Throne of the Fallen

“The feather was a reminder of the time his own edges had been more soft than hard, and the note itself was a warning that a new game was beginning.”

This passage alludes to Envy’s character growth throughout the narrative. Envy claims that Lennox has stolen only two things from him (his mortal lover and the Chalice of Memoria). However, through his reference to “soft” edges that have become “hard,” Kerri Maniscalco implies that he also stole a third item: Envy’s ability to trust and be vulnerable. As he works to reclaim the chalice, therefore, Envy also works to reclaim this facet of himself.

“[Vexley] gave Camilla a bemused look as if her denying him something he wanted were more outrageous than a magical stone that could withdraw any memory he chose to give it.”

This quote highlights the societal expectations of Waverly Green. Vexley’s incredulous reaction demonstrates how unexpected the idea is that a woman would refuse a man anything. This passage highlights how men and the noble class within the town fully endorse a patriarchal system that would see them awarded every privilege they desire by virtue of their gender and social standing, a system that mimics that of Regency England and by extension, Regency romance conventions.

“Whether due to hubris or ego, man was the only creature who often ignored what no other prey did: trust your instincts or suffer the consequences.”

In this excerpt, Envy’s predatory and dangerous character facets are outlined. While most of the narrative attends to his emotional development with Camilla, Maniscalco reminds her readers that Envy is, at his core, a being with immense power who views humans as largely inferior to him through his reference to humans as “prey.