Capac Raimi is immortal—every time he dies, he comes back to life. How does this fact impact his strategy for running The City? Do you think his invincibility makes him a weak leader, or a strong one?
Would you want to live forever? Do you think you would get bored?
Discuss the relationship between Al Jeery and Paucar Wami. How would you describe it?
While Paucar Wami murdered for fun, Al is careful to kill only those who deserve to die. Do you think Paucar Wami played a role in developing Al’s sense of right and wrong?
Compare and contrast Al Jeery and Bill Casey. Do you see any similarities?
Why is it important that the citizens forget the Ayumarcans once they cease to exist?
Bill Casey doesn’t remember Paucar Wami, since, as an Ayumarcan, Paucar was erased from everyone’s memory upon his death. Does this make Al Jeery’s quest for revenge any less valid?
On here, Bill Casey asks, “Is a man wicked if he performs a lesser act of evil to prevent a greater one?” What do you think? What choices would you have made, in Bill’s place?
Consider Capac’s personality change at the end of the book. Do you think it’s a permanent change?
Does Capac have free will, or must he obey his programming? What about the other Ayumarcans—do they have free will?