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Epigraph 1 of the book says,

Flesh demands sacrifice for its existence.

(Location 43 Kindle version)

I see this as a reference to various sacrifices you have to offer when you choose to go after forbidden flesh. What is the relevance of this quote to Zia's story? Did she have to make a sacrifice or was she, her body and soul, was the sacrifice in fulfilling her desires?

I believe the word flesh has been used to mean body desires. In Zia's context, she goes through a lot of risks just to fulfil her desires. She even takes a risk of being a love triangle just to attain sex. For one to satisfy the flesh, one has to get out of their comfort zone.

Brandy_Nyongesa wrote: ↑04 Aug 2021, 11:12 I believe the word flesh has been used to mean body desires. In Zia's context, she goes through a lot of risks just to fulfil her desires. She even takes a risk of being a love triangle just to attain sex. For one to satisfy the flesh, one has to get out of their comfort zone.

I agree. Everyone deserves to be fulfilled all around. I think taking some risks isn't a bad thing. There are risks which may be considered too far to obtain satisfaction and desires. There are times when sacrifices need to be made, but it is an individual's choice on what those are.

I think that the writer was trying to say that for everything you do there is a repercussion. Which should always consider if the risk is worth it. For instance, eating junk or a healthy meal. A healthy meal despite not being too sweet is good for you but junk ain't good, so you rather take a healthy meal, that's a sacrifice to keep your body in check

Brandy_Nyongesa wrote: ↑04 Aug 2021, 11:12 For one to satisfy the flesh, one has to get out of their comfort zone.

This is a SUPER accurate statement in more ways than this book can point out. This can even be said about money, jobs, and other things in life. I have to agree with you about your interpretation of flesh; I do believe that it is referring to the body. More specifically, I see it as sexual desires outside of true love and intimacy.

Though I'm sure it refers to the sacrifices Zia had to make to satisfy her sexual desires, I also wonder if the quote was picked because it matches the killer's motivation. For flesh (humans) to exist "properly" the women could be considered the sacrifice (the error god made). I don't know if that interpretation was also considered by the author or not, but it certainly lends a creepier feeling to the opening quote.

In Zias context i think it refers to the fact that she gives into her body's sexual desires which leaves her with a hefty price to pay for getting caught up in a few moments of ppassion with the wrong person.

I think the author is right in the sense that a person has to make various sacrifices to please the flesh. These sacrifices could be going to the gym, restricting yourself to a kind of food everyday and so on. In Zia's case, she had to make sacrifices to fulfill her sexual desires. These sacrifices always come with effects.

I think the word flesh means the physical body. Since we have free will, you are able to make a choice. I think that Zia could have made different choices other than the ones she made just to fulfill her sexual desires.

I think the word flesh means the physical body. Since we have free will, you are able to make a choice. I think that Zia could have made different choices other than the ones she made just to fulfill her sexual desires.

Of course. Things of the flesh has always been demanding of sacrifices, at times greater than one can carry. Zia choose to sacrifice herself and her body to please her flesh.

Brandy_Nyongesa wrote: ↑04 Aug 2021, 11:12 I believe the word flesh has been used to mean body desires. In Zia's context, she goes through a lot of risks just to fulfil her desires. She even takes a risk of being a love triangle just to attain sex. For one to satisfy the flesh, one has to get out of their comfort zone.

I agree. Zia had her sexual desires and to fulfill them she had to get involved into the love triangle, which is quite a risk. Though she could satisfy her needs, she had to sacrifice her comfort to that. So, yes, indeed flesh has its demands.

In her professional life, Zia is portrayed as an ambitious and hardworking person. She put her career at risk when she violated the client-agent relationship with Baxter. She also risked her relationship with Bryce for sexual gratification with another person. So the quote describes what Zia was willing to risk or sacrifice in order to satisfy her needs and desire.

I believe the flesh represents our body with insatiable needs, and the sacrifices are obstacles in form of risks which we take to fulfil our insatiable needs or wants. Just as Zia has a lot need and would not mind taking a risk or stepping out of her comfort zone.

I think 'flesh' refers to lust and for one to satisfy lust, some risk or sacrifice is required. Zia's sexual desires were satisfied while risking her relationship with Bryce.