Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your overall impressions of Winter as the conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles? Did it feel like a satisfying ending to the series?

2. Compare Winter to another of Marissa Meyer’s fairy-tale retellings, such as Cinder or Heartless. How does Winter build on or differ from those interpretations?

3. The novel blends science fiction with fairy-tale elements, particularly from Snow White. How effective did you find this combination, and which elements felt the strongest or weakest?

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

1. Several characters, like Wolf and Iko, question what it means to be “human.” How do their experiences shape your own thoughts about identity, humanity, or self-worth?

2. Winter refuses to use her gift because she is afraid that she will harm others, even though this refusal puts her at risk. Have you ever faced a situation where doing what you believed was right made things harder for you? How did you respond?

3. Winter shows that healing often requires support from others. Can you think of a time when cooperation or support helped you through a difficult situation? How does that connect to the characters’ experiences?

4. Many characters struggle with identity under pressure. Have you ever felt pressure to hide or change part of yourself to fit other’s expectations? How does that compare to characters like Winter or Cinder?

5. Characters make difficult choices that involve sacrifice. Have you ever had to make a decision where there was no perfect outcome? Do you think their choices feel realistic?

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

1. How does Winter portray authoritarian power, and in what ways does Levana’s rule reflect real-world systems that rely on fear, control, or propaganda?

2. The novel emphasizes appearance, beauty, and illusion, especially within Lunar society. How does this reflect real-world pressures related to image, status, or social expectations?

3. How does the setting of Luna, particularly Artemisia versus the outer sectors, reflect social or economic inequality? Can you draw parallels to similar divides in the real world?

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

1. How does the multi-perspective narration shape the reader’s understanding of the novel? What does shifting between characters add to the story?

2. Cinder and Levana act as foils. How does the contrast between their leadership styles develop the novel’s message about power and authority?

3. Discuss the motif of illusion versus reality. How do glamour, hallucinations, and delusions shape both the plot and the characters’ identities?

4. The novel reimagines elements from Snow White. How do motifs like beauty, jealousy, and the “poisoned princess” shift within a science fiction work?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine a continuation of the story after the events of Winter. What challenges might Cinder face as a leader? How might Luna change under a new system?

2. Choose one character and imagine an alternate decision at a key moment in the novel. How would that change the outcome of the story? For example, what if Winter chose to use her gift earlier, or if Kai used his contingency plan?

3. Create a playlist that represents the major characters or themes in Winter. Which songs would you choose and why?