From Blood and Ash

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Genre Chart”

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of From Blood and Ash’s genre by creating a chart analyzing the novel’s dark fantasy elements.

From Blood and Ash is primarily a dark fantasy novel. What specific elements can you point to that demonstrate this? How might these elements be changed to turn the book into more of a horror book, or to place it more firmly into the “grimdark” category? In this activity, chart the novel’s elements of dark fantasy and propose alternative elements that would move the story into different genre category.

Create Your Chart

• Choose 6 specific elements of the novel—characterizations, settings, plot details, etc.—that mark the novel as dark fantasy.
• Create a 6-row, 3-column chart with space for a few sentences in each section.
• Place your 6 elements of dark fantasy in the 6 rows of the chart’s first column. In 1 or 2 sentences, explain what makes each element characteristic of dark fantasy.
• In the second column, propose alternatives that would make From Blood and Ash more of a horror novel than a dark fantasy. In 1 or 2 sentences, explain why these changes would be appropriate for a horror novel.
• In the final column, propose alternatives that would make From Blood and Ash more grimdark. Offer a 1- or 2-sentence explanation of these choices, as well.

Share and Discuss

• Share your chart with your small group. After you have all shared, discuss everyone’s choices and compose group answers to the following questions:

○ Which group member’s list of dark fantasy elements from the novel is most effective at capturing the essence of dark fantasy? Why? (Choose one group member’s entire list.)

○ Which alternatives suggested by each group member are the most successful at capturing the essence of horror and the essence of grimdark? (Choose each group member’s most successful suggestion in these categories.)

Teaching Suggestion: This activity asks students to apply what they have learned about dark fantasy to their reading of From Blood and Ash and provides an opportunity to consider how authors make choices about character, setting, and plot. Although this activity is structured for individuals, with a slight alteration in the wording of the “Share and Discuss” section, this activity can also be completed with a partner. As a follow-up activity, you might ask students to reflect on how their proposed changes would impact the novel’s ability to convey themes of Self-Exploration and Character Growth, Religion as a Means for Control, and The Equalizing Nature of Death.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from support strategies for perfectionism, anxiety, or other conditions that impact the ability to make efficient choices from a broad range of alternatives may find it helpful to work from a prepared list of 12 to 15 choices. Students can narrow down their choices from this list rather than from the entire novel. Literal thinkers may benefit from support with considering what might be instead of what is; these students may benefit from pre-discussion that models the process of choosing an element of dark fantasy from the novel and think through alternatives.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Early in the novel, the Ascended clearly believe that their status and power keep them safe from dangers ordinary citizens face.

• What message about class is communicated as the Ascended face ever-escalating threats during this novel? (topic sentence)
• Choose at least 3 strong scenes, character reactions, or circumstances that support your interpretation. Analyze and discuss your examples in defense of your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on the connection between the novel’s message about class and its larger thematic concerns with Religion as a Means for Control and The Equalizing Nature of Death.

2. Penellaphe’s scars are a feature others often try to make her feel self-conscious or ashamed about.

• What do Penellaphe’s scars symbolically represent? (topic sentence)
• Recall at least 3 examples from the text that support your interpretation. Summarize and analyze these examples in order of increasing strength of support.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on the connection between Penellaphe’s scars and the novel’s larger thematic concern with Self-Exploration and Character Growth.

3. Throughout the novel, Armentrout employs a dichotomy motif in which one item or idea is split into two seemingly contradictory or opposing sides. Choose one strong example of a dichotomy in this novel to focus on in your response.

• What is the meaning of this dichotomy? (topic sentence)
• Summarize the events surrounding your example to provide context, then explain why your example is a dichotomy in 3 points.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on how this dichotomy supports the novel’s overall messages.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. There are characters in this novel that are literal vampires, but there are more figurative examples of “vampirism” as well. What might this mean in a figurative sense? Which characters function in ways that “drain” others of resources—financial, emotional, and others? Choose a character or a group of characters and write an essay that analyzes the ways in which they act as figurative vampires. If relevant to the focus of your essay, comment on how the character(s) you have chosen support the novel’s larger thematic concerns with Self-Exploration and Character Growth, Religion as a Means for Control, and/or The Equalizing Nature of Death. Support your claims with evidence drawn from throughout the novel, making sure to cite any quoted material.

2. Penellaphe is the book’s first-person narrator, which allows the reader to get to know her more intimately than might be possible with a third-person narrative. What aspects of Penellaphe’s personality show most clearly in the way she uses language and other details as she tells her story? In what other ways does Armentrout use Penellaphe’s narrative voice to characterize her? Write an essay analyzing the contribution Penellaphe’s first-person narration makes to the reader’s understanding of her character. Show how her narrative supports the book’s larger thematic concern with Self-Exploration and Character Growth. Support your claims with evidence drawn from throughout the novel, making sure to cite any quoted material.

3. From Blood and Ash is a romance novel as well as a dark fantasy. What are some of the most common tropes found in romance novels? Are they mostly all present in this novel, or do you see evidence of deliberate selection? How are romance genre characteristics modified to suit a dark fantasy? Write an essay analyzing the novel as a romance, noting how Armentrout chooses and adjusts the elements commonly found in romance novels to fit within a dark fantasy. Support your claims with evidence drawn from throughout the novel, making sure to cite any quoted material.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. From which point of view is the book narrated?

A) First person

B) Third-person limited

C) Third-person omniscient

D) Third-person objective

2. Which aspect of Penellaphe’s appearance most clearly represents her inner turmoil?

A) Her eyes

B) Her hands

C) Her hair

D) Her face

3. Which character most clearly functions as a father figure to Penellaphe?

A) The Duke

B) Vikter

C) Lord Mazeen

D) Ian

4. Which object most clearly represents Penellaphe’s independence?

A) The willow tree

B) Penellaphe’s veil

C) The Bloodstone dagger

D) The red cane

5. Which is the most accurate characterization of Penellaphe?

A) Although limited by her lack of a formal education, she is an intelligent, curious, and creative person.

B) Although spoiled by her status as the Maiden, she is a gregarious, fun-loving, and imaginative person.

C) Although intimidated by years of abuse, she is an empathetic, caring, and strong-willed person.

D) Although emotionally blunted by the losses she has suffered, she is a moral, hard-working, and courageous person.

6. Which revelation is foreshadowed by the lemon taste that Penellaphe experiences when she is with Hawke in the Queen’s Garden?

A) Hawke is really an Atlantian.

B) Penellaphe is falling in love with Hawke.

C) Hawke is responsible for Rylan’s death.

D) Penellaphe will not Ascend.

7. What is deliberately communicated by the way the Duke is killed?

A) He was complicit in the death of Penellaphe’s parents.

B) His abuse of Penellaphe was inhumane.

C) He showed no concern for the happiness of the citizens.

D) He was aware of Mazeen’s inappropriate advances.

8. Which aspect of Penellaphe’s character does Tawny most appeal to?

A) Her sense of humor and fun

B) Her rebellious, restless spirit

C) Her artistic, creative side

D) Her pride and ambition

9. Which character most clearly represents the corruption of the Ascended?

A) Kieran

B) The Duchess

C) Jericho

D) The Duke

10. Which event most clearly foreshadows later revelations about the real relationship of the Ascended to the Craven?

A) Analia’s lecture about the Maiden’s role

B) Tawny’s concerns about leaving the castle

C) The Duke’s manner of death

D) Penellaphe’s decision to help Marlowe

11. Which character’s only appearances are via letters?

A) Mr. Tulis

B) Malik

C) Lord Mazeen

D) Ian

12. What color is often associated with violence and danger in this text?

A) Black

B) Red

C) Green

D) Orange

13. Which character’s fate most clearly demonstrates how ordinary people can be harmed by the decisions of the powerful?

A) Mr. Tulis

B) Vikter

C) Jericho

D) Tawny

14. Which event most clearly foreshadows Penellaphe’s eventual realization that she does not want to be found worthy as the Maiden?

A) Her allowing Tawny to stay behind at the castle

B) Her decision to use her powers early

C) Her incognito visit to the Red Pearl

D) Her participation in death with dignity

15. Where is the book’s title drawn from?

A) A song Penellaphe’s mother sang

B) Prince Casteel’s motto

C) The religion of the Ascended

D) A book Vikter gave Penellaphe

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Hawke’s attitude toward Penellaphe assist in her growth toward independence?

2. How does Hawke’s behavior late in the novel contradict his earlier attitude toward human dignity and death?