Do you think Santángel was a good man? Do you think Luzia loves him because he’s good in some respects, or in spite of it?

Luzia acknowledges that Santángel is a liar and a killer - that “he was not a good man” – but then goes on to think “it was possible she didn’t want a good man.” Do you think Santángel was a good man? Do you think she loves him because he’s good in some respects, or in spite of it?

Yes, I believe he was a good man but was forced into situations due to the power de Paredes had over him. Did Luzia love him, knowing like her, he was controlled by his position in life? Perhaps.

I think he was human (well, sort of), and good in some ways and conniving and self-serving in others. In many ways, I saw the two of them as kindred spirits.

Santangel was complicated, as any anti-hero is. He was good man who may have been jaded by living a long life of subservience, abuse and being tied to a bad family for so long. I think in his heart he was a good man, at one time he was a good man, and perhaps it took Luzia to help him find himself again?

There was goodness in Santangel but I don't think that's why Luzia loved him. In him she saw a kindred spirit, someone who in many ways shared similar life experiences through their shared gifts.

At first I thought Santangal was going to be an evil character. He seemed creepy, but he proved otherwise. He really loved Luzia, and she really loved him. In the end they deserved each other.

I don't think he was a good man, at least at first. If you consider his first years, as he led a dissolute lifestyle and sought immortality, it seems like he wasn't on a very good path from the outset. It's been a while since I finished the book, but except for his actions regarding Luzia, did he do ANYTHING to help anyone else? I may just not be remembering but I didn't think so.

He definitely did fall in love with Luzia, and that the relationship redeemed him.

While I kinda, sorta liked Santangel - he was a complex character - I also felt he was rather flat. I never felt like I knew him that much, but perhaps that was purposeful? I definitely didn’t like the love-story aspect of this book, as I felt zero chemistry between these two. It never felt that compelling .

I believe Santangel was a good man. Because of the sad circumstances in his life he now was forced to do things, murder, etc that he normally would not have done. He loved Luzia and she loved him.

Is any of us completely "good"? We have all made mistakes and done things we regret. Granted, most of us have not been as "bad" as Santangel or others in this narrative (even Luzia kills and admits she enjoys that power) but we did not live in this perilous time in history in a society that affords certain men absolute power and all others live in constant danger. Santangel tries to be a better man for Luzia. In his youth he was a fortunate, lucky, rich second son who lived life selfishly-using women and not doing anything for others. But, once Tello bound him in service, he had to use violence and then he was guilty of many crimes. Only when he met Luiza, did he come alive and want to improve his nature. Luiza slowly learns who he is, but she was falling in love with him even though he was not a "good" man (though good in some respects)-we cannot help who we love.

Santangel is a complicated man. He has lost himself because of the curse that ties him to Victor and his family. I don’t think he is good because he is forced to harm people as one of his main duties. I think Luzia loves him because he has paid attention to her and she can count on him to some degree. They are both smart and have suffered from their circumstances which draws them together.

Santangel did not act as a good man throughout his captivity; he continued to do evil acts, for his own self-preservation. The message seems to be that love can overcome evil. It wasn't until he loved someone more than his own immortality that you could see him changing.

Santangel was a spoiled young man who didn't know to value his gifts until he carelessly gave them away in exchange for immortality. Foolish and young but not yet bad or evil. When he was betrayed, he lost what was most dear to him; his luck and his trusting nature. He became jaded and lost his enthusiasm for life after many years of serving an evil man & his descendants. He followed instructions in order to remain alive, and killed many people as he slowly faded from his life. Falling in love with Luzia made him realize that there were more important things than his life.

Santander is a very complex character which explored all of our human tendencies, our capacity for good and evil, selfishness and selflessness, to love and to hate. I think he was both good and bad and as we all do, changed as he lived his life and learned.

I think Santangel began life as a spoiled man who was very privileged and entitled. As the consequences of his choices became obvious, he became more ruthless with each generation he was required to serve. Luzia struggled with her own self-worth and understanding of her value and power. I think she sees herself in him and understands that some terrible events and choices are outside of their control when they are controlled by evil intents of others.

Santangel was an incredibly multifaceted individual. Yes, he was ruthless, a killer, and a servant. While also caring, loving (in his own way), and intelligent. Striving to be a free man at whatever cost he may have to pay.

Good is a relative term. Santangel was forced into situations where he did bad things, but that does not make him a bad person. He was human. When we face hardships, it's natural to take the easier route. But when he found a reason to do the right thing, he did. He planned to sacrifice himself for Luzia in the end. He was willing to give everything he had to protect her. That act alone redeems him.

Interesting question. In fictional romance (and certainly true in the latest fantasy novels), the trend seems to be to set up a "bad guy" who turns into the love interest and has an ulterior reason for being "bad". Perhaps the author is showing us the two sides of what society deems "bad or evil" or they're playing into female fantasy. Santangel was doing what was necessary to keep him alive. An interesting question to ask ourselves. Would we have the courage to stand up to evil if it meant our life?

As many have stated, I think Santanegel was a good person but had to do bad things based on his circumstances. I think Luiza fell in love with him because he was a "bad boy" in a lot of ways. In the early parts of the book, I was wondering what his motives were. In the end, he proves his loyalty to her.

Santangel was a good, or at least a decent, man, but one with flaws like other human beings. In his youth he enjoyed learning, debating philosophy and science, but the death of his father left him obsessed with the idea of immorality. He traveled far and wide in search of the secret, always in the company of Tello, his best and most trusted friend. Eventually he is offered a bargain that allows him immorality and he accepts only to later realize that Tello, "twice as learned" as he has betrayed him. Tello's son tests his immortality again and again, and although Santangel feels the pain, he does not die. At Tello's deathbed, he begs to be released from the curse, but is refused. Generation after generation he is held in servitude, finally giving up his association with scientists and librarians, knowing he will never have the opportunity to visit with them. He retires from the world at large but sees a chance for freedom when Victor de Paredes agrees to release him in exchange for someone with even greater powers. He has felt nothing for so long that he is surprised to discover the Luzia who hides behind her scullion demeanor and who makes him remember that he is a man and a very human man. What he might have been without Tello's betrayal is apparent.

I think Luzia found the good in Santángel that she wanted to see. He started out as self serving, but as we got to know him he was no worse than any other.