History YMMV / KnightsOfTheBorrowedDark

* UncannyValley: Ancient Tenebrous that try to disguise as human slip into this.

* ContestedSequel: ''The Forever Court'' is either [[EvenBetterSequel more complex and interesting,]] free from the [[AudienceAlienatingPremise generic]] [[ClicheStorm beginning]] of the first book, or [[MindScrew confusing]] and [[TooBleakStoppedCaring overly dark,]] introducing [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters far too many unnecessary characters.]]

* ContestedSequel: ''The Forever Court'' is either [[EvenBetterSequel more complex and interesting,]] free from the [[AudienceAlienatingPremise generic]] [[ClicheStorm beginning]] of the first book, or [[MindScrew confusing]] and [[DarknessInducedAudienceApathy overly dark,]] introducing [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters far too many unnecessary characters.]]

** In ''The Forever Court'', Denizen is suffering a strong case of SurvivorGuilt. He's been having [[BadDreams nightmares]] about clocks, sleep issues, [[HairTriggerTemper more trouble containing his rage than he used to]], and is constantly on-edge. He blames himself for what happened with the Clockwork Three, and feels guilty about enjoying himself and even ''grieving''. He actively tries to avoid thinking and talking about what happened; whenever anyone mentions Grey, he has an extremely strong emotional reaction—either he [[HeroicSafeMode shuts down]] or he [[BurningWithAnger flares out.]] At one point, Mercy [[TraumaButton triggers]] an upsetting series of flashbacks that he has a physical reaction to. That sounds a ''lot'' like [=PTSD=].

* ClicheStorm: An [[ConvenientlyAnOrphan orphan]] is [[ChangelingFantasy picked up by a mysterious relative, learns he has magical powers,]] and [[WainscotSociety joins an order]] [[MagicalSociety of magical world-saving]] [[MagicKnight knights.]] Pretty generic opening. [[GenreSavvy This is Lampshaded,]] and was probably Invoked by the author.

** Denizen getting defensive when he learns that Grey had to be left behind in Rathláth so D'Aubigny could take Denizen home. It's [[HeartwarmingMoments really sweet,]] but his [[TemptingFate repeated insistence that Grey has to be okay]] becomes incredibly painful when you consider that [[spoiler:the Clockwork Three took Grey ''in Rathláth,'' so it basically marked the point when his suffering increased enormously.]] Sorry, Denizen, but he is definitely ''not okay right now.''

** Was Simon able to go almost a month in Crosscaper completely undetected by the Clockwork Three, or did they know he was there and just chose to leave him alone because [[{{ItAmusedMe}} they were amused by how much he was suffering?]]
** Edifice Greaves. Is he a [[{{AttentionWhore}} self-centered]] and [[{{ManipulativeBastard}} manipulative]] political smarmbucket, or just trying to protect the Order and genuinely concerned about a friend?
** In ''The Forever Court'', Denizen is suffering a strong case of SurvivorGuilt. He's been having [[{{BadDreams}} nightmares]] about clocks, sleep issues, [[{{HairTriggerTemper}} more trouble containing his rage than he used to]], and is constantly on-edge. He blames himself for what happened with the Clockwork Three, and feels guilty about enjoying himself and even ''grieving''. He actively tries to avoid thinking and talking about what happened; whenever anyone mentions Grey, he has an extremely strong emotional reaction—either he [[{{HeroicSafeMode}} shuts down]] or he [[{{BurningWithAnger}} flares out.]] At one point, Mercy [[{{TraumaButton}} triggers]] an upsetting series of flashbacks that he has a physical reaction to. That sounds a ''lot'' like [=PTSD=].
* ClicheStorm: An [[{{ConvenientlyAnOrphan}} orphan]] is [[{{ChangelingFantasy}} picked up by a mysterious relative, learns he has magical powers,]] and [[{{WainscotSociety}} joins an order]] [[{{MagicalSociety}} of magical world-saving]] [[{{MagicKnight}} knights.]] Pretty generic opening. [[{{GenreSavvy}} This is Lampshaded,]] and was probably Invoked by the author.
* ContestedSequel: ''The Forever Court'' is either [[{{EvenBetterSequel}} more complex and interesting,]] free from the [[{{AudienceAlienatingPremise}} generic]] [[{{ClicheStorm}} beginning]] of the first book, or [[{{MindScrew}} confusing]] and [[{{DarknessInducedAudienceApathy}} overly dark,]] introducing [[{{LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters}} far too many unnecessary characters.]]
* EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory: It's ''really easy'' to see Mercy as Jesus. Although, given that there are actual religious references in the series, [[{{EpilepticTrees}} it might not be that much of a stretch...]]

** Denizen getting defensive when he learns that Grey had to be left behind in Rathláth so D'Aubigny could take Denizen home. It's [[{{HeartwarmingMoments}} really sweet,]] but his [[{{TemptingFate}} repeated insistence that Grey has to be okay]] becomes incredibly painful when you consider that [[spoiler:the Clockwork Three took Grey ''in Rathláth,'' so it basically marked the point when his suffering increased enormously.]] Sorry, Denizen, but he is definitely ''not okay right now.''

* {{Narm}}: The fact that there's a Tenebrous named ''Mocked-By-A-Husband'' in the freaking Forever Court. Though this becomes slightly less funny given that one of its [[{{IHaveManyNames}} other names]] is “Kuchisake,” referencing a Japanese ghost story involving a woman who was [[{{GlasgowGrin}} mutilated]] by her husband...
* NauseaFuel: The description of [[spoiler:Grey's hand.]] It's BodyHorror [[{{XMeetsY}} meets]] {{Squick}} [[{{XMeetsY}} meets]] [[{{FridgeHorror}} disturbing implications.]]

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: It was definitely backed up by plot and character reasons, but Grey getting PutOnABus in ''The Forever Court'' could still be disappointing for some people. He was one of the most likeable and interesting characters, and a lot was set up surrounding him, much of which hasn't even been addressed yet. Still, Denizen's relationship with him was explored pretty deeply, and he managed to play a significant role despite being absent, so saying his character was ''wasted'' might be a little too harsh.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: So much so that it's sometimes mis-categorized as YA. It's actually middle-grade, and handles some mature themes that the author thinks are important for the audience—the whole book is an [[{{Allegory}} allegory for bullying,]] and the Cost represents self-harm. The book also includes [[{{WarIsHell}} total warfare,]] frequent mentions of (and actual) death, torture, [[{{NightmareFuel}} so much]] [[{{NightmareFuel/KnightsOfTheBorrowedDark}} nightmare fuel]] that it [[{{DarkFantasy}} dips into the horror-fantasy genre,]] and, y'know, [[{{Squick}} a character ripping a strip of flesh]] [[{{BodyHorror}} out of their own mutilated iron hand.]]
* TheWoobie: Poor, ''poor'' Grey. It's hard not to feel incredibly sorry for (or at least pity) him, especially after learning how ''lonely'' he was, and about [[spoiler:everything he did for Mercy.]] So much about his situation, and [[spoiler:his [[{{FreakOut}} complete breakdown]] in chapter 25,]] is heartbreaking, made worse by the fact that it had been going on for about half of the first book and ''no one noticed.''

** Grey warrants a ''lot'' of this right now.
*** Did he [[spoiler: shoot Vivian simply because he was having a {{freak out}} and didn't want her to suffer, or because his cadre is the only family he's ever known and he was so lonely and desperate not to be hated by them?]]
*** Has he been [[spoiler: a thrall for the Clockwork Three since Rathlath, or since childhood?]]
*** [[spoiler: [[{{AmbiguouslyEvil}} How evil is he?]] How much of what he did [[{{MoreThanMindControl}} was because of mind control]] and [[{{AmbiguousAllegiance}} how much was free will]]?]]
** Did Vivian [[spoiler: keep Grey alive because he's her friend... or out of spite for the Clockwork Three, who thought it would be fun if she killed him?]]

* UncannyValley: Ancient Tenebrous that try to disguise as human slip into this. Specifically, the Clockwork Three.

* TheWoobie: Poor, ''poor'' Grey. It's hard not to feel incredibly sorry for (or at least pity) him, especially after learning [[spoiler:from Mercy]] how ''lonely'' he was. So much about his situation, and [[spoiler:his [[{{FreakOut}} complete breakdown]] in chapter 25,]] is heartbreaking, made worse by the fact that this has been going on for about half the book and ''no one noticed.'' Although, given [[spoiler:the questionable things he does,]] reactions seem to be more akin to those directed at [[{{JerkassWoobie}} Jerkass Woobies]], but [[{{NiceGuy}} he can't actually qualify as one.]]

** When Denizen learns that Grey had to be left behind in Rathláth so that D'Aubigny could take Denizen home, he gets defensive... which is [[{{HeartwarmingMoments}} really sweet,]] but his [[{{TemptingFate}} repeated insistence that Grey has to be okay]] becomes incredibly painful when you consider that [[spoiler:the Clockwork Three took Grey ''in Rathláth,'' so it basically marked the point when his suffering increased enormously.]] Sorry, Denizen, but he is definitely ''not okay right now.''

* HeartwarmingMoments:
** Grey pulling strings to make sure Denizen got answers about his family.
** Darcie making Denizen a cupcake because his birthday sucked.
** Darcie taking Denizen into Dublin to explore, and later inviting him to sit with her while she used her powers. Him hugging her afterward.
** Denizen and Abigail's conversation and truce on Os Reges Point. Doubles as a bit of a {{Tearjerker}}.
** [[spoiler: Simon and Denizen's reunion.]]
--> '''[[spoiler: Simon]]:''' But you came back for me.
** The last exchange between [[spoiler: Denizen and Vivian]].
--> [[spoiler: Over the horizon, the sun was rising. “I mean, we're here, aren't we?”]]

*** [[spoiler: [[{{AmbiguouslyEvil}} How evil is he?]] Was he [[{{MoreThanMindControl}} ''really'' just]] misguided and [[{{BrainwashedAndCrazy}} manipulated]]?]]

* TheWoobie: Poor, ''poor'' Grey. It's hard not to feel incredibly sorry for (or at least pity) him, especially after learning [[spoiler:from Mercy]] how ''lonely'' he was. So much about his situation, and [[spoiler:his [[{{FreakOut}} complete breakdown]] in chapter 25,]] is heartbreaking, made worse by the fact that this has been going on for about half the book and ''no one noticed.'' Although, given [[spoiler:the awful things he does,]] reactions seem to be more akin to those directed at [[{{JerkassWoobie}} Jerkass Woobies]], but [[{{NiceGuy}} he can't actually qualify as one.]]

* TheWoobie: Poor, ''poor'' Grey. It's hard not to feel incredibly sorry for (or at least pity) him, especially after learning [[spoiler:from Mercy]] how ''lonely'' he was. So much about his situation, and [[spoiler:his [[{{FreakOut}} complete breakdown]] in chapter 25,]] is heartbreaking, made worse by the fact that this has been going on for about half the book and ''no one noticed.'' Although, given [[spoiler:the awful things he does,]] reactions seem to be more akin to those towards a JerkassWoobie, but [[{{NiceGuy}} he can't actually qualify as one.]]

* HarsherInHindsight: The ''entire prologue''.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: So much so that it's sometimes mis-categorized as YA. It's actually middle-grade, and handles some mature themes that the author thinks are important for the audience—the whole book is an [[{{Allegory}} allegory for bullying,]] and the Cost represents self-harm. The book also includes [[{{WarIsHell}} total warfare,]] frequent mentions of (and actual) death, torture, [[{{NightmareFuel}} so much]] [[{{NightmareFuel/KnightsOfTheBorrowedDark}} nightmare fuel]] that it [[{{DarkFantasy}} dips into the horror-fantasy genre,]] and, y'know, [[{{Squick}} a character ripping a strip of flesh]] [[{{BodyHorror}} out of their own mutilated iron hand.]]

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: So much so that it's often classified as YA. It's actually middle-grade, and handles some mature themes that the author thinks are important for the audience—the whole book is an [[{{Allegory}} allegory for bullying,]] and the Cost represents self-harm. The book also includes [[{{WarIsHell}} total warfare,]] frequent mentions of (and actual) death, torture, [[{{NightmareFuel}} so much]] [[{{NightmareFuel/KnightsOfTheBorrowedDark}} nightmare fuel]] that it [[{{DarkFantasy}} dips into the horror-fantasy genre,]] and, y'know, [[{{Squick}} a character ripping a strip of flesh]] [[{{BodyHorror}} out of their own mutilated iron hand.]]

*** [[spoiler: How [[{{AmbiguouslyEvil}} evil]] is he? Was he ''really'' just misguided and [[{{BrainwashedAndCrazy}} manipulated]]?]]

* ClicheStorm: An orphan is picked up by a mysterious relative to join an order of magical world-saving knights. Pretty generic opening for the genre. However, this is {{Lampshaded}} and was probably {{Invoked}} by the author.

* UncannyValley: Ancient Tenebrous that try to disguise as human slip into this. Specifically, the Clockwork Three.

** Has Grey been [[spoiler: a thrall for the Clockwork Three since Rathlath, or since childhood?]]
** Did Vivian [[spoiler: keep Grey alive because he's her friend... or just out of spite for the Clockwork Three, who thought it would be fun if she killed him?]]

* ClicheStorm: An orphan is picked up by a mysterious relative to join an order of magical world-saving knights. Pretty generic opening for the genre. However, this is {{Lampshaded}} and was probably {{Invoked}} by the author.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** The ''entire prologue''.
** Grey telling Denizen [[spoiler: he's no good at self-control.]]

* ClicheStorm: An orphan is picked up by a mysterious relative to join an order of magical world-saving knights. Pretty generic opening for the genre. However, this is {{Lampshaded}} and was probably {{Invoked}} by the author.