City of the Plague God – Chapter 17 (Chapter Sixteen) Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Sikander follows Ishtar into a room filled with paintings, photographs, and keepsakes, each linked to one of the children she has adopted over millennia. She shows him a small doll that belonged to Fimi, a girl she rescued from a massacre, and a photo of her son Jacob, who died aboard the USS Arizona. Ishtar explains that she takes in abandoned children out of love, knowing she will outlive them. She describes immortality as a sickness and reflects on the pain of loss. When Sikander mentions wanting to forget his deceased brother Mo, Ishtar tells him that love is one of two things that transcend time and space. She points out a photo of a young Belet in a tutu. Ishtar then gives Sikander a gold signet ring—the king’s seal—and says the owner is in Central Park. She reveals that she used Daoud as bait to attract Nergal. Her demeanor shifts from maternal warmth to warrior coldness as she announces that Nergal has arrived and asks Sikander to tell Belet that she needs Kasusu.

Key Events

Ishtar takes Sikander to a room filled with portraits, photos, and toys connected to her adopted children, spanning thousands of years.
She shows items belonging to specific children: Fimi’s rag doll, Jacob’s sailor photo, and an old photo of Ahmed as a boy and as a dying man.
Ishtar explains the emotional costs of immortality and her role as a mother who outlives everyone she loves.
She tells Sikander that love is one of only two infinite things, but refuses to name the second.
Ishtar shows Sikander a childhood photo of Belet in a pink tutu, highlighting her fierce personality.
She gives Sikander the king’s seal ring and tells him to return it to its owner in Central Park.
Ishtar reveals that she has been using Daoud as bait to draw out Nergal, because Daoud resembles Nergal’s former self.
Sargon enters with more cats, and Ishtar communicates with a black cat, confirming Nergal’s presence.
Ishtar’s voice turns cold and warlike; she orders Sikander to tell Belet to bring Kasusu, preparing for a fight.

Character Development

Sikander: Opens up about his grief over Mo, admitting he sometimes wishes he could forget his brother to escape the pain. He also shows empathy when he recognizes the sadness in Ishtar’s stories.
Ishtar: Reveals her vulnerability and deep maternal love, contradicting the mythic image of a war goddess. She admits that immortality feels like a sickness and that she carries immense sorrow. The chapter shows her dual nature as both tender mother and pitiless warrior.
Belet (mentioned): Her fierce, combative personality is confirmed through a childhood photo. Ishtar indicates Belet will need Sikander’s support in the future.
Sargon: Appears briefly, overseeing the cats that help Ishtar locate Nergal. His role suggests he is a loyal servant or ally.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Love as a transcendent force: Ishtar states that love is one of two true infinities. This frames love as a power that outlasts death and time, giving meaning to Ishtar’s constant care for mortal children.
Immortality as burden: Ishtar compares living forever to a cancer, emphasizing that endless renewal brings endless loss. Her collection of mementos becomes a symbol of grief accumulated over millennia.
Motherhood and war: The room of children’s belongings contrasts with Ishtar’s role as a goddess of war. She seems to collect memories of each child she has loved and lost, perhaps as a form of atonement for the deaths her warlike nature has caused.
The king’s seal ring: A physical object that carries historical and mythological weight. Its lion-and-man engraving hints at a connection to a legendary hero or deity (likely Gilgamesh). The ring becomes a plot device that will lead Sikander to Central Park.
Daoud as bait: Ishtar exploits Daoud’s resemblance to a younger Nergal, turning a mortal into a lure. This highlights the ruthless side of her war-goddess nature, even as she shows maternal tenderness.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Ishtar’s characterization beyond the wrathful goddess often seen in myths. It humanizes her through her grief and love for her adopted children, making her fate in the coming battle more poignant. The king’s seal ring introduces a new quest and points toward the involvement of Gilgamesh (the “king” in Central Park). Ishtar’s revelation about using Daoud as bait explains previous odd scenes (such as Daoud’s repeated escapes and attention), and raises the stakes: Nergal has finally arrived. The chapter also strengthens Sikander’s emotional arc, as he confronts his own unresolved grief through empathy with Ishtar. It bridges the quieter character moments of earlier chapters and the impending confrontation.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Ishtar show Sikander the room full of children’s portraits and keepsakes?
She wants him to understand her true nature as a mother who has loved and lost countless children across thousands of years. It also explains why she cares so deeply about protecting the mortal world.
What does Ishtar’s line “love is one of two things that are truly infinite” reveal about her worldview?
It shows that she believes love transcends death and time, giving meaning to her endless grief. It also positions love as a force as powerful as the unnamed second infinite thing, possibly implying a cosmic balance.
Why does Ishtar give Sikander the gold signet ring, and what does it suggest about the ring’s owner?
She says the ring is the king’s seal and that its rightful owner is in Central Park. The ring’s ancient appearance and the lion-and-man motif suggest a connection to Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk, who is hinted to be waiting in the park.