Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the novel’s portrayal of Sirens as monstrous, bird-like creatures affect your reading experience? Did it change your perception of them compared to the more common mermaid depiction found in other stories, like Homer’s The Odyssey?

2. What was your initial reaction to the ending, where both Imogen and Theodore abdicate their thrones? Did you find this resolution satisfying, and what does it say about their ultimate definition of power and freedom?

3. How well do you think the book balanced its high-stakes fantasy plot with its central romance? Did you find yourself more invested in Imogen’s quest to defeat Eusia or in the development of her relationship with Theodore?

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

1. Theodore’s life is governed by the conflict between duty and desire. Have you ever felt a strong tension between a personal want and an obligation to family, work, or your community? How did you navigate that feeling?

2. The novel asserts through Imogen’s story that revenge can be a noble motivation, but also that these resentments must be resolved and abandoned before a healthy love can grow. How do you feel about this message? Have any of your relationships, romantic or otherwise, required you to put previous grudges, traumas, or personal ambitions aside?

3. Imogen grapples with a power she fears is monstrous and uncontrollable. Can you think of a time you had to manage a personal trait or responsibility that felt overwhelming? What did that experience teach you about self-acceptance?

4. What role do you think the desire for validation plays in a person’s choices? How do you see Halla’s desperate need to “matter” reflected in the motivations of people in the world around you?

5. Imogen and Theodore’s relationship is marked by intense yearning and forced distance. What makes this kind of “painful angst” so compelling in a romance? Does this dynamic resonate with any other fictional relationships you’ve enjoyed?

6. The novel presents different paths to freedom, with Imogen abdicating power and Halla seizing it. Which approach to achieving personal autonomy resonated more with you, and what factors do you think shape which path a person might choose?

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

1. The guide connects Imogen’s character to the literary trend of “feminine rage.” In what ways does her journey challenge or reinforce traditional ideas about how female characters should express anger and seek justice?

2. How does Imogen’s use of rage to reclaim her autonomy compare to that of other famous literary heroines, like the protagonist in Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl? What makes Imogen’s story feel unique or familiar within this modern literary context?

3. How does the duology incorporate existing aspects of classical folklore and literature? What is the impact of these themes, motifs, imagery, or historical references on the narrative?

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

1. How does the novel physically manifest its theme of The Corrupting Nature of Power? What do the ruined bodies of characters like Eusia and the Dellen Mage Seer tell us about the ultimate price of ambition?

2. Halla repeatedly confronts Theodore and Imogen over their inability to understand what it is to be powerless. How does the novel more broadly engage or not engage with the idea of hierarchies and power structures, particularly considering that all central characters are part of or adjacent to monarchies?

3. Consider the antagonists Eusia and Empress Nivala. In what ways do they represent different facets of corruption, one magical and the other political? How do their motivations and methods compare?

4. What does Nemea’s dented, blood-anointed crown represent for Imogen throughout her journey? How does its meaning shift from the moment she claims it to her final decision to reject it?

5. What are the different forms of Reclamation of Bodily Autonomy sought by the novel’s central characters? Consider the physical attacks and sacrifices of Halla, Eusia, and Agatha as well as the characters subject to Siren lures and blood bonds.

6. How does the author use dual perspectives, shifting between Imogen and Theodore? How does this align with literary tropes of the genre, and how does Cassie align with or subvert this trope to develop characters, pacing, or themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a survival guide for a character entering this world, what would be your top three rules? Who would you design this guide for: a new mage, a royal heir, or an ordinary citizen?

2. If you were tasked with designing a new cover for this book, which symbol would you choose to feature? Would you use Nemea’s Crown, the severing draught, or something else entirely to capture the novel’s core themes?

3. The epilogue gives us a brief glimpse into Imogen and Theodore’s new life. If you were to write the next chapter, what new challenge might they face? How would their shared past and abdicated power influence how they handle it?