Whittling Lessons and Loss

Sage, a young woman with a hidden power, grows up in a world where those with magical Curses are hunted and executed. Her closest friends are Kaleb, her brother, and Adelina, a fellow Cursed. Sage's mentor, Ezra, teaches her resilience and self-discipline through simple acts like whittling, but the lesson is cut short when Adelina is discovered using her Earth Curse and is burned at the pyre. Sage's first taste of loss and injustice sets the tone for her life, forging her into someone who will not bow to oppression.

Cursed and Condemned

Sage's world is defined by fear and secrecy. The Cursed live under constant threat from the king's soldiers and the religious zealotry of Edenvale. Sage's refusal to hide her true self, and her inability to save Adelina, haunt her. The trauma of loss and the iron collar that suppresses her powers become symbols of her captivity. The king's laws are absolute, and Sage's family is torn apart, setting her on a path of vengeance and rebellion.

Death's Bargain

Sage's journey intertwines with Von, the God of Death, who is both her enemy and her fated mate. Von is bound by a tattooed bargain to sacrifice himself for Sage's life, leaving him in a comatose state. Sage, desperate to save him, learns that breaking such a deal requires the mythical Blade of Moram. The theme of sacrifice—of self, love, and power—emerges as central, as Sage weighs her own happiness against the lives of others.

The Golden Prince's Game

Imprisoned in the castle, Sage meets Aurelius, the Golden Prince, who is revealed to be the reincarnated God of Life. Their connection is immediate and magnetic, but fraught with manipulation and secrets. Aurelius is both charming and dangerous, his intentions unclear. Sage is drawn into his orbit, torn between the intoxicating pull of their shared divinity and her loyalty to Von. The prince's court is a web of intrigue, and Sage must navigate it to survive.

Chains, Collars, and Castles

Sage's time in the castle is marked by both luxury and imprisonment. She is dressed, trained, and paraded as a potential consort, but the iron collar around her neck is a constant reminder of her lack of agency. Through encounters with servants, guards, and the prince, Sage begins to reclaim her sense of self. The castle's hidden passages and political machinations mirror her internal struggle to break free from the roles others have forced upon her.

The King's Cruelty

The king's reign is defined by violence and the systematic extermination of the Cursed. Sage witnesses firsthand the horrors of the Well, a dungeon where the Cursed are tortured and harvested for their magical essence. The king's court is a den of vipers, and even those who appear kind are complicit in the regime's brutality. Sage's resolve to kill the king hardens, and she begins to plot his assassination, gathering allies among the oppressed.

Lovers, Lies, and Betrayal

Sage's relationships with Von and Aurelius become increasingly complex. Von, though absent, haunts her dreams and memories, while Aurelius seduces her with promises of power and belonging. Both men are revealed to be gods with their own agendas, and Sage is caught between their rivalries. Betrayals—both personal and political—abound, and Sage must decide whom to trust as the lines between love and manipulation blur.

The Goddess Awakens

As Sage's memories of her past life as the Goddess of Life return, she begins to understand the true extent of her power and the depth of her connection to both Von and Aurelius. The revelation that her heart—literally and metaphorically—was given to her by Aurelius complicates her feelings and her fate. Sage's awakening is both painful and liberating, as she realizes she must forge her own destiny, not simply play the roles others have written for her.

The Well of Despair

Thrown into the Well, Sage finds herself among hundreds of Cursed prisoners, stripped of hope and dignity. The Well is a microcosm of the kingdom's cruelty, but also a crucible for resistance. Sage rallies the prisoners, using her leadership and cunning to orchestrate a mass escape. The experience cements her role as a symbol of hope and rebellion, and she emerges from the Well determined to save not just herself, but all the Cursed.

Escape and Exodus

Sage leads the prisoners through hidden passages and across treacherous terrain, pursued by the king's forces. The journey is grueling, and many are lost to hunger, cold, and violence. Along the way, Sage's compassion and determination inspire loyalty, and she is reunited with old friends and allies. The escape is both a literal and symbolic breaking of chains, but freedom comes at a steep price.

The Army of Demi Gods

Aurelius, now king, reveals his plan to exterminate the Cursed using an army of artificially created Demi Gods—beings born from the forced breeding and sacrifice of mortal women. The true extent of his monstrosity is laid bare, and Sage is horrified to discover that even those she once trusted are complicit. The Cursed must now face an enemy that is both divine and inhuman, and the stakes of the conflict are raised to apocalyptic levels.

The Blade of Moram

To save Von and break the cycle of violence, Sage must retrieve the Blade of Moram from Saphira, the vengeful Goddess of War. The quest is fraught with danger and moral compromise, as Sage is forced to trade away Von's feathers—symbols of their bond—for the blade. The journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about acquiring a weapon, and Sage must confront the consequences of her choices.

War on the Cursed Lands

The Cursed Lands become a battlefield as Aurelius's army sweeps across the continent, burning villages and slaughtering innocents. Sage, now fully awakened as the Goddess of Life, leads the resistance, wielding both her magic and her leadership to protect her people. The battles are brutal and costly, and the lines between friend and foe blur as desperation mounts. The war is not just for territory, but for the soul of the world.

The Sun and Moon Collide

The final battle pits Sage against Aurelius, sun against moon, life against life. Their powers clash in a cataclysmic duel that threatens to destroy everything. The Blade of Moram becomes the instrument of both salvation and destruction, as Sage realizes that the only way to end the cycle is through sacrifice. The confrontation is both epic and intimate, as centuries of love, hate, and longing come to a head.

Sacrifice and Salvation

Sage sacrifices herself, plunging the Blade of Moram into her own heart—and Aurelius's—breaking the bonds that have held them both captive. Her death is both an ending and a beginning, as it frees Von from his bargain and ends Aurelius's reign of terror. The act of self-sacrifice is the ultimate assertion of agency, and Sage's legacy becomes a beacon of hope for the Cursed and all who yearn for freedom.

The Ender of Realms

Von, devastated by Sage's death, unleashes his full power as the Ender of Realms, threatening to destroy the world if the Three Spinners—the goddesses of Fate, Destiny, and Free Will—do not restore her. The gods are forced to confront the consequences of their own machinations, and the true nature of love, sacrifice, and free will is laid bare. The cycle of life and death is revealed to be both a curse and a gift.

Freedom's Price

Sage is restored, but at great cost. The world is forever changed by the events of the war, and the survivors must reckon with the trauma and loss they have endured. Sage, Von, and their allies begin the work of rebuilding, forging a new society based on compassion, justice, and true freedom. The lessons of the past are not forgotten, but serve as the foundation for a better future.

Between Life and Death

The story ends with Sage and Von—sun and moon, life and death—standing together, not as pawns of fate, but as partners who have chosen each other. The cycle of oppression is broken, and the world is left with the hope that, between sun and moon, between life and death, there is always the possibility of something new. The power of choice, love, and self-determination is affirmed as the true legacy of their journey.

Characters

Sage (Aurelia, Lady Light)

Sage is the protagonist, a young woman born Cursed in a world that hunts her kind. She is the reincarnation of the Goddess of Life, but spends much of her life unaware of her true nature. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she moves from victim to leader, from pawn to player. Sage's relationships—with her brother Kaleb, her mentor Ezra, her friends, and her lovers Von and Aurelius—are central to her development. She is defined by her compassion, her refusal to bow to tyranny, and her willingness to sacrifice herself for others. Psychologically, Sage is marked by trauma, loss, and the struggle to reconcile her mortal and divine selves. Her arc is one of reclaiming agency and forging her own destiny.

Von (God of Death)

Von is the God of Death, Sage's fated mate, and the story's most complex antihero. He is both a source of danger and salvation, bound by ancient bargains and haunted by past mistakes—most notably, cursing Sage to barrenness in a previous life. Von's love for Sage is obsessive, protective, and at times destructive, but ultimately redemptive. He is willing to sacrifice everything, even the world itself, to save her. Von's psychological landscape is shaped by loneliness, guilt, and the burden of immortality. His development is a journey from villainy to vulnerability, as he learns the true meaning of love and choice.

Aurelius (God of Life, Golden Prince)

Aurelius is the God of Life, Sage's former husband, and the primary antagonist. He is charming, seductive, and initially appears as a potential savior, but is revealed to be manipulative, cruel, and obsessed with control. His love for Sage is possessive and conditional, rooted in the fact that her heart was literally made from his. Aurelius's psychological profile is that of a narcissist, unable to accept rejection or the autonomy of others. His descent into monstrosity—creating an army of Demi Gods through rape and murder—serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and entitlement.

Kaleb

Kaleb is Sage's brother and her anchor throughout her journey. After his death, he becomes a reaper in the Spirit Realm, continuing to watch over Sage and aid her from beyond. Kaleb's love for his sister is unwavering, and his own arc is one of acceptance and growth as he finds new purpose in the afterlife. He represents the enduring power of family and the importance of support systems in the face of adversity.

Ezra (Goddess of Free Will, Mentor)

Ezra is Sage's mentor, a mysterious immortal who guides her through hardship and self-discovery. She is revealed to be the Goddess of Free Will, embodying the power of choice and the importance of forging one's own path. Ezra's teachings—both practical and philosophical—are instrumental in Sage's development. She is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and the quiet strength that comes from knowing oneself.

Harper

Harper is Sage's best friend and a fellow Cursed. She is a survivor, a fighter, and a source of both comic relief and emotional grounding. Harper's journey mirrors Sage's in many ways, as she grapples with loss, trauma, and the search for belonging. Her relationship with her twin brother Ryker is central to her character, and her loyalty to Sage is unwavering.

Ryker

Ryker is Harper's twin and a key ally in Sage's rebellion. He is a warrior, both physically and emotionally, and serves as a bridge between the Cursed and the divine. Ryker's own romantic and familial struggles add depth to his character, and his unwavering support for Sage is a testament to the power of chosen family.

Saphira (Goddess of War)

Saphira is Von's sister and the Goddess of War. She is driven by a sense of betrayal and loss, having had her wings torn from her by Von. Saphira's actions are motivated by a desire for vengeance and a refusal to forgive, but she is also a tragic figure, shaped by the violence and cruelty of the gods. Her interactions with Sage and Folkoln reveal the complexities of divine family dynamics and the corrosive effects of power.

Folkoln (God of Chaos)

Folkoln is Von's brother and the God of Chaos. He is a trickster, a disruptor, and a source of both danger and aid. Folkoln's motivations are often inscrutable, but he ultimately sides with Sage and Von, helping to break the bargain and retrieve the Blade of Moram. His chaotic nature masks a deep understanding of the world's underlying patterns and the necessity of change.

Arkyn (God of Truth, King's Advisor)

Arkyn is the king's advisor, a Demi God with the power to detect lies. He is torn between loyalty to his father, Aurelius, and his own moral compass. Arkyn's journey is one of redemption, as he ultimately aids Sage in her escape and stands against the atrocities committed by Aurelius. He represents the struggle to do what is right in a world where truth is often punished.

Plot Devices

Reincarnation and Lost Memories

The narrative is structured around Sage's gradual recovery of her past life as the Goddess of Life. Her lost memories serve as both a mystery and a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. The device allows for the exploration of fate versus free will, as Sage must decide whether to repeat the mistakes of her past or forge a new path. The slow unveiling of her true identity is mirrored by the gradual awakening of her powers and agency.

Tattooed Bargains and Magical Contracts

Tattooed bargains—magical contracts inked into the skin—are central to the plot. They represent the inescapable consequences of choices made, both by mortals and gods. Von's bargain to sacrifice himself for Sage, and the quest to break it, drive much of the action. The device is used to explore themes of agency, consent, and the price of love.

Duality and Mirrored Relationships

The story is built on a series of dualities: Sage and Von, Sage and Aurelius, mortal and divine, freedom and captivity. These mirrored relationships are used to explore the complexities of love, power, and identity. The sun and moon motif recurs throughout, symbolizing the tension between opposing forces and the possibility of harmony.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Prophecies, dreams, and the words of the Three Spinners (Fate, Destiny, Free Will) are woven throughout the narrative, creating a sense of inevitability while also highlighting the importance of choice. Foreshadowing is used to build tension and to suggest that, while fate may set the stage, it is the characters' decisions that determine the outcome.

The Well and the Escape

The Well serves as both a literal and symbolic prison, representing the lowest point of despair for the Cursed. The mass escape, orchestrated by Sage, is a turning point in the narrative, demonstrating the power of solidarity and the possibility of liberation even in the darkest circumstances. The device is used to explore themes of resistance, leadership, and the cost of freedom.

The Blade of Moram

The Blade of Moram is the key to breaking the cycle of violence and sacrifice. Its retrieval requires Sage to make difficult bargains and to confront the consequences of her choices. The blade is both a tool of destruction and a symbol of agency, representing the power to end old cycles and begin anew.

Analysis

Between Sun and Moon is a sweeping dark romantasy that interrogates the nature of power, agency, and the cycles of oppression and liberation. Through Sage's journey from hunted Cursed girl to awakened goddess, the novel explores the costs of love, the trauma of betrayal, and the redemptive power of self-determination. The story's central relationships—between Sage, Von, and Aurelius—serve as allegories for the struggle between freedom and control, compassion and cruelty, life and death. The use of reincarnation, magical bargains, and mythic quests allows the narrative to grapple with questions of fate and free will, ultimately affirming that true freedom comes not from the absence of constraints, but from the courage to choose one's own path. The novel's unflinching portrayal of trauma, resilience, and the messy, painful process of healing makes it both a thrilling fantasy and a deeply human story about the price—and the promise—of hope.

Last updated: May 19, 2025