A Court of Thorns and Roses

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of the protagonist, Feyre Archeron, particularly in terms of her relationships with Tamlin and Rhysand?
• Which part of Feyre’s journey from a young huntress protecting her family to a member of the High Fae did you find the most compelling? What did you find difficult to appreciate about her character arc?
• Did Rhysand’s offer to help in exchange for Feyre’s time feel like a fair trade, or can it be perceived as manipulative?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• How did the novel’s theme of family values make you feel as a reader? Do Feyre’s decisions or feelings align with your own? 
• Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt obligated to perform a task to atone for an error? How did this pressure affect you?
• Could you envision yourself growing close to someone who had once treated you harshly or attempted to punish you for a mistake you made? What obstacles would you need to overcome with this person to engage in a meaningful relationship?
• How did Feyre’s openness about the trauma she experiences after imprisonment and death/rebirth affect you?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

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

• Through the characters of Rhysand and Tamlin, how does the novel offer commentary on the complexity of romantic connection?
• Due to Amarantha’s influence over Tamlin, is his coldness as a character more valid? How does his character embody the effects of powerlessness against evil? 
• Consider the gender dynamic, as Amarantha and Feyre, two women, serve as foils for each other. What does each character symbolize regarding womanhood and power? 

4. Literary Analysis

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

• In what ways can Tamlin and Feyre’s relationship be read as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast? How does it move away from the original story?
• How does the faerie world that Feyre finds herself in contribute to the tone of the novel? How do the vivid descriptions affect the novel’s portrayal of both the beauty and danger of this world?
• What is the significance of Feyre’s tattoo following her bargain with Rhysand? What does it foreshadow about her loyalties and emotions?
• How does Feyre’s relationship with painting reflect her processing of the world around her? How does her relationship with painting represent her ability to reclaim joy and pleasure following traumatic events?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Create a playlist for Feyre, and then create a playlist for Amarantha. What does each playlist tell you about your perception of either character? 
• Where do you hope the story will go next in terms of Feyre’s romantic connections? Imagine that Feyre ends her romance with Tamlin: What would this breakup scene look like?

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