Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does We Who Will Die compare to Stark’s Kingdom of Lies series, especially when it comes to world building, romantic dynamics, and overall pacing?

2. In your opinion, what was the most impactful scene or plot twist? Why did you make this choice?

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

1. Arvelle’s primary motivation is her fierce need to protect her brothers. How does this single-minded focus shape her moral compromises? Have you ever had to sacrifice one ideal in order to uphold another?

2. Many characters are defined by The Enduring Weight of Unresolved Grief. Which character’s way of handling loss resonated with you the most, and why?

3. The shattering of trust is central to Arvelle and Tiernon’s emotional conflicts. In your own experience, what are the most important steps in rebuilding a broken or damaged relationship?

4. Maeva’s friendship offers Arvelle a connection that she has long denied herself. Have you ever developed a friendship with someone who initially rebuffed your attempts to get to know them? How did this relationship shift over time?

5. Many of the novel’s characters are morally ambiguous. Did the novel make you question your own definitions of morality? Where do characters like Rorrik or Arvelle fall on that spectrum?

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

1. The Senthara empire uses lavish spectacles to appease and distract the masses. How does this dynamic play out in real-world terms? Can you think of any political figures who rely on mass entertainment to quell public unrest or divert attention from systemic problems?

2. How does the empire’s magical hierarchy of sigils and species, which places highborn vampires at the top and mundane humans at the bottom, reflect real-world systems of social stratification?

3. The emperor, Rorrik, and Bran all wield power in very different ways. What does the novel suggest about the nature of power and its effect on those who hold it?

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

1. To what extent does the novel adhere to the conventions of the romantasy genre?

2. How does the symbol of the arena evolve throughout the story?

3. How does the novel foreshadow the looming presence of the ancient, supernatural threat of Mortuus?

4. Analyze the fraught relationship between Arvelle and Leon. What compels Leon to train Arvelle, and at what point do the two reconcile the conflict that lies unspoken between them?

5. How do Rorrik’s and Tiernon’s opposing natures drive the plot and influence Arvelle’s development?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could have any sigil power shown in the book, which would you choose, and why?

2. The book ends with a fragile, high-stakes alliance between Arvelle, Tiernon, and Rorrik. What are your predictions for the next book in the series?

3. Imagine that you are writing a scene from Leon’s perspective after he recovers and learns the full truth about Albion. What issues might he dwell on?