Essay Questions

Why is Alina powerless in some parts of this novel?

Alina is powerless while she is underground. This is because her power is harnessing light, which she cannot do in the darkness. Perhaps on some level, this represents the fact that The Darkling is beginning to gain strength, while she is still weak from her previous battles.

What is the Darkling motivated by?

Rather disturbingly, The Darkling is motivated by a desire for Alina. He loves her and wants her to feel the same way about him, but certainly goes about it the wrong way. Here, Bardugo perhaps is writing about the potential dangers of love, especially issues with infatuation and obsession.

What does Alina need to defeat The Darkling?

Alina realizes that she will need the full strength of her powers to defeat The Darkling. As such, she begins to search for The Firebird, an amplifier who has the ability to strengthen her powers. This is something she needs to defeat The Darkling once and for all.

Unfortunately, Alina later realizes that her friend Mal is actually the amplifier. As such, at the end of the novel, Mal must sacrifice himself in order to defeat The Darkling.