Themes God of War (Deluxe Edition) Rina Kent

Possession vs. Love in God of War (Deluxe Edition): An Analysis

Introduction: The Thematic Claim

In God of War (Deluxe Edition) by Rina Kent, the final installment of the Legacy of Gods series, the central romantic dynamic between Eli King and Ava Nash-King is built on a foundation of declared obsession and possessive control rather than conventional love. Eli repeatedly frames his feelings as a violent need for ownership—he calls Ava “mine,” threatens those who touch her, and admits that his attachment began as a challenge and morphed into an “obsession” and “violent possession” (chapter 37). Yet his actions consistently contradict this self-definition: he forfeits his own well-being, safeguards Ava’s mental health, and ultimately prioritizes her recovery and happiness over his own desires. This analysis traces the theme of possession versus love across three distinct plot arcs, explores character and symbol connections, and addresses the complexity of Eli’s transformation from self-proclaimed possessor to devoted husband.

Section 1: Claimed Ownership — The Language of Possession

From the earliest encounters between Eli and Ava, possession is the dominant language. When a young Ava confesses her feelings, Eli bites her lip until it bleeds and warns, “That’s what happens when you touch what you shouldn’t, Ava. You get hurt.” He frames his rejection as a boundary violation—she touched what she should not—and later tells her, “If you attempt anything this foolish again, I’ll ruin you” (chapter 13). This is not love; it is a threat of destruction meant to establish control.

Years later, after Ava wakes married to him, Eli’s possessive language intensifies. In a scene at a countertop, he declares every part of her body his: “This cunt is fucking mine” (chapter 16). He forces her to suck his fingers, demands she “remember this view,” and later tells her to open her mouth for him to fuck her throat (chapter 37). In his internal monologue, Eli admits, “She’s the exception to my rules… It started with a sense of challenge at uni, then it morphed into a bizarre obsession… then it suddenly became a violent possession. A need for ownership” (chapter 37). He does not use the word “love.” He uses “obsession” and “possession.” Even when he gives her a Plan B pill, he confesses to himself, “I want to fucking tie her to me and offer her no way out” (chapter 27). At their wedding, he kisses her savagely and whispers “Mine” (chapter 41). This language of ownership seems to negate any possibility of genuine affection.

Section 2: From Possession to Sacrifice — Tracing the Shift

Arc 1: The Rejection and the Marriage

The first major plot arc revolves around Ava’s forgotten past and Eli’s decision to marry her after her suicide attempt. The blurb reveals that Ava wakes in a hospital to find Eli holding her hand and telling her they have been married for two years. She discovers her forgotten past is darker than her present. Eli’s actions here are ambiguous: is he trapping her, or is he providing stability? Later, he admits to himself that he wants children to “tie” her to him (chapter 27), yet he also gives her the choice to take or refuse the Plan B pill, saying he will offer “no say in the matter.” This autonomy undercut by his possessive desire shows the tension.

Arc 2: The Public Claims and the Fragile Trust

In a second arc, Eli’s possessive jealousy is on full display. When Ava visits Remi’s office wearing a revealing outfit, Eli storms in and later throws her over his shoulder in front of staff, carrying her “caveman style” (chapter 27). He covers her with his jacket to remove access to “his view.” Ava is humiliated, yet Eli remains unapologetic. However, this same arc contains moments of vulnerability: he notices she is crying at dinner and says, “Don’t pretend in front of me. Don’t put up a façade as if everything is fine” (chapter 19). He stops cutting his uneaten steak to look at her. This is not the behavior of a man who sees her as a mere object; he sees her pain and demands authenticity.

Arc 3: Sacrifice for Recovery

The third and most significant arc occurs after Ava’s darkest mental health crisis. The author note warns of on-page suicide attempt, depressed mental state, and dissociative amnesia. Eli does not abandon her. Instead, he anchors himself to her recovery. By Epilogue 1, set three months later, Eli admits he feels neglected without their morning intimacy, yet he reassures Ava when she worries about a past sleepwalking episode (Epilogue 1). He enthusiastically agrees to have children only if she is the mother, and they leave to conceive. In Epilogue 2, seventeen months later, they are parents to triplets. Ava openly discusses her depression with Dr. Blaine, and Eli realizes his purpose is “protecting his family.” He views his addiction to Ava as a “healthy devotion.” This is a far cry from the violent possession of earlier chapters. He has sacrificed his own desire for control—allowing Ava to lead her recovery, delaying her cello career as she chooses, and embracing fatherhood despite his earlier dislike of children.

Section 3: Character and Symbol Connections

Eli King

Eli’s character arc is defined by his internal contradiction. He calls himself a “Tin Man” incapable of love, but his actions repeatedly demonstrate care. His obsessive jealousy coexists with acts of sacrifice: he marries Ava to keep her safe, gives her medical autonomy, and supports her even when she fears she is a burden. The character page for Eli explores his backstory as the God of War, a name that reflects his combative approach to relationships.

Ava Nash-King

Ava’s journey from a girl who “fell for the villain” to a woman who “fought for Eli” (as she says in Epilogue 1) mirrors the theme of possession versus love. She initially resists his control, but gradually recognizes his protective intent. Her character page details her mental health struggles and her eventual acceptance of Eli’s devotion.

Supporting Characters

  • Cecily and Jeremy: Their wedding in Epilogue 1 serves as a backdrop for Ava’s reflection on her own marriage. Cecily’s character page connects to the Legacy of Gods series’ themes.
  • Ariella Nash: Ava’s sister embodies a different approach to love—bold and unapologetic. Her page shows her pursuing Remi without shame.
  • Cole Nash: Ava’s father’s guilt over his genetic contribution to her depression (chapter 19) contextualizes Eli’s contrasting acceptance of her mental illness. Cole’s character page explores his own protective instincts.
  • Landon King: Eli’s father provides a model of domineering masculinity. Landon’s page offers context for Eli’s learned possessiveness.

Symbol Connections

  • Cello: Ava’s cello represents her individuality and emotional outlet. She delays her cello career in Epilogue 2 to focus on family, a choice that Eli respects. The cello symbol stands for the part of herself she surrenders—not to possession, but to love.
  • Phoenix Tattoo: Likely linked to rebirth, this symbol underscores Ava’s recovery from a suicide attempt and her transformation from broken to healed. See the phoenix tattoo page.
  • Pink Mercedes: A gift from Eli, the pink Mercedes represents his attempt to control her movements and appearance. Yet it also shows his attention to her preferences. The Mercedes symbol is discussed further.
  • Lamp: Ava’s fear of the dark and her need for light are symbolized by the lamp. Eli’s sensitivity to this—he reassures her about sleepwalking in Epilogue 1—shifts the lamp from a sign of her trauma to a token of his care. See lamp symbol.

Section 4: Complexity and Contradiction

The central complexity is that Eli never calls his feelings love. He uses “obsession,” “possession,” “addiction,” and “need for ownership” (chapter 37). Yet by the epilogue, he calls his addiction a “healthy devotion.” The contradiction is not resolved; it is transformed. The same man who threatened to ruin Ava for touching him now says, “I’ll protect my family.” The possession does not disappear—it is redirected. Instead of claiming her body as property, he claims responsibility for her safety and happiness. This is not a clean binary of bad possession versus good love; it is a messy evolution. Ava’s confession in Epilogue 1 that she sometimes fears her joy is unreal suggests that the shadows of possession remain, but the present relationship is one of mutual effort.

Another layer is Ava’s own agency. She decides to forgive Eli and fight for their marriage. She tells her mother she will make Eli treat her well (chapter 22). She is not a passive victim of possession; she actively chooses to stay. This complicates the idea that Eli’s possessiveness is purely negative. His intense jealousy and protective instincts also make her feel wanted when she otherwise feels like a burden to her parents (chapter 19).

Section 5: Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does Eli’s language of ownership evolve from the beginning of the novel to the epilogues?
    Answer: Early in the novel, Eli uses violent metaphors of ownership—calling Ava’s body parts “mine,” threatening those who touch her, and describing his feelings as “obsession” and “possession” (chapters 13, 16, 37). By Epilogue 2, he calls his devotion healthy and centers his purpose around protecting his family. The language shifts from controlling claims to protective commitment, though the possessive core remains.

  2. What role does Ava’s mental health play in the possession versus love theme?
    Answer: Ava’s depression, fugue states, and suicide attempt are central to the tension. Eli’s possessiveness initially seems to trap her, but his refusal to treat her as fragile (chapter 22) and his support for her recovery (Epilogue 2) transform possession into caretaking. He marries her to ensure her safety, not just to own her.

  3. How do supporting characters like Remi and Ariella reflect different views of love and possession?
    Answer: Remi jokingly warns Eli away from Ava, calling him a “wanker” and pretending to be blind to avoid confrontation (chapter 27). Ariella pursues Remi openly, representing a lighter, less possessive approach. Their dynamic contrasts with Eli and Ava’s intense, dark bond.

  4. What is the significance of the Plan B pill scene in chapter 27?
    Answer: Eli gives Ava a choice about taking contraception, saying he will offer no opinion—yet internally he admits he wants to “pump her full of cum” to tie her to him. This scene exposes the contradiction between his possessive desires and his respect for her bodily autonomy, foreshadowing his eventual shift toward healthy devotion.

  5. Does Eli’s transformation from possessive husband to loving partner feel believable?
    Answer: It is believable because the transformation is not a clean break; Eli never loses his possessive instinct but learns to channel it into protection and sacrifice. The evidence of his early sacrifices—marrying her after a suicide attempt, supporting her therapy, and prioritizing her career choices—shows that the seeds of love were present beneath the language of ownership. The epilogues confirm that possession and love have merged into a single devotion.