Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence, death, substance use, and animal cruelty.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your perception of the novel’s premise evolve from the opening chapters to its conclusion? Did you find yourself becoming desensitized to the violence, similar to characters like Tejo? Have you read other dystopian novels that deal with systematic dehumanization, such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go?

2. What was your initial reaction to Tejo killing Jasmine? How did this conclusion affect your overall interpretation of the novel’s message?

3. Which scenes or moments in the novel did you find most impactful, and why? What techniques does Bazterrica use to make these moments particularly powerful?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel explores how people justify participating in morally questionable systems for financial security. Have you ever found yourself compromising your values for practical necessities? How did you reconcile this?

2. Throughout the novel, Tejo struggles with grief while maintaining a professional facade. How do you relate to this tension between personal pain and professional obligations?