Immortal Consequences

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The guide situates Immortal Consequences within the dark academia genre. How does the novel’s setting at Blackwood Academy, a school in purgatory, compare to other magical or elite schools you’ve read about, like those in Donna Tartt’s The Secret History or the Harry Potter series? Did the high stakes of the afterlife successfully elevate the typical school story for you?

2. The story ends on a significant cliffhanger, with Wren captured, August transformed, and Irene working as a spy. What was your immediate reaction to this ending? Does it feel like a satisfying conclusion for a first book in a series, or did it leave you feeling frustrated?

3. Which of the main six characters did you find most compelling, and why? Did your opinion of any character change dramatically from the beginning of the novel to the end?

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

1. The students’ ambition is driven by a fear of “the Forgetting,” where their memories and identities are erased. In what ways do you see memory shaping identity in your own life or in the world around you? What could you do to preserve your memories, or those of people you care about?

2. The novel features a core group of rivals who form an alliance of “unfortunate acquaintances” out of necessity. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to work closely with people you didn’t initially like or trust to achieve a common goal? Did you find the experience was more or less easy than you expected?

2. Throughout the story, characters like August and Irene operate in morally gray areas, making questionable choices for what they believe are justifiable reasons. When have you had to navigate a moral conundrum? How did you decide your path, and do you still think it was the right choice?

3. The novel explores at least two major relationships (Wren/August and Emilio/Olivier) where the characters fall in love without admitting it to themselves or others for a while. Have you ever found yourself surprised by a deep connection with another person? How did this revelation affect you?

4. Olivier lives in constant terror of his memories fading, while Wren clings to even her most traumatic memories as part of who she is. Which perspective on memory resonated with you more? Do you think there are some memories that are better left forgotten, or do you value your more difficult memories?

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

1. How does the novel’s portrayal of institutional corruption resonate with real-world examples of powerful organizations, whether in education, government, or corporations?

2. The guide connects the students’ plight to existentialist philosophy, where individuals must create their own meaning in a seemingly absurd universe. How does their struggle reflect any broader societal anxieties about finding meaning and purpose today?

3. In what ways does the novel explore the real-life experiences and pressures of being a young person in education today? Given the novel’s allegorical framework, do you think its presentation of this experience is more or less reflective of adolescent society and culture?

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

1. What did you think of the rivalry between Wren and August? Were you surprised by their transition into romance? Why or why not?

2. What is the significance of the novel’s treatment of near-death experiences. How do these function in the novel and what do they add to a narrative based in the afterlife?

3. How does the symbol of shadow magic evolve throughout the novel?

4. Do you think Headmaster Silas was a convincing antagonist or not? Explain why, drawing on close analysis of the language used to characterize him and reveal/conceal his true nature.

5. Was the final reveal that Louise was a vessel for August’s sister, Edith, a surprising twist for you? How does the author use foreshadowing and misdirection, such as Louise’s nosebleeds or her memory lapses, to build toward this revelation?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Write an opening scene which describes might happen to Wren at the Demien encampment now that she has been revealed as the prophesied “catalyst of destruction”? How would Wren’s experience be described through her character’s third-person perspective?

2. The novel describes the Blackwood Academy in some detail. Create an image which encapsulates the way you imagine the campus to look.

3. What kind of inner monologue do you think Irene is having now that she has “won” the Decennial and become an Ascended? Draft a short journal entry from her perspective as she begins her work as a double agent, reflecting on her victory, her “eliminated” peers, and her secret mission for the Demien Order.