she does that thing, and she does it WELL (a particular scene in Six of Crows with an incinerator comes to mind). I’m so incredibly excited to see where her character goes in Crooked Kingdom. I just hope she gets some peace and happiness after such a hard life. c:
Lira
September 25, 2016 at 2:12 amInej is so awesome! Her friendship with Nina is so much fun to read about.
GabyN
September 25, 2016 at 2:37 amPrecious Inej! She’s fantastic! She may not have attract as much attention but that doesn’t diminish the strength of her character! I look forward knowing what’s gonna happen on Crooked Kingdom!
Tessa
September 25, 2016 at 3:56 amIn my opinion Inej is what took Six of Crows to the next level. I love all the lighthearted wittiness and crazy escapades but her backstory and outlook made the book so profound.
Car
September 25, 2016 at 4:14 am“She was Inej Ghafa, and her future was waiting above.” TWO DAYS!!
ellie czyzowska
September 25, 2016 at 5:45 amInej is everything I aspire to be, I love reading from her point of view and can’t wait to see her take on the events of crooked kingdom!!
Alex
September 25, 2016 at 5:46 amInej was definitely my favourite when I started Six of Crows! Since then I have fallen head over heels for Jesper, but Inej is still really special to me. She’s such a badass and I can’t wait to read Crooked Kingdom!!
Anne Consolacion
September 25, 2016 at 7:04 amHaven’t read the first book yet but I’m getting to know the characters in this blog tour. Inej sounds like a real ninja. Love her card.
Kaavya
September 25, 2016 at 7:09 amAll throughout Six of Crows I was praying that Inej would be okay. Now I have to pray that nothing happens to her in Crooked Kingdom.
Felicia
September 25, 2016 at 8:30 amInej is such a powerful character, I love that girl!!
Cardaisha Johnson
September 25, 2016 at 9:56 amWhen I first read Six of Crows, I knew Inej would be my favorite and nothing would change that.
Katie
September 25, 2016 at 11:13 amInej is so friggin amazing. I admire the fact that she knows what she wants and isn’t willing to compromise. Go Inej!
Kami Cupal
September 25, 2016 at 11:37 amI love Inej! it’s so cool how she named all her knives/daggers!
Rhianna
September 25, 2016 at 1:41 pmInej is Badass defined.
Anna
September 25, 2016 at 2:26 pmLovely post! Inej is my favorite character in Six of Crows. I’m hoping that her and Kaz hook up but I’m also fine if she stays single. Either way, I really hope that Inej stays alive and is happy! <3
anna | annaish
Annilee
September 25, 2016 at 3:43 pmI love, love, love everything about Inej. She is such a strong, powerful female character, one of my favorites in YA literature. I cannot wait to read more about her in Crooked Kingdom!
Theresa
September 25, 2016 at 4:14 pmInej is my fav 😀 Love this series so much!
Angela JC
September 25, 2016 at 7:07 pmAhhh! Inej is my favorite. I’m really rooting for Kaz and Inej…just saying 😉 But truly, everything about her I love. She’s strong, unwavering, smart, and truly admirable. I love them all but in the end Inej is definitely my favorite and I really cannot wait to read the rest of her story in CROOKED KINGDOM. The nerve of that man! haha no sweat, he’ll get what’s comin’ to ‘im.
Zairah Divino
September 25, 2016 at 8:16 pm*screams* Inej is my absolute favorite in the crew! I cheered for her when she refused Kaz. (You go, girl!)
I think I am going to be so disappointed if she didn’t escape in CK all by herself and meet the crew in the middle of their plans. that would be like her. LOL.
Ella
September 25, 2016 at 8:17 pmInej is such a breath of fresh air when it comes to heroines today, and I can’t wait to see her again in ck!
Jacklin
September 25, 2016 at 8:41 pmHonestly the entire Six of Crows cast is the most amazing and wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. I love them so much and I need to know that they’re all okay in CK. I love every interaction they have with each other and how they come to care for one another. This entire book is just gold. I love this series so much
Megan
September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pmInej <3333
Vivien
September 25, 2016 at 9:08 pmInej is just so fabulous!! She’s been through so much and yet, she is so fierce!!
Alexa R Bongala
September 25, 2016 at 9:36 pmI love how strong Inej is. She knows what she wants, she is willing to strive forward, and decided to turn that weakness into strength. She decided to turn her fear into her goal for saving others from the same fate she had.
Annie
September 25, 2016 at 9:46 pmIt is SUCH a treat to read about Inej. Her goodness, her faith, her optimism, her purpose. Especially contrasted with Kaz’s bitter outlook on the world. She truly is the heart of the whole gang.
Kat T.
September 25, 2016 at 10:44 pmI’m so excited to read the next book!
Jessie
September 25, 2016 at 11:27 pmI’m so excited to see what happens to Inej in crooked kingdom and I hope we get to see more of her and Nina’s friendship
A
September 25, 2016 at 11:27 pmInej is one of my favorites! I love her and Nina as friends, they are quite a pair. More so, I love her and Kaz. 😉 I hope the crew makes good on their promise to the Wraith!
Thank you!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
September 25, 2016 at 11:28 pmInej is one of my favorites! I love her and Nina as friends, they are quite a pair. More so, I love her and Kaz. 😉 I hope the crew makes good on their promise to the Wraith!
Thank you! =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
September 25, 2016 at 11:29 pmWhoops, I submitted this before finishing typing my name, my apologies. Please delete the above comment (and this reply)! =)
Julie
September 25, 2016 at 11:37 pmInej is such a great character! I love her nickname, “The Wraith,” too! It’s so creepy but cool.
Alexis
September 26, 2016 at 12:07 amInej truly is the heart of the story. I also love that Leigh made her a WOC too! I am so nervous about what will happen to her in CK. How dare they kidnap the “The Wraith.”
Bruinbr
September 26, 2016 at 3:27 amLove Inej (& kaz!) She really is the heart of the story!
Meigan
September 26, 2016 at 3:53 aminej is the light of my life. honestly i’m not sure what i’d do without her. probably cry. let’s hope i won’t have to cry for the rest of my life after this book release. -meigan
Jennifer Strunk
September 26, 2016 at 9:16 amShe’s my fave of the dregs! (At least at this point!) ; )
I crazy-love the cards!!!
This was a great overview of the character!
Mithila
September 26, 2016 at 12:08 pmYesssss, Inej!! I absolutely LOVE her and I think I can say she’s my favourite Dreg (though, honestly, I can say that for all of them, sigh). But, honestly, Inej is just… she’s amazing. I thought her voice actress did the best job to bring her out and I can’t wait to read more of her!
Brenda
September 26, 2016 at 2:56 pmAbsolutely love Inej’s character, I can’t wait to read her POV chapters. Love her independence, skill, stealth, yep so looking forward to more.
Leah Hanson
September 26, 2016 at 5:42 pmInej is the best, and I completely agree with you that even her friendship with Nina really rounds out her character. Inej is complicated and awesome and someone I’m rooting for (come on, Kaz)!
Ysabel Grace
September 26, 2016 at 6:24 pmInej is Kaz’s sunshine!!! Oh, let her be safe, that beautiful cinnamonroll!!! She is such a soul!!!! <3 <3 <3
Danielle D.
September 26, 2016 at 7:00 pmI ADORE this piece of art, Inej looks amazing in it!
Sarah
September 26, 2016 at 7:39 pmOne thing that I love about Inej – she shows us many times in Six of Crows that she will willingly die, willingly put her life on the line, to save her friends. She shows us this when they are attacked on the docks and she dives headlong into danger to give the others a chance. She shows us this when she’s fighting to climb the chimney and her shoes are melting and her courage is failing. She shows us this when she’s willing to face her biggest fear and hate and don that Lynx costume with Nina. There’s no greater love.
Jocelyne T
September 26, 2016 at 9:38 pmI love how Leigh describes Inej as the heart of the duology <3 She is my favourite character! Inej is so reliable, skilled and she is willing to do anything to help/save her friends.
Grace
September 26, 2016 at 10:43 pmI love how Inej found her purpose in Six of Crows and I’m super excited to see her in CK! Definitely my favorite person
Wendy
September 27, 2016 at 12:50 amI LOVE the relationship between Nina and Inej. You are right; they add heart to the story without being “just” love interests. Really strong women facing impossible situations.
Penny Olson
September 27, 2016 at 1:41 amAll these characters sound fascinating but I think I would really like Inej. Thanks for the giveaway!
Justine
September 27, 2016 at 2:14 amI love Inej *sigh*
Sarah Parks
September 27, 2016 at 6:41 pmOne thing I love about Inej is that she is so real. All of the characters in this series all have imperfections and serious problems in their past. But they are all working together to overcome them as a team and healing together.
Jhanna
September 27, 2016 at 7:39 pmInej is my favorite!! Role model material right there.
Kaitlyn Sun
September 27, 2016 at 9:01 pmI’ve always appreciated the different ethnicities Ms. Bardugo’s put into her books without making it seem forced, and Inej is no exception. Here’s hoping that she gets saved by the rest of the crew! (Or knowing her, escapes by herself as she waves *sayonara* :))
Angel
September 28, 2016 at 12:04 amI so beyond love Inej for all the reasons stated above in the post! She’s such a fearless and interesting character and I love her for it!
Stephanie
September 28, 2016 at 12:13 amI just got my copy of Crooked Kingdom today, and I can’t wait to dive in. Thanks for the post! 🙂
Fay
September 28, 2016 at 11:59 amSuper excited for Crooked Kingdom!
Grace Radford-Tingley
September 28, 2016 at 1:35 pmI feel like Inej is such a fascinating character. I can’t wait to learn more about her in CK!
Alex U.
September 29, 2016 at 10:05 pmInej my love! I love this character so much honestly she was the first character I fell in love with when I read Six of Crows. And I can’t wait to learn more about her in Crooked Kingdom!
margaret g
September 30, 2016 at 6:51 pmI love Inej’s character – she’s so badass!
Hannah Hinton
September 30, 2016 at 9:51 pmI love Inej so much! She is my favorite!
Natalie Monroe
September 30, 2016 at 10:36 pmI absolutely agree that Inej is the heart of the series. She’s retained her moral compass despite everything she’s done and seen. I love her to pieces. <3
Tracy
October 1, 2016 at 2:59 amInej is an amazing character that you can’t help adore and admire, i love her fierce attitude and the fact that she knows she deserves the best from people and won’t take anything less that that, I loved the drive she had at the end of six of crows in regard to her dream because she had finally found the aim for her heart and it made me so happy for her. It’s impossible to not love inej she is just simply one of the best female characters I have ever read and she will always be a favourite!
KAYLA
October 1, 2016 at 12:52 pmUgh.. I l love how strong Inej is and devoted, I absolutely love her to pieces. Though my heart honestly breaks for her. Her past is such a hard one and I cant help admiring her even more for overcoming it.
She is definitely an all time favorite in YA Main Characters!~
I loved her in Crooked Kingdom as well! ~
LOVED THE AUDIOBOOK VERSION AS WELL!! PEOPLE LISTEN TO IT AS WELL IT IS AMAZING!!~
Alice @ Arctic Books
October 1, 2016 at 1:41 pmAhh, I love Inej! She’s so badass and I loved her so much in SOC! I can’t wait to read CK soon!
Sananda Davalillo
October 1, 2016 at 9:05 pmI fell in love iwth Inej in her first page, and in the same chapter I started shipping KANEJ lol Inej is my top favorite, she’s capable, she’s skilled, she’s simply AWESOME! I want to be like her when I grow up(?
Carina Olsen
October 2, 2016 at 5:37 pmAwesome blog tour post 😀 Thank you for sharing. <3 I adore Inej so much. She's so amazing. Her past breaks my heart. Yet she's still so strong and sweet and lovely and gaaah. I love her so much 🙂
Hannah R
October 2, 2016 at 11:30 pmInej became one of my favorites immediately in SoC <3 I love that she's all the incredible things she is despite what she's endured & the beliefs she maintains through everything. Her willpower & strength are so admirable and I love reading her relationships with the rest of the crew!
Ally M
October 3, 2016 at 11:23 amI love Inej. She’s such a excellently written strong female character. Can’t wait to read the second book!
Alice Moraes
October 3, 2016 at 11:33 pmInej is just the most badass character there is and I love her and I will protect her until the end.
Dr. Anupam Dandgavhal
July 20, 2019 at 11:36 ami like this. its very interesting
Atharva Specilaity
July 20, 2019 at 11:38 amInej is just the most badass character there is and I love her
Leandra
March 6, 2021 at 12:43 pmHey there, I’m currently writing a review on Crooked Kingdom. I usually add a picture of the book to my reviews so I wanted to ask if I could take your picture of the cover and use it for my blog? Thanks for you answer, Leandra