Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Think about the emotional journey you went on while reading Heartless Sky. What was the highest point for you, and what was the lowest? How did the dramatic ending affect your overall impression of the story?

2. For readers familiar with the Zodiac Academy series, how does this book shift the tone and stakes compared to previous installments? Did the story move in a direction you expected?

3. Which character’s journey in this particular book resonated with you the most?

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

1. Darius’s secret pact is a huge sacrifice made for what he sees as the greater good. Can you think of a time when you had to weigh a personal desire against the needs of a group or a cause you cared about? How did you navigate that decision?

2. Darcy and Orion debate whether to keep their relationship secret. Have you ever felt the need to balance a private truth against public perception in your own life? What factors made the decision complicated?

3. Orion’s “Power Shamed” status makes him a social outcast, even among his allies. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider in a group? How did that experience shape your interactions with others?

4. Darius and Tory decide to embrace whatever brief time they have together. Have you ever had an experience or relationship that was limited by time? Did that change the nature of the experience for you?

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

1. Lionel maintains power by creating social divisions, weaponizing propaganda, and manipulating the Fae. Discuss how tyrannical leaders at different times in history have maintained holds on power. Do you believe that Heartless Sky contains elements of social and political critique?

2. What kind of leaders do Darcy and Tory become over the course of the novel? How does their collaborative and empathetic style of leadership contrast with Lionel’s tyrannical rule, and what might the book be saying about what makes a good leader in a time of crisis?

3. Throughout the novel, Orion grapples with the experience of being “Power Shamed” (a kind of social and cultural ostracism that functions as punishment). What kinds of actions lead someone to be shamed or “cancelled” in contemporary culture? Do you think that public shaming can lead to injustice?

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

1. The story is told from multiple perspectives, giving us insight into heroes, villains, and supporting characters alike. What is the effect of seeing the conflict from so many different viewpoints, especially during the final battle? How did it shape your understanding of the characters’ motivations?

2. How do Lionel and Lavinia function as co-antagonists? What does Lionel’s political tyranny represent, and how does that differ from the more ancient, corrupting threat Lavinia embodies?

3. The emerging love story between Seth and Caleb functions as a foil to the more pervasive love stories between Tory and Darius, and Darcy and Orion. What commonalities do all of these couples share? What does the novel suggest is necessary for a happy relationship?

4. How does the setting of The Burrows contribute to the novel’s overall tone and mood? How does it contrast with other important settings, such as the Palace of Souls or the magical site where Tory and Darcy go to train?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were in charge of casting a film adaptation of Heartless Sky, which actors would you choose to play Darcy, Tory, Darius, and Orion? What qualities would you be looking for in their performances?

2. Imagine you could create a new magical artifact to help the rebels in their fight. What would it be called, what would it do, and which character would you give it to?