The War of Two Queens

“And, only then, for the first time in twenty-three days, did I feel nothing at all.”

Throughout the chapter, Poppy attempts to act justly, even when faced with the horrific acts committed by her enemies. However, this moment shows the toll the war and Casteel’s imprisonment has on her: The continuous cycle of violence is beginning to strip away her humanity, pushing her closer to becoming the thing she’s trying not to become. Such moments speak to the struggles Poppy must face while wrestling with Freedom and Justice Versus Tyranny.

“Because if I had controlled myself, if I hadn’t lashed out… There were so many ifs. So many ways I could’ve handled things differently. But I hadn’t, and that was one of the reasons he wasn’t here.”

Throughout the story, Poppy’s powers are both a blessing and a curse. Much of her arc is tied to her ongoing battle in managing her emotions and the devastation that follows if she fails. This struggle is tied to the theme of The Conflict Between Fate and Free Will. If she fails, her role as the Harbinger will be confirmed and, as a result, her mother will be correct about her.

“Her blood was pure power—the kind I instinctively knew I needed to be careful with. Because the taste of her, the way it made me feel, it could become the kind of addiction I would drown in.”

When writing the relationship between Poppy and Casteel, Jennifer L. Armentrout leans on many common fantasy and paranormal romance tropes. Desire is a raw and often dangerous force, and power, love, and control are intertwined in their relationship. For example, Casteel’s comparison of Poppy’s blood to addiction is reminiscent of statements made by Edward Cullen regarding Bella Swan’s in Twilight (2005). It also introduces blood as an important motif in the novel.

“The weapon wouldn’t do much when it came to the Revs or even Isbeth. A false god was a god for all intents and purposes, but it could do some damage. Bloody damage.”

This quote shows off Casteel’s strategic mindset. Even in his weakened state, he constantly thinks about how to exploit his circumstances. While the “wouldn’t do much” against Isbeth or Callum, it will draw the blood he needs to survive. If they won’t feed him, he’ll feed himself.

“Whether I was a Maiden or Queen, a mortal or a god, I would never allow myself to become someone who would not take the very same risks I asked of others.”

This statement summarizes the core of Poppy’s character and the principles that shape her actions. Despite the power she now holds as a god and Queen of Atlantia, she remains grounded in her humanity. Her need to lead by example, and throw herself into the same dangers that her soldiers face, sets her apart from the Ascended, who are depicted as detached and self-serving. This contrast in leadership style speaks to the theme of freedom and justice versus tyranny in the novel.

“This was really happening. For some reason, it hadn’t struck me until now—that this felt different than Massene. This was actual war. All the planning and waiting, and now it felt surreal.”

While Poppy is committed to the cause of freeing her people and those trapped under the rule of the Blood Crown, the reality of leading an army into actual war is sobering. It’s not just about strategy or leadership anymore; it’s about the real consequences of death, suffering, and the toll it will take on her and those who follow her.

“I wasn’t their Queen. I wasn’t an answer to their prayers because those prayers should’ve been answered a long time before me.”

Poppy recognizes that the people she is trying to help see her as their savior, but she feels unworthy of this title. She is painfully aware that her arrival is too late for many and that the system that oppressed them was in place long before she came into power. It also emphasizes Poppy’s internal conflict. While she is making decisions and taking actions that will shape the future of her people, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the knowledge that, despite her best efforts, she cannot make up for the failures of those who came before her.

“‘Stop her from what?’ ‘From doing something she’d regret,’ Reaver said […] ‘Both of her sons were taken from her. Neither may be dead, but neither are really alive, are they?’”

This exchange between Poppy and Reaver regarding the Consort, Seraphena, supports the book’s depiction of the dangerous potential of unchecked grief, invoking the balance of love and power. It is a reminder of how easily the line between righteous anger and destructive rage is, and how necessary it is to keep it in check. Both Poppy and Seraphena have too much literal and figurative power to act purely on their emotions, even when the cause of their anger is understandable.

“We are not conquerors. We are not takers. We are here to end the Blood Crown and the Rite.”

This quote ties into the theme of freedom and justice versus tyranny. The Blood Crown is symbolic of the tyrannical rule of the Ascended, while the Rite represents the horrific sacrifices imposed on the people, particularly the youth, under this regime. By vowing to end these practices, Poppy is stating that her mission is not just about removing corrupt leadership but transforming the society that allowed such horrors to persist.

“I’d been planning on taking her, but she’d captured me on the Rise surrounding Masadonia. I’d been ready to use her, but under the willow, she had wrapped me around every single one of her fingers without even trying. I’d been prepared to do anything, but she’d become everything to me when she asked me to stay the night while in New Haven. She’d claimed me. And she’d kept me.”

This quote from Casteel summarizes the evolution of his relationship with Poppy over the course of the series. Their relationship is focused on the idea of mutual ownership. Casteel attempted to claim her in From Blood and Ash, but it’s also clear that, since that point, she has claimed him in return.

“What you need is natural. It may not feel that way right now because it’s new to you, while I’ve been around Atlantians my whole life. There’s nothing awkward or bad about it. I’m actually proud of you.”

Poppy’s support system, especially Kieran and Casteel, are critical to her embracing her new identity and responsibilities. Kieran’s pride in her shows she is not alone in her struggles. His matter-of-fact attitude helps her see that her needs, while different from what she’s used to, are not wrong or shameful.

“The Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods,’ has awakened, […] It is true, the rumors you’ve heard about our cities to the north and east. They have fallen. Their Rises torn down. The innocent raped and slaughtered, fed from and cursed.”

Isbeth’s speech is designed to stoke fear among her followers. By attributing the atrocities committed by the Ascended to Poppy, she not only vilifies her daughter but also strengthens her position as the protector of her people despite her complicity and participation in these atrocities. The ease with which the crowd is swayed to this perspective shows the power of fear-based propaganda.

“All I could see was his mouth—lips peeled back, and fangs bared. His growl vibrated from a chest that shouldn’t have been so slender. The bones of his shoulders stood out as starkly as the twisted ones chaining him to the wall.”

The description of Casteel’s skeletal appearance contrasts sharply with his usual appearance, and the devastation mirrors the emotional and psychological torment he’s been forced to experience. At this moment, the man Poppy is familiar with is dead for all intents and purposes.

“But if you had to cut down everyone in this room to save what you hold most dear, you would without hesitation. Just as I have.”

Throughout the book, Poppy struggles with fear of what she might become, a fear brought to the forefront when Isbeth draws a parallel between them. Her actions are reprehensible, but by suggesting Poppy would do the same as her if pressed, she raises the question of whether there is a clear line between good and evil, or if the line can blur in the balance of love and power.

“Kieran’s distrust of his former brethren was as strong as his reluctant need to believe that Malik hadn’t forsaken his family and his kingdom for the Blood Crown. […] There was anger in the set of his jaw. Hope in how his chest rose sharply. Disappointment in the narrowing of his eyes. Uncertainty in the glances he sent me, ones that mirrored mine.”

Kieran is not just angry or distrustful; he also desperately holds onto the possibility that Malik can still be trusted and lead them to Casteel. However, the quote also hints at the question of whether Malik can redeem himself or if his actions have irrevocably marked him as a traitor. This connects to the book’s bigger exploration of becoming trapped by the perceptions of others.

“My thoughts—my ideals, choices, and beliefs—were not preordained nor governed by anyone but me.”

Throughout the series, Poppy navigates her identity and the expectations placed upon her by others, whether they are prophecies (See: Symbols & Motifs), the will of the gods, or the manipulations of those around her. By stating that her actions are hers alone, Poppy directly challenges these attempts to control her. She seizes control of her narrative and refuses to be used or defined by others, which speaks to the conflict between fate and free will in her character arc.

“You are not her […] That’s what she wants, but you are not her.”

This quote from Casteel highlights the contrast between Poppy and Isbeth. While Isbeth embraces her role as a manipulator and destroyer, Poppy is horrified by the idea of causing harm to innocents. This moral distinction is critical, as it defines the true nature of Poppy’s character. Despite her mother’s best attempts, Poppy is not her.

“She’d done it. Changed the centuries-old crest. Showing the kingdom and the realm that there was a balance of power between the King and Queen, no matter the fact that she was so much more powerful than I.”

The Atlantian crest contains the sword, representing the King, and the Arrow, representing the Queen. While the two were historically balanced, when Malec was King he changed the crest to emphasize the sword over the arrow. Now that Poppy and Casteel are the rulers, she changes it back to how it once was. It is no longer dominated by the male half but once again in equilibrium. This is also symbolic of their relationship: While Poppy is technically the more powerful of the two, they treat each other as equals.

“But it was the items that hung next to it that brought a smile to my face. Clothing for Casteel. They truly hadn’t doubted that we’d return. Together.”

The clothing represents the faith that Poppy and Casteel’s allies and loved ones had in them and their bond. This image also serves as a contrast between the normalcy of everyday life and the circumstances Poppy and Casteel are currently trapped in. The simple act of having clothing ready is a reminder of what life should be, the same life they are fighting to reclaim.

“Would we feel different afterwards? Would things change, no matter if we ended at blood being exchanged or went beyond that?”

The Joining is a ritual that is both sacred and intimate. The series frames the drinking of blood as a sensual act and frequently pairs it with sexual intercourse. Poppy makes that direct comparison here when she considers how the relationship between herself, Casteel, and Kieran might change after the ritual. Performing the act fundamentally alters the boundaries of their relationships, and the build-up to that alteration is filled with anxiety over the unknown.

“Two hundred thousand men and women prepared to end this war. Ready to fight. Ready to die. The weight of their loyalty and determination sat heavier on my shoulders and chest than the armor I now wore.”

As Casteel prepares for the imminent battle, he acknowledges the responsibility he bears as a leader. While earlier in the series, he was more impulsive and driven by personal vendettas, he now carries the weight of an entire realm on his shoulders. He is acutely aware these soldiers are not just numbers; they are people who have placed their trust in him and are willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause. This loyalty is both a gift and a burden.

“You’re more than a Queen. More than a goddess on the verge of becoming a Primal. You’re Penellaphe Da’Neer, and you’re fearless.”

Casteel’s words are a reminder to Poppy that her identity is not solely defined by her titles or powers, reaffirming her inherent worth beyond the external expectations placed on her. This reinforces a core idea of the story: True power comes from within, not from external validation.

“Nothing of you will be recorded in the histories that are yet to be written. You will not be known, neither for the deeds you’ve done as a mortal nor for your infamy as a Queen. You are not worthy of remembrance.”

Poppy’s sentencing of Isbeth to total erasure isn’t just about ending her life, but about ensuring that her evil acts will have no legacy. In many ways, memory and legacy are forms of immortality. Its denial is a fate worse than death for Isbeth, who spent centuries wielding power and infamy but will have no lasting impact on the world she sought to control.