The perspective is consistently first-person for Adelina’s chapters but third-person limited for other viewpoint characters. How does perspective impact the content of the chapters and the overall plot? How would the narrative change if it did not include the third-person limited perspective?

Which setting details draw most strongly on the Renaissance period? Which setting details are entirely representative of a built world and the fantasy genre? How do the two sets of details compare and contrast?

Violetta and Adelina have a complex relationship. How do Adelina’s memories support these complexities? At what point does Adelina’s idea of sisterhood shift from wistful nostalgia to cooperation and protection? How do her feelings about Violetta help to indirectly characterize Adelina?

The narrative’s events and language support The Concept of Monstrosity and Society’s Role in Creating It, which regards malfettos as “Others” throughout Kenettra that juxtaposes with their treatment in the Skylands. Which scenes develop this theme? Cite specific textual examples to support your answer.

Dramatic foils are characters so opposite in nature that they call attention to each other traits. How are Enzo and Teren foils? Adelina and Violetta? Adelina and Maeve?

How do the traits of Gemma, Lucent, Michel, and Dante help to set the tone of the Dagger Society? How does the tone shift with the deaths of Enzo and Dante and the change of leadership to Raffaele?

The balinas contribute to the novel’s setting and play a role in Raffaele’s rescue. What quality or ideal do these fantastical creatures symbolize?

Adelina struggles to decide whether Enzo’s attraction to her is sincere. Based on textual evidence that surfaces in scenes from Enzo’s and Raffaele’s points of view, are Enzo’s romantic advances toward Adelina sincere? What are the strongest pieces of proof?