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| Artwork by Kevin Wada |
If anyone out there is an Avatar: The Last Airbender fan, I like to think of Matthias as my giant Scandinavian Zuko. He has such clear ideas about honor and duty and what makes a soldier, and Nina turns all of those notions on their heads. In Crooked Kingdom, it's time for Matthias to figure out who he is now that he isn't a witchhunter anymore and I did love watching him struggle.
Six Reasons to Love Matthias
1.) He puts on a tough exterior but underneath it all he is really a precious cinnamon roll
“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias."
2.) Seriously
“Jesper knocking his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. "Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost."
Brekker's lips quirked. "I'll just hire Matthias' ghost to kick your ghost's ass."
"My ghost won't associate with your ghost," Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”
3.) He goes on a real journey throughout Six of Crows
“Nina, you taught me to be something better. They could be taught, too.”
“They fear you as I once feared you,” he said. “As you once feared me. We are all someone’s monster, Nina.”
4.) And falls hard for Nina
“Stay,” she panted. Tears leaked from her eyes. “Stay till the end.”
“And after,” he said. “And always.”
“I want to feel safe again. I want to go home to Ravka.”
“Then I’ll take you there. We’ll set fire to raisins or whatever you heathens do for fun.”
“Zealot,” she said weakly.
“Witch.”
“Barbarian."
“Nina,” he whispered, “little red bird. Don’t go.”
5.) He is also the cause of some incredibly steamy moments
"She knew she shouldn’t speak, but she couldn’t help herself. “And what did you do, Matthias? What did you do to me in your dreams?”
The ship listed gently. The lanterns swayed. His eyes were blue fire. “Everything,” he said, as he turned to go. “Everything."
6.) I just ship them so hard okay!?
“Jer molle pe oonet. Enel mörd je nej afva trohem verretn.”
Nina swallowed hard. She remembered those words and what they truly meant. I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath. It was the vow of the drüskelle to Fjerda. And now it was Matthias’ promise to her.
*Sighs* isn't Matthias just the best?
Before you go make sure that you're in with the chance to win a special Crooked Kingdom prize pack full of US AND UK swag (including the coveted Crooked Kingdom socks) by commenting on all 12 blog posts by 11:59pm EST Monday, 3 October 2016.
