The Knight and the Moth

What did you think of the author's writing style? How did it contribute to the gothic fantasy vibes of the novel?

Let's talk about the worldbuilding. What did you think about the way magic works in this world? What questions do you still have that the book didn't answer?

If you could wield one of the Omens' powers, which would it be and why?

At what point did you first start to suspect that something was off with the Omens, the cathedral, and divining?

Contrast the ceremonies held for the arrival of the king in each of the hamlets. What do they reveal about the different societies and what they value?

Why does Sybil cling for so long to her shround (and to a lesser extent, not wearing shoes)? Why do traditions or customs give us comfort?

What drives each character in the novel? Whose motivations did you relate to most?

What drew Rory and Sybil together? Did you buy into their relationship?

Okay, how much did we love Bartholomew? What was your favorite of his many asides and mangled sayings?

The role of religion and the power of stories are both themes of this book, and the abbess states that "a kingdom always needs something to believe in." What do you think the author is trying to say about faith, control, or belief?

The book touches on doing the "right" thing several times, with Benji arguing that "for things to go right, you must often do the wrong thing." Do you think he's ever correct?

Do you think the sprites are evil or just mistreated? Does oppression ever justify aggression or violence?

Were you surprised to learn about the batlike gargoyle's origins? When did you first suspect who was speaking in the prologue?

The twist ending: surprising or predictable?

Will you read the second book in this duology? What do you think will happen? What do you hope will happen?

There's a refrain in this book: "To tell a story is in some part to tell a lie, isn't it?" Do you agree?