Literally Leander discussion

This month, we'll be reading Nightbirds, a historical fantasy from Kate J. Armstrong.

Nightbirds marks the author's debut, and follows three young women whose kisses give magic--and who are about to shake up their world.

The discussion prompts this month were borrowed from Scholastic Australia. Please note that there may be spoilers for the novel in the prompts or in the following discussion.

1. How is the use of magic in the upper echelons of Eudean society different to its use on the streets of Simta?

2. Masks—literal and figurative —are worn by many characters in Nightbirds. In what way do you think wearing a mask—hiding the real you behind an image of what you think the world wants to see—is relevant to the novel’s examination of feminism and prohibition?

3. Describe how the novel portrays religion. What does it mean to the characters? How does it shape or lead them?

4. What similarities does Matilde’s family share with Sayer and Aesa’s families?

5. Nightbirds is the first book in a planned duology. Are you planning to read its sequel? What would you like to see happen to Matilde, Aesa and Sayer?