Fate of the Sun King

In Fate of the Sun King, Tuli complicates the romantic ideal of a glorious, divinely appointed destiny. Instead of portraying inherited power as a gift or a divine blessing, the novel explores the idea of a grand destiny as an isolating and often unwanted burden, forcing individuals to confront overwhelming expectations and sacrifice personal autonomy. The reluctant ascensions of Lor and Tristan, whose personal histories lead them to view their inherited roles with fear and apprehension, allow Tuli to investigate their evolution from reluctant participants in divinely ordained power structure to self-possessed heroes that carve their own path toward their destiny. 

The prophesied return of the Heart Queen places immense pressure on Lor to fulfill the hopes of an oppressed and disenfranchised people. When she first arrives at the settlements, her guide, Etienne, a citizen of Heart, immediately drops to his knee and addresses her as “Your Majesty.” Lor’s shock prompts Etienne to explain, “Etienne is a citizen of Heart, Lor […] He’s been waiting for you for a long time” (142). In this scene Tuli positions Etienne as representative of an entire queendom of people who have longed for the return and guidance of their sovereign, and the weight of those expectations “kick [Lor] in the stomach” (142). As she moves through the Heart settlements, dozens of people kneel before her, murmuring her title. These moments are unsettling rather than empowering or triumphant for Lor, who’s only goal thus far has been vengeance against Rion for killing her family and torturing and imprisoning Lor and her siblings. In Heart, she’s confronted with the tangible responsibility for a queendom’s hope. As Etienne tells her, “When Nadir told me he’d found you, I knew our miracle had finally come” (143), indicating Lor as the one who will single-handedly fix their broken world. This external pressure frames her destiny as a heavy responsibility, creating a deep sense of isolation.

Similarly, Tristan’s reaction to his own status as the Woodlands Primary reinforces the conflicted emotions associated with this level of power and responsibility. Even before Lor tells Tristan what she’s learned, she worries about his reaction: “I’m not sure how to break this to him […] Will he be happy? Scared? As overwhelmed as I am?” (311). When she reveals the truth, Tristan feels overwhelmed: “‘What am I supposed to do with this information?’ he asks, a thread of panic bleeding into his voice” (363). He admits that he was “comfortable” with Lor being the sole heir, a sentiment that reveals his desire for a normal life free from the pressures of royalty. Lor notes, “we’d always imagined it would be me on a throne with Tristan and Willow at my side—that was the story our mother painted for us” (311), underscoring the ways Tristan’s destiny diverges from his long-held expectations of what his life would be. He tells Lor, “But this was supposed to be you […] Not me. I was fine with that. I was comfortable with that” (363). In this way, Tuli sets up an arc for Tristan that requires him to move away from what’s comfortable to step into his role as King. His initial fear and denial highlight the ways a grand destiny can disrupt personal desires and a self-determined future. 

The historical interludes provide a mythological precedent for the sacrifices required by a grand destiny. The story of the First Age of Ouranos reveals that the original rulers were offered magic and near-immortality at a great cost. One among them had to volunteer to become a divine caretaker, remaining in the Evanescence for eternity and sacrificing their mortal life and connections. This is historically contextualized by the story of Zerra, who had to give up her mortal life for an eternal, lonely duty. For these characters, being “chosen” is less an honor and more a sentence to a life they did not ask for. Zerra accepts this role, framing as an act of atonement for her failures as a queen rather than a glorious ascension. The Empyrium makes it clear that this duty is a lonely one; any loved ones who travel to the Evanescence would have their spirits “wither away” (344). This foundational myth establishes a core thematic principle in the novel: immense power and a divine calling are inextricably linked to deep personal loss and isolation, setting up the sacrifices Lor and Tristan must eventually face.