If you thought A Torch Against the Night hurt, A Reaper at the Gates said “hold my armlet!” We truly don’t know if there has ever been this much chaos packed into one book. Sabaa Tahir chose violence. Repeatedly.

In this episode, we follow Laia of Serra as she steps fully into leadership (lioness blood activated), freeing Scholars, confronting kings, traveling alone into literal nightmare territory for the Blood Shriek’s ring, and reckoning with the truth about her mother, yes, THAT truth.

Meanwhile, Elias goes from reluctant apprentice to full-on Soulcatcher… but keeps Laia’s armlet in his pocket, so excuse us while we cling to hope. And Helene Aquilla? She gets zero breaks! Poisoned sister. Power-hungry emperor. Creepy Nightbringer assistance. A usurper on the throne. And somehow she still chooses the Empire over her own happiness.

We dig into the Nightbringer’s devastating backstory, the horror of the jinn, and the real-world parallels around refugees, resistance, and the power of story as survival all hit very close to home.

We also get to gush about the audiobook narration of Maxwell Caulfield, whose performance adds an extra layer of gravitas, AND whose marriage sounds a lot like a romance novel waiting to be written. If you want to know more about Fiona Hardingham, Katharine Lee McEwan, and Steve West, you should check out our episode on A Torch Against the Night.

Join us for big feelings, literary resistance, tarot chaos, character awards, and multiple moments of yelling “Sabaa, why?!”

We love A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir so much that we recorded this episode twice (just kidding, tech difficulties are the worst, but honestly? Talking about this series again was not a hardship). Taking everything that made An Ember in the Ashes unforgettable and raising the emotional stakes, Torch delivers more romance, more mystery, and betrayals so brutal they feel personal (from the characters and the author herself).

In this spoiler-filled episode, we pick up right where the story ends in Ember on the run, deep in danger, and emotionally unwell. We spend time with Helene’s devastating arc, Laia and Elias’s growing connection, and the questions this book raises about power, violence, displacement, and survival.

Plus, we gush about the audiobook narration by Fiona Hardingham, Steve West, and Katharine Lee McEwan, whose performances elevate an already incredible story and make every emotion hit harder. They even have some connections between themselves!

Join us for big feelings, wild theories, and plenty of strong opinions and tell us: what scene from Torch Against the Night still keeps you up at night? Tell us on the comments or on Instagram @Bookmergency.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir isn’t just a fantasy novel, it’s one of Leah and Bela’s all-time favorite series, and the book that made Leah fall back in love with fantasy. In this episode of Bookmergency, we celebrate a story that delivers breathtaking prose, unforgettable characters, and a brutal, immersive world inspired by South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African mythology. If you love richly built fantasy worlds, aching pining, and stories that refuse to pull their punches (seriously, Sabaa Tahir is so mean to her characters), this one has your name on it.

We also talk about the audiobook performances by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West, whose narrations bring even more intensity, tenderness, and urgency to this already powerful story. And the reason Bela fell even harder for this book series. From jinn, efrits, and ancient magic to empires, resistance, and the cost of survival, An Ember in the Ashes is a fantasy that hits hard and stays with you. Come hang out with Leah and Bela as we revisit the book that started it all for us—and get ready for huge feelings, stunning writing, and a world you’ll never want to leave.

It's a wrap for Bookmergency 2025! We had lots of fun looking back to our first year of the Bookmergency podcast. We discussed all the surprises, and challenges of 2025 and hopes and dreams we have for our second year.

It was a blast reflecting on how the podcast has changed since January and all the cool episodes we got to do. We had Maddie Burg and Danielle Sabrena Ellis as guests, and we got to interview The Reading Black Girls, Daniel Henning, Nia Davenport, Christine Bollow from Loayalty Bookstore, and Ayana Gray!

If you're new here, this is a great episode to start cause it's spoiler free and you get to hear a ton of recommendations of books we covered and books we loved reading outside of Bookmergency.

Sit back, enjoy the ride, and let us know your thoughts! What have been your favorite books of 2025? What books are you looking forward to in 2026?

Today's episode is extra special, we got to hang out with one of a kind Ayana Gray, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Beasts of Prey trilogy and I, Medusa! We have covered ALL of Ayana's books on the podcast so far, and we were trying really hard not to fangirl too much (especially Bela, oh my).

Ayana shared book recommendations, highlights of her career so far, and her writing process. We were excited to hear what she has in store for future and you will be too!

She also received an amazing phone call mid interview and we got to experience a joyful moment together that we are not forgetting anytime soon.

Join us and let us know your thoughts on the comments!

In this week’s episode of Bookmergency, we’re talking all about I, Medusa by Ayana Gray narrated by the talented Tyla Collier and A'rese Emokpae. This book is a bold and beautifully retelling of one of the most iconic figures in Greek mythology: Medusa! Centered on Meddy’s voice, this story blends ancient history, greek mythology, sisterhood, power, and the weight of living in a world shaped by the whims of gods. It’s a true masterpiece.

If you love mythology retellings, character-driven epics, or stories that reclaim the narratives of legendary women, this episode is for you. And if you want to dive even further into the world of Greek myths, we also shout out one of Bela’s favorite podcasts, Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!

Tune in and join us!

No expectations… and somehow still disappointed? 😅 In this episode, Leah and Bela dive into The Primal of Blood and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout, narrated by Stina Neilson, Tim Campbell, and Dane Williams.

We break down the sprawling world of Primals, Fates, and ancient gods, unpack all the wild identity reveals, and wrestle with some of the choices made in this book.

It’s not our favorite in the series, but we’re still asking the big questions like whether there’s hope left for this world (and for us as readers 👀). Plus, we pull a tarot card (the Nine of Pentacles!) to see if the universe has any wisdom for where things might go next.

💬 Tune in for a candid, spoiler-filled chat that’s equal parts analysis, catharsis, and a touch of chaos.

It's finally time to talk about the book that had us in knots in anticipation: Mate by Ali Hazelwood! And the wait was SO worth it! Ali Hazelwood delivered more paranormal romance, political intrigue, and banter banter banter.

We had a great time recording, even had a little friendship check in of our own inspired in Misery and Serena, and of course we had a great time suggesting next possible stories for this Bride-Mate universe. May the gods and Ali hear us cause we need more!

Subscribe, share this episode, and follow us on instagram @Bookmergency!

This week, we’re completely captivated by Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport, a fierce, romantic fantasy pulsing with power, politics, and passion. We unpack what makes this story impossible to put down: a heroine who refuses to yield, a rival who’s just as dangerous as he is magnetic, and a world that keeps raising the stakes.

We also talk about the powerhouse narration by Jeanette Illidge and Morris Kellswater, pull a Tarot card that hits a little too close to home, and highlight the quotes that stopped us in our tracks.

And if you haven’t yet — check out our interview with Nia Davenport herself for a behind-the-scenes peek at how this epic story came together.

Subscribe, rate, and join the chaos — we can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Our Vicious Oaths!

We’re back with in the This Woven Kingdom universe, talking about Every Spiral of Fate, the fourth book in this awesome series by Tahereh Mafi and narrated by Kate Reading.

Tahereh delivered a Spiral alright, we were tripping hard over this book and we don't know what to do with ourselves while we wait for the next one.

Book 4 was full of yearning, frustration, and some answers we were dying to get! We talk favorite irritations, wild theories, and what we hope to see next which is a long list.

Join us and let us know your thoughts about this book and what you think will come next!