Royal Holiday

“Assistant to the Villain" by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and dark humor. The story revolves around Evangeline "Evie" Sage, who takes up a job as a personal assistant to a notorious character simply known as The Villain. Evie, struggling to support her family after her father's illness, finds herself in the midst of a gory and scary adventure within The Villain's manor. Despite his reputation for wreaking havoc and causing chaos in the town of Rennedawn, Evie discovers that The Villain's actions, though unconventional, are driven by a desire for the greater good. The narrative explores the complexity of moral grey areas, challenging traditional notions of good and evil. Evie and The Villain's relationship evolves from a professional one to a romantic involvement, unfolding slowly and revealing deeper aspects of their characters. The story is rich in suspense, humor, and emotional depth, offering a thrilling ride for readers who enjoy a mix of fantasy and moral ambiguity.

What role does humor play in the narrative and how does it affect the story’s darker themes? What are our thoughts on the book’s portrayal of good versus evil? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this episode of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

This book is once again set in the bustling city of Lunathion and we continue to follow Bryce and Hunt after the events of House of Earth and Blood. In this sequel, they're trying to lead as normal a life as they can, but end up getting tangled up in the human rebellion and things come to light that can be traced back to Danika (did we expect any less?). No suprirse that Danika has even more secrets and this time the secrets are even more dangerous. In their search for "the truth," Bryce, Ruhn, and Hunt find themselves in a very precarious situation that leads to a cliffhanger that leaves us reeling - opening up what they like to call the Maas-verse, and who knows what characters will now be brought into this story.

Which new characters introduced in this book made the most significant impact on us? How do the actions of the Asteri impact the story? What are our theories or speculations for the future of this series? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this episode of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

Nora Stephens, a ruthless literary agent who lives and breathes books, is persuaded by her sister Libby to spend a month in a quaint small town called Sunshine Falls. Nora’s general aversion to small town life is challenged when she runs into (literally) a bookish and brooding editor from her past, Charlie Lastra. Amidst the picturesque backdrop, they find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never could have anticipated. Nora’s cynicism about love starts to soften and Charlie’s self-imposed isolation starts to crumble. Through witty banter and a shared love for books, this is a captivating tale of two unlikely souls finding love in the most unexpected of places, a story of challenging assumptions, embracing change, and discovering the unexpected twists that life has in store.

How does Nora’s perception of herself and her priorities change throughout the story? How does the contrast in settings affect the characters’ evolving relationships? What lasting lessons do we hope Nora and Charlie learned during their time in Sunshine Falls? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this episode of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

“House of Earth and Blood” follows Bryce Quinlan, a young woman living in Lunathion (a.k.a. Crescent City), a place where humans and fae coexist. Her story begins with a brutal murder. For two years, Bryce is wracked with grief and survivor’s guilt, until the Governor comes to her for help. Similar murder have started happening again and Bryce seems to be the thing linking the victims. Fallen angel and renowned assassin, Hunt Athalar, becomes her protector and sounding board as they work together to solve the murders before the Summit - a meeting between the Governor and the heads of each district. Together, Bryce and Hunt navigate the intricate and often dangerous political landscape of Crescent City, uncovering dark secrets and confronting powerful foes. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they realize that the murders are small pieces of a much larger conspiracy that threatens the fragile peace between the humans and the fae. A gripping tale of adventure and self-discovery in a fantastical setting, Sarah J. Mass once again showcases her signature blend of compelling characters and intricate storytelling.

How did the traumatic events that Bryce experienced shape her as a character throughout the story? What aspects of the world-building stood out to us? Which plot twists surprised us the most? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this episode of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

Violet Sorrengail has defied expectations by making it through the first year of training in the Rider’s Quadrant of Basgiath War College. The second year promises to be even more grueling and unforgiving. The new vice commandant, Burton Varrish, seems to harbor a deep resentment for her, making her life even more difficult. But Violet isn’t one to back down from a challenge. She is determined to prove her worth and protect those she loves, even if it means sacrificing everything. As Violet delves deeper into the mysteries of Basgiath, she uncovers a secret that threatens the very foundation of their world. With the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, Violet must find a way to end the squabbling and lead those who sympathize with the revolution into battle against an ancient evil.

How does this novel explore themes of power and oppression? Were there any aspects of the story that you feel remain unexplained or unresolved? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this episode of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

For our last episode of 2023 we wanted to recap everything we’ve read so far this year, both for our podcast buddy-reads and as individuals who don’t always read everything together. We are excited to return refreshed and ready to read some new books in 2024.

What’s the best book we read in 2023? Who was the most memorable character of 2023? Are there any books that we DNF’d (did not finish)? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in episode 26 of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Questions: The questions discussed in this episode are partly pulled from the Annual End of Year Survey from Perpetual Page Turner. → https://eternitybooksreview.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/end-of-year-book-surveyreading-wrap-up-2019-edition/

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Busy City" by TrackTribe, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

A heartwarming romance novel that follows the story of Vivian Forest, an American social worker, and Malcolm Hudson, a charming British private secretary to the Queen. When Vivian accompanies her daughter, Maddie, on a Christmas trip to England, she unexpectedly finds herself swept into a holiday romance with Malcolm, complete with grand castles, royal traditions, and the magic of a British Christmas. As Vivian and Malcolm navigate their unexpected connection, they also grapple with the complexities of their respective careers and the challenges of pursuing a long-distance relationship.

How does the author capture the essence of a British Christmas? What challenges and advantages does Vivian’s and Malcolm’s age bring to their relationships? And what are some of our favorite royal moments? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in episode 25 of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Questions: The questions discussed in this episode were generated by ChatGPT.

Great music huh?! The music for the intro and outro are segments from a song titled "Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny, which was accessed through the YouTube audio library.

Coming up next: Our 2023 Season Wrap-up

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

As the result of a recent mental breakdown, Ginette has left the fast-paced acting life of New York City and rented a house in the small town of Merrittville to isolate herself during her recovery. She has become obsessed with watching her neighbors. Mr. Elias spends the whole day sitting in front of a typewriter. Trixie plays with her dolls in her backyard. And the Lowells are an affectionate newlywed couple. This changes when Mr. Lowell’s mother moves in. Ginette notices a man standing outside her window watching Mr. Lowell’s mother, and since she can’t seem to sleep, she sees the mother walking in the alleyway between their houses in the middle of the night…specifically 3 am, which we commonly call the devil’s hour. The second time this happens, the mysterious man is following her, and Ginette gets the feeling that the mother is no longer living and that the mysterious man isn’t a man at all. He’s something worse. But Ginette can’t seem to leave the house. Any time she tries to make for the front door, she is overwhelmed by nausea and a voice in her head repeatedly screaming to shutup shutup shutup. Is Ginette seeing ghosts? Or is she still having a psychotic break?

Did Kayla’s expectations of Simone St. James live up to the amount of hype Karey has been giving it? What distinctions do we see between the thriller genre and the horror genre, and which does this book fall into? How important is the setting to this story? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in episode 24 of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Questions: The questions discussed in this episode come from mystery and suspense .com, with a few sprinkled in that Karey came up with. → https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/thriller-book-club-questions/

Our spooky season music is from a song titled “Horror Background Music” by Lesfm from Pixabay.

Coming up next: A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

“The Library of the Dead” is a thrilling, urban fantasy novel. Set in Edinburgh, the story follows Ropa, a young girl with a unique ability - she can communicate with the spirits of the dead. In a world where the supernatural is an everyday occurrence, Ropa uses her gift to work as a ghostalker, helping lost spirits find closure and pass on peacefully. But her life takes a dangerous turn when she gets involved in a sinister conspiracy. Children are going missing, and Ropa discovers that a powerful entity known as the “Collector” is behind the abductions. To rescue the missing children and unveil the truth, Ropa embarks on a perilous journey through the magical and supernatural aspects of Edinburgh, learning more about her own abilities and the dark forces at work along the way.

How does the blending of the mundane and supernatural elements impact the overall atmosphere of the novel? How do themes of inequality and the exploitation of the vulnerable manifest within the story’s plot and characters? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in episode 23 of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Questions: The questions discussed in this episode were generated by ChatGPT.

Our spooky season music is from a song titled “Horror Background Music” by Lesfm from Pixabay.

Coming up next: Ghost 19 by Simone St. James

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341

For this episode we decided to switch it up a bit and do a little Q&A. We asked our Instagram followers for whatever questions they have for us and now you can hear the answers!

What inspired us to start this podcast? What’s the most chilling book we’ve discussed so far? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in episode 22 of our spoiler-filled podcast.

Our spooky season music is from a song titled “Horror Background Music” by Lesfm from Pixabay.

Coming up next: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up with Buzzsprout using our referral code and we'll both get a $20 amazon gift card! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1894341