Book Club Reading Guide for The Path of Mysteries

A reader’s companion to The Artifex and the Muse fantasy series by Audrey Auden

Introduction to The Path of Mysteries

Ava and Dom’s journey has always been about survival. But now, as Ava’s visions grow stronger and Dom finds himself questioning everything he once believed, their fight is no longer just about escaping the Mohirai—it’s about uncovering the truth that has bound them together across lifetimes.

In The Path of Mysteries, the second book in The Artifex and the Muse series, Ava begins to glimpse other realities—branches of existence where different choices have led to vastly different outcomes. As she struggles to understand these visions, she is faced with an impossible question: Is she truly in control of her own fate, or is she simply following a path that was set for her long ago?

Meanwhile, Dom finds himself caught between rebellion and destiny, forced to decide whether he will continue following the path others have laid before him—or forge his own. As the rebellion against the Mohirai intensifies and secrets about the Voice in all begin to unravel, Ava and Dom must navigate a world where trust is dangerous, memories are weapons, and even their own choices may not be entirely their own.

This guide provides discussion questions, themes, and activities to help your book club explore The Path of Mysteries and its place in the larger Artifex and the Muse series.

Discussion questions

1. Fate vs. free will

Ava spends much of The Path of Mysteries questioning whether she has any real control over her destiny. Do you think her ability to cross between branches gives her more agency, or does it only reinforce that she is following a path that was always meant for her?
Dom has long accepted the role assigned to him, but in this book, we see him begin to push back. How does his view of free will evolve?
Do you believe there is such a thing as true free will in the world of The Path of Mysteries, or is every character shaped by forces beyond their understanding?

2. The expanding concept of reality

Ava’s visions allow her to see different versions of herself and Dom in alternate branches of existence. How does this change her understanding of who she is?
If you could see into different versions of your life based on different choices, how do you think that knowledge would affect you?
As Ava and Dom start to glimpse other realities, they realize that their choices may not be as singular as they once believed. Does this idea make their decisions more or less meaningful?

3. The cost of knowledge

The Mohirai control people by controlling knowledge, but the rebellion is also guilty of withholding the truth. How do different factions in the book use knowledge as a form of power?
Ava’s growing awareness of the multiverse comes at a cost—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Do you think knowledge is inherently dangerous in this world?
Are there moments in the book where knowing the truth causes more harm than good? Would you rather live in blissful ignorance or bear the weight of knowledge, no matter the consequences?

4. Love, trust, and connection

Ava and Dom’s bond deepens in The Path of Mysteries, but it is also tested. How does their relationship evolve, and do you think their love is truly of their own making, or another force shaping their fate?
The pharmaka that originally bound them together was a form of supernatural intervention. Does this mean their connection isn’t real, or do they prove that their love is stronger than its origins?
If you knew there were multiple versions of yourself across different realities, would you still believe in the idea of a singular, destined love?

5. Rebellion, power, and cycles of control

The free men believe they are fighting for freedom, yet their methods often resemble those of the Mohirai. What does this suggest about the nature of rebellion?
Dom initially sees the rebellion as a path to justice, but as the book progresses, he begins to see its flaws. Do you think rebellion is always necessary to break a cycle, or does it inevitably create a new form of control?
How does The Path of Mysteries challenge the traditional idea of "good vs. evil" when it comes to governance and rebellion?

6. The role of memory in identity

The Mohirai use pharmaka to erase and control memory, while Ava’s expanding awareness of the multiverse allows her to access memories across branches. How does memory define who we are?
If a version of you in another reality made a completely different set of choices, are they still “you”?
Ava struggles to reconcile the different versions of herself she sees in the multiverse. Have you ever experienced a moment in life where you felt like a completely different person than before? What changed?

Themes to explore

The illusion of control: Are we ever truly in control of our own lives?
The burden of knowledge: Is it better to know the truth, even if it destroys everything?
Love vs. destiny: Can love exist outside of fate, or is it just another predetermined force?
Cycles of power: Can a rebellion ever create a just society, or will it always lead to more oppression?
Multiversal identity: Are we the sum of our choices, or are we something deeper?

Suggested activities for book clubs

Branching paths exercise: Imagine a moment in your life where you made a major decision. Write a short alternate version of what could have happened if you had chosen differently. Share and discuss how small changes can create vastly different futures.
Rebellion debate: Divide the group into two sides: one arguing that rebellion is always necessary for change, and the other arguing that revolution only creates new cycles of oppression. Debate using examples from the book.
Rewrite a scene from another perspective: Pick a pivotal moment in the book and rewrite it from another character’s point of view (Lilith, Tio, Serapen, or even an alternate Ava).
Multiverse mapping: Create a timeline of the different branches Ava glimpses in this book. How do they compare? What do they suggest about how reality functions in this world?
Book pairing discussion: Compare The Path of Mysteries to books with similar themes, such as The Broken Earth Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin), The Space Between Worlds (Micaiah Johnson), or The Starless Sea (Erin Morgenstern).

Final thoughts

The Path of Mysteries expands the world of The Artifex and the Muse, challenging Ava and Dom to question not only their own choices, but the very nature of reality itself. With every step forward, they are drawn deeper into the mysteries of the many worlds—and closer to an answer that may change everything.

Final question for reflection

If you had the ability to see every possible version of your future, would you look?

Happy reading!