Dragonslayer

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. If you’ve read any of the Wings of Fire series, how did you react to the shift in perspective from this dragon-centric main series to a human point of view in the Dragonslayer spinoff? Did it change how you see the world of Pyrrhia?

2. Which of the three protagonists’ stories—Wren’s survival, Leaf’s quest for vengeance, or Ivy’s search for truth—resonated most with you, and why?

3. The novel is built around dismantling the heroic myth of the “Dragonslayer.” Did you find Heath to be a compelling villain? Does he remain redeemable, despite his authoritarian deceptions?

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

1. Leaf’s entire identity is built on a lie about his sister’s death. Have you ever had to rebuild parts of your identity after a fundamental belief proved false?

2. Wren feels so betrayed by her family that she rejects human society altogether. Have you ever walked away from a community or group after feeling betrayed or deceived? Do you believe this was the right choice?

3. Ivy grows up idolizing her father, only to slowly realize his heroic persona is a carefully constructed lie. How does her story reflect your experience of seeing authority figures or loved ones in a more complex, human light?

4. The bond between Wren and Sky forms the emotional core of the story. How did their friendship, born from shared rejection, reflect your own experiences of family and belonging?

5. The novel presents several distinct human communities, each with its own rules and flaws. If you had to live in Talisman, the underground city of Valor, or near the Indestructible City, which would you choose and why?

6. Ivy, Violet, and Daffodil form the “Truth Seekers” to investigate the inconsistencies in the stories they’re told by adults. What role has friendship played in giving you the courage to question authority or challenge accepted narratives?

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

1. Heath’s manufactured legend of the Dragonslayer becomes the foundational myth for the city of Valor. In what ways does the novel explore how propaganda and heroic national stories can be used to legitimize power and control a population?

2. The guide compares Heath’s mythmaking to historical examples like the founding of Rome. Can you think of any other figures from history or fiction who built their power on a carefully crafted personal story? What do these stories have in common?

3. A central conflict in the book is the generational prejudice between humans and dragons, fueled by fear and misinformation. What commentary does the novel offer on how these cycles of hatred begin and what it takes to break them?

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

1. The narrative is fractured across the perspectives of Ivy, Leaf, and Wren. How did switching between their distinct worldviews reinforce the theme that history is subjective and often manipulated?

2. What is the function of the recurring motif of hiding and secrets? Consider the underground city of Valor, the dragonmancers’ hidden books, and the treasure’s secret location.

3. Sky is a dragon born without fire, which makes him an outcast. What symbolic role does he play in the story’s exploration of empathy and alternative forms of strength?

4. How does Dragonslayer subvert the tropes of a traditional fantasy story like J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, where dragons are often portrayed as purely monstrous, treasure-hoarding beasts?

5. The dragon treasure is the catalyst for the entire plot. How does the meaning of the treasure change depending on the character, from Heath’s symbol of power to Stone’s representation of guilt or the golden dragon’s search for a specific item?

6. Rose’s refusal to be “rescued” from the SandWing palace is a major turning point. How does her choice challenge the reader’s expectations and complicate the idea of what a “happy ending” looks like for the characters?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The story concludes with Wren, Leaf, and Ivy setting off on a new quest for peace. What kind of adventures or challenges do you imagine for them as they try to bridge the divide between humans and dragons?

2. Aunt Rose has lived among the dragons for 20 years. What might a chapter from her perspective look like, describing her life in the palace with Prince Smolder and her first encounter with Wren?

3. The golden dragon was searching for one specific, missing piece of its treasure. What object do you believe was so important, and what is the story behind it that fueled a 20-year conflict?