Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about Brimstone’s place in the popular “romantasy” genre? If you’ve read other defining series in this space, such as Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses or Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, what elements felt familiar, and what did Callie Hart do to make this world uniquely her own?

2. What was your initial reaction to Saeris Fane inheriting the throne of the hostile Blood Court? Did you find her transition from a human in Zilvaren to a Fae-vampire hybrid queen believable as the story unfolded?

3. Consider the pacing of the novel. Did the blend of intense political maneuvering in Ammontraíeth, brutal action sequences, and intimate character moments feel balanced to you?

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

1. Saeris becomes a reluctant ruler, taking on a massive responsibility she never sought in order to protect others. Have you ever found yourself in a position of leadership or responsibility that you didn’t ask for?

2. How are loyalty and camaraderie expressed among the Fae warriors of the Lupo Proelia? Their bond seems to go beyond friendship, guided by a shared history and code. Does this remind you of any close-knit groups or deep friendships in your own life?

3. Many characters in the novel are forced into identities they did not choose—queen, king, weapon, monster, savior. Have you ever been placed into a role you didn’t feel ready for or didn’t choose? How did you respond, and did the role change how you saw yourself?

4. This novel asks readers to constantly decide whom to trust, even when no one is entirely honest or entirely good. When you read, do you tend to trust characters’ actions, their intentions, or their words? Did your instincts about any character turn out to be wrong?

5. Kingfisher’s devotion is often shown through acts of sacrifice, like giving up his healing magic for Onyx or facing a realm where his powers are limited. How does the novel’s portrayal of love as an action, rather than just an emotion, resonate with you?

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

1. In many popular romantasy novels, the heroine is not only powerful but uniquely chosen, deeply loved, and central to the fate of the world. Why do you think this type of story is resonating with so many readers right now? What might these stories reflect about modern anxieties, desires, or cultural expectations?

2. What do the contrasting leadership styles of the Blood Court and the Fae courts reveal about different ways societies can be structured? One is built on fear and political back-stabbing, while the other is based on honor and loyalty.

3. The novel opens with the line, “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” Many of the story’s worst harms come from people in positions of power rather than monsters. What do you think the novel is suggesting about the relationship between power and cruelty? Do you see any parallels to real-world history or current events?

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

1. Compare the character arcs of Saeris, Kingfisher, and one supporting character, such as Foley or Taladaius. How does the novel use these different arcs to explore the idea that identity is shaped more by choice than by origin?

2. The supernatural plague known as “the rot” is a relentless force in the novel. What do you think the rot symbolizes beyond a physical threat? Does it represent political corruption, a perversion of nature, or something else entirely?

3. The novel places great importance on names and titles, from Kingfisher’s unknown true name to Saeris’s new title as queen and Carrion’s hidden royal lineage. How do these elements of identity shape the characters’ destinies and their power?

4. What is the significance of the Quicksilver? How does this magical substance function as a source of power for Saeris, a symbol of trauma for Kingfisher, and a crucial plot device connecting the different realms?

5. The alternating perspectives between Saeris and Kingfisher give us insight into both the political intrigue of the court and the gritty realities of their missions. How did this narrative structure affect your reading experience and your understanding of their bond?

6. Let’s discuss the blood-feeding ritual. The court demands it as a monstrous initiation, but the author transforms it into a moment of intense, euphoric connection between Saeris and Kingfisher. What does this scene suggest about the theme of redefining monstrosity?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are the royal architect for Queen Saeris. You’ve been tasked with redesigning the grotesque Hall of Tears to reflect her new rule. What key features, colors, or symbols would you include to represent her values of protection, loyalty, and justice?

2. What if Saeris had refused the Hazrax’s deal for a yearly favor in exchange for observation rights? How might the story have changed without its intervention, particularly in the Wicker Wood when she needed to find Kingfisher?

3. If you had been granted one of Saeris’s powerful Alchemist runes, which one would you choose: the rune for quicksilver, brimstone, or the Hazrax’s rune of undoing? What would be the first thing you would do with its power?