Dominion: Ascension was written with book clubs and reading groups in mind. Its matriarchal government, Illegis testing system, and Breeder colonies raise the kind of questions that linger long after the last page—and that makes for rich, sometimes heated, conversations.
If your club is considering adding Dominion to your April or spring lineup, here are ten spoiler-light questions to get you started. You can also download the full, free Book Club Kit—which includes expanded questions, character spotlights, and themed prompts—on my website.
1. In the opening chapter, Dani describes “uncovering the truth at all costs” as her North Star. What does “truth at all costs” mean in your own life, and where do you draw the line between truth and harm?
2. Linda’s Illegis test was originally designed to remove bias and promote fairness but becomes a tool of control. Can you think of real-world systems or technologies that started with good intentions and evolved into something more troubling?
3. Dominion frames its woman-led government as a necessary response to war and male-led destruction. Did you find yourself sympathizing with that argument at any point? Why or why not?
4. The Singletary bands define each man’s societal role at a glance. How does that visual classification compare to the labels we use today—job titles, social media bios, identities—and how they shape our assumptions about people?
5. Breeders are simultaneously exalted and tightly controlled. What parallels do you see between their status and how societies treat people whose bodies or labor are considered “essential”?
6. Dani’s relationship with her mother is fraught but deeply bonded, a mix of admiration, disappointment, and anger. How does their dynamic influence how you read Dani’s choices throughout the book?
7. Dominion claims to have eradicated certain diseases and “optimized” future generations through genetic editing and strict reproduction policies. How do you personally balance the promise of science with concerns about ethics and consent?
8. Resistance in Dominion takes many forms: underground movements, quiet acts of refusal, strategic compromise. Which forms of resistance did you find most compelling or realistic, and why?
9. The world outside Dominion’s polished cities still bears the scars of The Great War. In what ways does the setting itself act as a character, shaping the fears and decisions of those in power?
10. If Dominion were real, where do you think you would fit in this world—as a leader, a dissenter, someone trying to keep their head down, or something else entirely? What does that answer reveal about how you move through our world now?
You can download the full Book Club Kit and find virtual and in-person event options at the link below—perfect if your group would like to schedule an author Q&A or live discussion this spring.