Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Bond That Burns draws from the popular “romantasy” and “bully romance” trends. How did the dynamic between Medra and Blake align with or challenge your expectations for this type of story? Did its intensity feel similar to other popular series, like Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing?

2. What single moment in the book was the most impactful for you? Was it a scene of high action like the tribunal, a quiet character interaction, or a shocking revelation, and what made it stand out so much?

3. The narrative alternates between Medra’s and Blake’s perspectives. How did this dual point of view affect your reading experience and your perception of the characters, especially Blake?

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

1. Florence’s loyalty to Medra is tested when Blake publicly forces their friends to choose sides in the refectory. Think about a time you’ve had to navigate a conflict between friendship and group expectations. What did Florence’s choice to stand by Medra reveal about her character?

2. After the terrifying ambush, Florence insists Medra teach her how to fight, shifting from a scholar to someone seeking physical strength. Has an experience in your own life ever fundamentally changed your priorities?

3. Trust is a central issue for Medra, who is betrayed by people she thought were allies, like Professor Rodriguez. How do you decide who to trust when the stakes are high? How did the betrayals in the story affect your view of the characters involved?

4. Blake offers Medra a sincere apology in the library for his initial coercive actions. What, for you, makes an apology feel genuine?

5. Many characters, like Theo and Visha, must choose between their personal morals and their loyalty to House Drakharrow. Have you ever felt caught between your own values and your loyalty to a group, family, or institution? How does their struggle resonate with real-world dilemmas?

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

1. The highblood society is built on the magical and social coercion of the blightborn. How does this system reflect real-world power structures and social hierarchies?

2. How does centering the story on Medra, a powerful female descendant of King Arthur, change the classic epic? In what ways does this novel engage with the larger literary trend of feminist retellings of myths and legends?

3. What does the revelation about the Dragon Wars suggest about how dominant powers control history? Why is it so important to question the “official” version of the past, both in this world and our own?

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

1. How does Kage Tanaka function as a foil to Blake Drakharrow? 

2. What is the significance of the stone dragons in the Dragon Court? How does their symbolism evolve throughout the novel?

3. The motif of thrallweave appears repeatedly as a tool of coercion. How does this mind-control magic highlight and build up the novel’s key themes?

4. In what ways does the theme of The Conflict Between Morality and Family Loyalty play out in Blake’s attempts to protect Aenia? What is the novel saying about the dangers of placing family duty above all other ethical considerations?

5. Did you find Blake’s arc from a cruel bully to a protective figure believable? What key moments in his development were most important to you, and how does the author use the conventions of the genre to navigate his potential for redemption?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were writing the first chapter of the sequel, what would happen next after Nyxaris agrees to the healing ritual for Florence? What would be the immediate consequences for Florence, Medra, and the dragon?

2. Imagine you are casting a screen adaptation of The Bond That Burns. Who would you choose to play Medra, Blake, and Kage? What qualities make them the perfect fit for these roles?

3. Choose a secondary character like Visha, Theo, or even Professor Rodriguez, and rewrite a key scene from their perspective. How would the ambush in the woods or the confrontation in the refectory look through their eyes?