Compare Ven's character at the beginning of the novel to Ven's character at the end of the novel. What are similarities? What are differences? What events happened in the novel to cause these changes? Do you think Ven's character has matured? In what ways does the author indicate this?

Throughout the novel, the characters are put to use where their talent can be best utilized. Ven is able to call the Floating Island and can dig, Ida is used for her skills at thieving, and Clemency is used for her clergy skills. Discuss this, in terms of what the author was trying to say about using one's skills.

Many of the characters feel out of place or are lost in the story. For example, Char, without parents, often feels different than others, and Ven, as a Nain, not only feels differently but often is...