Sebastian's immortality
To Evie, nothing could come as more of a shock than Sebastian's hidden story. When she learns this critical tale (which has been hidden through the use of dramatic irony), the truth is perplexing and honestly quite horrifying. He has committed atrocities in the name of his home immortality. In his opinion, he broke sacred rules to cheat death and attain his everlasting life. The story takes on a sublime tone of cosmic horror.
Agnes and S.
Agnes and S. are friends who are playing around like young people do, exploring their curiosities, and seeking to understand the truth of their environment. They accidentally succeed in witchcraft, a story that has been concealed from Evie through dramatic irony until she discovers a diary detailing the story. The irony of their witchcraft is that it explains the absolute hatred she has received at Wyldcliffe. She thought it was personal, but in reality, Agnes is still disturbed and upset by her missed chance at eternal life.
The necklace's ironic power
The daughter and the necklace are imbued with the power of immortality, so that when Agnes is hit on the head, she is unable to tell Sebastian the truth. Evie now knows something that Sebastian does not know. She knows where the necklace is, and she knows that Sebastian has the propensity to harm her. She has gained a weapon and an advantage, but Sebastian has no idea that he is helping her in this way.
The surprising power of nature
Any conversation about this book's use of irony would be incomplete without treating the ironic power of elemental aspects of nature. By harnessing the elemental magic of fire, water, earth, and air, the characters attain immortality and the power to heal their wounds, plus other minor powers. The irony is that such mundane, everyday aspects of reality were secretly unimaginably powerful, powerful enough to overcome the problem of death.
Love and death
Love and death are set at odds with each other in this book. For instance, the prospect of living forever makes either person extremely bitter and selfish, proving that in comparison to their own life, their love for the other character pales. These are not people who are willing to face death in the name of love, but rather, they are people who desire their own best above that of other people. Plus, there is an ironic sense that perhaps romantic love is a response to the problem of death, as if suffering were designed to bring lovers into emotional closeness.
