Who is Rose Hathaway? What happened to her in the weeks before the book begins that might leave some with the mistaken idea that she is suffering from depression rooted in grief? Why does Rose get out of bed in the middle of the night in the first chapter? Who does she run into? What is significant about this person whom Rose speaks to? What disturbing news does Rose learn while eavesdropping on a conversation between her companion and the head of the guardians, Alberta?

Why does Rose assume she will be paired with Lissa Dragomir during the guardian test? How does Rose react when she is assigned to Christian Ozera? Why does Rose become upset? Who is assigned to Lissa? What does Rose tell the instructors about her assignment that later comes back to hurt her? Why does Rose refuse to fight during...