Knights Of The Borrowed Dark
- Grey's fight with the Bad-Dream Angel. Besides some concern for Denizen's safety, he is completely unfazed by a tunnel almost collapsing on top of them and a Tenebrous pulling itself out of the rubble. And while he does eventually get out his sword, he doesn't even use it during the fight—instead, he just speaks a word and it comes apart.
- Somewhat Harsher in Hindsight since that was an Epithet, but still. He laughed going into battle and destroyed a reality-warping shadow monster with one word!
- When Denizen volunteers to go to Rathlath with the Knights.
- Denizen using Sunrise—both that he used it and especially the context it was in. He could have kept running, but instead he risked deadly consequences to protect the little girl. He was terrified out of his mind, but refused to let that girl go missing when he could do something about it.
- That's also when he decides he wants to join the Knights. Ultimately, it's not because he wants to impress his aunt or any of the other reasons that were floating around—it's the realization he comes to right there that does it.
That, he realized with a start, was why the Knights did what they did.
A war with no chance of victory. Families left behind for a life of blades and fire, a few short years ending in violent death or the slow swallow of iron. And every Knight swore an oath to see it through because if they didn't, someday, somewhere, there would be a Tenebrous and a child—and nobody in between.- His one-liner is also pretty badass. Even if he does pass out immediately afterward.
- There is only one Knight in the entirety of Russia.
- “Abigail's strikes were perfectly balanced, perfectly executed, and perfectly incapable of coming anywhere near Graham McCarron.”
- D'Aubigny calling on and talking to the Endless King's Emissary at Os Reges Point.
- Mercy!
- Her introduction is equal parts revelation, relief, and awesome gorgeous imagery.
- And her showing Denizen the Cants.
- Also her reaction to Denizen's name.
Mercy: Hardwick. Strange. I am reassured. I will trust you to return, Denizen Hardwick, because we have something in common.
Denizen: What's that?
Mercy: Frightening parents. - Vivian coming back. She was shot and left bleeding out, but managed to use a Higher Cant to survive and get up again. And the first thing she says to Denizen? “Where is my hammer?”
- Denizen finally confronting Vivian and holding nothing back. He threatens to fight Vivian Hardwick to prevent her from leaving, and he's dead serious about it.He met that blowtorch stare and didn't look away.
- And then he calls her out for how she treated him for the entire book. It's unexpected for a conversation to be the Crowning Moment of Awesome, but that's so incredibly satisfying—to learn Vivian's story, to see Denizen's character development come to a head... and they're still able to put their personal conflicts aside for the sake of the world. Just... wow.
- Abigail's appearance at the end of the chapter, and her refusal to leave.
- Vivian's fight with Grey. It's the first time we've ever seen her battle, and oh boy does she live up to her reputation.The fight couldn't have lasted more than a few seconds. Abigail and Denizen just stood and stared.
He'd seen Grey fight Pick-Up-the-Pieces. He'd watched his mentor spar with Abigail and D'Aubigny. The man moved like a conjurer's trick—blade darting faster than the eye could follow, the point of his sword never where you thought it would be.
He'd been deadly before, and now madness and the dark will of the Three fueled his blows, his mouth open in a snarl, his eyes leaking violent gold.
Denizen's mother took him apart. - It's also terrifying, but the Emissary's Breach and the Clockwork Three's death.
The Forever Court
- The Hephaestus Warplates.
- Greaves threatening the Forever Court with an freaking M18 Claymore mine.
- Denizen's use of strategy to take down the Croit twins.
- After a book full of questioning, and with a history of blind faith in his family, Uriel finally stands up to Grandfather.Uriel: I'm sorry I can't just believe. I’m sorry I'm the wrong kind of strong.
- Denizen being described as a paper lantern with the heart of a star.
