Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your impression of the world of the Eating Woods trilogy? Which parts of Keri Lake’s fantasy world building most spoke to you? How do they compare to other fantasy or romantasy books you’ve read?

2. Between Maevyth’s story in the present, Zevander’s story in the past, and Kazhimyr’s journey to reunite with Zevander, which storyline did you enjoy the most? Which did you enjoy the least?

3. Compare Eldritch to Anathema. Were you pleased with Eldritch as a sequel? Were there ideas or characters that you wish got more or less attention?

4. Lake has announced a sequel to Eldritch called Vasmora. What do you want to see in the third novel? What storylines are you most excited to see completed, and what are you hoping will happen?

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

1. Zevander’s cold demeanor turns out to be partly the product of his traumatic past. Have you ever changed your opinion about someone after learning something surprising about challenges they’ve faced earlier in life?

2. Maevyth is so happy to reunite with her sister that she spends much of the novel denying that something is wrong with Aleysia. Describe a situation where you or someone you knew refused to acknowledge a developing problem because it would be emotionally devastating. How did this situation eventually resolve?

3. The novel’s secondary plotline is about the alliance of convenience formed by Kazhimyr, Ravezio, and Dravien. Have you ever had to cooperate with someone you didn’t fully trust or whose motives you found questionable?

4. How does learning about Maevyth and Zevander’s connection in the past influence their relationship in the present? How might you feel if you learned that your partner knew about you long before you actually met?

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

1. The novel depicts several systems of oppressive control: the Red God faith, authoritarian kingship, and slavery. How does the novel’s portrayal of despotism reflect real-world events? Did you think of historical analogs for characters like Sacton Crain, King Jeret, or General Loyce?

2. The romance between Maevyth and Zevander is based on a potentially problematic power dynamic: He is centuries old, while she is 19; he is deeply traumatized by past abuse that he sometimes takes out on her; and he has a specific method of sexual expression that she finds off-putting and frightening. How does the novel’s exploration of romantic partnership translate into how you conceive of equity and equality in real-world relationships?

3. The novel heavily features sexual assault and explores issues of consent from the perspective of a male rape survivor. How does its depiction of this sensitive topic compare to contemporary understanding of sexual assault?

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

1. The novel is split between Maevyth’s, Kazhimyr’s, and Zevander’s perspectives, with Zevander’s narrative split into present, past, and Caligorya timeframes. How does this structure affect the reading experience? How would the novel be different if it were told from only one of these points of view or in strict chronological order?

2. Compare and contrast the novel’s villains. What do Crain, Loyce, and Cadavros have in common? How do they differ, and why?

3. Discuss the motif of fate or destiny. How does fate influence the way the novel’s plot is structured and its characters’ motivations? Does the novel reaffirm or subvert the idea of fate?

4. How do characters’ physical bodies symbolically reflect their inner beliefs, ideals, responses to suffering, and desires? Consider features like Zevander’s and Maevyth’s scars, Zevander’s piercings, Alastor’s bark and horns when he turns into Cadavros, and Loyce’s self-healing neck vein.

5. The book is set in a fantasy realm with magic, monsters, and gods. How do the magical elements enhance the narrative or detract from it?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’ve been charged with casting a TV adaptation of The Eating Woods. How do you imagine the characters look, and whom would you want to portray them?

2. If you could learn a magical glyph from the novel, which would you choose? Draw what you think the glyph would look like and explain how the appearance of the glyph matches its effect.