To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods Summary, Characters and Themes

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang is a dark fantasy novel blending historical Chinese-inspired mythology with themes of colonialism, power, and moral ambiguity. 

Set in the magical land of Pangu, the story follows Ruying, a woman cursed with death magic who is forced into a dangerous alliance with Antony, an enemy prince from a technologically advanced empire. As Ruying grapples with survival, resistance, and loyalty, she faces impossible choices that blur the lines between heroism and betrayal. The novel explores the psychological toll of living under oppression and the complex nature of power, morality, and freedom.

Summary

In the land of Pangu, a magical society inspired by Chinese mythology, Ruying is born with a rare and deadly power over death. Her magic allows her to drain life force from others, but each use of her Gift shortens her own lifespan. 

Living under the shadow of tragedy—her mother’s death during childbirth, her father’s descent into addiction, and her sister Meiya’s struggles with dependency—Ruying grows up in a world scarred by colonization. The Romans, an advanced empire wielding technology and military might, invade Pangu through shimmering portals in the sky, bringing guns, spaceships, and brutal colonial rule.

Initially focused on her family’s survival, Ruying avoids direct resistance against the Romans. Her world changes when Antony, the second prince of Rome, discovers her death magic during a public demonstration. 

Antony, a cunning and manipulative figure, offers her an ultimatum: become his personal assassin and eliminate his political rivals, or watch her family suffer under Roman brutality. Despite her deep hatred for the invaders, Ruying agrees to the deal to protect her sister Meiya and grandmother.

As Antony’s assassin, Ruying is thrust into the center of Roman politics, killing key figures under the guise of securing peace between the two worlds. Antony presents himself as a “lesser evil” compared to his ruthless brother Valentine and their grandfather, the emperor. 

He claims to desire a peaceful future for both their people, promising Ruying that her actions will protect Pangu from greater suffering. Despite her initial revulsion, Ruying finds herself drawn to Antony’s charm and intelligence, forming a toxic, slow-burn bond with him. 

Yet, their relationship is rife with manipulation and emotional control, leaving Ruying questioning whether Antony genuinely cares for her or merely sees her as a weapon.

Meanwhile, Ruying’s childhood friend Baihu leads a covert resistance group known as the Phantom. 

Baihu despises the Romans and seeks to overthrow their rule. He urges Ruying to join the rebellion and fight for Pangu’s freedom, warning her that Antony’s promises are hollow. 

Torn between her loyalty to her family, her growing affection for Antony, and her duty to her people, Ruying is caught in a web of conflicting allegiances.

As Ruying becomes more entangled in Roman politics, she learns of the horrific experiments the Romans are conducting on Pangu’s people, particularly those with magical Gifts like hers. 

The Romans view Pangu’s magic as primitive and inferior, and they exploit the Xianlings (Gifted individuals) through brutal, dehumanizing experiments in the name of scientific advancement. 

Antony, who previously downplayed these atrocities, is revealed to have had knowledge of the experiments all along.

Faced with the brutal truth of Roman colonization, Ruying begins to question her choices. The pivotal moment comes when Baihu reveals that the Phantom is preparing for a full-scale rebellion. He begs Ruying to abandon Antony and join the fight for freedom. 

However, Ruying remains conflicted, unwilling to fully trust either side. She rationalizes her actions as necessary to protect her family, even as the moral weight of her killings haunts her.

The story ends on an ambiguous note. Ruying, still working under Antony’s command, pretends to trust him while secretly plotting his downfall. 

Though the seeds of rebellion are planted, Ruying’s true allegiance remains unclear. As she grapples with guilt, survival, and redemption, her journey highlights the complex nature of power, morality, and resistance in the face of oppression.

Characters

Ruying

Ruying is a deeply complex character whose personal journey lies at the heart of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods. Born into a world ravaged by colonization, she is burdened with a rare and deadly form of death magic that allows her to drain life from others, a power she views as both a blessing and a curse. 

Ruying’s magic is feared within her own society, making her an outcast long before the Romans arrive. Her internal conflict begins with her guilt over accidentally killing a childhood playmate, which leaves her traumatized and reluctant to use her abilities.

Ruying’s primary motivation throughout the story is survival—both for herself and her family. She grows up in a harsh environment, watching her family crumble under the weight of addiction and poverty. 

Her father’s descent into opium addiction and subsequent death shapes her worldview, making her wary of both her people’s weaknesses and the ruthless power of the Romans.

When Ruying meets Antony, her moral compass becomes increasingly blurred. At first, she accepts his deal to protect her family, but as she continues to carry out assassinations on behalf of the Roman Empire, she struggles with the weight of her actions. 

Her initial passivity gives way to a more active role in shaping her destiny, though she remains torn between loyalty to her people, her love for her family, and her growing feelings for Antony. 

Ruying’s arc reflects a descent into moral ambiguity—she starts as a victim of circumstance and evolves into a character willing to make horrifying choices for survival. Despite this, she remains empathetic, grappling with guilt and questioning the morality of her actions, making her a compelling and tragic figure.

Antony

Antony is one of the most intriguing and morally ambiguous characters in the story. As the second prince of the Roman Empire, he represents a dangerous mix of charm, manipulation, and political ambition. 

He presents himself as a “lesser evil” compared to his brutal brother Valentine and their ruthless grandfather, the emperor. Antony’s primary method of gaining power is through persuasion and subtle control, as opposed to the violent tactics employed by other members of his family.

Antony’s interactions with Ruying reveal his calculating nature. He recognizes her death magic as a valuable tool and quickly seeks to weaponize her abilities. His offer to protect Ruying’s family in exchange for her services as an assassin demonstrates his willingness to exploit others’ vulnerabilities for his own gain. Despite this, Antony is not a one-dimensional villain. He shows genuine moments of vulnerability and connection with Ruying, which makes their relationship complex and morally fraught.

The tension in Antony’s character lies in the ambiguity of his true intentions. At times, he appears to care for Ruying and even expresses regret over the atrocities committed by his empire. 

However, his manipulative behavior raises questions about whether his affection is sincere or merely a means to control her. The slow-burn romance between Antony and Ruying is built on a foundation of unequal power dynamics, emotional manipulation, and blurred lines between love and control. 

Antony embodies the seductive danger of power—his charm makes him appealing, but his actions consistently demonstrate that he is a product of a brutal colonial system.

Meiya

Meiya serves as a tragic foil to Ruying. While Ruying becomes entangled in the political machinations of the Roman Empire, Meiya battles her own internal demons. She struggles with addiction, mirroring their father’s downfall. Meiya’s addiction to Opian, a substance introduced by the Romans to control the Pangu people, highlights the devastating effects of colonization on the personal lives of those subjugated by foreign powers.

Unlike Ruying, who is pragmatic and survival-focused, Meiya represents the emotional and psychological toll of oppression. Her addiction is both a coping mechanism and a symptom of the broader societal decay brought about by colonization. Despite her struggles, Meiya desires freedom for her people and ultimately aligns herself with the resistance movement led by Baihu.

Meiya’s relationship with Ruying is strained by their differing paths. While Ruying prioritizes survival and compromises her morals to protect her family, Meiya clings to ideals of rebellion and resistance, even if it comes at a personal cost. Meiya’s tragic arc emphasizes the emotional cost of colonization and the internal fractures it causes within families and communities.

Baihu

Baihu represents the idealistic and rebellious spirit of Pangu’s resistance against Roman colonization. Once a close friend of Ruying, Baihu’s character is shaped by a deep sense of duty to his homeland and a desire to overthrow Roman rule. His role in the story contrasts sharply with Antony’s manipulative pragmatism. Whereas Antony seeks to maintain control through subtle manipulation, Baihu believes in direct action and revolution.

Baihu’s position as a puppet ruler collaborating with the Romans complicates his character. To the outside world, he appears to be a traitor working for the enemy, but in reality, he is a spy and leader of the Phantom, a covert resistance group. His double life underscores the moral complexity of survival under occupation—he sacrifices his public reputation to further the cause of freedom.

Baihu’s feelings for Ruying add emotional weight to his character. He harbors unrequited love for her, which is further complicated by her growing bond with Antony. Baihu represents an alternative path for Ruying—a life of rebellion and resistance rather than submission and compromise. However, his methods are not without flaws. He is willing to sacrifice lives for the greater good, and his rigid ideology sometimes blinds him to the nuances of human morality.

Ultimately, Baihu symbolizes the hope of reclaiming cultural identity and resisting colonization. His character explores the theme of whether freedom is worth any cost, even if it means sacrificing personal relationships and moral integrity.

Valentine

Valentine is a shadowy presence throughout much of the story, representing the brutal and violent face of Roman colonization. Unlike Antony, who relies on manipulation and diplomacy, Valentine prefers more direct and aggressive methods to maintain control over conquered territories. He is a looming threat, embodying the worst aspects of the Roman Empire’s oppressive rule.

Valentine’s ruthlessness serves as a stark contrast to Antony’s more subtle approach, creating a dynamic where Antony can position himself as the “lesser evil.” However, Valentine’s character also serves as a reminder that the system of colonization is inherently violent, regardless of whether its methods are overt or covert.

Though his character is less developed compared to others, Valentine’s role in the story is crucial in highlighting the brutality of imperialism and the choices individuals must make when faced with such overwhelming oppression.

Themes

Colonialism, Resistance, and the Psychological Toll of Oppression

One of the central themes in To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is the exploration of colonialism and the psychological toll it takes on the colonized. The Romans, representing an imperial power with superior technology, invade Pangu, a magical land that cannot match their advancements.

The narrative emphasizes the brutal realities of colonization: the exploitation of resources, suppression of culture, and systemic control over the people of Pangu. For Ruying, the protagonist, this invasion brings both physical and emotional trauma, as she witnesses the destruction of her world, her family’s disintegration, and the corrosion of her society.

The psychological effects of living under colonization are palpable, with characters struggling to balance survival and resistance. The theme explores the internal conflict of those who must endure subjugation and the toll it takes on their sense of self, morality, and belonging.

This struggle to navigate between compliance and rebellion becomes a core part of the characters’ journeys, as they wrestle with whether it is worth sacrificing personal integrity for survival or fighting back despite the overwhelming power of the colonizers.

The Corruption of Power and the Temptation of Moral Ambiguity in a World of Oppressors and the Oppressed

Another powerful theme in the novel is the corruption of power and the moral ambiguity that arises when survival and authority clash. Ruying’s tragic gift, the ability to drain life from others, becomes both a weapon and a burden.

She is coerced into using her power to serve the very empire that oppresses her people, forging a complex relationship with Prince Antony, who manipulates her for his political gain. Despite his outward appearance as a gentler ruler compared to his ruthless family members, Antony’s control over Ruying highlights the toxic dynamic between oppressor and oppressed, blurring the lines between affection and exploitation.

Ruying’s moral journey is marked by an ever-increasing ambiguity, as she contemplates whether her actions can be justified if they protect her family, or if they are a betrayal of her own people. The narrative intricately explores how power can corrupt individuals, especially those who are in vulnerable positions and forced into morally complex situations.

The question of whether the ends justify the means is central to the characters’ development, particularly Ruying’s, as she slowly slides into a world of assassination and betrayal, constantly reassessing the consequences of her actions.

The Clash Between Science and Magic

In To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods, the tension between science and magic serves as a symbolic battleground for cultural survival and identity. The Roman invaders, with their superior technology, represent an external force that views magic as primitive and backward.

This ideological clash is felt on every level of Pangu society, where magic is intertwined with cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs. Ruying, as a practitioner of death magic, is caught between her fear of her abilities and the undeniable role they play in her society’s resistance to colonization.

The Romans, on the other hand, see science as the ultimate solution, dismissing Pangu’s magical traditions as inferior. The book thus sets up a dual narrative: the declining power of magic as the Romans assert their dominance through technology and the struggle to preserve one’s cultural identity in the face of foreign oppression.

Ruying’s use of her magic, despite the toll it takes on her, becomes a metaphor for the lengths to which people go to protect their heritage, even when the methods are painful and self-destructive. This theme digs deep into the fear of cultural erasure and the desire to retain one’s identity amidst overwhelming forces of change.

The Complicated Dynamics of Love, Loyalty, and Betrayal in Colonized Relationships

A prominent theme in the story is the complicated dynamics of love, loyalty, and betrayal, especially when framed within the context of colonization. The evolving relationship between Ruying and Prince Antony is central to the narrative, but it is marked by manipulation, emotional abuse, and an overwhelming imbalance of power.

Antony, despite his seemingly noble intentions, uses his charisma and influence to coerce Ruying into a position where her affection for him grows, despite the fact that he is responsible for her subjugation. Ruying’s internal struggle—between her growing feelings for Antony and her hatred for the Romans—mirrors the difficulty of reconciling love with betrayal in an environment of colonization.

Her fear and hatred of the invaders clash with her personal attachment to Antony, complicating her ability to see him as either an ally or an enemy. This thematic tension explores how emotional manipulation can alter one’s perception of loyalty, especially in relationships where one party holds significant power over the other.

It asks uncomfortable questions about whether love can exist in a dynamic of unequal power and whether loyalty can ever be pure when influenced by oppression.

Navigating the Ethics of Survival in an Unjust World

The theme of moral survival is intricately woven throughout the book, highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals forced to live under unjust conditions. Ruying is coerced into becoming an assassin for the Romans, a role that requires her to kill her own people, all while making the promise of security for her family.

She becomes entangled in a moral quagmire, constantly questioning whether it is more ethical to survive by making uncomfortable choices or to risk everything for an impossible stand against the Romans. This internal conflict is not only personal but also symbolic of the broader struggle faced by colonized peoples, where choices made for survival may lead to moral compromises that haunt individuals long after the immediate threat has passed.

The question of whether it is better to endure and make sacrifices for the sake of loved ones, or to fight for a cause that seems unwinnable, permeates every action Ruying takes. The theme addresses the profound impact of living under constant threat, where survival sometimes demands actions that go against one’s moral compass, leaving characters with the lingering question of whether they can ever redeem themselves or find peace.

An Exploration of Power Dynamics in Relationships

A recurrent theme in the story is the fragility of trust, particularly when it is built on manipulation and deceit. Throughout the narrative, Ruying’s relationship with Antony is marked by a power imbalance that makes it difficult for her to trust him fully.

Antony’s promises of protection and peace mask his true motives—he is using Ruying as a pawn to further his political goals. Yet, at the same time, he presents himself as a savior, making it all the more difficult for Ruying to see his manipulation for what it is.

Trust becomes a delicate commodity in a world where every interaction seems to be driven by ulterior motives, and the fragility of this trust is laid bare as Ruying grapples with her conflicting emotions. She is repeatedly put in positions where she must choose between trusting Antony, whom she has come to care for, and her deeper allegiance to her people and her own moral compass.

This tension explores the inherent danger of building trust in a relationship where one party holds all the power, and the resulting emotional and psychological cost is devastating for the trustor. Ultimately, the theme questions whether trust can truly exist in such a manipulative and toxic dynamic, and what happens to individuals when that trust is shattered.