For Book Clubs or Schools:
1. How does Cyrus feel about her Ability, and about her identity as half-human? How do her feelings change?
2. Cyrus is willing to give up her freedom for Aken’s sake. How does this affect Aken? What would you be willing to give up for someone else’s sake?
3. Aken despised Master Nephryte. How does the Master’s patience and persistence with him finally pay off? Is there someone you know who is hurting similarly to the way Aken is?
4. Secrets play a big part in Strayborn. But should Cyrus have kept her race a secret, or been honest from the start? What are the pros and cons of each? What would you have done?
5. Cyrus hasn’t forgiven her parents yet. Should she wait until they’re finally sorry for what they did?
6. Aken and Cyrus eventually become close friends. What does true friendship mean to you? How can you work on being a better friend? What roles do trust and honesty play?
7. What does faith mean to each of the characters, and how does it affect the way they live their lives? Are there any contradictions they should work on?
