Hale incorporates songs and rhymes at the beginning of each chapter. How do they contribute to the novel’s tone, themes, and world building?

How does Miri subvert the expectations of a typical female protagonist, especially in fantasy? How do the other characters—like Britta, Katar, and Olana—fit or challenge traditional gender roles?

Hale has stated that she used Scandinavian culture as an inspiration in the novel. Where can you spot some of these influences? How does the novel incorporate folklore while crafting an original fantasy world?