#s&b chapter 11

[stromuprisahat]

I recognized the beautiful girl in blue, the one from the Etherealki coach who had been so taken with Mal. She whispered something to her chestnut-haired friend, and they both laughed again. ... She’d brought along her friend with the chestnut curls, whom I remembered from the Grisha tent. They proceeded to giggle and whisper as I stumbled through the drills with which Botkin began every class.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 3 & 11

Ever wondered where did Zoya's friend disappear?

They seem close enough, yet we never even learn her name. And Zoya doesn't mention her. At least not on her lists of victims and horrible losses.

[stromuprisahat]

Ruin and Rising- Chapter 5

Aren't they like a year apart?!

“Zoya,” muttered Marie. “She was a year ahead of us at school and she’s horrible.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 11

Don't tell me no older Grisha- including siblings- knew that, no teacher ever caught them in the act, nobody else can do it? No spy? This is like an exam cheating 101, and those tend to be rather widely known.

WTF is this attitude?!

They've just seen how useful could prove such a skill, so:

a.) "Yes, ofc we can do it rn."- if it's not too hard. They're not out of the woods caves yet.

b.) Alina should've been the one to request that, to urge them to share such skills, to see what they know, and have them teach each other the rest.

c.) It's hilarious Zoya "If I'm ever bored enough." Nazyalensky is the super special girl, chosen to teach other Grisha the one true way to use their powers. It's not like we get to see some development in that area...

[stromuprisahat]

Shadow and Bone- 01×03: The Making at the Heart of the World

Wonderful teaching method!

Let the newbie pick their opponent (by eye), proceed to watch them getting beaten up, only interfering if the harshness of their opponent's attack makes you remember !!!IT'S THE SUN SUMMONER!!! possibly dying.

Meanwhile in books Botkin only has Alina face Zoya once the former masters the basics:

I stumbled through the drills with which Botkin began every class. When we separated to spar, I wasn’t even surprised when Botkin paired me with Zoya. “Is star pupil,” he said, grinning proudly. “Will help little girl.” ... some of Botkin’s training must have sunk in over the last few weeks. I dodged right and the blow glanced off me. ... I was weak and I was slow, but Botkin had taught me to make use of my opponent’s strength. I stepped to the side, and as she came in close, I hooked my leg around her ankle. Zoya went down hard.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 11

AND throws the later out for USING HER POWERS, when it's strictly forbidden.

“Zoya!” Botkin roared. “You do not use power. Not in these rooms. Never in these rooms!”

Another sentence I have an issue with is:

She's not the enemy any more than I am!

Which came out of nowhere?!

Did the writers suddenly remember all of Alina's woes are caused by her origins, so they decided to drop a sentence alluding to it? The only witness to Zoya's racist remark in the Throne room was Alina, so how did "Botkin" deduce some kind of anti-Shu hostility is the reason for the Squaller's behaviour?!

When she was pretty visibly showing off, then angry she got punched in the face?! Are we supposed to believe the man is as ready as the MC to blame everything on racism, so he doesn't notice the glaring petty jealousy other students easily pointed out?

Way to butcher even a minor character.

I'll quote the book once more:

Dimly, I was aware of the other Summoners gathering around me, of Botkin calling for a Healer. “I’m fine,” I tried to say, but I couldn’t gather enough breath. I lay in the dirt, panting shallowly. Every time I tried to breathe, pain tore through my left side. A group of servants arrived, but when they lifted me onto the stretcher, I fainted. Marie and Nadia told me the rest when they came to visit me in the infirmary. A Healer had slowed my heart rate until I fell into a deep sleep, then mended my broken rib and the bruises Zoya had left on me.

The writers make sure Zoya only throws Alina into a pile of hay, no harm done. The Summoner refuses any help as the strong, independent heroine she is, because the future Queen obviously cannot seriously injure another girl due to her lack of self control.

They also ensure the blame's off her shoulders by having Alina hit her unexpectedly, from the back, instead of the fair fight it originally was.

Someone's playing favourites, and the MAIN character certainly isn't on that list.

[stromuprisahat]

Demon in the Wood (Leigh Bardugo)

Two of the Grisha sat by the fire: a handsome man in blue and a woman in red robes with a haughty, refined air. ... The woman in red turned back to Mal and Alina, her dark eyes blazing. “We are not witches. We are practitioners of the Small Science. We keep this country and this kingdom safe.” ... The woman in red looked down at them. “If, by some small chance, one of you is Grisha, then that lucky child will go to a special school where Grisha learn to use their talents.” ... The woman in red slides her hand around my wrist. I feel a sudden rush of pure certainty wash over me. I stop struggling. A call rings through me. Something within me rises up to answer.

Shadow and Bone- Before & Chapter 11

“And you’re a living amplifier. Like Ivan’s bear.” The hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Like Ivan’s bear.” An unpleasant thought occurred to me. “But that means—” “That my bones or a few of my teeth would make another Grisha very powerful.” “Well, that’s completely creepy. Doesn’t that worry you a little bit?” “No,” he said simply.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 5

[stromuprisahat]

If Zoya is so stupid and useless, why was she chosen as one of the Darkling's main people?

Where?

Because in books, she was strong, yet ordinary Squaller. Perhaps promising, but hardly highly ranking, no matter what she likes to believe.

“You look amazing, Zoya! How are you?” gushed Marie. “We missed you so much!” squealed Nadia. “I missed you, too,” Zoya said. “It’s so good to be back at the Little Palace. You can’t imagine how busy the Darkling’s kept me. But I’m being rude. I don’t think I’ve met your friend.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 11

What stings, is that everyone knows it. It shows, when Zoya attacks Alina. If she were SOMEONE by herself, wouldn't at least one person note that?

to Ivan “... Please tell me you were there when he [the Darkling] told Zoya she’d be leaving Os Alta.” “I was.” “And?” I urge as we head down the hill to the birch grove. I’m a greedy thing, but how can I be expected to resist this gossip? Ivan shrugs, scowling. “He just made it clear that she’s replaceable and Starkov isn’t.”

The Tailor

Marie rolled her eyes. “She can’t bear the idea of anyone being the Darkling’s favorite.” I laughed and then winced at the stab of pain in my side. “I’m hardly his favorite.” “Of course you are. Zoya’s powerful, but she’s just another Squaller. You’re the Sun Summoner.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 11

She's rash, and to lead or bear considerable amount of responsibility, she'd need to unlearn that, start thinking about others and most importantly about impact of her (in)action. It might be why she was stationed near the Fold. I've theorised about it a few months back- it's the ideal position for her. She's (partly) answerable for the skiff and people on it, but danger comes in predictable form of volcra. It's the perfect place to learn what she's lacking.

She's barely out of school, she lacks experience- why would the Darkling give her important position, when he has hundreds of people to choose from? What's "main" about the person, who's driving a skiff?

Now where did the notion she's the Darkling's super special girl come from?

“Zoya Nazyalensky, who was one of the Darkling’s most favored soldiers.”

Yuri Vedenen; King of Scars- Chapter 9

That's an information coming from religious fanatic, several years after the Darkling's death AND merry application of current regime's propaganda.

Have you ever noticed how there's not a single mention of Ivan post-his death? We don't even know his surname. Aside from him, there's not one (1) named Grisha from his side.

It's easy to be remembered as the favourite, when you erase existence of anyone else.

Even in her memories, she's among the promising ones, yet not favoured, not hand-picked.

“... I was the youngest of the group and so proud to be chosen to go. I was half in love with him already. I lived for the rare moments he appeared at the school.” She shook her head. “I was the best, and I wanted him to see that … The older Grisha were all in contention for the amplifier. It was up to them to track the tigers and see who would earn the right to the kill. ...”

King of Scars- Chapter 27

The interest is one-sided, Zoya draws the Darkling's attention by stealing three amplifiers from other Grisha, her recklessness and short-sightedness, not her capability.

The closest we get to some sort of recognition, is in Aleksander's chapter in RoW, when he points out her deficiencies and admits some of it made her work hard.

And if Zoya ever learned to harness the power she’d been given? She was still vulnerable, still malleable. Her anger made her easy to control. When this war was done and the casualties counted, she might once more be in need of a shepherd. She had been one of his best students and soldiers, her envy and her rage driving her to train and fight harder than any of her peers. And then she’d turned on him.

Rule of Wolves- Chapter 26

I have one (rather big) objection- Zoya has never been a good soldier. She failed twice on rather important occasions- the amplifier and Alina incidents-, proving her self-control is lacking. That rage he's for some reason praising here, makes her dangerous to those peers she's trying to outdo.

But hey- he barely crawled back from the dead, his mental skills won't be at their best- why would he plan to manipulate Zoya without a single mention of Juris? The Saint isn't gonna disappear any time soon (if ever), and he's hardly Aleksander's fan.

[stromuprisahat]

Siege and Storm- Chapter 17 (Leigh Bardugo)

Alina's lying once again, this time to make her new favs look better and cleverer than the Darkling. We all know he's the bigoted one, who's crippling his subordinates by forcing them into his preferred lifestyle, when the alternative is so much more reasonable and so attractive, should poor Second Army know about it!

Except Shadow and Bone- Chapter 17 tells us:

I suggest two possibilities:

Alina's group's made of Grisha so young they haven't been in the field yet, so although taught to fight in many ways, they lean too much into their instinctual responses. Except that would make me question Botkin's abilities as an instructor, since he's the one to teach them AND it's disproved in first book too- when Zoya attacks Alina, we learn they're NOT allowed to use their powers during their martial arts training (“Zoya!” Botkin roared. “You do not use power. Not in these rooms. Never in these rooms!” S&B Chapter 11).

Alina made herself forget, because her beloved Malyen reacted negatively here, and she tends to avoid topics he doesn't like.

[stromuprisahat]

You know how girls will disappear for months and give a bunch of hokey as the reason when they're actually having a baby

The rumour mill after Alina suddenly went on an amplifier hunt after like 3 months of training when other Grisha trained for years must have been crazy

And I'm pretty sure half of the Little Palace was already certain she and Aleksander are fucking.

“And what about her?” cried another Squaller. “How do we know she isn’t working with the Darkling? She helped him destroy Novokribirsk.” “And she shared his bed!” shouted another. Never deign to deny, said Nikolai’s voice in my head. “Just what is your relationship with Nikolai Lantsov?” demanded a Fabrikator. “What was your relationship with the Darkling?” came a shrill voice.

Siege and Storm Chapter 13

It's pretty obvious when you look at it. Especially Alina's Fete outfit screams MISTRESS! Even before that, all signs are there:

Dinner seemed to last forever. I nursed a glass of tea and endured another round of endless Summoner chatter. I was getting ready to excuse myself and escape back to my room when the doors behind the Darkling’s table opened and the domed hall fell silent. Ivan emerged and sauntered over to the Summoners’ table, seemingly oblivious to the stares of the other Grisha. With a sinking sensation, I realized he was walking straight toward me. “Come with me, Starkov,” he said when he reached us, then added a mocking “please.” I pushed my chair back and rose on legs that felt suddenly weak. Had Baghra told the Darkling that I was hopeless? Had Botkin told him just how badly I’d failed at my lessons? The Grisha were goggling at me. Nadia’s jaw was actually hanging open. I followed Ivan across the silent hall and through the huge ebony doors. He led me down a hallway and through another door emblazoned with the Darkling’s symbol. ...

Shadow and Bone Chapter 9

“Why did she do it?” I asked as I tried to sit up. I’d had plenty of people ignore me or look down on me. But Zoya actually seemed to hate me. Marie and Nadia gaped at me as if I’d taken a crack to the skull instead of the ribs. “Because she’s jealous!” said Nadia. “Of me?” I said incredulously. Marie rolled her eyes. “She can’t bear the idea of anyone being the Darkling’s favorite.”

Shadow and Bone Chapter 11

Since none of the other Grisha knew that I’d had so much trouble summoning, they were all a little baffled by the change in me. I didn’t offer any explanations, and Genya let me in on some of the more hilarious rumors. “Marie and Ivo were speculating that the Fjerdans had infected you with some disease.” “I thought Grisha didn’t get sick.” “Exactly!” she said. “That’s why it was so very sinister. But apparently the Darkling cured you by feeding you his own blood and an extract of diamonds.” “That’s disgusting,” I said, laughing. “Oh that’s nothing. Zoya actually tried to put it around that you were possessed.”

Shadow and Bone Chapter 13

Genya squeaked, and I just stood there gaping at the contents. When I didn’t move, she reached into the box and pulled out yards of rippling black silk. The sleeves and neckline were delicately embroidered in gold and glittered with tiny jet beads. “Black,” Genya whispered. His color. What did it mean? “Look!” she gasped. The neckline of the gown was laced with a black velvet ribbon, and from it hung a small golden charm: the sun in eclipse, the Darkling’s symbol. ... “Excuse us!” announced Genya. “But we have need of this chamber. Darkling’s orders!” Zoya’s beautiful blue eyes slitted dangerously. “If you think—” she began and then she caught sight of me. Her jaw dropped, and the blood drained from her face. “Out!” commanded Genya. Zoya snapped her mouth shut, but to my amazement, she left the room without another word. Genya slammed the door behind her. ... The sad, sickly girl with hollowed-out cheeks and bony shoulders was gone. In her place was a Grisha with sparkling eyes and shimmering waves of bronze hair. The black silk clung to my new form, shifting and sliding like sewn-together shadows. And Genya had done something marvelous to my eyes so that they looked dark and almost catlike. ... In the other boxes on my bed, we found golden silk slippers, glittering jet and gold earrings, and a thick fur muff. When I was ready, I examined myself in the little mirror above the basin. I felt exotic and mysterious, like I was wearing some other, far more glamorous girl’s clothes.

Shadow and Bone Chapter 14

Sure, the reader knows Alina didn't summon, but other Grisha don't. ... and when a girl suddenly radically changes her behaviour, while gaining a shape, EVERYONE knows she's the boss' new favourite AND they sneak off somewhere TOGETHER...

... and once Alina returns, the sickly, frail girl is back:

When we finally pulled up to the immense black silk tent, a crowd of Grisha swarmed around the coach. Marie and Ivo and Sergei rushed forward to greet me. I was surprised at how good it felt to see them again. As they caught sight of me, their excitement vanished, replaced by worry and concern. They’d expected a triumphant Sun Summoner, wearing the greatest amplifier ever known, radiant with power and the favor of the Darkling. Instead, they saw a pale, tired girl, broken by misery. “Are you all right?” Marie whispered when she hugged me. “Yes,” I promised. “Just worn out from the journey.” I did my best to smile convincingly and reassure them. I tried to feign enthusiasm as they marveled at Morozova’s collar and reached out to touch it.

Shadow and Bone Chapter 20

I don't know how other Grisha, but I'd suspect some tragedy.

Miscarriage?

Stillbirth?

If Grisha can have hard time conceiving, how likely is it those won't be unusual either?!

[stromuprisahat]

About the post about homosexuality in the world of Shadow and Bone. So apparently homophobia doesn't exist in a world full of racism and bigotry? The Grishas are the worst at it, but not the only ones hit. I mean, the suli, the Shu, etc. The series even added racism to Alina's Shu origin. With a universe so charged with discrimination, am I supposed to believe that homosexuality is fully tolerated there? The joke. It makes more sense if it's something that doesn't matter to grishas. Moreover, according to my memories, in the books, the grishas of the little palace are supposed to support themselves regardless of their origins, it seems to me. I mean, there are grishas from Fjerda and Shu Han who come to Ravka for refuge. Logic. One of the reasons why Zoya's racist comment on Alina in episode 3 of season 1 is completely stupid. She has literally been trained since childhood by Botkin!

(The post mentioned.)

Absolutely agree on implausibility of such state of matters in general. When there's hatred towards other nations and cultures, religious bigotry, sexism, whatever you'd call the complex issue of fear and homicidal animosity towards Grisha... but sexual preferences of less than every tenth person aren't good enough reason for ostracism?

My doylist explanation is the show creators probably didn't want to draw attention away from their amazing half-Shu MC's hardships, back in the day, when they DID play the racist card. LB might have simply forgotten there are gay people, when she was writing the first book and remembered just in time to add some into the second one to collect cash kudos from LGBTs too.

Zoya's racism is hardly OOC. She's first and foremost better than everyone.

“... The Corporalki are the highest-ranking Grisha and should lead the Second Army.” “According to you, bloodletter.” As soon as I heard that silky voice, I knew who it belonged to, but my heart still lurched when I caught sight of her raven’s wing hair. Zoya stepped through the crowd of Etherealki, her lithe form swathed in blue summer silk that made her eyes glow like gems—disgustingly long-lashed gems.

Siege and Storm- Chapter 13

Zoya swept me into an embrace. “It’s such an honor to finally meet the Sun Summoner,” she said loudly. But as she hugged me she whispered, “You stink of Keramzin.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 11

“I could watch him all day,” said a voice behind me. I stiffened. Zoya was standing there. Even in the heat, she never seemed to sweat. “You don’t think he stinks of Keramzin?” I asked, remembering the vicious words she had once spoken to me. “I find the lower classes have a certain rough appeal. You will let me know when you’re through with him, won’t you?”

Siege and Storm- Chapter 17

She's in no position to mock Alina's origin in book, she's in no position to use otkazat'sya slur against another Grisha... I don't think making her Suli would prevent her from insulting Alina's bright new mixed heritage.

It's such an honor to formally meet you. You stink of the orphanage, half-breed.

Shadow and Bone- 01×03: The Making at the Heart of the World

She might be Botkin's star pupil, but that doesn't mean Alina's not half-Shu trash.