A Novel Bunch
Welcome to A Novel Bunch, your new favorite modern-day book club! Hosted by besties Molly Burnett and Alyssa Tabit Smith, this podcast dives into one book per month, broken down chapter by chapter. New episodes drop every Tuesday, so grab your copy and read along—right here on A Novel Bunch.
A Novel Bunch
Iron Flame (Ch 27–39): Xaden Has a Past… And Her Name Is Catriona
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#52: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 27–39 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, and you guys… the emotional damage? The secrets? The chaos? We are officially in the deep end now.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
After the attack scare, Violet races to find Xaden, only to discover him completely fine and sparring like nothing happened… while she’s spiraling. What follows is an intense reunion where Violet finally lays her heart out, and while she still can’t say the three little words, she gives him three of her own: “I need you.” And let’s just say… the tension breaks.
But reality hits fast. The mission continues, and we meet Catriona—Xaden’s stunning, very not-over-him ex. The tension is immediate, and things escalate when we learn the truth about the luminary and the dangerous cost it would take to get it… a cost that centers around Violet.
Back at Basgiath, Violet finally tells her friends everything, and instead of betrayal, she gets loyalty. Together, they uncover a hidden vault tied to the First Six, leading to a high-stakes heist that ends in success… briefly.
Because Violet makes one fatal mistake—trusting Nolan.
She’s captured, cut off from Tairn, and thrown into a brutal interrogation where Varrish tries to break her, but she doesn’t. Somehow, Liam is there with her, keeping her grounded, until Dain steps in, sees the truth, and in a shocking turn… kills Varrish.
Chaos erupts. Xaden arrives. And in the aftermath, Violet takes her power back and for the first time, she and Xaden are fully aligned.
Then finally… he says it. He loves her!
But the truth about Violet’s mother changes everything, revealing deals and sacrifices that have been shaping her life all along. With secrets exposed, Violet shares the truth through Tairn, and dragons and riders choose sides, following her to Aretia.
And just when it feels like everything is shifting…
Andarna wakes up.
The war isn’t coming anymore—it’s here.
Let’s get into it, Bunchies!