A Curse Carved in Bone

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How do you feel A Curse Carved in Bone compares to the first book in the series, A Fate Inked in Blood? Did either one resonate with you more than the other, and if so, why?

2. What aspects of the novel drew you into the story and held your attention? The Norse-inspired fantasy setting, the characters’ emotional journeys, the action and adventure, the romance, something else?

3. How satisfied do you feel with the way the story ended? Did anything feel unresolved or unfulfilling?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Hel and Hlin’s influence on Freya’s identity symbolizes her conflict between protective and destructive instincts and between the traits of avarice and altruism. What opposing traits do you recognize in yourself that can be hard to reconcile?

2. Witty banter, like that between Freya and Bjorn, is a popular element of the romance genre. In your experience, how important is conversational rapport to real-life romance?

3. Freya is unfated, meaning she can change her fate, but she struggles to do so. She tells Saga: “Every time I try to escape, something happens to stop me, […] I can’t seem to evade my fate” (128). Have you ever felt powerless to control your life, or even a particular situation? What has helped you reclaim a sense of agency?

4. When Freya requests that Bjorn call her to arms and name Snorri as her enemy, Bjorn initially refuses, saying: “Taking your leash from Snorri only to hold it myself sits poorly with me” (150). Do you agree with his decision and his rationale? Does imagining yourself and a loved one in their shoes change the way you see things playing out?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Discuss how the novel reflects—or overlooks—patriarchy, sexism, and gendered power dynamics. How does this compare to the way A Fate Inked in Blood approached these topics?

2. How do you think the rising popularity of erotic fiction will shape literature, the publishing industry, and public discourse in the near future? Can you predict any specific trends or backlashes?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Analyze the significance of Harald’s Nameless thralls in terms of the book’s plot, symbolism, and themes.

2. What does the novel’s dual narration add to the story and the reading experience?

3. Excluding those listed in this guide, are there other significant motifs—recurring images, ideas, or words that help explain the themes—within the book? Identify any you noticed, and discuss their significance.

4. Compare and contrast Freya and Ylva’s characters, including their strengths, flaws, motives, and arcs.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could have the same power as any one of the unfated characters in the book, identify which one you would choose and describe how you’d spend a day using that power.

2. Imagine you are in charge of casting the film adaptation of A Curse Carved in Bone and create your ideal cast list, then share it with the group. Are there any names that appear on more than one list?

3. Pretend you’ve been tasked with writing a fan fiction spin-off about Harald’s experiences in Helheim following the events of the novel. With the goal of enjoying the writing process, discuss what that might look like in terms of genre, characterization, and style. What would the storyline be?