Blood Bound

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the book’s use of dual perspectives for Astrid Nachstern and Skylar de Veras shape your reading experience? Did you find yourself more drawn to one protagonist’s story over the other at different points in the novel?

2. Blood Bound was published during a “romantasy” boom. How did it meet or subvert your expectations for the genre? If you’ve read other popular books like Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses or Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing, how did this story’s focus on a platonic bond change the experience for you?

3. The final chapters introduce a new world and a host of new mysteries. What was your reaction to this cliffhanger ending? Did it feel like a satisfying conclusion to this part of the story, or did it leave you feeling unresolved?

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

1. Skylar and Astrid’s relationship evolves from mandated rivalry to a deep, sisterly connection. Can you think of a friendship in your own life that has grown or changed significantly over time? What challenges did you face, and how does your experience compare to the trust Astrid and Skylar build?

2. Astrid’s magical block is tied to a past trauma and a persistent feeling of being “useless.” Have you ever felt that a past event held you back from reaching your full potential? What steps did Astrid take to overcome her self-doubt that you found particularly relatable?

3. Skylar spends her life as a self-reliant outsider before being thrust into a royal world she despises. When have you had to navigate a new environment or role that felt completely alien to you? How did you adapt while trying to stay true to yourself?

4. Axel’s loyalty to Queen Ottilie de Veras is absolute because she gave him a home, which puts him at odds with his friends and his own conscience. Consider a time you felt torn between loyalty to a person or group and your own moral compass. What makes these situations so difficult to navigate?

5. Zryan is caught between his public duty to the crown and his secret work with the rebellion. How does he balance these conflicting responsibilities throughout the story? Reflect on a time you had to balance what was expected of you with what you believed was right.

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

1. The magical Blight is presented as a result of resource hoarding and greed, serving as an allegory for the climate crisis. What parallels did you see between the events in the novel and our real-world environmental challenges? How does the story critique systems that prioritize power over ecological balance?

2. Vatra’s society is sharply divided between the wealthy elite who waste magical energy and the poor who face energy poverty and forced conscription. In what ways does this reflect economic disparities in our own world? 

3. The Vatran monarchy maintains its power by controlling information, removing books from the library, and promoting a false history of its ancestors. Where do you see similar tactics used in societies today to control public narratives and maintain authority?

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

1. The authors deliberately build up classic romantasy tropes, like the “enemies-to-lovers” dynamic and the fated mate bond, only to subvert them. Which of these subversions did you find most effective, and why? How did it play with your expectations as a reader?

2. What do the dragons, particularly Mjolnir, represent in the novel? How do their actions challenge the idea that they are simply weapons of the monarchy?

3. Queen Ottilie is revealed as the true mastermind behind Vatra’s decay. What makes her such a compelling and terrifying villain? How does her calculated, behind-the-scenes ruthlessness contrast with King Zachary de Veras’s more overt brutality?

4. Explore the meaning of the symbolism behind Skylar’s hairpin. What does this object’s journey signify about history, identity, and power?

5. How do the bonds between characters and their familiars, like Astrid and Bastet or Skylar and Kaida, mirror their personal development? What does Bastet’s transformation from a small cat into a giant winged panther signify for Astrid’s own journey to empowerment?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you could rewrite the scene where Axel confronts Skylar after taking Astrid hostage. What choice would you have him make, and how would that single change impact the final battle and the story’s conclusion?

2. If you were designing the cover for the sequel to Blood Bound, which symbols or characters would you feature to capture the new, interdimensional conflict introduced at the end? What mood would you try to create?

3. If Blood Bound were adapted into a television series, which actors would you cast in the roles of Astrid, Skylar, Zryan, and Queen Ottilie? What qualities do those actors possess that would bring these characters to life on screen?