A Reaper at the Gates

“Her defiance reminds me of Hannah. I wonder briefly if, in another life, the Scholar and I could have been friends.”

Helene’s thoughts regarding Laia are reflective of their similarities to each other. They are foils of each other. Both characters love their people, but their attitudes differ greatly. Helene’s thoughts also foreshadow how the two characters will become allies.

“One piece remains, and beware the Reaper at the Gates! The sparrows will drown, and none will know it. The past shall burn, and none will slow it. The Dead will rise, and none can survive. The Child will be bathed in blood but alive. The Pearl will crack, the cold will enter. The Butcher will break, and none will hold her. The Ghost will fall, her flesh will wither. By the Grain Moon, the King will have his answer. By the Grain Moon, the forgotten will find their master.”

This quote is the prophecy given by Shaeva at the time of her death. The repeated references to the Grain Moon reflect its importance; the Grain Moon, a recurring motif in the novel, signifies bad tidings for the protagonists and acts like a deadline.

“Some feral darkness rises within me and takes control of my body. I felt it once before, months ago when I found the Nightbringer outside Kauf Prison. An animal cry explodes from my lips.”

This quote highlights Laia’s fey powers, foreshadowing future events in the fourth book, where Laia’s fey powers will be further explored. Through its use of animalistic imagery, the quote also highlights Laia’s fury at seeing someone she loves in danger, and her brave response to this threat.