Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends high-fantasy stakes with the humor of a workplace sitcom. How did this fusion of genres shape your reading experience? 

2. Think about the book’s dramatic ending. What was your initial reaction to this cliffhanger? Do you feel it was a satisfying conclusion for this installment, and what does it make you anticipate for the next book in the series?

3. What aspect of the novel was most memorable for you and why?

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

1. Trystan’s journey involves letting go of his guarded, villainous persona to embrace vulnerability and love. Share a story about a time you had to lower your own emotional walls to connect with someone. 

2. Have you ever experienced a “found family” in your own life, similar to the one at Massacre Manor? What qualities do you think are most important for building these kinds of deep, chosen connections?

3. Gideon undergoes a journey toward redemption, which is driven by his intense guilt over abandoning his sisters. Can you think of a goal in your own life that was motivated by a desire to make up for a past mistake?

4. The characters are constantly misjudged based on their titles, like “Villain” or “Prince,” while their actions often tell a different story. Has there been a time when your first impression of someone was completely overturned once you got to know them? What did you learn from this experience?

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

1. This novel’s journey from a viral TikTok series to a bestselling book highlights the growing influence of BookTok on the publishing industry. How do you think platforms like this are changing the kinds of stories that get told and who gets to tell them? Does knowing the book’s origin change how you view it?

2. King Benedict uses propaganda to control the public narrative. Where do you see similar tactics used in our world today to shape public opinion about individuals or groups? What makes this kind of misinformation so effective?

3. What does the novel’s workplace comedy structure suggest about modern work culture? Why do you think transplanting these familiar office dynamics into a high-fantasy setting is so appealing to readers right now?

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

1. How do Evie’s dark magic and Trystan’s healing abilities challenge traditional fantasy tropes? What might the author be saying about morality by having the “Villain” be a healer and the “heroine” wield dark power?

2. What is the significance of the two storybooks of Rennedawn, one belonging to Fate and the other to Destiny? How do these competing narratives represent the theme of The Tension Between Fate and Free Will throughout the story?

3. Kingsley’s betrayal is motivated by a twisted desire to protect his friends by forcing a “correction” curse upon them. Did you find his reasoning for this betrayal believable or sympathetic? How does his character arc explore the idea that good intentions can lead to destructive actions?

4. How does the stained-glass window in Trystan’s office trace his emotional journey from a guarded villain who rejects love to a man who embraces vulnerability as his greatest strength?

5. The found family at Massacre Manor is central to the story. How does this group’s dynamic compare to other famous found families in literature, such as the core characters in the Harry Potter series? What makes the bonds between Evie, Trystan, Blade, Rebecka, and the others unique in the fantasy genre?

6. How does personifying the cosmic forces of fate and destiny as flawed individuals affect your interpretation of the story’s central conflict between determinism and choice?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to design a “wanted” poster for the new, cursed reality, what would it look like, and how would it describe “The Wicked Woman” to the public?

2. Imagine you are a Curse Consultant like Lionel, hired by Kingsley before his betrayal. What advice would you have given him about his plan to work with King Benedict? Would you have tried to talk him out of it or suggested a different way to “save” his friends?

3. The story is told from multiple perspectives. Choose a key scene and describe how it might have unfolded if told from the perspective of a minor character.