Rose in Chains

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How successfully did Rose in Chains hold your attention? Did it leave you feeling motivated to read other books in the series?

2. What did you like most about Rose in Chains? What did you like least?

3. Compare and contrast Rose in Chains to one of Soto’s other novels Forget Me Not, Not Another Love Song, and The Thrashers. Note any specific similarities or differences.

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

1. Briony has a strong relationship with her twin Rory, often sacrificing parts of herself for Rory’s benefit. Does this remind you of any relationships in your life? How so?

2. Hope and hopelessness are important to the novel, especially to Briony. Reflect on a seemingly hopeless situation in which you found hope and resilience.

3. Which elements of Rose in Chains did you find most emotionally impactful? Discuss why these elements resonated with your life experience.

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

1. How does the sexual abuse of enslaved Eversun women serve as a commentary on sex, gender, and power in the real world?

2. How does the conflict between Evermore and Bomard relate to specific real-world conflicts? What does this fictional political conflict say about demagogic power in the real world?

3. Does the novel suggest that Toven and Briony can separate their personal romance from the political context in which they live? Does this reflect reality?

4. Soto discusses enslavement, an immensely challenging topic. Do you think it was handled sensitively? Why or why not?

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

1. Soto switches between the present narrative and flashbacks from Briony’s past. How do the flashbacks impact the structure of the text? How would it be different in chronological order?

2. How do Briony and Toven’s character arcs develop in tandem? How does their relationship impact their individual narratives?

3. What role do the differences between heart and mind magic play in the central conflict of Rose in Chains? How does Soto examine these differences?

4. How does the fantasy setting and use of magic impact the novel’s development and narrative? How would it be different in a contemporary/more realistic setting?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book series were adapted into a TV series or film, who would you cast in the main roles? Why?

2. Create a playlist that captures the mood of your favorite character, including songs you think the character would like.

3. Soto plans to write a trilogy of Evermore books. What do you anticipate will happen in the second and third books?