Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu: Book Club Discussion Questions

Genre: Fantasy Goodreads rating: 3.98

In Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu, fate is written in the stars, and it promises destruction. Elara has spent her life haunted by a prophecy that says she will fall for a Star and doom them both. When political tensions force her into the rival Kingdom of Light, she finds herself reluctantly allied with an enemy prince who begins training her to fight back against the cruel celestial powers ruling their world. As forbidden feelings spark and ancient magic stirs, Elara must decide whether destiny is inevitable, or breakable.

Below, you’ll find our book club discussion questions, created by our group of passionate book lovers and readers at Chapter 25. These book club discussion questions are designed to spark thoughtful conversation, whether you’re reading with a book club, a fantasy-focused group, or simply gathering with friends to dive deeper into the characters, romance, and world-building of this star-crossed story.

If you’d like to watch our Q&A with Imani Erriu, you can find it here.

Book Club Discussion Questions:

• What drives Elara to keep training with Enzo despite their differences? What deeper meaning lies in Elara's acknowledgment of her powers during the training?

  
  

• In what ways does the “enemies-to-lovers” trope play out effectively (or ineffectively) in this story?

  
  

• The book is set in the “Kingdom of Night” vs the “Kingdom of Light.” How do these opposing settings reflect larger themes in the book? How does the novel explore the idea that “light” and “darkness” are not purely good or evil?

  
  

• Which secondary character do you think had the biggest influence on Elara’s journey?

  
  

• Did you feel the tension, mistrust, and romantic progression between Elara and Lorenzo are believable? Why or why not?

  
  

• How does Elara change from the beginning of the book to the end (emotionally, magically, politically)? Does Enzo also undergo growth? What are his biggest lessons or turning points?

  
  

• What are the biggest betrayals in the novel, and who commits them? How do they reshape alliances?

  
  

• Did you find the ending hopeful, tragic, or ambiguous? Why?

  
  

• Based on how Heavenly Bodies ends (or what is hinted at), what do you expect to happen in the sequel (Fallen Stars)?

  
  

• What unresolved threads or mysteries do you most want to see explored next? Would you read Fallen Stars? Or anything else by Imani Erriu?

  
  

• What were your expectations going into the book, and how did the opening chapters influence those expectations?

  
  

• What does Elara's ability to walk through dreams signify about her character? What does Elara's relationship with her magical gifts suggest about her identity?

  
  

• How does the prophecy that Elara “will fall for a Star, but it will kill them both” shape her decisions throughout the novel?

• How well do you think the magic system is integrated into Elara’s character development and her fight against the Stars? What does Elara’s experience with shadowmancing symbolise in her journey of self-discovery?

• What do the “Stars” (as gods) represent in this world, and how does their power influence mortal politics? What does King Idris’s character reveal about the themes of power and control in the narrative?

• How does Elara's journey reflect themes of fear and resilience? What does the imagery of light and dark in Elara's world symbolise?

  
  

• How do Enzo’s past and his own personal “shadows” (or secrets) affect his relationship with Elara?

  
  

• Do you think Elara’s actions are driven more by her sense of fate or by her own agency?

Check out our conversation with Imani Erriu:

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