Book Club Discussion Questions for Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Thunderous Òrìṣà Ṣàngó and our BookBrowse Review of Masquerade.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Òdòdó's status as a blacksmith causes her to be an outsider; it also results in her being frequently misunderstood and disbelieved. Has there been a time in your life where you have been misunderstood or disbelieved? Describe how those experiences affected you.
2. For Òdòdó, home means being with her mother and the women in her blacksmith guild; she finds comfort, security, and solace in their company. What does home mean for you? Has your meaning of home changed over the years? If so, how?
3. One of the central themes in Masquerade is adjusting to a change in status. We see Òdòdó's social and political status rise and fall throughout the book. How did you respond to Òdòdó evolving from a blacksmith to a warrior queen? Which of her roles stood out the most to you? Why?
4. Another significant theme in Masquerade is the role of women and all their complexities—women who fight, women who scheme, women who struggle, women who betray. Which female character was your favorite? Alternatively, which female character could you relate to the most?
5. Òdòdós's complex friendship with her sister, of sorts, Kọ̀lọ̀, significantly impacts her personal life as well as her social and political status within the royal court. What was your response to Kọ̀lọ̀'s character? How did you respond to Kọ̀lọ̀'s actions towards Òdòdó? How might Kọ̀lọ̀'s uncertain status at court have affected her decision-making?
6. Òdòdó finds friendship and trust in fellow blacksmith Digi. What is the significance of the character of Digi? How does her life compare to Òdòdó's? How is it different? Has there ever been a time in your life where you have found an unexpected source of support?
7. What was your opinion of the character of Mama Aláàfin, who is overly protective and supportive of her son—the warrior king? How did you find her character might have influenced Òdòdó's actions? Have you ever been protective of someone in your life? How so?
8. Throughout Masquerade, Òdòdó could be considered both an inspiration as well as an instigator. In your own words, how would you describe Òdòdó, as both a blacksmith and as a warrior? What do you consider to be the most influential decision she made once she arrived in Ṣàngótẹ̀?
9. The warrior king asks Òdòdó to make an impossible choice: to choose between him and her mother. How did Òdòdó's life-changing decision impact you? How did this affect your opinion of the king? What would you have done if you were in Òdòdó's situation?
10. How did you respond to Òdòdó's final decision at the end of Masquerade? What was your opinion of Òdòdó at the beginning of the book? How might have that changed at the end of the book? What events do you see in Òdòdó's future? What would you like her next move to be?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Forge Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.