Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The alternating “Then” and “Now” chapters give us two very different versions of Lena simultaneously. Did you find this structure effective for telling her story, or did you find yourself more drawn to one timeline than the other?

2. How does this novel compare to other popular YA dystopian books from the same era, like Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games or Veronica Roth’s Divergent? What unique spin does the concept of love as a disease bring to the genre?

3. What was your reaction to the final scene when Alex is revealed to be alive? Did you see it coming, and how did his return change the way you understood Lena’s journey and choices up to that point?

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

1. Raven establishes a core rule for survival in the Wilds: “There is no before. There is only now, and what comes next.” Have you ever had to let go of part of your past to move forward? Do you think this kind of mindset can be a useful survival tool, or does it prevent true healing?

2. What did you think of Lena’s use of the mantra “Alex is alive” to push herself through physical pain and grueling training? Have you ever used a similar mental tool or personal story to motivate yourself through a difficult challenge?

3. Life in the Wilds is harsh and dangerous, but it’s also a place of community and emotional freedom. Could you imagine yourself living in a community like this? What do you think would be the most rewarding aspect of living in that kind of community, and what would be the most difficult?

4. Julian finds himself drawn to forbidden art, music, and images of nature, suggesting a deep human need for beauty and emotion. Have you ever felt that art, stories, or music helped you hold on to a sense of yourself during a difficult time? What role do you think art and storytelling play in fostering rebellion or preserving humanity in societies that demand conformity?

5. How does the novel portray the idea of a “found family” within the resistance? Have you ever experienced a “found family” or support system outside of your biological family? Do you feel the bonds between Lena, Raven, and Tack are stronger or more fragile than the biological family ties explored through Julian’s relationship with his father?

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

1. The book’s central premise is the “medicalization” of love, defining a natural human emotion as a disease called amor deliria nervosa. Can you think of any examples from history or contemporary society where normal human behaviors or identities have been labeled as illnesses to enforce social control?

2. The DFA’s use of manufactured fear is a central element of the plot, culminating in the revelation that it conspires with the Scavengers to stage attacks. Have you seen similar uses of fear in real-world politics or media? How does this tactic reflect strategies that justify the loss of freedoms?

3. What does the novel suggest about the different forms of resistance? We see the homesteaders focused on survival, the organized resistance engaging in covert operations, and the Scavengers using violent chaos. Which approach do you find most convincing or realistic, and why? What are the moral compromises of each?

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

1. Oliver uses the alternating “Then” and “Now” timeline to structure the novel. Did this structure make the story feel more suspenseful for you? How did it shape your understanding of Lena’s transformation from a grieving fugitive to a hardened operative?

2. In what ways do Raven and Julian serve as foils to each other? What differences stood out to you between them? How do they represent the different paths of pragmatism and idealism that Lena must navigate as her new identity takes shape?

3. The procedural scar is a potent symbol in the novel. What did the scar represent to you as you were reading? How does its meaning transform depending on whether it’s real or fake, and who is viewing it?

4. How does the setting of the Wilds function as more than just a backdrop? What stood out to you about how life in the Wilds shapes the characters?

5. Oliver often explores themes of identity and moral complexity in her work, such as in Before I Fall. Have you noticed similar patterns in her characters or in other young adult novels you’ve read? How does Lena’s evolution compare?

6. The novel complicates the idea of a clear-cut “good versus evil” conflict, particularly when the resistance reveals its plan to sacrifice Julian for the cause. What does this moral ambiguity suggest about the nature of rebellion and the corrupting influence of power?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Your task is to design a new covert communication system for the resistance, similar to the color-coded birds’ nests. What natural elements or urban features would you use, and what would your codes for “safe,” “danger,” and “supplies” look like?

2. What single personal item from your own life would you bring with you into the Wilds? How would it serve a practical or symbolic purpose in helping you survive and build a new life?

3. You’re tasked with setting up a new resistance safe house in a “cured” city, like the apartment Lena, Raven, and Tack use in Brooklyn. What would its cover story be, and what hidden features would you build in for security, storage, or communication to keep it undetected?