Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Kingdom of the Feared wraps up a trilogy full of major twists and revelations. How satisfied were you with the conclusion to Emilia and Wrath’s story? Did the ending feel earned after the journey of the first two books?

2. What did you think of the blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery in this series? If you’ve read Kerri Maniscalco’s other popular series, the Stalking Jack the Ripper quartet, how would you compare her storytelling style across these two very different worlds?

3. The revelation that Emilia’s entire mortal life on Sicily was an illusion is a massive twist. How did this discovery change your perception of events from previous books?

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

1. The novel explores the conflict between a predetermined destiny and the power of self-determination. Have you ever felt pulled between what’s expected of you and the path you want to forge for yourself? How does Emilia’s journey resonate with that experience?

2. Even though Emilia is a goddess of vengeance, she resolves to strive for peace rather than retribution at the end of the novel. In your own life, do you find it easy or difficult to forgive?

3. Wrath takes a magical tincture to dull his love for Emilia, fearing that his curse will tear them apart. What are your thoughts on making personal sacrifices, like suppressing emotions, for the sake of a relationship or a greater goal?

4. Over the course of the story, Emilia learns that her childhood home was a magical illusion, and her concept of home evolves from a physical place to something she builds with Wrath. What does home mean to you personally? Is it a person or a place?

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

1. When Emilia unleashes her fury, she’s met with fear and seen as a chaotic threat, while Wrath’s anger is an accepted part of his authority. What does this contrast say about societal perceptions of female rage versus male anger?

2. The princes and goddesses in the novel often use “power as performance,” creating spectacles to manipulate others. In what ways do you see this kind of performance play out in everyday life, whether in professional settings, on social media, or in personal interactions?

3. Nonna Maria and the coven justify murdering infants as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of their community. How do you see this kind of utilitarian logic, where harm to a few is rationalized for the benefit of many, play out in history or current events?

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

1. What is the effect of the novel’s constant use of illusions, glamours, and fragmented memories? How does this narrative technique put you in Emilia’s shoes, forcing you to question reality alongside her?

2. How does the symbol of the heart evolve throughout the novel? How does its changing meaning contribute to the development of Emilia and the other characters?

3. Vittoria’s actions drive much of the plot, but her motivations are complex. Do you see her as an antagonist, a foil to Emilia, or something else entirely? What does her character suggest about the nature of sisterhood and destiny?

4. What narrative purpose does the Well of Memory serve? How does revealing crucial backstory through these disjointed, subjective visions impact the story’s pacing and suspense?

5. How does the curse-breaking ritual, which requires Wrath to stab Emilia, subvert traditional fantasy tropes where a male hero saves a female protagonist through a show of strength?

6. How does the novel’s exploration of prophecy and fate compare to other popular romantasy books, such as those in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series? Do the characters in this world seem to have more or less agency in shaping their own outcomes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The novel reinstates House Vengeance under Vittoria’s rule. If you were tasked with designing a new House sigil for her, what symbols would you include? How would your design reflect the House’s dark history and its new future?

2. Imagine that Claudia, now living a quiet life in Sicily, decides to use the memory stone that Emilia left for her. What choice do you think she makes after learning that she’s Lucia, the lost wife of Pride?