“‘When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway’” (Bardugo 460).
**SPOILERS INCLUDED**
This quote displays the poetic side of Leigh Bardugo’s Crooked Kingdom, sequel to Six of Crows. It tells the story of a band of misfits, thieves, and outcasts, but despite the ever-present violence in the novel, Bardugo manages to incorporate beautiful passages inside and outside of the fighting. This quote is less poetic than it is wise, but it allows the reader to get to know the character behind the message better and displays not only her feelings in the present moment but also her realizations throughout the novel.
Inej Ghafa was trained as an acrobat by her parents for years before she was captured, taken on a slave ship overseas, and sex-trafficked as a minor. The book skirts around the details due to it being a Young Adult novel, and personally I agree with Bardugo's decision, as it gives us moments like these where we see her character developing and healing rather than focusing on the trauma she experienced. Throughout the novel, readers see Inej grow more confident in herself and her abilities as a trained fighter and spy. However, in the particular moments before this quote, Inej becomes vulnerable and scared during a fight against an assassin sent to kill her. Despite her confidence and combat skills failing her, Inej seems driven by her past and somehow continues fighting. Instead of trying to forget her past or ignore it like she has for most of the novel, it fuels her, and she bests her opponent. The same fiery energy that helps her win the battle is shown through her fiery words in this passage.
Another reason the quote is so important is that it displays Inej’s fighting spirit. Kaz, another character in the novel, talks about his respect for Inej’s ability to keep her faith throughout her time at the Menagerie (the brothel in the novel) and in her time working for the gang. Kaz states he lost his faith as a child after going through his own trauma on the streets, and always prioritizes his own survival and well-being above others because of his experiences. He marvels at Inej’s ability to hold strong and fight for her faith; she continues to look out for the others in the group despite them all being liars and untrustworthy. This spirit in Inej is shown through countless points in the novel where she manages to overcome obstacles not only because of her ability to adapt, but also because of her resilient mindset, determination to do what is right, and dedication to her beliefs.
Inej finds her home away from home within the Dregs (the gang). The quote shows the positive impact the gang has had on her–this ruthless, defiant, angry side of Inej heavily contrasts Bardugo’s original painting of Inej’s frail character and terrifying backstory. In the Dregs, Inej impacts her friends by continuing to have empathy, which brightens the day of those around her despite their situation. However, the changes the gang makes to Inej’s character are not prevalent until this moment, when she seems to take a defiant stand against a world that robbed her of her family and her innocence, adopting the Dregs’ vengeful attitude. While some might argue the gang having an effect on Inej is a bad thing, I would disagree. Because of her experiences in the Dregs, Inej decides to pursue hunting down slave ships like the one that captured her at 14. The confidence to heal from one’s past and then turn directly around and stare it in the face with the risk of enduring it again is something only learned by one surrounded by others forced to do so. Inej sees how her friends, the thieves and crooks, face their own pasts and is inspired to do so herself. Bardugo doesn’t leave the readers with an epilogue, but they can assume Inej goes out and fulfills her dream after the novel’s closing.
In conclusion, Bardugo uses this quote to bring out a vulnerable side of Inej that readers have not yet seen; it expresses her journey throughout the novel: her past pains, her fears, and her dreams for the future. Inej continues developing until the very end of the book, similarly to all the other complex characters Bardugo crafts in the duology. I was surprised to see such depth from a fictional Young Adult novel–but I would definitely recommend it!
Works Cited
Bardugo, Leigh. Crooked Kingdom. First Square Fish edition. New York, Square Fish/Henry Holt, 2018.
Inej Ghafa was trained as an acrobat by her parents for years before she was captured, taken on a slave ship overseas, and sex-trafficked as a minor. The book skirts around the details due to it being a Young Adult novel, and personally I agree with Bardugo's decision, as it gives us moments like these where we see her character developing and healing rather than focusing on the trauma she experienced. Throughout the novel, readers see Inej grow more confident in herself and her abilities as a trained fighter and spy. However, in the particular moments before this quote, Inej becomes vulnerable and scared during a fight against an assassin sent to kill her. Despite her confidence and combat skills failing her, Inej seems driven by her past and somehow continues fighting. Instead of trying to forget her past or ignore it like she has for most of the novel, it fuels her, and she bests her opponent. The same fiery energy that helps her win the battle is shown through her fiery words in this passage.
Another reason the quote is so important is that it displays Inej’s fighting spirit. Kaz, another character in the novel, talks about his respect for Inej’s ability to keep her faith throughout her time at the Menagerie (the brothel in the novel) and in her time working for the gang. Kaz states he lost his faith as a child after going through his own trauma on the streets, and always prioritizes his own survival and well-being above others because of his experiences. He marvels at Inej’s ability to hold strong and fight for her faith; she continues to look out for the others in the group despite them all being liars and untrustworthy. This spirit in Inej is shown through countless points in the novel where she manages to overcome obstacles not only because of her ability to adapt, but also because of her resilient mindset, determination to do what is right, and dedication to her beliefs.
Inej finds her home away from home within the Dregs (the gang). The quote shows the positive impact the gang has had on her–this ruthless, defiant, angry side of Inej heavily contrasts Bardugo’s original painting of Inej’s frail character and terrifying backstory. In the Dregs, Inej impacts her friends by continuing to have empathy, which brightens the day of those around her despite their situation. However, the changes the gang makes to Inej’s character are not prevalent until this moment, when she seems to take a defiant stand against a world that robbed her of her family and her innocence, adopting the Dregs’ vengeful attitude. While some might argue the gang having an effect on Inej is a bad thing, I would disagree. Because of her experiences in the Dregs, Inej decides to pursue hunting down slave ships like the one that captured her at 14. The confidence to heal from one’s past and then turn directly around and stare it in the face with the risk of enduring it again is something only learned by one surrounded by others forced to do so. Inej sees how her friends, the thieves and crooks, face their own pasts and is inspired to do so herself. Bardugo doesn’t leave the readers with an epilogue, but they can assume Inej goes out and fulfills her dream after the novel’s closing.
In conclusion, Bardugo uses this quote to bring out a vulnerable side of Inej that readers have not yet seen; it expresses her journey throughout the novel: her past pains, her fears, and her dreams for the future. Inej continues developing until the very end of the book, similarly to all the other complex characters Bardugo crafts in the duology. I was surprised to see such depth from a fictional Young Adult novel–but I would definitely recommend it!
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