Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to the dark romantasy genre as presented in Feathers So Vicious? For those who have read Liv Zander’s other works, like The Pale Court series, how does this book compare in terms of its emotional intensity and exploration of power dynamics?

2. The novel ends on a dramatic cliffhanger with Galantia shifting into an unkindness of white ravens. How did this final reveal affect your reading experience? Did you find it a satisfying conclusion for the first book in a duet, and what are your predictions for Shadows So Cruel?

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

1. Galantia is raised to believe Ravens are monstrous, but her perspective shifts dramatically once she is captured. Have you ever had an experience that fundamentally changed a long-held belief you were taught? How did that experience reshape your view of the world?

2. Galantia’s loyalty is torn between her abusive father, her cruel captor Malyr, and her conflicted protector Sebian. In situations where there are no clear “good” options, how do you navigate loyalty and trust? Even if Galantia’s situation is more extreme, did you find yourself reflected in her situation?

3. The dynamic between Galantia, Malyr, and Sebian is the heart of the story. Who did you find yourself more drawn to, the cruel captor Malyr or the protective warden Sebian? What do you think this says about the way the novel explores attraction and survival?

4. Discuss how you think “safety” is depicted in the novel, particularly for Galantia in her captivity. Have you ever had moments in your life where “safety”—either physically or emotionally—felt impossible? How did you cope?

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

1. How does the war between humans and Ravens, fueled by propaganda over aerymel mines, reflect real-world conflicts where dehumanization is used to justify territorial or economic ambitions? What does the book suggest about how easily societies can be manipulated by manufactured hate?

2. Feathers So Vicious is a prime example of the dark romantasy genre, using the captor-captive trope to explore attraction under extreme duress and coercion. How does this story’s exploration of power dynamics differ from other “prisoner” narratives you’ve encountered, such as the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast? Does the fantasy setting make these disturbing themes more palatable for you as a reader?

3. The theme of Protection and Punishment as Expressions of Masculine Power is embodied by Malyr and Sebian. In what ways does the book critique or comment on these different forms of masculine control? What does it say about the ways trauma can shape and distort power in relationships?

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

1. Identify some common romance and/or fantasy tropes that are found in Feathers So Vicious. Discuss whether these tropes are reinforced or subverted.

2. Discuss the setting of Deepmarsh Castle. What role does it play in the novel in creating an atmosphere of isolation and dread? In what ways does it reflect the internal states of the characters?

3. What role do the flashbacks in the novel play? Choose one specific flashback and discuss how it develops the narrator and impacts your understanding of that character in the present timeline.

4. Lorn serves as a dark mirror to Galantia, representing a path of pure vengeance forged from similar trauma. How does Lorn’s character highlight different aspects of Galantia’s journey and choices? What makes one embrace unrelenting cruelty while the other retains a capacity for vulnerability?

5. As the first book in a duet, the novel intentionally leaves many threads unresolved. How did knowing this was part of a larger story shape your reading experience? Did it change how you interpreted the character developments and betrayals?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The final scene is from Galantia’s perspective as she transforms and flies away. Retell the last moments of the book from either Malyr’s or Sebian’s point of view. What are their immediate thoughts and feelings as they watch her escape in a storm of white feathers?

2. What might have happened if Lord Brisden had agreed to exchange Galantia for Marla early on? How would the story have changed if Galantia returned to the human world after only a brief captivity, before her relationships with Malyr and Sebian became so complicated?

3. Assume Risa had survived the attack at Larpen and was sent back to Tidestone. Write a letter from her to Galantia, sharing her fears, hopes, and any advice she would offer her ward, now betrothed to the Lord of Shadows. What secrets about Galantia’s family might she reveal?