Spells for Forgetting

What did you think of August and Emery when you first met them? How did your perceptions of them change through the novel?

Saoirse plays a large role in Spells for Forgetting, almost acting as another character in the novel. What did you think about the island setting? How did it enhance the plot and how did Young bring it to life?

There are a lot of compelling elements in this book: ancestral magic, a love triangle, a small-town mystery. Which element was your favorite?

Young writes, “There was more than one secret on this island.” Did you notice a lot of foreshadowing in the story? Were there any clues that helped you guess the ending?

The magic in Spells for Forgetting takes place in common, everyday settings. How does Young bring together the ordinary and extraordinary? What role does folklore play in the narrative?

There are many natural elements involved in the story: fire, the sea, the orchard. How does nature move the plot forward and change the lives of the characters?

Spells for Forgetting takes place in two different times: the past and the present. What did you think about the multiple timelines? Did reading about the characters’ pasts effect your perception of their current states?

Discuss the theme of justice in the novel. Do all of the characters get what they deserve? Why or why not?

If you had the ability to cast spells, how would you use this power? What would you do first?

Have you read any of Young’s YA novels? How is Spells for Forgetting similar or different?