Uprising discussion

I've seen a few discussion threads like this, so I thought it might be fun to have one, too.

If anyone has questions about Uprising or Fires of Providence, ask away! I'll answer if I can, unless the answer is a spoiler for the next book. In that case, I'll respond with an innocent whistle. :)

~ Dawn

Since you took the effort to start this thread, I decided to dump my questions here in a go xD

In the book, the souls get "recycled" on a reincarnation concept. At the beginning of the book, Tyre meets a soul who's about to embark on his first journey. Where does the new souls come from?

Spoiler warning

When Chi was reincarnated as Keisha, she was supposed to die by getting killed. How do you charter a journey which necessitates other souls to veer off-course? (well, assuming that no one's going to charter a course to become a murderer)

Jael wrote: "Since you took the effort to start this thread, I decided to dump my questions here in a go xD

In the book, the souls get "recycled" on a reincarnation concept. At the beginning of the book, Tyre meets a soul who's about to embark on his first journey. Where does the new souls come from?

Yay, my first question! *squeal*

Very cool you asked this. This is something I originally had in Uprising, but I cut the conversation during the second draft because it felt unnatural and forced, like info-dumping. So, I'm kinda tickled I get to explain. Onward!

New souls are rare, only created when another has been destroyed, and they are born into existence in much the same way older souls are born into each lifetime. The natural, biological process of conception ignites the divine spark, which allows souls to enter.

Most of the time, the soul taking possession of the flesh is older, with a journey already charted. This isn't the case with a new one - those babies are stillborn, the soul acending immediately after birth.
After a period of instruction and study, new souls begin their own journey to enlightenment.

Jael wrote: "How do you charter a journey which necessitates other souls to veer off-course? (well, assuming that no one's going to charter a course to become a murderer)"

I got so wrapped in that other question, I forgot about this one. :)

Spiritual advancement often requires a person to confront evil. Whenever a soul charts such a thing, another must commit the evil act.

It sounds twisted, but it's considered a journey of sacrifice. Souls who take on such a duty are called empty vessels and one pops up in Crises.

Dawn wrote: "Jael wrote: "New souls are rare, only created when another has been destroyed, and they are born into existence in much the same way older souls are born into each lifetime. The natural, biological process of conception ignites the divine spark, which allows souls to enter. "

Going by this concept, shouldn't the human population be constantly on the decline? Especially when you consider that so many souls are becoming minions and some give up their humanity to become angels. However, when you match that to our world's population that has significantly increased in the past century, the whole thing doesn't fit together.

The concept sounds cool, though. Wish it was explained in the book. :)

Dawn wrote: It sounds twisted, but it's considered a journey of sacrifice. Souls who take on such a duty are called empty vessels and one pops up in Crises.

Oh, so that's what the golden auras are for? :D

Jael wrote: "Going by this concept, shouldn't the human population be constantly on the decline? Especially when you consider that so many souls are becoming minions and some give up their humanity to become angels. However, when you match that to our world's population that has significantly increased in the past century, the whole thing doesn't fit together."

The number of souls on earth is constantly in flux - at one time, most souls were in the spiritual realm, planning, studying, coordinating. Over the past several centuries, there has been a shift, a sense of urgency to achieve as much as advancement as possible, so more souls are on earth than in the spiritual realm.

When I said new souls are 'rare', I meant they're rare when compared to the number of 'old soul rebirths' that are far more common. Here in the United States, a stillbirth is considered rare, but it still happens in about 1 in every 160 births.

Oh, there is a reason for the feeling of urgency humans have in regard to advancement, but I can't explain without going into spoiler territory.
*inocent whistling*

I would love to sit down and have a real theological discussion with you! I just know you would be able to spark new ideas and would be a great person to debate! :D

Dawn wrote: "Jael wrote: "Going by this concept, shouldn't the human population be constantly on the decline? Especially when you consider that so many souls are becoming minions and some give up their humanity..."

Actually one of main reasons that Uprising appealed to me so much was the depth of the concept (can't think of the appropriate word to use here. Idea? Philosophy?) explored in it. It's pretty hard to find a book like that these days. Sure, we get books with complex world buildings and even some amazing plots that blow your mind completely away, but it's not everyday that you get a book that will make you stop and think really hard about life. I especially loved the part where Tyre scolded the baby about having enough free will before he came and it's not his mother's fault that he's having buyer's remorse. Believe it or not, whenever something bad happens now, I just tell myself, "NO BUYER'S REMORSE!" and force myself to calm down. Haha.

I believe that most readers would have loved to know a bit more about the world building and the whole advancement thing. For example, I'm sure quite a few of us would have like to have that conversation about souls in the book itself instead of having to find out directly from you ;) Then again, there will be readers who will be bored if the story progressed too slowly. Meh, guess it's really impossible to please everyone lol.

Jael wrote: "For example, I'm sure quite a few of us would have like to have that conversation about souls in the book itself instead of having to find out directly from you ;) "

I think you're right - that conversation probably should've stayed. The series is designed like a puzzle, everything revealed piece-piece over the course of the series. But as you said, others might become frustrated with the lack of whole answers and it diminishes their enjoyment.

It's bee a struggle, trying to strike a balance between information and mystery. There's a learning curve, most definitely!

As a matter of face, I think I'll probably remove this post entirely. Some of the topics might be considered a spoiler, and I'd hate to have an unsuspecting reader stumble in unawares. I hate it when that happens to me. XD