Nocticadia

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of the book? Why?

2. Nocticadia is a very complex novel with numerous subplots. Did you enjoy this?

3. Keri Lake has written numerous dark romance novels, and dark romance is a hugely popular genre. Compare this book to others in the same genre or by Lake, such as Anathema.

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How well do you feel the novel incorporated its more triggering content, such as taboo relationships, sexual assault, violence, and abuse? Do you feel that Lake handled it well? Are there aspects that you wish she’d done differently?

2. Which aspects of the themes or characters did you connect with most deeply?

3. There are elements of fantasy, horror, and mystery in the story, from secret societies to fictionalized parasites and diseases. Did you feel that the central characters’ reactions to these plot tools were believable? What do you consider more important to the story—the mystery or the romance subplot?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What does Lake accomplish by setting the story on an island off Maine? How does this location relate to the novel’s underlying message about the impacts of colonialism?

2. What does the novel seem to be saying about the intersection between class and scientific research? Do you know of any real-world examples that may parallel Lake’s depiction?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the purpose of having two narrators? What does Devryck’s perspective contribute to the plot and themes?

2. What ultimately drives Lilia and Devryck into a relationship with one another? How do their character traits complement one another?

3. Nocticadia holds aspects of dark academia. What elements of the plot, setting, and imagery align with this aesthetic and subculture? What more famous novels or trends might Lake be taking inspiration from?

4. Do you feel that there were any themes or messages that the novel was communicating that weren’t noted in this study guide? If not, which theme mentioned here did you most connect with or admire?

5. There are many symbols and other distinctive images—moths, handcuffs, lilies, parasites, etc.—that convey meaning or create specific tones in the story. Which do you feel were the most significant, whether to the plot, character, or themes? Why?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles? What other movies might a filmmaker take inspiration from when creating the Nocticadia adaptation?

2. If Lake decided to write another novel in this universe from a different character’s perspective, whose point of view would you want it to be from? Why?

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