History Characters / TheGrishaverseRavka

* ArrangedMarriage: [[spoiler:After the failure of a Shu plot to assassinate Nikolai at the end of ''King of Scars, he gives princess Ehri-Kir Taban (second in line to the Shu throne) two choices: marry him or be executed.]]

* ArrangedMarriage: [[spoiler:After the failure of a Shu-Hanese plot to assassinate Nikolai the end of ''King of Scars, he gives princess Ehri-Kir Taban (second in line to the Shu-Hanese throne) two choices: marry him or be executed.]]

* MalignedMixedMarriage: She married a Sulinese man, which caused her parents to cut her off.
* MarryForLove: She married a poor Sulinese man, despite her parents disaproval, because she loved him. She eventually comes to regret this, as she ends up living in poverty and estranged from her family.

* AssassinationAttempt: [[spoiler:He gets murdered by a Shu-Hanese agent, while he is disguised as King Nikolai.]]

* IllGirl: She's introduced as a frail, sickly being. It's revealed this is because neglect of one's Grisha powers taxes one's health; once Alina starts using her Sun Summoner powers more, she becomes haler.

* PowerDiesYourHair: [[spoiler:Her hair turns white as a consequence of using merzost.]]

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies go into excruciating detail on just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem, and even they're willing to provide Fjerda with weapons, while the Grisha there are considered 'blessed' but ''also'' have to live in hiding for fear of being abducted by slavers from other countries) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe Grisha out altogether, plus in ''Rule of Wolves'' it emerges that Fjerda is ''breeding'' captive Grisha to create future generations of slaves. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha, during which he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies go into excruciating detail on just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem, and even they're willing to provide Fjerda with weapons) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe Grisha out altogether, plus in ''Rule of Wolves'' it emerges that Fjerda is ''breeding'' captive Grisha to create future generations of slaves. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha, during which he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies go into excruciating detail on just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem, and even they're willing to provide Fjerda with weapons) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether, plus in ''Rule of Wolves'' it emerges that Fjerda is breeding captive Grisha to create further slaves. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* NotSoDifferent: At the end of ''Rule Of Wolves'' he muses that he and [[spoiler:the Darkling had pretty much the same goal, trying to be Ravka's salvation; and he has the potential to go the same way as his nemesis if he doesn't take steps to right his course. He also mourns the young man that the Darkling once was, who was very similar to Nikolai himself in believing he could accomplish anything if only he was clever, strong and brave enough.]]

* NotSoDifferent: One of the main things he uses to try to convince Alina they belong together is pointing out how similar they are.

%%%* NotSoDifferent: What [[spoiler:The Darkling]] insists, before she shoots him down.

* NotSoDifferent: She and Inej are around the same age, acrobats, {{Knife Nut}}s, actively religious, and rely on a very similar style of acrobatics and fighting.

* MarryingForLove: She married a poor Sulinese man, because she loved him. She eventually comes to regret this, as she ends up living in poverty and estranged from her family.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies go into excruciating detail on just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem, and even they're willing to provide Fjerda with weapons) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies illustrate just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem, and even they're willing to provide Fjerda with weapons) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies illustrate just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, [[spoiler:when the Fold ''is'' destroyed]] things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* ManicPixieDreamBoy: Acts as this for both Alina and Zoya.

* BigBad: Revealed to be the Black Heretic, the one who created the Shadow Fold, halfway through the first book. His goals are further revealed to be expanding the Fold to consume Ravka, and he even declared Alina can make him the villain if she wants.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies illustrate just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling probably feared that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, when the Fold ''is'' destroyed things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack the country, and the Grisha ''still'' have to endure discrimination; at one point Zoya mentions that certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies illustrate just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling was rightly worried that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, when the Fold ''is'' destroyed things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack them, and Grisha are ''still'' discriminated against; at one point Zoya mentions certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will readily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.

* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of YA protagonists. All the traits are there: An extremely skilled fighter, claim to royalty, beautiful. Inej notes that she could be the main character of a story. Ultimately she's a footnote in the Grishaverse, however.

* TheExtremistWasRight / VillainHasAPoint: The following ''Crows'' and ''Nikolai'' duologies illustrate just how terribly Grisha are treated around the world outside of Ravka (save for Novyi Zem) and how new developments in technology and warfare could either enslave or wipe them out altogether. ''The Witch of Duva'' and ''The Demon in the Woods'' take place in a time when Ravkan Grisha were forced to live as fugitives in fear of being slaughtered. Even at the time of the original trilogy a ''lot'' of non-magical Ravkan people still hate and fear the Grisha, despite the Second Army being all that stands between them and conquest by Fjerda or Shu Han; the Darkling was rightly worried that if the Shadow Fold were destroyed and the need for the Second Army diminished, Ravka might well have turned against its former protectors. In fact, when the Fold ''is'' destroyed things arguably become even worse for Ravka and its citizens now that Fjerda and Shu Han can easily attack them, and Grisha are ''still'' discriminated against; at one point Zoya mentions certain towns forbid Grisha from owning property and will happily drive them from their homes. All of this serves to vindicate the Darkling's cause to make a ''truly'' safe place for Grisha. Plus he's had to endure numerous incompetent and corrupt Ravkan kings in the past, and the King he currently serves [[spoiler:and attempts to depose]], Alexander III, is genuinely awful.