For Love of Evil (Incarnations of Immortality, #6) Summary & Key Insights

Piers Anthony's For Love of Evil continues the Incarnations of Immortality series, focusing on the Incarnation of Evil, Shade, and his complicated relationship with the Incarnation of Good, Virtue. This installment delves into the origins and nature of evil itself, challenging the simplistic good versus evil dichotomy established in previous books.

The central plot revolves around Shade's desire to understand and ultimately transcend his nature. Haunted by his past actions and the inherent loneliness of his role, he seeks a deeper understanding of morality and the possibility of redemption. This quest is intertwined with a burgeoning romance with Virtue, a relationship fraught with the inherent conflict between their opposing natures. Their love, however, is not purely romantic; it's a complex interplay of attraction, repulsion, and a mutual yearning for understanding the other's perspective.

Shade's journey involves investigating various sources of evil, both cosmic and personal. He grapples with the question of whether evil is an inherent force, a necessary counterbalance to good, or simply a consequence of free will and flawed choices. He interacts with various characters who represent different facets of morality – some irredeemably evil, others struggling with moral ambiguities. These interactions shape Shade's evolving understanding of his role and the nature of evil itself.

A significant plot point revolves around a powerful artifact, a mystical object associated with both immense power and the potential for widespread destruction. The quest to control or destroy this artifact brings Shade and Virtue into conflict, not only with external forces but also with their internal struggles. Their contrasting approaches to the problem highlight the differences and similarities between their respective natures, forcing both to confront their own limitations and prejudices.

Key characters beyond Shade and Virtue include several other Incarnations, who offer perspectives and assistance (or hindrance) to Shade’s quest. Their interactions highlight the complexities of the larger cosmic struggle between good and evil, showing it's not a simple war but a dynamic interplay of forces.

The overarching theme is the exploration of morality's complexities. Anthony avoids simplistic portrayals, presenting a nuanced perspective on good and evil, suggesting that neither is wholly pure or inherently superior. The book challenges the reader to consider the motivations and consequences of both, and the potential for change and growth, even for those seemingly irrevocably bound to a specific moral alignment. Ultimately, For Love of Evil is a meditation on the nature of choice, the possibility of redemption, and the enduring power of love in the face of profound opposition.