Welcome to the Read-Along! Each week, you will find a summary of that week’s readings, along with discussion points if you are wanting to read with a friend or join The Enchanted Book Nook for a broader book discussion.

ICYMI: Download the PDF of the story map.

Summary:

Last week, we ended with Nienna and her companions arriving in the logging town of Feltus. The poisoned water and decayed forests are worse than Nienna could have imagined, and she and her team are struggling to traverse the diseased forest to survey and map the area.

When an earthquake shakes the forest, Nienna falls into a hole and finds herself trapped in an ancient lava chute. However, she finds more than volcanic rock down there. A man who looks as old as the world is also there.

When her friends get Nienna and the old man out of the chute, they discover the rest of their party has gone missing. Determined to find out what happened to them, Nienna convinces her friends to follow her into the wilds of the forest where myths and monsters abound.

Discussion points:

• What are some of your favorite mythical creatures? Do you prefer original creatures or the classics?

• When Tellen takes Nienna into the Dreamscape, and she wakes up to him lying beside her holding her hand, do you view this as an invasion of space, or trying to help her?

• What do you think is Aspen’s true motivations for his actions?

• If you had the power to transform into any animal, which would you choose?

Fun Facts:

• The inspiration for the alternate reality of the Dreamscape came because this book was brought about by multiple dreams I’ve had throughout my life. The ones that stuck with me long after I woke up. The dream that started it all was about me riding my horse through the woods and coming upon a cave. Once inside, I discovered a gem hidden at the bottom of a lake. Many times I’ve wished I could go back to that dream and explore to see what else was hidden there.

• I had a friend in college who was big into finding ghosts. One day we went exploring an abandoned house and he pulled out his microphones to record the noises. It was one of the most chilling, but exciting things I’ve ever done.

• The scene where Tellen puts Nienna’s back into place came about because I was recovering from a back and hip injury after being thrown from a horse. I specifically remember looking up at my chiropractor as he was about to adjust me and feeling very small and helpless and slightly afraid of this older man who was helping me.