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The Prince
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message 101:
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Meida Morgenstern Lantsova
(last edited May 06, 2014 01:19AM)
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May 06, 2014 01:17AM
hahh? no he doesn't die.. yet. In the end of s&s, he runs away, right? Alina told him to, so he can guard the King and the Queen
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I knew it!! But do you think he is the one who shoots the guy at the end of the surprising excerpt?
I hope so. He is kinda expert at making a surprising entrance, right?
Yup! And the way he says the prince is a great dancer and really handsome. That gave a big hint
yeah who can give such a big compliment other than the Prince himself? oh yah the Queen might be able to. But there's no way she could appear there
From the last unlocked excerpt, am I the only person who had to look up the word "rusticating"? I completely thought it meant tumbling. as in Nikolai is in the countryside tumbling girls. It turns out it is more like farming :))
I'm so disappointed because I was already thinking about all the good uses I could give to "getting rusty" :P
I had to look up the word skirmish in the second excerpt, haha.
WinterRose wrote: "I had to look up the word skirmish in the second excerpt, haha."What does it mean? I'm curious now.
What do you think about Nikolai? Idk why but I don't really trust me? I hope to be wrong.
Andresa wrote: "What do you think about Nikolai? Idk why but I don't really trust me? I hope to be wrong."I love him too. He is cute, funny and definitely handsome.
Tasha wrote: "I like Mal, don’t get me wrong, but I think both Alina, and Mal would be happier just as friends. He is an amazing friend, not such a good boyfriend. And I totally agree with you Meida, the darklin..."Thank you. I think that they would be great friends too, but it will be awkward. YEs, the Darkling should be her boyfriend. :D
Mal kissed Alina, the Darkling kissed Alina, Nikolia kissed Alina.....I wonder if the Apparat will get a chance, jk, but anyways the most awkward and funny one would have to go to Nikolia even thou I am a Darklina fan. The Darkling and Alina's kiss was to sexy to be funny and Mal and Alina, to much of a "I've been close to you my whole life Alina, now let's get closer" moment....:)
Apparat hahahha as if!
Meida wrote: "Apparat hahahha as if!"I would freak if he does, than puke....
Meida wrote: "Apparat hahahha as if!"I would freak if he does, than puke....
HEY THERE ! THEY added the prologue and FIRST CHAPTER of RUIN AND RISING as unlockables on GrishaTrilogy.com! Tweet, tumble, and instagram your heart out with #RuinAndRising to unlock and read!
SPREAD THE MESSAGE !
I feel the same way about Mal. They just don't have that spark, more like the warm flame of friendship.
Nikolai, Nikolai.. You can be cute but I don't trust you. You can be 2 different person in seconds.
Nikolai is going to be the wildcard in R&R.I keep thinking about that part in S&S where he honestly tells Alina he doesn't know what he would do if he had to choose between the throne and her.
He has been preparing to be a ruler all of his life. He has studied, trained and learned everything there is to know about Ravka and neighboring countries. He's good at politics and very good at people.
In R&R, he has the chance of his life: Vasily is out the picture, the king is either mortally ill or dead. The people are not crazy about the Darkling. It does seem from S&B, that most Ravkans distrust grisha and are not crazy about the Second Army. On top of that, The Darkling does not really has a claim to the throne and if that is not enough, Nikolai is trying to destabilize the government by cutting the supply lines with Fjerda.
It all points out to this being the right moment for Nikolai. However, what will it take for him to defeat the Darkling and sit at the throne? Will he have to form an alliance with the Apparat? Will he have to make the choice between his friendship with Alina and his life-long dream, like Genya did at some point?
Cari wrote: "I keep thinking about that part in S&S where he honestly tells Alina he doesn't know what he would do if he had to choose between the throne and her."Notice how at the end of the conversation, he adds:
«I’m ambitious, Alina. I’m driven. But I hope … I hope I still know the difference between right and wrong."
This "I hope" really drew my attention, because personally I believe that power really does corrupt people. Now Nikolai is like he is, and the Darkling might have been like him back centuries ago, an eager ambitious young man, a patriot of his country. But he became less human and more cruel, and just too weary along the way. I totally can see Nikolai becoming like the Darkling if he lived for millennia.
On a side note: maybe the spin-off series will be about Nikolai and some new girl as a love interest.
I'm surprised at how much I like Nikolai. He sort up sneaks up on you. I understand how Alina is sort of smitten by him, even when she would never admit to it but rather she shows it. :))I had completely forgotten how that quote ended and that sort of breaks my heart. I feel like Nikolai is fundamentally a good guy. But already he's doing things that are straying from the "good" path. I mean, bombing supply lines is good for him and his goals, but not for the country.
It would be sad if his story ends up mirroring Genya's. In this trilogy, friendship is a luxury that people can't seem to afford. There are always hard decisions to make. I was thinking this afternoon.. what if he strays and "betrays" Alina in some way and then tries to make it up to her... What if the "weapon in your hand" quote belongs to him?
It does seem to me that Nikolai escaped fairly easily his first encounter with the Darkling. I'm sure it will not be as easy the second time around.
I'm sure if Nikolai was Grisha and had any amplifiers on his person, his greed for power would also surpass his humanity, in a way.I don't really think that quote about "weapon in your hand" belongs to him. I just can't imagine him saying it. It sounds too solemn, which Nikolai is not. Usually :P Maybe I'm wrong.
Cari wrote: "I'm surprised at how much I like Nikolai. He sort up sneaks up on you."Yes, in that respect he is more dangerous than the Darkling. Like you said, people are too preoccupied by his fun personality that they don't notice that he is basically another Darkling in the making, lol)))
He is a trap .
Have you read "The Tailor"? That story shows a side of the Darkling that we really don't get to see that much in the main series. The way the Darkling convinces Genya to do what he wants. He's so manipulative but in a way that makes it seem like he's on her side.Well, that is exactly like Nikolai is in S&S. He clearly has plans for Alina, but he quickly learns to read her and how to make her trust him. He listens, is sympathetic and offers useful advice, which she clearly needs and appreciates. On the other hand, he makes sure Alina is as isolated as possible, so that she comes to rely only on him. (Funny, this somewhat backfired because it so happens the Darkling is also offering his company.)
There are two scenes in which he uses all of his charm to separate her from Mal. One time is when Alina escapes the boring dinner with those rich people they see on the way to the Os Alta. Alina is determined and it doesn't work for him. He quickly learns his lesson and readjusts his approach. The second time around, he presents the situation of separating the two of them as something that will actually help their relationship. Alina buys into it. She doesn't even realize the endless meetings in the Grand Palace are probably part of his scheme. She has very little free time during her time at the Little Palace, and I'm sure that was no coincidence.
Those two scenes are fantastic because you can see how he uses his charms to manipulate her but she can't see it. Even though she's constantly reminding herself she can't trust him, she ends up doing what he wants. And he is operating in the same way the Darkling does in the Tailor.
Again, this is not to say Nikolai or the Darkling are bad, just that they're ambitious and manipulative, and can be hard to resist when they set their minds to it. At the time of the story, however, the Darkling does not seem to be as effective on Alina.
Well. I always thought Mal was the only good guy who truly loves Alina :)
The fact that Nikolai and the Darkling want to use Alina for her powers and title period automatically makes me hate them as love interests.I'm not a fan of being used, and true love is much more meaningful to me, hence why I'm rooting for Mal and not Nikolai or the Darkling because Mal has loved and cared about Alina the girl all this time.
Nikolai and the Darkling wouldn't give Alina the time of day if she was normal with no powers, and that greatly bothers me.
It's kinda like saying Alina is nothing and not special to them without her powers, and I don't like that at all.
Vindictev wrote: "The fact that Nikolai and the Darkling want to use Alina for her powers and title period automatically makes me hate them as love interests.I'm not a fan of being used, and true love is much more..."
And Mal wouldn't have given Alina the time of the day, if they hadn't grown up together, and shared a childhood together.
It's funny, tho. 'cause for sure Nikolai nor the Darkling would even know about Alina existence without her power. But would Mal really do? Without her power taking her away, would he ever notice her? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Tasha wrote: "Vindictev wrote: "The fact that Nikolai and the Darkling want to use Alina for her powers and title period automatically makes me hate them as love interests.I'm not a fan of being used, and true..."
Lys wrote: "It's funny, tho. 'cause for sure Nikolai nor the Darkling would even know about Alina existence without her power.
But would Mal really do? Without her power taking her away, would he ever notice ..."
You guys aren't making any sense.
Mal doesn't want to use Alina for her powers at all. He doesn't want to use her powers period, and I find that admirable because he still loves Alina even if she's powerless, has been separated from him for months, and looks like a hag now.
Nikolai and the The Darkling want to use Alina for her power and title. They wouldn't give a crap about her if she met them and didn't have a title or power because they'd have no use for her.
@Vindictev: Would Mal "give a crap" about her if they didn't grow up together? If he just met the sickly looking Alina when they were already teenagers? Because like someone pointed out in one of the excerpts, "she was not his usual".You are not being objective.
It is very common that people notice someone because of something, and THEN fall in love. As in, later, in time.
Mal has known Alina for years, while both Nikolai and the Darkling just met her months ago.
Natalia wrote: "@Vindictev: Would Mal "give a crap" about her if they didn't grow up together? If he just met the sickly looking Alina when they were already teenagers? Because like someone pointed out in one of t..."Couldn't have said it better myself :)
Always hacking down on Mal :p It doesn't matter, anyway. As that did NOT happen. What's happening now is more important. And Mal loves all of Alina in this moment.
Vindictev wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Vindictev wrote: "The fact that Nikolai and the Darkling want to use Alina for her powers and title period automatically makes me hate them as love interests.I'm not a fan of being ..."
I think you are not understanding what I'm writing (or you do understand but want to shift the point another way :P)... Where did I write Mal want to use her for her power?!?!
I did ask would Mal NOTICE her if she didn't use her power?
Natalia wrote: "@Vindictev: Would Mal "give a crap" about her if they didn't grow up together? If he just met the sickly looking Alina when they were already teenagers? Because like someone pointed out in one of t..."First off, Alina wouldn't have looked sickly looking if she was a normal girl.
Second thing, Mal liked Alina when they were kids. He noticed her when he said he didn't think she was ugly.
Third, Mal completely ignored Ruby, who is described by Alina to be beautiful even though Alina looks like a hag.
Lys wrote: "Vindictev wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Vindictev wrote: "The fact that Nikolai and the Darkling want to use Alina for her powers and title period automatically makes me hate them as love interests.
I'm n..."
You're saying if Alina's power didn't take her away, Mal wouldn't have realized that he was in love with her. That isn't exclusively about her powers though. If she was a normal girl who spent time away from him he still would have realized it sooner or later.
Point is that Mal has never thought of using Alina for her powers or her title like Nikolai and the Darkling. That's what I care about.
I think Mal has been in love with Alina all along but was too used to being her friend that he didn't realize it until she was away. He did say she was his everything, and I think he didn't realize his feelings were that of love and not just friendship.
Natalia wrote: "@Vindictev: Would Mal "give a crap" about her if they didn't grow up together? If he just met the sickly looking Alina when they were already teenagers? ."Yep. Mal did give Alina the time of day even when they didn't spend years together yet and she looked sickly.
Ana Kuya pointed out that Alina was an ugly bony girl, but Mal still liked her.
It doesn't matter how long the Darkling and Nikolai have known Alina. That doesn't rebuke the fact that they want to use her.
Vindictev wrote: "Yep. Mal did give Alina the time of day even when they didn't spend years together yet and she looked sickly.Ana Kuya pointed out that Alina was an ugly bony girl, but Mal still liked her."
Haha, really? That's your argument? They were children then! Nikolai and the Darkling didn't meet Alina when THEY were 8 years old.
Natalia wrote: "Haha, really? That's your argument? They were children then! Nikolai and the Darkling didn't meet Alina when THEY were 8 years old. "*facepalm*
You asked if Mal would have given Alina the time of day if she looked sickly and didn't spend years together with him. I posted evidence that Mal did show an interest to her.
What does it matter if Nikolai and the Darkling met her at 8 years old? They wouldn't have given a shit about Alina if she wasn't of use to them.
Vindictev wrote: "What does it matter if Nikolai and the Darkling met her at 8 years old? They wouldn't have given a shit about Alina if she wasn't of use to them."At 8 years old?!? How do you know?
Jee, I don't know... Probably because the Darkling and Nikolai didn't show any sign of giving a shit about Alina until finding out she was the Sun Summoner? :PMaybe if they did when she didn't have powers, I would believe they actually cared about Alina the girl.
I've already debunked the argument about Mal not caring about Alina the girl if she looked sickly and hadn't spent years with him. Arguing about what Nikolai or the Darkling would have done in his place is pointless, so I'll ignore that topic when we don't have any evidence to debate with.
Nikolai and the Darkling still want to use Alina. You can't deny that fact.
Hi guys! There is a thread to discuss the "versus" aspects of endgame. We could use this thread to have the heated debates about who is better endgame:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
In the mean time, let's try to be on topic and also look at other aspects of the story that are worth discussing.
All characters have a lot more to offer than only "endgame." (It gets boring to repeat the same thing over and over!!) They all have "lives" in this story and exist INDEPENDENTLY of one another. That is to say, Alina is our main character but there is much more to discuss than love lives.
For instance, I believe that Mal and Nikolai (leaving Alina aside) could be great friends.My favorite scene with the two of them in aboard Nikolai's flying vessel, when they go hunting for volcra. To me, it's a really good scene because they really get into it and for a moment forget all about Alina and are just having fun. (Granted, I do not approve of the whole crazy-killing frenzy, but it's kind of cute to see them put differences aside and behave just like boys with new toys ;P )
Nikolai also tries to get Mal pardoned by the king and is kind of astonished when Mal just goes the "It was all my fault" route.
If Nikolai ends up alive at the end of R&R it could have really interesting repercusions for Mal.
(However, the chances are Nikolai may not make it. The whole idea behind the Too-clever fox story is that you should not put yourself in the same harmful situation twice, because you'll not make it unscathed the second time around.)
But let's consider for a moment that Nikolai lives and ends up king. I think there is a huge chance that Nikolai will restore Mal to his old position, or even give him a better rank than he had before. Mal's career could be not only back on track but improved.
It's not trivial to personally know the king, right?
I think Nikolai will end up alive and we will get a spin off about him. Since he is Leigh's favorite character to write, I doubt she'll let him go that easily.
Natalia wrote: "I think Nikolai will end up alive and we will get a spin off about him. Since he is Leigh's favorite character to write, I doubt she'll let him go that easily."I wouldn't miss that book for anything!! :)
It's bound to have you laughing non-stop. And we might finally see Nikolai's dance moves :))
Someone asked Leigh once if she would ever write more about pirates, and I think she said she'd love to or it was something she had planned. I honestly can't remember her answer exactly, but it was in favor of more pirates.Which makes me wonder, what are the chances that Nikolai DOESN'T end up on the throne, but goes back to the sea? I feel like that spin off would be far more interesting than him on the throne.
WinterRose wrote: "Someone asked Leigh once if she would ever write more about pirates, and I think she said she'd love to or it was something she had planned. I honestly can't remember her answer exactly, but it was..."Ha! I'm wondering if you're being prophetic here, WinterRose. I'm not sure if there are pirates in "The Dregs" but being on an island, there might be at least some. :)
It would be awesome if Nikolai was in this series too. Adn if he goes abroad into "hiding" and gets ahold of another tailor, we may never know for sure until he decides to show himself :)
I'm always wondering where are all the Nikolinas? I see them #ruinandrising and they are a happy bunch, just like their guy :)
i love prince Nikolai, he was one of my beautiful imagination on earth idk what hell Alina saw on that other guy
i never shipped him and alina, but nikolai is easily one of my top male characters of all time. his duology made me love him even more
