Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How effective did you find Spann’s world building, which is deeply rooted in ancient Greek theater? How does this novel compare to other works that blend performance and magic, like Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus?

2. The novel blends dark fantasy, political intrigue, and a central romance. Did this balance work for you, or did one element overshadow the others? Which storyline did you find most compelling?

3. What moments or scenes from the book were the most memorable or impactful for you, and why do they stand out?

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

1. Jude confronts Riven about her learned helplessness, suggesting that her anger is a form of protection. Have you ever experienced a situation where holding onto pain or anger felt safer than letting go?

2. The community’s fear of Riven’s illness leads to her complete isolation. Have misunderstanding or prejudice ever caused others to exclude you? If so, how did you negotiate this challenge?

3. The Revelers’ intense fanaticism for the Players mirrors modern celebrity worship and fan culture. Have you ever been part of a fandom, followed a celebrity, or harbored an admiration for someone that bordered on obsession? If so, what was it that inspired this fascination?

4. Riven is forced to make a series of moral compromises to survive, from entering the Playhouse to destroying her Eleutheraen mark. Can you recall a time when you felt you had to bend your own principles to navigate a difficult situation?

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

1. The society of Theatron is ideologically and physically split by the Cut, using Eleutheraen marks to create visible signs of belonging. What historical or contemporary parallels did you see in this use of physical markers and borders to enforce social control?

2. Silenus argues that what entertains us is ultimately what controls us. What connections can you draw between this theme of spectacle as psychological control and our own world of media, politics, and technology?

3. Does learning about the novel’s roots in ancient Greek theater and the worship of Dionysus change how you view the story? How do these ancient traditions help comment on modern forms of entertainment, belief, and fanaticism?

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

1. The Playhouse is described as a “gilded cage” and a “sinister palace.” How does the author develop the Playhouse as more than just a setting, giving it the characteristics of a living, hungry entity?

2. The central twist reveals that Riven and the Players are characters unknowingly following the Script. Does this remind you of other stories exploring constructed realities, such as the film The Truman Show? How does this revelation affect your interpretation of the characters’ struggles?

3. What significance does Eleutheraen gold hold in the story? How does its symbolic meaning transform from a protective shield to a poison, a sign of corruption, and, finally, a tool for liberation?

4. How does the recurring appearance of mirrors and reflections contribute to the novel’s exploration of identity and illusion?

5. What was your reaction to the revelation that Silenus is “just a man” (387)? Did this make his authoritarian control more or less frightening, and why?

6. The story concludes with a “Curtain Call” and an “Encore.” What was the effect of this metatheatrical structure on the ending for you?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were a Player and Riven broke your fourth wall, what “costume” or character role would you be shedding? What might your true, ancient self be like?

2. If you were tasked with designing a new, hidden room inside the Playhouse, what would its purpose be? How would a character use Craft to access it?

3. The Encore features a modern play based on the events of the novel. If you were writing a key scene for My Home the Playhouse, what details might you change to tell the story for a new generation?