The Orphan's Tales/YMMV


 * Complete Monster: Omir the Wizard, Leander's father.
 * Fridge Brilliance: The four books evolve around a set of harmonious themes: "Steppe" is about birth and metamorphosis; "Sea" is about travel and finding your passion in life; "Storm" is about death and sacrifice; and "Scald" is about healing and life-in-death.
 * Not to mention, the entire revelation of the girl's identity.
 * Nightmare Fuel: Gholod at the end of the tale of Maciej and Malgorzata: "I saw him, and I hungered." Spine chills, right there. And, just a couple pages later: "I wonder what you will look like when you have passed through me?"
 * All of Marrow, basically. Especially the Mint.
 * Jerkass Woobie: Ragnhild, Dinarzad and the Ash Queen.
 * Woobie: The Manikarnika, Itto, Hind, Zmeya, girl herself and many more.