Last year, Bardugo surprised fans with a prequel focusing on everyone’s favorite bad guy, the Darkling aka Aleksander. In graphic novel form! Now I’ll admit I’m not one of his many fans. Don’t get me wrong, he does his part well in being a worthy catalyst, villain, foil etc. But I didn’t fall for his evil is sexy as I did for other fictional villains. Nonetheless, it was an interesting peek into Aleksander’s formative years and a chance to see his good side before he was twisted by his own self-righteousness.

Here we get to see for ourselves how Baghara’s mothering raised him to focus on himself. They’ve been travelling from camp to camp, never staying too long for fear others may find out about his amplification powers so he hasn’t had a chance to make any relationships outside his mother. He also has to hide his true name in order to maintain their cover which perfectly fits with how he wishes someone would know his name. The boy has been hiding his whole life.

For now, they settle in a small camp in Fjerda where Baghara drills him on his name, “Eryk.” Her lessons also include how he’s better due to their lineage and special nature, and therefore he should ensure survival for himself first and never trust others.

But “Eryk” is only a teen so naturally he gravitates toward a seemingly nice if albeit unskilled Tidalmaker named Anikka, the camp’s bully/son of the chief Lev and Annika’s otkazat’sya sister, Sylvi.

The interactions give insight to some of Aleksander’s humanity, how he wants to have friends and is struggling with his powers like mastering The Cut. Bardugo keeps the plot going between beautiful panals of silent reflection with the looming threat of druskelle and the camp rivalries where everyone wants a chance to kill a powerful bear amplifier.

You’ll have to read it if you want to know how it all ends but I did feel like I got to understand Aleksander and Ravka’s past more. Bardugo illustrates the memories that would strengthen Aleksander’s desire to create a safe haven for grisha as he sees how desperation forces grisha to fight each other for more power. Again, we get to see “Eryk” before he has been twisted like him being actually nice to ostra girl, Sylvi. The potential and kindness he displayed before he became embittered and cynical.

I’ve really enjoyed my dive into the Grishaverse and I dearly hope Bardugo will return to the world after she finishes her adult novels. There’s so much more to be explored and mined I believe. Until then.