The Shu soldiers
The Shu soldiers that attack Nina and her crew have superhuman abilities. Paradoxically, Nina and Wylan manage to escape from the Shu soldiers. For instane, Nina manages to shoot one of the soldiers in the eye, and Wylan burns another soldier to death. The reader finds it satirical that individuals depicted as ordinary human beings can defeat superhumans.
The irony of sabotage
Kazi’s mission to harm Van Eck's sugar silos is paradoxical. The reader realizes that Kazi buys shares in the sugar company using many resources to sabotage Van Eck's silos. According to Kazi, he intends to use a chemical substance called weevil to raise sugar prices. The reader wonders how Kazi will benefit because the sabotage will increase sugar prices. After all, the prime beneficiary of this sabotage is Van Eck because his sugar will be sold at higher prices.
Nina's ability to control dead bodies
Nina's newfound talent of controlling the death is projected to play a significant role in her mission to help Kazi rescue the rest of the Grisha using Van Eck's ship. Ironically, the reader realizes that there is no point where Nina applies her abilities to help Kazi accomplish their mission. Instead, they learn that the only strategy to defeat Van Eck is fixing him with nefarious activities against the Council to ensure his arrest.
