BookTalks Podcast

It's time for our A Court of Silver Flames reread! In Episode 123 of Booktalks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa are diving back into Nesta Archeron's story, and we're reminded all over again why we love this book so much.

We discuss Nesta and Cassian's relationship, their banter and mating bond, and why Nesta's journey of healing is one of our favorite character arcs in the ACOTAR series. We also talk about the incredible friendship between Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie, the return of the Valkyries, and why this book offers so much more than romance.

Of course, we have plenty of opinions about the Inner Circle! We debate Feyre and Rhysand's treatment of Nesta, share our thoughts on Elain and Azriel, discuss whether Gwyn and Azriel could be endgame, and explore our theories about Eris, Mor, and other characters.

Plus, we get into the bigger mysteries of the Maasverse, including the Dread Trove, the Prison, Nesta's powers, the connections to Crescent City, and what all of this could mean for the next ACOTAR book. Is Nesta being set up for a much bigger role? Could the Valkyries become central to the future of the series? And what do we think Sarah J. Maas has planned next?

We're sharing our favorite moments, unpopular opinions, and wild theories as we get ready for the next installment of the ACOTAR series!

Spoiler warning: This episode contains major spoilers for A Court of Silver Flames, the ACOTAR series, and portions of the Crescent City series.

We want to hear from you! What are your biggest ACOTAR theories? Are you Team Gwynriel, Elriel, or neither? And where do you think Nesta's story is headed?

Follow Booktalks Podcast for more fantasy and romance book reviews, rereads, author interviews, and bookish conversations.

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A gothic university, dark magic, a murder mystery, and an achingly romantic love story?!

We're joined by debut author Wanda Hellmund to talk about *Our Dark Incantations*—the gothic fantasy romance that brings together everything fantasy readers love!

Set at a magical university, *Our Dark Incantations* follows Mira Winters, who swears off magic after a devastating war—until she finds herself studying dark magic and teaming up with the arrogant Adrick Dawson to solve a murder. But beneath the demons, dangerous magic, and romance lies a deeper story about trauma, healing, and what happens to fantasy heroes AFTER the battle is over.

In this interview, we talk with Wanda about:

The inspiration behind *Our Dark Incantations*

Gothic fantasy, dark academia, and romantasy

Writing trauma and mental health representation

Going from publishing online to traditional publishing

Plotting twists, rewriting endings, and the editing process

The music and movies that inspired the book

Favorite characters, relationships, tropes, and more in our rapid-fire round!

We also get into the question dividing fantasy readers: **What exactly IS romantasy—and does this book fit the definition?**

If you love magical universities, murder mysteries, morally complicated characters, dark magic, and romance with plenty of banter, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!

*Our Dark Incantations* by Wanda Hellmund is available now, released October 20, 2026.

**QUESTION OF THE DAY:** What's your favorite combination in fantasy: romance, murder mystery, or dark academia? And have you added *Our Dark Incantations* to your TBR?

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We need to talk about Feyre, Nesta, and the Night Court.Because after rereading *A Court of Frost and Starlight* by Sarah J. Maas, we have a LOT of thoughts.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa revisit ACOFAS, the bridge novella between *A Court of Wings and Ruin* and *A Court of Silver Flames*. And let's just say… our reread did not make us love this book more.

We're discussing:

Why we think ACOFAS could've been an email (or a few bonus chapters)

Feyre's characterization and whether she has changed since the original trilogy

Why Nesta Archeron deserves more compassion from the Inner Circle

Rhysand's double standards and the way Nesta and Lucien are treated

The different ways characters experience grief, trauma, and healing

Elain, Lucien, and Azriel: who actually belongs together?

Mor's mysterious subplot and what it means for her character

Cassian, Nesta, and what we hope to see in *A Court of Silver Flames*

We LOVE the ACOTAR universe, but loving a series doesn't mean we can't criticize it. Is Nesta unfairly judged? Does Feyre get too much grace from the Inner Circle? And does this novella actually add anything essential to the story?

**We want to hear your take!** Are you Team Nesta, Team Feyre, or somewhere in between? And do you think *A Court of Frost and Starlight* deserves the hate, or are we being too harsh?

Subscribe to BookTalks Podcast for ACOTAR discussions, fantasy and romance reviews, rereads, bookish hot takes, and conversations with your bookish best friend.

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It's time for our A Court of Wings and Ruin reread! In episode 120 of Booktalks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa discuss the third book in Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, and this reread has brought out some HOT takes.

We dive into the war against Hybern, Nesta Archeron's character development, Elaine's future, and the complicated Azriel, Elaine, and Gwyn debate. We also discuss whether Tamlin deserves sympathy, why our opinions of Mor have changed, the Inner Circle's flaws, and why Cassian continues to be a favorite.

Did we remember all the important plot details? Absolutely not! From forgotten character deaths to unanswered questions about the future of Prythian, we're revisiting the moments that stood out and sharing our predictions for what's next in the ACOTAR universe.

Do you agree with our opinions, or are we about to start a fandom war? Listen and let us know your hottest ACOTAR takes!

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains major spoilers for A Court of Wings and Ruin, with discussions of later books in the ACOTAR series, including A Court of Silver Flames.

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Join us for more book reviews, fantasy romance discussions, Sarah J. Maas theories, and ACOTAR rereads!

September was a MONTH.

We may have been in a reading slump, but that didn't stop us from having A LOT to say.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we talk about our September reading, what we're planning to read in October, and some of the biggest bookish conversations happening right now.

We have THOUGHTS on Ali Hazelwood's upcoming sequel to The Love Hypothesis, whether authors revisiting beloved books and worlds is becoming more about the money than the story, and the early reactions to the Verity movie. We also get into our VERY mixed feelings about Fourth Wing / Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros' new Threshing Day novella, and where we think the Empyrean series might be headed.

Plus, we're talking about:

Our September reads and ratings

The books we're taking into October

Marisa's spooky season reading challenge

Romance recommendations (including some VERY strong ones)

Renaissance Fairs and our questionable future career plans

Exciting upcoming ARCs, author interviews & BookTalks Podcast updates

What do YOU think? Are authors taking sequels and spin-offs too far when a book already has a satisfying ending? And what are your thoughts on the direction of Fourth Wing/Iron Flame?

Let us know in the comments!

Books & authors mentioned: Ali Hazelwood, Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Yarros, Christina Lauren, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, Susanna Clarke, Maggie Gates, Ellen O'Connor, Sarah J. Maas, Wanda M. Hellmann and more.

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Booktalks Podcast episode 118: We’re talking all about The Love Hypothesis movie! Kayla and Marisa break down Ali Hazelwood’s highly anticipated book-to-screen adaptation, comparing the movie to the original novel and discussing the biggest changes from page to screen.

⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD for both the book and movie!

We’re talking Adam and Olive, fake dating, the changes to Tom’s storyline, why Holden being cut from the movie was such a big change, Adam’s different personality on screen, the casting, the rom-com vibes, and whether The Love Hypothesis lived up to the book.

We also get into other Ali Hazelwood adaptations, upcoming releases, and plenty of tangents along the way.

Did you read The Love Hypothesis before watching the movie? Let us know what you thought of the adaptation!

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We are rereading A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas — and this time, we’re looking at the book with a few more years of reading experience behind us.

ACOMAF is one of the most beloved books in the ACOTAR series, but does it still hit the same on a reread? We’re talking Feyre, Rhysand, Tamlin, the Inner Circle, our favorite moments, the things that stood out differently this time, and all of our honest thoughts on the book.

Whether you’re an ACOTAR veteran or discovering the series for the first time, come hang out with us for a full reread discussion!

⚠️ SPOILERS FOR A COURT OF MIST AND FURY / ACOTAR SERIES

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What did YOU think of ACOMAF on your first read vs. your reread? Tell us in the comments! 👇

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This week on Book Talks Podcast, we're discussing our August Book of the Month: Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young!

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for the entire book, including the ending!

We’re talking all things Win and Bo, the surprise pregnancy trope, disability representation, their relationship, the lack of conflict, the happily-ever-after ending, and all of our thoughts on whether this romance actually worked for us.

We also get into a bigger conversation about surprise pregnancy romances and whether you can really say you hate the trope if you've only encountered it in other genres. Plus, we compare Out on a Limb to some of our favorite surprise pregnancy books, including Wild Card, Ready or Not, Forever Undone, and Seven of Hearts.

Was Out on a Limb too perfect? Did we need more conflict? Did the epilogue go on too long? And where does this book rank among our favorite surprise pregnancy romances?

Let us know what you thought of Out on a Limb and what surprise pregnancy romance we should read next!

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We’re sitting down with romance author Maggie Gates to talk about what really makes a romance story feel fresh—even when it uses familiar tropes. Maggie shares her “tropes are ingredients” philosophy, how real life inspires her characters, why she cries while writing, and how writing helped her process some of her most personal experiences.

We also talk about negative reviews, plotting vs. pantsing, emotional scenes, her interconnected book universe, and (of course!) her upcoming romance, BLUE JEAN SUMMER, releasing September 15.

Maggie’s rapid-fire trope answers are also VERY revealing—including why she’d choose one horse over one bed.

ABOUT BLUE JEAN SUMMER:

Marriage of convenience • Age gap • Childhood friends • Billionaire hero • Broke heroine • Cowboys • Ranch romance

If you love romance books, author interviews, bookish conversations, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite stories are created, make sure to subscribe to BookTalks Podcast!

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Booktalks Podcast Episode 114: We’re rereading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas! 📚✨

We’re going back to the beginning of the ACOTAR series and looking at the first book with everything we know now. Does A Court of Thorns and Roses hold up on a reread? Are Feyre and Tamlin really the love story we remembered? And how much more obvious are the Rhysand clues when you already know where the series is headed?

We’re talking about Feyre’s character, Tamlin and Feyre’s relationship, Rhysand’s role in the story, the riddle, Feyre’s time Under the Mountain, the trials, the ending, and all the little details we noticed differently this time around.

We also discuss why ACOTAR became such a beloved series despite the first book being slower and more of a setup for the larger story, and why A Court of Mist and Fury is the book we really remember making the series special.

If you’re an ACOTAR fan, Sarah J. Maas reader, or rereading the series before the next book, come listen as we revisit where it all began!

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⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: This episode discusses the first ACOTAR book and includes discussion of events and character developments from later books in the series.

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