‘We have to die for them to find us noble. We have to die to get their pity,’ said Victoire. 'The Reason You Suck' Speech: His argument with Lovell at the end of Book III.Tragic Bromance: Ramy, his first real friend dies just before they were able to take control of the tower.

Took a Level in Cynic: When Robin and his group return to Britain after murdering Professor Lovell, Robin accepts that violence is a necessary part of revolution.He immediately regrets it and begs him to wake up. My God, What Have I Done?: Consumed by rage after a heated argument and his realization that he was nothing but an asset, Robin uses a silver bar designed to blow a hole in the chest of it’s victim on his father.

Missing Mom Robin’s mother died from cholera when he was 10.

Meaningful Rename: Downplayed, changes his name to “Robin Swift” to better fit into British society.

Heroic Bastard: Professor Lovell was his father.

Despair Event Horizon: After all the trauma he endures, Robin finally crosses it after Ramy’s death.

Robin retorts and points out how he and the British are ruining a country full of innocent people, and breaches the subject of his mother and the abuse Lovell put him through.

Than after the disastrous Canton trip, Lovell confronts him about his discussion with Commissioner Lin.

He repeats Griffin’s points about how unjust the silver-trade system is, only to be shut down.

Once during his first dinner with Lovell after enrolling at Oxford.

Calling the Old Man Out: Two notable times.

Broken Pedestal: During his first few days at Oxford, Robin is enamored by the life of a Babbler, the idea of becoming a translator and being accepted as an English citizen, but after talking to Griffin, he learns how fundamentally flawed the British empire is.

But Not Too Foreign: Robin was born in China and lived there until he was 10, but can pass as white under certain lighting, doesn’t use his original name, and only speaks Chinese in an academic context or when activating a silver bar.

Blinded by Rage: Two times, one after an argument with Lovell, and the next after Letty murders Ramy in cold blood.

He liked listening to her speak every sentence felt like she was pulling laughter out from inside him. Robin had the absurd impulse to place his hand against Ramy’s cheek indeed, he’d half lifted up his arm before his mind caught up with his body./ She had, Robin noticed, enormous and very pretty doe-like eyes.

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