The further we get into the book, the more it becomes clear that Nero is the real deal. Or possibly a trapped Animorph. Either way, Saba's connection with him comes to represent her deeply empathetic relationship with nature as a whole.

It seems like Pa isn't the only person who's obsessed with the concept of fate, after all. Every year, the King enacts a bizarre sacrificial ritual which he claims rejuvenates him, thereby rejuvenating his subjects. It's all a bunch of chaaled out nonsense, of course, but we wonder if these two prophecies are in any way connected...

Oh, boy. Who would have guessed that Saba's new boyfriend would be obsessed with fate, too? Can't a girl get a break? Or at least a fortuneteller who's more direct about his predictions?

That dude is the King, and he has gained all of his power from the chaal trade, which basically makes him a criminal kingpin. No wonder the Tonton are such nasty dudes.

We see chaal get connected to cage fighting quite often throughout the novel, with the drug taking credit for the crowd's bloodthirsty response to such brutal combat. Are the games an outlet for these violent tendencies, or are they part of the cause?

If you recall, heartstones are said to get warm when the wearer gets closer to the object of their desire. And Saba is getting close to Jack at this very moment. Coincidence? No way. Saba doesn't realize it yet, but she's just landed herself somewhere far more frightening than a fighting cage: in love.

Saba becomes obsessed with Jack before she really gets to know him, even putting her life at risk to save him from a burning prison. You don't do that for just anybody.

As it happens, chaal is the most important part of this world's power structure. In fact, the King only has his status because he controls the chaal trade. It's that simple. He uses the drug to control the masses, bending them to his will and keeping them always coming back for more.

Here, Saba is referring to the image of King Louis XIV she saw in Rooster Pinch's book, which Vicar Pinch has immaculately recreated for his own regal garb. It's pretty much just cosplay. Still, it's a powerfully symbolic way of connecting him to a powerful king from ancient times; it's all about the propaganda.

Saba never had friends growing up outside of Lugh, so she's not exactly the most sociable person in the world. And that goes double when she's a cage fighter. Not exactly the best time to meet a BFF.

The entrance of the Free Hawks changes everything. For the first time ever, Saba is forced to rely on and trust a stranger for something so important. She's not a big fan, as you might imagine.

Of course, the truth is that Saba has no plans to be a true friend to the Hawks. Instead, she just wants to manipulate them and use them for her own ends. That's pretty rude, especially because those girls are putting their lives at risk to save her. Whatever happened to paying it forward?

Saba's big issue is that she doesn't trust anyone except Lugh—which might be justified given the whole Miz Pinch debacle. Still, she'll learn sooner or later that she'll need some help if she wants to make it out of Hopetown in one piece.

Luckily, Ash arrives in the nick of time to give Saba the verbal smackdown of a century. This is the first time that Saba is actually challenged to be sympathetic to others, and given her selfless actions following the destruction of Hopetown, we think she passes the test with flying colors.