The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

Poppy’s power grows significantly throughout The Crown of Gilded Bones, and she faces multiple challenges that tempt her to use her destructive magical abilities. As each conflict arises, Poppy demonstrates the ability to resist using the full force of her power. This restraint separates her from her enemies, who show little remorse while committing their evil deeds. Thus, Poppy introduces the interplay of power and resistance at Castle Bauer when she reins in her eather (god’s blood) before her actions kill the Unseen. Although the urge to use her destructive power comes naturally, she has also practiced her magical empathic abilities for her entire life, and as a result, she knows how to shut down this new urge to use her more dangerous magic before it overwhelms her. Struggling with this intense inner battle, Poppy tells Kieran, “N-nothing. I… [...] I’m fine [...] Thank you. I’m…I’m going to sit this one out” (88-89), and her stammer indicates the sheer effort of holding back her power. In the novel’s opening chapters, Poppy has many unanswered questions about who or what she is. Her hesitancy to use her power illustrates that she will resist using force until she has all the necessary information.