Advertise on podcast: Besties and the Books Podcast

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

Send us Fan Mail We’re reacting to all things related to the cover and overview releases for ACOTAR 6: A Court of Splintered Harmony, AKA The Valkyrie Cycle: Movement 1, AKA: ACOSH, annnd ACOTAR 7: A Court of Forgotten Melody, AKA The Valkyrie Cycle: Movements 2 & 3, AKA ACOFM, by none other than our lord and savior Sarah J. Maas. If you’re new to us, the book community in general, or the SJM fandom, just know that we love our abbreviations. #cantstopwontstop 😉 YOU GET A MAASPIRACY! And YOU GET A MASSPIRACY! And wait… just look under your seat (or anywhere on the internet) for another special treat! Because YOU GET A MASSPIRACY TOO!  We put on our tin foil hats (seriously, you’re welcome for that visual) and take a deep dive into what we think about: the titles, the cover art, the release date, the color gradients, the page count, and quite literally, every tiny other breadcrumb that Sarah has teased and her insane fandom has speculated on. We react to positive and negative opinions of what little we know, and dive into the connections that we think these new ACOTAR books will have with Throne of Glass and Crescent City and what that might mean for all of our beloved characters.  Was SJM heavily influenced by Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle that was also written in four parts, one named Ride of the Valkyries and another entitled Twilight of the Gods? Is Koschei keeping The Thirteen trapped in his lake? Is it a coincidence that in Norse mythology there are often specifically 13 Valkyries? Why does the King of Adarlan’s sword have the same name (Nothung) as the magical Valkyrie sword in the Ring Cycle?  We’ll give you evidence to substantiate the claims that Bryaxis is actually Kaltain Rompier, that the Stygian Suite (gifted from Sam to Celaena and later performed by the orchestra as an act of rebellion) in addition to the Stygian Spiders on the cover of ACOF-MELODY (!!!) are a clear call out to a TOG crossover, and why we think Crescent City Four will be released before ACOTAR 8, the final piece to this intricately woven puzzle.  Stick around for all of this, PLUS a MAASpiracy themed fave and fail and a smash or pass bookish release edition!  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? ⬇️ 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 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 discontinued Valkyrie t-shirt from @wildeShadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com Liz is wearing : A discontinued “Climb the Mountain” ACOSF tee from @shopsecondbreakfast 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 At this point we think most of us are willing to admit that romance and fantasy novels saved publishing. We watched Barnes & Noble come back from the brink of collapse, Target bring back their book section, and movies made from book adaptations like Wuthering Heights and The Housemaid bring people back to theaters. If you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll believe math - just go look it up.  These genres have historically been diminished in seriousness and importance because women not only see themselves in these stories, but experience joy and pleasure from reading and watching this content. And nothing makes the patriarchy more angry than women having a good time and critiquing the system in the process.  So today, in that similar vein, we will be talking about serious and not-so-serious things that we’ve learned from this community and “kinks” we’ve unlocked because of the books we’ve read in the fantasy, romance, and romantasy genres. Because of the tenacity, intelligence, perseverance and all out badassery of the women who came before us, we’re able to talk about tentacles, flavored “juices,” tactical pants, mafia men, stalkers, and spicy audio on a public platform. WHAT A DAY TO BE ALIVE! And then we take it even further to random pieces of useful information we (and others) have learned from reading these books, and why this community is so important. Everything from the difference between a Wyvern and a dragon, to bodies preserved in bogs, to how to load a canon are on the table, with an overarching theme of: YOU ARE NOT (AND NEVER) ALONE. We promise. This community has taught us that much. Stick around for all of this, a fave and fail movie edition, and a smash or pass upcoming MMC edition.  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: Discontinued Crescent City Necklace Liz is wearing : Obey Me Tee from @darkanddisturbed shop | CODE: VEGAN10 https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/obey-tee?_pos=2&_sid=259fdc487&_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 The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson has taken the Romantasy and Dark Fantasy world by storm and as of August 18th will be rereleased and traditionally published by Zando Publishing in hardcover and dual narrated audiobook! We’re here to celebrate with none other than Sheila herself, the beautiful, smart, and incredibly talented woman behind one of our favorite books of the year, multiple monthly picks for Besties and the Book Club, and USA bestselling author of The Poison Daughter!  You’ve seen the iconic purple cover everywhere. You’ve heard about the chronic illness representation, the sister bond that pulls on every reader’s heartstrings, the forced marriage between enemy kingdoms, and a badass female assassin who unalives dangerous men with her poison kiss… until one day a certain man proves he’s immune. 😉If you haven’t heard about it, now you have absolutely no excuses. Read it right now!  We were introduced to Sheila and her amazing books by our friend and Besties & the Book Club member Katie over @katieandthebooks who relentlessly nominated The Poison Daughter until it got picked, and we are SO eternally grateful to have been introduced to a new book bestie AND an auto-buy author. Just to reiterate, today’s episode will be completely spoiler free, but if Sheila is willing to share any spoilers about upcoming works, we’ll give you a quick warning ahead of time! This episode is here for us to get to know Sheila better and to find out what you’ll be getting into when you pick up her dark romantasy The Poison Daughter, as well as her backlog of previous releases!  When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite. Go get your preorders in, and spread the word… your new favorite read has entered the chat! 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: Discontinued Crescent City Necklace Liz is wearing : Besties and the Books Cropped Hoodie from our Crow Merch Line | * 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 Have you ever had something bookish AND embarrassing happen to you? We’re not shy… and apparently we don’t embarrass easily (shocking 😂)… so we’re here today to share other people’s mortifying book stories! But don’t you worry, we make sure to include a little tidbit or two about ourselves. So sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh at a spoiler free, homework free episode!  We bring you librarian faux pas, the classic Bluetooth Smut Connection™, a Fourth Wing shower encounter, discovery of spicy fanfic of an “unconventional” nature, and something about “Lord of the Kings?” There’s awkward customer service interactions, miscommunications left and right, and a romance about… Bandaids? Liz read, and FINISHED the wrong book in a series, all the while thinking to herself: “Who are these people? Why don’t I know what’s going on? Oh well, it’s fine.” Childhood Ashley fibbed a bit about reading over her grade level because that equine novel was just THAT good, and almost got caught. And of course, if you’re an OG here you remember that time we covered a childhood classic but didn’t realize we read two different books until filming day.  Please send in any and all bookish stories that still haunt you to this day, so that we can share them and help clear the air. We’re all in this toilet together, so it may as well stay cringey. Oh, and we didn’t forget an embarrassing smash or pass!  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 ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: K Pop Demon Hunters Derpy Shirt from @etsy | * go.magik.ly/ml/3z4y6 Liz is Wearing:”I’m a Hoa Hoa Hoa” Crop Twilight Tee from @shadowboundspines | https://shadowboundspines.com/search?q=hoa&options%5Bprefix%5D=last 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 finished Iron Gold. This is the part in the show notes where we typically include a quippy little one liner from one of our most favorite Red Rising characters or moments. And whoever gets the inside joke, gets it. Then we laugh (😂😂), or throw up the rock n’ roll hands (🤘🤘) and get excited to be a Howler (🐺🐺). We hate to break it to you, but we fear those days are over for now… It’s ten years after the epic ending of Morning Star when Iron Gold begins. Everyone is older and wiser, and the consequences of dismantling a centuries-old genetically engineered hierarchy are hitting hard. For the first time in the Red Rising Universe, we get a multi-POV from the perspectives of a high-ranking member of the new Republic, an orphaned heir to a powerful house, a Red living in a refugee camp, and an outlaw and prior member of the Sons. How has this war changed everyone’s lives?  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 and have officially rated every book a resounding five stars. This series is indeed “God tier,” but that just means everything hits harder, the blows do more damage, and the tears are many. We have to be honest, at this point Brown has us living in fear.  Today we’re diving into book four: Iron Gold, the beginning of the second major plot arc. What happens when the old systems are torn down? Is revolution really as black and white as we thought? How are those from all different walks of life affected by the actions of a powerful few? And is the potential gain worth all the tragic loss? We can only examine the implications of real or imagined technology and science on society thoroughly, critically, and responsibly through an intersectional lens. Is Pierce Brown doing this responsibly while also keeping us entertained?  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 if it was necessary to bring us back to Darrow’s story, and if this series would have been better if it ended at book three.  Next week we’ll continue our coverage with Dark Age, so we’re getting our Cryometers™ out now. You should too.  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 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: Discontinued Crescent City Necklace  Liz is wearing: A Fireheart Hoodie by @lionheartthreads | Code: VEGAN15 | https://www.etsy.com/shop/LionheartThreads 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