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Send us Fan Mail A Court of Splintered Harmony, book SEVENTEEN in the Sarah J. MAASaverse, book 6 in the ACOTAR series, and movement one (of four) in the newest plot arc The Valkyrie Cycle has now been out for a little over one week. It already has over 200,000 ratings on Goodreads, the entire internet is talking about it, and currently it sits at a 3.93⭐️, only moderately higher than her lowest rated book in the series A Court of Frost and Starlight. And we ask ourselves… why?  We’re just going to say the things we’re “not supposed to say,” so hop in besties, we’re going to reading comprehension town. This 297 page book is an absolute BEAST and today’s deep dive episode is part one of a three part ACOSH series, gearing us up for the 900 page A Court of Forgotten Melody, ACOTAR 7, and movements two and three in the Valkyrie Cycle, out on January 12, 2027.  Our Oversimplified Case: A Court of Splintered Harmony is a work of pure genius. If it seems surface-level, shallow, or plays out like an episode of The Real Housewives of Velaris, we hate to break it to you, but we fear that the point was missed. Did Sarah “forget how to write” or did she write so well that some of our brains turned to mush? It feels a lot like half the classroom is screaming WE DON’T GET IT! THIS BOOK SUCKS! But when the professor asked who prepared by doing all of the assigned reading, a lot of our collective hands went down. 😒 The characters are acting… out of character. The one person in the inner circle with a certain skill set is the only one acting “normal.” The eight character POVs are “excessive…” but 🎵one of these is not like the other🎵. These are just a few honorable mentions without giving away too much. So let us begin. Today’s episode is our basic book deep dive including a detailed five sentence summary, episode two will focus on our theories and important Easter eggs, lore, and connections, and episode three (the last one until ACOFM drops) is all about responding to all the “crazy” theories floating around the book community.  Join us for a fave and fail all about our first time hosting an amazing Midnight Release party at Eureka Books for none other than A Court of Splintered Harmony! Don’t tell anyone but it was a packed house and it couldn’t have gone better so make sure to watch (or listen) to our 🔴LIVE🔴 pod playback, linked below! We’ve got all this, a behind the scenes look into our readathon, our plans for A Court of Forgotten Melody, and a shocking smash or pass… Bat Boys edition. 👀 Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Watch Our ACOSH party live! https://www.youtube.com/live/S244fydvuoI?si=Kf4vOCa_YoyP4OtY Shop Eureka Books: https://www.eurekabookshop.com Check Out Our Deep Dive ACOTAR Coverage: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHf5v0KOoZMkWCZa4Kc2-KXKVOTPmnPgT&si=c_3KafJnZJ4IJwBP Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a Valkyrie T-shirt from @ShopWildeShadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com Liz is wearing our exclusive Besties and the Books beanie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com and a custom BATB “Impressive Wingspan” T-shirt from @DowntheBond | https://www.downthebond.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Liz and Ashley MC A Court of Splintered Harmony midnight release party at Eureka Books in Eureka, CA. Complete with ACOTAR Trivia, Best Bat Boy Contest, and a countdown to this much anticipated release! We watched to share this live Audio from our live podcast episode so all our listeners have a chance to join in on the fun! Full ACOSH deep dive episodes coming soon! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these author interviews? ⬇️ Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Need more Halloween reads in your life? Find out if “Halloweentown for adults” with Gilmore Girls vibes might be for you with our Haven Ever After Hazel Mack Interview! https://youtu.be/-kDxchCTysw?si=KpEbcsCHAniU-JTS Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail You know what time it is! SHOWTIME! 🎭 We’re drama kids over here on the Besties and the Books podcast so these Am I the A-Hole holiday episodes are really our time to shine. Today we’re officially back in our surprise Halloween wigs and it’s the best time of the year: spooky season!  Liz is sporting a bright red clown wig with snatched Betty Page bangs that she could never pull off with her naturally cowlicky hairline… and Ashley… is Edward Cullen. So really, the bottom line is that we’ve never looked better. Finding out five minutes before filming what we're wearing is always a good time, and a little bit of a jump scare! Is the lady with Halloween decor on the sidewalk making everyone walk in the street an a hole? Is it messed up to sabotage the pre planned family costume without telling anyone ahead of time, just because you want to go as Batman… as a grown adult? Would it make someone a jerk to run away in fear and leave your friend on the floor of a haunted house?  Join us for a fave and fail costume edition, a smash or pass with the tallest and most beautiful elf of mainstream cinema who also happens to be a hot man in real life, and an eff, marry, unalive for some classic spooky season faves.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing an “Impressive Wingspan” t-shirt from @Down the Bond & an Edward Cullen Wig from Amazon | * https://link.amazon/B0icvrw0U Liz is wearing a Spooky Feminist Sweatshirt from Etsy & a Crazy Red Clown Wig from Amazon | * https://link.amazon/B09hGXk7A Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail How is Insurgent for a middle book? Compelling or basic? We’re reading the Divergent series for the first time and today we’re diving deep into Insurgent, book two in the original trilogy. As the “middle book,” which can sometimes be the most difficult to get through in any series, we’re here to answer the question: does this one hold up?  Tris and Four are figuring out how deep the government conspiracies go and have to make some difficult choices to survive. This has them questioning if they, or the rebels they're supporting are becoming just as tyrannical as those they’re trying to overthrow.  As we prepare to bring you our deep dive coverage on the new release: The Sixth Faction, and The Last Testimony (out on February 2, 2027) we’re examining these young adult novels with a fine toothed comb. How are they contributing to the “are books political” conversation? Are these stories considered coming of age? And how do they execute science fiction and dystopian themes that are digestible for young audiences? We want to know if the new duology is necessary, timely, and entertaining, and if it’s a money grab or actual quality. Oh… and we’ll also be following up on our thoughts regarding Tris and Four and their suspicious similarities to a certain other couple in a certain other series that we’ll now be referring to as "Divergent with Dragons…” Join us for all this, then tune in next Friday for Allegiant, the epic (and polarizing) conclusion to the original trilogy!  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a Eureka Books Tee from @eurekabooks | https://www.eurekabookshop.com Liz is wearing a Scream Ghostface Crewneck from Etsy Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Did you add Defy the Dusk to your preorders yet? Hmmmm?? Sometimes you meet your heroes and they turn out to be just as badass as the FMCs in your favorite books they’ve written. Today we’re sharing our spoiler free interview with the incredibly talented Danielle L Jensen to celebrate the upcoming release of Defy the Dusk, part one in her brand new post-apocalyptic fantasy duology. She’s the absolute queen of high fantasy world-building, knows how to write banter and dialogue that is unmatched, and has A LOT to say about “romantasy” as a genre.  Defy the Dusk is book one in her newest adult post apocalyptic fantasy series - The Sundering Duet. And it will be out everywhere you find your books, including Audible on November 3rd, so get your preorders in now!  It’s already a New York Times bestseller along with her Saga of the Unfated Duology which we read for book club, her Bridge Kingdom Series which many of you know and love, and her young adult Dark Shores and Malediction Series. Danielle’s novels are published internationally in twenty-three languages, and she lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family and guinea pigs. We talk about her backlist and what to expect from each of her uniquely constructed worlds and magic systems, how Defy the Dusk is different from her other previous works, and how symbolic it is of our current political climate. What specific dystopian media has influenced her work? Has Danielle always been a writer? Does she relate to her characters? And what can we anticipate from her in the future? Listen on to get to know the talent behind these intricate stories, and hear the unexpected answer to our on-the-spot smash or pass… Defy the Dusk edition.  Pre-Order your copy of Defy the Dusk Now! | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773240/defy-the-dusk-by-danielle-l-jensen/ Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a cropped Besties and the Books hoodie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd  Liz is wearing our Besties and the Books Exclusive Beanie (coming soon!) | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail We’re reading the Divergent series for the first time! We know, we know… we’re an entire fifteen years late, but our curiosity finally got the best of us and the timing seems pretty perfect.  Sci-Fi Summer has turned into dystopian sci-fi fall because Veronica Roth decided to come out with a whole new alternate reality duology retelling of the Divergent universe starting with The Sixth Faction. Part one dropped about two weeks ago, and part two, The Last Testimony, releases everywhere on February 2, 2027.  We’re here to expand our “‘market research” of the dystopian, science fiction, “are books political?” and coming of age genres. We’ve covered The Hunger Games, Wicked, and Red Rising because we recognize how relevant these stories are in our current societal climate and we want to keep these conversations going. Plus, we want to know if the new duology is necessary, timely, and entertaining. Is it a money grab or is it actually good?  We’ll be releasing a full-length bonus episode on Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, and Four, plus the short story We Can Be Mended, and finally, The Sixth Faction plus the movies! And don’t worry, in February we will follow up with our official ranking and wrap up with The Last Testimony. Join us on Instagram and over on the free Fable app for our spoiler free reading updates.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing our Besties and the Books Merch | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Liz is wearing a discontinued  “Fireheart” hoodie by @downthebondofficial | Code: BestiesandtheBooks | https://www.downthebond.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Out of all the Colleen Hoover books, Verity came the MOST recommended. Ashley and Liz found themselves ferociously turning the pages of their new favorite read: the romantic thriller Verity,  in rapt anticipation, unable to see what could come next from the impossibly complex and unpredictable plot. So captivated by the impeccable character development, suspense, and sheer psychological terror they almost missed their opportunity to see the movie in theaters (with seats and tickets being so scarce and hard to come by due to record sales). Fortunately for everyone, they snapped out of their Colleen Hoover induced trance just long enough to watch the movie that would change both of their lives forever…  Wait… is it Opposites Day or did we just need a convenient excuse to get y'all to watch this episode and happened to find that paragraph on a secret flash drive or hidden note? (IYKYK 😵‍💫🤪.)  We read our first Colleen Hoover book, watched the movie it was based on… and now we’re here to share our unfiltered thoughts and reviews. Do we understand the fandom? Are we now a part of it? Do we have a fever that can only be cured by more COHO? Or were three of the hottest actors of all time fumbled by a screenplay based on a book that left much to be desired? We answer all of these questions plus discuss the secret (problematic) second epilogue, give you our five sentence summary, book versus movie showdown, and star and spice ratings.  We’ve got all this, plus a fave and fail about the over-the-hill-and-through-the-woods adventure journey which was Liz seeing Verity at a Humboldt County movie theater, cold brew coffee fails and Haunted Mansion decor, and a smash or pass all about… you guessed it… Verity.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a custom Loki tank top from @RadVentureLand on Etsy | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/4ftmw/ Liz is wearing a “Bat Sh*t Crazy” Crewneck Sweatshirt by @darkanddisturbedshop | Code: VEGAN10 | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/bat-shit-crewneck?_pos=2&_sid=eb8fa2b05&_ss=r Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Well, we Read Threshing Day. First and foremost we’d like to strongly and emphatically reiterate (because apparently that’s what we do here in the book community) that Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros is NOT book four in the Empyrean Series, so don’t get your hopes up! Okay, now that that’s been said… Today we’re covering Threshing Day, book 3.5 in the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. It came out a week ago, it’s a 224 page partner novella, and is it worth it? That's what we’re here to answer today! We’ll give you our spoiler free star and spice rating of this somewhat surprising release as we wait for the upcoming official full-length installment in this dragon series with a cult following.  We’ll discuss if it was necessary. Is it a cash grab? Is it something you can enjoy without reading the rest of the series? Are there spoilers? Easter eggs? Is this multi-pov novella written entirely about Threshing day and each recruit’s meet cute with their soul-bonded dragon chalk full of interesting dragon lore?  We do have to say that the extensive artwork by @joerequeza.art is completely off the rails amazing so go give him a follow, and don’t be deceived by the gray cover, because it’s what’s on the inside that matters! We bring you our unfiltered thoughts, a fave and fail about spooky season movies, and a smash or pass all about dragons.   Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a “Diners and Drive-ins and Dungeons and Dragons and Dives” t-shirt from @ TikTokShop | * https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9D8rgT66Ts3-yIpiD/ Liz is wearing a “Going for Blood” Violet Fourth Wing tee from @thebeanworkshop | Code: BOOKBESTIES10 | https://thebeanworkshop.store/products/going-for-blood-t-shirt Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Forgive us, Crows. For we have sinned. It has been zero minutes since we’ve made bookish confessions to our besties. (And it’s not looking like we’re stopping any time soon. 🤷‍♀️😜) Today is a no-homework-necessary, look into the camera like it’s 1994 and you’re about to disclose to MTV exactly what you did in secret, type of episode. We kick it off with a big shout out to friend of the pod Anthony Palmini on his amazing recommendation for his most unhinged narration as Red, the Koolaid Man in the sentient object romance Cold Sweat by Vera Valentine. How many stars did we give this spicy gem? Do we find a big glass jug… sexy? Then we read off and respond to bookish confessions from Reddit and Threads, spill the Koolaid on our own personal bookish confessions, and then top it all off with a smash or pass “Is this embarassing?” style. I mean really… How many copies of Wuthering Heights do you think Liz has? And to Ashley, we beg the question: how important IS an epilogue, really?  We hope this episode creates a safe space to disclose your most deviant book behaviors. If you have a confession, send it our way! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing a “Diners and Drive-ins and Dungeons and Dragons and Dives” t-shirt from @ TikTokShop | * https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9D8rgT66Ts3-yIpiD/ Liz is wearing our branded Besties and the Books Zip Up Hoodie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The season of the crows has officially returned and as slightly spooky, elder emo, introverted book girls, it’s our time to shine.  We invite you to cozy up with a blanket and a crispy Alani, light that overpriced candle, and watch Edward Cullen lean his awkward fingers against tables and trees in the background while we talk fall. (It’s like talking “shop” or “business” but much more serious.) Because we have a fever, and the only prescription is more Halloween!  Today is a no-homework-required mess-around. We chat about this year’s fall hopefuls, favorite recent spooky reads, and then have some fun guessing popular horror books and movies based off of one star reviews. We even add in some spooky stories from Reddit and a smash or pass to fit the season.  We hope this episode gets you in the mood and helps ward off the impending darkness-at-5pm doom.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: a Vans Warped Tour Hoodie  |  https://vanswarpedtourmerch.com/ Liz is wearing : a “Final Girl” Tshirt from @ShadowBoundSpines | https://shadowboundspines.com/products/final-girl-tee-gildan  Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Burn of the Everflame, book four and the final installation in The Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole is the talk of the town in the Romantasy world. Today we’re doing our deep dive, reviewing one of the most anticipated releases of the year… and our opinions might be different than you think.  After deep diving Spark, Glow, and Heat and having the lovely Penn Cole on the podcast twice to talk about strong female characters, deep themes, and writing under pressure, was Burn what we thought it would be? Did it live up to the expectations we had for the end of Diem and Luther’s story? And when all is said and done, what rating did we officially give it?  Stick around for special commentary from Penn herself on the emotional ending to her debut series, and get our star rating, spice rating, five sentence summary, faves and least favorites, and our discussion… in detail… about whether Luther is still book boyfriend material or not.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Watch our Spoiler-Free interview with the Author Penn Cole herself all about Burn of the Everflame https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=gUv1FBT3ugk7Fyho We go behind the book with Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her NYT Bestseller The Poison Daughter! Don’t miss it! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=e2uOKPVRQjsIhVCb Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: Vans Warped Tour Hoodie https://vanswarpedtourmerch.com/ Liz is wearing : A “I Still Read Fairytales” Villian Crew by @shadowboundspines | https://shadowboundspines.com/products/i-still-read-fairytales-just-for-the-villains-now-crewneck?_pos=13&_sid=5377b326e&_ss=r Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail This deep dive coverage of Light Bringer was the most difficult in this bonus series to film. Pierce Brown… you have unapologetically broken us with this book and we do not know if we can forgive you. Ashley took a whole star away from her spoiler free rating for the pain and suffering. Did Liz feel the same way? Do you?  In today’s final episode (for now!) in our Red Rising bonus series we will not only be discussing in great detail every aspect of how Light Bringer made us feel, we’ll also be revealing our favorite book in the series so far, and how we rank them from “worst” to best.” That way when the series is completed we can jump back in, read the new book (or books), reflect, and do our final rating and ranking. If we’ve learned anything in these past few months it’s that anything can change at any moment. And even when you think you’re ready for the pain, you’re not.  We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. Next, we covered the original trilogy in detail, books one and two of the second trilogy and have officially rated every book a resounding five stars. Last week’s episode had us truly wondering what Brown was going to pull off next, and he did not disappoint. Can we talk about Hangar 17B? 🫠😭🥴 Today we’re diving into book six and the last available installation in the series: Light Bringer. Darrow is making a comeback in a way we’ve never seen, training not just his body, but his mind in the ways of “the force,” but is it enough? Old decisions come back to haunt our favorite characters, and just when everything seems to be crumbling around them, unlikely alliances are made. How long until we can expect Red God? And what are our unanswered questions and predictions?  We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. And lastly, we’ll be taking the Sons of Ares prequels, conspiracy theories, and spinoffs. What else should be cover? Because truly, we are not ready to leave this world behind.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing an “Undead Readers Club” from @BookBabeDesigns | https://bookbabedesigns.com  Liz is wearing: our branded besties and the books beanie | https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re bringing you our deep dive coverage for The Gods Will Sing Our Song as the follow up to our extremely impactful author interview with young adult romantasy author Autumn Krause. Autumn is the author of four novels (so far): A Dress for the Wicked, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here, Grave Flowers, and OUT NOW… her very timely and extremely important fourth novel The Gods Will Sing Our Song, inspired by her own family’s experiences in the World War 2 Japanese American Incarceration Camps. We met the lovely and beautiful Autumn at Romantasycon LA where we had the privilege of interviewing her for the Gothica panel, chatting all things horror, dark fantasy, and gothic themes and just knew she was an instant bestie with a big message to share. We encourage you all to pick up this book and experience the perfect balance of fantasy storytelling and real-world history, and listen to our previous interview with Autumn to learn about her family’s experiences and the impact Japanese American incarceration during World War 2 had on this book.  We give our star and spice ratings, least and most favorites, five sentence summary, and discuss the important tie-ins with real US history, the balance of reality and lived experience with fantasy and folklore, and even go over important facts we should all know.  Recently an offering editor at auction described The Gods Will Sing Our Song as a book that changes the way we look at the world. They said that “Books like these have the power to break our hearts and remake them. They open our eyes to injustice and bring a sense of catharsis to those who’ve encountered its sharp edge. They shout to be seen and heard and remembered - just as we must remember those who came before us, whose joys and scars go on to guide our own life stories. In my opinion, The Gods Will Sing Our Song is exactly such a book.” And we could not agree more.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ We go behind the book with Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9 THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her NYT Bestseller The Poison Daughter! Don’t miss it! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=e2uOKPVRQjsIhVCb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: A shirt from Gideon’s Bakehouse | https://merch.gideonsbakehouse.com/ Liz is wearing : A Down the Bond Starborn Crop Tee | Code: Bestiesandthebooks https://www.downthebond.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Tis’ a Dark Age Indeed…👯‍♀️US: 🆘We are officially sending out a distress signal to anyone in the galaxy who is willing to listen! 📣Pierce Brown!? Are you out there?! If so, please send help because we’re pretty sure we’re not gonna make it!  …Wait… what was that?  😈Pierce Brown: “The old rage in colder ways, for they alone decide how to spend the young.”  US: 🥺🥺 We’re not going to sugarcoat the truth for you. If you’ve made it this far, you already know that things are not looking good for our heroes of the Republic. In fact, things are extremely dire as the war wages and each character is forced to confront their worst fears. Has all of this death and horror been for nothing? Is Eo’s dream dead? Do any of us really have the power to rewrite our destiny and choose to live for something more, or are we fated to be crushed under the oppressor’s heel?  We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. Next, we covered the original trilogy in detail, book one of the second trilogy and have officially rated every book a resounding five stars. Last week’s episode had us living in fear, and our intuition couldn’t have been more spot on because in Dark Age there is something genuinely unspeakable lurking in every shadow… in a way we never saw coming.  Today we’re diving into book five: Dark Age, the middle book of the second major plot arc and what is now being referred to as the “Iron Gold Trilogy.” Political games are being played on an expert level, bloodlines are revealed so new leaders can ascend, and the disturbing jump scare to top all disturbing jump scares now lives rent free in both of our minds.  We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. And lastly, we’ll be asking ourselves why this isn’t considered a horror novel, especially after Pierce himself said that fear was the central theme of this book. Bravo, Goodman. And congratulations on fulfilling your goal. We’re terrified.  Next week we’ll continue our coverage with the FINAL available installation in the Red Rising series: Light Bringer. How will we feel after all is said and done, and how uncivilized will we become waiting for Red God, the official conclusion? Red Rising Character Art mentioned: @redmurphy.art on IG Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: a hoodie from @TheLastBookStore Liz is wearing: our branded besties and the books beanie https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com And an Anne of Green Gables “I Can’t I’m in the Depths of Despair!” T-shirt from Amazon | * https://amzn.to/4zYfTME Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail Penn Cole returns to Besties and the Books Podcast returns to Besties to prepare us for all things Burn of the EverFlame! The final installation in her New York Times bestselling Kindred’s Curse Saga drops EVERYWHERE on September 8th! That means that exactly one short week from today we will all know how Diem and Luther’s journey ends… for better or for worse. How high on The Cryometer™ should you expect to get? We’ll tell ya!  This interview is completely spoiler free so we hope that it gets you excited for book four, and if you’re new here, or to this series, that it’ll encourage you to go pick it up! We have deep dives on Spark, Glow, AND Heat if you need a refresher, and a previous Penn Cole interview in which we ask her completely different questions than the ones we dive into today!  Today we’ll talk about how Penn handled the pressure to get this book out, how Burn is different than the previous three books, what the overarching themes and tropes are, and the unexpected POV’s! Penn explains how important redemption and growth are to this story and how the heroine’s journey often can look very different from the hero's experience, and why this is important. We also get the tea on whether or not this story is truly finished, what’s next on Penn’s horizon, and… the Hulu adaptation!  Stick around for all of this, PLUS an unexpected smash or pass, Penn Cole style. And make sure to follow Penn @authorpenncole and at PennCole.com! 👀*Keep an eye out for our deep dive on Burn, (dropping soon) and with it, an emotional and spoiler-full response from Penn about the ending of this beautiful era. We can’t wait to share it with you!* Refresh your Kindred’s Curse memory with our deep dive playlist including Spark of the Everflame, Glow of the Everflame, and Heat of the Everflame! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHf5v0KOoZMmK0bBoRxZWmqNtG88fxs4v&si=GkJUtK08LegXPepj  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ First Penn Cole interview with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her NYT Bestseller The Poison Daughter! Don’t miss it! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=e2uOKPVRQjsIhVCb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: A discontinued Crescent City neckalace Liz is wearing : An “Obey Me” tee by @darkanddisturbedshop | Code: VEGAN10 |  https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/obey-tee?_pos=1&_sid=d26e6a748&_ss=r Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix