Many thanks to Abbey for this commission! These chapters are when we add a new companion to Sabriel's party, and this one is a doozy. He's 200-something years old.
So far this stranger is being very circumspect about who he is and what happened to him. Initially this is mostly because he doesn't remember, but as the hours wear on, things start to come back to him and he is deeply grieved by the memories. Oh, also, there's a pesky spell holding his tongue.
And I would like to lodge an official complaint about the horrible little creature that follows Sabriel out of death. It was horrible and I hated it.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Thank you to Patrick, as usual, for commissioning this episode!
So this is the one where everything regarding Hearst turns around in my head. This episode is called "True Colors" for a reason, and Heart reveals his, and THEN SOME. I didn't think that I would hate anyone more than Cy but Hearst has not only replaced him as Most Hated Character, I actually feel sorry for Cy. And that is simply unacceptable.
Also, there's this whole thing going on with Alma and I'm really worried about it. I also don't appreciate that she put so much work into her offer only to be bulldozed by an entitled man who wanted to put her in her place via sexual violence. It seems totally accurate, but I DON'T APPRECIATE IT.
Thank you all so much for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Super duper thanks to my very own Jaime for commissioning this episode! It's been a while since I got to cover this book and I'm been fiending for it, so I'm very happy to get back into this world.
These chapters we get to hang out with Inej and see how she's being treated and what her exact situation is. Turns out that she's suffering a very understandable crisis of faith regarding whether her friends are going to come for her, and it's heartbreaking to watch her tell herself that Kaz probably doesn't give a shit.
Also, what the fuck is going on with Nina now that she's off the parem? Because that is some real shit and I'm dying to know what the hell that is.
Thank you so much for listening, and I will see you soon (hopefully!) with a new episode!

Many thanks to Yama for commissioning this unusual episode! Yama wanted me to talk about what my favorite books have been that I have read, both on my own time and for the show. This extra-long episode is all about the different books I've been introduced to and the things that have caught my fancy, the things that repelled me, and occasionally the things that I found kind of triggering and realized might not be for everyone.
Thank you so much for this commission, Yama! And I hope you all enjoy it.

Many thanks to Melanie for commissioning this episode!
These chapters are about Triss, Ciri, and Geralt traveling and learning about the political landscape now that things have started to heat up between the humans and the elves. There's a lot of friction, and it turns out that the very caravan they wind up teaming up with is a huge setup directly resulting from said friction.
Thank you all so much for listening, and I hope you enjoy the episode!

Okay, Patrick, what are you doing this to me for? You're a mean man.
This episode is the first time we've seen Al brought low by another person. We saw him get leveled by his kidney stones, but that was – to borrow a phrase from the show – a "turn of events" and something well outside his control.
This is different.

Hearst is the worst and I don't know what Al can do to beat him. I really don't.

Wow, I cannot believe we're finally here. I can't thank Kyle enough for commissioning this entire book.
In the end, we get what we all claim we wanted; a victory for Kuni Garu. However, that victory comes at a really steep price, and costs Kuni his honor and perhaps the loyalty of some people down the line. The whole setup in these last chapters is leading into the next section of the story; if a good man finally takes the throne, what does he do to rule well? And can he leave his past behind?
Thank you again for introducing me to this book, Kyle. I'm so happy to have read it.

Many thanks to Renee for commissioning this episode!
So we've got another scandal on our hands, but what makes this one interesting is that it involves Veronica's mom, whom we haven't seen since the end of last season. I don't know if the writers are trying to prep me for her return to the show and realized that they need to give me something to like about her, but I sure hope that's not their ulterior motive.
Also, I cannot figure out what I think about this whole Kendall subplot.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Thank you to Patrick for commissioning this episode!
Whew. This episode starts off with some surprises of the unpleasant sort, one of the worst of which is that Alma appears to be losing her baby. The only thing that held her and Ellsworth together, gone. Just like William. What the hell, show.
Also I am NOT a fan of the fact that Hearst is able to push Seth's buttons so completely. He basically gets the exact information that he was fishing for, so HOORAY! Thanks, Seth! You fucking child.
Thanks so much for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Thank you to Robin for commissioning this ENTIRE book. This was a super fun and really unique read, and I'm stoked that she's commissioned the next book in the series!
These chapters are tough, but in a lot of ways, they're a good kind of tough. Jared finally sees the light, and gets sober, and while his mother doesn't have a good reaction and he loses most of his friends, turns out that all those people are basically trash and he's better off without them.
Recovery ain't easy.
Thank you for listening!