Wings of Starlight

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How would you describe the novel’s tone as a whole? Was it more hopeful, tragic, bittersweet, or something else? Why?

2. In your opinion, was Clarion’s final decision regarding the border justified? How did this decision affect your overall impression of her leadership?

3. If you had to describe the novel in three words, which would you choose? Explain why you chose each one.

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

1. Clarion ultimately chooses duty over love. When have you experienced times in life when you had to set aside personal happiness for the greater good?

2. Clarion battles feelings of inadequacy even as she takes on great responsibilities. When have you felt overwhelmed by others’ expectations of you? How did you deal with it?

3. Circumstances throughout the novel test the friendships among Clarion, Petra, and Artemis and ultimately strengthen them. Can you think of a friendship in your own life that grew stronger after you faced a hardship?

4. The idea of letting go of people, dreams, or the past is central to the story. What is something significant you had to let go of, and what helped you move forward?

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

1. Pixie Hollow must recover from the trauma that the Nightmares caused. How does the story explore themes of healing and rebuilding after collective disaster? Can you relate this to any historical or current real-world events?

2. How does Clarion’s new vision challenge Pixie Hollow’s rigid hierarchy? Does the real world have historical examples of leaders trying to reform old institutions like Clarion does?

3. Elvina and Clarion’s relationship mirrors a generational divide. How does the novel portray the conflict between older traditions and new visions for the future? How might this translate into the real world?

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

1. Winter is a place of both danger and beauty in the novel. How does the author complicate the typical associations of seasons with emotional or moral qualities?

2. The Queen Nightmare embodies tangible fear and despair. What literary techniques does Saft use to make this entity feel threatening even before it fully appears?

3. Examine the character arc of Clarion throughout the novel. In what ways does she grow as a leader and as a person, and why? How does her arc support the novel’s themes?

4. How does Clarion’s descent into the Nightmares’ world mirror traditional mythological journeys into the Underworld?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine an alternate ending in which Clarion and Milori find a loophole allowing them to be together. What magical or political solution might they discover, and what sacrifices would still be necessary?

2. Write a letter from Elvina to Clarion years after her reign has begun. What advice or reflections might Elvina offer after seeing Clarion’s leadership from afar?

3. Reimagine a key scene from Milori’s point of view. How would the tone and emotions shift if the narrative followed his thoughts during Clarion’s coronation or their final goodbye?

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