Ruin and Rising
discussion
Should the Darkling & Alina be endgame?
message 351:
by
Sofs
(new)
-
rated it 1 star
May 03, 2014 07:11AM
Cari, the publisher tagged. MacMillan tags the posts for each character. Like, If is a quote from Alina, they tag the book, for example, Shadow and Bone and then tag with "Alina" the same goes for Mal and Darkling. My only hope with these quotes is they tagged because Darkling is really popular tag.
reply
|
flag
Cari wrote: "Elena wrote: "Cari wrote: "This is the first new quote I saw-http://macteenbooks.tumblr.com/post/8...
And this is the second, it has to do with the Darkling and the Fold, I think from Alin..."
Always to the help of Grisha fans! :D
and sorry my english :/
Andresa wrote: "Cari, the publisher tagged. MacMillan tags the posts for each character. Like, If is a quote from Alina, they tag the book, for example, Shadow and Bone and then tag with "Alina" the same goes for ..."Ok, I see. Let's hope they only tagged it "Darkling" because he's popular.
Of all the released quotes that's the one that worries me the most because if it belongs to one of the guys, it sounds like "last words". But perhaps, if Alina says it, it may only mean that she's not "choosing" whomever it is she says it to. A lot less tragic :)
Maybe all those quotes Andresa put down in post 359 really belong to the Darkling, but he could say them during his conversation with Alina while he was revealing his/their mutual past.Like, they were both powerful and lonely and came together, fell in love, but something happened to drive them apart and the Darkling's love was not enough to stop whatever it was that separated them. Maybe, if Leigh was really inspired by Deathless, it was some version of Mal/ his previous incarnation (like Ivan from Deathless), and now the cycle repeats itself again.
Can it be?
I hope so. I thought the same about it be in parts where he talks about his past or something but I'm still scare c: I love Darkling and if he doesn't end with Alina I don't him dead.
“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay.”
“You want a love story too? There’s none to be had.”
These 2 quotes makes me believe he probably will try to push her away. After reading their excerpt and after take the quizz (mine was Darkling) I think he likes her. He is scare and he wants to fight somehow against it.
"I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but me."
I love imagine him saying this at the end (she probably goes for Mal and Darkling says this once he sees she is getting away from him).
“Know that I loved you. Know that it was not enough.”
Now thinking about this... Maybe he is talking to Baghra? Idk. I don't trust Baghra. I'm sure she loves his son but there is something there.. and I always thought this quote was from Alina.
There isn't sure if the quotes are really from Darkling. macteenbooks tagged him so this is just an assumption.
The "no shelter but me" line is the Darkling. ;) The rest are not confirmed."Know that I loved you. Know that it was not enough."
To me this sounds like the Darkling and for a strange reason. I feel like he speaks without contractions and Mal/Alina both would have said "wasn't" instead of "was not." Also, there is past tense: LOVED.
My guess was that the Darkling is retelling a story. If Alina is a reincarnation, the Darkling admits that he loved her, but it was not enough (to possibly stop him from his ambitions.) Which is maybe where there is "no love story to be had."
WinterRose wrote: "The "no shelter but me" line is the Darkling. ;) The rest are not confirmed."Know that I loved you. Know that it was not enough."
To me this sounds like the Darkling and for a strange reason. I ..."
I agree with your reasons, but then why are the tagged with "the darkling" by the publisher, as people are saying?
Maybe the theory about Alina's supposed reincarnation is highly probable since on the Demon in the woods pintrest board there is a photo of two people kissing and also of a girl drowning.So there is a lot of mystery around the prequel.
I like the idea that we can trace the history of Alina's and his powers way back.However, I must say that reincarnation stories have not been able to provide me with satisfactory insight to a couple's story.
Of course, you can always say that's how you can explain their mysterious attraction, etc. But, I am not a big fan to try to explain a couple's "now" troubles, which are due to their current personalities and circumstances, by telling us about the people they were in their past life.
Even if Alina was someone he knew hundreds of years ago, she is someone entirely different now, with her new body and new sociohistorical context. I would not like it if somehow the Alina we know is exactly the same as whomever she was in her previous life, so that "all ends tie nicely." That would be a poor plot device.
I agree Demon in the Woods contains a love story, from what we saw in the pinterest board. But it doesn't have to be Alina to be a meaningful love story. It could be someone who's entirely gone from the picture but marked him in such a way that he became who he is.
I agree with your reasons, but then why are the tagged with "the darkling" by the publisher, as people are saying?ALL the teasers were tagged with the Darkling. Leigh actually said that the teasers are not confirmed with who says them. (Apart from one, the no shelter but me because that's obvious it's the Darkling lol) I think many people in the fandom search the Darkling's tags, so that's why.
@ Cari. I'm going to spoil you slightly with ATLA but it's not really a big spoiler because it's revealed in the opening credits lol.
So the Avatar is a reincarnation. There can only be one alive at a time. So once one dies, a new one is born. They are different people entirely, but they have the ability to reconnect with previous lives. So there is a connection, but they are still their own person. (Trust me, the ATLA Avatar and LoK Avatar are night and day different lol.
But I'm wondering if it's something similar. So the Darkling knew a previous life of Alina--or what I think is more accurate, she was a saint and he knew that saint.
BUT I also think Demon in the Wood might be a love story too, but not with Alina. Or I think the Darkling tricked a demon--or a demon tricked him. Possibly a woman demon.
@WinterRose I think a demon tricked him.
I think that Demon must be how the Fjerdans called him, or another important Grisha in the story. At the time of the story we're reading (S&B, S&S, etc), the Fjerdans believe grisha powers are the result or withcraft or evil sorcery. It's not hard to believe that further back in time they would have thought of grisha as demons, simply because of their powers.
Well, I think, given Leigh's self-professed love for the series, that you might be right, then. But I hope it's done in such a way that makes sense.
I think Baghra set him up or something tricky like to somehow run into this demon. That's why he doesn't take orders from her no more.
Remember this?""Was Baghra your teacher too?"
A shadow crossed his face. "Yes."
(There is so much to their story I'm dying to know)
Also Cari, I think you're right. Maybe the demon IS the Darkling. Maybe he and Baghra were banished from their village to the woods.
Vindictev wrote: "Cari wrote: "Mal, however, is the guy who left everything behind, went looking for her and has been there for her every step of the way, literally. Alina is afraid he will not understand her, which..."Omg. YESSS. This. Thank you for loving Mal. <3 I very much agree with this. Mal and Alina must end up together. Sigh. <3
Vindictev wrote: "Katie wrote: "But the Darkling? With Alina? Are you and I reading the same books? I mean, after everything he did at the end of the first book, after what he did to Genya and his mother in the seco..."And this.
"Same.
If the Darkling didn't have the whole seductive thing going on about him and his looks, I doubt he would be easily forgiven by the fandom. He completely disfigured Genya, threw Mal out in the fold for Alina to watch Volcra eat him right in front of her eyes, let an entire city get devoured by the volcra, and tore his mother's eyes out. Not to mention many other non-redeemable things.
Why anyone wants Alina to be with a guy who's done that, not to mention a guy who posed as Mal to molest her, is beyond me. Just no. No. "
Dies. Yes. I very, very much agree. Sigh. Thank you for saying that :)
Andresa wrote: "Molest her???????"If you go back to page one and read the longer comment about what Vindictev said about it :) I thought it made a lot of sense.
Oh that's true, I'd forgotten about Vindictev!!! She was a really big Malina shipper and to say she disliked the Darkling immensely is an understatement.
WinterRose wrote: "I feel like the Darkling is the Warner (Shatter Me). If a book was released in the Darkling's POV, so many people would change their opinion on him, like they did with Warner once his novella came ..."I think.... I think that I love you.....
As much as I love the Darkling and find him to be the best match for Alina, I don't think he's going to survive the trilogy's end.That being said, I don't particularly like Mal (he's a bit of a drama queen and to be honest, every time he and Alina are together, their relationship seems to make both of them unhappy) so I'm rooting for Nikolai on this one - I feel like he genuinely cares for Alina, not Alina the Saint, not Alina the Sun Summoner or Alina the Orphan. Just Alina.
Stephanie wrote: "As much as I love the Darkling and find him to be the best match for Alina, I don't think he's going to survive the trilogy's end.That being said, I don't particularly like Mal (he's a bit of a dr..."
Nickolai needs her with him on the throne, what makes think he truly believe in her ? Sounds, for me, more a politic agreement than a matter of feelings.
Meghann wrote: "Why has everyone jumped on this band wagon of wanting heroines to end up with the "baddies"? I HATE IT! Although Mal wants everything to go back to being how it was before Alina was the Sun Summo..."Omg, it is so nice to know that somebody else out there is wanting Alina to end up with Mal. It seems like everyone is for the Darkling. I like him as a character, but not who I want Alina to end up with. I also think that Leigh Bardugo is holding back about Mal. There is more to him that meets the eye. I also agree about the Adam thing with the Shatter Me series. I thought he totally got screwed. Don't get me wrong I usually tend to like the bad boys, but they don't always deserve the girl. What about the good guys. Seriously?!
Kimberly wrote: "Don't get me wrong I usually tend to like the bad boys, but they don't always deserve the girl. What about the good guys. Seriously?! "How about we love good guys in real life and bad boys in fiction? :)
It's only fair :P
Natalia wrote: "How about we love good guys in real life and bad boys in fiction? :) It's only fair :P..."
Agreed. It's that balance between real guys and fantasy escapes that keeps me happy :D
THAT DARKLINA EXCERPT THO
Natalia wrote: "Cari wrote: "Well, the 4th book may be the much awaited Darkling POV that Bardugo sort of hinted at... Are those numbers "official" because that would be great?"I saw on this page https://www.goo..."
Maybe it ment that The Tailor (Genya's p.o.v) as one of them?
Cari wrote: "Vindictev wrote: ""Know that I loved you. Know that it was not enough."
On the contrary, I believe that to be Mal telling Alina that he loved her but it wasn't enough to stop her from becoming t..."
I always kinda thought that maybe in R&R Mal doesn't die, but goes off to be a Privateer/Pirate/Sailor and Alina is left to rule Ravka while he is off tracking things on the Sea with his crew.
I don't know it's just a theory.
Omg, I just typed out this looong post with everything I thought about all of these topics, and there was "a problem posting my comment". :[Anyway, the short version!
The Darkling, in my eyes, only desires Alina. He doesn't love her, he just wants to possess her. He shows time and time again that he is infuriated by her choice of some otkazat'sya over him - constantly bringing the topic up after she's been collared - he's obsessed with it. He can't stand that she ran from him, and not only that, but into the arms of another man - especially after his seduction had been going so smoothly before Bahgra's interference.
He decides to kill Mal, no matter how useful he could be to him, only after he realises (the night before they enter the fold near the end), that no matter what, if he's alive, she'll find a way to him, and vice versa. Only death could part them, and he understood that. But any threat against Mal makes Alina like 1000000x more powerful suddenly, in her desperation to keep him safe. So of course his jealous plan backfired.
The only way my mind would be changed about this is if the reincarnation theory brought up in this thread is indeed the path Bardugo took.
Right now I'm like 99% Malina, but if the Darkling and Alina have some secret history, and he's been waiting all these years not just to use her power, but for her to /return to him/ - then I'm done for. I would be 100% Darklina, even though I love Mal. For some reason that kind of story just gets to me. I don't know why it would change anything, but it would change everything.
In defense of Mal (yes, I'm talking to you, person who was saying he has as much to be forgiven for as the Darkling a few pages back)
Mal is not perfect, but he absolutely loves Alina, and he wastes no time telling her that, again and again. He constantly brings up how he feels, how devoted he is to her, no matter what... and she just... holds back. The only one to blame for the rift between them, is her. Seriously, if she'd had one decent conversation with him while they were at the Little Palace (BEFORE it was too late), everything would have been different, and they would have both been saved a world of heartache.
Now, if you're going to hold his kiss with Zoya against him - don't. We all know Alina would totally have kissed Nikolai that very same evening, if not for him stopping her. And Mal honestly believed Alina had zero interest in him at that point. He was heartbroken, and he already new Zoya from the past... You can't hold that against him, you just can't.
You also have to remember, Mal is used to being sought after - he's handsome, clever, talented - girls are usually throwing themselves at him. But now he's contending for the girl of his dreams against the two most powerful men in the country - and his heart is in it, for the first time in his life. He feels obsolete. And he has already given Alina all he's got. I don't know how anyone could think differently - sure Mal isn't /perfect/... but then again yeah he totally is, 100%
God this is why we need Ruin and Rising immediately. We need answers!!!@Canyon, I love your comments. Very descriptive and observational... they actually had a lot of stuff I've mentioned. The reincarnation theory doesn't seem legit or likely in my opinion. I don't exactly have a team because of Leigh's wicked writing, but if it means anything... I think Malina is the healthiest relationship but the Darkling is my favorite/the most interesting character.
Can someone post some moments between the Darkling and Alina that were actually romantic? I'm not talking about their make-out sessions, remarks about Mal vs. Darkling competition, comments about loneliness, or destiny crap. (Also, not Mal's or Baghra's opinions...)
I mean moments where they actually get to know to love each other over time (I know the Darkling is secretive, i.k.), if they even exist. Because I agree, his obsession with Alina comes off sometimes more like he wants to possess her (for multiple reasons). I like Malina because they actually openly relate and know each other other than fear and pain. I know things are complicated between the Darkling and Alina, but are there any scenes that show any of them have fallen in love in S&B or S&S?
Abigayle wrote: "Can someone post some moments between the Darkling and Alina that were actually romantic? I'm not talking about their make-out sessions, remarks about Mal vs. Darkling competition, comments about loneliness, or destiny crap. (Also, not Mal's or Baghra's opinions...) "LOL, Abigayle, that's a lot of conditions )))
I don't think the concept of "romantic" is universal for everyone. What one person might consider romantic, someone else would think boring, or creepy, or weird/unhealthy. You get the idea.
What is your definition of romantic, BTW?
Alina and the Darkling certainly don't have the kind of romance that can be described as "sweet". I don't ever see then sitting on a porch together, hands entwined, marveling at their children/grandchildren.
It is probably not a "healthy" relationship either. But that doesn't neglect the fact that it IS romance.
There was this passage from Deathless (a book that, BTW, inspired to a certain degree the Grisha Trilogy) that can very well describe this relationship. I think WinterRose already posted it here at one point:
“Oh, I will be cruel to you, Marya Morevna. It will stop your breath, how cruel I can be. But you understand, don’t you? You are clever enough. I am a demanding creature. I am selfish and cruel and extremely unreasonable. But I am your servant. When you starve I will feed you; when you are sick I will tend you. I crawl at your feet; for before your love, your kisses, I am debased. For you alone I will be weak.”
...
“Yes," he growled, "yes, I will put you there and turn out the light in your eyes and come to stare at you for centuries, to pore over you, because you are mine, my treasure, my hoard, and I cannot keep you and I cannot let you go.”
This is coming from an ancient creature, not a human teenage boy, and it is a possessive and obsessive kind of love. It certainly shouldn't be set as an example, but personally I don't like the idea that every YA book should be about "role models". Some stories are just that, stories. Variety is good. Sometimes it is interesting to see the heroine become a bit darker, or end up with the antagonist, as long as it makes sense within the story.
Abigayle wrote: "I know things are complicated between the Darkling and Alina, but are there any scenes that show any of them have fallen in love in S&B or S&S? "One more thing ))
I don't know if you ever read Gone With the Wind (everyone probably saw the movie, but I mean specifically the book, because books always give more details), but there are a lot of parallels for me in both love stories.
If you follow GWTW, it is clear that Scarlett has always disliked Rhett (or so she thought). She never admitted to herself that she had any romantic feelings for him FOR YEARS, and almost until the end of the book the only guy she ever wanted (or so she thought :)) was Ashley Wilkes. YET I don't think anyone ever had a doubt in their mind WHO was the love interest in this book all along.
Scarlett was just so caught up in her childhood crush and dead set on getting him that she never even noticed how she and Rhett were the same in so many things, how comfortable she was with him and how he was the only person who never judged her and who truly understood her and encouraged al her endeavors.
Just like Alina felt comforted in the Darkling's presence in S&S, when she unconsciously called out to him and he came as an apparition. Just like the Darkling said he would never turn away no matter what Alina did. And Alina is so hell bent on seeing him only as a villain that she is afraid to admit her feelings to herself.
«I got used to seeing him waiting for me at the end of corridors, or sitting at the edge of my bed when I fell asleep at night. When he didn’t appear, I sometimes found myself looking for him or wondering why he hadn’t come, and that frightened me most of all.»
He is constantly on her mind. She lived in his room without changing anything in it, and fell asleep on his bed with his fantom sitting by the side.
The vibe those two give to me is the "meant to be" kind. Like they are inevitable. Unlike you, Abigayle, I think that the reincarnation theory is very possible.
Good points Natalia. :DCan someone post some moments between the Darkling and Alina that were actually romantic?
I think one thing to consider is that everyone finds different things romantic. What I find romantic might be something someone else doesn't and vice versa.
When the Darkling said "I have seen what you truly are and I've never turned away. I never will" I found that to be romantic because of what his words meant.
No, he didn't say "Alina, I love you and you complete me and you are the light of my darkness and you hair smells like sunshine and you are my everything!" lol Those sort of declarations are not my favorite.
What he says is simple: he has seen her at her best and worst, and he accepts her without asking her to change or be someone she isn't. He doesn't fear her and he won't turn away from her.
His words meant a lot to me as a reader because of how much I was able to see Alina doubting herself. For years she's tried to suppress who she is and it's clear she's uncomfortable and has little confidence when she embraces being the sun summoner. She is in need of acceptance because she's struggled to accept herself for years.
WinterRose wrote: "No, he didn't say "Alina, I love you and you complete me and you are the light of my darkness and you hair smells like sunshine and you are my everything!" lol "*Virtual hug*. LOL
I hate it when love interests sound so corny. I so often roll my eyes at love declarations in YA books, you just captured perfectly everything that annoys me so much.
Go Darkling!
I love having you guys to discuss with and seriously need more people like you guys to talk about books with. You guys had a lot of good points. The reason why I asked my long comment is because I wanted to assure whether or not what people see in the Darkling could be love if nothing more than an obsession (on idk, emotional/psychological levels). That may have sounded weird but I feel my focus was more on him because in a way, I let Alina off the hook more because she's seventeen, in confusing places with three guys after really for the first time being seriously involved with one, and isn't in the same position (politically, personally, etc.) as the Darkling. Not that it's a bad thing, but he's had more time alone that could've changed him and Alina's introduction into his plans might mean anything in general.
Lol, no I don't see them as in any way a sweet lovey-dovey couple (gag) and definitely glad they're not. I'm personally not a romantic and not easily interested in those kind of fictional relationships.
I think what I was really asking for was what views were on the relationship because the speculations that Darklina is destiny or reincarnation for true love and all those other romantic theories don't work at all for these characters in my opinion. I think some of them could be ranging closely into crackpot and dislike that they're only created in hopes of romance. Thanks for the reassuring/clarifying ideas Natalia and WinterRose.
Lol thanks Abigayle! I like discussing with you guys too. :DI think that's a good question, if the Darkling can love. It's hard to grasp how your humanity (and how you would love) would change once you've lived hundreds of years, through wars, through deaths, meanwhile being isolated and feared by the people you're trying to save.
I do think the Darkling very much longs for Alina--until we know otherwise, I think he longs for who he believes is meant to be his equal. But at the same time, he knows wanting makes you weak. Perhaps his plan was for Alina to be his equal and partner, not necessarily his "love"--because being his love seems too human for him to originally want, IMO.
However, he's grown to long for more than just companionship. I think if he does love her in the way that he can, that wasn't part of his plan. Loving her could potentially make her one of his weaknesses, which he tries to avoid.
He's in a pickle, really. I don't think he wants to control her--I think he wants her to be on board with his plan and vision for Ravka. (Really, that's much easier than controlling someone constantly anyway) He wants her by his side, to be as powerful as he is, but he doesn't necessarily want to love her because he's lived long enough to see how love can make one weak. It's like he hates what he wants, lol.
To quote Game of Thrones: "Love is the death of duty."
I do think the Darkling is capable of love, but I think he would express it differently than say, Mal or Nikolai would. The Darkling does a lot of small, subtle things that show his affection for Alina. (Touching her cheek on the ship, making her a blue kefta when she requests it, putting gold (her color) on the black kefta he has made for her, returning Genya, kissing her despite his better judgement, visiting her constantly in S&S, etc.)
WinterRose wrote: "He wants her by his side, to be as powerful as he is, but he doesn't necessarily want to love her because he's lived long enough to see how love can make one weak. It's like he hates what he wants, lol."BTW we can see that with Mal and Alina, how their love for each other is their weakness. I prick one, the other bleeds, the Darkling says, and in his mind it's not a good thing at all, a liability.
Also, WinterRose, I so agree about the way the Darkling lets his feelings be known. They are subtle, but they are there, you just have to notice them.
That is why the quote "Know that I loved you. Know it was not enough" makes me so sad. I feel like what the Darkling means by it is "Screw you, Alina, I lost my patience with you and I'm leaving, do whatever the hell you want now, I'm done with you, and Ravka, and humanity in general" or something along those lines. And Alina is going to realize at this point that she LOVES the Darkling, but it is too late (maybe because he is dead, having sacrificed himself, or just gone.) Which reminds me eerily of GWTW and how it ended (some quotes from GWTW):
1.
«But, Scarlett, did it ever occur to you that even the most deathless love could wear out?”
She looked at him speechless, her mouth a round O.
“Mine wore out,” he went on, “against Ashley Wilkes and your insane obstinacy that makes you hold on like a bulldog to anything you think you want… Mine wore out.”
“But love can’t wear out!”
“Yours for Ashley did.”
“But I never really loved Ashley!”
“Then, you certainly gave a good imitation of it—up till tonight.»
2.
«It was so obvious that we were meant for each other. So obvious that I was the only man of your acquaintance who could love you after knowing you as you really are—hard and greedy and unscrupulous, like me. I loved you and I took the chance. I thought Ashley would fade out of your mind. But,” he shrugged, “I tried everything I knew and nothing worked. And I loved you so, Scarlett. If you had only let me, I could have loved you as gently and as tenderly as ever a man loved a woman. But I couldn’t let you know, for I knew you’d think me weak and try to use my love against me. And always—always there was Ashley. It drove me crazy. I couldn’t sit across the table from you every night, knowing you wished Ashley was sitting there in my place. And I couldn’t hold you in my arms at night and know that—well, it doesn’t matter now. I wonder, now, why it hurt.»
3
«Did it ever occur to you that I loved you as much as a man can love a woman? Loved you for years before I finally got you? During the war I’d go away and try to forget you, but I couldn’t and I always had to come back. After the war I risked arrest, just to come back and find you. I cared so much I believe I would have killed Frank Kennedy if he hadn’t died when he did. I loved you but I couldn’t let you know it.»
Sorry guys for this depressing bit, but I can't shake off how both story lines are so similar.
So to sum it all up:1. Both Scarlett and Alina are bulldoggishly stubborn in their pursuit of the man they think they should be with, while that wouldn't make a good match at all.
2. Rhett admitted he would have killed a man who stood between him and Scarlett so he could have her to himself - just like the Darkling wanted to kill Mal.
3. Rhett never ever told Scarlett that he loved her (until before he left, that is). Just like in case with the Darkling, you had to read between the lines and notice all the small gestures.
I really see a lot of similarities between the characters of Rhett and the Darkling, in big things and in small things.
Again, sorry for bringing GWTW into this, but some scenarios just beg to be compared.
I like the comparisons. I've never read GWTW or seen the movie, lol. But I definitely see some similarities there. I also see them in Marya and Koschei.
WinterRose, I get that many people haven't read GWTW, but how could you not have seen the movie? I mean, do you know what this story is about? It is practically American War and Peace, LOL.As for Deathless, I'm going to read it as part of my after-R&R recovery therapy )))
have you guys checked out Leigh's Pinterest Ruin and Rising board that she just posted? I have a lot of theories from it! http://www.pinterest.com/lbardugo/rui...
Here is what I'm gathering from this board:The Darkling is just really misunderstood:
"caption: I have a lot of scars, this is the one I chose"
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
Darklina?? or Nikolai+Alina idk
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
I'm seeing a lot of images that have Alina using dark powers and this one of the Darkling summoning light makes me think that now they're bonded and share powers.
The Darkling
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
Alina
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
Baghra and baby Darkling (caption:"I’ll tell you a story—one I used to tell a little boy with dark hair, a silent boy who rarely laughed, who listened more closely than I realized."
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/44262008...
@Zenaida: We've been discussing this Pinterest board for some time now in the Official Grisha Trilogy reread group https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...Come join us there ))) I think it started on page 55 of the Darkling thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Natalia wrote: "WinterRose, I get that many people haven't read GWTW, but how could you not have seen the movie? I mean, do you know what this story is about? It is practically American War and Peace, L..."Haha I know, I'm horrible. I told you I was never one for the classics. :P
Now that you guys mention it, i can definitely see the parallels between Darklina and Scarlett/Rhett. I believe the Darkling does love Alina, in his own way, and she loves him too, even though she won't admit it to herself. I really hope they end up together, even though it seems unlikely.I just don't want him to die! Even if Darklina isn't endgame, I need the Darkling to live!!!!!!!!
Ugh, I have a feeling I'm going to be mad at Leigh Bardugo after reading R&R. And if i am, then that means it's fanfic time! Alternate ending! lol
Canyon wrote: "The Darkling, in my eyes, only desires Alina. He doesn't love her, he just wants to possess her. He shows time and time again that he is infuriated by her choice of some otkazat'sya over him - constantly bringing the topic up after she's been collared - he's obsessed with it. He can't stand that she ran from him, and not only that, but into the arms of another man - especially after his seduction had been going so smoothly before Bahgra's interference.He decides to kill Mal, no matter how useful he could be to him, only after he realises (the night before they enter the fold near the end), that no matter what, if he's alive, she'll find a way to him, and vice versa. Only death could part them, and he understood that. But any threat against Mal makes Alina like 1000000x more powerful suddenly, in her desperation to keep him safe. So of course his jealous plan backfired.
The only way my mind would be changed about this is if the reincarnation theory brought up in this thread is indeed the path Bardugo took.
Right now I'm like 99% Malina, but if the Darkling and Alina have some secret history, and he's been waiting all these years not just to use her power, but for her to /return to him/ - then I'm done for. I would be 100% Darklina, even though I love Mal. For some reason that kind of story just gets to me. I don't know why it would change anything, but it would change everything.
In defense of Mal (yes, I'm talking to you, person who was saying he has as much to be forgiven for as the Darkling a few pages back)
Mal is not perfect, but he absolutely loves Alina, and he wastes no time telling her that, again and again. He constantly brings up how he feels, how devoted he is to her, no matter what... and she just... holds back. The only one to blame for the rift between them, is her. Seriously, if she'd had one decent conversation with him while they were at the Little Palace (BEFORE it was too late), everything would have been different, and they would have both been saved a world of heartache.
Now, if you're going to hold his kiss with Zoya against him - don't. We all know Alina would totally have kissed Nikolai that very same evening, if not for him stopping her. And Mal honestly believed Alina had zero interest in him at that point. He was heartbroken, and he already new Zoya from the past... You can't hold that against him, you just can't.
You also have to remember, Mal is used to being sought after - he's handsome, clever, talented - girls are usually throwing themselves at him. But now he's contending for the girl of his dreams against the two most powerful men in the country - and his heart is in it, for the first time in his life. He feels obsolete. And he has already given Alina all he's got. I don't know how anyone could think differently - sure Mal isn't /perfect/... but then again yeah he totally is, 100% "
HOLY CRAP. If I can Like your post, I would. I completely agree with you.
This is everything I feel. I don't think the Darkling loves Alina at all. I just think he desires to control her. Constantly trying to enslave Alina doesn't come off as love to me, and giving Alina the option to take the other throne doesn't ring romantic vibes to me either.
Just like how I'm not a fan of Nikolai trying to make Alina his Queen to become King.
I think the Darkling and Nikolai have selfish reasons for wanting Alina, and that's why I think they shouldn't be endgame.
I guess I'm just a fan of true love, so I'm totally rooting for Mal and Alina because their love for each other is genuine.
I also don't see how Leigh can spin an Alarkling ending either. I see people bring up the Shatter Me trilogy ending to reassure themselves that Alina can forgive the Darkling *SPOILERS* like Juliette forgave Warner *SPOILERS* but that's if the Darkling is made into some victimized momma's boy, and I'd seriously roll my eyes if the Darkling was a good boy all along.
I just don't see Alina ever forgiving the Darkling for what he's done, forgetting Mal, and hooking up with the Darkling in the end. The thought actually sounds ridiculous, IMHO. Also unconvincing because this is the last book and there's a lot of relationship development and fixing that Alina and the Darkling would have to go through to get back that trust and be on good terms.
**SPOILERS** We got our endgame. And I'm thoroughly disappointed.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
War and Peace (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
More...
Books mentioned in this topic
War and Peace (other topics)War and Peace (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
Deathless (other topics)
More...
