Nikolai

Nikolai is one of four main narrators and the current king of Ravka. He took the throne after his brother was killed in the war against the Darkling before the opening on the novel. However, Nikolai is plagued by a monster that he frequently transforms into against his will and spends most of the novel trying to get rid of it. Nikolai is a charismatic king who learned from a young age how to sway people to agree with his decisions. This is shown many times throughout the novel, from Nikolai convincing rich bureaucrats to go against their own interests for Ravka, to his conversations with the religious leaders - such as Yuri and the Aparrat - that keeps them happy despite his own lack of faith. Nikolai is terrified of being alone and tries to hide it behind a mask of confidence. He only confides in his...