Harold Coyle’s sweeping novel, A Savage War of Empire: A Novel of the French & Indian War, blends the violence of the French and Indian War with deeply personal stories of survival, identity, and transformation. From Scottish Highlanders scarred by Culloden to Indigenous warriors navigating cultural upheaval, this book offers a wide cast of characters whose paths collide in powerful and frequently devastating ways.

If your book club is ready to get into this journey across one of early America’s most turbulent periods, we’ve put together a set of ten thoughtful questions to lead discussion below:

  1. Anton de Chevalier’s perspective of America and wilderness and philosophy shifts throughout the book. Have you ever been moved or changed when experiencing something vs. studying or reading about it?
  2. Often imperial ambitions are at odds with frontier realities in this text. Is there a time when your reality on the ground has been different or clashed with expectations from a superior? How did you handle it?
  3. Which depictions of violence in the book affected you the most, and what did you take away from these scenes?
  4. Were there occasions when you found yourself sympathizing with a character whose actions you might condemn in another context? Can brutality and heroism be clearly differentiated?
  5. Several characters interact with the idea of home: returning, losing, creating. How does your favorite character define what home is (consider Ian, Thomas, Anton), and has that shifted by the end of the novel?
  6. What are the differing perspectives and reactions presented by Toolah and Gingego in response to European colonization? Can you empathize with both?
  7. There are many depictions of varying social classes and hierarchy in this book, covering British aristocracy, indentured servants, French officers, merchants, and more. How did class dynamics influence the characters, and did you take away any messaging on merit vs birth?
  8. Which character’s arc would you call the most tragic? What questions do you hope to have answered by other books in the series?
  9. Do you feel the novel ultimately offers a sense of hope, resignation, or something more in-between? How did you feel when you finished the book?
  10. If you could ask author Harold Coyle one question about the book, what would it be? If you could ask a character from the book one question, what would it be?

Get your copy of A Savage War of Empire today! If you are interested in ordering bulk copies of this title for your book club or would like to connect with the author, please reach out via email to discuss opportunities at info.masterwingspublishing.com.

We also would love to hear any of your thoughts on these topics, or any additional questions that would be a good fit for this list! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.