1. General Impressions

 Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How does this book compare to other books with young, female heroines swept up into rebellions? For instance, young adult novels like The Hunger Games or Divergent series, or other adult fantasy novels like the A Court of Thorns and Roses series?
• How did you like this book compared to its predecessor, Fourth Wing? Second books in a series are sometimes infamous for having a “second book slump,” where the plot suffers because it does not have the thrill of the beginnings of an adventure like the first book, nor the resolution of the final books. Does this book demonstrate a “second book slump”? Why or why not?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• For the first part of the novel, Violet struggles with forgiving Xaden’s secrecy. Do you find Xaden’s actions forgivable?
• The romantic action is accompanied by various understandings and misunderstandings on Violet and Xaden’s parts. Where do you observe their communication breaking down? Do any of these communication breakdowns resonate with you, and if so, how?
• The government of Navarre ostensibly hides the reality of the world from its citizens for their own sake.