Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends a high-stakes fantasy world with a central romance. Did you find this mix of genres effective, and which element—the political conflict, the tarot-based magic system, or the development of Rune and Draven’s relationship—did you find most compelling?

2. How does this novel compare to other popular romantasy books you might have read, including Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing or Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses? What did A Vow in Vengeance do differently or particularly well within the subgenre?

3. How did you experience the pacing of the story? Were there moments that stood out to you as particularly tense or emotional, and how did the balance between action, political intrigue, and quieter character moments shape your reading experience?

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

1. Rune is driven by a powerful desire for vengeance that transforms over the course of the novel. How did your feelings about her quest change as you learned more about the origins of the Curse and her mother’s role in the mortal uprising?

2. The mantra “so long as I do not fear them, they hold no power over me” is central to Rune’s mindset. Can you recall a time you’ve relied on a personal mantra or core belief to navigate a challenging situation?

3. Draven and Rune enter into a political alliance that requires them to perform a relationship for their own survival. Have you ever been in a situation, perhaps professionally or socially, where you felt you had to project an attitude or persona that wasn’t entirely natural to you?

4. What significance does the discovery of surprising family histories hold in the book for characters like Rune and Draven? Has learning something unexpected about your own family’s past ever shifted your perspective on your identity or relationships?

5. The idea of a “fated mate” is a common trope in fantasy romance. How does this book play with that concept, especially since Rune and Draven’s bond begins as a political arrangement? Did this starting point make their eventual genuine connection feel more or less earned to you?

6. The changelings have their personal belongings confiscated to strip them of their pasts. Which personal object that connects you to your history or identity would you find most difficult to give up, and why?

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

1. The Selection is framed as a necessary “penance” for a past mortal uprising, a form of collective punishment that targets generations who had no part in the original conflict. Can you think of any historical or current examples where a society has imposed long-lasting consequences on an entire group for the actions of a previous generation?

2. The book grounds its magic system in the real-world symbolism of tarot cards and the recurring Major Arcana imagery in the chapter openings. How did this connection to a familiar cultural framework influence your immersion in the story? Did it add a sense of destiny to the characters’ journeys?

3. Through the changelings, the novel explores forced assimilation, as they have their physical appearances and heritages magically altered to fit druid society. How does this fantasy element reflect real-world issues of cultural erasure or the pressure individuals may face to conform to a dominant culture?

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

1. How does the recurring motif of fire and ash function throughout the novel? Does its meaning evolve from representing loss and destruction at Rune’s childhood home to symbolizing her own power and rebellion when she burns the Lord of Westfall’s manor?

2. One of the central themes is The Illusion of Choice Under Authoritarian Rule. What are some key moments where characters face a false choice, like the “drink or die” Oath at the Wall, and how do Rune and Draven eventually learn to create their own options outside the established system?

3. The magical pact between Rune and Draven creates limits on what they can conceal from each other. How does this narrative device shape their relationship and drive the plot forward? Does it force a level of vulnerability and trust that might not have developed otherwise?

4. Both Rune and the secondary antagonist Morgan seek revenge against the immortals who have harmed their families and futures. How do their paths diverge, and what does this contrast suggest about the difference between destructive vengeance and the pursuit of systemic change?

5. What role do physical transformations play in the story? Consider how Rune’s forced change into a changeling, later changes involving her hair and appearance, and the permanent scar on Draven’s throat all serve as physical markers of their journeys.

6. The revelation that Rune’s mother created the Curse is a major turning point. How does this twist complicate the theme of The Transformative Nature of Vengeance and challenge a simple binary of good versus evil in the conflict between mortals and immortals?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What Major Arcana would you most want to draw if you were chosen in the Selection, and how might you use its unique power to navigate the rigid and dangerous training environment of the Forge?

2. You’ve been tasked with designing a coat of arms for Rune and Draven if they were to found a new house or political order. What symbols would you include to represent their individual histories, their shared World Arcana power, and their vision for a new Arcadia?

3. Create a new Arcadian artifact that corresponds to one of the four Minor Arcana suits—wands, swords, coins, or cups. What would you name it, what power would it hold, and in which kingdom would you hide it?