A Light in the Flame

When Attes calls Sera a pretty “accessory,” Sera bursts into anger, threatening to kill the Primal if he so demeans her again. Why does Sera particularly despise being called an accessory? Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.

Nyktos tells Sera that she should not have sought to kill him since it endangered her life. Sera asks Nyktos what else could she have done: “Kicked the can down the road for someone else to deal with […] or just do nothing and let my kingdom die?” (163). What does Sera mean here? What do her statements say about the nature of choice?

How would you describe Sera’s relationships with Jadis and Reaver? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Examine how the novel uses sex and intimacy to develop Sera’s character and to illustrate the theme of The Quest for Identity and Self-Acceptance, strengthening your response with examples from the text.

Discuss how Nyktos both embodies and subverts the trope of the dominant, hypermasculine romantic hero, basing your answer on textual research.

Kolis tells Sera that he seeks power because “power isn’t infinite or limitless. Another can always rise. Power can always be taken, leaving you weakened and incapable of protecting yourself or those you care for” (589). What do these statements reveal about Kolis’s character? Examine how they illustrate the text’s concern with The Corrupting Influence of Power, supporting your answer with textual evidence.

Several of the names, settings, and symbols in the novel are inspired by elements from Greek mythology, such as Penellaphe (Penelope), Iliseeum (Elysium), and Delfai (Delphi). Research and discuss three other such examples and analyze how the allusions to Greek mythology deepen your understanding of the text.

A Light in the Flame has been classified as a romantic fantasy novel for adult readers. Examine how Armentrout uses conventions from both the adult romance and high-fantasy genres to enrich her plot. Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.