How does the book explore the relationship between collaboration and competition? Are these opposing values, or can they reinforce one another?

What does Mr. Quisling’s relationship to Book Scavenger reveal about his personal history and character? What does he get from participating in the game, and are there other characters who derive similar benefits?

How does the author use the literary device of the red herring to build suspense and misdirect both Emily and the reader? How many examples of this device can you find? How do they support the novel’s themes?

How is dramatic irony used in the book—especially in scenes involving the Phoenix—and how does it affect the reader’s experience? What insight does the reader gain about Emily’s character by knowing aspects of the plot that she does not yet know?

What is the significance of the final treasure? How is its meaning different for Emily, James, and Mr. Quisling?

Why is the code’s origin—created by a Chinese miner—important? What commentary does the book offer about whose stories get remembered in history?

How is the phoenix motif used in the novel, both as a symbol and as a codename? What does it suggest about the antagonist’s backstory? Does it also have significance for other characters?

What is the significance of books and reading in the novel—not just for Emily but for many of the characters? How does the story portray the power of books?