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 53-66): Xaden... What Did You Do!? PLUS THEORIES
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#54: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 53–66 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… I don’t even know how to emotionally process what we just read. The reveals? The heartbreak? The absolute spiral we’ve entered?
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
We jump right back into chaos as the battle intensifies and new powers begin to emerge—hello Sloane and that RARE siphon signet?! The stakes are higher than ever as alliances start shifting, especially between Cat and Violet (did hell freeze over?), and tensions explode both on and off the battlefield.
But the real emotional gut punch? Violet and Xaden.
These two are barely holding it together as secrets continue to unravel, and when Violet finally asks the question we’ve ALL been waiting for… the answer changes everything. Trust is shattered, lines are drawn, and suddenly love isn’t the only thing at stake anymore.
Meanwhile, the worldbuilding goes absolutely feral. We’re talking wyvern, venin, hidden runes, ancient journals, and the horrifying realization that Navarre has NOT been telling the full story. Like… at all.
And then there’s General Sorrengail.
Something is off. The physical changes, the secrecy, the knowledge she’s been holding onto… we get MAJOR clues that there’s more to Violet’s mother than we ever realized—and we are diving deep into the theory that could change EVERYTHING.
As the final battle at Basgiath erupts, it’s pure chaos. Dragons falling, riders risking everything, sacrifices being made—and one moment in particular that will absolutely destroy you.
The wards are on the brink. The truth is out. And just when you think we might make it out alive…
we get hit with THAT ending.
Like… Rebecca?? Be so serious.
We’re breaking down ALL the major reveals, the emotional fallout between Violet and Xaden, and of course… our unhinged theories (including the Lilith Sorrengail situation because I have QUESTIONS).
Let’s get into it, Bunchies!