To Ceva Jill Story & Michael Moore for being my ride or dies.
To the big Guinevere team: the artists who made this book beautiful—Niall Grant, Aftyn Shah, Chaim Holtjer, and Paige Dainty, to Andrew and the Merrick Books community, Mackenzie Walton, Taryn Fagerness, who did the most in getting this book out in the wide world, Julia Whelan, who saw me on the internet, took a chance on my manuscript, and leant Vera her voice, Geof Prysirr, whose artistic precision in audio editing is even more impressive than his grilling prowess (which is saying quite a lot), the Hodderscape team, and finally to Alex Sunshine (the editor with the single greatest name) and the many good folks at Kensington for inviting Vera’s story and me into a whole new world of opportunities.
To so many authors who lowered ladders and pulled me up, and last, but certainly not least: to the remarkable book communities of Instagram and TikTok, who gave me the courage to take wild leaps.
Discussion Questions
These suggested questions are to spark conversation and enhance your reading of The Once and Future Queen.
1.Before reading, how familiar were you with stories of Camelot and Arthurian lore? Have your feelings about the legend changed? What would you like to learn more about?
2.Many locations in the book are real places: the Tor, The White Spring Temple, and the George and Pilgrims Hotel. If you were to visit one of these places, which would it be, and why?
3.Vera manages to smuggle some items to the past that make 7th century life a bit more comfortable. If you had five minutes and an Indiana Jones-style satchel, what would you bring to the 7th century?
4.Throughout the novel, new magical gifts manifest in BIG ways, surprising the characters who receive them as much as everyone who bears witness. If you could have any magical gift, what would you pick? What would you do with that power?
5.Many of our central characters have endured recent trauma, and each of them responds differently: Vera tries to fix everything on her own, Lancelot tries to protect everyone, and Arthur retreats into himself. Why do you think each reacts that way? Who do you relate to the most?
6.Historically, Queen Guinevere—and her affair with Lancelot—was often portrayed unfavorably. How does Vera’s character reinforce or challenge prominent versions of the legend? How do you think Guinevere and Lancelot’s friendship in this retelling has impacted the story?
7.Arthur and Vera find a quiet connection reading The Hobbit together. What do you think it is about reading out loud together that creates a sense of connection? How do you think stories help us better understand ourselves?
8.Vera doesn’t feel like she has much to offer, but her friends in the book would certainly disagree. What does Vera bring to her relationships in Camelot? Why do you think seeing herself as an asset is such a challenge for Vera, and how do you relate to her experience?
9.When Vera is asked to give up her life for a chance to save magic, she goes back and forth on what the right choice is. What would you have done in her shoes, and why?
10.The Once and Future Queen is the first book in a trilogy, and many questions are left unanswered. What is the biggest question you’d like answered immediately? What are your theories about what will happen next?
