Tyrants and Traitors (The Lion's Dynasty, Book 1)
The Lion'S Dynasty Series
on Goodreads (29)
What’s inside...
Niklas, a fifteen-year-old shepherd, is given a daunting mission by a seer to find the traitor hiding within Israel to prevent their nation from being enslaved and his hometown slaughtered. As he embarks on this near-impossible task, he must navigate obstacles including lions, the Mad King, and a literal giant. With conspiracies and armies converging, Niklas races against time to uncover the traitor and save his nation and hometown from impending doom.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-18
Length
286 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think were the main motivations behind the characters' actions in the story?
How would you feel in the protagonist’s situation when facing such challenges?
What lessons can we learn about trust and betrayal from the characters in the book?
If you had the chance to give advice to one of the characters, who would it be and what would you say?
How do you think the setting of the story influences the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know or expect from a story about tyrants and traitors to gauge their pre-reading thoughts.
While reading, pause at tense moments and ask your child to predict what might happen next, which will keep them engaged and attentive.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw a scene they found memorable and discuss why it stood out to them.
Compare and contrast some decisions made by the characters in the book with real-life situations, which can help bridge understanding and application of the book’s themes.
Create a fun, relaxed atmosphere for discussion—snacks included—to make these conversations as enjoyable as possible.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout 'Tyrants and Traitors', characters deal with the repercussions of their decisions, whether they involve loyalty, betrayal, or bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of thinking before acting and considering how their actions affect others and themselves.
Example Lesson: The value of courage and bravery
Explanation: Main characters display acts of courage when faced with dire situations, showing that bravery can change outcomes.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their fears in challenging circumstances, from standing up to a bully to trying something new.
Example Lesson: Importance of loyalty and trust
Explanation: The book explores complex relationships that are built or broken on trust, emphasizing how essential loyalty is to personal and communal success.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this understanding in their interactions with friends and family, recognizing the role of trust in healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Learning from history
Explanation: As the storyline is richly tied to historical contexts, it provides a backdrop to understand the impacts of history on present circumstances.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take an interest in history and learn from past events to better understand the world around them.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience
Explanation: Characters in the book often face setbacks and challenges but continue to push forward, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that perseverance is key in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals, even when the situation seems difficult.