The Wrath of the Fallen

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to the final chapter’s major twist, which sends Dianna, Kaden, and Isaiah back in time? Did you find it a satisfying cliffhanger, and what do you think it signals for the future of the series?

2. The book is an example of romantasy, blending high-stakes fantasy with a central love story. How effectively did you feel the novel balanced the epic war against Nismera with the intimate relationship between Samkiel and Dianna? If you’ve read other popular romantasy series, such as those by Sarah J. Maas or Rebecca Yarros, how does this book’s approach to the genre compare?

3. What did you think of the author’s choice to open the book with an epigraph from William Blake’s poem “A Poison Tree”? How did Blake’s view of suppressed wrath shape your understanding of characters like Samkiel and Umemri?

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

1. Reggie advises Samkiel to earn loyalty from the common people rather than the corrupt royals, whose support is based on fear. How do his ideas about leadership compare with your own? Have you ever had to earn other people’s loyalty? What strategies did you find most effective?

2. Many characters, like Kaden and Isaiah, are shaped by the revelation of family betrayal. What does the novel suggest about the long-term impact of discovering that a foundational memory was a lie?

3. Dianna makes a conscious decision to break the cycle of cruelty she learned from Kaden. Think about a time you had to unlearn a habit or a way of interacting that you picked up from someone else. What did that process of change look like for you?

4. Camilla trades the world-altering Medallion for Vincent’s life, prioritizing one person over the safety of many. Have you ever been faced with a choice where personal loyalty conflicted with a broader responsibility? What do you think you would have done in her position?

5. The found family—Samkiel, Dianna, Cameron, and Miska—creates a sanctuary that is ultimately shattered by outside forces. Think about the “found families” in your own life. What makes these bonds so powerful, and what does the book say about their fragility in a hostile world?

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

1. Nismera maintains her thousand-year reign through fear and by providing a brutal form of stability that other rulers are afraid to challenge. Where have you seen similar dynamics in historical or current political situations, where a populace might accept oppressive rule in exchange for perceived order?

2. Nismera easily manipulates the gods to oppose Dianna by stoking their prejudice against the Ig’Morruthen bloodline. What does the gods’ reaction suggest about how fear of the “other” can be used as a political tool?

3. As a healer, Miska chooses to tend to her kidnappers, recognizing their underlying pain and trauma despite the pain and trauma they have caused her. What does Miska’s character suggest about the role of empathy in a world defined by violent power struggles?

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

1. How did shifting between the viewpoints of Samkiel, Dianna, Kaden, and even minor figures like Xavier shape your understanding of the conflict? Did you find any one perspective particularly effective or revealing?

2. How does the novel visually represent the connection between Samkiel’s inner turmoil and his external power? The guide identifies Oblivion as a physical manifestation of his emotional state, especially after he loses his controlling ring.

3. What is Death’s ultimate goal in the story? As an active, manipulative character, how do his interventions, like creating the life-bond, serve his larger purpose of maintaining cosmic balance?

4. What is the significance of the “World Ender” prophecy? How does its meaning evolve from a political insult used by Nismera to a literal, tragic fulfillment after Dianna’s death?

5. The theme of Monstrosity and Heroism as Artificial Categories is central to the novel. Which character do you think best embodies this theme, and what specific moments challenge your perception of them as either a hero or a villain?

6. Gathrriel’s possession of Dianna is a major subplot. In what ways does this storyline explore themes of bodily autonomy and ancestral trauma, and how does Dianna’s victory over him redefine her relationship with her Ig’Morruthen heritage?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a soundtrack for this book, what kind of music would you choose for key characters or scenes? For instance, what song would you play during Samkiel’s final unleashing of Oblivion, or during Dianna’s sacrifice?

2. Imagine you’re a diplomat from one of the seven realms trying to decide whether to ally with Samkiel or remain loyal to Nismera. What would be the key points in your argument for choosing one side over the other, considering all the risks and potential rewards?

3. The story ends with Dianna, Kaden, and Isaiah transported to the past. What crucial piece of advice would you give Dianna in that first moment, knowing everything she now knows about the future?