Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… in an orphanage, alongside his best friend Alina.
Living… in Ravka, a country on the brink of war and threatened by the Shadow Fold, a magical sea of darkness filled with monsters.
Profession… soldier in the First Army of Ravka, ie, the non-magical one. He worked alongside Alina, who was a cartographer, until she displayed sudden magical powers and was taken away by the Grisha of the Second Army.
Relationship Status… single. He flirts with plenty of people, but really, he’s most comfortable with his best friend.
Challenge… rescuing Alina from whatever mess she’s gotten into. She almost died in the Shadow Fold trying to save him, and then was taken away into the Little Palace. He knows she’s in danger, but his superior officers keep telling him it’s none of his business. It’s up to him to figure out how to help her, and Mal will not give up. As he says about Alina, “You are my true north. And I can see my way to you now.”
Personality… impulsive, caring, and protective. He’s a good soldier and an excellent tracker, and mostly complies with his orders. However, his loyal and compassionate nature sometimes causes him to take actions that are against his orders, putting him in danger. The impulses that get him into trouble are almost always born from a good place.
