In defense of Mal... | why Mal is actually an awesome character (and not just bc archie's hot)

[@undertheseatv]

"MaL dIdnNt LoVE AliNA TiLL ShE HAd pOWeRs" Also young Mal in SS: I'm going to marry Alina

[@katiethewriter-reader0786]

I love mal. I said it. he is the most realistic one of any character. he is the best option for Alina, not just because the others are bad, but because he is a good match for her, not just the least of 3 evils. i could rant for hours about how much I love him. love him how can anyone not ship them after ruin and rising? i hate the fact there is so little fan art for them they are so sweet.

[@anjaxuanreads]

I feel so validated with this. Mal deserves rights; thank you :)

[@katiecantread]

you're welcome. mal is the superior love interest.

[@madisonmason9179]

@@katiecantread can you do a video criticizing the darkling

[@olya_martinyuk_2422]

Mal never hated her power, that's what the darkling wanted her to believe.

[@katiecantread]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@geminithetwins]

True!!! Maybe he was a bit uncomfortable at first because of the sudden change but HE BECAME HER BLADE!!

[@nayrarodriguez3385]

Yeeees?? He was leaning into her glowing touch and being amazed whenever she glowed like the sun. What he didn’t like is how it obviously affected her because she craved more. Like… it isn’t that hard to see if you read the books😭

[@divya4459]

Guys I cannot tolerate more Malslander let's form a group and make the shadow and bone booktok romanticize with Mal

[@katiecantread]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jazzinikki01]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@hollielynch6800]

👏👏👏

[@ohifonlyx33]

Ok I came back to watch this after I finished the audiobooks, and I'm still blown away at the Mal slander. Leigh really did a lot to prove that Malina is endgame for good reasons. She set them up in that meadow and ended them there with a purpose. The themes of the book are about absolute power corrupting absolutely. The darkling isn't a love interest, he's a foil. He's also a foreshadowing (pun granted) of what Alina might become if she grows ancient and loses her empathy. He's the Gollum to Alina's Frodo. Both have carried power in their hands, one loves it to his detriment and the other is struggling to resist its allure. But Mal is grounding character, an emotional touchstone for Alina. He worries about losing her heart, he worries her new position as a saint or queen will push him out of her life, he believes he won't be enough for her, and he fears her powers harming her... but he still carries her through to the end. And he is always the one giving her the next amplifier. He is literally her compass. One of the criticisms I saw is that she had to suppress her powers for Mal, and when Alina is at the Little Palace, that's sorta how it feels... But when did Mal ever ask her to do that? No, it was society. It was the Grisha threatening to take her away. She suppressed her power so that she could have a choice. When she let go of Mal, she learned to use her powers, but she also started to lose her way a bit. When she found Mal again, she was more independent, but no longer had to subconsciously suppress her powers for him... she had to suppress them only when she was on the run from the Darkling because she chose not to let him use her power. Later on she even says her love for Mal was as much a part of her as her powers and she wouldn't suppress either one any more. Sure, readers might start to feel bitter towards Mal as Alina doesn't know where he's been (or how he feels)... but the thing is as soon as he tells her what happened, it hits you like "OH. Ooooh. The boy is going through deep emotional turmoil and he wasn't even sure why when he found her at the Little Palace. BUT OH, HE'S STILL DESERTING THE ARMY FOR HER ANYWAY?" I swear the biggest problem I have with darklina is when people think the darkling is more "feminist" because "evil sexy man" = "power"...Like, can we think with more than 3 braincells? Blegh. If you want to ship darklina at least admit you have a weird thing for psychopaths on power tips and I'll be like "ok this person at least understands what the darkling is."

[@sagramoure2]

every single word of this is correct. this video should be required viewing for everyone who reads the trilogy

[@katiecantread]

i would love for this to be the fandom standard, but NOOOOOO

[@zhioba]

YES YES YES!!! Thank you! Also, the thing with Malina, especially in Siege & Storm is they kinda... suck at communicating? Like, yes, Mal does douchey things but when she flinches from his touch (because of the Darkling) and then doesn't explain it, how else is he supposed to interpret it other than rejection? Or when he reacts badly to seeing her happy in the little palace: he didn't hear from her in months, even though he says he was trying to reach her. From his POV, if she was safe, it meant she was ignoring his letters this whole time. Honestly, i feel like people who slander Mal just refuse to empathise with him to the point where they almost have to ignore actual things Mal says or does

[@undertheseatv]

The fact that a lot of booktubers (who does those great literature and character analysis) are Malina stans! I feel so validated!

[@ClumsyCharlott]

I stan Nikolai as a character and as friend to Alina. Not necessarily as a romantical intrest, I just enjoy him! Alina definitely fit the best with Mal. I never understood the Darkling thing AT ALL

[@katiecantread]

alina and nikolai are the ultimate besties

[@catgro9901]

Yes yes yes to all of this! I can’t stand Mal slander. This boy deserves more love from the fandom. Archie deserves more recognition for his incredible portrayal of the character, too! I’m really hoping they don’t make Darklina endgame in the show. Not only would Alina end up with her abuser, but as a fan of the series I do not want to see the fictional manifestation of my abusive ex win in any capacity. I do not want him to end up with Alina. I don’t really want him to be redeemed, either. I will never get behind the Darkling or Darklina. And as for Nikolai, as you said, he never really loved Alina in the beginning. He saw her as a tool, a pawn, just as the Darkling did, and besides, his future love interest is a much better match for him. Regardless, thank you for this incredible breakdown of Mal’s character!

[@ohifonlyx33]

this is wild. imagine you've not yet read the books, but you've just finished the tv series. you started shipping Malina after about 12 seconds. you don't know the plot and so you have to watch and hope that every time mal gets injured he doesn't die for the love of the protagonist. you are forced to watch Alina get seduced by an immortal creep with strong predatory vibes, but you are relieved when Mal and Alina are reunited and still as in love as ever. you end the series lowkey simping for mal and Malina owns and stomps on your WHOLE heart. you then come to fandom and see that people not only don't care for Mal in the books, but they are shipping Alina with her abuser too. Not ship-shaming here, just saying... it's wild.

[@amlisking8217]

I've never felt more seen 🤣

[@abigailtorres8611]

yes girl, this is the pure truth, just what my heart needed, I'm glad that Malina also has fandom and not just hate comments that I was already sick of seeing and did not understand why, although I respect everyone's tastes. I did not know you, but now thanks to this video I will follow your channel, greetings from Mexico.

[@adieria7523]

THIS! Mal all the way - he loves Alina for Alina. Yes he can be an arse sometimes, but can't we all, he still stays and always supports her and risks his life for her. It's mainly communication issues between them with the shifting feelings and dynamics (e.g. Mal going to kiss Alina when she sees the darkling and he mistakes the pullback and she doesn't correct him) Also, for those that think he has no character -craziness! he pointedly becomes a great leader (of Grishas no less!) and everybody loves him. I found his quiet awesomeness and capability to be hugely attractive & sexy - give me that quiet intense stare everytime haha . I loved his and Alina's relationship and also their individual growth. All your points were brilliantly made, so glad I found your channel

[@doga3446]

Sameee I couldn't relate moree. I was shocked when I looked for malina edits and things like that after I finished the series and saw all the hate towards mal.

[@Jhey-jq4xf]

There are a bit more now. Thank goodness.

[@doga3446]

@@Jhey-jq4xf YESS finally

[@aralettesbookshelf]

Yess! Mal was my second favorite character after Alina the first time I read Shadow and Bone. Then I read SoC and now I love Kaz and that's a whole thing now, but I will always be a Malina stan! I just want to show this to everyone who ships her with the Darkling or Nikolai. Besides, after King of Scars, we all now Nikolai belongs with Zoya anyway lol.

[@izzyar88]

MY GOD YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HAPPY THIS VIDEO MADE ME! You said exactly everything I ever thought about this character and how the disproportionate hatred for him ignored too many moments in the book just to justify hating him! Really thank you for your video, I got so excited that I had to rush to write this review and English is not my native language so it's very likely that I wrote something wrong so I apologize! And yes, Mal deserves rights!

[@stephaniebookish]

When I first read with the Grisha trilogy I definitely didn’t appreciate Mal, but after rereading I really appreciated him so much more and kinda hated myself for disliking him. He deserves right, there I said it 😂

[@stephaniebookish]

Also my second read made me really see how toxic and WEIRD the darklings bitchass is but like he’s still hawt (Ben Barnes) but it’s cool 😎

[@katiecantread]

mal gets so much hate he doesn't deserve when the darkling is out there being CREEPY (thank you for watching 🥺)

[@alexdsimpson]

Oops, I wrote a venting post (agreeing with you) the worst part is trying to find fanfic on AO3. All the "malina" fics are really darklina and mal slander/mal should die/previous malina/infidelity/etc. ugh😑 I have to read every damn tag on a fic to make sure it's a Mal safespace and I'm on the Alina/Mal tag!! it's the WORST Thank you for talking about the tattoo. Agree wholeheartedly. As a Latin/Linguistics major, I really liked the clunky old style translation?? that's kinda how translating across languages, esp ancient to modern, works?? *meme* Educate yourself! Also, "Mal wanted to suppress Alina's potential"... um... in the book, Mal was the one who told Alina they had to go after the stag themselves. it was HIS idea first (they changed it in the show which I actually like because Alina needed more agency but it's stupid AF that these naysayers have been saying that about book Mal??! what book WERE they reading??). He didn't start being wary until, like you said, he noticed how it was changing her in a BAD way

[@ivykiwiik]

You bring such an important range of points regarding the context, their ages/psychology, etc. The way you describe it just makes one wonder how they can dislike Mal. Plus, Mr Archie Renaux is one hell of a cutie! 🥺

[@bellamaz1972]

Hello young ones. Old lady here, recently listened to trilogy on audible- you want the person who loves you to be able to want what’s best for you even if they think they won’t be part of it. I melted a little when I heard “I don’t need any of that. Just… deserve her.”

[@catarinathebookworm]

YES KATIE YES!!!!!!!!! WE SUPPORT THIS VIDEO! I mean seriously I like the dynamic between alina and the darklin, because yeah, darkness awesome. But on terms of best relationship I think Alina and him... toxic. Mal and Alina on the other hand... it makes so much sense! It is the only logical sense. Like I am legit so happy for this video.

[@katiecantread]

i agree! i think the darkling is a really interesting complicated villain, and he and alina are interesting in terms of narrative foils. but he's a horrible love interest and i will not stand for it. mal works for alina!! thank you for watching :)

[@hali2437]

feeling very seen ... malyen oretsev world domination babeeeyyyy !!!!

[@katiecantread]

i believe in mal supremacy

[@fantasyescape8567]

mal is the only man who deserves rights and i will take absolutely no criticism

[@katiecantread]

i agree wholeheartedly

[@moderndayphilosopher4356]

I’m down for this criticizing the darkling video 😂 I understand why people like him, but I completely agree with Katie, what he did to Genya was AWFUL and he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for that.

[@pennywise6606]

I just hope that Malina is endgame just like they are in the books and that they don't change it to throw us, readers, off.

[@elijahwinchester6690]

everyone is romanticising darklina and the abuse, but malina also got more supporters and the show converted a good number of book!darklina shippers to show!malina shippers. i'm so scared that they're going to change the endgame, but hopefully fanservice doesn't win. i mean, who knows? maybe season two will convert even more to malina, haha. i love ben barnes, but it's annoying how many instagram edits are of him when i'm scrolling every other tag outside of just his character's. the malina tag, the alina tag, the mal tag; he's all over, haha.

[@sasavekic5575]

@@elijahwinchester6690 okay but hear me out: maybe the fairest thing would be to change the ending, since people who ship malina already have their perfect wanted ending in the books. Now im not gonna excuse the darkling's actions but i think we can all agree that their endgame would definitely be an interesting thing to see, and the ending doesn't have to be a message or a lesson, it could simply be a possible ending happening. It would just be so fun exploring their potential, thats all : ) It doesn't always have to be right and healthy to be fun, at least when it comes to non real fictional characters

[@RachelKamai]

"Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?"

[@ButterfliesOnMyBookshelf]

....you've converted me. I will admit that the Darkling is toxic af but I simp for him because i like a bad boy lol. Mal is definitely better for Alina

[@katiecantread]

I DID IT!!!!!

[@user-xu7tr4nb2z]

I used to do that too until I realised that the Darkling isn't a bad boy he's just a bad guy

[@ane6091]

i know this video is from a few months ago but i've just finished ruin and rising and for some reason i thought darklina was gonna be endgame (probably bc every single edit i saw before reading the trilogy was about them and everyone seemed to love the darkling), and i'm so happy that alina and mal end up together. i tooootally agree with everything you said; at first, when i read the first book i didn't really care that much about mal but i watched the shadow and bone show before going into siege and storm and that also helped me liking mal (the show made a great job with his character). i didn't realize until i balled my eyes out when alina kills him how much i liked his caracter

[@Ruby-Beaufort]

I'm not the only Mal fan! Finally. xD He deserves rights. :)

[@ahusayman494]

Omggg thank uu so muchh for this. I felt so bad being malina and mal stan in this fandom. I didnt even know ppl hated him😭😭. Thank uu

[@jamilamendez604]

omg i'm so late but yes to all the things you said! I just finished the books last month and when i started following people in the fandom i realized thay hated mal and it made me so sad, anyways i'm really happy that i am not the only one who knows he is actually an amazing character and malina is cute ship!

[@c292r89dvbh]

I loved Mal the moment he was introduced and I was just waiting for him and Alina to get together 🙈☺️ I read the first book back in 2012 and it was only when I got on social media that I saw the witch hunt for Mal! I had no idea how disliked he was in this fandom just wow 😅 I have only a few really beautiful Malina fanarts but most are of the Darkling - I genuinely don’t understand Darklina stans

[@katiecantread]

i FELT THIS!!!! mal doesn’t deserve 85% of the hate he gets (i kinda understand like 15% of it) but he gets TOO MUCH

[@katiethewriter-reader0786]

@@katiecantread yes! i mean, mal stans arent ignoring that for a chunk of siege and storm, he was.....a bastard lets be honest. but even when he was being petty, he was still there for alina, he has always cared for alina. i mean, getting annoyed that your being dragged into something that isn't your fight, constantly told your inferior. made fun of for not being grisha, how is that worse than being a centuries-old genocidal maniac who SAd the person he wanted to win over!

[@julierae3005]

girllll same

[@babzie]

I watched the show first and now just finished the book series. I really like Mal. I feel like it's honestly Alina who doesn't deserve him. The ending also felt rushed. She was all set to be with Nikolai until she found out that Mal was going to die. It just felt wild and like an emotional decision versus her choosing him with all the options and her power anyway. And the grace she gave the darkling after he ate up entire cities and killed her adoptive mother. Bruh. I get why people ship them in the sense that the book pushes this connection unnecessarily so that it does seem like if they'd met at a different point in the timeline they would've been together but they met in THIS moment. And he tortured her. But Mal and Alina... it's just much better done in the show for me.

[@isabelav.b.88]

Although I think that Mal and Alina's relationship is bland like flour, I'm okay with them, because he was the only one that loved Alina. The Darkling and Nikolai loved the Sun Summoner, even if Nikolai wasn't as bad as the Darkling, he still was looking for some personal and political gain. And the thing about Nikolai being a little extra and not really realistic is sooo true!! I've loved him since the beginning, I always laugh so much with his lines, but I've been fully aware since the first moment that if I knew someone like that, I would not hesitate for one second before punching them in the face! The way he almost waltz with every question, not really answering anything is charming and funny, but IS SO FRUSTRATING! Thanks for making this video! I recently read all books, after watching the show, just because I wanted to get to my Crows

[@avastark2242]

Honestly I can relate with Mal. If my unremarkable childhood friend suddenly became a ~main character I would be a little bit insecure and jealous too lmfao. Havent finished the book trilogy but I'm team Mal. The Darkling may be hot but he is toxic to Alina

[@fantasylovemagic]

The thing is, I finished the second book, and I actually don't see the jealous part ! Because so far, he is just afraid Alina will forget him...'cause he does everything for her, threw his whole life away for her, and she doesn't even ask for his opinion on things, takes his help for granted, and literally lies to him for no reason...I would be mad too !

[@alexdsimpson]

Plus, the whole time having to watch princes and evil sorcerers trying to woo her away right in front of him, like he didn't bloody matter because he's not Grisha and a commoner. I mean, give the boy a break. They were supposed to run away together, they actually had for a minute there, and then it blew up in their faces. There was no "after this is over" for him, he'd never be with the girl he loves because the entire country deemed him "not good enough". That's AWFUL.

[@fantasylovemagic]

@@alexdsimpson Exactly ! And they're still teenagers. Imagine living this at 16/17, how do you think we would react ? I mean it would feel so unjust...you are the loyal friend who is always there and asks questions about the safety of your friend, but she ignores you and you see her turn into a being obsessed with power while everyone is mocking you for being so pitiful and powerless...and then your friend expects you to be always supportive and to follow all her desires without questioning anything because you love her, so you have to follow her lead like a nice little dog because that's all you can do. if I didn't burst in anger once or twice to tell my childhood friend what I really feel, I think I would just combust away.

[@taylor1721]

I AM SO HERE FOR THIS !!

[@katiecantread]

THANK YOU !!!!!

[@litafanforlife]

Love this whole video. It's great seeing the Mal support and you highlighting so many great points. I love Mal and I love him and Alana.

[@user-tz6yf3zp6u]

Yess Malina nation!! We must protect them with all we have. I've always liked Mal from the beginning. He just seems like a genuine person who acted rational and how a human would. Hopefully the show follows the books. I trust the writers of the show do this. They've done well so far

[@Franci_stormblessed]

I am genuinely scared that the show will be a Darklina fanfic and make them endgame...

[@almiranara]

@@Franci_stormblessed from the way netflix promoted the show, they really push the darklina agenda way too far skfhjsjdj (i've seen 2 videos up on netflix official youtube channel purely talking about darklina). but, if leigh bardugo is really involved with the show's writing, i think no need to worry about it, fingers crossed!

[@Franci_stormblessed]

@@almiranara yeah that's what i saw too and that worries me....but I also feel like leigh is a mega darkling fan and might do that for fanservice, even though she purposefully got mal and alina together because the darkling IS a MANIPULATIVE TOXIC MAN. sorry I lost myself for a second haha I'm just worried that the pressure from the fanbase will be to great that they will do this kind of fanservice

[@user-tr5xc7nq4y]

@@Franci_stormblessed i agree with your comment a lot, maybe except for the part about leigh being a darklina fan. she stated, not once, that he's not a positive character, she based him off of her abuser and is supposed to show how many manipulative people are really good at their job. they're charismatic and mysterious and you might find yourself root for them at the beginning. that's all haha

[@Franci_stormblessed]

Lili Hudecová hi lili! Thanks for your reply! I guess I spoke too fast and out of my own biased view. I guess it sometimes just seemed to me as if that were the case because only later I learned who she based the darkling on, i did figure out myself that he is bad and only this charming and all for manipulation purposes. Considering that, leigh is quite the genius with fooling so many fans . Yeaahh! And knowing that fact, which is public, it makes me question so hard how people still romanticize and love him😓 It‘s kinda scary to be honest. Sure I love him as a villain because he was quite masterful with lying and manipulating and making people do what he wanted…but…as a lover…and to be the endgame lover??? Hell no

[@BookishlyKatherine]

I"VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@BookishlyKatherine]

"Did I read the same trilogy as everyone??" SAME THO

[@BookishlyKatherine]

Kaz as your book boyfriend 😂

[@BookishlyKatherine]

ME JUST SITTING HERE NODDING MY HEAD AT ALL YOUR POINTS

[@BookishlyKatherine]

HAVE YOU MET AN 18 YEAR OLD BOY IM SCREAMING

[@BookishlyKatherine]

SHE JUST WANTED TO LIE IN THE MEDOW WITH HER BRO BOYFRIEND

[@nirmiteeachrekar2679]

My opinion feels so validated thank you!

[@singinpixy12]

I love Mal but I also love The Darkling. If I were her I would be so confused. But I have to say I was ecstatic at the end of the third book. I am very happy with the Netflix show making Mal a lot more of a BAD AS*. Argument 1: Yes yes yes Argument 2: YES again... he helped her get every amplifier doesn’t matter if he hates her power or not he got her everything she asked for. Argument 3: OMG his actions were so epic and loving his character held its own without all the extra story!!! I can honestly say the only thing I wish were different about Mal is the Zoya thing! That breaks my heart! Argument 4: Yes again... weird phrasing but definitely full circle moment when he does become her weapon. Argument 5: Mal always felt right. No question about it...the Epic Mal / Alina moment they finally had I was literally saying YES.... out loud. Nikolai got on my nerves ... but then grew on me. He was very much an interesting character. The Darkling🤦‍♀️ I want to hate him... but I get her pull.... he is the bad boy choice and his constant raw need to connect with her gets me every time. It’s classic I know it’s wrong but I want it anyway!!!

[@micahalbert2752]

I hear nothing but facts. Love this video. I never understood why people hated Mal so much.

[@Cindyy721]

Thank you! I love an intellectual! What i actually see a lot with the Mal haters is that they hate him because he was a so called playboy. That he had slept with other people before Alina is the reason they dont like him.. I was actually really shocked when i saw this because how is that fair?? If he was a woman, would they still hate this person for the same reason? As if the darkling was a virgin..

[@SCordova19]

I am become a blade also reminds me of the Oppenheimer quote “I am become death, destroyer of worlds” which does track in some ways. Oppenheimer was conflicted about creating a nuke…he knew what power he could be unleashing and how it could be used for evil but he also knew that in the wrong hands it could used to harm the United States. Aliena’s power which Mal amplified could be used for good or bad depending on whose in control.

[@edasavaseri4406]

I'm totally team Mal and I love this video. You've done a great job of explaining your points.

[@dearherblue471]

i could go on forever on how mal is amazing and we should all love him

[@geminithetwins]

Favorite Ship- Wesper Favorite Character/book boyfriend = Kazzzz Team Mal, because really, he's the perfect match for Alina. Nikolai is the best friend we all want in our life. Darkling deserved an arc. (Haven't read ROW yet, so don't spoil me.) Matthias deserved better 😭

[@VerityBooks]

Me looking at the tattoo I got when I was 18: 👀😳

[@katiecantread]

i WAS RIGHT

[@JiminsCalico13Luna]

So you got another Mal supporter friend here!!! I saw this whole video, smiling at how passionate you were and mentally adding my own points and spiel to what you shared! 😂 👍🏻 😍

[@katiecantread]

yay! can't wait till the world joins us

[@espressopatronum1]

Mal is my favorite character in the trilogy! Never understood the hype of the Darkling in the book. Also Kaz is my book/tv show boyfriend too. :)

[@axifedoyle]

FINALLY!!! I'm not alone.

[@katiecantread]

you’re never alone :)

[@mariabella19]

Ahhh this is so cute. I've never read the books. In the series it's clearer that he loved her. I can't even understand Alina/Darkling shippers. It does not compute. For me, when I saw Mal risk his life to steal a bowl of grapes just so that Alina eats, I was gone then. That was the moment for me. I mean come on! That's love. In it's purest form.

[@kiamosky4340]

not the sudden king of scars spoiler mid video, caught me off guard. amazing video btw #Malina

[@arianacolella1466]

Currently half way through the second book, I liked him at first, hated him after the scene in the little palace, and literally now 200 pages into s&s I would literally burn down a country for him it’s unreal

[@NinasVideoss]

Upon reading the books I did not interpret Mals' actions as hatred towards Alina's powers...It's just like you said, he was afraid she was being corrupted by this enormous power. Let's not forget she wasn't aware of her powers when growing up and now she needs 3 amplifiers?

[@erinlowry2842]

We Stan Mal🙌❤️

[@NinasVideoss]

And here I thought I was the only one who loved Mal both books and Tv Show 😅

[@beatricewilliams9443]

There are people that don't like him? He's literally the love of my life. And didn't love her before powers? What about the whole "you are my true north"

[@katyklein8649]

I am so in love with Mal!!!

[@literallymp9811]

I LOVE MAL AND IM READY TO FIGHT FOR HIM! MALINA FTW!

[@katieriley7953]

i had to make a MALINA edit because i could not find one 🥲

[@shay8339]

Omg thanks for this video! I wrote a whole rant about the darkling not being a good choice for her after I read shadow and bone for the second time after I watched the show. I shipped Malina from the beginning and don’t understand darklina shippers. Alina literally says in the book that the darkling used her like a SLAVE like...doesn’t that say psycho right there?

[@katiecantread]

the number of red flags the darkling has is alarming

[@eudorafernandes2538]

Omggg please someone had to say it like wtff I never hated him I never had a problem with him and I thought there was a deeper reason why everyone hated him and I wasn’t looking at it but he’s a good guy and you can’t say he hated her power coz he didn’t !!! IT WAS NEW TO HIM . His world turned over and it was all so new so excuse him if it took some time to get accustomed to and if he was toxic like everyone said he would’ve abused Alina mentally made her feel it was her fault which he didn’t !!!

[@dianapiscanu4962]

I LOVE YOU! Thank you for this video! I finally feel like I'm not alone anymore.

[@dilanskr]

OMG thank u for this!!! I was like so ready for all the people lovin mal but then i just see darkling this and that and I’m like ... did we read the same book? The darkling is a great villain indeed. But tf as a LOVE Interessent... uhmm.. he’s a literal psychopath.. Which makes him hella interesting but nothing more

[@simi6003]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!! TURN IT UP

[@zarakhan02]

mail support, finally!!! i was so confused when i finished the books and saw everyone hated him and just wanted to see some support for him…

[@sama._.4220]

YES! Time to dominate booktok with malina

[@katiecantread]

malina forever!

[@elijahwinchester6690]

honestly, this fandom is why my childhood best friends to lovers didn't have the usual path despite it making the most sense for the trope; the 'you don't realise what you have until it's gone' path. it definitely works well for the trope, because it often begs the question of, 'well, why didn't they realise they had romantic feelings for one another before?' from the readers, and, 'what will ultimately make their relationship develop and progress beyond friendship?' from a beginning writer's perspective who's only figured out the starting point and the final one. because, a friendship transitioning into a relationship is hard to do otherwise. they've been around one another for a long time, they've had all of this time to realise or admit their feelings for one another. so, what is it that is going to change? because, there almost _has_ to be a fairly large occurance or change in order for something in the character to change as well. that's why the three biggest routes in this trope involve a big event. the first being, they're merely torn apart by some outer force that the plot usually supplies and while separated, the two begin to think about one another. maybe they miss one another, maybe they're worried, or maybe it's both; maybe, they realise how desperately they want their other half to be okay. they realise that not only _won't_ they lose the love interest, but they literally _can't;_ they cannot let them get taken away, kidnapped, imprisoned, killed. they refuse to live without the other person and they come to the point of understanding what that means; that there's more than friendship involved and that their feelings are deeper. the second being, one abandons the other and begins to realise how much they miss their love interest, their 'best friend' at the time. but, wait! what about their other friends. they're leaving behind other people as welll, so why is it that the love interest is the first thought? or maybe they aren't leaving anyone else behind. maybe, they're completely alone. see, because when someone is alone, the only thing that they can really do is think ( especially in stories, as we rarely have characters who are constantly using their phone or who have the fortune to busy themselves with a hobby or distraction ). so, who do they start thinking about? maybe they're wondering if the love interest is okay, if they're thinking about them too, if the other partner is angry at them for leaving. while the thoughts can vary depending on the situation, they eventually reach a similar point of realisation. then, from that point, the specifics of the character's personality and the plot itself will determine where they go from that poin onward. and, finally, the third being a near death-experience. which more-or-less shares the same process as the first; maybe they think about how much they'd miss the endangered one, maybe they were unusually worried, or maybe it's both; maybe, they realise how desperately they want their other half to be okay. they realise that not only _won't_ they lose the love interest, but they literally _can't;_ they cannot let them get taken hurt or killed. they refuse to live without the other person and they come to the point of understanding what that means; that there's more than friendship involved and that their feelings are deeper. i saw the reactions to malina, who i personally loved as a pairing, and opted out of that story despite it working for the characters. to an extent, it does exist in my story. however, my trope goes a bit further; it's more *childhood best friends* who's fathers _were_ best friends and who've always had an unspoken understanding of this one-sided, life-long puppy love from the more emotional of the two ( then, because they're not living in our modern world, his father kills her father and starts the transition ) to *separated heartthrobs* following the second listed route to an extent ( she runs away and it's years before they reunite, by which time she's working with his ) *enemies,* leaving them to naturally fall onto opposing sides ( despite the emotional one being reluctant to view her as the new person she's become since their last encounter; and she begins to rediscover herself through him as he continues to extend olive branches. with his help, she essentially realises that she can still be who she was when she knew him. with neither ever admitting their feelings as romance in so many words, they share a kiss after finding themselves standing extremely close to one another; making them ) *lovers,* finally. [ not me starting a comment and then deciding to write out a tumblr post. i'll leave this here anyways, haha. ]

[@МануелаКостадинова]

I love Mal! ♥️ Thank you for this video! So refreshing to watch 💕

[@nimrodgrrrl]

PLEEEEASE make a Darkling slander video. I need it. Also, fuck yeah Team Mal.

[@zop837]

sis you're right in every single word

[@Franci_stormblessed]

I am seriously so mad about this fandoms behaviour! All I see is „Alina and Darkling are perfect for each other“ no they are not? Which part about him manipulating her, abusing her and dropping her once she lost her powers didn‘t you get?? I was looking for some mal content but as soon as you type in shadow and bone or grisha trilogy all you can find is Darklina and ugh. Don‘t get me wrong, i love the Darkling as a villain and his manipulation basically worked on the reader as well but later on it‘s so clear that for him it was all about power

[@Anazec1]

WAIT- i finished tabbing my shadow and bone book a few weeks ago and I also used yellow for mal and purple for the darkling.

[@ty2887]

YES! YES AND YES! WHATEVER YOU SAID. I COMPLETELY AGREE

[@literarylion3858]

Me also making eyes at Kaz the ultimate book boyfriend. I definitely agree with your thoughts though. I may want to be with The Darkling, but Alina probably doesn't.

[@katiecantread]

kaz is the perfect man. thank you for watching!

[@gretaghiringhelli9275]

YES QUEEN LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BACK!!!!

[@fantasylovemagic]

I don't get why he gets so much hate, like he is actually the only character I like (with Nikolai) in these books ! He is always there for Alina, wants to help her and all, when she doesn't even care enough to be truthful to him, or to actually consider his feelings outside of the "oh god I'm ugly why does he like me ?" 😑 Like, Mal always offers his help, to listen to her and stuff, and all she does is push him away. And then ask him to do stuff for her. Alina is the one that doesn't deserve Mal here. (I only read the two first books for the moment 'cause she pisses me off so much, so mean to both Mal and Nikolai for no reason) Alina is not all bad, I actually really like her in the first book, but she becomes just so power maniac I can't take it seriously... Like so many things don't make sense in the books for me. What makes sense tho, is Mal and Alina. Their moments together are usually really sweet (when they are actually talking) and she actually is herself in those moments ! I think if the books were at the third person I would have liked them better, because hearing Alina's thoughts just makes me rant for twenty minute every two pages... I will calm down from my annoyance and then read the third book, because I really enjoyed the first one ! Hope they'll be together in the end and Alina will forget her power mania 😭

[@devanshsharma24]

Everyone deserves rights.

[@luuuuux_]

Malina is superior because Mal cared about Alina before she discovered her powers. The Darkling wanted her an “equal” after he found out about her powers, and Nikolai’s was purely political. But Mal? He liked Alina from the very starting. The Darkling is an abusive, manipulative, 500+ year old creep who hits on teenage girls. And for some reason, people shop darklina??? Also like, he was based on Leigh’s abusive ex and I heard some people actually attacked her about this? Which is just so stupid.

[@spreadhappiness3250]

I'm late but I do like this kind of content. Great video

[@ravinialee269]

I have no problem self-inserting myself as Alina because I have, at some point in my life, wanted to marry a best friend and wanted to run an orphanage and Alina gets to do both and it makes me so happy!!!!!!

[@ceciliarams4662]

This is such a nice content. Thank you.

[@ximena-cu2mp]

here seeing this when I go for the second book 🐱✌️ I have not slept because I need to finish all the books before they launch the series

[@jordanreadsalot]

I was looking on booktube for other people Who like mal just as much as I do . I found you yay I recently finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy for the first time and I was like I don't get why this character get so much hate. I am hopefully gonna do a review soon while it's all still fresh in my head.

[@morganracha]

i love you for this 🤍 i will go to my grave defending malyen oretsev

[@viviennebieri8340]

I don't know why so many people root for a toxic relationship and the Darkling. I mean I like a bad boy storyline - but the Darlking is another level of evil.

[@viviennebieri8340]

@60s motel faerie I mean yes of course, who doesn't?😍

[@allisoneuph1]

Yes!! I love Mal

[@hollielynch6800]

So glad I’m not the only person who thinks this

[@govegan8767]

You were so right bestie

[@juliannyrodrigues9687]

SIMPLESMENTE PERFEITA!!!!

[@jessicakloos7102]

I.. i love you..

[@Naahi95]

YES thank god I LOVED Mal when I read the series and I was so confused how anyone could hate him but still like the darkling (as a love interest) after all the f* up things he did. Also I would love a video criticizing the Darkling cause I HATE HIM AND HE NEEDS MORE SLANDER, this fandom romanticize his ass way too much ✋

[@LorisBookTrials]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, your so right for all of your points!!!! Mal definitely has rights.

[@royygriffin2359]

I thought I was a nerd,you know what I deserve rights.

[@kaytamurray]

Vibes me the same as every hating Gale in the hunger games

[@Naahi95]

Ok but Gale did some... bad stuff in the last book. I think that's why a lot of people dislike him.

[@kaytamurray]

@@Naahi95 yessir but I never hear those as the reasons I’m talking about when say things that literally aren’t true 💀.

[@katreads]

i just spoiled myself ... welp my fault

[@katiecantread]

OOOP

[@MrRorosuri]

💜💜💜💜 yes

[@katiecantread]

thank you!!

[@merreads]

i still don’t like mal but i never hated him. i think it would have been more interesting if the darkling/alina ruled together but i totally agree it’s toxic and shouldn’t happen irl.

[@katiecantread]

this is a fair point