Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis: Growing a Moon and Forging an Alliance
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Giada, unable to rest while her family and Alessia are held captive, gathers the last ingredients for her plan. She collects spider silk from Tartufo, then enlists Papa Gryphon to fly her to Malafi. The lucciole agree to become the underground village’s new stars. Tartufo weaves the silk onto Papa Gryphon’s back, and the group travels to Malafi, where Giada plucks a grown moon from the moon vine and hangs it from the highest root. Thousands of lucciole light up the sky, fulfilling Giada’s bargain. Madre releases the captives, but three streghe attack Papa Gryphon with gold chains, badly burning him. Giada heals Papa Gryphon and confronts Madre, who admits their methods were manipulative. Giada proposes that Rocco supply his tonic to the Streghe del Malocchio in exchange for no further kidnappings. The family returns home as the sun sets over Positano.
Key Events
- Giada collects Tartufo’s spider silk and sea serpent scales.
- She whistles the gryphon call; Papa Gryphon arrives and agrees to help after Giada explains the stakes.
- The lucciole accept Giada’s offer to become Malafi’s stars.
- Tartufo weaves a web onto Papa Gryphon’s back to secure the moon.
- The group flies to Malafi; crows attack but Papa Gryphon evades them.
- Giada plucks a watermelon-sized moon from the vine and hangs it from a root; the lucciole glow like stars.
- The Streghe del Malocchio release Giada’s family and return the cornicelli.
- Three streghe capture Papa Gryphon with gold chains; Giada uses a bright light spell to free him.
- Giada heals Papa Gryphon’s wounds with immortal jellyfish goo and antichafing salve.
- Madre condemns the renegade streghe for breaking their laws.
- Giada negotiates a new bargain: Rocco’s tonic in exchange for no more kidnappings.
- The group returns home to a peaceful sunset.
Character Development
Giada displays remarkable growth in this chapter. She moves from a nervous supplicant seeking help to a confident leader who commands the respect of magical creatures and even the Streghe del Malocchio. Her ability to communicate with Papa Gryphon through magic deepens their bond. When she channels her rage into a protective light spell, she shows she can use her healing instincts defensively. Most importantly, her final negotiation with Madre proves she has learned to advocate for others while still being willing to build bridges—offering Rocco’s tonic rather than severing all ties.
Papa Gryphon sacrifices his own safety to help Giada, despite his fear of the Streghe del Malocchio. His trust in Giada is rewarded when she heals him and defends him against further harm.
Madre reveals a more nuanced side. She admits to manipulative methods but also shows she values balance and abides by her own laws. She expresses genuine admiration for Giada’s energy and curiosity, hinting at potential future cooperation.
Rocco appears exhausted and disheveled after his captivity, yet his silent presence in the negotiation shows that even in weakness, his magical tonic remains a powerful bargaining chip.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Balance and Reciprocity – The Streghe del Malocchio’s entire code revolves around not tipping the scales. Madre punishes her own coven members for capturing Papa Gryphon without cause, reinforcing that even dark magic requires order. Giada’s new bargain establishes a reciprocal relationship where both sides give freely.
Light and Darkness – The creation of a moon and artificial stars in Malafi transforms a place of perpetual darkness into one of quiet peace. The lucciole’s gentle glow contrasts with the harsh lanterns and violin cacophony, symbolizing that hope can flourish even underground.
Communication vs. Manipulation – Giada explicitly criticizes the streghe for not asking for help directly. Her own successes come from open dialogue with creatures (Papa Gryphon, lucciole, Tartufo) rather than threats or trickery. Madre’s admission that they can be more forthright signals a shift toward clearer communication.
Healing Through Relationship – Giada cannot rely solely on herbs and spells; she must build trust with Papa Gryphon and the lucciole. The chapter emphasises that healing magic is strongest when given freely, as seen with the gryphon’s feathers and claws.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is the climactic payoff of Giada’s moon-growing plot and a turning point in her relationship with the Streghe del Malocchio. By successfully creating a night sky, she not only saves her family but also proves that she can match the streghe’s power without resorting to their tactics. The attack on Papa Gryphon adds real stakes and shows the consequences of unchecked desire for magical materials. Giada’s decision to negotiate a peaceful exchange—Rocco’s tonic for future safety—redefines the conflict. Instead of an ongoing feud, the guaritori and the Streghe del Malocchio now have a potential channel for cooperation. The chapter ends on a hopeful note, with the family reunited and the sunset over Positano symbolizing that balance has been restored.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Papa Gryphon eventually agree to help Giada, despite his fear of the Streghe del Malocchio?
Papa Gryphon trusts Giada because she has already proven herself by healing Mamma Gryphon. When Giada appeals to his instinct to protect his own family, he understands her desperation and agrees to fly her to Malafi. His decision is rooted in mutual respect and empathy.
2. How does Giada’s negotiation with Madre after rescuing Papa Gryphon differ from her earlier bargains with the streghe?
Earlier, Giada was forced into a desperate deal under duress. Now she confidently proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: Rocco’s tonic in exchange for a promise never to kidnap anyone from the surface again. She speaks as an equal, not a supplicant, and includes a clear condition to protect her community.
3. What does the lucciole’s new role in Malafi symbolize for both the characters and the story?
The lucciole bring gentle, peaceful light to a place that has known only harsh darkness. They represent that hope and beauty can be introduced even into the most dismal environments. For Giada, they prove that her creativity and empathy can solve problems without violence, and for the Streghe del Malocchio, they offer a source of inner light that does not require stealing magic.