Kingdom of the Wicked

Discuss the author’s choice to set the book in the late 19th century. What is significant about this period as it relates to the plot? How does this setting emphasize the novel’s themes?

What feminist commentary does the author make, especially through the matrilineal structure of witch society? Why might the author choose a monastery rather than an abbey (a home for nuns) as the representation of the Catholic church in the story?

Demons and witches are initially presented as oppositional forces. Can their relationship be accurately described as dichotomous by the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Consider the summoning scene in Chapter 9. What do the various objects used in the summoning represent?

In this work, light magic incurs good outcomes and dark magic incurs bad outcomes at a price. Discuss the significance of the price of dark magic and how this price is paid.

Emilia must negotiate the difference between lies and the truth. What does she learn about the nature of lies and truth?

Select a character and examine how the colors associated with them symbolically represent their values and alignment. For example, Envy is associated with green, Wrath with black, and Emilia with lavender.

This book ends with two surprise twists: Antonio is the murderer and Emilia marries Pride, not Wrath. In what ways were these twists foreshadowed throughout the work?