King of Envy

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What kind of reading experience did King of Envy offer you: fast-paced escapism, emotional introspection, or something else?

2. How would you describe the chemistry between Vuk and Ayana compared to other fictional couples you’ve read about? How do they compare to couples in romance fiction more generally?

3. How does King of Envy compare to Ana Huang’s previous books, especially the other titles in the Kings of Sin series? Does it feel thematically or stylistically different? Or does it follow the same plot path?

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

1. Consider how Ayana’s engagement to Jordan is a business arrangement to escape an abusive agency. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to make a difficult choice for personal freedom or safety? How did you navigate it?

2. Vuk is often described as a dangerous and powerful, but silent and reclusive, character. How do you perceive individuals who keep their emotions and thoughts hidden?

3. Throughout the narrative, Vuk and Ayana’s relationship develops amidst chaos and danger. Do you believe that intense circumstances can accelerate emotional connections? Why or why not?

4. The story deals with themes of trust and betrayal. Have you ever had to rebuild trust in a relationship? What steps did you take to heal and move forward?

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

1. Vuk’s background and rise to wealth and power highlight themes of self-made success. Does his story challenge or reinforce societal views on wealth and privilege? Why or why not?

2. Consider the narrative’s high-society setting with its own set of rules and expectations. How do you think societal pressures influence personal choices and relationships in such environments?

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

1. Discuss the development and relatability of the key characters in King of Envy, such Ayana, Vuk, Jordan, Hank, Emmanuelle, and Wentworth. How are they characterized? How did they change—or fail to change—over the course of their character arc?

2. Explore the significance of using New York as the setting and its contribution to the book’s tone. How does the luxurious yet dangerous atmosphere of the city influence the characters’ actions and the story’s credibility?

3. Consider the many symbols and their relevance to the story. What does, for example, Ayana’s wedding ring come to represent in her developing relationship with Vuk?

4. Examine the pacing and tension throughout the novel. Were there particular scenes that heightened or dampened the suspense? Was the author able to sustain momentum in the story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Since Ayana is a supermodel in the story, design a campaign or magazine cover that she might participate in. What would the tagline be? What imagery or message would you want it to convey?

2. Choose a pivotal scene in the novel and try writing it from a third character’s perspective, like Ayana’s publicist Sloane or Vuk’s head of security, Sean. How would you reshape the emotional tone and stakes of the moment?

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