Castles in Their Bones
#1 of 3 in Castles in Their Bones Series
on Goodreads (6,527)
What’s inside...
A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series. Empress Margaraux has had plans for her daughters since the day they were born. Princesses Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz will be queens. And now, age sixteen, they each must leave their homeland and marry their princes. Beautiful, smart, and demure, the triplets appear to be the perfect brides—because Margaraux knows there is one common truth: everyone underestimates a girl. Which is a grave mistake. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz are no innocents. They have been trained since birth in the arts of deception, seduction, and violence with a singular goal—to bring down monarchies— and their marriages are merely the first stage of their mother’s grand vision: to one day reign over the entire continent of Vesteria. The princesses have spent their lives preparing, and now they are ready, each with her own secret skill, and each with a single wish, pulled from the stars. Only, the stars have their own plans—and their mother hasn’t told them all of hers. Life abroad is a test. Will their loyalties stay true? Or will they learn that they can’t trust anyone—not even each other?
Character compass
Sophronia (Sophie)
Beatriz
Daphne
Prince Leopold
Empress Margaraux
Discussion points
What did you think about the three princesses and their unique abilities? How do you think their skills helped them in their adventures?
Which part of the castle world fascinated you the most and why?
If you could choose, would you live in a castle? What would you do differently from the characters in the book?
How did the decisions made by the characters affect their relationships with others?
What lessons did you learn from the challenges the princesses faced?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination to relate to the story. Ask them to think about what they would do in the characters' situations. This helps develop empathy and decision-making skills. Use descriptive scenes from the book to ask about setting, characters, and plot to enhance their recall and narrative skills. Discuss the moral dilemmas and choices faced by the characters to teach values and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: In 'Castles in Their Bones', the three protagonists face numerous challenges and adversities in their journey. Their determination and resilience in overcoming these obstacles highlight the strength of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the concept of resilience in their own lives by learning to face challenges head-on, whether it’s in academics, sports, or personal endeavors, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: The value of strategic thinking
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters must strategize and make critical decisions that affect their fates and the outcomes of their missions. This showcases the importance of planning and foresight.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think ahead in their actions and decisions, be it during problem-solving tasks at school or in planning their daily activities, fostering a habit of thoughtful consideration and preparation.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of deception
Explanation: As the triplets engage in espionage, the theme of deception plays a central role, teaching readers about the consequences and moral implications of deceit.
Real-World Application: This lesson could help children comprehend the importance of honesty and the potential negative consequences of deceptive behavior in real-world interactions, promoting integrity and trustworthiness.
Example Lesson: The strength in unity and teamwork
Explanation: The sisters in the story rely on each other's unique strengths to achieve their common goals, demonstrating how teamwork can often lead to greater success than individual efforts.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to participate in group activities, whether in class projects or team sports, can underscore the benefits of working collaboratively and respecting diverse abilities and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: As the sisters encounter various characters from different backgrounds, they learn to understand and empathize with differing viewpoints, enriching their own understanding and relationships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice empathy in everyday interactions, helping them to connect with peers and adults from various backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.