#and stop pitting him with villains just because you're fav is a questionable villain and you want to justify their actions

[manikas-whims]

some people are calling Kaz a villain, what do you think?

*sighs* we did this discussion like back in march..

Kaz was never a villain.

He's a morally grey character— done too much bad to be considered good; done too much good to be labelled bad.

He lies in this category. Sure his methods are unconventional, pragmatic and ruthless sometimes but he thinks through every step he takes. He is cautious and knows where his capabilities lie. He knows when to be patient and when to use violence to get something done.

And maybe some readers only ever notice his violent side which is why they rush to rope him into the villain category when he's most definitely not!

I'm telling you, considering everything he did in the past to survive Ketterdam and everything we do read about in the Duology, will not even sum up to the amount of killing the other crows have done. He'd probably be a close #3 I'd say..

It's just his moments of violence are far more intensely described that they put more impact into our minds as readers.

Geels? Kaz breaks his arm after their parlay is over and he does it because the man pointed a gun at him. He does it because his Dregs and also Black Tips are watching. Dirtyhands has to display some acts of cruelty to maintain his image and to add to his cornucopia of myths once in a while.

Oomen? Kaz was literally tired and scared. Inej being stabbed was Deja Vu, reminded him of the time he lost Jordie. He was also in denial and not ready to confront or acknowledge his feelings for Inej, which resulted in his actions coming out more cruel as an outlet..

When Nina tells Inej: "There was enough blood to paint a barn red." Again, he was looking for Inej on the harbour and he was worried for her.

When he dislocated the shoulder of that guy in the Ice Court Prison Cell? Its a chapter from Kaz's pov and he himself said he did it so that other prisoners would be wary of them and not mess with him or his crew. (And right after he also adds he does these things more to remind himself that he's not helpless, than to prove anything to anyone..)

Smeet's Assistant? That man kept calling himself an "honest man", all the while admitting he has control over a girl from the menagerie and can get her to do all sorts of things for Kaz as well. Kaz dropped him off again, because that poor girl's situation reminded him of Inej and of the things she'd probably suffered during her time at the menagerie. He also does it for the helpless girl.

Little Hanna? If we all read the same books then remember he clearly tells Wylan it was either threatening her or snapping her neck. He's showing restraint. And he had sworn to get his money and his girl back, so just understand he'd go to any lengths, even if that involves threatening little kids by pretending to be a demon.

All I'm saying is..he did thief, scheme, lie, beat up and kill people (sometimes those that didn't deserve) but he always had his reasons. He isn't unhinged or has any selfish motives like villains do. He is also aware that most of his actions aren't right, unlike villains who believe their awful actions are the only plausible option to achieve what they're aiming for..

Kaz Brekker is good. Kaz Brekker is bad.

Kaz Brekker is a bit of both. He's a morally grey character.