Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends dark fantasy, Puritanical history, and feminist horror. How effective did you find this mix of genres, and did one element stand out to you more than the others?

2. How does the oppressive society of Bethel compare to other fictional theocracies you may have read about, like Gilead in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale?

3. What is the most powerful scene or image that has stayed with you since finishing the book? What made it so memorable?

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

1. Bethel treats certain books, like Immanuelle’s mother’s journal, as dangerous. Have you ever felt drawn to knowledge or stories that were considered controversial or off-limits in some way?

2. Throughout the novel, Immanuelle struggles to find community in Bethel and with her family in the Outskirts. Have you ever faced a similar struggle?

3. Martha’s strictness and eventual betrayal are driven by a deep-seated fear for Immanuelle’s safety. Can you think of a time when a well-intentioned rule felt oppressive. How do you balance the desire for safety with the need for freedom?

4. Immanuelle’s power comes from a heritage that her society has labeled as sinful and corrupt. Are there elements of your own family histories or cultural backgrounds that might be misunderstood or suppressed by others?

5. At the novel’s climax, Immanuelle chooses mercy over vengeance for the Prophet. What did you think of this decision? Would you have done the same thing?

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

1. The social hierarchy of Bethel relegates its dark-skinned citizens to the Outskirts, viewing them as inherently tied to the Dark Mother. In what ways does this system reflect historical or contemporary issues?

2. What does the novel suggest about the dangers of fusing religious authority with state power, especially in how it controls women’s bodies, knowledge, and autonomy?

3. The guide connects the novel to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. What differences did you notice in how Henderson uses the idea of a witch hunt to explore gender and race, compared to Miller’s use of it as an allegory for political persecution?

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

1. Blood appears as recurring motif throughout the novel. How does this motif change throughout the story?

2. The Darkwood is an important symbolic space in the novel. How does Immanuelle’s relationship with the Darkwood reflect larger themes in the novel?

3. What do the competing symbols of the eight-pointed Bride’s Seal and the seven-pointed Mother’s Mark reveal about the novel’s core conflict?

4. The novel presents several female characters who act as foils to Immanuelle, including her pious friend Leah and the immature, scheming Judith. Compare and contrast these women.

5. Ezra’s character arc is a journey from a privileged insider to a revolutionary. What does his ultimate alliance with Immanuelle suggest about the future of Bethel?

6. Explore the structure of the novel and its relationship to the four plagues. How did this structure affect the reading experience?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Sigils are used throughout the novel to enact curses and countercurses. Design a new sigil intended to help rebuild Bethel during the “Year of the Dawn.” What would it look like, and what positive power would it hold?

2. Imagine a memorial for the tragic events in the final chapters of the novel. What would this memorial look like, and what figures or symbols would you include to honor the victims while acknowledging the community’s complex history?

3. Step into the shoes of an ordinary citizen of Bethel in the epilogue. What would a short entry in your journal look like, describing your hopes and fears for the “Year of the Dawn” under the new, uncertain leadership of Ezra and Immanuelle?