Faith

Yuri’s unconditional devotion to the Darkling and Zoya’s slow acceptance of the Saints and her personal power shows how faith - or lack of it - can shape the world.

First, Yuri’s believe in the Starless one is one that very few people agree with. Not a single main story character, including Nikolai, Zoya, and all of his royal advisors, agree with his beliefs. Even the Apparat, a corrupt man who runs the Priestguard for his own gain, calls Yuri’s beliefs “blasphomy [and] heresy” (115). Nikolai makes it very clear to Zoya that he is only humoring Yuri to try and dispel his monster (154-157). Yet, despite all of this, Yuri is fervent in his beliefs. He answers all of Nikolai’s questions with honesty, and truly believes that the Darkling is meant to be a Saint. Even Genya, who was tortured by...