The Poisoned King

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the book’s blend of a classic fantasy quest with a tense political thriller? Did you find one storyline more compelling than the other, or did they complement each other effectively?

2. How does The Poisoned King compare to the first book in the series, Impossible Creatures? If you’ve read Katherine Rundell’s other earlier works, like The Explorer, how has her writing style or thematic focus evolved?

3. The novel opens by framing the story around Anya’s hunger for justice and her thirst for revenge. Did you find this to be an effective hook, and did the rest of the novel live up to this central conflict?

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

1. Anya’s decision to spare Claude is a major turning point, guided by the loquillan’s vision of a future poisoned by her own hatred. Do you agree with her choice? What form of justice would you have chosen for Claude?

2. The Palace of Glimt becomes a place of refuge for creatures in need and outsiders. Have you ever been part of a community—formal or informal—that made you feel unexpectedly included or protected? What made it work?

3. Anya is repeatedly forced to adapt to unfamiliar environments. Can you recall a time in your own life when you had to adjust quickly to a new situation or setting? How did that experience shape your confidence or identity?

4. Claude conceals his true intentions behind a veneer of charm. Have you ever encountered a situation where appearances were misleading? How did you realize the truth, and what did it teach you?

5. Anya’s relationship with the gaganas is central to her identity and survival. Have you ever had a bond with an animal that felt like a true partnership or friendship? What can these kinds of relationships teach us?

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

1. The story is driven by a classic struggle for succession as Claude usurps the rightful role of his older brother, Argus. How does the novel use this fantasy setting to comment on real-world political ambition, legitimacy, and the corrupting influence of power?

2. Chancellor Gerund and other courtiers choose to obey Claude’s orders rather than risk challenging them. When do you think it becomes a moral duty to defy authority, even at great personal risk?

3. At the end, Anya abolishes the monarchy in favor of a parliament of humans and creatures. What potential challenges and strengths do you see in this new form of government? How does it serve as a commentary on our own societies’ efforts toward inclusivity and representation?

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

1. Christopher discovers that having someone to “move through the world with” changes everything (237). How does the friendship between Anya and Christopher develop, and what does each character provide that the other lacks?

2. Poison is a central symbol in the novel, used by Claude to kill both the king and the dragons. Beyond its literal function, what does poison represent metaphorically throughout the story?

3. How do character foils in The Poisoned King—such as the contrasts between Argus and Claude, and between Irian and Nighthand—contribute to the development of the novel’s central themes?

4. The book’s connection to the medieval bestiary tradition is reflected in the “Guardian’s Bestiary” appendix. How did having this guide impact your reading experience? Did it remind you of similar world-building tools in other fantasy works, such as J. K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

5. Christopher’s narrative concludes with the arrival of the new Immortal, Teren. How did you interpret this scene in relation to the novel’s structure and themes? Did it feel like a resolution, an opening, or something else?

6. Why do you think the author presents two distinct forms of justice at the end: Anya’s restorative approach and the dragons’ retributive action? What might this contrast suggest about the nature of justice itself?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could add a new creature to the Glimouria Archipelago’s bestiary, what would it be? Think about its name, appearance, abilities, and its unique role within the magical ecosystem.

2. Imagine you stumble upon the waybetween in Scotland and enter the Archipelago. What would be your first priority? Would you seek out the refuge at Glimt, try to find a specific creature like a sphinx or unicorn, or investigate a mystery on your own?

3. You’re a member of the newly formed parliament of humans and creatures. What is the first law or initiative you would propose to help stabilize the kingdom and promote cooperation between all species?