I just realized Seer Rowan greets Spite as Determination and Isabela introduces him like that in the hall of valor
And there are several points throughout the game where Varric and Solas and others point out Rook’s determination and how they don’t know when to quit. Determination is Rooks defining characteristic and maybe that’s the biggest reason why Spite like’s them so much, because he can see what he used to be mirrored within them
When it comes to spirits in the da series, I have to remind myself that it's not opposites. Whenever you see spirits twisted from their original purpose, it's not a 180°. Like with Justice. He became Vengeance, which is a theme that often walks hand in hand with justice. Or look to DAI when you rescue solas' friend. It's a wisdom spirit that was turned to pride. It's an easy transition. It goes from, heed my advice, to I'm smarter than you.
This is shown further with spite. Determination is huge with spite. Now days, you see it often, when people run out of motivation to carry on, often they will push forward just to spite something.
It's a theme I also plan on doing something with in my fics. It's so interesting. Watching the steady transformation one step at a time.