Chapter 70 Summary & Analysis: Come Bearing Gifts
⚠️ 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
After the night’s party, Lyra has just returned to her room when Boone knocks. He is holding the Helm of Darkness, which he has stolen from Dex. Lyra is shocked and angry, knowing the theft could endanger her. Boone insists that Dex intends to kill Lyra and that she should have taken the helm herself. Lyra reveals that she is cursed by Zeus to be unlovable—no one can truly care for her. Boone refuses to believe this and admits he has always admired her, offering genuine friendship. Overwhelmed, Lyra accepts.
Boone then explains Dex’s true motive: his sister is dying of cancer, and winning the Crucible would allow him to heal her and provide for his nephew. Lyra’s anger softens into understanding. Despite Boone’s initial plan to keep the helm, Lyra insists they return it. However, Boone persuades her to use the helm’s invisibility to spy on the gods’ meeting first. Before they go, Boone removes the helm and gives Lyra a chaste kiss as a token of friendship. He also warns her that rumors are spreading about her and Hades being lovers, suggesting that such a connection will only fuel opposition against them. Lyra acknowledges the risk but remains determined. With the helm on, they disappear and head to eavesdrop.
Key Events
- Boone brings the Helm of Darkness to Lyra’s room.
- Lyra reveals the curse of unlovability placed on her by Zeus.
- Boone insists on becoming Lyra’s friend, and she accepts.
- Boone shares that Dex’s sister has cancer and that he wants to win to save his family.
- Lyra and Boone decide to use the helm to spy on the gods’ meeting.
- Boone gives Lyra a brief, friendly kiss and warns her about rumors of her relationship with Hades.
Character Development
- Lyra: Opens up about her deepest secret—the curse that makes her unlovable. This is a major step in trusting another person. She also shows empathy when learning Dex’s motive, choosing not to demonize him.
- Boone: Reveals a caring, protective side beneath his thief persona. He genuinely wants to be Lyra’s friend and proves it by stealing the helm on her behalf and by warning her about the political fallout with Hades.
- Dex (offscreen): His backstory is fleshed out through Boone’s intel; he is no longer just a rival but a desperate family man.
- Hades (mentioned): The rumors about Lyra and Hades put his position and her safety further at risk, highlighting the precariousness of their connection.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Friendship versus Curse: The chapter directly challenges Zeus’s curse. Boone’s offer of friendship suggests that the curse may not be absolute, or that genuine bonds can form despite it.
- Deception and Visibility: The Helm of Darkness symbolizes how hidden knowledge and invisibility can be tools for survival—but also for intrusion, as Lyra and Boone choose to spy.
- Sacrifice and Motivation: Dex’s goal of saving his sister introduces a tragic layer to the competition; even antagonists can have honorable reasons for their actions.
- Loyalty and Risk: Lyra’s decision to return the helm shows her integrity, while Boone’s kiss and warnings demonstrate a new kind of loyalty that risks both their standings.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 70 is a turning point for Lyra’s emotional arc. She gains her first true friend in Boone, which undermines the loneliness imposed by her curse. The chapter also recontextualizes Dex as a sympathetic opponent, adding moral complexity to the Crucible. Finally, the decision to spy on the gods sets the stage for discovering critical information that could affect the rest of the competition.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Boone steal the Helm of Darkness for Lyra? Boone steals the helm because he believes Dex poses an immediate deadly threat to Lyra. He thinks Lyra should have taken it herself to protect against Dex’s ability to use the helm to get close to her and kill her.
2. How does Lyra react when Boone says he wants to be her friend? Lyra is shocked and hesitant. She initially dismisses the possibility because of Zeus’s curse that makes her unlovable. However, after Boone insists that admiration and friendship are possible, she accepts and feels a light, hopeful sensation.
3. What does Boone reveal about Dex’s true motive? Boone explains that Dex’s sister is dying of cancer and that Dex hopes to win the Crucible to heal her and provide luxury and blessings for his sister and nephew. This revelation makes Lyra sympathetic toward Dex despite his hostility.