Reading After Bedtime: Booktok Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled (both Shield of Sparrows and Rites of the Starling), please return once you've read the stories.🚨

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Looking for our full discussion of the Shield of Sparrows Series by Devney Perry? Check out our full coverage!

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry [Book Chat]

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry [Spoiler Summary]

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry [Book Chat]

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Allyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of Devney Perry’s Rites of the Starling, with reminders about spoilers, spice, trigger warnings, and violence, plus a promo for an ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas. The recap follows multiple POVs: Sparrow Wolfe and Caspia as tensions escalate in Quentis amid lyssa, the High Priest’s danger, and secrets about Odessa’s mother; Odessa and Evie’s brutal journey guided by Voster figures, the mysterious journal, and allies like Stryker and the Mavins; and newcomer Caspia, whose visions, ritus, and relationship with Andreas lead to uncovering hidden history about the Six, infernal power, and sealed orbs. The episode ends with betrayals, arrests, revelations, Caspia’s death during her ritus, and Odessa and Ransom preparing for the next mission.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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00:00 Welcome and Podcast Vibe01:12 Spoiler and Content Warnings02:03 ACOTAR 6 Release Party Plug03:02 Treaty Setup and Ransom Searches03:48 Odessa and Evie on the Run04:26 Caspia Visions and Escape06:24 Journal Clues and Skore Magic07:37 Caspia Ritus Turns Deadly08:43 Bogs Guide and The Mavins11:20 Caspia and Andreas Bond12:34 Skeleton Forest Reunion13:08 Roslo Secrets and Betrothal Bomb14:08 Quentis Family Drama and Lyssa Cure18:13 Hidden History and Orb Truths20:01 Ambushes Arrests and Escape Plans20:33 Orb Found and Caspia Tragedy23:12 Father Confession and The Next Mission24:57 Wrap Up and Next Episode

#shieldofsparrows #ritesofthestarling #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime Podcast, announce a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Biblibar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas, and welcome contemporary romance author Rachel M. Lewis. Rachel discusses her background as a former educator, how co-hosting Welcome to the Smut Show Podcast and encouragement from friends pushed her to write her debut, and shares advice like “you can’t edit a blank page” and taking time with a debut. She explains the origin of the fictional town name Sassafras, her pantser writing style and the “messy middle,” and balancing motherhood with writing, including using NaNoWriMo and later quitting teaching in May 2024. Rachel talks about her Bardot Siblings interconnected standalone series, previews Foolishly, Yours (rivals-to-lovers marriage pact with sabotage) and a later runaway bride second-chance book for Gabe, describes launching Get Lit Grownup Book Fairs, and highlights intentional representation, including sobriety in Yours, Unexpectedly.

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🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rachel Lewis Instagram:

Rachel Lewis TikTok:

Rachel Lewis Facebook:

Rachel Lewis Website:⁠

Get Lit Grown-Up Book Fair:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast⁠⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

#rachellewis #thebardotsiblingsseries

#booktok #authorinterview #supportindieauthors #authortalk #getlitbookfair

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast00:41 ACOTAR 6 Party Details01:34 Meet Rachel Lewis03:00 Hair Color Confessions05:27 Follow and Spoiler Warning06:43 Why She Started Writing10:00 Best Writing Advice15:29 Creating Sassafras Town18:42 Writing the Messy Middle24:09 Mom Life and Writing Balance30:30 Dream Cast and Reader Self Insert36:41 What She's Reading Now43:37 Memoir Vs Biography44:31 Sibling Series Origins48:39 Foolishly Yours Preview56:10 Gabe Finale Tease01:00:14 Celebrating Releases01:02:44 Get Lit Book Fair01:09:48 Favorite Brother Pick01:11:52 Granny Hobbies Chat01:20:19 Sobriety Representation01:28:30 Wrap Up And Thanks

Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime Podcast and welcome romance author Aimee Vance, discussing her background, writing journey, and books, with possible spoilers for the Moms of Mayhem series. Aimee shares how her public relations and journalism-adjacent career, motherhood during COVID, and editing for an indie author led her to write her first novel, Faith Illuminated, a time-travel fantasy with Norse mythology and dragons, and how co-author B. Perkins helped encourage her to publish and later collaborate on multiple books. She talks about author friendships, the challenges of writing spice scenes and chapter ones, favorite tropes like grumpy/sunshine and fake dating, and her love for Throne of Glass. Aimee also covers how she celebrates finishing a book, her writing snacks, current read Dungeon Crawler Carl, and promotes Made for Mayhem releasing March 27, 2026, plus newsletter-exclusive summer news.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Aimee Vance Instagram:

Aimee Vance TikTok:

Aimee Vance Facebook:

Aimee Vance Website:

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast⁠⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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00:00 Podcast Welcome00:42 Meet Aimee Vance01:52 Socials and Spoilers02:50 Why She Started Writing07:57 From Draft to Publishing11:24 Author Besties Network16:25 Hardest Scenes to Write18:39 Favorite Tropes to Write20:35 Favorite Reads and Fandom23:55 How She Celebrates Finishing26:01 Writing Snacks and Food Easter Eggs27:46 Granny Hobbies Trend27:56 Hobbies and Reading Life29:11 Crafting and Book Bedazzling30:01 Favorite Book Boyfriends31:42 Ty and Made for Mayhem33:54 Series Plans and Titles37:40 Writing Single Mom Romance41:42 Dating Today and Doorbell Cameras44:45 Current Read Dungeon Crawler Carl49:15 Final Plugs and Where to Follow

#aimeevance #mayhemhockeyclubseries

#booktok #authorinterview #supportindieauthors #authortalk

🚨This bonus episode contains spoilers for ALL of the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series, AS WELL AS Throne of Glass and Crescent City by Sarah J Maas. If you aren't completely caught up with the Maas-verse, please press pause, and return once you are.🚨

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Looking for the rest of the Maas-Termind files? Check out our full coverage here!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah J Maas x Call Her Daddy Reaction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prythian Mountains x Where is Vaughan?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bargains x Queen Mor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wyrdgates x Crossover Opportunities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Swords x Pegasus⁠⁠

⁠Vassa, Amren x Koschei & The Pool of Starlight⁠

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In this Maas-termind Files episode of Reading After Bedtime, hosts Allyson and Becca (with a full-spoiler warning for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City) dig into Sarah J. Maas lore and conspiracy theories centered on Prythian’s “Sister Peaks”: Under the Mountain, the Prison, and Ramiel. They discuss textual clues suggesting the mountains may be ancient, carved by “ancient hands,” and possibly sentient, connecting details from Eris, Cassian, and Crescent City 3 about the Prison’s buried “heart,” the Dusk Court, mist imagery, and the Ramiel stone that transports Gwyn and Emerie. They also theorize about Throne of Glass’s missing character Vaughan—whether he’s trapped in the Prison, beneath Ramiel, or altered like Amren to escape confinement—and speculate about portals, wyrdkeys, and future crossovers.

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🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

Buy your ticket here!

_____________________________________________________________00:00 Maasverse Mysteries

01:07 Meet the Hosts

01:24 New Intro Chaos

02:05 Maas-Termind Setup

03:52 Spoiler Warning

04:39 Mountains Lore Begins

05:12 Sister Peaks Theory

06:58 Under the Mountain

08:46 The Prison Island

13:07 Ramiel And Frost

13:37 Ramiel Sacred Mountain

14:13 Mountains Feel Alive

15:17 Hearts and Sentience

16:50 Blood Rite Stone Teleport

18:03 Doors and Koschei Links

20:24 Official Vaughan Theory

25:35 Mist Thin Spaces

27:05 Wrap Up and Farewell

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

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#acotar6 #acourtofthornsandroses #maas-termindfiles #maasverse #bookrecommendation

Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast and host author Thea Claire for a Q&A centered on her Recovering Good Girl series. Thea shares her background as a North Texas storyteller, mental health advocate, neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ author, and explains how sobriety in 2022 and narrative therapy shaped her writing and focus on authentic, trauma-informed characters. They discuss creating “green flag” male leads, balancing spice with plot and character development, and why filler/transition scenes are hardest for her to write. Thea explains character-name origins (including influences like Degrassi, Jane Austen, and Irish culture), research and sensitivity reading for deaf/ASL representation, and themes like alcoholism, widowhood, disability, and consent culture. She previews book three (Coda and Frannie) and upcoming projects, and announces the Four Letter Words audiobook release on February 10 with narrators James Cassidy and Rachel D.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:38 Meet Author Thea

02:09 Book Fair Connection

03:12 Writing Advice

05:50 Realistic Romance Leads

08:40 Green Flags Talk

10:55 Hardest Scenes

14:48 Character Names Origins

19:22 Dream Cast Ideas

20:46 Coda and Frannie Update

24:08 Fanfic to Author

25:27 Writing From Trauma

27:48 Sober Life Shifts

28:23 Writing Heavy Topics

29:37 Recent Reads Favorites

31:12 Body Size Representation

32:49 Fashion Club Culture

34:54 Writing Fuel Rituals

36:23 Granny Hobbies Crafts

38:48 Texas State Fair

41:49 Deaf Representation ASL

48:33 Audiobooks Next Projects

50:48 Wrap Up Farewell

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🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠Buy your ticket here!

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠

Thea Claire Instagram:

Thea Claire TikTok:

Thea Claire Facebook: ⁠

Thea Claire Website:

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 ⁠https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠

#theaclaire #recoveringgoodgirlseries

#booktok #authorinterview #supportindieauthors #authortalk

🚨SPOILERS FOR NOELLE RAYNE'S AN EMPRESS SERIES🚨

Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast and interview indie author Noelle Rayne about her self-published An Empress series, including An Empress of Air and Chaos (with four books out and a fifth pending). Noelle shares how she found support through author friend Melissa Hawk and the Bookstagram community, why she prefers self-publishing for creative control, and which scenes are hardest for her to write (political dialogue and unbiased perspectives). She discusses how she chooses character names (often Celtic-inspired), talks about motherhood and naming her children, and answers fan questions about casting ideas and being Team Torin vs. Gideon. Noelle explains the personal grief behind writing a major character death and previews a new work-in-progress: a dark, Scottish mafia romance series following four brothers and a sister.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:39 Meet Noelle Rayne

01:37 Mom Life Connection

02:30 Socials And Spoilers

03:44 Author Besties

06:10 Why Self Publish

07:57 Writing Growth Journey

10:50 Hardest Scenes To Write

14:17 Naming Characters And Kids

17:25 Dream Cast Talk

22:10 Gideon And Amara Arc

24:34 Love Triangle Surprise

25:06 Comfort Reads and Favorites

26:02 Dark Romance TBR Talk

27:51 Mood Writing Shift

29:04 Scottish Mafia WIP

31:02 Release Plans and ARC Team

31:59 Writing Rituals and Silence

32:48 Granny Hobbies Debate

35:17 Team Gideon or Torin

36:48 Why Callie Had to Go

42:33 Favorite Characters Written

45:24 Kingdom Role and Wrap Up

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Let's be friends on socials!

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Noelle Rayne Instagram:

Noelle Rayne TikTok:

Noelle Rayne Facebook:

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⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠

⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠

#noellerayne #anempressseries

#booktok #authorinterview #supportindieauthors #authortalk

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the story.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken? Check out our full coverage!

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken [Spoiler Summary]

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken [Book Chat]

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Allyson and Becca of the Reading After Bedtime Podcast discuss and rate Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken (published June 3, 2025), a Norse-mythology, academia-based romantic fantasy set at Endir University involving hidden gods in mortal bodies and a mission to steal Mjölnir. Both hosts disliked the execution despite seeing potential, with Becca rating it 2.5 stars and Allyson rating it 2, citing immature, surface-level characters, short disjointed chapters, unanswered questions, and insufficient worldbuilding. They note limited spice (about two “chili peppers”), share the book’s listed content warnings, and compare two different Goodreads blurbs—one about Liv Olson in Norway—which they found more compelling. They break down main and side characters (Aric, Rey, Reeve/Loki, Ziva, Rowan), mention runes/tattoos and favorite quotes, and announce April as Indie Authors Month with an April 6 interview with Noelle Rayne.00:00 Cold Open Banter00:17 Podcast Intro01:02 Book Setup Teaser02:59 Ratings Verdict04:34 Alternate Blurb Mystery08:30 Spice Level Talk10:03 Spoiler Warning11:28 Genre Tropes Warnings13:22 Why It Fell Flat15:48 Series Future Pretty Cover18:25 Pronunciation Guide Rant20:04 Character Breakdown Aric21:10 Aric Backstory Confusion22:43 Runes And Burning Tattoos23:17 Rey The Unworthy Warrior24:25 Aethercall Power Wasted25:43 No Chemistry No Details27:04 Side Characters Steal Show28:49 Too Many Unanswered Questions30:33 Mythology Rings And Retellings33:35 Favorite Quotes Roundup37:15 Editing And Worldbuilding Rant39:59 Indie Authors Month Teaser40:23 Final Sign Off

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Let's be friends on socials!

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_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

#fallengods #norsemythology #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the story.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken? Check out our full coverage!

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken [Spoiler Summary]

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken [Book Chat]

_____________________________________________________________

In this episode, Allyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of 'Fallen Gods' by Rachel Van Dyken, following Rey as Odin sends her to enemy-owned Endir University to awaken Aric Erickson and locate Mjölnir. Rey and Aric, once briefly engaged, are forced into proximity as runes are discovered and activated through their shared blood, awakening Aric’s giant powers and revealing Sigurd’s manipulation and the sacrifice behind Aric’s parents’ deaths. Rey learns Loki has been posing as Aric’s brother Reeve, and the Wild Hunt night culminates in Rey diving for Mjölnir, only to find the Nightfrost Diamond, which transforms Rowan into Thor. Mjölnir is pulled from Aric and ultimately chooses Aric and Rey, leading to a confrontation with Odin and a new plan to open the Bifrost and restore memories and powers.00:00 Welcome to the Podcast01:12 Spoiler and Content Warnings01:53 Mission to Endir University02:50 Mirror Rune Awakening03:24 Ice Caves and Legends04:23 Alliance and Blood Runes05:22 Party Rune and Wild Hunt06:39 Loki Revealed07:59 Sigurd's Truth and Final Rune09:30 Lake Dive for Mjölnir10:54 Thor Returns and Hammer Choice12:00 Aftermath and Next Steps12:39 Wrap Up and What's Next

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Let's be friends on socials!

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_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#fallengods #norsemythology #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Wings That Bind, The Bond That Burns AND On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy) by Briar Boleyn. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the story.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of Bloodwing Academy by Briar Boleyn? Check out our full coverage!

⁠⁠On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat]⁠⁠

The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn [Spoiler Summary]

The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat]

_____________________________________________________________Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime Podcast and review The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn (published March 10, 2026), sharing socials and asking for reviews before reading the back-of-book synopsis about a second awakened dragon, Florence’s mysterious bond, Blake’s betrayal, and Bloodwing Academy’s upheaval under a new headmaster. They rate the book around 4 stars and 3.75 stars, give it a “three” chili-pepper spice rating, and warn for explicit spoilers, trigger warnings, and violence. They discuss the darker tone (likened to Harry Potter’s Umbridge era), common tropes (dragons, vampires, corrupt government, revolution), extensive content warnings, and frustrations with jumbled plot structure and Medra’s limited agency. Key discussion points include Neville’s confusing POV, Florence’s growth and dragon-rider arc, Regan’s Umbridge-like rule and complicated morality, fated-mate hints for Regan/Kage, Blake’s poor choices with Vorago, the school plague, and endgame theories about Nyxaris, Medra “Pendragon,” and the veil.

00:00 Cold Open Banter

00:40 Podcast Intro Setup

01:49 Back Cover Blurb

03:03 Ratings Spice Scale

05:24 Spoiler Warning

06:23 Genre Tropes Triggers

10:55 Series Structure Talk

11:33 Plot Pacing Critique

18:48 Neville Prologue Mystery

27:07 Florence Arc Yuck Talk

30:17 Florence Questions Doctrine

31:59 Growth Pains Dragon Riding

34:05 Regan Power Shift

36:04 Mandates Thrallweave Horror

38:19 Kage Regan Fated Mates

40:39 Blake Dragon Lore Nitpicks

45:48 Vorago Bargain Plague Chaos

48:42 Revolution Grief Betrayal

51:47 Theories Veil Pendragon

55:48 Cute Moments Sign Off

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

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🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, plese return once you've read the story.🚨

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Looking for our full discussion of Bloodwing Academy by Briar Boleyn? Check out our full coverage!

⁠On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat]⁠

⁠The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn [Spoiler Summary]⁠

⁠The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat]⁠

The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn [Spoiler Summary] 

The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn [Book Chat] 

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Allyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn, with content warnings and social links. At Bloodwing Academy, Regan becomes Viktor’s consort and headmistress as highblood/blightborn tensions worsen, Dani is enthralled, and Kage makes blood oaths while hiding his wolf shift. Florence struggles with her bond to Nyxaris, accepts a brief betrothal to Kage for protection, and discovers an increasingly intense connection with the dragon. Blake’s dragon nature emerges; he shifts, learns about dragons, the veil, and soul splitting, and a feral “highblood plague” spreads. Viktor is revealed as part dragon and forces Blake/Vorago to burn Veilmar, prompting a city battle with Nyxaris and Florence and Viktor’s return as an Inferi. Medra rallies aid for refugees; Regan kills Viktor but is fatally wounded. Blake, devastated, shifts and flees, setting up the next book.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

01:12 Spoiler and Content Warnings

02:02 Back at Bloodwing

03:12 Oaths Abuse and Secrets

04:09 Dragons Bonds and Rules

07:39 Betrothal Ball Drama

09:19 Plague Hits the Academy

09:49 Viktor's Trap and Vorago

11:07 Battle for Veilmar

12:40 Regan's Sacrifice

13:07 Cliffhanger and Next Episode

13:37 Wrap Up and Farewell

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🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

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#thewingsthatbind #bloodwingacademy #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview