Sparkle Valley & Radical Kindness

Abigail treats Ivana with unexpected kindness in Book 1, which reveals kindness not just as a force, but as a tranformative power.

In fact, Abigail’s kindness toward Ivana is the pivotal moment that establishes the trilogy's moral backbone.

While Ivana acts as a typical antagonist—motivated by jealousy and the desire to hoard the valley's "spark"—Abigail refuses to treat her as an enemy. Philosophically, this kindness is significant because it goes beyond just "being nice." It enters the territory of "radical kindness" - or "Ontological Validation" (see Kant). 

1. Radical Kindness as a Categorical Imperative.

Abigail's kindness is the clearest example of Kant's ethics. The logic is as follows:

Abigail follows Kant's rule:

"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law."

If she responded to Ivana’s hate with hate, she would be validating "hate" as a universal law of Sparkle Valley.

But she chooses kindness, and this creates a new reality for the valley. She thereby proves that moral duty is stronger than the physical power Ivana wields.

2. Radical Kindness overcomes Resentment:

Nietzsche wrote about a concept called Ressentiment, which basically is when a person is defined by the resentment they have for others. This is Ivana in a nutshell. She defines herself through her jealousy of Abigail's inner spark.

 Abigail's Power Move: Usually, kindness is seen as a "weak" trait. However, in Book 1, Abigail’s kindness is the ultimate power move.

Abigail hugs Ivana in Sparkle Valley

It disarms Ivana because Ivana’s power relies on conflict. When Abigail gives her a " doll embrace" instead of crushing her, she removes the foundation of Ivana’s identity as a victim/villain. That is the basic moral message of the Trilogy. In the end, Abigail doesn’t defeat Ivana—she makes her way of being impossible to sustain.