All fingers and thumbs

I think I can identify two universal themes in my novel (from the list): Quest for knowledge AND survival.

Quest for knowledge in understanding and researching by the three of the ancient Chinese Book Shanhaijing. I want to explore the possibility of intertwining two plots into one story. The quest of Wolf, Poppy, and Xiao AND the story of Shanhaijing, The Book of Mountains and Seas revealed. An extraordinary encyclopedia containing strange and terrifying creatures that the Ancient Chinese believed existed on Earth.

Survival in Wolf's fight on life and death with those three monsters from the Book to save Los Angeles from grave danger.

They coincide with EXPLORATION and CONFLICT.

Brainstorming resolutions to resolve the conflicts within the themes.

- EXPLORATION (Quest for Knowledge):

Resolution 1: the Book disappears from Wolf's apartment aka is lost in the fire
Resolution 2: Wolf and Poppy go to Beijing and meet with Professor Xiao, an expert on ancient Chinese Books. They explore the findings of the Book, and they solve the riddle placed in the Book.
Resolution 3: The Book denies access, and they have to give in to defeat.

-CONFLICT (Survival):

Resolution 1: The monsters win; the three lose their lives. Los Angeles is doomed.
Resolution 2: They win the battle with the monsters and save Los Angeles.
Resolution 3: They are defeated by the monsters and the Book, ending up in an asylum.