The Bookish Rewind

The Bookish Rewind: Kingdom of the Wicked - Kingdom of the Wicked #1

In this episode on the pod, we step into a world of curses, demons, and deadly delicious Italian cooking as we share our unfiltered opinions on Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco. From murder mysteries and magic circles to broody princes of Hell, we break down what worked, what didn’t, and where the story left us wanting more (or less).

We chat chemistry, pacing, world-building, and whether this book leans more slow-burn fantasy or prelude to something spicier. Expect hot takes, ranting, and plenty of love-it-or-hate-it moments as we decide if this darkly enchanting series opener cast a spell on us — or left us unconvinced.

Light a candle, salt your doorways, and press play — the Wicked are waiting.

The Fantasy Foolery Scale

1 - 🐉 “Dragons? Yes. Logic? No.”

2 - 🧝 “Elves, angst, and eyeliner”

3 - 🪄 “Magic system held together with glitter and vibes”

4 - 🧙‍♂️ “World-building so good I got lost”

5 - ✨ “I now live in this fictional realm”

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, Fiction, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, plot complexity, literature, TBR, fantasy, historical fiction, magic, demons, wicked, kingdom, wrath, hell, eyeliner

The Bookish Rewind: The Night Circus

Step right up and enter Le Cirque des Rêves with us as we dive into Erin Morgenstern’s enchanting and mysterious The Night Circus. In this episode, we unravel the magic behind the black-and-white tents, explore the star-crossed rivalry-turned-romance between Celia and Marco, and debate whether we’d survive as rêveurs or just get lost in the maze of illusions.

We break down the storytelling style that reads like a dream you may or may not want to wake up from, gush over our favorite food pairings and discuss our take on the book.

Grab your ticket—no admission fee except your imagination—and join us under the striped tent as we review a novel that tries proves magic is real… and sometimes dangerously beautiful.

The Fantasy Foolery Scale

1 - 🐉 “Dragons? Yes. Logic? No.”

2 - 🧝 “Elves, angst, and eyeliner”

3 - 🪄 “Magic system held together with glitter and vibes”

4 - 🧙‍♂️ “World-building so good I got lost”

5 - ✨ “I now live in this fictional realm”

Check it out on Goodreads

Check it out on Fable

Buy it On Amazon

Buy it from BAM

We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, Fiction, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, plot complexity, literature, TBR, fantasy, historical fiction, magic

The Bookish Rewind: Bunny

In this episode of The Bookish Rewind, we dive into 'Bunny' by Mona Awad, a horror thriller with dark academia themes. We discuss our initial impressions, character dynamics, and the unreliable narration that leaves us with more questions than answers. The conversation explores the writing style, pacing, and the setting of a fictional fine arts college, while also speculating on the upcoming sequel and movie adaptation. We share our overwhelming mix of confusion and intrigue about the book, leading to a lively discussion filled with humor and personal reflections.

Sassy Thriller Rating Scale

🔪 5 Knives Out of 5 – “I slept with the lights on and questioned my entire existence.”

This book had me clutching my pearls, checking my locks, and texting my therapist. A masterpiece of menace.

🔪 4 Knives – “I gasped. Audibly. In public.”

Twisty, juicy, and just unhinged enough to make me side-eye strangers. Not perfect, but I’d still recommend it to my enemies.

🔪 3 Knives – “I saw it coming, but I still tripped over it.”

Predictable but fun. Like a Lifetime movie with a budget. I didn’t scream, but I did raise an eyebrow.

🔪 2 Knives – “More thriller, less filler, please.”

Dragged like a body in the woods. The twist tried, but it didn’t thrive. I finished it out of spite.

🔪 1 Knife – “I was the real victim.”

This book committed crimes against suspense. I want my time back and possibly a refund on my trust in humanity.

🗡️ Bonus Rating: The Unhinged Dagger – “What did I just read and why do I want more?”

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, Fiction, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, plot complexity, literature, TBR, Bunny, Mona Awad, dark academia, unreliable narrator, horror, fantasy

The Bookish Rewind: Sunrise on the Reaping

In this episode of The Bookish Rewind,we return to Panem for Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping, the much anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games. We dive into the political games, moral gray areas, and chilling origins of the 50th Hunger Games — better known as Haymitch’s Reaping. Expect fiery opinions, emotional flashbacks, and a healthy dose of Capitol cynicism as we rewind this prequel.

We talk legacy, rebellion, and why no one writes trauma quite like Suzanne Collins. Plus: deep dive on what we think the book adds to the larger Hunger Games mythos, and whether we’re emotionally ready for another film adaptation.

The Emotional Damage Index” 

1 - 😐 “Emotionally unbothered” 

2 - 😢 “One tear, max”

3 - 😭 “Ugly cried in public”

4 - 💀 “I’m emotionally deceased”

5 - 👻 “I haunt this book now”

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins, YA Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Hunger Games, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, revenge, explosive events, plot complexity, literature, TBR, snake jewelry

The Bookish Rewind: Till Summer Do Us Part

In this episode of The Bookish Rewind, we head to camp... with Till Summer Do Us Part by New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn — the queen of heartfelt hilarity and swoon-worthy chaos. We’re unpacking all the steamy tension, laugh-out-loud moments, and emotional gut punches that make this summer romance impossible to put down. We’ve got thoughts — lots of them! Lock in with us because it’s time to rewind, gush, and maybe argue a little over who our Bookish Buzz topic as we spiral into book chaos.

🔥 The Extra-Spicy Romcom Rating Scale 🔥

• “Ghosted Before Dessert” 0 Flames
  No chemistry, no laughs, no heat—just you and the check.
• “Polite Hug at the Door” 1 Flame
  A little cute, but way too PG. We wanted fireworks, not a pat on the back.
• “The One-Bed Trope… But Nothing Happened” 2 Flames
  The setup was there, the tension was there, but it fizzled faster than flat champagne.
• “Steamy Make-out in the Rain” 3 Flames
  Spice level rising, swoons engaged—we’re invested, and we might need a fan.
• “Clothes on the Floor” 4 Flames
  The chemistry is undeniable, the banter is fire, and yes—we’re dog-earing the page.
• “The Can’t-Put-It-Down, Cancel-Your-Plans Romcom” 5 Flames
  Explosive chemistry, laugh-out-loud banter, toe-curling spice. Basically the bookish equivalent of the fireworks, the airport chase, and the morning-after pancakes.

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, The Hawthorne Legacy, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, YA Mystery, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Family Secrets, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, revenge, high school drama, explosive events, plot complexity, fan casting, literature, TBR

The Bookish Rewind: The Hawthorne Legacy

In this episode of The Bookish Rewind, we jump into the second book of the Inheritance Games series, The Hawthorne Legacy. Discussing the intricate plot, character dynamics, and our personal ratings of the book. The conversation explores themes of family secrets, relationships, and the mystery surrounding the characters' backgrounds. With humor and insight, we analyze the twists and turns of the story, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the book's impact and showcasing our ability to spiral in to complete book chaos.

The Bookish Rewind Mystery Rating Scale

• 0 Stars — “Plot? Never met her.”
  So confusing or boring we’d rather watch paint dry.
• 1 Star — “The butler did it… and we don’t care.”
  Predictable, weak, or just a total snoozefest.
• 2 Stars — “Scooby-Doo called, he wants his mystery back.”
  We saw it coming, but at least it tried.
• 3 Stars — “Respectable whodunnit.”
  Not bad, not mind-blowing. Solid middle-of-the-shelf mystery.
• 4 Stars — “Plot twist had us gasping in public.”
  Kept us hooked, had some sass, and stuck the landing.
• 5 Stars — “Shut the book, scream into the void, text your bestie immediately.”
  An instant classic. Mystery perfection.

Our Fan Cast:

Avery- Kaitlyn Dever

Libby- Rachel Sennott

Harry/Toby - Tyler Grey

Nash- Brenton Thwaites

Grayson - Lucky Blue Smith / Luke Eisner

Jamison - Alex Lange

Zander - Jordan Fisher

Oren - Idris Elba

Alisa - Eiza Gonzales

Skye - Ali Larter

Zara - Roseamund Pike

Max - Lily Chee

Check it out on Goodreads

Check it out on Fable

Buy it On Amazon

Buy it from BAM

We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, The Hawthorne Legacy, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, YA Mystery, Book Review, Podcast, Character Analysis, Plot Twists, Family Secrets, Book Discussion, relationships, character dynamics, revenge, high school drama, explosive events, plot complexity, fan casting, literature, TBR

The Bookish Rewind: Deep End
In this episode of The Bookish Rewind, we dive into a detailed discussion of 'Deep End' by Ali Hazelwood, exploring its themes of romance, anxiety, and character dynamics. We share our spice ratings, analyze the relationships within the story, and express our thoughts on the book's pacing and plot. The conversation highlights the complexities of college romance and the impact of societal expectations on personal relationships, culminating in their final ratings and reflections on the book.

Check it out on Goodreads

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

Keywords

The Bookish Rewind, Deep End, Ali Hazelwood, romance, character analysis, spice ratings, college romance, book review, podcast, literature, TBR

The Bookish Rewind: Beautiful Ugly
We’re rewinding through the pages of Alice Feeney's Beautiful Ugly —aka the book that made us question our reading comprehension. Join us as we talk birds, babies, and whether Grady is alive or dead. Spoiler: we might never know.... Because this book makes us wish we had wings.

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

The Bookish Rewind: Pretty Little Savage

In this episode of The Bookish Rewind, we dive into the dark romance novel 'Pretty Little Savage' by Lucy Smoke. Analyzing the characters, particularly Avalon Manning, and discussing the dynamics of the Sick Boys and their college environment. The conversation touches on themes of misunderstanding, crime family elements, and the challenges faced by the protagonist. With humor and insight, we navigate through the plot twists, character relationships, and our overall feelings on this book.

Warning there is explicit content in this episode, as there is in this book.

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.

The Bookish Rewind: The Inheritance Games
We’re rewinding through the pages of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Inheritance Games—aka the book that made us wish a billionaire would mysteriously leave us a McMansion full of puzzles. Join us as we talk sibling drama, questionable riddles, and whether Avery should trust literally anyone in that house. Spoiler: probably not. Because this family makes your in-laws look normal.

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We do not own rights to this book or any material related to it. The opinions we share, are our own and have been gleaned from reading this book.