Freedom vs Obligation

Throughout the book, Isla is conflicted about a desire to obtain and exercise freedom while also feeling bound by obligations to her people. This is established when Isla is first introduced as she is seen teleporting back from an illicit journey to somewhere outside of her secluded room, which is not permitted by her guardians. Although Isla is portrayed as proficiently using the Starstick she still chooses to return to her room even though she has the opportunity to run away from everything. Perhaps one reason why is her encounter with a dying Wilding and knowing that her cause of death was “the fault was Isla’s” (4). Introducing a minor character that is dying due to Isla’s lack of ability sets the stakes and shows why Isla feels a strong sense of obligation.

Yet throughout the book, Isla also longs for freedom. This...