I thought there should be a post for this because there's a lot of talk about it, so tell me what you think about the ending between Gem and Kartik, if Gem can see Kartik or if he has entered the world beyond the realms, and will Gem ever love again.

According to Libba Bray, (I've read some of her comments to others who believed that Gemma shouldn't find some else to love) the readers shouldn't want Gemma not to fall in love again. Though I believe that Gemma should be given a chance to love again, I can't understand how she can. The reason, she'll be forever haunted of dreams about Kartik.

True, and just, honestly, who could be better than Kartik? When thats question is answered I might think Gemma will love again. Yes, I agree she should be given the chance, ONLY IF she wants it though. And I don't think she would. Maybe once, but not more than three times, that she would be in a relationship.

I went to one of Libba's showings at my local Borders, and she said that she left this topic open for debate. I personally think that Gemma will love again, but not ever as much as she loved Kartik.I think it really special that she can go to the realms when she wants and Gem can sit by the tree and hear the wind whisper her name through the leaves. It gives me shivers just thinking about it. Gemma needs to move on, but not to forget.

Hmmm, you might have something there... I absoutley LOVED how she can feel the wind on her skin, saying her name and its the most beautiful sound in the world. I loved it. I don't know, I'm not exacrtly sure I want her to move on though, I don't want her to be really whiny or anything, and she lives happily just, with Kartik in her dreams, and can feel him in the light but not see him, and feel the wind on her skin.

About Jessalina's last message, I wouldn't say "haunted" because I think Gemma still loves him and of course she wants to see him. But yes, I definetly agree that she probably can't love again, because she is constantly remembering him, and loving him.

She needs to move on, though. I mean, she should still remember Kartik, and still love him. But she needs to move on and not dweel on the past. Like it's implied in the last chapter, it's a new beginnning for all of the characters. I'm sure Gem would never love anyone more than she loved Kartik, but I think that she will love again. She deserves at least that.

I used the word haunted for lack of a better word. And because if she did fall in love again, she could never give herself away completely. There's always going to be Kartik, which she dreams about. In the long run, if she does fall in love again, she will be haunted by her past, which I'm sure Libba Bray hadn't want to happen to her characters. But it really couldn't be helped.

I think she should be given the chance to love again for sure. But I agree with Jessalina on this one, no love will be as strong as Kartik.

I honestly, don't think there would be anyone who could compete with Kartike anyways. I mean, when a guy gives up his very life for yours, you know he really loved you, and that would be hard to beat.

But I just think that's really unfair for Gemma and for whoever else falls in love with her. I mean, another guy may not be given the chance to prove he loves her by dying for her. And she gets to live on knowing that the one she loved died for her. Even if she knows it was what he wanted, she would still feel guilt sometimes, it's human nature.

Yes, she def feels gulity, Kartik seems like he is constantly trying to tell her to live on, and that's very hard for her. Yes, it would be hard for that boy to prove his love, but I don't think Kartik dying was proving his love, it's a completely different thing altogether. He loves her, he feels purpose, he saves her. I don't know how you would describe what he did, but all I can say is that is was beautiful. Although I think Gemma should be given the chance, I cannot see her fall in love again.

PS: I think there is only one awful thing about this book, that no guy could possibly ever compete with Kartik!

I agree that Kartik wasn't really dying to prove his love. I mean, we all know that he loved her unconditionally, but he believed in fate and destiny. He believed that it was his destiny to die for Gemma. It may be hard for her to bear, but she needs to move on. She will love again, I'm sure, but not as much as she ever loved Kartik.
Also, about how no guy ever competes with Kartik: he was way jealous of Simon. Kartik felt threatened by Simon, and I think that was a good thing, because it made Kartik fight even more for Gem. The other way around, also. When Kartik asks about Pippa, about who she is, and Gemma sees the look of awe in his eyes, she feels jealous as well. Which also makes her fight for him.

I think he CHANGED his destiny, after all, Amar told him that "he'd be the death of her" and he changed it! I think the Simon thing was part acting part real jealously, but I don't think it really mattered. They fought for each other because they loved each other. Not because they were drived by jealously.

I cried when he died. cried. That was the third time I'd cried reading a book ever. I loved Kartik, I hope Gemma will never love again because they were so perfect together and they loved each other so much.

or if she does, it won't be as much as Kartik and he'll always be first

I hope she never does either. So they can be together in the afterlife. So she can always remember the wind.

I was just thinking about this, and I remembered she came back from The Three because of him. She came back for him. She loved him. (Crying). Why does one of the best books I've ever read have to end in tragedy? Why does first love's ending have to be inevitable?

When I finished reading TSFT I was thinking the same things as you guys. At least I know that I am not crazy!LOL! I agree that she should be given another chance at love. And i think that even if she does love again that she will still have a place in her that will always belong to Kartik.:p

Yes, I've stil been trying to come to terms with it all. With first love's ending. With life's begining. It's hard to accept. But Libba is genius enough to show us one of the hardest life lessons. She knows that the best books are the ones that make you smile, laugh, scream, cry and bleed.

True that!:)

:). Sorry, I get really deep about these things, I love these books!

I can not see her loving another guy. I'm sorry, its just their love is just to special to try to replace with a new love. And I don't think she should like move on and forget about him. I think she should go through her life and remember the good times with him. Like when she gave him her fathers cricket bat and watched him play with it, when they went to the indian restaurant, when they danced at the barn, (*sniff* *sniff*) when they were in the Thames, and then there was the caves of sighs! The dream and when he said "To each his own" after Gemma gave him magic. Gemma should just go on through her life and remember how lucky she was that she got to be with him.

But Gemma deserves to love again. She deserves that much. She should remember, but move on. I can't imagine another man, but I'm working on it. I'm trying to make a decision and conclusion to Gemma's story in my mind.

Yeah, but think about every time they....ya know. She would be thinking about Kartik the entire time.

Still though, she deserves it, and she will find one.

I know, but if I were her. Even if I deserved it I wouldn't want one. I'd become like Jane Austen and never get married.

Haha, I don't know...

Emma what would you want if you were Gemma, not just reading her story? Living it.

I don't know....can't decide...

See. I mean it would be nice to love again. But,...it would just remind me of Kartik even more.

I can't decide.

Well, sorry for butting in but I think you have to see it from a different perspective. About six years ago my mom died. My dad loved her, and I believe he still loves her. My dad Was miserable toughs first days, months, and years. He was lonely and then he met Karen. I am sure he remembers all the good times he had with my mom. I think he still Loves my mom but also loves Karen. I think everyone needs someone to love always to take away the pain of losing love.

Kristin, I'm very sorry for your loss. I agree with you, you can love two people at the same time, and that doesn't take away from the previous love.

Exactly. You know what I had this cool like...idea. I realized that I would be okay with the ending if like...(ok this is where it gets really weird) after Gem died. Gemma and Kartik came to me and told me that everything was alright and that they were together. Yes, I know it sounds weird but it makes me feel better. Even though its just a book.

Okay, Kristen I agree with you.

But that would mean Gemma wasn't strong enough to move on. And Gemma is strong.

Sigh, Emma. After Gemma died. And its for me to feel better. Not for her too.

Haha, still though....I picture Gemma moving on and having a wonderful but painful life.

Ya, I guess that would also help me with the ending. Or i guess have me like it better. But now that i think about is it I love the ending. Its beautiful when you think about it.

It is.

But I also thought the same thing as Emma. I thought she might go into teaching or something.

Really? I pictured her as a writer.

Talking about the realms and her life. Her pain. I wouldn't want Gemma to die. She's stronger than that. And it would mean Kartik's sacrifice was in vain.

Ya, I can see her as that to.

Like Nightwing? And I think its beautiful too. I mean I guess even if I could change the ending I wouldn't. Because it fits perfectly.

I'm talking about like 80 years later when she is like 108 she dies and they come to me.

It's beautiful, painful, and above all, amazing. I couldn't see her as a teacher. She would hate that job.

Ya, I'm glad she didn't die. That would be just to sad of an ending.

Ohhhh! Now that's awesome. Because I think she will live in the world beyond the realms with Kartik.