Episodes
Throne of Glass Hot Takes | A Special Series from Books Between Friends
We’re doing something a little different in this episode.
To celebrate one of our favorite fantasy series, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, we’re kicking off a special mini-series where we explore some fun discussion formats outside of our usual deep dive episodes.
This first episode is all about hot takes.
From controversial character opinions to bold book rankings and a few thoughts that might make the fandom gasp, we’re sharing some of our spiciest opinions about …
Did Vin Doom the World? | The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Chapters 49 - Epilogue
In this finale episode of our The Well of Ascension deep dive, we tackle the moment that changes everything.
Vin finally reaches the Well… but the choice she makes may have unleashed something far worse than the empire she fought to overthrow.
Join us as we break down the final chapters and epilogue of Brandon Sanderson’s The Well of Ascension. We talk about the shocking reveal behind the prophecy, the emotional fallout for Sazed, and the terrifying implications of what Vin r…
The Breaking of Luthadel | The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Chapters 37-48
In this episode of Books Between Friends, we cover Chapters 37–48 of The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson — and Luthadel is officially cracking.
Siege becomes survival. Politics give way to desperation. And the fragile systems holding the city together begin to splinter under pressure.
In this section, we unpack:
Elend facing the cost of leadership
Vin’s increasing isolation and the weight of power
The deepening mystery surrounding the Well
… The King Who Lost His Crown | The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Chapters 25-36
In this episode of Books Between Friends, we dive into Chapters 25–36 of The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson.
Elend is trying to lead without the authority he once had. Vin is questioning where she fits in a kingdom that feels increasingly fragile. And as alliances shift and armies wait just outside Luthadel’s walls, the question becomes clear: what does it actually mean to be king?
We unpack:
Elend’s struggle with leadership and legitimacy
Vin’s growin…
Revolution Was the Easy Part | The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Chapters 13-24
Revolution was the easy part. Governing is another story.
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson, covering chapters 13–24.
Luthadel may be free from the Lord Ruler, but the real battle has just begun. As political tensions rise and outside armies threaten the city, Elend must decide whether his ideals can survive in a world that demands compromise. Meanwhile, Vin finds herself increasingly isolated, questioning who she can t…
Can You Rebuild an Empire without Becoming the Villain? | The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Chapters 1-12
The Lord Ruler is dead… so why does everything feel more fragile than ever?
In this first episode of our The Well of Ascension deep dive, we’re breaking down chapters 1–12 and asking the big question: what does it actually take to rebuild an empire after it collapses?
We talk through:
Elend’s impossible task of ruling Luthadel without becoming what he overthrew
Vin grappling with power, paranoia, and her uneasy bond with OreSeur
Sazed’s quiet but deeply uns…
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | Chapters 22-Epilogue | We Were Lied To
In the final episode of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends wraps up our discussion of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, covering Chapters 22 through the end, where long-held assumptions unravel and the truth finally comes into focus.
As secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested, it becomes clear that much of what Mare—and the reader—believed was carefully constructed. The questions of trust, power, and manipulation that have been building throughout the book collide in an e…
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | Chapters 15-21 | Who Can You Trust?
In Part 3 of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends tackles Chapters 15–21, where uncertainty takes center stage and trust feels like a dangerous gamble.
As Mare settles further into life among the Silvers, the question isn’t just how to survive—but who, if anyone, is safe to believe. With shifting loyalties, carefully chosen words, and motivations that feel increasingly unclear, these chapters introduce a growing sense of paranoia that hangs over every interaction.
In t…
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | Chapters 8-14 | A Pawn in the Silver Court
In Part 2 of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends continues our discussion of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, covering Chapters 8–14, where power is subtle, survival is strategic, and nothing is as simple as it seems.
After the shocking events of the Queenstrial, Mare Barrow is pulled into the heart of the Silver court—a world built on spectacle, control, and carefully crafted appearances. As she’s forced to learn new rules and play a role she never asked for, we unpack what it…
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | Chapters 1-7 | Little Lightning Girl
In our first episode of 2026, Books Between Friends is diving into Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard—and we’re officially entering a world divided by blood.
In this kickoff episode, we cover Red Queen Chapters 1–5, where we meet Mare Barrow, a girl living in a society split between Silvers with godlike powers and powerless Reds who exist to serve them. What starts as a familiar dystopian setup quickly turns into something… electrifying.
We break down the worldbuilding, the rigid …
Books Between Friends Greatest Hits of 2025: Mistborn (Part 1)
Welcome to our final episode before the new year hits! When we talk about expansive world building, great magic systems, and complex and interesting characters, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series most definitely hits the mark from our catalog of 2025. Join us for this Greatest Hits episode as we dive into Sanderson's world of political intrigue, incredible heist plots, and a badass magic system found in Mistborn: The Final Empire.
Books Between Friends Greatest Hits of 2025: A Darker Shade of Magic (Part 1)
This is our next installment of our greatest hits from 2025! What better way to nerd out with book friends than by discussing this dark urban, portal fantasy from V.E. Schwab. Come travel with us, book friends... As Travars!
Books Between Friends Greatest Hits of 2025: The Nightingale (Part 1)
Our next installment of our greatest hits from 2025 is here! One of our most popular discussions was over The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Join us as we discuss Part 1 of this epic historical fiction!
Books Between Friends Greatest Hits of 2025: Onyx Storm (Predictions and Theories)
Hi book friends--
As we mentioned in our previous episode, the three of us are taking a break during this holiday season to recharge and come back strong in 2026. Until that time, please enjoy some of what we are calling our "Greatest Hits of 2025!" These are the episodes that you, our book friends, have commented on and interacted with the most, so... we're bringing them back for an encore performance.
The three of us wish you and your families the happiest of…
The House in the Cerulean Sea, Part 4: Don't You Wish You Were Here?
In our final episode of this season’s read, (and final episode of our first season), we conclude The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, covering Chapter 16 through the Epilogue. This section brings emotional confrontations, powerful moments of truth, and the culmination of Linus’s transformation as he faces the consequences of his choices. We unpack the climax on the mainland, the heartwarming return to Marsyas Island, and the beautifully tender moments that tie the story together.
… The House in the Cerulean Sea, Part 3: Conflict on the Mainland
In this episode of Books Between Friends, we explore chapters 11–15 of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune—where the magic of Marsyas Island truly begins to deepen. Linus continues warming to the children (and vice versa), but his caseworker instincts clash with the growing sense that there’s more to this orphanage—and to Arthur Parnassus—than the files ever revealed.
We break down the tender, funny, and unexpectedly emotional moments that shape these chapters, discuss characte…
The House in the Cerulean Sea, Part 2: Welcome to Marsyas Island
In this week’s episode of Books Between Friends, we continue our journey through The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, diving into chapters 6–10. Linus Baker has finally arrived at the Marsyas Island Orphanage—and nothing is as expected. From the eccentric caretaker Arthur Parnassus to a group of magical children with secrets of their own, Linus’s rule-bound world begins to unravel in the most delightful way.
We unpack our first impressions of the island, the heartwarming (and h…
The House in the Cerulean Sea, Part 1: Cozy Fantasy Vibes
This episode, we’re diving into The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune — a heartwarming fantasy full of found family, whimsy, and compassion. In this first episode, we cover chapters 1–5, where we meet Linus Baker, a rule-loving caseworker for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), and glimpse his orderly world before it’s turned upside down. Join us as we unpack Klune’s charming writing style, the mysterious world of magical children, and the quiet humor woven through Linus’…
The Bewitching, Part 4: Newfound Witchiness
We’ve arrived at the final chapter of our The Bewitching read-along, and this episode is all about reflection, revelation, and our honest thoughts. In this finale, we wrap up Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s haunting tale by discussing the conclusion of the story, how the mysteries unraveled, and whether the ending delivered on the atmosphere and tension built throughout the novel.
We break down character arcs, thematic threads, and those final chilling moments—and for the first time this seri…
The Bewitching, Part 3: Haunting Truths Begin to Surface
The tension is reaching a fever pitch in our penultimate discussion of The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. In this episode, we explore how the threads of memory, guilt, and obsession start to weave tightly together as the truth behind the haunting begins to take shape.
Join us as we unravel Moreno-Garcia’s signature blend of psychological suspense, gothic atmosphere, and simmering witchcraft, and reflect on how each character’s choices are pulling them toward an inevitable reckon…
The Bewitching, Part 2: Folklore, Fear, and Family Secrets
We’re back with Part 2 of our book club discussion on The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, covering up to Chapter 7 of the 1998 timeline. In this episode, we dive deeper into the unsettling energy pulsing beneath the surface of the story—where rumors, memory, and witchcraft begin to blur.
Join us as we unpack the shifting character dynamics, discuss the growing tension between past and present, and explore how Moreno-Garcia masterfully layers folklore, fear, and quiet manipulation…
The Bewitching, Part 1: Witchy Vibes & Dark Beginnings
Welcome back to Books Between Friends! In this episode, we're kicking off our book club-style deep dive into The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Join us as we explore the gothic atmosphere, eerie magic, and simmering tensions that set the stage in the opening chapters of this haunting novel. If you love witchy historical fiction, slow-burn suspense, and Moreno-Garcia’s signature blend of folklore and drama, this is the perfect place to start reading along with us.
Whether yo…
Blood Over Bright Haven, Part 4: The Cost of Truth and Justice
The final chapters of Blood Over Bright Haven deliver everything we’ve been waiting for—emotional intensity, moral reckoning, and revelations that challenge everything we thought we knew about Tiran. As the truth comes to light, characters face impossible choices between ambition, love, and conscience, and the story’s haunting questions about knowledge and power come to a head.
In this finale discussion, we explore the book’s deeper themes—truth vs. illusion, the cost of enlightenmen…
Blood Over Bright Haven, Part 3: The Worst Kind of Villain
In this stretch of Blood Over Bright Haven, the stakes rise and the consequences of hidden truths begin to surface. Chapters 13–18 challenge characters in unexpected ways, as ambitions collide and long-held convictions are tested. Loyalties are blurred, choices carry heavier weight, and the fragile balance of Tiran feels more precarious than ever.
We dive into the themes of power, morality, and identity while unpacking character growth and story tension—whether you’re reading along o…