ERICA O’ROURKE

KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.www.kensingtonbooks.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1. At the beginning of the novel, Mo says that the truth isoverrated. Do you agree? Are there situations where dis-honesty is the right choice, or is it always better to tellthe truth, regardless of the cost? Is it truly possible to lieto yourself?

2. Constance copes with her grief by lashing out at Mo.After her powers emerge, Constance’s emotions becomephysically dangerous to those around her. Is there a pointat which she should be held accountable for her actions?How long does grief or depression excuse a person’s be-havior?

3. Mo spends much of Tangled dealing with the conse-quences of her actions in Torn. For example, killingEvangeline during the Torrent inadvertently triggered themagical surges. Also, her refusal to falsely identify theRussian gangsters escalates the problems between heruncle and Yuri Ekomov. If she had known what wouldhappen, do you think she would have chosen differ-ently—allowed Evangeline to live and / or lied for heruncle? Should she have? In a situation where followingyour principles will cause problems later, how do youchoose? Are there times when the cost of following yourmost deeply held beliefs is too high?

4. Colin tells Mo he knows her, whereas most people onlyknow about her. What is the difference? Considering heractions and her agreement with Billy at the end of thebook, do you think he’s right? How long does it take toknow someone really well? Does anyone ever completelyknow anyone else?

5. Mo agrees to pass information to Jenny about her uncle’scriminal activities, but she keeps the Arcs a secret. Is itenough to help with the case against Billy, or does she

have an obligation to tell Jenny how her father reallydied? Are there any differences between Jenny’s quest forvengeance and Mo’s?

6. Mo and Luc’s relationship is complicated by their oppos-ing views on fate. Does Luc’s belief in the prophecy andfate make his feelings for Mo less genuine? Is Mo’sfear—that being with Luc means letting fate control herlife—reasonable? Who is right? If someone’s worldviewand beliefs are completely different from yours, is it pos-sible to overcome those differences?

7. Why does Colin keep his past a secret from Mo: to pro-tect her, to put it behind him, or another reason? Shouldhe have been more open, or was Mo wrong to investigateafter he asked her not to? Does loving someone meansharing all your secrets, or is it better to keep somethings to yourself?

8. Mo forges the Covenant with the Arcs to help Constanceand agrees to work for her uncle to spare Colin’s life.Why do you think she repeatedly puts herself second? Isher self-sacrifice a strength or a weakness? At what pointshould she put herself first? Her mother also sacrificedher own happiness to ensure a stable life for Mo; do youagree with her choice? Is there a difference between Mrs.Fitzgerald’s deal with Billy and Mo’s?

9. How does Mo’s view of her mother change over thecourse of the novel? Mrs. Fitzgerald is aware of muchmore than she lets on, particularly about Billy’s activitiesand Mo’s relationship with Colin. Is this an effective wayto cope with the situation? How does her approach tothe family’s troubles differ from Mo’s? When you’refaced with difficult things you can’t change, how do youhandle it?

10. At the end of the novel, Mo realizes that she will neverbe free of Luc and the Arcs; her bond with the magic

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means she will always be connected to their world. Howwill this affect her future? Do you agree with Luc thatshe will eventually have to choose between the Flatworld and the Arc one, or is there a way for her to bal-ance the two? What is the appeal of each world for her?How would you make that decision?

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