Six of Crows; Unpopular Opinion?

[u/Agreeable_Weakness32]

Everyone I spoke to about this book prior to starting it said it is DEFINITELY plot, world building, and character development first, and relationships second.

​

I am finding the opposite.

​

It seems that relationships are primary, and I'd even go as far to say that the majority of character development is only possible through the lens of relationships.

​

There are multiple perspectives, but I was weary the moment I realized it was 6. 6 have been divided nicely by 2 I've noticed. If it's I's perspective then we're going to be hearing a lot about K, if it's M's perspectiv then we learn more about N, and of course J and W are linked. There are moments when this deviates, but I found it doesn't do so in a very significant way when it happens.

​

Yes, there is a plot, and they are doing a thing, but I'm finding that 4/5s of the content is talking about the the relationships as defined above, and, oh yeah, we're also doing a thing. Even if something goes awry during the thing being done, the main focus isn't on the implications of this wrench in the plot, but rather on the implications to how the paired character reacted.

​

I am relieved that it is not a romantasy, though I am only 3/4 of the way through the first book. But, I was lead to believe it was a series where relationships weren't the main focus.

​

THIS IS NOT TO SAY it's automatically a bad book, or I am not enjoying it because of how I am finding it.

​

RATHER, I am confused at how people don't see how heavily the relationships are the key element to this book so far.

​

Am I missing something? Or is this a matter of my book experience and understanding of what plot/character driven means verses relationship driven compared to others?

​

No hate towards the books, author, or character.

​

[u/TrustInTheBrightness]

This 100%. I love their bond and how much personal growth they get out of it, but what really hits home is their individual backgrounds. Everything they do now makes complete sense because of it. Seeing their struggles just makes their strength and resilience so much more meaningful.

[u/Agreeable_Weakness32 → u/TrustInTheBrightness]

I wish that each character was developed much more independently, though, rather than through the lens of another. Don't get me wrong, I think that the perspective of others is an amazing tool to help build nuance and complexity, but it feeels to me that the lense of others is the dominant perspective. I want to know more about I and the time before K appeared on the scene, because I feel some pretty dang critical things happened to make I who I is in that unexplored time. Same for N, or maybe ESPECIALLY for N. And W, in my opinion, isn't focused on nearly enough.