Check This Bookout

Last but far from least... We're closing out the Red Rising Saga review with a bang! Morning Star by Pierce Brown gave us everything we hoped for (& plenty we weren’t emotionally prepared for) & we're here to discuss it all. Special guest Nolan joins us as we dig into the jaw-dropping plot twists, powerful character arcs, & the trilogy's unforgettable conclusion. You won’t want to miss this episode!  

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

Book Synopsis:

"Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within. Finally, the time has come. But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender."

📖 Books Mentioned:

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Light Bringer - Pierce Brown

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro

01:00 meet nolan!

04:45 nolan's fav book bf...

06:00 morning star ratings

08:20 the boring parts

10:50 our book review formula

11:25 world building

12:20 space is confusing

16:30 darrow's imprisonment

18:40 where was the trauma?

20:30 the rescue

22:02 bring the action

25:35 fake first person

27:10 reunited with sevro

32:00 book 2 was darrow's book

39:30 howler initiation

36:20 we got spoilers

37:50 quicksilver & phobos

45:30 a visit to the obsidians

48:00 ragnar broke us

51:20 choppy writing

54:00 the political genius

57:45 full body chills

58:50 darrow's growth

01:01:40 the roque space battle

01:05:40 roque broke us

01:09:40 cassius & darrow

01:12:30 and what do we do w/ murderers?

01:15:20 we're gullible readers

01:19:00 the ending & baby pax

01:28:55 sevro and victra ahhh

01:30:30 sevro is too funny

01:32:00 outro

Last but far from least... We're closing out the Red Rising Saga review with a bang! Morning Star by Pierce Brown gave us everything we hoped for (& plenty we weren’t emotionally prepared for). Special guest Nolan joins us as we dig into the jaw-dropping plot twists, powerful character arcs, & the trilogy's unforgettable conclusion. You won’t want to miss this episode!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Light Bringer - Pierce Brown

In this episode, we turned our love for fantasy into a competitive game night. Each square on the bingo card represents a classic or niche trope from the genre: secret royalty, talking animals, magic schools... you name it. Download our homemade bingo card below & play along with us!

(P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

🤍 CTB Fantasy Book Bingo Card: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGq1DprWnE/s8mOUAd3Ch7ye0y6xAaAOA/view?utm_content=DAGq1DprWnE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hac4f355142 

📖 Books Mentioned:

From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L Armentrout

Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang **

Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent **

The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas **

House of Beating Wings - Olivia Wildenstein

Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco 

An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir

The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan

Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen

Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross

Spark of the Everflame - Pen Cole

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

The Book of Azrael - Amber Nicole

Blood & Steel - Helen Scheuerer **

Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry **

A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

Unearthly - Cynthia Hand

House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J. Maas **

Heartless Hunter - Kristen Ciccarelli **

Red Rising - Pierce Brown **

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

Sweet Evil -  Wendy Higgins

Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson

Bride - Ali Hazelwood

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig

Serpent & Dove - Shelby Mahurin

Assistant to the Villian - Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Caraval - Stephanie Garber

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

A Fate of Wrath and Flame - K.A. Tucker

The Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent

The Raven Boys - Maggie Steifvater **These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan ** ⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro

01:32 bingo card!

02:35 first spin & the rules

04:53 madeline is already struggling

09:20 House of Beating Wings

10:00 solving hannah's book slump

14:10 easyyy

14:35 we don't remember the plot

15:50 hannah's first bingo!

17:10 Daughter of No Worlds debate

18:55 Blood Over Bright Haven Spoiler

20:25 Shatter MAYBE?

21:40 madeline's first bingo!

24:00 han's 2nd bingo

25:30 An Ember in the Ashes

26:10 mad's 2nd bingo

26:40 bingo asmr lol

28:30 mad's 3rd bingo

28:55 hannah messed up

29:45 many bingos

32:45 what's her name

35:35 bringo lol

36:10 finally

38:30 we cheated

40:10 mad blacked out

42:50 internet etiquette parenting

52:40 outro

53:10 we're on fable

It's proposal season! 💍 In this episode, we challenge each other to guess the book based solely on its wedding or proposal scene! Featuring both contemporary romance & romantasy books, all of these nuptials are memorable to us in the best or worst way. Tune in to guess along with us! (P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez **

Bride - Ali Hazelwood **

The War of Two Queens (From Blood and Ash #4) - Jennifer L. Armentrout **

The Selection - Kiera Cass **

The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole

Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins **

A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker **

Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross **

First Time Caller - B.K. Borison

Furyborn - Claire Legrand

Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard

A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros **

Significance - Shelly Crane **

Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren **

Funny Story - Emily Henry **

These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan **

Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti **

Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen **

Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren **

Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood **

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune **

One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro
00:40 wedding season!!
02:30 Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez
04:00 Bride - Ali Hazelwood
05:50 From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L. Armentrout
06:40 The Selection - Kiera Cass
07:35 The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole
08:45 Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
12:40 A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker
15:25 Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross
18:20 book trophies
23:35 Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
24:25 Significance - Shelly Crane
26:30 Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren
27:05 Funny Story - Emily Henry
28:40 These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan
31:35 Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti 
33:05 Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren
35:30 Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
36:30 This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune 
38:00 the switch to fable...
42:00 i need a new kindle
44:55 outro
46:00 new releases

Nothing suits the summer season better than a warm, fun romance! 🏖️ If you're going to the beach or lake - or neither but you're here for the vibes - we have throwback & recently released book recs for your travels! (P.S. This ep has spoilers for some books! See below!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Beach Read - Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

Happy Place - Emily Henry

Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren

Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood (SPOILERS)

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune

One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune

Every Summer After - Carley Fortune

Meet Me At The Lake - Carley Fortune

Ex Vows - Jessica Joyce

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:00 beach read recs episode

In this episode, we are joined by our good friend Jamie to take book talk to the next level with PowerPoints! Each of us came prepared with our very own bookish presentation, complete with chaotic slides & questionable hot takes. Join us for a highly entertaining mix of debate, bookish banter, & unexpected PowerPoint prowess.

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J Maas

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) - Sarah J Maas

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas

Right Move (Windy City #2) - Liz Tomforde

The Deal (Off Campus #1) - Elle Kennedy 

Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3) - Penelope Douglas

A Touch of Darkness - Scarlett St. Clair

Lore Olympus - Rachel Smythe

Manacled/Alchemised - SenLinYu

November 9 - Colleen Hoover

Bride - Ali Hazelwood

Butcher & Blackbird - Brynne Weaver

The Crown of Gilded Bones - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Off to the Races - Elsie Silver

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - episode intro

02:10 - our first podcast guest!!!

07:00 - madeline's bookish powerpoint

08:25 - madeline, the archer

11:30 - jamie loves to party

14:40 - hannah goes to jail

18:21 - hannah's hot bf

19:35 - jamie's angel

21:06 - madeline's bat boy

22:42 - jamie's bookish powerpoint

23:00 - basketball boys

23:35 - a man with trauma

25:05 - shadow daddy *spoilers

27:25 - dragon tales *spoilers

30:20 - devils named damon

34:08 - hi hades

37:05 - mr. malfoy

40:20 - hannah's bookish powerpoint

41:00 - the prank of 2021

43:55 - you wanna guess the color...

46:15 - no more knots please

48:10 - ice cream and orzo

49:50 - honeydew allergy

52:05 - foot stomping

52:35 - pregnancy trope

54:19 - chat gpt

56:20 - monopoly?

57:20 - today's book releases

Emily Henry published Great Big Beautiful Life & we're here to publish our thoughts & feelings for y'all! Unlike any of her past novels, this book delved into mystery, childhood baggage, & that crinkle feeling (as Madeline describes to be the feeling you get before a full crush - a perfect use of the word crinkle tbh). If you have sentiments about this unique, unexpected change in Emily's writing style, tune in to hear what we liked & disliked!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

Book Lovers - Emily Henry

Happy Place - Emily Henry

Funny Story - Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

Beach Read - Emily Henry

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune

Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood

The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones & the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Great Big Beautiful Life Synopsis:

"Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry. Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game. One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it."

🕑 Timestamps:

00:00:00 - intro

00:00:24 - fear of natural disasters

00:01:10 - deep sea is terrifying

00:02:24 - great big beautiful life by em hen

00:03:37 - our ratings

00:03:45 - thoughts on decimal ratings

00:05:15 - initial reactions

00:06:07 - high level plot

00:07:40 - what was the crossover?

00:08:53 - we're tired lol

00:09:30 - did we like alice?

00:11:37 - thoughts on hayden

00:13:10 - insta love?

00:13:40 - A CRINKLE!

00:14:34 - did they really know each other?

00:16:20 - relationship screen time

00:18:45 - side character relationships

00:20:10 - trying something different

00:20:50 - books about books

00:22:25 - the pacing & repetition

00:23:25 - margaret's story...

00:25:20 - 2 different plot lines

00:27:10 - impossible to predict

00:28:40 - satisfying or confusing?

00:29:25 - biographies & writing style

00:31:45 - the boring and random parts

00:36:06 - margaret's value

00:37:08 - ambitious book

00:39:00 - realistic conflict & tension

00:41:40 - alice's parents

00:44:45 - wanted to love it

00:46:31 - 2 love stories

00:48:40 - ranking emily henry books

00:49:00 - madeline cried

00:51:00 - the book title & theme

00:54:00 - first kiss

00:54:35 - thoughts on the ending

00:55:30 - closed door

00:58:50 - next week teaser

00:59:35 - today's book releases

Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga has us hooked & we're here to debrief book 2. In this review of Golden Son, we further unpack Darrow's motivations & fears, the chaotic political climate of Mars, & the allies & enemies we never saw coming. For the die-hard sci-fi fans, this episode is for you!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Golden Son Synopsis:

"As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within.
A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people.
He must live for more."

🕑 Timestamps:

00:00 intro - golden son by pierce brown

02:00 our ratings

02:20 watching hannah read the last chapter

03:43 summary of book 2

05:11 endless adrenaline rush

07:00 worldbuilding and pacing

08:20 imagining space is hard

12:35 europa

14:20 the political genius

17:20 the freaking jackal

18:00 hannah clears the air about daryl

20:30 we loveee darrow

23:35 we're overwhelmed

24:20 darrow's character growth

26:55 where is darrow's oscar

27:45 fear factor

29:15 the side characters

30:40 tactus deep dive

37:25 throughs on victra

40:00 darrow = santa

41:40 roque...

49:50 GOBLIN!

51:03 the howlers

51:55 FITCHNER?!?

56:55 more sevro love

58:25 horse girls

01:00:00 back to lykos

01:08:50 hurt so good

01:10:15 Eo...

01:13:45 more on mustang

01:14:45 ragnar & grays

01:16:57 morning star theories

01:20:35 telemanus

01:21:30 lorn + cassius

01:25:40 the ending wtah

01:33:10 pliny ew

01:35:50 next episode teaser

01:39:41 today's book releases

Interested in romantasy & don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, we’re breaking down the best romantasy books for beginners. Think swoon-worthy romance, just the right amount of magic, & stories that are easy to fall into. Whether you’re new to reading, a romance reader dipping your toes into magical worlds, or a fantasy lover craving some steam, this list has a romantasy for everyone. P.S. shoutout to @SabisNookFantasyAmbience on YouTube for the sweetest comment <3

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout 

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

The Awakening (Zodiac Academy series) - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

The Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth series) - Kristen Ciccarelli

The Seven Year Slip - Ashley Poston

Darkfever (Fever series) - Karen Marie Moning

This week, we're taking our first trip to Mars as we dive into Red Rising by Pierce Brown, a dystopian sci-fi filled with political intrigue, brutal world building, & a relentless main character. We discuss the layers of Darrow’s transformation, react to shocking deaths, & obsess over Sevro & Mustang. We also dig into the book’s deeper themes: grief, identity, class, & power— & how they shape the story beyond its action-packed surface. Whether you’re new to the series or rereading with us, this episode has something for you!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Golden Son by Pierce Brown