A Game of Fate

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. This novel retells the story of A Touch of Darkness from Hades’s point of view. For those who have read both, how did this shift in perspective change your understanding of the characters and their romance?

2. The literary device of a parallel narrative has been used in other popular series, such as Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun. How does A Game of Fate compare to other retellings that you may have read?

3. The story blends ancient Greek mythology with a modern urban setting where gods own nightclubs and use smartphones. Which elements of the modern world were seamlessly integrated, and which seemed awkward?

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

1. Hades uses power and control as a shield to protect himself from emotional vulnerability and the fear of rejection. Can you think of a time when you behaved similarly? How did this approach help or hinder you?

2. Persephone spends much of the novel rebelling against the future that her mother, Demeter, has planned for her. How does Persephone’s journey toward defining her own identity resonate with your own experiences?

3. Bargains, contracts, and favors are central to how the gods interact, but they often have unforeseen consequences. Have you ever made a deal or compromise that ended up being more complicated than you initially expected? What did you learn from that experience?

4. Much of the conflict comes from Persephone’s misunderstanding of Hades’s true motives. His internal monologue shows his desire for her to choose him freely, and this hope contradicts his harsh, controlling actions. In what areas of your life do you put on a front that does not match your inner thoughts?

5. Hecate serves as Hades’s confidant, offering blunt, honest advice even when it is difficult for him to hear. Would you rather have a friend like Hecate or an assistant like Minthe? Explain your answer.

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

1. This book is part of a larger literary trend of retelling myths from the perspectives of villainized or marginalized figures. What can be gained by re-examining ancient stories through a contemporary lens?

2. Hades’s club, Nevernight, is a place where desperate mortals enter into high-stakes, binding bargains with an immensely powerful being. How does this aspect of Hades’s world parallel real-world systems in which disempowered individuals enter into binding agreements?

3. The Olympian gods are portrayed as a powerful and dysfunctional family that is often more focused on indulging personal rivalries than on addressing legitimate threats. How does the author use this depiction of leadership to critique modern power structures in politics or business?

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

1. What is the novel’s stance on destiny? Can individuals change their destiny, or is it purely predetermined?

2. The motif of glamour is used by many characters to hide their divine nature. In Hades and Persephone’s relationship, how does the choice to drop a glamour function as a key step toward authentic intimacy?

3. How does the Underworld’s function as a symbolic reflection of Hades’s internal state reflect the traditional understanding of Hades as a Greek god? What elements of Hades’s classical traits are maintained through this symbol, and which, if any, are subverted?

4. What is the critical component that shifts a contract from a transaction to a form of intimacy, and what characters make such intimate contracts?

5. Persephone’s power as the goddess of spring awakens due to moments of intense rage and despair. What does the novel suggest about the connection between vulnerability, emotional expression, and the discovery of one’s true strength?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Hades announces the Halcyon Project, a rehabilitation facility inspired by Persephone’s compassion. If you were tasked with creating a similar project, what social issue would you focus on? Whom would it serve, and how would it reflect a philosophy of balance and redemption?

2. Imagine writing a parallel scene for another character. Whose perspective would you choose? (e.g., Hephaestus during his confrontation with Hades, Demeter in the midst of her ultimatums, or Minthe when she realizes that Persephone will be queen) What new insights would that point of view provide?

3. Picture Hades and Persephone attempting to navigate a common, modern relationship challenge without their divine powers. What everyday conflict would test them the most, and how would they resolve it?