The book's characters and values dilemmas are more provocative than the plot, which ends up with a fairly standard saving-the-planet-from-disaster scenario. But some readers may enjoy discussing the latter. The religious topics are unique enough to evoke meaningful discussion without coming too close to contemporary religious tensions.

1. If our society discovered a "Deadman Switch" obstacle to a needed resource, would we go after it anyway?

If so, how would we rationalize our decision?

2. At one point Lord Kelsey-Ramos tells Benedar: "There are things in this universe that only someone with a deceitful, manipulative mind can understand." Do you agree?

3. Kelsey-Ramos makes the statement above when they realize the thunderheads are using humans as they use the stinging insects, to defend their own species against invaders. Could the situation be instead a case of symbiosis, where both species benefit?

4. The Haloans meditate or "Seek" in a sort...