When Starra and her friends leave her home city of Fencer, they have no idea whether they’ll be successful in finding the legendary king. And when they do, Starra doesn’t know if she can trust him. Join Starra on a journey of friendship, fear, and faith as she seeks to save her city before it’s too late.
Discussion Questions
- Starra broke Fencer’s only rule—to go into the Wild before she came of age. What is the Scriptural significance of her breaking the only rule? Was she justified in this because of the circumstances, or not?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of Fencer and Straitland? How are they stronger together as the City-Twain? In what ways does this cause conflict between them? What similar examples can be seen in our world?
- What is the role of stories in who we are as humans? How does storytelling set people aside from animals? Should stories exist primarily to entertain or to teach? Why?
- How can we know when to balance prudence and trust? When is it appropriate to not believe without proof?
- As Mathou says to Starra, “When men are once given power, it is rare indeed that they relinquish it.” What is it in human nature that makes this true? What are some examples of this in The King’s Sword? What are some examples from history? How is it still true today?
- What is heroism? As Eraed says, “[Heroism is] never really something you do. It’s something that happens to you. You fall into a situation where you can either do what’s right or do nothing. If you do nothing, you’re labeled a coward. And if you do what’s right, you become a hero.” Is this true all of the time, some of the time, or never? How is this proven or disproven by what can be see in real life?
- Jehiel says, “When things are forbidden, it’s very nearly always because there’s an excellent reason for it.” What does he mean by this? What are reasons that something might be forbidden? In what ways does this play out in everyday life?