Books Between Friends Podcast

Darrow has spent the Institute building alliances, making enemies, and hiding one very important secret—but in Chapters 23–33 of Red Rising, some of those carefully constructed relationships begin to crack.

First, we have to talk about Titus. The truth about his identity completely changes how we view his actions—and raises some pretty uncomfortable questions about what becoming a Gold can do to a Red.

Then there’s Mustang and Reaper. Their alliance continues to grow, but are we imagining things, or is there something else starting to develop between them? 👀

Meanwhile: WHERE IS ROQUE?!

We also finally meet the infamous Jackal, and somehow his introduction manages to make the Institute feel even more dangerous than it already was.

But the biggest bombshell comes when Cassius learns the truth about Julian. Darrow can only keep that secret buried for so long, and when it finally comes out, the friendship between Cassius and Darrow comes crashing down in one brutal confrontation.

In this episode, we're discussing:

🔴 The reveal that Titus was actually a Red

🐺 Our first introduction to the Jackal

👀 Mustang + Reaper...are we sensing something here?

❓ Seriously, where is Roque?

💔 Cassius discovering what really happened to Julian

⚔️ The Cassius vs. Darrow confrontation

🔮 Our predictions heading into the FINAL section of Red Rising

We're almost at the end, book friends—and Darrow's problems are piling up fast.

Spoilers through Chapter 33 of Red Rising by Pierce Brown.

⚠️ Spoilers through Chapter 22 of Red Rising by Pierce Brown.

Darrow has been remade—but becoming a Gold is about a lot more than changing his appearance.

In Part 2 of our Red Rising deep dive, we're discussing Chapters 12–22 as Darrow survives the brutal carving, learns to walk and talk like a Gold, enters the Institute, and discovers just how far Gold society is willing to go to preserve its idea of strength.

We break down the transformation that nearly kills Darrow, Mickey's unsettling desire to create a "god," and the growing concern that everyone around Darrow seems to view him less as a person and more as a weapon for their cause.

Then we get into the Passage, Darrow's devastating encounter with Julian, the complicated friendship beginning to form with Cassius, and an Institute that turns out to be much less "school" and much more "throw a bunch of teenagers into a war game and see what happens."

Plus, we're talking Antonia, Roque, Mateo, the power struggles already forming inside House Mars, and one question we can't stop coming back to: Can Darrow become powerful enough to destroy Gold society without becoming part of it himself?

We’re heading beneath the surface for our very first discussion of Red Rising by Pierce Brown!

This week we're covering Chapters 1–11, and somehow Pierce Brown manages to pack more into eleven chapters than some books do in an entire novel. We dive into the fascinating color-based caste system, meet Darrow and Eo, and unpack the emotional moments that immediately pulled us into this world.

Join us as we discuss:

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Chapters 1–11 of Red Rising.

Grab your favorite cozy drink and come join the book club!

The rivalry leaves the ice and heads to the screen.

In our final Heated Rivalry episode, we're comparing Rachel Reid's beloved novel with its television adaptation. We discuss the casting choices, which actors embodied Shane and Ilya best, the moments the show absolutely nailed, and the biggest changes that surprised us.

We also break down:

Did the show capture the chemistry that made Heated Rivalry such a fan favorite? Or is this one of those stories that's simply better on the page?

⚠️ Full spoilers for both the book and the TV adaptation.

After years of rivalry, secret meetings, and impossible choices, everything finally comes to a head.  In Part 2 of our Heated Rivalry discussion, we're covering Chapters 15 through the Epilogue, where Shane and Ilya's relationship reaches its emotional breaking point—and ultimately, its most rewarding moments.

From heartfelt confessions and long-overdue conversations to career-defining milestones and one unforgettable ending, Rachel Reid delivers a romance that rewards every ounce of patience she asks from the reader.  Join us as we talk about our favorite scenes, the growth of both characters, the people who quietly supported them along the way, and why this finale left us smiling long after we finished the book.  

Whether you've just turned the final page or you're rereading one of your favorite hockey romances, grab your favorite cozy drink and come chat with us.  

📚 This episode covers Chapters 15–Epilogue of Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. ⚠️ Full spoilers ahead!

The rivalry starts here.

This week we're diving into Prologue–Chapter 14 of Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid, where Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's story begins to unfold through a mix of present-day moments and flashbacks that reveal how one of hockey's fiercest rivalries first took shape.

From their first meeting as teenagers to years of battling each other on the ice, we're unpacking the tension, competitive chemistry, and emotional undercurrents that make this relationship impossible to ignore. Publicly they're rivals. Privately... things are already becoming far more complicated.

Join us as we discuss first impressions, character dynamics, our favorite moments, and everything we noticed in the opening chapters of this fan-favorite hockey romance.

Chapters Covered: Prologue–Chapter 14

📚 Grab your copy, settle in with your favorite cozy drink, and join the conversation, book friends!

We've reached the end of The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, and there is a lot to unpack.

Join us as we break down the final chapters (68–Epilogue), discuss the biggest reveals, revisit the mysteries that have been building since the beginning of the trilogy, and talk about how everything comes together in one unforgettable ending.

We also share our final ratings, favorite moments, biggest surprises, and whether The Hero of Ages delivered on everything we hoped for.

⚠️ This episode contains full spoilers for The Hero of Ages and the original Mistborn trilogy.

If you've finished the book, we'd love to hear from you! Did the ending live up to the hype? Who do you think had the most satisfying character arc? Let us know your thoughts.

This week we're discussing The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, covering Chapters 51–67.

The truth behind Ruin's influence finally comes into focus as Spook realizes he has been manipulated all along—and discovers he wasn't the only one. Quellion's actions suddenly take on an entirely new meaning as the extent of Ruin's control becomes impossible to ignore.

Meanwhile, Vin finds herself trapped and forced into unsettling conversations with Ruin, giving us some of the biggest lore reveals in the series so far. Even while imprisoned, Elend manages to communicate with Preservation in one of the most memorable scenes in the novel.

At the same time, Sazed continues wrestling with his crisis of faith, desperately searching for answers as the world edges closer to its end.

In this episode we discuss:

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This episode contains spoilers through Chapter 67 of The Hero of Ages.

In this episode of Books Between Friends, we're discussing The Hero of Ages Chapters 35-50 by Brandon Sanderson.

The mysteries are piling up. We dive deep into Hemalurgy and the unsettling implications of Ruin's ability to influence people through metal spikes. We discuss Spook's transformation into the Survivor of the Flames, the strange voice guiding him, and whether he's becoming a hero—or a pawn.

We also explore the growing mystery of the Mistfallen: those who became sick after exposure to the mists. Why are only certain people affected? Is Preservation trying to send a message, or is something much larger at work?

Along the way, we share our favorite character moments, discuss new theories, and make predictions about where the final Mistborn book is headed.

📚 Reading for NEXT episode: Chapters 51-67 of The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

This week on Books Between Friends, we're discussing Chapters 17-34 of The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson.

As the world continues to unravel, the conflict between Preservation and Ruin takes center stage, raising questions about balance, destiny, and the forces shaping Scadrial's future. We discuss the strange behavior of the mists, the percentage of people affected by them, and what it could mean for the larger story.

We also dive into:

• Spook's visions of Kelsier and what they might mean

Grab your copperminds and join us for another deep dive into the final Mistborn novel.