Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Compare Born of Blood and Ash to another romantasy novel that you have read. What ideas, themes, and characters are similar? How is Armentrout’s novel different?

2. How did you feel about the portrayal of the villains in the novel? Did you sympathize with them? If so, how? If not, why not?

3. What were the most memorable moments in the novel and why?

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

1. Discuss a time when you have dealt with trauma or a difficult experience. How did your reactions mirror Sera's? How did they differ? How did her experiences help you better understand your trauma?

2. Do you agree or disagree with the value that Sera places on autonomy? How do her experiences and those of Sotoria show what autonomy means to people?

3. Do you relate more with Sera and her reactionary, emotional methods, or with Ash and his calm, calculating attitude? Discuss the benefits of both characters and why you connect more with one over the other.

4. What emotion did the novel’s final chapters most strongly evoke? What about these sections made you feel that way? If you have not yet read the Blood and Ash series, did the novel’s ending make you want to do so?

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

1. How does the novel portray gender roles? Do the female characters typically subvert or align with traditional gender roles? Use the specific actions of the characters as well as how other characters view them in your response.

2. How does the novel connect the idea of “feeding” among the Primals to sexual consent, power, and autonomy? What commentary do these ideas provide on the societal view of consent? Discuss.

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

1. Choose two minor characters like Aios, Nektas, Rhain, or Reaver. What role do they play in Sera’s life? How do they impact her growth and development?

2. Choose three of the following: water, blood, Sera’s dagger, poppies, or Sera’s crown. Discuss their symbolic significance in the text. What theme is conveyed through this symbolism?

3. Choose one internal and one external conflict that Sera faces in the text. Are these conflicts resolved? What do their resolutions or lack thereof convey about Sera’s character? How do they impact her growth and development?

4. Discuss the interplay between the themes of The Lasting Impact of Trauma and The Value of Love and Personal Connection. How do these themes intersect within Sera’s character? How do both love and trauma impact her character in the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Discuss one of the scenes where Sera and Ash talk about her trauma. Rewrite this scene from Ash’s perspective. How might he be feeling about Sera’s trauma? What techniques does he use to try to get her to open up? How does her conflict impact his character?

2. Imagine that you are tasked with making a film version of Born of Blood and Ash. Choose one scene that you believe is significant in the text. Write a film version of that scene. Consider the actors you would use, music, mise en scène, camera placement, and more to convey the thematic importance of the scene.