How to use women's suffering and bend laws to steal a Crown you have no right to
Ruin and Rising- Chapter 7
Nikolai almost found his balls for a second here...
That looks more annoyed, than enraged...
Nikolai LIVED in the palace for years, wants to dethrone THIS King, has spies and connections, yet we're to believe THIS is the first time he hears what's basically a public secret?!
“Where’s Genya?” I asked Marie as I sat down at the Summoners’ table.
“She eats at the Grand Palace.”
“And sleeps there,” added Nadia. “The Queen likes to make sure she’s always available.”
“So does the King.”
“Marie!” Nadia protested, but she was snickering.
I gaped at them. “You mean—”
“It’s just a rumor,” said Marie. But she and Nadia exchanged a knowing look.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
“The King has his way with lots of servants,” she said. Then she shrugged. “At least I got a few jewels out if it.”
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 14
Sure, Niki would NEVER ignore rape just like he'd NEVER overlook mass murder...
The only reason Genya got this parody on justice is that Alina's present and it's just easier to keep her happy and compliant. Plus it gets him the excuse to depose the King without getting his hands dirty. Within the boundaries of already existing legal system. No matter how short-sighted the solution is.
I wonder what would Nikolai do, if the King weren't a cocky idiot, who confesses in the next sentence.
Wait a few more years for another chance to fall into his lap?
Ravkan laws allow makeshift trials with reward instead of penalty for one's crimes?!
He just personally sentenced her long-time abusers to safety and comfort, but can't refrain from reminding Genya her suffering's about to last and become public. Right after she fell apart.
I stared at him. “That’s it?” I blurted. “You just wanted to ask me about my day?”
He cocked his head to one side. “What were you expecting?”
I was so relieved that a little laugh escaped me. “I have no idea. Torture? Interrogation? A stern talking to?”
He frowned slightly. “I’m not a monster, Alina. Despite what you may have heard.”
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
Black is his colour, not mine. And what, pray tell, IS your colour? Shit brown of the next season? The blue one you picked, while anyone else has their assigned, since they're soldiers' uniforms?!
This is so stupid! Why is the narrative acting as if any of this were a natural matter of choice, and poor MAIN character were the super special snowflake thrust into a world she doesn't know or like, completely ignoring similar lack of choices of anyone else?!
Also, if someone weren't a halfwit hellbent on getting away, they might ask themselves why would the General want to share "HIS" colour? What does it mean for him or herself as a person? What does it say about her possible status? Even the ultimate "can't see, won't think" that is Booklina at least asks:
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?
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 14
Let the girl think, for fuck's sake! You aged her up, yet all she cares about is getting back to peeling potatoes borrowing maps from a dead comrade.
Shadow and Bone- 01×02: We're All Someone's Monster
This was supposed to be an ordinary gifset of five, but it bothers me immensely how instead of a believable fight someone decided to turn it into cool-looking action without much logic, or Saints-forbid! TACTICS!
Duck, before you yell?!
It's not like others aren't on alert due to the trees conveniently fallen over the road.
Aside from that, I'd also like to point out oprichniki are supposed to be wearing corecloth just like Grisha. The fabric that's bulletproof, but in this case somehow NOT arrow-proof...
They've just been clearly ambushed, yet these two Grisha get out of that carriage as if they were a couple of gangstas about to enter a rap battle.
No attempt at cover, they stride straight into the crossfire.
They know which direction did the arrows come from- that's one thing to keep in mind-, but it's also obvious this situation was prepared, therefore they're likely to be SURROUNDED by the enemy.
When we're at it, why didn't the drüskelle aim at the horses?! Ideally shoot one of the front ones drawing the first carriage. It won't be able to move without cutting the horse off and manoeuvring around the corpse, and the others won't be able to go around if the road's narrow enough. Same with turning around. These are NOT cars on a firm road.
I've watched this bit over and over, and... does the Squaller push the Inferni aside?!
What the hell?!
I'd give them a half a point for the use of kefta here, but there wouldn't be this issue, were they trying to stay at least partially covered to begin with.
Plus the movement uncovered her kidneys.
Remembering books, one of a few details we learn about the workings of Second Army is that Etherealki are paired up for work. But not the way here depicted.
“An Etherealnik rarely works alone. Inferni pair up. Squallers often partner with Tidemakers. ...”
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
Inferni/Squaller combo? Why?
*mumbles* How convenient this is the only way for an Inferni to summon. Throwing a flame in a wiiiiide arc...
Why is the Squaller* trying to sit up? To make an easier target? Shouldn't he keep low and protect his head? Since the majority of his body is covered by a bulletproof fabric... Thinking of it he was likely just stunned. What killed him is that knife into an open neckline... 🤦♀️
*Is that Tomek? Looks like it. R.I.P., beloved asshole!
First of all- NEVER PULL THE BLADE OUT of the wound, unless it staying there makes the wound larger.
Second? This is just plain stupid.
The Inferni just sits there like a duck, holding her pal's arm, as the enemy advances on them?! She's visibly surprised by the Heartrenders' counterattack, so she didn't expect anyone else to do anything.
And yes, the boys stand in the middle of the road just so. Again.
Another lovely detail- the mounted soldiers are of no use.
One horse is seen rearing on command, the other is dancing in circles after approaching as the rider shoots in the air?! How did cavalry ever achieved anything in history's beyond me.
This looks like they didn't run for a cover to begin with, but simply straight ahead until stopped by an enemy fire.
It takes Fedyor to be shot for someone to ask for cover fire. The someone being his spouse... Now I can see why the Darkling allows couples to serve together.
Regrouping.
Not that's nonsense. We've already discussed how Heartrenders' "need" to see their targets is either superstition, practical prevention of "shooting" one's own in too messy a battle and/or the author's attempt to limit their potential. But here?!
Ivan asks her how many heartbeats can she hears, she does some locating gesture, and stops because she can't see?! Aren't Grisha connected to the Making in a way that makes them more attuned to the world around them? Why would they need sight in order for their other extra sense to work?!
Can you smell the bullshit?! Yeah, it's pretty much tangible.
... and now that she's being smoked out, the Darkling's very own second-in-command suddenly remembers the matter of their assignment.
You had one (1) job!**
** And that was writing a semi-believable skirmish!
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?!
What changes would you give to the Six of Crow duology, to fit it into a continuity where Darklina reunited and ruled Ravka? Honestly, aside from Nina's backstory, and a few other little tweaks, I don't think the duology would have huge changes. After all, Darklina can't change society that fast. I also think Nikolai Zoya and Genya could have appeared just as well. Simply Nikolai wouldn't be the king, but that wouldn't stop him from working with/for Darklina. And honestly, I've always found it a bit stupid that the king of Ravka goes on the road himself with two grisha when he has his own country to take care of.
Well yes, Nina wouldn't be on the road, but there's very little Grisha after the war, so we can get her some speeded-up training outside of Little Palace. Not abroad, maybe some station nearer the borders, where she'd be able to practice her linguistic skills talking to refugees, or interrogating captives.
Suli was best for missions in the northwest. Shu meant you’d be stuck translating diplomatic papers.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
As you said, even a couple of powerful Grisha won't make their enemies behave in a day. Raids are to be expected. She could've been captured on Ravkan soil.
When drüskelle almost killed Alina on her way from Kribirsk to Os Alta, Matthias could be in a group infiltrating Ravka near Ulensk for example. It's both near Fjerda and the (remains of the) Fold, but then again, unexpected shenanigans would have to ensure to get them to Ketterdam.
West Ravka would be an easier choice then. They're likely to be unhappy about re-connection with their poorer, differently-thinking sibling. Show had openly admitted Westerners are selling Grisha to their enemies. Nina could be among them, except this time she'd still be a hormonal teenager with unfinished education.
KoS MCs would be more complicated.
Genya is still a traitor, and Aleksander's hardly the forgiving type. A veeeery big AU I've been thinking about for a while would be faking her change of heart to double-cross Alina. Picture a politically-shrewd spy, bleaching her own face for years to help overthrow her rapist... only for the Coup to go to hell.
A new variable appears, putting a greater value on her own peace and quiet than necassary change, and force failed to make her co-oparate. Loyalists boarded ship captained by a suspicious character, likely with agenda of his own... so the spy comes up with a sneaky strategy as the plan B, should it be necessary. When it becomes obvious Alina will slip through their fingers once again, an order comes to "stop her".
... and once everything's ready to take the throne, the Darkling with his forces secures the capital and plants his spy once again. Alina has a knack for escaping after all and who would have suspected mutilated girl, cowering in shadows?
That's one way to give Genya the recognition she deserves. Enter Evgenia Safina, the spymaster and/or ruthless, cunning delegate she should have become.
Zoya doesn't have much to offer, but quite a beef with the Darkling. He'll be always the one, who "killed" her aunt. And she's still just a replacable Squaller. If I were the Darkling, I'd use her as deterrent example. Public trial and fitting punishment.
Nikolai... well, the wisest course of action would be killing him off too. He's a possible competitor for the Throne, and he IS ambitious by himself, not merely in love with Ravka like we're told by the narrative.
Even discredited, there would be those preferring a bastard with a crown to the Saint-enslaving Satan.
It's true Sturmhond was useful to Ravka once, and could be so again, but how would we ensure that's what he'll remain?
And honestly, I've always found it a bit stupid that the king of Ravka goes on the road himself with two grisha when he has his own country to take care of.
That's to show he's a man of people! The boring kingly stuff's being done by itself!
Back to the start- SoC plot could remain almost the same, although it would offer a new storyline about how is Ravka trying to deal with the threat of parem. Or a mention here and there. Or nothing at all, if we're sticking with Crows-only POV and all their info would be Kaz's deductions and hearsay.
The Ravkan delegates in CK would simply be lead by Genya (See: above), so Wylan would get his face back, and the rest was mostly about collecting points for "well-known character appearance" anyway.
Like the younger Grisha fight over the words bloodletter and witch and if Grisha is outdated/a slur and we really should be using odarannye
Meanwhile Ivan is off somewhere to the side like 'I cannot WAIT until you lot go off to the front, let's see if you're still worrying about fuckin WORDS while dodging Fjerdan FUCKIN axes'
Absolutely!
If not in general, officer brats definitely do shit like that. I mean:
The servants sprang forward to pull our chairs out and clear the dishes. I doubted I’d ever get used to being waited on this way.
“Ne brinite,” Marie said with a giggle.
“What?” I asked, baffled.
“To e biti zabavno.”
Nadia giggled. “She said, ‘Don’t worry. It will be fun.’ It’s Suli dialect. Marie and I are studying it in case we get sent west.”
“Ah,” I said.
“Shi si yuyan Suli,” said Sergei as he strode past us out of the domed hall. “That’s Shu for ‘Suli is a dead language.’”
Marie scowled and Nadia bit her lip.
“Sergei is studying Shu,” whispered Nadia.
“I got that,” I replied.
Marie spent the entire walk to the stables complaining about Sergei and the other Corporalki and debating the merits of Suli over Shu. Suli was best for missions in the northwest. Shu meant you’d be stuck translating diplomatic papers. Sergei was an idiot who was better off learning to trade in Kerch. She took a brief break to point out the banya ... then launched immediately into a rant about selfish Corporalki overrunning the baths every night.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
While Alina isn't the most reliable narrator, she might be onto something, when she has her super powerful re-organisation speech:
“The Darkling has changed. If we have any hope of beating him, we need to change, too. Two Grisha from each Order,” I repeated. “And the Orders will no longer sit separately. You’ll sit together, eat together, and fight together.”
At least I’d gotten them to shut up. They just stood there, gaping.
... “But … but it’s always been this way,” sputtered Sergei.
“You can’t just overturn hundreds of years of tradition,” protested the Inferni.
“Are we really going to argue about this, too?” I asked irritably. “We’re at war with an ancient power beyond reckoning, and you want to squabble over who sits next to you at lunch?”
“That’s not the point,” said Zoya. “There’s an order to things, a way of doing them that—”
They all started gabbling again—about tradition, about the way things were done, about the need for structure and people knowing their places.
I set the cover back down on the dish with a loud clang.
“This is the way we’re doing it,” I said, rapidly losing patience. “No more Corporalki snobbery. No more Etherealki cliques. And no more herring.”
Siege and Storm- Chapter 14*
But then looking at this, they seem to be more likely screaming about Grisha being traditional name, oddarenye innovatory bullshit and zowa foreign nonsense.
It's like watching US movie about those university fraternities. Wording and notions are the same. Traditions, order of things, enmity between "different" groups and spiteful actions. Pretty sure we could extrapolate a little and add creepy/humiliating/kinky initiation rituals etc.
Ivan's totally right. They truly need some hardcore reality vibe check.
_____
* I'll get into the S&S quote deeper, once I'll get to that chapter, because OHMYFUCKINGGODS, Aleksander "Eat, drink, dress the same like my subordinates" would surely tolerate such behaviour in his own ranks.
Alina tries to assure herself she has nothing in common with the Fold and its creator, but ironically- focusing on her powers made me remember how she kept describing the Darkling's touch through the first half of previous book:
Sure, he's an amplifier, so the contact will call her powers forth, but this is also fiction and repeated choice of words should have some meaning...
There are two exceptions of the rule:
One is a hint at Aleksander's and Baghra's relation:
the other describes Alina's feeling when she seemingly embraces her role as the Sun Summoner:
AKA when your heroes with negligible fighting training somehow have skills comparable to seasoned soldiers
Let’s be mean and count a little. The basic First Army training isn’t even a year. After that Alina draws maps, Mal tracks without really encountering the enemy untill the Stag. Alina has some four, six months of basic Summoning training under her belt to add to it. She’s not exactly top of her class and due to her psychological issues, she wouldn’t be even among beginners.
Yet somehow they’re able to effectively resist the Darkling’s elite soldiers.
While I suffered with Baghra, the other Grisha were studying advanced theory, languages, military strategy. Apparently, this was all to prepare for when they left the Little Palace next summer. Most of them would travel to the Fold or to the northern or southern front to assume command positions in the Second Army. But the greatest honor was to be asked to travel with the Darkling as Ivan did.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
Those kids were around Alina’s age. If their school ended same year she joined the Army, they’ll have at least two years of officer training before they’re sorted out. They’re learning to use their powers as soon as they move to Little Palace. They have badass Shu mercenary to train them to fight with any and every weapon.
The training rooms were next to the stables—large, empty, high-beamed rooms with packed dirt floors and weapons of every variety lining the walls. Our instructor, Botkin Yul-Erdene, wasn’t Grisha; he was a former Shu Han mercenary who had fought in wars on every continent for any army that could afford his particular gift for violence.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 9
We’ll learn most of Second Army tried to get to the Darkling. He couldn’t go after Alina immediatelly, he’d need some time to regroup, plan and heal, so it’s safe to assume his little task force isn’t exactly a bunch of amateurs.
Siege and Storm- Chapter 1
Alina can do two things with her light:
Blind you (with the right tools). or
Slaughter you.
The best part being she’ll make do with these two (plus invisibility) till the end. If the story was written as subversion- her defeating the opponent with basics- but it’s just things conveniently working out for her.
Good to know all it takes to overpower trained amplified Heartrender with martial arts training is some boy’s elbow into side... Next time perhaps punch him in the face, or step on his toe?! It’s not like some escape attempt is unexpected with these two...
Okay, I get it! Ivan- the stoic, terrifying, cruel, Darkling-loving robot is also an idiot!
Sure he did. The knife probably jumped there. Because of how scared it was of the Darkling, or Ivan just handed the knife to Malyen to make it more interesting...
Also a huge fan of Alina “Can barely light a candle” (Wait, no, she has an amplifier now!), longing for gloves to focus her light few pages before she can safely blind specific people in closed space and form the Cut she did once before. Then spent several weeks with no training at all. AND NOW SHE CAN DO SEVERAL! One after another!
Is it still called plot armour, if it’s not even making them win, just look less lame?
