Hart's Hope

by Orson Scott Card

This is the story of how God taught an unambitious man to seek a throne. JUSTICE IS CRUEL But tender mercy is the cruelest of all. It was for mercy's sake that Palicroval the Fair left you to live after the desecration of your honor ... to live and become great Queen Beauty, whose power makes the very gods tremble and whose mercy is that of the grave. You would lay the world to ruin for your soul's ease, and see the corruption of the heavens for your pain. But beware Beauty-for though your power is mighty, there is still magic in the Land, and the Hart has bred a son... and the ones who have suffered your vengeance for so long may exact a payment that could split the world asunder.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?