This chapter serves a purpose for the readers, which is to help us understand Violet as a protagonist better. We see that Violet is determined when she repeats the line “I will not die today.” We are also able to see her intelligence with her seemingly photographic memory of the Riders Quadrant Codex and other texts she’s read in her free time/scribe training.
As we listen to her recitation of the history, geography and economy of the continent, we are starting to get a bigger picture of the underlying themes of corruption and rebellion between Navarre and Tyrrendor. We know that there was some kind of big rebellion between these two locations, but we aren’t quite sure why. We know there have been some issues and agreements with trading between various places in the past. We know that Tyrrendor is/was not happy with Navarre, which is how the rebellion began. We also know that based on the mention of executions and rebellion relics, that Tyrrendor lost in some capacity. This history is the reason why Xaden and Violet are sworn enemies by bloodline. I can’t wait to watch this ‘enemies-to-lovers’ trope play out.
Jack is introduced as an obvious villain. I believe that he suffers from some kind of sadism, or sociopathic disorder that causes him to find joy in hurting/killing other people. Violet is obviously a likable character, so her villain needs to be someone that won’t even try to get to know her. Their interaction sets the tone for the conflict that is likely to build between them before a final face-off. Whether or not that face-off will happen in this book or later down the series is still up in the air.
Now that Violet is technically a cadet I’m excited for her to continue a friendship with Rhiannon, and reunite with Dain. I’m also anticipating the building of tension between her and Xaden.
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