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aclatural-tilt · 1 month ago

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When Among Crows | Veronica Roth

[Page 1] - Prelude | 'This isn't the forest guardian's usual haunt. He doesn't like it here. Perople come and they scraped the very bottoms of their wallets to build this place and there's nothing magic likes better than the great hollow of a debt. So magic nestled here.'

I am reminded why I was drawn into this book. The writing is somewhat wistful but in an ancient and restrained way. At least with how it introduces the premise.

Magic and debt being linked is an interesting correlation. Not to mention the descriptions give a very good sense of place in the story. Along with it a sense of deep respect with an underlying tension. And that's in the first few paragraphs.

You want to know more about this character and the properties magic like this possesses.

With that, I also want to address part of the synopsis. But I'll put that at the end so as not to spoil this journey.

[Page 3] 'He doesn't recall the man. But since the man stands before him with no apparent motive for deception, the leszy supposes he's to be believed.'

This simple acceptance of the world... is omething. A creature without the need to make a statement of themselves - or to presume anything of others. They reveal their own nature's in due time.

[Page 5] '"A contest. Does he dance? Does he sing?" "No." "He is raised to violence, as all of his kind are," the leszy says. "Perhaps he can weild a bow."'

As I said, he allows them to reveal theselves, in time. He tried skills which bring communities together... yet they were unknown to this visitor - intruder? Likely both on some level.

[The Prelude] - as a Whole It is highly engaging. The creatures are grounded and very interesting. Dymiter, you want to know more about. We learn he was prepared for what he seeks. And we know what that is. As of now, we've nothing else about him that's known. 'Not fearful nor murderous,' is what the leszy tells us. It seems he is an oddity of men among creatures.

He was deemed worthy of the fern flower. But what qualities does 'worthy' mean? What is actually held in his heart? On this night be bared it nakedly and guarded it staunchly.

[Page 13] '"I could guess, he said. "But it would be random." His grandmother smiled. "I told your father you were wise."'

Another thing we learn about Dymitr. And it is another nudge to us relating to his integrity.

[Chapter 2] I want to write about the feel of this chapter. It is an excellent set-up introducing some detail on the story elements touched on in the prelude. There's alos an intensity to the grandmother we are shown in this part. A sense that's hard to put into words.

[Page 16] 'He knows without looking at the bartender that she's not human. He's gotten good at sensing it without seeing it, that undeniable something that he can almost taste.'

This is good foreshadowing. Or maybe simply on theme for how this crafted world works. But either way, it alludes to that idea that Dymitr doesn't quite 'fit' with either established group. A blending of sensibilities.

'Though they have creature cousins all over the world.'

I like this line. Throughout culture's and mythology, there are many creatures and stories quite similar to one another despite little - or any connection.

[Page 19] 'She speaks Polish, but sounds American; someone caught in-between worlds in more than one way.'

How we conceptualize ourselves and how the world labels us will be a definite theme in this book. The exxtra information like this is coming from Dymitr's point of view, basically. His demeanor seems aloof but comments like this make me think something more is there.

[Page 31] In Totality

There's that sense of acceptance. And perhaps a quiet curiosity. Wanting to know more. However it might come across as hyocritical as he isn't willing to give his trust while asking for it.

[Page 32 to 33]

A strength of this author is their use of creating enchanting visuals. Ala showing Dynitr her visions via the illusions she can conjusre is quite visceral.

[Page 34] 'Humans are always talking out of both sides of their mouths.' and 'She's not sure a mortal has ever spoken to her that gently before.'

He continues to confuse them with his countenance. But she was right, earlier - he has the flower that could resolve her condition. Whether he gives trust or not, he shows some concern and proved that he has what he promised...

Now it goes back to what I mentioned earlier... his nature will be revealed in time.

However, he has also shown a certian level of respect. Much more than most of his kind... I guess that's enought in this context.

[Page 35] 'there's an air of carelessness about him in general'

It seems the aloof sense I got from him was accurate. Though I didn't think of him as so disheveled.

What his sister said to him earlier makes more sense now... 'I know you. You're acting strange. Tell me why.' At the time this was said - if felt out of place.

Now knowing that he isn't exactly doing the best at taking care of himself, it fits. That could be a change that she noticed in her brother.

[Page 39] 'She doesn't want to think about it anymore... the times that are lost, now.'

Wistful. The emotional undercurrent that runs through this story go deep. And just as it pulls you down into the muck, 'You shouldn't lose hope. Our people never do. We're foolish that way.'

This quality is what makes it my kind of story.

[Page 40 to 44] About Ala

I like the way Ala carries herself. Her demanor. Somewhat shy and yet brazen at the same time. Shy isn't wuite the right word - reserved?

That might be better suited.

[Page 46] 'not uncommon among strzygi in America, where people from all different places have sought refuge... even if not all of them found it.'

These nods to an undertone of disquiet that is felt deep into these characters' bones alight the story floating above it in such a contrasting glow. It is pervasive and makes even regular scenes seem intimate.

It wraps around you as it is them blurring this world and making you a part of the story, too.

[Page 49 to 53] - To the Page Break

The fight happening alongside the calm conversation adds depth to both of them. It is impressive considering it is also a characer introduction. Ala's friend is giving us osme more information about her. All the while challenging Dymitr's assumptions... I only wonder why he tells him as much as he does as readily as he does?

It could serve to show how much Ala means to him. She crought him there and is therefore worth a little weight. But that's also why he makes his relationship to him so clear.

This interaction does a lot and does it very well. And we get to see Ala in action. Accomplish something. It establishes her as capable.

In fact, the entire chapter shows Dymitr following her lead. Relying on her connections... he may have what she desperately needs but it didn't make her less important to the story. She has agency. And I love that.

This is impressive writing.

[Page 60] 'Lidia taps her fingers on the back of the sofa. Her fingernails are filed into neat ovals and painted deep red. She glances at the strzygy to her left, who leans forward to murmur something in her ear.'

It's al lin the use of the little details. Too perfect to be unintentional. It's what makes me love the writing of this book so much.

[Page 69] 'Half-souled beasts.'

[Page 69] 'Ala sometimes wished her moter could soften things for her, just a little. But she couldn't. She didn't know how to live in a world that wasn't straightforward. She had, for all her zmora talents, no patience for illusions.'

I think we need to be show how to regard the world a little bit kindly. A touch more so than it actually is. That is how we would come to know how to cultivate it. In ourselves, for others - if we wish it.

Contrast enrichens our experience in every capacity. Being stuck in the dark and the grime may numb you. And I don't know of any who manage to reain only in happiness.

I'd like to find another word other than 'happiness.'

[Page 79] 'mortals are always devising nonsense.'

Why is this limited to mortals? They may largely be in the dark about the ways of the various creatures hidden in plain sight - but they, too, must share the world. Live lives of their own.

In that regard, do they not share struggle?

The leszy in the beginning of the story makes the cmparison - though brief... what nonsense, then are these other living things devising?

[Page 82 to 83] 'People say there are two different worlds, Niko thinks. Human and not-so-human. But there arent', really - not when it counts.'

This is what I was trying to acknowledge earlier.

[Page 94] 'Thye are taught that humanity is worth. That all resemblance a being such as yourself bears to a human is an elaborate trick, a falsehood.'

Similar to the demons' in Frieren. Althought the show kind of shows how this is true, on some level. Though I believe it is a learned behaviour...

In this book, that opinion is simply incorrect. They are creatures merely living. Sometimes resorting only to suvival. And that means doing some ugly things.

But can you blame them? I don't think so.

[Page 112] '"I am not," Dymitr says, his voice breaking, "an ordinary mortal."'

Tricky. And last I read this, I missed details. Or simply don't remember them. Why would mentioning this cause his voice to lose steadiness? To admit it aloud. I'm sure his family - his grandmother would never allow such remorse for their position, nor hiding from the traditions they are cast in.

These small motions, I find filled with stories of themselves.

[Page 113] 'but now, it signals normalcy. Humanity.'

What do such street smells signal to the others?

A kind of normalcy for them, too. Although the mortal world has different kinds of secrets.

Honestly, Dymitr is closer to the other creatures than to mortals. Keeping what he is hidden. Having to 'blend in.'

- 'When among crows, caw like one,' right?

[Page 115] The Upior

The Upior sound similar to the denizens from The City of Last Chances. If orget what they were called... they were also skinny and gathered in groups.

I wonder if they come from cultual traditions similar to one another...

[Page 117] 'Dymitr told her to go hime. Apparently she didn't listen.'

Why did he expect her to?

[Page 119 to 121] To the Page Break

Niko is one compelling character made stranger by the reaction of those he interacts with. Like Sha, from the funeral home.

I also want to know more about Sha, herself. A brief introduction was not nearly enough.

[Page 123] '"You," Dymitr says, as he lowers his blade, "are not helping me. You are an encumberance. You are a burden." Even Niko can see how the words wound her.

Lowered one weapon only to weild another. Cruelty which is taught. It echoes what I said before about small gestures.

This interaction is impactful. The writing in every instance here is layered.

[Page 132] '"It's never just a name, boy," she says, "Dymitr comes from Demeter, a greek goddess of the harvest. A greek name for a Polish boy. A name of abundant life for a child raised to murder. That... is a special kind of joke.'

Nothing really to say here. It's just a good bit of dialogue.

Though I have thought of somthing... Demeter also mourns her daughter Persephone having been tricked by Hades and living in his realm most of the year... kind of fitting for someone filled with so much sorrow.

[Page 135] 'Suffering isn't atonement."

[Page 142] 'She doesn't reassure him, and he doesn't expet her to. No adult in his life has ever reassured him, not about the dark, or about the monsters that lurk in it, or about the violence of the world outside their walls.'

Likely not about the cruelty within their home, either. Perhaps worse in many ways for Dymitr than his siblings. He was 'chosen' by his grandmother... I'm willing to bet that set him apart from them.

Somehow he found a way to see what connects us. Even if he knew it only by the longing that left him hollow. Something felt can be something followed.

[Page 146] 'It doesn't feel like it's as powerful as it is, but maybe that's just how powerful thing are - they don't always need to declare themselves.'

I likely got this from womewhere but I don't remember when or where but my thinking is that if you need to tell the world how powerful or strong you are, then you aren't actually so.

And that can go with any quality, really.

Confidence doesn't feel the need to prove that it exists. It just is.

[Page 148] 'Her eyes lift to meet his, and for a moment he sees a spark of light there, like a child's delight. It's a feat for a woman who has seen and done so much, to still find room for wonder.'

It's an important thing, to know that the world will never be fully known. To find experience can affect you, so.

Wonder should be cherished. And cultivated. It has the ability to change us. To heal. That is much more difficult than hardhsip. Pay attention to the quiet moments.

[Page 149] 'She tilts her head as she regards him, and it's easy to see the strzyga buried deep in her blood, this way. Baba Jagais niether strzyga nor zmora nor mortal nor wraith, yet she's collected bits and pieces of so many things in her long years that she can, at times, resemble every one of them.'

I like this portrayl. And the way the magic of this world functions. It feels real. Not just possible but a part of this one - were it not a book. Excellent.

[Page 157] 'It woould be easier, in some ways, to hear the pain of the sword's destruction, then to enbrace whatever this is. "Foolish hope, remember?''

That's why it wouldn't be fitting. Or be an end. using the smae logic that you are trying to leave behind as a starting point to a new life would be a continuation rather than a conclusion.

But this, the choice made here, is forcing him to forgfe a new way of being. Not just living. It is a fantastic decision.

[Page 158] 'Ala: rarely unsure,'

The author gives these character descriptions late in the story. I like that as you are able to draw your own conclusions. At first, I didn't think that self-assured described Ala very well. But considering the story a moment - I do agree.

Ala throughout the chapters has been cautious though never skittish,or mousy.

Earlier I spoke of her agency and she doesn't shy away from making decisions and following through.

It's just that she allows people to be.

Reminds me of another description of her we got earlier... 'Gentle enough in spirit to live among mortals but fierce to endure their cruelty,' which does sum up Ala quite concisely.

[Page 163] 'He thinks he could even remember the man's name, if he reached for it, but he doesn't.'

I enjoy these choices. Thought I don't believe that Dymitr gave the leszy his name. Only told him he is a supplicant. I suppose it's possible that rumours spread and the leszy found out from those wandering his usual haunt.

[Synopsis] 'When Among Crows is swift and striking, drawing from the deep well of slavic folklore and asking if redemption and atonement can be found in embracing what we most fear.'

And what they most fear is having to live.

Being required to continue on alongside the choices you've made. Maybe not reconciling them but being a part of the world experiencing. New seasons wrought with emotion - and yes - perhaps consequences for your actions... yet you grow.

You learnt he breadth of what it means to be a living being.

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