Masters of Death

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prelude-Chapter 10

Chapters 11-20

Chapters 21-25

Chapters 26-31

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Themes

The Exploration of Life and Death

Masters of Death examines the exploration of life and death through the tension between mortality and immortality. Throughout the conversations with Death and other immortals, the text presents several belief systems and philosophies surrounding life and death. Through this theme, the text explores humanity’s fears about death and the significance of emotionality and love, which set humanity apart.

One of the main ideas surrounding life and death is the immortals’ repetitive reminder that “balance is king” (64). This philosophy attempts to make sense of evil in the world because it postulates that people cannot recognize goodness if evil is not in opposition to it. Although Mayra and Viola point out the inconsistencies in applying this philosophy to every aspect of life, Fox adopts the mindset before he defeats Death in the game. Fox wonders whether it is worth it for mortals to love or if they should try to preserve themselves from further pain while they can. Fox realizes that immortals’ boredom with life stems from the fact that their existence does not end; therefore, they gamble things away, hoping to make existence more interesting. This causes them to feel unfulfilled and aimless, which is why Fox believes that immortality is overrated. Despite immortals’ egotism surrounding mortals, Fox comes to the realization that love is more significant when there is an end to it. Similarly, Fox realizes that life is more precious as a mortal because it has the opposition of death at the end of it. This shows the balance between life and death as being a strength for humanity rather than a weakness. Although the immortals believe themselves to be wiser than mortals because of their eternity, the mortals’ ability to cherish their lives while they are living them makes them feel more fulfilled than any immortal.

In the final lines of the novel, Death echoes the sentiment of balance because he pleads with the reader not to be upset when he comes for them since Death is the natural end of life. Death’s reminder that “to have lived is […] reward enough” highlights the value of life despite the suffering that happens (631). Even though humans feel pain and fear, Fox realizes that he would rather live with suffering if it means that he can also experience true joy and happiness with the people he loves. Fox’s understanding of the finality of life highlights that life’s ending makes every moment precious.

The Impact of Immortality on Relationships

Brandt and Fox’s relationship shows the impact of immortality on relationships. Although Fox and Brandt love each other, Brandt’s decision to gamble Fox in the game shows the arrogance of immortality. Brandt believes that his immortality makes him impervious to suffering, yet he fails to factor in how his actions will affect Fox.

Brandt gambles Fox in the game without thinking of the possibility that Fox could be taken away from him. As an immortal, Brandt believes that even if he loses the game against Death, he has all of eternity to gamble again and get Fox back. However, Brandt does not anticipate Death banning him from the tables, which prevents him from reuniting with Fox or ever gaining his truth back to tell Fox how he feels about him. This action causes a rift between Fox and Brandt even after they find each other again because Fox knows that Brandt chose his immortality over him. As a mortal, Fox feels the pain of abandonment and loss even stronger than Brandt because he knows that he may never see Brandt again. Fox’s decision to keep Time’s watch shows that he hopes that he will find Brandt, yet his mortality makes him cynical because he knows that nothing is guaranteed. While Fox and Brandt try to repair their relationship, Fox does not know if he can ever trust Brandt again after his betrayal. The only way that Brandt regains Fox’s trust, ironically, is through the game because he can finally confess his deep love for Fox.

Although Brandt and Death make fun of Fox and his mortality, Fox’s mortality proves to be a strength rather than a weakness, especially in their relationship. Although Brandt’s immortality prevents them from being together, Fox’s emotionality from his mortality keeps them together. The game with Death causes Fox to realize that he wants to have a mortal relationship with Brandt because they will be able to experience a lifetime together. Fox’s decision to gamble away his eternal youth in exchange for Brandt’s truth shows his commitment to Brandt because he chooses their relationship over everything else. Even though Fox knows that his choice will result in death and the eventual ending of their relationship, Fox understands that his time with Brandt will be sweeter because they will never take a moment for granted.

Love and Loyalty Across the Boundaries of Life

Throughout the novel, Blake emphasizes how the characters choose love and loyalty across the boundaries of life. Despite the difficulty in expressing his emotions, Death loves Fox, even though he feels like this emotion makes him weak. Similarly, Viola and Tom fall in love, even though Viola is undead, and Tom is a ghost. The text shows the importance of love and commitment in people’s lives despite the obvious obstacles that prevent them from staying together.

Every couple in the story faces some kind of obstacle of life or death that keeps them apart. However, the characters’ resilience and enduring love show the value of loyalty. Viola and Tom’s relationship defies odds because Viola knows that once Tom finishes his business on Earth, his spirit will depart for the afterlife. Despite the promise of a future together, Viola continues loving Tom, even when she believes that he is still in love with Lainey. Although Tom tells Lainey that he does not love Viola in the game, his sacrifice protects Viola from Volos. After the game, Viola wants Tom to pass on to the afterlife so that he can be at peace while she works on her ledger. This sacrificial offer causes the archangels to grant Viola and Tom a new chance at happiness, restoring them to their human forms. This granting of Viola’s wish to return to her human form emphasizes the significance of hope, as Viola’s dream of feeling emotion again comes to fruition. Viola and Tom’s romance shows the importance of loyalty because they continue loving each other despite every obstacle preventing them from having a relationship.

Death and Fox’s relationship highlights the importance of love. Although Death has never experienced love for another person, he confesses to Fox that his ultimate regret is making Fox feel inferior because of his mortality, especially when Fox is the only person in the world who believes in Death’s goodness. This confession heals the rift between Fox and Death, as Fox believed that his godfather thought he was useless. Instead, Death’s admission frees Fox to realize that the most important thing in his life is love, even if it means that he will lose it someday. The healing between Fox and Death allows Fox the freedom to gamble away his youth to spend his life with Brandt. Even though the immortals do not understand Fox’s decision, Fox knows that he would rather have one imperfect life with Brandt than spend immortality alone.