God of Ruin

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Let’s start with your overall reaction to Mia and Landon’s relationship. What aspects of their dynamic did you find most compelling or perhaps most challenging to read, and why?

2. The dark romance genre often pushes boundaries. How does God of Ruin compare to other intense romances you might have read, such as Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us or even classic gothic novels?

3. Thinking back on the entire story, a single moment or scene often sticks with a reader. Which one was most memorable for you, and what made it stand out so strongly?

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

1. Mia’s fierce loyalty to her brother, Nikolai, is the catalyst for the entire plot. Think about a time when you felt a powerful sense of loyalty and how that feeling influenced your own choices or actions.

2. What did you think of Brandon’s role as the “pacifist” and moral compass in the King family? Have you ever found yourself in a position of trying to guide a friend or family member, or had someone do that for you?

3. The haunted house becomes a sanctuary where Mia and Landon can be their authentic selves. Do you have a place in your own life that feels like a sanctuary, where you can be completely yourself without fear of judgment? What makes that space feel safe for you?

4. Mia begins planting a garden at the dilapidated estate, cultivating life amidst decay. In what ways does this act symbolize her own healing process? Have you ever turned to a hobby or creative outlet to help you work through a difficult time?

5. The story shows characters like Nikolai and Kyle using the language of protection to assert control, particularly over Mia. Where do you draw the line between healthy protectiveness and unhealthy control in a relationship?

6. Landon’s relationship with Mia challenges him to reconsider how he expresses affection and responds to another person’s needs. Have you ever had to change the way you approached a relationship to better understand or support someone you care about? What did you learn from the experience?

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

1. The author dedicates the book to “the psychos, May we enjoy them in fiction but never encounter them in real life” (v). How did this statement shape your experience of reading about Landon and the world he inhabits?

2. The guide notes that the dark romance genre often romanticizes traits of antisocial personality disorder. Why do you think the “genius anti-hero” archetype holds such a strong appeal for readers?

3. The novel’s setting is a world of elite secret societies and mafia families that operate by their own rules. What commentary do you believe the story is making about wealth, power, and justice when conventional laws don’t seem to apply?

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

1. How does Kent use the contrast between Landon’s polished public persona and his private thoughts to develop his characterization? What does this contrast reveal about the relationship between appearance and identity?

2. How does the novel’s pacing change as Mia and Landon’s relationship develops? Consider how Kent alternates between moments of psychological tension, physical intimacy, and quieter interactions.

3. How does Kent use dialogue to distinguish Mia’s personality from Maya’s, particularly given Mia’s selective mutism? What do their different methods of communication reveal about their relationship?

4. How does the novel’s use of dark humor affect the portrayal of violence, possessiveness, and rivalry? Consider whether humor reinforces or complicates the conventions of dark romance.

5. How does Kent use secondary characters, particularly Brandon, Glyndon, and Rai, to challenge or reinforce Landon and Mia’s perceptions of themselves and their relationship?

6. How does the novel’s two-year time jump in the final epilogue shape its resolution? What does Kent accomplish by concluding with Landon’s art exhibition and proposal rather than ending immediately after the confrontation with Mrs. Pratt?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are casting a film adaptation of God of Ruin. Which actors would you choose to portray Mia, Landon, and Maya? Explain how your choices would capture each character’s personality and relationships.

2. Imagine that Kent has asked you to write an additional chapter from the perspective of a secondary character. Whose perspective would you choose, which event would you revisit, and what new insights might your chapter offer?