Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

“Better to pray to deft fingers, to shadows and camouflage, than to the old gods. Better to steal than to starve.”

The repetition of “Better to” establishes a rhythmic, almost mantra-like quality that reinforces Brie’s survivalist mindset. The juxtaposition between “deft fingers” and “old gods” suggests a shift from faith in divine intervention to reliance on personal skill and resourcefulness. This foreshadows Brie’s eventual discovery of her shadow-related powers—her instincts align her with the magic that she will later wield.

“The thing about desperation is that it steals the right choice from our list of options.”

Desperation is personified as an active force that “steals,” emphasizing its consuming and controlling nature. The paradox lies in the idea that desperation, which should prompt urgent decision-making, instead limits choice. This aligns with Brie’s betrayal of Sebastian (which she chooses because she fails to see another way to save her sister) and Sebastian’s betrayal of Brie (which he chooses out of a desire to augment his already considerable power).

“Where do you think legends begin, if not from truth?”

Bakken’s rhetorical question challenges Brie’s assumptions about folklore, positioning myth as a distortion rather than a fabrication. It subtly alludes to one of the novel’s broader themes—unraveling the truth behind Faerie’s legends.