Quiz Among the Burning Flowers Samantha Shannon

Among the Burning Flowers: Full Book Quiz

About the Quiz

This 20-question quiz covers the entire book Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon. Questions span plot, character motivation, themes, and synthesis. Use the answer key to check your understanding.

For more resources, see the main book page, questions and answers, or the ending explained.

Questions

Plot and Sequence

  1. In which year did the First Great Eruption of the Dreadmount occur?

    • A) BCE 2
    • B) CE 1
    • C) CE 509
    • D) CE 511

  2. What natural disaster struck Mentendon in CE 480, killing thousands and destroying its capital? (Short answer)

  3. Who became the new High Prince of Mentendon after the Brygstad Terror killed many members of the House of Lievelyn in CE 993?

    • A) Aubrecht Lievelyn
    • B) Leovart I
    • C) Edvart II
    • D) Paltar Lievelyn

  4. In CE 994, how did Queen Sahar of Yscalin die according to the timeline? (Short answer)

  5. What ship did Queen Rosarian give to Gian Harlowe in CE 980?

    • A) The Rose Eternal
    • B) The Dreadmount
    • C) The Brygstad
    • D) The Vattenvarg

  6. What is the name of the epidemic that caused the Brygstad Terror in CE 993? (Short answer)

  7. Which two characters were formally betrothed in CE 998?

    • A) Sabran IX and Wilstan Fynch
    • B) Sigoso III and Sahar Taumargam
    • C) Aubrecht Lievelyn and Marosa Vetalda
    • D) Rosarian IV and Wilstan Fynch

  8. In CE 1003, when the novel begins, how old is Marosa Vetalda? (Short answer)

Character Motivation

  1. Why did Sahar Taumargam publicly renounce the Faith of Dwyn and convert to the Six Virtues?

    • A) She was forced by the Ersyr court.
    • B) She wanted to marry Sigoso III of Yscalin.
    • C) She was following her brother Jantar’s advice.
    • D) She experienced a divine vision.

  2. Why is Wilstan Fynch referred to as ‘Dowager Prince’ in the Persons of the Tale? (Short answer)

  3. What motivated Oderica the Smith to drive out the Gulthaganians and found the House of Vetalda?

    • A) She was enslaved and learned smelting from the god Fruma.
    • B) She wanted to conquer all of Yscalin for herself.
    • C) She was avenging the death of her family.
    • D) She was commanded by the Nameless One.

  4. After being a smuggler in the Greenshanks gang, what occupation did Estina Melaugo pursue?

    • A) Pirate
    • B) Culler of Draconic sleepers
    • C) Ambassador
    • D) Lady of the Bedchamber

  5. Why did Sigoso III keep Orentico Feyalda close as his decoy? (Short answer)

Theme and Symbol

  1. The halftitle page of the book displays the title ‘Among the Burning Flowers.’ Which of the following best captures the symbolic juxtaposition in the title?

    • A) The conflict between fire and water
    • B) The paradox of destruction and beauty, hinting at peril and transformation
    • C) The contrast between the Ersyr desert and Inys forests
    • D) The relationship between dragons and humans

  2. According to the author’s note, the fictional lands in the book are inspired by real-world events and legends but are not intended as what? (Short answer)

  3. The chapter titled ‘Maps’ suggests that cartography is a central motif. Which theme is most likely explored through maps in the narrative?

    • A) The importance of trade routes
    • B) Knowledge, control, and the unknown
    • C) The beauty of drawn maps
    • D) The history of the Dreadmount

  4. What event ended the Grief of Ages according to the timeline? (Short answer)

Synthesis

  1. How old was Sabran IX at her coronation (CE 991), given she was born in CE 977? (Short answer)

  2. Which statement best compares Oderica the Smith and Estina Melaugo?

    • A) Both were queens of their respective countries.
    • B) Both were originally prisoners who later became leaders.
    • C) Both defied societal expectations and used their skills to rise in status.
    • D) Both were dragonriders.

  3. How do the First and Second Great Eruptions of the Dreadmount connect to the concept of the Dreadmount as a source of threat? (Short answer)

Answer Key

Plot and Sequence Answers

  1. A) BCE 2 – The timeline records the First Great Eruption in BCE 2, when the Nameless One emerged.
  2. The Midwinter Flood – Per the timeline, the Midwinter Flood struck the northern coast of Mentendon in CE 480.
  3. B) Leovart I – After the Brygstad Terror killed Edvart II and many others, Leovart I became High Prince.
  4. Apparently by suicide – The timeline states Queen Sahar died “apparently by suicide” in CE 994.
  5. A) The Rose Eternal – Queen Rosarian gifted the Rose Eternal to Gian Harlowe in CE 980.
  6. Sweating sickness (the sweat) – The timeline mentions the Brygstad Terror as an outbreak of the sweating sickness.
  7. C) Aubrecht Lievelyn and Marosa Vetalda – They were formally betrothed in CE 998.
  8. 25 – The timeline states Marosa is 25 when the novel begins in spring CE 1003.

Character Motivation Answers

  1. B) She wanted to marry Sigoso III of Yscalin – The Persons of the Tale states she converted in order to marry him.
  2. He was the companion of the late Queen Rosarian IV, and after her death he retained a dowager title – The character description notes he was Rosarian’s companion and father to Sabran IX.
  3. A) She was enslaved and learned smelting from the god Fruma – The Persons of the Tale says Fruma taught her to smelt iron, enabling her to drive out the Gulthaganians.
  4. B) Culler of Draconic sleepers – Estina Melaugo became a culler after her time as a smuggler.
  5. Sigoso despised bastards but used Orentico as a decoy – The dramatis personae explicitly states this.

Theme and Symbol Answers

  1. B) The paradox of destruction and beauty, hinting at peril and transformation – The halftitle chapter digest highlights this juxtaposition.
  2. Faithful representations of any one country or culture – The author’s note explicitly says so.
  3. B) Knowledge, control, and the unknown – The maps chapter digest describes these themes.
  4. The arrival of the Long-Haired Star, also known as the Saint’s Comet – The timeline records this as the end of the Grief of Ages.

Synthesis Answers

  1. 14 years old – Sabran was born in CE 977 and crowned in CE 991, making her 14.
  2. C) Both defied societal expectations and used their skills to rise in status – Oderica learned smithing from a god and founded a dynasty; Estina went from smuggler to culler.
  3. The Dreadmount erupts to release draconic threats; the First Eruption released the Nameless One, and the Second Eruption birthed the High Westerns and their wyverns, leading to the Grief of Ages – The timeline and dramatis personae describe these events.