Book Club Questions for Shattered
Forged Series: Inspired by my Book Club attendance
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
Last week, I joined a book club via Zoom to discuss Shattered, book one of the Forged series. The eleven women living in the opposite corner of the United States from me gathered in my cousin’s home, with wine glasses and snacks in hand and questions on their minds.
The gathering has inspired this newsletter, a combination of questions they asked me, ones that I asked them, and other topics your book club could discuss after reading Shattered.
Book Club Questions for Shattered
IDENTITY, SELF-DISCOVERY, & RELATIONSHIPS
What does it mean to be “shattered” in the context of the novel, and how does the title reflect Tessa’s internal journey?
In what ways does Tessa’s emotional isolation mirror real-life teen struggles with identity and belonging?
How do Tessa’s insecurities and unresolved grief influence the choices she makes, and how do they affect her ability to connect emotionally or romantically?
Which decisions made by adult characters had the greatest impact on Tessa’s growth, and how did those moments shape your understanding of their roles in her journey of self-discovery? How did those choices shape your view of them?
In a world where trust is dangerous, what drives Tessa to open up to others—and when does it backfire? How is Isaiah affected by broken trust?
POWER, CONTROL, & SYSTEMS
How does society manipulate science to maintain control, and what commentary does this offer about the misuse of knowledge?
What role does government propaganda play in influencing the characters’ choices and beliefs?
What does the government's control over reproductive rights—restricting biological parenthood and regulating gene-approved IVF—reveal about power dynamics in Shattered? How does it affect individuals and families?
How do high school social hierarchies mirror or exaggerate larger systems of control in the novel?
What forms of power are most dangerous in Shattered: technological, political, social, emotional, or bodily autonomy? Defend your choice with examples.
SYMBOLISM, WORLD-BUILDING, & SOCIAL COMMENTARY
The Wilds and Urban Centers are more than places; they represent opposing values. What does each setting reveal about the society's priorities?
Fireflies appear during key emotional moments. What might they symbolize for Tessa?
How does the author use small world-building clues (laws, social rules, media, slang, etc.) to reveal deeper truths about the society’s values?
What elements of Shattered feel rooted in current or emerging science? How plausible is this future?
How does the lack of resolution at the end of Shattered reflect the ongoing nature of rebellion and self-discovery in dystopian societies?
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Questions about my process
Several of the questions the book club asked stemmed from my process. How long did it take me to write? How much (and what) did I research? What did I make up? Here are some discussions about my process.
I asked a few questions too.
I enjoyed listening to their theories about where the story was headed. Some of their guesses were remarkably close to how the storyline will unfold in books two and three. And other theories were, well, great ideas, but won’t really play out as they might expect. Yes, more twists and turns are coming, Tammy!
Interestingly, there was a resounding agreement that Isaiah was their favorite character. Not quite 100%, but pretty close. He is the character whom Tessa spends the most time getting to know in Shattered. It makes me curious whether their minds will change when they read Merged later this year, as we get to spend more time with Zeke, Jenna, and the other Elites in book two.
Want to know more about Isaiah? Take a look at this character profile and snippet from his point of view. Then sign up HERE to be notified of a novella coming later this summer—more of Isaiah’s POV!
If you're a fan of Zeke or want to know what makes him tick, check out this newsletter.
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These discussion prompts are gold!
So impressed by the layers of social commentary.
This book club was lucky to have you join the conversation.
Happy Juneteenth!
Love that you did that. So cool!