Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel draws from the classic Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson dynamic. How did this familiar structure affect your reading experience in a fantasy setting? Did Ana and Din’s partnership feel like a fresh take on the trope or a faithful tribute?

2. What was your initial reaction to the guiding web fungus as a form of magic? Did its basis in real-world biology, like the “zombie-ant fungus,” make it more or less frightening?

3. Think about the story’s most shocking moments, from Zansay’s reanimated corpse to the fungal eruption that killed Castus. Which scene had the biggest impact on you, and why do you think it was so effective?

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

1. Din’s choice to become an engraver involved a huge personal sacrifice to secure his family’s financial future, a trade that ultimately left him feeling isolated. Can you recall a time in your life when you had to make a significant trade-off for a long-term goal? How did it affect your relationships or sense of self?

2. Jalin Burav and Ippeas Armenta both struggle under the weight of their families’ expectations and the brutal nature of their trade. Have you ever felt pressured by tradition or a family legacy? How do their different ways of coping with this pressure resonate with you?

3. Commander Tauri’s work forces him to feel the ecological decay of Sapirdad so intensely that he turns to illicit substances to cope. In our own world, people often face overwhelming professional or emotional environments. What parallels do you see between his coping mechanisms and how people today manage stress and burnout?

4. Fotia’s sudden reappearance forces Din to confront the family he left behind. Think about a time you’ve reconnected with someone from your past after a long period. How did it change your perspective on your own journey or the choices you’ve made?

5. Throughout the investigation, Ana maintains a deep-seated cynicism toward the ruling classes. How does this cynicism sharpen or cloud her investigative judgment? Have you ever found your own biases affecting how you judged a situation?

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

1. The novel offers a scathing critique of the meat industry through the grotesque flensing halls and the defoliated landscape of Sapirdad. In what ways does this critique highlight real-world concerns about industrial agriculture, land use, and sustainability?

2. At the story’s core is the horrific discovery that the Daljen enslaved commoners with the guiding web, viewing them as biological resources. Where do you see similar patterns of dehumanization or exploitation in historical or contemporary societies, where one group is treated as a tool for another’s benefit?

3. What does the Empire’s effort to conceal the truth about the Daljen genocide by creating the altered forest say about how powerful groups control history? How does this fictional cover-up compare to real-world examples of suppressed historical events?

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

1. How does the novel use the “star-crossed lovers” trope, reminiscent of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to set up the central tragedy between Castus and Zansay? Did knowing this classic story pattern influence your predictions about their fate and the feud between their families?

2. Din’s perfect memory is both a tool and a curse, with its “maturation” signaling his eventual decline. How does his unique first-person perspective as an engraver shape the narrative? For the reader, what are the advantages and limitations of seeing the investigation entirely through his memories?

3. The guiding web fungus is the murder weapon, but it also is a symbol. What questions does it raise about individuality and choice within exploitative systems? 

4. Trikao Armenta’s motivations are slowly revealed, shifting him from a grieving relative to a calculating killer. What narrative techniques does the author use to conceal his true nature for so long? What early clues, if any, did you notice on a second look?

5. What is the significance of the altered forest? How does it evolve from a mysterious, dangerous setting into a symbol of a buried historical crime that continues to poison the present?

6. How does the initial focus on a single murder gradually expand to expose a multi-layered conspiracy, a vast historical cover-up, and systemic corruption at every level of society?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are Ippeas Armenta after the events of the book. You’ve decided to dismantle your family’s estate. What would be your first steps, and what challenges would you expect to face from the remnants of the gentry class and the Empire?

2. If you were tasked with designing the book cover for A Trade of Blood, which symbol or scene would you choose to feature most prominently? Would you focus on the guiding web, the tughra ring, the flensing halls, or something else entirely to capture the book’s tone?

3. Commander Tauri plans to use the truth about the guiding web’s origin as a “dagger” against the cattle industry. What kind of public campaign could he create? Who would be his target audience, and what message would be most effective in changing minds?