The Serpent and the Wings of Night

The final trial symbolizes Nyaxia’s ultimate rise to power, in which she fought her siblings in the White Pantheon and won. In the arena, Oraya finds herself trapped with the impersonations of three gods—Atroxus, the fire god; Ix, the goddess of sex and fertility; and Kajmar, the god of seduction, art, beauty, and music. Why are these the gods that Oraya must defeat? What do these battles signify in the context of her own life? Draw from the text to support your answer.

Ibrihim makes it to the very end of the Kejari despite being mutilated by his family and underestimated by his peers. What does this feat suggest about his character?

Using what the novel reveals about Nyaxia’s journey to becoming goddess of vampires (the journey the Kejari trials are modeled after), compare and contrast Oraya and Nyaxia. In what ways are their stories aligned? And in what ways does Oraya deviate from Nyaxia’s path? Cite the text to support your answer.