Zalski Forzythe (ZAL-ski FOR-zaith, ) is definitely my favorite villain–and one of my favorite characters overall–in my entire series.

He’s one of those characters who absorbs all the focus in every scene he’s in. Every editing pass I made through The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope, I could feel the anticipation when I knew I was reaching one of his scenes.

Zalski is intelligent, witty, and strong-willed. He can be subtle and patient (like a stalking cat is patient). He’s a master at manipulation tactics. As a sorcerer with an army at his back, he’s also incredibly powerful. Zalski comes from the noble class–his father was the Duke of Lanceton, chief adviser to the king.

Before the story starts, Zalski killed the royal family and took over the kingdom of Herezoth. He’s evil, for sure, but there’s still much nobility of spirit in him–a lot of virtue, which is the only thing that can make a villain truly interesting (as I discuss here).

What fascinates me most about Zalski are the pieces of me I see in him.

• He’s conscientious, with a true word of honor
• He can be a bit pedantic or superior
• When he messes us strategically, it’s generally from a desire to maintain a sense of comfort in a status quo and a sense of control

I love that his grasp on the societal situation is COMPLETELY accurate, and that when he talks to people who think differently than he does, his points are true and valid. Technically, he’s not at all wrong in much of what he says.

ZALSKI AND MALZIN

One of my favorite things about Zalski is his relationship with his wife, Malzin (MAL-zinn)

They have a genuinely fruitful, supportive, good relationship–a la Ahab and Jezebel, it’s true. But they are genuinely loving and selfless regarding each other, and I love that about them. The good in Zalski most strongly manifests here.

And that’s a wrap!

I wrote about Zalski because he won the poll on my Facebook page for who should be the focus of this character spotlight. Make sure you follow my Facebook page here, and SNAG YOUR KINDLE COPY of my book now while it’s only 99 cents!