Discussion Questions
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
1. Yelena admits to murder in the first chapter. Do you think she was justified in killing Reyad or do you believe that she should have explored other options? What options were available to her?
2. There are two references to butterflies. One is the name of Valek's poison and the other is the pendant that Valek carves for Yelena. How do butterflies relate to Yelena? What other symbols in the book represent Yelena's quest for freedom?
3. The Territory of Ixia is ruled by a military dictator. How does the book go against the stereotype of a dictatorship? What did you like about the Commander's style of governing? Do you think having the population wear uniforms suppresses their individuality?
4. Commander Ambrose is a strong character. Were you surprised to find out his secret? Do you think he would have gained power without the deception? Has the revelation changed how you view the Commander?
5. Why do you think the Commander frowned on religion? Should religion be a part of government?
6. In the beginning of the book Yelena empathizes with rats and cockroaches, feeling like she needs to run and hide. How do her views change throughout the book? How does Yelena change?
7. The Commander's prohibition on magic doesn't change even when Yelena rescues him. Were you surprised by this? Do you think his uncompromising laws (i.e. Code of Behavior) are an asset or a detriment to his rule?
8. Valek is a ruthless assassin who poisons Yelena. Yelena should view him as her enemy yet she can't condemn him and eventually she falls in love with him. Why?
9. Butterfly's Dust is the poison Valek gives to Yelena to keep her from escaping. Yelena eventually finds out exactly what she’s been given. Were you surprised? Would you have been as understanding of Valek's tactics that Yelena was? Should she have been angrier at Valek?
10. Criollo is used to influence a person’s will. This substance is used as a weapon. What does Criollo resemble in real life? If Mogkan and Reyad had this substance sooner, how would it have affected Yelena’s resistance to their attempts to wipe her mind?
1. Yelena admits to murder in the first chapter. Do you think she was justified in killing Reyad or do you believe that she should have explored other options? What options were available to her?
2. There are two references to butterflies. One is the name of Valek's poison and the other is the pendant that Valek carves for Yelena. How do butterflies relate to Yelena? What other symbols in the book represent Yelena's quest for freedom?
3. The Territory of Ixia is ruled by a military dictator. How does the book go against the stereotype of a dictatorship? What did you like about the Commander's style of governing? Do you think having the population wear uniforms suppresses their individuality?
4. Commander Ambrose is a strong character. Were you surprised to find out his secret? Do you think he would have gained power without the deception? Has the revelation changed how you view the Commander?
5. Why do you think the Commander frowned on religion? Should religion be a part of government?
6. In the beginning of the book Yelena empathizes with rats and cockroaches, feeling like she needs to run and hide. How do her views change throughout the book? How does Yelena change?
7. The Commander's prohibition on magic doesn't change even when Yelena rescues him. Were you surprised by this? Do you think his uncompromising laws (i.e. Code of Behavior) are an asset or a detriment to his rule?
8. Valek is a ruthless assassin who poisons Yelena. Yelena should view him as her enemy yet she can't condemn him and eventually she falls in love with him. Why?
9. Butterfly's Dust is the poison Valek gives to Yelena to keep her from escaping. Yelena eventually finds out exactly what she’s been given. Were you surprised? Would you have been as understanding of Valek's tactics that Yelena was? Should she have been angrier at Valek?
10. Criollo is used to influence a person’s will. This substance is used as a weapon. What does Criollo resemble in real life? If Mogkan and Reyad had this substance sooner, how would it have affected Yelena’s resistance to their attempts to wipe her mind?
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