Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Cursed Fates ends on an intense cliff-hanger, a signature of the series that has fueled its popularity. How did you react to the novel’s suspenseful conclusion? Did the ending make you want to keep reading?

2. The novel is a prominent example of the bully romance subgenre. How does it compare to other books in this genre you might have read, such as Penelope Douglas’s Fall Away series? What did the authors do to make the trope their own?

3. What was the most emotionally impactful scene or plotline for you? Was it a moment of high-stakes action, a quiet character interaction, or a destructive betrayal, and what made it stand out?

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

1. Tory’s rejection of Darius as her Elysian Mate asserts her free will over predetermined destiny. Is there a time in your life when you felt pressure to follow a certain path, but your heart was leading you a different way? 

2. The Heirs’ allegiance shifts from a rivalry with the Vegas to a fiercely protective alliance focused on defeating Lionel. Have you ever had a friendship that was transformed by facing a common challenge together?

3. Seth’s apology to Darcy represents an important moment of raw honesty and accountability that demonstrates his growth. Is there a time when being vulnerable strengthened a relationship in your life?

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

1. The guide connects the series’ success to the BookTok phenomenon, where reader communities drive titles’ popularity. How do you think this social media influence shapes the way stories like Cursed Fates are written and experienced? Did you feel the influence of this trend while reading?

2. The bully romance subgenre often features cruel, powerful men who are redeemed through love. What do you think is the appeal of this narrative for modern audiences? How does the story handle the complex power dynamics between the Heirs and the Vega twins?

3. The world of Solaria is built on a rigid magical and social hierarchy, with the Celestial Council and the Heirs at the top. How does this system of inherited power create conflict and inequality in the story? In what ways does this magical society reflect or critique real-world social structures?

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

1. Lionel Acrux is presented as a purely evil antagonist driven by a thirst for absolute power. What narrative purpose does a character with no redeeming qualities serve?

2. Compare and contrast Clara and Tory as characters. How does Clara’s complete surrender to shadow magic highlight the stakes of Tory’s own internal battle with the shadows’ seductive promises of power and oblivion?

3. How does the bond between Orion and Darius, which is rooted in duty and shared pain, contrast with the bond Lionel forces upon Tory, which becomes a tool of enslavement?

4. Tory and Darcy Vega, as twin protagonists, offer parallel but distinct journeys. How do their differing responses to love, grief, and their shared destiny highlight the book’s central themes? What does each sister’s path reveal about the nature of strength and resilience?

5. The book uses Phoenix and Dragon imagery to represent the conflict between the Vega and Acrux families. How does this symbolism evolve throughout the story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are designing a new course for Zodiac Academy. What would the class be called, what would it teach, and which character do you think would most need to enroll in it?

2. If you were to adapt Cursed Fates into a movie or TV series, which scene do you think would be the most challenging to bring to the screen, and why? Would it be a magical battle, an intimate emotional moment, or something else?

3. What do you imagine would have happened if Orion had not lied at his trial and had instead fought the charges alongside Darcy? How might the outcome have altered the alliances and the twins’ political standing heading into the final confrontation with Lionel?