1. After reading the preface, predict what might happen in the novel. Then, when you finish thenovel, go back to the preface and discuss how it foreshadows some of the action and dilemmas.

2. Describe Amy and her personality, and compare her life so far to Sophie's. How do they interactin the novel? At the end, Amy makes an important choice about her own memory. What does shechoose, and why does she make that choice? 

3. Sophie and her friends learn something shocking and amazing about Mr. Forkle. What do theyfind out? Describe his unusual past and how it changes Sophie's understanding of him. 

4. Sophie doesn't have romantic feelings for Dex, so why does she kiss him? What is his reaction?Describe the consequences of the kiss both in that moment and later on in the story

5. Lady Cadence is trying to forge an alliance between Black Swan and the ogres. Why does she thinkthat's important? Why are the elves willing to consider it? How could it benefit the ogres? 

6. Sophie expects King Dimitar to challenge her, but he challenges Keefe instead. What is thechallenge? Who wins, and how does he do so? 

7. Who is Ro? How does she end up spending time with Keefe and his friends? Describeher appearance and her personality. Give examples of how she helps Keefe, Sophie, andtheir friends. 

8. What is the relationship between Keefe's blood and Nightfall? Keefe's mother, Lady Gisela,refers to Keefe's legacy. What is she talking about? How does Keefe feel about his mother? 

9. What are Lady Gisela's goals? Why does she forge alliances near the end of the story? Discusswhy she says to Keefe and Sophie: "I must get both of you ready for everything ahead." 

10. Who is Vespera, and where has she been until recently? Explain her history in Atlantis and withhuman beings. What does she want now? Why has she kidnapped Sophie's parents? 

11. What is sopordine? How is it made, and what are its effects? Identify those in the book who aregiven the drug and what happens to each of them. 

12. In the first chapter, Sophie thinks about her friends and how it will take "all of their abilities, all oftheir ideas—and a scary amount of luck—to get through" their challenges. What do each of herfriends contribute when they have to fight Vespera in Nightfall?

13. In Nightfall, Vespera explains that Sophie remains trapped because she refuses "to accept thatit takes ruthlessness to win in this world." What does she mean by ruthlessness? In what ways isVespera ruthless? What does Sophie choose to be instead?

14. Vivid places appear throughout this series. Describe a few of the novel's settings, such asBrumevale, the first and second Nightfall, Atlantis, and so on. What words does the author use tomake the different places easy to picture? 

15. The author uses questions effectively throughout the novel. For example, she ends chapter sevenwith two questions. What effect do those questions have on the reader? Find other examples ofquestions and analyze their role in the narrative. 

16. Several times throughout the story, Sophie finds herself worried about what-ifs. At one point,Mr. Forkle says to her, "No 'what-ifs.' Try to wait until we have facts." Explain what he means. Whydoes Sophie worry so much? Why do you think her "what-ifs" are negative instead of positive? 

17. After Sophie describes her time in the Lost Cities to her sister, Amy wonders how Sophie hassurvived so much. Sophie's answer also explains how they'll face the future: "One day at a time.One problem at a time. Each tiny bit of progress slowly adds up to something big." Discuss thisattitude and whether you think it's a good one. When does Sophie demonstrate this approach inthe novel? 

18. In talking to Sophie about Project Moonlark, Livvy describes the present time as a "turning pointin history." In what ways is it a turning point in history? What occurs in the novel that mightchange the future for those living in the Lost Cities and elsewhere?