So many lies, so much deceit, and secrets everywhere. No really—every major character in this book has at least one thing they don't want other folks to know about. Alek and Deryn are lying to most of the world about some pretty key aspects of their identities—Deryn's a girl and Alek's a prince—but in their defense, death, doom, and destruction will ensue if their hidden truths get out.
Their older mentors, Dr. Barlow and Count Volger, have their own secrets to keep as they play the game of nations. Like what's in those eggs? What else does Volger have up his sleeve? When so many characters are defined by what they won't tell anyone, it's a pretty big deal if they choose to give a secret away, so keep an eye on whom they decide to trust and why.
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Which secret do you think would be harder to keep, being a girl or being a prince? Use evidence from the novel to support your argument.
- Does Volger have a right to keep so much pertinent information about Alek's own fate and identity from Alek? Why or why not?
- At the end of the novel, Deryn knows Alek's secret, but he doesn't know hers. Is this fair? How do you think it might eventually affect their friendship?
- How do the keeping and sharing of secrets isolate and/or connect characters in the novel?
Chew on This
If you need to tell someone a secret on the Leviathan, Dr. Barlow is probably the best choice.
Deryn's secret is a greater burden than Alek's because she hasn't been able to tell one single other person.