“‘Looks idyllic, doesn’t it?’ he said. His voice was mild, but Yana heard the warning. Looks idyllic.”

When Yana has her first glimpses of the imperial island since her birth, Fenn Fedala tells her it looks idyllic, implying that this appearance is case deceptive. This exchange foreshadows the corruption lurking beneath the governing body of Orrun.

“The Tiger monastery. The most elite of all the anats, and the most secretive. A future unfurled in front of her—a path into a magic forest. She could transform herself into a Tiger warrior. She could compete to become their next contender for the throne. […] And what better way to honour her father, than to take the throne in his memory? I could clear his name. Was this what Andren had foreseen, when he put the legacy down in her name? Her father, always ten steps ahead. But this was Ruko’s dream. Could she really steal it from him?”

When faced with an opportunity to pursue power, Yana feels the temptation but ultimately is able to resist due to her love and respect for her brother and his dreams. Her character provides an honorable example of this theme, in comparison to those corrupted by it, like Andren, Ruko, Kindry Rok, and Havoc.

“‘The path to the throne is narrow, and must be walked alone,’ the emperor said, observing her quietly”

Though Yana never lives to confirm this, Ruko does. His path to the throne is walked alone, and he makes no space for anyone to join him. He doesn’t let anyone or anything into his heart, nor trust anyone enough to consider them allies.

“Good. Now you understand. So let’s hear it. Will you send your sister into exile, to feed your own ambition? Or will you spare her, as I did?”

This is the first time the ugly side of The Temptations and Corruptions of Power is showcased. Bersun/Andren gives Ruko the opportunity to choose between sacrificing his sister for his own ambition or sacrificing his ambition to spare his sister. His ambition wins out over his love for his sister, leading to a major compromise in morality.

“Then came Andren’s rebellion, and the purges. Rack, who had served four successive rulers of Orrun, was accused of conspiracy. He denied it, but the evidence was compelling. He was executed that autumn along with his wife, his three sons, and fifteen members of his office. Gaida could have distanced herself from her mentor. Instead, when it came to selecting her Raven name, she had chosen to honour him—ruining her chance of a life at court. Even Neema had to admit, that had shown courage.”

Despite Gaida’s poor treatment of the protagonist, Neema, she is characterized as having unshakable morals. She might be classist and look down upon those below her, but in matters of political corruption, she isn’t afraid to speak the truth and stand up for what’s right even when it ruins any opportunities she might have found at court.

“I bet […] that at the first sniff of power, he’ll betray his principles and break his best friend’s heart. People do that, you know. Unexpected people, who seem nice on the surface.”

Cain’s remark hints at his lingering anger with Neema over how their relationship ended, but the comment also highlights The Temptations and Corruptions of Power. His prediction that Shal Worthy will betray his principles is rooted in experiences.

“I swear upon the Eight to protect these vital and long overdue reforms. And I take this opportunity to acknowledge my many Commoner friends […] who inspire me every day with their courage, their spirit, and their dignity.”

Gaida’s words here showcase that despite her harsh treatment of Neema, she respects Commoners. She might not like Neema in particular, but Gaida is kind and moral enough to advocate for the rights of everyone, regardless of their station.

“Tala never bothered to hide her frustration with the court. Too much power in too few hands, too many shady deals and suspicious accounting. Most Oxes felt the same way. They’d hoped things would change when Bersun came to power, and for a while they did. But somewhere along the way the Old Bear seemed to have given up.”

Tala’s pursuit of power is rooted in selflessness, and she is determined to right many wrongs in the empire, including The Oppressive Nature of Class Hierarchies. This does not make her a popular competitor, especially among the wealthy and privileged.

“It didn’t occur to Neema to imagine what she would do, if she won. Kindry’s words had sunk deep. She would do her best in the Trials, if only to prove him and the wider Raven community wrong. She would not be an embarrassment to the Flock, or to Gaida’s memory—she would not let them write that version of history.”

Neema being shunned from the flock is her main motivator in her pursuit of power. While she doesn’t desire the throne, she does desire acceptance and recognition. It just happens that these two things have become intertwined for her.

“It was exactly as Neema had suspected. Cain had designed the Trial to play against Ruko’s greatest weakness: his lack of compassion. When Shal had made the painful decision to step away from the Trial, Ruko had called him a fool. Perhaps he could have clawed things back, if he’d come into the veranda and supported his fellow contenders as they returned from the tombs. But he hadn’t. Of course he hadn’t. Tigers walk alone.”

The Fox Trial highlights the quality that makes Ruko a fierce competitor for the throne, but also points out why it could be an undesirable trait. His lack of compassion for his fellow contestants is a good indication of how he might treat his people.

“No one thought their friendship might be dangerous. But two very lonely, unloved children who find solace and kinship in each other? Oh, you should not underestimate that kind of magic. It can burn through the world like Dragonfire.”

The story about Yasila and Pyke becoming friends is a warning against the power and magic of a pair like that—two people lonely and unloved who find solace and kinship in each other. This story can be likened to the unification of Sol and Neema—both Ravens shunned from the wider flock. Together they could save the world from the fate Andren has in store for it.

“Sacrificing his sister, who would have thought that would be the key. […] But I have to admit, it was the making of him. His betrayal, her suffering. The loss of his mother’s love. And do you see the way people look at him, Vabras? Fear. Fear and fascination. He is perfect. I couldn’t have shaped him better if I’d tried.”

This is the first instance in which Bersun shows that he is not who everyone believes him to be. While the first assumption would be that Bersun’s morals are simply compromised, this passage foreshadows that he is not Bersun at all, but Andren Valit in disguise.

“We should leave, but he is interesting—we have never been this close to him before. He is not a handsome man, but he holds himself as if he is. He looks younger than his sixty-seven years, which we also find interesting. Ruling an empire is hard work, he should be worn out, he should look older.”

This following section, in which the Raven regards him up close, is another instance of foreshadowing. Bersun looks much younger than he should, which piques their interest. It will later be revealed this is the case because the likeness Andren is using is based not on Bersun but his younger brother Gedrun.

“Bersun hums a tune to himself, absently. A plaintive melody from ancient days. ‘Come to the Mountain.’ The song Gaida performed at the opening ceremony. As he repeats the refrain we feel a stirring in our chest, a tugging sensation. We do not like it. We should leave. We try to open our wings to fly away, and find that we cannot. We are held by the song. The music traps us, our feathers feel heavy and stuck together, as if smothered in a thick, treacly tar. What is this? We don’t like it. What is happening?”

More foreshadowing occurs in this passage. The tune Bersun hums has a strange effect on the Raven, who is barely able to fly away when he sings it. This foreshadows how the song will be used to trap the Guardians in the paintings at the end of the novel.

“The Eight were real. The Last Return was real. The Raven had offered her the chance to save the world, like Yasthala. And she’d said no. She’d said no.”

The tales tell everyone how to prevent The Last Return, and despite this, Neema does the opposite. The former Raven empress took the Raven’s advice and prevented the end of the world, yet Neema refuses them. This departure from what the faith dictates she should do adds extra tension to the novel when she doesn’t.

“I will help you, Neema, don’t worry. Survive the first round, and I will distort time long enough for you to kill her. With the hammer, Neema, try the hammer again, he whispered encouragingly. —We are not killing Katsan.”

Though Sol is a preferrable option to the entire Raven, this passage illustrates that he’s still a fragment of a Guardian; though he is on her side, immortal beings such as him don’t govern themselves with the same rules or morals as humans. Neema must remain vigilant and alert against wrong decisions he might encourage her to make.

“He let go of her hand. They looked at each other. She would never kiss him here with people watching, it wasn’t her style. He leaned across to suggest maybe they could go somewhere quiet. She kissed him. Deep. Passionate. Enjoying his surprise. He laughed and kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist.”

Neema does a very Fox-like thing here by kissing Cain impulsively in public. This illustrates not only that their relationship is heading in a healthy direction but that Ravens and Foxes do pair well together, as explained in previous chapters.

“Sol roosted on her rib, eyes closed. He was thinking about Neema and the Fox contender. There were many mated pairs in the flock, he understood such things, he had studied them. Neema was loyal to her mate, this was natural. She would not betray him. Sol curled his claws tighter around Neema’s rib. I shall fix this for you, Neema. We can be alone again. Alone together. Sleep on, sleep on. I have a plan and it is magnificent.”

Despite Neema’s affections for Cain, Sol decides to sabotage him to ensure Neema wins the throne instead, but also because Sol doesn’t want to be alone again. His insecurities as the Solitary Raven make him more protective of the fragile companionship he’s forming with Neema, and he’s willing to sabotage her other relationships to keep it.

“Oh dear, he is not your friend any more. That is a shame.[…] Perhaps he regrets your mating last night. I only mention this so that you can prepare yourself for the shattering disappointment. A short, cunning pause, a casual preen. Although, it may be for the best, if you detach yourself from him. The path to the throne is narrow, and must be walked alone, as the saying goes.”

Sol continues his sabotage, trying to undermine Cain and Neema’s relationship to put distance between them. Despite his efforts, however, this doesn’t work for long.

“Shal took a long time to answer. They knew why he struggled. He could never forgive Ruko for what he’d done to Yana. And yet his faith told him he must find compassion, even for his enemies.”

This passage exemplifies the strong moral compass that Shal Worthy is admired for. This characterizes him as a beloved figure amongst his peers and the people, suggesting that he would make a great ruler.

“Ruko lifted his gaze to the stalls, searching for his mother. She stared into the middle distance, hands still folded in her lap. He felt an ache he had not felt in years. Could she give him nothing? Not one glance, before he died?”

The emotion Ruko shows in this passage is unprecedented in the novel, highlighting how much change he’s undergone throughout the trials. Despite the cold exterior he shows to others, there is a person with real feelings hidden beneath it all.

“Neema’s heart sank. She hadn’t realised until now, but she had invested heavily in the idea that Shal was a good man. She needed to believe that there were still some decent Hounds out there, who followed the Code of Ethics, and believed in the Four Tenets. Justice, Order, Loyalty and Honour: the four sides of the silver square. Whatever was happening here tonight, she fervently hoped Shal wasn’t a part of it. If he’d been corrupted, they were all los.”

This passage opens a plot thread that will be explored in the sequel. Shal is the contender with the best moral compass, and Neema hopes for the sake of everyone that he’s not compromised. However, he has unwittingly allied himself with Nisthala and Yasila before he even learns they’re also in league with Andren Valit. Moral dilemmas are certain to come for this character.

“If he could move, Ruko would be writhing in agony. The pain was so intense, it gave him back his voice. He screamed, as the spell ripped through him, searching for the deepest, most essential part of him. His soul. His being. Some things are worse than death.”

This passage is an example of the consequences of The Temptations and Corruptions of Power. Ruko has sacrificed so much to win the throne and seize power, but as soon as he gets within reach, it’s taken away from him. Not only does he lose the throne, but he loses his freedom and a part of his very soul.