Gena Showalter (2016)
Genre
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
500 min
Key Themes
See below
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Imprisoned in an asylum, a defiant teen must choose between two warring afterlife realms and the alluring agents they send, all while navigating a first life that's merely a dress rehearsal for eternal war.
Tenley 'Ten' Lockwood has been confined to Prynne Asylum for thirteen months, considered insane for refusing to choose an Everlife realm. In this world, 'Firstlife' is merely preparation for 'Everlife,' where souls go after death. Two rival realms, Troika and Myriad, compete for souls, and every human must choose one before they die. Ten's parents, devoted Myriad followers, want her to pledge to Myriad, but Ten resists, believing she should have the freedom to choose her own destiny. The asylum staff, influenced by her parents, subject her to various tortures to break her will and force a decision, but Ten remains defiant, determined to make an informed choice.
While still at Prynne, Tenley is approached by two mysterious figures: Killian, a handsome and intense Laborer from Myriad, and Archer, a charming and strategic Laborer from Troika. Both men offer Ten glimpses into their respective Everlife realms, trying to sway her decision. Killian shows her Myriad's structured beauty and the promise of family, while Archer reveals Troika's chaotic freedom and its allure. They each try to convince her that their realm is the better choice, but Ten remains skeptical, sensing hidden dangers and agendas. She begins to develop feelings for both, adding a personal layer to her monumental decision.
Archer helps Tenley escape from Prynne Asylum, freeing her from her torturous confinement. Their escape is dangerous, as the asylum staff and Myriad operatives pursue them. Archer shows his fighting skills and strategic mind, protecting Ten. During their flight, Ten begins to see the true stakes of her decision and the dangerous reality of the Firstlife for those who haven't chosen a realm. She learns that not choosing makes her a target for both realms, as her soul is a valuable prize. Their journey takes them through various hidden locations, constantly evading capture.
Archer brings Tenley to a secret sanctuary where other Firstlifers, who have not yet chosen an Everlife realm, hide from both Troika and Myriad. Here, Ten meets others facing the same decision, and she learns more about the ongoing war between the two realms. She discovers that the Firstlife is a battleground where Laborers from both sides actively recruit and sometimes force souls. The sanctuary offers a temporary respite, but it is not entirely safe, as both realms constantly search for unpledged souls. Ten begins to understand the political complexities and the high personal cost of her choice.
Killian relentlessly tracks Tenley, attempting to bring her to Myriad. During their encounters, he reveals that his interest in her goes beyond mere recruitment. He hints at a shared past or a deep connection that predates their current interactions, suggesting a destiny intertwined with hers. Killian's methods are often more emotionally manipulative than Archer's, playing on Ten's desires for belonging and safety. He tries to convince her that Myriad offers the love and family she wants, while Troika represents chaos and danger. Ten is torn by his sincerity and the undeniable pull she feels towards him, even as she questions his motives.
As Tenley navigates the dangerous world, she discovers she has latent abilities, including enhanced senses and a unique connection to souls. These powers appear unpredictably, often in moments of extreme stress or danger. Archer, recognizing her potential, begins to train her, helping her understand and control her emerging gifts. Ten learns that her unique abilities might be a reason why both realms are so desperate to recruit her, making her an even more valuable and dangerous target. Her training is rigorous and painful, but it empowers her and gives her a sense of control in a world where she's constantly pulled in different directions.
Despite Archer's efforts, Tenley is eventually betrayed, leading to her capture by Myriad forces. The betrayal shows how far the Everlife war reaches and how difficult it is to trust anyone in the Firstlife. Ten is taken to a secure Myriad-controlled facility, where she faces renewed pressure to pledge her soul. Killian is present during her captivity, his conflicted emotions clear as he tries to both protect her and fulfill his duty to Myriad. Ten experiences firsthand Myriad's rigid structure and persuasive tactics, deepening her understanding of what pledging to them would mean.
During her captivity and subsequent escape attempts, Tenley uncovers disturbing truths about the Everlife. She learns that the realms are not as benevolent as they seem and that the souls of Firstlifers are not merely welcomed but are essential resources in an eternal war. She discovers that the process of 'claiming' souls is more complex and potentially sinister than she was led to believe. This revelation shakes her understanding of her world and strengthens her resolve to make a choice that truly aligns with her values, rather than being forced into one. The true nature of the Everlife war becomes clearer, showing a more cynical and utilitarian approach to human souls.
As Tenley gets closer to making her choice, she realizes the immense personal cost involved. She understands that choosing one realm means forever cutting ties with the other, and potentially with people she cares about. The conflict between her growing feelings for Archer and Killian intensifies, as her choice will directly impact their lives and loyalties. She grapples with the idea of losing family members who have already pledged to Myriad if she chooses Troika, or sacrificing her perceived freedom if she chooses Myriad. The weight of her decision becomes almost unbearable, as she understands its far-reaching, eternal consequences.
The narrative ends in a dramatic confrontation involving both Myriad and Troika forces, with Tenley caught in the middle. Faced with overwhelming pressure and immediate danger, Tenley is forced to make her choice. This decision is not just about her future, but about the balance of power between the realms and the fate of those she cares about. The choice is agonizing, but she makes it with conviction. The book ends on a significant cliffhanger, with Tenley's decision having immediate, profound, and perilous consequences, setting the stage for the next installment in her Everlife journey. Her choice is revealed, but its full implications are yet to unfold.
The Protagonist
Tenley transforms from a captive, passive object of desire into an active agent, discovering her powers and making a definitive choice that shapes her eternal destiny.
The Love Interest/Supporting
Archer evolves from a detached recruiter to a deeply invested protector and potential lover, challenging his own boundaries for Tenley's sake.
The Love Interest/Antagonist/Supporting
Killian's unwavering loyalty to Myriad is tested by his growing, inexplicable feelings for Tenley, leading to internal conflict and moral ambiguity.
The Supporting
Slick remains a steady, grounded figure, his primary arc being his continued survival and adaptation within the Firstlife sanctuary.
The Mentioned/Antagonist
Prynn serves as an initial antagonist, her role primarily defined by her oppressive control over Tenley in the asylum.
The Mentioned/Supporting
Their role remains largely static, serving as the initial catalyst for Tenley's imprisonment and her resistance to external control.
The central theme is Tenley's struggle to make her own choice regarding her Everlife, contrasting with the predetermined paths or external pressures placed upon her. This appears in her defiance at Prynne Asylum, where she endures torture rather than being coerced. Both Archer and Killian represent different aspects of this theme: Archer offers a path of freedom and self-determination (choice), while Killian appeals to a mysterious, perhaps fated, connection and the security of Myriad (destiny/pre-ordained path). Tenley's journey is about asserting her agency in a world that seeks to deny it, highlighting the importance of individual will.
““My life, my death, my choice.””
This theme explores the eternal human dilemma between the desire for freedom and the craving for safety and belonging. Troika, represented by Archer, offers a vision of freedom, individuality, and adventure, but with inherent risks and chaos. Myriad, championed by Killian, promises security, order, and eternal family unity, but at the cost of personal autonomy and strict adherence to rules. Tenley grapples with which value she prioritizes, recognizing that each choice comes with a significant trade-off. Her internal conflict between her attraction to both boys and their respective realms embodies this struggle.
““Some choices are harder than others. But the right ones are always worth the fight.””
Tenley's journey is one of self-discovery. Stripped of her past and confined, she must confront who she is and what she truly believes. Her refusal to choose is an act of asserting her identity. As she escapes and interacts with Archer and Killian, she learns about her latent powers and the true nature of her soul, which further defines her. The process of making her Everlife choice is not just about picking a realm, but about solidifying her core values and understanding her place in a vast, eternal conflict. Her identity is forged in the struggle.
““I wasn’t just a pawn in their game. I was the game.””
The novel challenges simple notions of good and evil by portraying both Troika and Myriad as realms with appealing qualities and hidden, darker aspects. Neither realm is purely good or evil. Myriad, while offering order and family, can be oppressive and manipulative. Troika, while promising freedom, can be chaotic and dangerous. Tenley's encounters reveal that both sides engage in morally ambiguous actions to win souls. This forces Tenley, and the reader, to question the inherent 'goodness' or 'badness' of each choice, suggesting that morality is often a matter of perspective and individual values rather than absolute truths.
““Every path has its shadows, Tenley. The trick is to find the one whose light you can live with.””
The central conflict driving the plot, where every Firstlifer must choose an eternal realm.
This is the primary inciting incident and ongoing conflict. The necessity for Tenley to choose between Troika and Myriad before her death in the Firstlife sets up the entire narrative. It creates immediate stakes, drives character motivations (especially for Archer and Killian), and provides the framework for world-building, revealing the nature of the Everlife and the war between the realms. Tenley's refusal to choose initially makes her a unique and valuable target, propelling the plot forward through various escape attempts, recruitments, and confrontations.
Tenley's emerging supernatural abilities, making her a prized asset for both realms.
Tenley's developing abilities, such as enhanced senses and a connection to souls, serve as a significant plot device. They explain why both Troika and Myriad are so desperate to recruit her, elevating her status beyond that of a typical Firstlifer. These powers provide moments of action and suspense, allowing Tenley to defend herself and escape dangerous situations. They also contribute to her self-discovery arc, as she learns to understand and control these gifts, giving her agency and the potential to influence the Everlife war.
Tenley's romantic dilemma between Archer (Troika) and Killian (Myriad), mirroring her Everlife choice.
The romantic tension between Tenley, Archer, and Killian is a powerful plot device that externalizes Tenley's internal conflict regarding her Everlife choice. Each boy embodies the ideals and appeals of their respective realms, making Tenley's emotional attachments directly tied to her monumental decision. This device adds a layer of emotional stakes, personalizes the abstract conflict between realms, and creates dramatic tension as Tenley is pulled in two directions, forcing her to consider what truly matters to her on a deeply personal level.
The initial setting, a dystopian institution used to coerce Firstlifers into making their Everlife choice.
The asylum serves as the oppressive starting point for Tenley's journey, immediately establishing the high stakes and the lack of freedom in her world. It highlights the coercive nature of the Everlife system and the lengths to which families and realms will go to secure a soul. The asylum is a symbol of confinement and control, making Tenley's escape a powerful act of defiance and the beginning of her quest for autonomy. It also showcases her resilience and determination under extreme duress.
“Every human is born with a soul, and that soul is divided into two parts. One part goes to the Everlife, the other to the Afterlife. When you die, your soul reunites in the realm you chose.”
— Explaining the fundamental premise of Firstlife and the two warring realms.
“Your Firstlife is a trial. A chance to prove your worth to either the Everlife or the Afterlife. Choose wisely, because your decision is eternal.”
— A general explanation of the purpose of a Firstlife.
“Some people are born with a heart that beats for only one realm, but most of us… we have to fight for what we believe in.”
— Tenley discussing the nature of allegiance and choice.
“Love isn't a weakness, it's a weapon. Use it wisely, or it will destroy you.”
— Xol discussing the power and danger of love.
“You can’t run from who you are, Tenley. Not forever. Sooner or later, you have to face yourself.”
— Archer confronting Tenley about her past and identity.
“Hope is a dangerous thing. It can keep you alive, but it can also tear you apart.”
— Reflecting on the nature of hope in a dire situation.
“There are no easy choices, only necessary ones.”
— Tenley grappling with a difficult decision.
“Sometimes the greatest strength is knowing when to ask for help.”
— A moment of vulnerability and realization for a character.
“Fear can be a motivator, but courage is what truly moves mountains.”
— A character overcoming their fear to act.
“Every lie you tell chips away at your soul, leaving you hollow.”
— A warning about the impact of dishonesty.
“Your heart knows the truth, even when your mind tries to deny it.”
— Characters struggling with their true feelings and allegiances.
“To truly live, you must first be willing to die for something.”
— Emphasizing the importance of having a cause or belief worth fighting for.
“The greatest battles are often fought within ourselves.”
— A character's internal struggle with their choices and identity.
“Even in the darkest of times, a single spark of defiance can ignite a revolution.”
— Inspiring hope and resistance against oppression.
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