Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your first impressions of Puck as a protagonist, and did your opinion of her change as the story progressed?

2. Were there any moments in the novel that surprised you or challenged your expectations? Why?

3. How did the alternating chapters between Puck and Sean impact your engagement with the story? Did the pacing and structure help or hinder your understanding of the plot?

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

1. Could you relate to Puck’s determination to compete in the Scorpio Races despite the obstacles she faced? When have you defied opinion to pursue a goal that was important to you?

2. Sean and Puck both have moments of self-doubt and fear. Did any of their struggles resonate with challenges in your own life?

3. Have you ever experienced a conflict between a group you belong to (such as your family, community, or school) and your own personal feelings, as Puck and Gabe do? How did their journeys provide a new perspective on your own experiences?

4. Puck and Sean have strong connections to Dove and Corr, respectively. Have you ever bonded deeply with an animal? How did that relationship differ from your relationships with other people?

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

1. In depicting the economic hardship of life on Thisby, the novel shows several characters contemplating moving to the mainland. What real-world communities face similar pressures, and what are some of the effects?

2. How is the novel’s exploration of the conflict between tradition and change reflected in contemporary societies?

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

1. What techniques does Stiefvater use to build suspense and tension in the novel, particularly during the race sequence?

2. What role does the island setting play in shaping the story’s tone and mood? For instance, how does the island increase the characters’ sense of danger, belonging, and/or isolation?

3. Consider another speculative fiction novel with a romantic subplot, such as The Hunger Games or The 5th Wave. Compare the way that the books explore love amid the challenges of the novels’ settings. What does the speculative fiction genre allow these novels to say about human connection?

4. Identify one internal conflict that Puck faces and one that Sean faces. Are these conflicts resolved? How does their resolution (or lack thereof) impact Puck and Sean’s growth and development?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine an epilogue to the novel that takes place one year in the future. What have Puck and Sean done with their new lives? What changes have they made so that they can be happy together? How do they feel about this year’s race, and are either of them competing?

2. Suppose you were writing a newspaper article or social media post announcing Puck’s victory. What tone would you use? What moments from the race would you include? How would you describe the audience and town’s reaction to her victory?