31 – Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo – Using the Relationship Axes to Create Interesting Character Dynamics

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a gritty YA fantasy heist story. It’s got a racing plot, an interesting setting, and amazing characters. In this episode, I analyse the relationship between Kaz and Inej, using Mary Robinette Kowal’s 6 relationship axes

:Mind – Both people have similar levels of intelligence.

Money – Both people have similar attitudes about money. They don’t both have to have the same amount. This is about what money is for and how it’s handled.

Morals – Similar moral compasses of right and wrong.

Manners – Similar senses of what is polite. So it’s possible to have the same manners and wildly different morals.

Monogamy – Similar attitudes about the relationship. You know that guy that thinks you are BFFs and you think you’re just colleagues?

Marx Brothers – You both find the same things funny.

	Kaz	Inej
Mind	Arguably more intelligent, but this often gets in the way of him connecting with people. High IQ, low EQ – apart from when he’s sociopathically manipulating people	Not as cunning or clever as Kaz, but with better genuine people skills.
Money	“he is a young criminal prodigy, ready to do anything for the right price” – Leigh Bardugo. Wants money for selfish reasons (so he can destroy a gang leader who hurt him)	Also wants money, but for unselfish reasons (so she can destroy slavers)
Morals	Extremely flexible.	Rock solid, mainly because of her religious convictions.
Manners	Manipulative; views manners as a tool to use to further his goals.	Seems relatively kind; uses manners in an unconsciously kind way, because she’s a kind person.
Monogamy	Has feelings for Inej, but puts up walls to protect himself.	Also has feelings for Kaz, but won’t commit to anything while he still maintains his walls.
Marx Brothers	They both find it funny to upset the privledged, the cruel, the sadistic. In many ways, their mutual hatred of abusive authority figures binds them.