A Court of Wings and Ruin Chapter 23: The Bone Carver ALSO Has A Tragic Backstory

Previously, Feyre remembered that the Bone Carver is a character who exists in this story and, by George, he’s the only one who can help them now.

Feyre and Cassian go to a prison that they don’t know how to get people out of to bargain with someone they’ve met once who has powers they’re unclear on to help them out in the war in exchange for something they’re not sure they can do but their one friend they haven’t told any of this to is working on it. Sounds about right for this book.

A Court of Wings and Ruin: Chapter 23

They’re not off to a good start.

“And why have you sought my services?”
“We attained the Book of Breathings,” I said casually. “There are … interesting spells inside. Codes within codes within codes. Someone we know cracked most of them. She is still looking for others. Spells that could … send someone like her home. Others like her, too. […] War is upon us […] Rumor suggests you have… gifts that may be useful upon the battlefield.” […]
The Carver surveyed his cell. “And you think that I wish to go … back.”

The Carver tells them that he doesn’t believe the place he came from even exists anymore and straight up says that he prefers being in prison (after a long and nigh-incomprehensible infodump backstory full of characters and lore we’re totally unfamiliar with, as is apparently the monkey’s paw-ass condition that this story has with Bloomsbury Publishing). It just figures. Ariel gets the chapter where the Bone Carver is being an irascible flirt who just wants to catch up on gossip outside the prison, I get the chapter where the Bone Carver wants to tell you his tragic backstory.

“[My sister, the Weaver,] and our older brother, Koschei […] could only be contained. [That long-ago Fae warrior] could not kill them in the end—they were too strong […] I knew that long before she ever trapped them—took it upon myself to find my way here.”
“To spare the world from yourself?” Cassian asked, brows narrowing.
The Carver’s eyes burned like the hottest flame. “To hide from my siblings.”
I blinked. “Why?”
“They are death-gods, girl,”

Ok, admittedly, a good way to get me on board with this whole “this minor character who appeared once in the past two books and whose name you don’t remember is super important now” thing is definitely to throw out something as wild as, “Also they’re a god who is scared of death. Also he’s death’s brother.”

“If they are death-gods,” I said, “then what are you?” […]
“I am forgotten, that’s what I am. And that’s how I prefer to be.”

Shortly after that, the Bone Carver screamed “GET OUT OF MY ROOM” and slammed his cell door. Feyre could hear Radiohead beginning to play from the other side of the door.

Cassian tries to insist that if they lose this war, the Bone Carver might have to deal with his death god siblings being similarly untrapped. The Bone Carver insists that even the King of Hybern isn’t dumb enough to do that, and suggests they asks some other minor characters in the jail to help them out instead. Feyre gets angry and shouts at him, but Cassian suggests they just go and start making their way to the Hewn City, when the Carver guesses more of their plan and suddenly gets interested.

The Carver smiled. “You will be bargaining with him.” A glance at the tattoo on my right hand. “I wonder what Keir’s asking price will be.” A low laugh. “Interesting. […] My sister had a collection of mirrors in her black castle […] There was one mirror—the Ouroboros, she called it. It was old even when we were young. A window to the world. All could be seen, all could be told through its dark surface.”

Fun fact: an Ouroboros is that thing with a snake eating itself in a circle. Not a mirror.

“Keir possesses it—an heirloom of his household. Bring it to me. That is my price. The Ouroboros, and I am yours to wield. If you can find a way to free me.” A hateful smile.

Alright, I’ll admit it. I’m kind of hoping that the Bone Carver does get involved. He and Nesta are the only characters that interest me at this point in the story. I hope Feyre and Rhysand and their BFFs keep recruiting warriors who are cooler than any of them are. I still can’t tell Cassian and Azriel apart.

If you like what we do here, please consider supporting us! We’re not asking for a whole Ouroboros here, but maybe buy the BBGT writers a cup of coffee? That’d be swell of you!