Shadow and Bone

by

Leigh Bardugo

Oprichniki are a class of non-Grisha people who are nevertheless highly trained and act as guards for the Darkling.

Oprichniki Quotes in Shadow and Bone

The Shadow and Bone quotes below are all either spoken by Oprichniki or refer to Oprichniki. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

The kefta was far too large. It felt soft and unfamiliar, the fur lining warm against my skin. I chewed my lip. It didn’t seem fair that oprichniki and Grisha wore corecloth while ordinary soldiers went without. Did our officers wear it, too?

Related Characters: Alina Starkov (speaker), Ivan
Related Symbols: Alina’s Kefta
Page Number: 59
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Shadow and Bone LitChart as a printable PDF.
Shadow and Bone PDF

Oprichniki Term Timeline in Shadow and Bone

The timeline below shows where the term Oprichniki appears in Shadow and Bone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
...an odd look, the soldiers march Alina to the Grisha tent, where Corporalki Heartrenders and oprichniki, elite soldiers who serve the Darkling, are guarding the entrance. Alina waits outside as the... (full context)
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
The Darkling catches Alina as she stumbles and then hands her to an oprichnik. He calls for Ivan, a tall Heartrender, and tells him to escort Alina to the... (full context)
Chapter 4
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...she’ll be safe. Ivan shoves Alina into the coach. A Healer, a Corporalnik, and two oprichniki guards enter as well, and then the coach starts to move. The Healer cleans and... (full context)
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
...gone, Ivan explains that the kefta is made with Materialki corecloth and is bulletproof. An oprichniki explains that they all wear these kefta when they’re in the field. Alina thinks it... (full context)
Chapter 16
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
...grabs Alina. Alina flashes her mirrors in his eyes and then trips him—just as an oprichnik comes out of the inn and recognizes Alina. (full context)
Chapter 19
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Greed vs. Mercy Theme Icon
Out of nowhere, an arrow pierces the stag’s chest. The other deer flee as oprichniki and Grisha appear out of the trees—along with the Darkling. Mal tries to shoot the... (full context)
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Greed vs. Mercy Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...and Mal in the darkness. The Darkling promptly slits the stag’s throat and tells an oprichnik to cut off the stag’s antlers. David appears, unwilling to meet Alina’s eyes—of course, the... (full context)
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Greed vs. Mercy Theme Icon
...Alina feel powerless and like she’s drowning. Finally, the Darkling releases Alina and tells the oprichniki to put Mal in chains. They’ll leave for the Fold in the morning, where they’ll... (full context)
Chapter 20
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Greed vs. Mercy Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...is hers. When Alina wakes, a Heartrender marches her to the Darkling and the horses. Oprichniki bring Mal a minute later. Ivan suggests they drag Mal, but the Darkling says ominously... (full context)