When Among Crows Summary, Characters and Themes
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth is a dark, modern-day fairy tale set in a gritty version of Chicago, where fantasy, folklore, and dystopian elements collide. In a world where magical creatures feed on human emotions and knights wield weapons forged from their own souls, the story follows Dymitr and Ala, two deeply scarred individuals bound by a shared desperation.
Their fates intertwine as they embark on a quest to find the elusive witch Baba Yaga, hoping to cure Ala’s deadly curse before time runs out. Blending Slavic folklore with urban fantasy, Roth crafts an immersive, fast-paced novella filled with pain, magic, and danger.
Summary
When Among Crows centers around Dymitr, a member of a secretive group known as the Holy Order, and Ala, a cursed woman. The Holy Order, tasked with hunting and killing magical creatures that feed on human emotions, has trained Dymitr for one purpose—to eradicate these beings.
These creatures, such as Zora, Banshees, and Stga, draw their strength from human emotions: Zora from fear, Banshees from sorrow, and Stga from anger. Dymitr’s family hunts Zora, and as part of his duty, he uses a unique and painful power—the ability to draw a sword from his own spine, forged by splitting his soul in two.
However, Dymitr finds himself in need of the very creatures he hunts. Haunted by a life debt, he embarks on a perilous quest to find Baba Yaga, a powerful witch, in order to fulfill his obligation.
But to do so, he requires the help of a Zora named Ala. Ala, burdened by a deadly family curse passed down from her mother, is slowly losing her sanity. The curse forces her to witness the atrocities of the Holy Order, and without a cure, it will soon claim her life as it did her mother’s.
Dymitr approaches Ala with a deal: he possesses a magical flower that may cure her curse, but in exchange, she must help him find Baba Yaga.
Desperate for a cure, Ala agrees, though she remains unaware of Dymitr’s true identity as a monster-hunting knight. Together, they navigate through the dark streets of Chicago, racing against time, as the enchanted flower will die within a day, potentially dooming Ala if they fail.
The novella weaves tension and suspense as the pair contends with not only external dangers but also their own mistrust and hidden motives. Dymitr and Ala, sworn enemies due to their natures, must set aside their differences to survive the night and accomplish their goals.
Along the way, another character briefly joins their journey, adding complexity to their dynamic, though the central focus remains on the partnership between Dymitr and Ala.
With only 176 pages, Roth masterfully creates a streamlined yet rich story world, blending modern Chicago with eerie Slavic folklore.
Through vivid sensory descriptions and intense character-driven scenes, When Among Crows explores themes of pain, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil, leaving readers with a dark, emotional tale of survival and redemption.
Characters
Dymitr (Demeter)
Dymitr, or Demeter, is the protagonist of When Among Crows, a man deeply shaped by the brutal world he inhabits. He belongs to the Holy Order, an organization dedicated to hunting and eradicating magical creatures that they consider monstrous.
Dymitr has a unique and painful ability—he can draw a sword made from his own spine, a literal and figurative representation of the weight he carries. This ability stems from splitting his soul, an act that binds him to a life of violence and constant suffering, both physical and emotional.
Each time he uses the sword, he experiences agonizing pain, which emphasizes the sacrificial nature of his mission and the emotional toll his life has taken on him. Dymitr’s character is driven by guilt and duty, particularly related to a mysterious debt he seeks to repay.
This quest is not fully transparent at the outset, as he withholds much of his true intentions from others, especially from Ala, his unexpected ally. The complexity of his character lies in the moral ambiguity that surrounds him.
He is part of an organization that sees itself as righteous, yet his own motivations and actions are more self-serving and haunted by darkness than pure. His internal conflict and the physical manifestation of his suffering through the sword create a powerful dynamic in the novella.
Ala (Aya)
Ala, also referred to as Aya in some reviews, is another central figure in the novella, carrying her own burdens and pain. She is a Zora, a magical creature who feeds on human fear.
Zora are regarded as enemies by the Holy Order, seen as evil beings to be hunted and destroyed. Ala’s life has been marked by a curse inherited from her mother, which gradually drives her toward madness.
This curse forces her to witness the atrocities committed by the Holy Order, making her a tragic figure caught between her monstrous nature and her desire for freedom from her fate. Ala’s motivations are personal and deeply rooted in the fear of losing herself entirely to the curse.
Her interactions with Dymitr create a compelling dynamic. Despite being natural enemies, they are forced to collaborate, with Ala’s desperation for a cure leading her to trust Dymitr’s offer.
However, there is always a sense of distrust between them, particularly because Dymitr does not reveal the full extent of his quest or what he truly wants from her. Ala’s story is one of suffering, hope, and the tension between what she is and what she wants to become.
She adds layers of emotional depth to the narrative. Her complexity as a character stems from her dual nature as a feared creature who longs for release from her curse.
The Third Character (Unnamed)
A third character joins the narrative partway through the novella, although this individual is less central to the plot than Dymitr and Ala. This character’s presence serves to heighten the tension between the two main protagonists and to further complicate their journey.
The third character seems to be a more minor figure, yet their inclusion is essential for adding an additional layer to the relationship dynamics, particularly with a hint of romantic tension. However, the romantic aspect is subtle and not fully developed, leaving it more as an emotional undertone rather than a primary focus.
The third character also serves as a contrast to both Dymitr and Ala. While they are deeply entangled in their pain and personal quests, this new individual provides an outsider’s perspective, allowing for a brief exploration of how others view the conflict between the Holy Order and the magical creatures.
The character’s involvement helps to highlight the deeper moral ambiguities in the world of When Among Crows. They are not entirely aligned with either Dymitr’s cause or Ala’s plight but rather exist in the grey areas of this gritty, supernatural landscape.
Baba Jaga (Mentioned)
Baba Jaga, though not directly present in the story for much of the novella, plays an important role as the figure both Dymitr and Ala seek. Drawing from Slavic folklore, Baba Jaga is portrayed as a legendary witch, a creature of immense power who can grant wishes or cures—but only at a cost.
Her presence looms large in the story, not just as a plot device but as a symbol of the dangerous bargains that the characters must make in their world. Baba Jaga embodies the theme of sacrifice that runs through the novella, where every desire comes at a price.
Her elusive nature and the fear she inspires reinforce the idea that there are no easy solutions to the characters’ problems. Even achieving their goals could have devastating consequences.
In this way, Baba Jaga represents both hope and dread—hope for Ala, who seeks a cure for her curse, and dread for Dymitr, who knows that dealing with her will not come without great personal cost. The search for Baba Jaga pushes the characters forward but also serves as a constant reminder of the power dynamics at play.
Themes
The Complexities of Pain as a Form of Power and Identity
The theme of pain runs deep throughout When Among Crows, not only in terms of physical suffering but also as a crucial element that shapes the characters’ identities and powers. Dymitr’s pain is visceral—his sword, formed from his own spine, is a literal manifestation of his suffering.
The very act of drawing the sword from his body is agonizing, yet it is his source of strength. This embodiment of pain as a tool of both empowerment and torment mirrors the emotional scars he carries.
Ala, too, is defined by pain—hers is an inherited, generational curse that marks her life with inevitable suffering. Her pain is both personal and symbolic, linking her to her mother’s tragic fate and the larger history of women in her lineage, who are doomed to bear witness to the horrors committed by the Holy Order.
Pain is not just a theme but a dual-edged force that shapes destiny, identity, and morality. Both characters must grapple with what it means to wield pain, inflict it, and live with it as part of their essence.
The Moral Ambiguity of Heroism and Monstrosity
When Among Crows subverts the traditional notions of heroism and monstrosity. The lines between the saviors and the villains blur, as those tasked with protecting society—the Holy Order—are revealed to be perhaps more monstrous than the creatures they hunt.
Dymitr, a member of this sacred order of monster hunters, operates in a morally gray area. While he is technically aligned with the “good” side, his methods, and the order’s broader goals, raise questions about who the true monsters are.
On the other hand, the creatures he hunts, such as the Zora, challenge the reader’s understanding of evil. The Zora are portrayed as emotional predators, feeding on fear, but Ala’s character complicates this binary.
She is not just a creature to be slain; she is a person with her own pain, desires, and history. The novel engages deeply with the idea that the categories of hero and monster are fluid, reflecting the complexity of human nature and societal power structures.
The Burden of Legacy and the Curse of Inherited Trauma
The novel explores the profound theme of inherited trauma, particularly through Ala’s character. Her curse is not just a personal affliction but a burden passed down through generations.
This inherited trauma acts as both a literal and metaphorical chain, binding her fate to her mother’s and forcing her to relive the horrors of the past. Roth masterfully delves into the notion that trauma, particularly when it is tied to systemic violence (like the Holy Order’s deeds), does not dissipate with time but instead festers and multiplies.
Trauma passes from one generation to the next, marking each with its pain. The novel questions whether it is possible to break free from such deeply rooted pain or whether, like the curse that claims Ala’s family, it is an inescapable destiny.
The theme resonates on a larger scale as a commentary on how societal structures perpetuate suffering. Often, these systems place the burden of healing or escape on the individual while failing to dismantle the oppressive systems themselves.
The Ethical Paradoxes of Power and Sacrifice in the Face of Survival
At the heart of the novel lies a stark exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding power and sacrifice, particularly in survival contexts. Dymitr’s quest to fulfill a life debt is entangled with questions of what, or who, must be sacrificed in the pursuit of personal redemption or survival.
His decision to collaborate with a Zora—a creature he is sworn to hunt—reflects the moral compromises often required when one’s life is on the line. The narrative scrutinizes how survival can force individuals into impossible ethical choices, such as betraying one’s principles, exploiting another’s pain, or turning a blind eye to the broader consequences of one’s actions.
The deal Dymitr strikes with Ala is rooted in mutual desperation. It raises profound questions about the morality of transactional relationships, especially when lives and curses hang in the balance.
The theme reflects the complexity of ethical decision-making in extreme circumstances, showing that the lines between right and wrong, sacrifice and selfishness, are often blurred.
The Clash of Ancient Mythology and Modernity in a Contemporary Urban Landscape
Roth sets the novel in modern-day Chicago, infusing the narrative with a unique juxtaposition of ancient mythologies and contemporary urban life. This setting allows for a collision between the old world, embodied by the Slavic folklore, and the modern, gritty reality of a bustling city.
The urban environment is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the story’s exploration of how ancient powers and beliefs continue to influence the present. The contrast between the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and the mystical, otherworldly forces at play underscores the theme of the persistence of the past.
No matter how much the world evolves or becomes more technologically advanced, Roth suggests, it remains haunted by the ancient, the magical, and the mythical. The blending of Polish folklore with the urban grittiness of Chicago creates a rich thematic interplay between tradition and progress, raising questions about how cultures adapt, survive, and transform in the face of modernity.
The Dichotomy of Agency and Fate within the Constructs of Magic and Curses
A central theme in When Among Crows is the tension between agency and fate, particularly as it relates to the characters’ use of magic and their entrapment by curses. Ala’s curse is a prime example of fate’s heavy hand, dictating her actions and limiting her future.
She is bound by a predetermined outcome, one that seems impossible to escape. Yet, within this framework, the characters struggle to exert agency, whether through the use of magic, like Dymitr’s spine sword, or through attempts to strike deals with mythical forces like Baba Yaga.
The novel raises significant questions about the extent to which magic, often seen as a source of control and power, actually provides freedom—or whether it merely entangles the characters further in webs of fate. Both Dymitr and Ala are caught in systems larger than themselves—whether the Holy Order or their respective curses—and their journeys are as much about reclaiming some semblance of agency as they are about fulfilling external quests.
The Emotional Consumption of Humanity and the Parasitism of Power
One of the novel’s most disturbing and thought-provoking themes is the idea that power, both magical and institutional, is parasitic in nature. It consumes humanity in different ways. The Zora’s literal feeding on human fear is a powerful metaphor for how systems of power, such as the Holy Order, thrive on the emotional and physical subjugation of others.
Ala’s consumption of fear, though magical, mirrors the emotional toll that societal violence and control exert on its victims. The theme extends beyond the individual characters, critiquing how power structures, whether magical or institutional, dehumanize and commodify human emotion for their survival.
This parasitic relationship between power and humanity challenges the reader to consider the costs of maintaining authority—whether through fear, violence, or oppression—and who ultimately pays the price.