In Shadow and Bone Season 2 we delve deeper into a fan-favorite character's abilities and secrets. So, is Jesper a Grisha in Shadow and Bone?
Is Jesper A Grisha in Shadow and Bone? Jesper's Abilities Explained
In the first episode of Shadow and Bone Season 2, Jesper and Kaz find themselves captured. Kaz expects Jesper to free himself from his shackles, revealing that he knows Jesper has Grisha powers which allow him to do so.
Specifically, Jesper's Grisha type is known as Durast, one of two subtypes from the Materialki order.
The Materialki are alternatively known as "Fabricators" because of their ability to manipulate materials such as metal, glass, and chemicals.
Durasts, in particular, manipulate solid items, while Alkemi work with potions and blasting powders.
Other known Durasts in the series include David Kostyk (Luke Pasqualino) and even the legendary Ilya Morozova who haunts the narrative with his legacy.
Jesper being a Grisha actually makes a lot of sense if you think about it. He's often been seen beating impossible odds but creating just the right little metal item to escape dangerous situations.
In the Six of Crows duology of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse characters who find out theorize that Jesper is so uncannily good at shooting because of this power, especially since his mother -- also a Fabricator -- was the one who taught him how to shoot.
In Shadow and Bone Season 2 this theory gets addressed earlier on and it is pretty much confirmed.
Why Is Jesper Hiding His Powers?
Jesper keeps his Grisha power a secret since childhood because his father advised him to do so.
While this has not been elaborated upon very much, it is strongly implied that Jesper's father is afraid of the persecution that could await his son if people knew he was a Grisha.
However, given that Jesper's mother was from Novyi Zem, where Grisha powers are considered a blessing, the case is likely a bit more complicated.
Jesper's mother died when he was a child, using her powers to save a young girl from poison.
In Crooked Kingdom, Jesper's father shows up and he's shown to be loving and worried about his son. This suggests he likely wanted to protect him from something akin to his mother's fate rather than stifling his abilities for no good reason.
Does Jesper's Secret Have Any Consequences?
Grisha who don't use their powers at all often end up becoming frail and sickly. This was the case with Alina before she began using her Sun Summoner abilities.
Unlike other Grisha, Jesper doesn't suffer physical health consequences.
However, it's implied that his largely unused power did turn inward over time, manifesting in the form of an energy reserve that makes him restless and partly explains his impulsiveness, thrill-seeking, and gambling tendencies.
By Rule of Wolves, the last Grishaverse book so far, Jesper's choice to not officially train is sometimes the subject of bickering between him and Wylan.
It will be interesting to see how this will be further explored in a potential Shadow and Bone Season 3.
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