Demystifying the Rarest Types of Grisha: A Deep Dive for Fans

Hey friend! As fellow fantasy fans, we both know how fascinating the Grishaverse and its magic system can be. Grisha are such a unique element in Leigh Bardugo‘s books, so I wanted to really delve into the details around them – especially the most rare and coveted powers. Get ready for a deep dive into all things Grisha!

A Brief History of Grisha Origins

Before getting into the rare types, let‘s do a quick recap on where Grisha powers originated in the first place within the lore. According to legend, Grisha abilities came from a powerful being known as the Starless Saint who "made the land with the strength of his arm and shone light into dark places."

The first human Grisha were said to have lived in Dva Stolba on the Petrazoi Coast, which housed a holy site with a pool that gave visions and powers. As more people sought out the site, settlements grew and the followers of the Starless Saint became known as Grisha.

Over generations, Grisha intermarried and their powers concentrated into the distinct orders we know today. The details are murky, but the magical genetics passed down are responsible for certain abilities manifesting more rarely than others.

Breaking Down the Grisha Orders

There are three main orders of Grisha powers:

Corporalki

The Order of the Living and the Dead, who manipulate the body.

• Heartrenders – Stop or control hearts
• Healers – Can mend flesh and injuries
• Tailors – Alter physical appearances

Etherealki

The Order of Summoners, who control elements.

• Squallers – Summon wind and storms
• Inferni – Control fire
• Tidemakers – Manipulate water

Materialki

The Order of Fabrikators, who alter materials around them.

• Durasts – Change metal
• Alkemi – Transform physical substances
• Oplomakhs – Forge armor

This chart summarizes their differences:

Order	Powers Control	Number of Grisha	Strongest Abilities
Corporalki	The Body	1,200-1,500	Heartrending
Etherealki	Elements	800-1,000	Inferni blue fire
Materialki	Matter/Materials	600-800	Glass manipulation

So in terms of total numbers, Corporalki tend to be the most common. But some of the rarest powers are found among the Etherealki order.

The Legendary Sun Summoners

Now onto the stars of this blog – the ultra rare Sun Summoners. As one of only two known true Sun Summoners, Alina Starkov is in elite company. Let‘s look closer at what makes her power so special.

"Most Grisha manipulate what already exists in the world. Sun Summoners can call light into being."

Unlike other Etherealki who control elements like fire, wind, or water, Sun Summoners actually create light. This ability is closest to the divine powers of creation granted by the Starless Saint originally. No wonder Sun Summoners are the stuff of legend.

The luminescent magic system also has symbolic ties to driving back darkness – literally, in the case of the Shadow Fold. And in metaphorical terms, Sun Summoners represent hope against evil forces.

Alina‘s Journey

When we first meet Alina Starkov, she has no idea of her powers. She grew up an orphan who never realized her true heritage. It‘s only when her best friend Mal is in peril that Alina spontaneously summons light to save him. This burst of emotion triggered her awakening as a Sun Summoner.

"I‘ve spent my whole life trying to be normal, but I wasn‘t meant for normal. I have a power inside me like nothing the world has ever seen. And it terrifies me."

Unlike most Grisha, Alina had to grapple with her powers alone at first. There were no mentors or books to guide her, so her abilities developed slowly. When she joins the Second Army and the Little Palace, she trains hard to master the Cut and fine control. But her full strength requires amplifiers to boost her power.

With Morozova‘s stag and the legendary collar, Alina becomes a saint-like icon as Sankta Alina. She can quell rebellions and decimate armies single-handedly with blinding light. It‘s incredible character growth!

The Darkling‘s Duality

The Darkling is Alina‘s nemesis – but also the only other Sun Summoner in the story. It‘s an interesting dichotomy, as they have the same rare power but use it for very different purposes.

While not as adept at wielding light, the Darkling excels at shadow summoning. He manifests utter darkness and army of volatile nichevo‘ya from it. His ambition corrupts power that could be used for good.

But Shadow Summoners are still incredibly rare. The Darkling‘s immortality and magical knowledge make him a complex antagonist over the trilogy‘s progression.

Other Coveted Grisha Abilities

Sun Summoners might take the cake for rarest Grisha, but they‘re not the only coveted powers. Here are a few more that stand out:

Tidemakers

Tidemakers who can call and control entire oceans are rare. Zoya Nazyalensky is the only one with such a massive range. Most are limited manipulating currents in rivers or smaller water sources.

Inferni

Blue flame is an incredibly rare gift among Inferni. Nina Zenik demonstrated this vibrant fire that is far hotter than orange flames. She uses it as a deadly weapon.

Durasts

The ability to manipulate glass is almost unheard of among Durasts. David Kostyk discovered his glass skills accidentally, showcasing just how unusual the talent is.

Parem Enhancements

Though risky and illegal, the drug parem can temporarily boost Grisha abilities to extreme levels. Nina experienced massively amplified Heartrendering on parem, making it a tempting shortcut for more power.

The Mystical Process of Becoming Grisha

All these awesome powers don‘t appear out of thin air. Grisha go through rigorous training to hone their craft. The process starts young with testing:

• Infancy – Parents bring babies to a heartrender to test for Grisha potential

• Age 8 – All children are tested again upon school enrollment

If they are Grisha, a voluntary decision is made whether to join the Second Army and be sent to the Little Palace for further instruction. Those who refuse are sent home to regular schooling.

But life at the Little Palace is vastly different:

• Separation from family

• Rigorous training in Small Science

• Less interaction between Grisha orders

• Isolation from outside world

It‘s no wonder many Grisha feel disconnected from ordinary people. Their strange abilities and secluded upbringing make it hard to fit in anywhere else.

The Persecution of Grisha

Another reason Grisha stick together is because they face exclusion and persecution:

• Fear – Common people find Grisha powers frightening and unnatural

• Religion – Some call them witches or heretics against the Saints

• Propaganda – Books like "Istorii Sankt‘ya" spread prejudice

• Violence – Mobs or factions like the Drüskelle hunt Grisha

Given this discrimination, it‘s understandable why Grisha band together in the Second Army for safety. Alina herself faces distrust once her powers emerge. It‘s a heavy price for magic.

If I Were Grisha…

As a fantasy lover musing about this incredible world, I‘d be thrilled to have Etherealki powers. Controlling elements seems very versatile and useful in a fight.

I think summoning fire would be incredibly cool – heat and flames could be great for offense but also generating electricity or light. And the blue inferni flames Nina uses are just badass!

Visibility would also make Tidemakers fun, sweeping away foes with massive waves. Or using wind to fly around and evade enemies. So many options to enjoy!

The Takeaway

Well friend, we covered a ton of ground on all things Grisha! The history of these powers is so rich, and the rare abilities are what make characters like Alina and the Darkling so engrossing. I hope this guide shed some light on what makes Sun Summoners like Alina so revered and unique. Let me know if you have any other Grishaverse topics you want to geek out over!