Episodes
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 …