𝑲𝑶𝑻𝑳𝑪 𝑨𝒍𝒍

Discussion and Trivia Questions about 'Flashback'

1. What does the prologue foreshadow? Talk about the role of illusions in the plot, including whoproduces them. When are illusions a challenge for Sophie and her friends? When do they createillusions themselves, and why?

2. What are some of the barriers keeping Sophie and Fitz from getting romantically involved? Howdoes their relationship deepen during the story? What do you think the last line implies about theirfuture together? What qualities do you value in a relationship or a friendship? Do you see any ofthese in Sophie and Fitz?

3. Early on, a decision is made about Alvar staying with his parents. Discuss the pros and cons ofthis decision. Why do his parents agree to it? How do Fitz and Biana feel about it? Describe howFitz expresses his feelings about it to his parents. What choice would you have made for Alvar?

4. Describe the extended Vacker family. How can you tell that they are an important family? Whatdo you learn about their history? Why does Sophie sometimes feel intimidated by them? Do herfeelings affect how she acts around them?

5. Who is Luzia, and how does she fit into the Vacker family? What does Sophie learn about her overthe course of the story? Describe Luzia's personality and powers. Why did she leave Everglen?What kind of alliance has she made with the trolls? Do you think Luzia is an easy person to trust?Explain your answer

6. In chapter 2, Sophie remembers what Alvar once told Biana: "You'll understand, someday, whenyou see the Vacker legacy for what it is." What does Sophie think about the legacy at that point?What does it turn out to be in the end? Are there other plot elements or characters that appear tobe one thing and are revealed as another by the end of the story?

7. When Grizel starts teaching Sophie to use a throwing star, how does Sophie feel about it? Whatmakes her think that Project Moonlark may have made her a "natural killer"? What do you thinkseparates Sophie from her enemies, if both are willing to use violence? When does she use hernew skills in action?

8. How do Sophie and Fitz end up in the infirmary? What are their injuries, and what caused them?What kind of treatment do they get, and from whom? Talk about the differences between elfmedicine and human medicine.

9. Why does Sophie decide to intensify her training? What areas does she work hardest on? Who elseincreases their training? Who are their teachers, and what do they teach? How does the trainingend up feeding into Vespera's scheme?

10. Why does Tarina join Sophie's group of bodyguards? What are some of her strengths and abilities?What does she teach Sophie? Describe times that Tarina is important in protecting Sophie. Arethere sacrifices in agreeing to protect someone? Think about the degree of loyalty and trustrequired, and whether developing an emotional bond is a help or a hindrance.

11. What kind of alliance does Tarina want to forge with Sophie? What does Tarina offer in return for thepromise of Sophie's help in the future? How does Sophie react to the idea of an alliance? Why doesshe end up agreeing to it? Is there a line between a partnership and a parasitic relationship, and isit crossed here? What would you have decided to do if you were in Sophie's place?

13. Who is Marella? Describe her relationship with Sophie. Why is Marella's talent with fire a problem?What does Fintan offer to do for Marella? Explain why Sophie and her friends are skeptical ofFintan's offer, and what they decide to do about it.

14. When Fitz and Sophie are talking about the Winnowing Gala and matches, he says to her, "I wantit to be you." What does he mean? What is Sophie's reaction? Why do you think it's challenging forthem to navigate romance? Does developing a friendship first change the stakes when movinginto a relationship? Explain your answer. 

15. When Sophie later expresses her lack of confidence about their possible romance, Fitz tells herthat she's "the most powerful elf our world has ever seen." What makes her powerful? Whydoesn't Sophie see herself that way? Why do you think she lacks self-confidence? Can you relateto Sophie? Why can it be harder to convince yourself of your worth than it is to convince others?Explain your answer.

16. How does Keefe react to Sophie and Fitz's changing relationship? Find examples that show howKeefe feels about Sophie. When Keefe says to Fitz, "It's not exactly easy being your friend," whatdoes he mean? Can you relate to Keefe in this situation? How would you have handled things ifyou were in his shoes?

17. Mr. Forkle tells Sophie, "Life is a series of hard choices, Miss Foster. The most you can do is facethem one at a time." What are some of the hard choices Sophie has to make during the story?What makes those choices hard? Do you think there are right and wrong choices? What advicewould you give to Sophie?

18. Mr. Forkle cautions Fitz against harming Alvar by saying, "Punishing someone because you expectthem to commit a crime will always be unjust." To do so, he explains, would make Fitz "as bad asour enemies." Discuss these statements and whether you agree with them. Can you relate themto other situations you've seen in your community or in the news? Sophie points out the differencebetween "fighting back" and "preemptive murder." What does she mean? Why is that distinctionimportant?

19. What is the role of memory in the plot? Describe memories in conjunction with Alvar, Keefe, andSophie. What is the significance of the title? How does it relate to memories?