Discussion Questions

These are the discussion aids you will find at the back of Perception (The Tigers’ Eye Trilogy, Book 1).

If you have any questions or would like to schedule any kind of book discussion with Heather, feel free to contact her at:

heather@heathercashman.com

 

BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION IDEAS

Freedom as a theme:

Many things inhibit Ardana’s freedom in this book: Maran, her inability to leave her brother, her capture by the Passion Vine, her inability to communicate with Rijan, Kade, and Adamas in the Passion Vine, Rijan’s desire for a mate, Ardana’s own choices, Baelon and his black masked men, society, and the government. Why was Kliax’s “healing process” so successful and how does it change Ardana’s perception of freedom? What do you think about Kliax’s idea of freedom vs. choice, or the idea that our moral code restricts us more than any other entity?

God was purposefully left out of this book. Why do you think this was done?

Perception as a theme:

As human beings, we rarely see ourselves as others see us. How do you think your perception of yourself would change if you had an ingenium to see yourself through? Do you think it would matter? Does the unconditional love of each character’s ingenium for their companions skew their view as well? What passages make you think this?

We all perceive others through the veil of our own experience. How do Ardana’s, Kade’s, and the tigers’ experiences allow them to see the world differently than the majority of Calem’s citizens?  Is this a benefit or a hindrance?

How would the various ingenium impact the perspective of their companions?  Is one better than another? What influenced your decision? If you could choose any animal as an ingenium, which would you choose? What characteristics would make that the perfect ingenium for you?

What advantages or disadvantages would each ingenium (tiger, passion vine, scorpion, eagle, snake, wolf) offer to their companions?

How are Kade and Ardana’s heightened abilities to communicate an advantage and a disadvantage? Cite examples to support your conclusions.

Truth as a theme:

Truth is not always in the telling, but in the not telling. There are also references that tie truth to freedom. What is the author trying to say about truth in general? The ingenium compel their companions to tell the truth. As Caleb points out, though, we all have a bit of evil inside us. What do these ideas say about truth as it relates to the agency of man?

How do the politics of Calem compare to the politics in the years 2010-2011, when this novel was being written?

What do you think the author was trying to say about politics in general (not party specific)?