Genre
Fantasy and adventure
Setting and Context
The novel has many different settings, but the action often takes place in Russia.
Narrator and Point of View
Alina is the narrator and protagonist of this text.
Tone and Mood
The tone of this novel is humorous and adventurous.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Alina and the antagonist is the Darking.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of this text is the fight between darkness and light, represented by the Darkling and Alina.
Climax
The climax of this text is when the Darkling attacks the palace.
Foreshadowing
The reference to the heartrender soldiers at the beginning of the novel foreshadows the harm they are capable of.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
Alina alludes to the idea of a saint, and what it means to be one.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe the old-fashioned streets of Cofton, with unpaved streets and buildings that look like they might topple over.
Paradox
Paradoxically, the Darkling claims to have feelings for Alina, but continues to destroy her life.
Parallelism
Nikolai and Mal are often paralleled, as they are very different people and both have feelings for Alina.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Alina's memory is described as "rising" into her mind.
