Aliviana “Liv” Danavis is the daughter of General Danavis and his first wife, and is one of the principal point-of-view characters of the Lightbringer series. She was raised in Rekton and considers herself Tyrean. She is a yellow and superviolet bichrome.
Liv has wavy hair, large brown eyes, and smooth, clear, kopi-and-cream-coloured skin.
Due to her Tyrean origin she was viewed with distrust at the Chromeria, not allowing her to obtain good sponsorship and thus limiting her prospects. She is forced to serve the wicked Aglaia Crassos, as her handler and the representative of her sponsor, which further contributes to jading Liv's perspective.
In subsequent events she finds herself accepting influence from the Colored King, who flatters her with access, and shows interest in her opinions that she'd rarely received. Yet in this company she starts adopting thinking that the ends justify the means, that might makes right, becoming less empathetic over time. Yet there's a core of sense in her, and with projections at the core of her defection, her eventual fate (altruism, or selfishness) remains a mystery for a long time.
She has a cousin named Erethanna, who serves as a green drafter in service to Count Nassos in western Ruthgar. Erethanna is engaged to a blacksmith, and by all accounts, they are very happy together.
Drafting[]
Liv is a Superviolet and Yellow bichrome
Superviolet[]
Liv is a very talented Superviolet drafter, doing more powerful and complex work with Superviolet than any other character in the series. Liv uses Superviolet for basic communication with other Superviolet drafters, including flares and hidden messages in the Superviolet spectrum. Liv demonstrated her ability to create a Superviolet bubble that can muffle sound from the outside during a meeting with Aglaia Crassos. Like most Superviolet drafters Liv had a strong mastery of the secret machinery and mechanisms hidden around the Chromeria and other ancient structures. Superviolet drafters could use Superviolet to activate or control these mechanisms to open doors, activate traps, or otherwise change their environment.
After ascending to become the new Ferrilux Liv demonstrated fantastic abilities with Superviolet Luxin, including the activation, control, and flight of the Superviolet Bane during the events of the Battle for the Chromeria.
Yellow[]
While originally introduced as a Superviolet monochrome, Liv is able to prove her ability to draft Yellow to The Prism and the Chromeria by drafting Yellow luxin in front of Gavin Guile. This gained Liv a significant raise in both influence and income at the Chromeria. Liv has demonstrated her ability to draft Yellow on only a few occasions, mostly drafting the unstable liquid Yellow for use as a makeshift flashlight, or for use in flashbang grenados. Liv mostly stops drafting Yellow after she is selected to become Ferrilux, though she will occasionally draft Yellow to balance out her thoughts and bring clarity to her mind.
Liv confirms to Kip in The Black Prism that she is a Superchromat, but has not demonstrated the ability to draft a Perfect Yellow luxin. Liv tells Kip that even for a Superchromat drafting a Perfect Yellow Luxin is very difficult.
Key Life Events[]
The Black Prism[]
- Aliviana "Liv" Danavis, a Superviolet drafter, is introduced as the daughter of Corvan Danavis, a former general of Dazen Guile during the Prism's War. She was once close to Kip in Rekton, as their fathers were friends.
- At the beginning of the book, she is a student at the Chromeria where she's studying drafting and its underlying principles. She's generally well-liked and considered to be quite talented, but she also has a reputation for being somewhat outspoken and forthright.
- Liv's relationship with Gavin (who is actually Dazen impersonating his brother) is complex due to her father's past allegiance to the Dazen Guile. She greatly admired Gavin growing up, and is initially starstruck when she gets to meet him in person at the Chromeria.
- When Gavin visits Tyrea to put down a color rebellion, Liv joins him on Gavin's command to mentor Kip in Chromaturgy. Here, she encounters her father who she thought was dead.
- Liv accompanies Kip when he tries to sneak away from Garriston to rescue Karris from King Garadul's army. Shortly before arriving at the enemy camp Liv and Kip separate to search for Karris.
- At the end of the book, her disillusionment with the Chromeria, her disillusionment with the Prism (who she realizes is Dazen, not Gavin), and her sympathies for the rebellion (which her father is leading) lead her to make a significant decision. She decides to leave the Chromeria and side with the rebellious faction, setting up her trajectory for the rest of the series.
The Blinding Knife[]
- At the start of "The Blinding Knife", Liv has already left the Chromeria and joined the Color Prince, the leader of the rebellion against the Chromeria. Her decision is majorly influenced by her disillusionment of the Chromeria and it's teachings.
- Over the course of the book, Liv becomes a critical ally to the Color Prince, using her drafting abilities to support his cause. This role grants her some degree of respect and influence within the rebellion.
- During her time with the rebellion, she becomes more entrenched in the Color Prince's philosophy and increasingly disconnected from her past life at the Chromeria.
- She also discovers more about the so-called "truths" the Color Prince shares about the Chromeria, Orholam (the god of this universe), and the Prisms. This information further fuels her belief in the rebellion's cause and her resentment towards the Chromeria.
- Throughout the book, Liv interacts with several key characters in the rebellion, furthering their plotlines while developing her own character and beliefs. Her relationship with her father, Corvan, is notably strained due to their opposing allegiances.
- By the end of the book, Liv has fully embraced her role in the rebellion and seems committed to the Color Prince's cause, marking a significant departure from the beliefs and loyalties she held at the start of the series.
The Broken Eye[]
- At the beginning of "The Broken Eye", Liv continues to serve as a trusted ally to the Color Prince, using her knowledge of drafting and the workings of the Chromeria to support the rebellion's cause.
- Liv is increasingly seen as a vital asset within the rebellion due to her expertise with superviolet luxin, particularly in relation to the superviolet bane.
- She becomes more involved with the political machinations of the rebellion, gaining more insight into the Color Prince's plans and strategies.
- Despite her dedication to the rebellion, Liv grapples with feelings of guilt and doubt about her actions, particularly concerning the people she left behind at the Chromeria.
- Over the course of the book, Liv develops a complicated relationship with the Color Prince himself. On one hand, she respects his cause and sees the potential for change he represents. On the other, she becomes increasingly wary of his methods and the lengths he is willing to go to in order to secure victory.
- Liv's strained relationship with her father, Corvan, becomes even more fraught in this installment. Their opposing loyalties continue to drive a wedge between them, further isolating Liv within the rebellion.
- By the end of "The Broken Eye", Liv has firmly established herself within the rebellion's ranks, though the consequences of her actions and the harsh realities of the war have taken a toll on her. She remains committed to the Color Prince's cause but begins to question the cost of their victory.
The Blood Mirror[]
- At the start of "The Blood Mirror", Liv continues her alliance with the Color Prince, now known as the White King, playing a crucial role in his ongoing rebellion against the Chromeria.
- She is further entrusted with studying the superviolet bane. Her understanding of this bane's significance, and her abilities with superviolet luxin, place her in a pivotal position within the rebellion.
- As the war intensifies, Liv's loyalty to the White King's cause is tested. She finds herself wrestling with the reality of their actions and the heavy toll they take.
- Over the course of the book, she becomes increasingly conflicted about her role within the rebellion. On the one hand, she is vital to their cause; on the other, she is beginning to question the morality of their actions.
- By the end of "The Blood Mirror", Liv is at a crossroads. While she still believes in the necessity of challenging the Chromeria's authority, she is starting to question whether the White King's methods are justifiable.
- Her strained relationship with her father, Corvan, remains a key subplot in this installment. Even though they're on opposing sides, their shared past and familial bond make their conflict deeply personal.
- The end of the book leaves Liv's future uncertain, setting the stage for the final installment of the series.