Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Between Two Kings is the sequel to The Kiss of the Basilisk. Do you think that reading the first book is essential to enjoying the second? If you read both books, which did you prefer?

2. Did you find Caspen’s ultimate sacrifice to be a satisfying conclusion to the love triangle, or did you wish for a different outcome?

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

1. Tem struggles to balance her duties and obligations with her emotions and desires. Can you think of a time when you felt pulled between a personal desire and a sense of responsibility? How did you navigate that conflict?

2. As a Hybreed, Tem struggles to find her place, feeling like an outsider in both the human and basilisk worlds. Have you ever felt caught between two different cultures or communities? What aspects of Tem’s journey to integrate these parts of herself resonated with you?

3. As Tem becomes more integrated into basilisk culture, she expands her personal boundaries and has new experiences. Have you ever tried something that your past self would have been surprised by? What gave you the confidence to do so?

4. Caspen makes the ultimate sacrifice, believing it’s the only way to ensure Tem’s happiness. What are your thoughts on this kind of self-sacrificing love? Do you see it as a noble act or a choice that removes agency from the person being “saved”?

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

1. After Leo ends bloodletting, the royals continue to live in luxury while the villagers bear the brunt of the economic disruption. Do you think that attempts at social or economic reform can end up harming the more vulnerable members of society? How do the wealthy insulate themselves from having their privilege eroded?

2. Were you surprised by the basilisk custom that allows for sexual physical freedom with others while demanding absolute emotional loyalty of the heart? What does this cultural rule suggest about different ways of defining love and commitment?

3. Evelyn repeatedly suggests that Tem should be sympathetic to her motives since they both come from working-class origins. How do you think social advancement manifests for individuals who grow up in challenging circumstances? Is it ambitious or manipulative to aspire to greater power and financial influence?

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

1. What is the significance of the plot resuming almost immediately after the conclusion of the previous book? How does it impact opportunities for suspense and character development?

2. Compare and contrast the settings of the human palace and the basilisk caves. How do both evoke luxury and power? How do they function as both domestic spaces and sites of political ceremony?

3. Analyze the role of water in the novel, including the sea and the sacred lake. How does it evoke the power of nature and the transcendent?

4. Apollo and Tem engage in charged verbal exchanges as an outlet for their sexual tension. Choose a section of dialogue between them and discuss how it develops both their characters. What traits emerge in Tem when she interacts with Apollo?

5. Caspen’s final sacrifice might remind some readers of other tragic heroes in literature, like Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities. How does Caspen’s choice fit within this literary tradition? What makes his sacrifice appropriate to the genre and themes of this story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could rewrite the ending so that Caspen survives, what would that future look like for the three of them? How would Tem, Caspen, and Leo navigate their entangled lives?

2. The novel ends with Caspen’s letter, where he mentions Apollo has his journal. Imagine you’ve found a key entry from that journal. What would it say, and what moment in the story would it describe from Caspen’s perspective?

3. If Between Two Kings were adapted into a TV series, which actors would you cast in the main roles of Tem, Caspen, Leo, and Apollo? What qualities would make them perfect for these parts?