The voice Klune crafts for Arthur’s dialogue is distinctly philosophical. Some critics have gone so far as to call it “didactic.” Discuss the definition of a “didactic” tone, and whether Arthur’s dialogue fits within this definition. How does your answer impact your impression of his character and the overall effectiveness of the novel?

Klune has said that The Cerulean Chronicles are partially inspired by the Canadian government’s policy of removing indigenous children from their homes. What was this policy and how did it impact Indigenous people and their communities? What similar policies were enacted in the United States and Australia? How are programs like this reflected in Somewhere Beyond the Sea, and what position does the text take about such policies?

Compare and contrast the settings of the city and the island of Marsyas. What is the “pathetic fallacy,” and how does this term apply to these two settings? How appropriate is the use of this technique, given the novel’s genre status as a “cozy” fantasy?