Empire of Storms Part 1 | Episode 25

WARNING: THIS PODCAST HAS SPOILERS

Join us for our version of book club as we dive into different books and tasty libations every Thursday!

This week we dive into Part 1 of Empire of Storms by SJM with a special guest boo, Heather!

Empire of Storms is the fifth book in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass fantasy series, following Aelin Galathynius as she fights to reclaim her throne amidst brewing war, broken loyalties, and emerging dark forces, requiring her to make difficult sacrifices to save her world.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

Recording and then when is it going to be published? And and then they were like, so many people were like, Heather, this is honestly the most perfect thing for you. Why did it take you so long? No. And I was like, Because you love books. I was like, I've actually never even thought about it, but okay.

SPEAKER_00 0:19

We'll see if uh if this one gets a lot more views, maybe more.

SPEAKER_04 0:23

Probably, maybe me being because she's gonna be way more excited about this than you were. I am just a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 0:29

I'm muted the whole time. Oh, there I am.

SPEAKER_05 0:31

There you are, JD.

SPEAKER_00 0:33

Maybe if she's better than me, I I leave. Sorry, guys.

SPEAKER_05 0:37

Just for the fantasy books. Just for the fantasy books. I'm tagging in for those.

SPEAKER_00 0:42

How do you like fantasy? Fantasy books.

SPEAKER_02 0:45

Okay. We I told my sister-in-law that you were, I was having a guest boo friend come in, and she's like, Oh no, come on. What did she read? Same thing as I okay.

SPEAKER_05 0:55

So I feel like we could do that. What if we had like a guest boo party for like the um new Sarah J. Mass book? Yo, you're new.

SPEAKER_00 1:05

You can't be bringing up ideas about guest boo. You are the guest boo. You can't be.

SPEAKER_05 1:10

That's the original guest boo too.

SPEAKER_00 1:11

It's already trying to kick me off.

SPEAKER_05 1:12

No, no, no. This is a fantasy book. You wouldn't like it.

SPEAKER_03 1:15

This would be we're good. We're good.

SPEAKER_05 1:19

It's for a book you wouldn't like, but like the three of us dissect the new book. Oh, that would be fun. That would be a lot of fun. It would be like October. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:27

That would be yeah, that would be probably yeah, that would be in October.

SPEAKER_05 1:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:31

If we could all get it, because I'm sure it's gonna sell out like fourth class fourth winged.

SPEAKER_05 1:36

Oh, unless we all Kindle, because like when I Kindle pre-ordered, it was 12.01 midnight on my Kindle.

SPEAKER_02 1:44

So see, that might stress me out though, because I like the physical copy. Yeah. I think we can have a physical copy of it, Bernard.

SPEAKER_00 1:52

All right, well, before they get too crazy into this, um here we're recording. Uh welcome back to the Books with Boo. I am regular Boo. We have a guest boo here. Will you introduce yourself?

SPEAKER_05 2:05

Yes, I'm Heather. I am the OG guest boo. I'm super excited to be here. The first guest boo for Books with Boo. Let's go.

SPEAKER_00 2:16

I love it. I love it because I hate this book series. So I'm gonna bounce out, but I'm here.

SPEAKER_02 2:23

Well, you gotta tell us what you made us to drink. That's why I'm here.

SPEAKER_00 2:26

So we are here. Uh we are drinking mules again because we have been digging those. But I did find for Boo here, I did find a new tequila. Uh Tantillo? Tanteo?

SPEAKER_03 2:39

Tantillo?

SPEAKER_00 2:40

I'll say Tanteo. Tantum. Tantío. Uh very, very jalapeno-y compared to our last version. So I like this one a lot. Made some meals without Boo here when she was out of town. Wanted her to try it. And then guest Boo says she can do heat. So she is gonna be drinking our Malago.

SPEAKER_05 3:01

Yes. Malago?

SPEAKER_00 3:04

Malago Malagro. Mil mil milagro. Milagro. Okay. And that's why I'm out. So you guys have fun.

SPEAKER_03 3:13

Thanks. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 3:14

Boo's about to do word of the week. Cheers.

SPEAKER_05 3:18

Cheers. Cheers.

SPEAKER_00 3:19

Let me know how it is.

SPEAKER_05 3:20

Thanks, JD Boo.

SPEAKER_00 3:21

How do you say that? Mil Milligro. Milligro. I always said Milargo, but I always put the The R before the G? Yeah, it was messed up.

SPEAKER_05 3:30

I don't know. We should Google that. I feel like, just for the next. Because that's gonna be my tequila and then I'll replace it. Ooh.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

I like Googling. I'll do that before I leave. Let's go. Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_05 3:43

Quick Google.

SPEAKER_00 3:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 3:44

Um, well, while he's Googling, I just want to say I'm so happy to be here. I know. And that while this is not JD's favorite series, this is my favorite series.

SPEAKER_01 3:54

And it's mine too.

SPEAKER_05 3:56

So I'm so happy to step in for him.

SPEAKER_01 4:00

This is gonna make my whole life.

SPEAKER_02 4:04

We're very excited for this. Oh, very, very, very excited. Did you find it?

SPEAKER_00 4:09

I did. It's Milagro. Milagro.

SPEAKER_02 4:14

Milagro.

SPEAKER_00 4:14

Milagro.

unknown 4:15

There you go. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 4:16

Got it. All right. Well, you guys have fun. I'll see you guys in a week.

SPEAKER_04 4:19

Thanks, JD. Thanks.

unknown 4:21

Okay.

SPEAKER_04 4:22

So excited.

SPEAKER_01 4:23

This is so weird.

SPEAKER_04 4:25

No, it's not weird. It's great. Love you, JD, but bye!

SPEAKER_02 4:28

Bye. Okay, word of the week. Well, it's not really a word, but character foil.

SPEAKER_03 4:34

Ooh.

SPEAKER_02 4:35

So it's basically characters. I can't read my handwriting. Oh my gosh, what did I write? Characters whose differences highlight important traits and one another. An example in this book is Lorcan and Leed.

SPEAKER_03 4:51

Oh.

SPEAKER_02 4:52

Because they meet for the first time in this book. Yes, they do. Lorcan is physically powerful, old, feared. He relies on strength and intimidation. He's emotionally guarded and he's accustomed to being in control. Whereas a lead is physically vulnerable vulnerable, young, often overlooked and underestimated, relies on intelligence and resilience. She's emotionally open and forced to adapt very often.

SPEAKER_05 5:22

And I would also like to add, I feel like Lorgan's also emotionally stunted. Yes. Because it's just been May.

SPEAKER_02 5:31

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And he was a bastard child on the streets of Dornell before he was discovered. So he had no family.

SPEAKER_05 5:38

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 5:39

Um he didn't really get to explore anything. Yeah, relationship-wise.

SPEAKER_05 5:45

Yeah. I like called Lorgan when I first read this mama's boy. Like he would he's a mama's boy if you think about it. Like not truly, but like a mama's boy. He's only known one thing, one woman, one relationship, and it's Mave. So it's a mama's boy.

SPEAKER_02 6:03

Very true. I actually really like that take. Yeah. Like I never thought of it that way because it's Lorcan. He's just doing his he's taking actions for Maeve, but it's also like, are you really? Oh. Okay. So I figured I would just lead this. But if you absolutely Bernard, stop it. I am the guest. If you have anything you want to say, you just jump in. I don't care what it is.

SPEAKER_05 6:33

How many conversations have we had that I don't jump in?

SPEAKER_02 6:36

I love it. Okay. So the first thing I want to talk about are the symbols have power conversation that happened in part. Oh, by the way, spoilers. And we only read part one of Empire of Empire of Storms. Yes, Empire of Storms. Only part one because I was traveling, so thank you.

SPEAKER_05 6:58

Yes, yes, yes, yes. So only uh we finished through chapter 39. So that's where we stopped. Um of course. He just missed, he loves this series so much, he was actually lying. He's breaking in. Did you? Okay.

SPEAKER_02 7:20

He started playing with your camera.

SPEAKER_05 7:23

Okay. We're we're doing it.

SPEAKER_02 7:26

She went to the door earlier.

SPEAKER_05 7:30

Oh. Oh, out out there. I'm like thinking puppy mom like crap. She just beat on the floor. Yeah. This is fine. We love chaos. Record we're chaos. If there's one word that I can describe our friendship other than love, it's chaos.

SPEAKER_02 8:00

So true. Okay. So the animals are out of the room now. So hopefully no distractions because Bernard was playing with your camera earlier. Bernard. He's out of the room now. It's okay. All right, but symbols have power. And that was a big conversation. And like Ailen made sure that there were plenty of symbols wherever they went.

SPEAKER_05 8:25

Yes. At the temple and everything. Um especially, and then it plays in later on in I forget exactly which chapter. Uh blah blah blah 34, 35, 36. That sounds right. Um, when then the sea dragon shows up and everything.

SPEAKER_02 8:45

Chapter 34.

SPEAKER_05 8:46

Yes. Around that and everything. For the record, I am a Kindle reader. So like I have my notes per chapter instead of page numbers. No, that's fine. That is perfectly fine. Um, but yeah, symbols do have power. And I think this is one of the bigger books that we really see that in. We do.

SPEAKER_02 9:07

Like it you're definitely correct on that fact.

SPEAKER_05 9:10

Because it's like been trickled in in the other books. But this is like a boom intentional yes.

SPEAKER_02 9:17

Even Errowin, he requested that Manon because we both say her name wrong.

SPEAKER_05 9:22

We always put respect on their names, though, because we will be mispronouncing them, but we do put respect on their names.

SPEAKER_02 9:29

Uh, but he requested her and the 13 and the horde that goes to Rifthold to destroy Ailen's glass wall around the castle. That. And it collapsed in chapter seven.

SPEAKER_05 9:43

Yes, it did.

SPEAKER_02 9:44

So, and then Aidian with a sword, and this is an Ilium, while Aileen was crowned in fire when they attacked the temple. And side note, can we talk about how Ailen? I'm sorry, she breathed and burned the commander from the inside out.

SPEAKER_05 10:03

Like she literally Yeah, because she's a fire-breathing bitch queen.

SPEAKER_04 10:08

Yes, she's gotta live up to her reputation.

SPEAKER_01 10:11

Yes, thank you. Someone gets it. Oh my gosh. I'm so excited.

unknown 10:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 10:20

Oh.

SPEAKER_05 10:21

Um, but I think, yes, so it is, she's living up to, I want to say, that side of her reputation. And if I may, this is actually my favorite book because it's the merging of her two reputations, is how I looked at it.

SPEAKER_02 10:37

That's a great take. I didn't even think of it that way, but it is true.

SPEAKER_05 10:41

Because she's known as Selena. That's how I pronounce it. So sorry. And then she's known as Ailen. And then Aiden knows the stories of her as Selena. And then Rowan knows her part as Selena and part as Ailen and Dorian, and we can go on and go on and go on. But there's merging of those now, which could also be a symbol as well. Because, like when Daro, Daro, well, let me have so many notes on Darrow. So do I. I mean, shocker, an old man doesn't want to give up his power. But when he's like, no, we're not gonna give you the kingdom, like, okay. But then she goes in and says, I'm calling an old old depths and promises, and she's gonna raise an army of assassins and thieves and exiles and commoners. I actually have that.

SPEAKER_02 11:34

Yeah, it's right there. I have it written down where I'm like, read this.

SPEAKER_05 11:38

Um, that's such a Selena thing. I know, but Ailen saying it because she's like, fine, you're gonna judge me by that reputation, then I'm going to use that reputation. And then her being the fire-breathing bitch queen, let me use that reputation, you know?

SPEAKER_02 11:56

At the attack of Skullspay, yeah, there was a part where she was like, I want the world to s know that they didn't come 10 years ago, and this is me now. Yeah. So yeah, that is true. It's very true.

SPEAKER_05 12:10

Because honestly, if she's going to be crowned, not spoiler, spoiler, um, eventually, hopefully, we hope. We don't know. We haven't finished the series. Um, yes, we have, we so have. Um, she's going to make her mark and prove to Darrow and everyone else who's doubting that this 19-year-old girl is gonna make her mark and say, I'm gonna protect the people. Watch me.

SPEAKER_02 12:36

Yep. Even though Deanna kind of ruined it in that moment. Oh my gosh. That, yeah. We don't talk about Deanna because screw She's a bitch. Well, yeah, he was uh Daro said, Find me allies, Ailen Galithanius, and perhaps we shall consider your role in Terracin.

SPEAKER_05 12:54

Consider my role. Bitch, I'm a queen. I know, right?

SPEAKER_02 12:58

And then so I was gonna read that quote, but you summed it up perfectly. No, no, that's perfect. Like your notes match my notes. Of course, because we're the same person. You're just more fun. So uh later, and so after that quote that he said to her, though, um, where it's like, find me allies, and then we'll consider. Um, later in chapter 33, there is a small detail that was important after seeing the map laid on the table. Yes, where um The Red Desert and everything, yes. You know of me. After seeing that map of where Moroth Morath's forces were, yeah, and where they were cut off cut off cut off? Thank you. Cut off from the north. The aid the north was cut off from aid, sorry, and the morath's forces were poised to attack Elway. So Alien's eyes snag on Briarcliffe, then the red dead cert, and then my notes were spread.

SPEAKER_05 14:04

Now you're good.

SPEAKER_02 14:06

Um I put it in the wrong spot. What am I? Oh no, I didn't. This is what happens when you don't finish your notes all the way.

SPEAKER_05 14:21

You're fine. Well, we can talk about LA being a symbol too, because I mean the fact that that was Nahima's um home, okay, that is where the forces, excuse me, are going. Yeah. Like even like Maeve. I think we need a whole episode on bitching on Maeve because that woman. Yes. Um, but this whole I feel like I'm too close. Sorry. This whole first part of this book is just a pile-on setup of the next, the rest of this book, A, and B the next two books. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 15:08

But it's like the beginning of the end.

SPEAKER_05 15:10

It's like eyes are like connecting, you're connecting so many dots in this book, but it's like your heart's breaking because I noted it in somewhere in here. There were a couple of it of in the sense of it's just another thing for Alain, another thing for Aiden, another thing for Lysandra. Like it's just another layer, another layer, another layer.

SPEAKER_02 15:32

All just getting so tired throughout this. Even just this first part. You see it in their actions, you see it in how they're thinking. And it's so sad too. It's like, imagine if this was a real story. Oh, yeah. Like, imagine going to war to save your kingdom from dark forces, and then it's like all of this excuse my language shit is just piling up on you, and it's there's no outlet.

SPEAKER_05 15:59

Yeah, there is none. And also, I just love how you said excuse your language, and I've been cussing up a storm over here.

SPEAKER_02 16:05

I'm trying to be better, but I'm not that great at it.

SPEAKER_05 16:09

For those who are listening with little ears, I significantly apologize. Well, I'm the granddaughter of an army veteran.

SPEAKER_02 16:19

And you don't know my mom's side of the family. There you go. Well, going off of him wanting her to find allies. Yes. So I love, and this is part of these symbols, but I love how in chapter 14, ADN mentioned that Lysandra had started reading Forgotten Creatures of the Deep.

SPEAKER_05 16:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:42

And then in the temple, this is when they're in the temple after she burns away the dirt and grime. Um Ailen leaves Lysandra near a carving of a sea dragon. Yes. And then later, um, sorry, gotta go to chapter 33. Later. If I can find my notes. Oh Rolf um because he's the king of it, technically. Wait, Rolf? Wait, what Rolf? Yeah. I say Rolf. I say Rol Rolf. Rolf. Rolf. But he tells or Ailen tells Rolf that he will give her his armada. Yeah. And this is after she looked at the map, and um arm it with fire alances, the fire alances he ordered, and ship any extras to the Mycenaean fleet when they arrive. Rolf says no, and that the Mycenaeans are a myth. And then Ailen says, You are the heir of the Mycenaean people, and I have come to claim the debt you owe my bloodline on that account to. Page 296. I have liberated Ilium from Ardalin. I took back the city, your ancient home for you, for the Mycenaeans. It's yours if you dare to claim your people's inheritance. And then she released her ripple of power into the day. And it's funny in that in that little section, she confirmed the that she only knew that he was the heir because of Araben's research into his business partners. Of course. So a little side note there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 18:30

I mean, thank goodness for that research though, because she's using it.

SPEAKER_02 18:35

Yeah, I know.

SPEAKER_05 18:36

And then that leads to chapter 34, where Lysandra um turns into the sea dragon because they only would return when the sea dragons return. And so, of course, if we've gotta finagle that a little bit, we're gonna finagle that a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 18:53

Well, it's funny because it says, see the legend straight from the prophet, their prophecies, the Mycenaeans would only return when the sea dragons did. And so Ailen had ensured that one appeared right in their gods damned harbor.

SPEAKER_05 19:07

Yeah. If you're gonna make a statement, we go big or we go home, folks. Like, come on. Yeah. Especially in this type of scenario. We're at war, we're a little tired, we need these allies to start showing up. We're going big.

SPEAKER_02 19:22

About time someone gets it.

unknown 19:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 19:24

No offense, JD. I know he just got bored.

SPEAKER_05 19:28

I mean, we we love him that we do, we do love him. Um, but then also just playing a little bit Gavril and um Fenris, that's how I pronounce it. Respect on their names, um showing up. I know. Can we talk?

SPEAKER_01 19:48

Okay, yeah.

unknown 19:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 19:51

At first I was a little worried.

SPEAKER_02 19:52

When you first read it?

SPEAKER_05 19:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 19:54

Okay.

SPEAKER_05 19:55

Okay, so side note, real quick, we're gonna squirrel for a moment. I this I read this series just two years ago. Oh, really? Just two? Just two years ago. Okay, but I devoured this series. Like, once I started it, I could not put it down. Like to the point where I convinced my younger stepbrother, he's actually reading it right now. Yes, he is. Love it. Um, I actually need to check in on that and everything. But when I first read this and then I saw that they showed up in Rolf's office, I was like, shit, what is Maeve pulling now?

SPEAKER_02 20:31

I know.

SPEAKER_05 20:31

Because I was like, why? Well, she is pulling something. Well, we know that. Can't say it, folks. Sorry. Um, but just the fact that the lion is showing up at the same place as his son. Yep, while this big sea dragon everything is happening.

SPEAKER_02 20:55

Yeah. It gives you a little like nothing better happened.

SPEAKER_05 21:00

Like it's like, oh, because that could have turned the tide. Either direction. And I will say, because even Rowan, I forget which chapter, um, says like he and the cadre, just three of them, could take on a whole army. Oh, yeah. So even if he just gets those two, that's an army within itself. Yep. Those are allies.

SPEAKER_02 21:24

Well, I actually have that written down somewhere where um it was like chapter 23, page 220. Rowan and Dorian were talking to Finrays and Gabriel, and they were trying to get them to ally with them. Yeah. And Ailen. And um, they looked at each other and were about to decline. Gabriel was shaking his head, and that's when um He pulled the card. Rowan was like, If um, if you don't, then you're dooming your son to die. Yes. And then instantly he was like, What?

SPEAKER_05 22:00

Okay, but I feel like that's also Selena rub Selena's side of Ailen rubbing off on him, too. Yeah. Because he was just so stoic before. And it's just very much you got to do what you gotta do in this time. But also like that's for some for Rowan and the others to get so pissed at Ailen to be like, surprise, here's what we're doing, and then Rowan to pull that.

SPEAKER_02 22:24

I kind of love it though. I do too. Well, it's speaking of that, yeah. How they were they would get so mad at her for not including them. Yeah. She sends Rowan off to save Dorian.

SPEAKER_05 22:40

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 22:41

With vials that could kill both of them should they get captured.

SPEAKER_05 22:45

Yep. Because they don't want to be, they don't want collars or rings.

SPEAKER_02 22:48

And then where do I have it? I will find it.

SPEAKER_05 22:53

Okay. Wait. I think I know what you're gonna say, but I want to wait for you to find it. No, I want to hear. That Lysandra is the one she confides in for this sea dragon plan, and she's the only one. There's another plan that I cannot name yet that she confides in, Lysandra. Yes. But everyone's getting mad at her that she doesn't share these plans.

SPEAKER_02 23:13

Yep. I love it. That was one part of it, but that's not it.

SPEAKER_05 23:18

But I also wonder if it's Lysandra paying attention and not assuming. Because also, I'm just gonna keep going with my thought here. Lysandra knew the Selena side of her. They basically grew up together. Yeah. So she knows how to read her.

SPEAKER_02 23:37

Well, she also taught her how in the last book, Queen of Shadows, she taught her how to move like other people, too. Yes. So she knows a little bit about how to observe and yes.

SPEAKER_05 23:48

So, like, can the dudes honestly be mad for not paying attention?

SPEAKER_02 23:54

I think half of it was her paying attention. Yeah. And then half of it, um, there I think there was like one little line where Ailen said that they had discussed something, but I could be misremembering.

SPEAKER_05 24:06

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 24:06

But I think a lot of it is Lysandra just paying attention.

SPEAKER_05 24:09

Yeah. Like if you honestly, because it's like rereading, rereading it, I'm like, oh. Like I'm starting to, I'm like, I'm like, oh, now that I'm paying attention.

SPEAKER_02 24:19

We left her next to the sea dragon carving. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 24:23

Aileen made sure she was here. Yes.

SPEAKER_05 24:26

Like I since I actively took notes and everything, I'm like, oh. Like I'm paying attention.

SPEAKER_02 24:34

I know. Well, it's funny when you read it back and you actually like are looking for things, you're like, oh, oh, yes. But I found it. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 24:41

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 24:42

So it was chapter 37, page 334. And just bear with me. This was uh Adian's thought after the battle in Skulls Bay. And he was running to Lis Lysandra on the beach. Yeah. And or no, this is right before it then. And for the first time, he hated his cousin. He thought that because Lysandra was getting hurt, right? Which she didn't want. No. And then on the beach, right after the battle, Ailen was this is from his point of view, Aileen was trembling, a hand on her friend, face so white and drawn that harsh that the harsh words he'd reserved for her were unnecessary. His queen knew the cost. It had taken her so damn long to trust any of them to do anything. If Aiden roared at her now, even if he still yearned to, Alien might never delegate again.

SPEAKER_05 25:37

Yeah, because the one time, I'm gonna put that in quotation marks that we know of, okay, since I did not get to take notes on the author of the books because JD Boo just had to do the rest. I'm kidding. Um that's what I'm gonna call him. I'm Heather Boo. He's gonna be JD Boo. Um the one time that she shared that we know of, and it goes this horribly wrong, not a fault of her own, but it goes Deanna. We're not, I was like, she who not should not be named. Um if he had yelled at her, she probably would not have shared anything even more, yep, anymore, excuse me. Because yeah, it's it was rough. Lysandra got seriously hurt to the point where she could have died, pretty much almost did. Yep. Um Ailen killed a lot, not Aylen, Deanna. Deanna killed a lot of people. Yeah, killed a lot of people, innocence, not just even. Not just more uh soldiers, but to Aiden's point, like you gotta judge that.

SPEAKER_02 26:46

Yeah, but I think this is also the start of something with his negative thoughts, which you will not know yet, people. Nope.

SPEAKER_05 26:55

If you have not read it, but I want to talk, pause real quick. Okay, sorry, folks. I think what's gonna happen is when we're having these conversations, we're gonna squirrel so hard on everything.

SPEAKER_02 27:06

We have and I love it.

SPEAKER_05 27:07

I do too, but I really hope everyone knows we will circle back to our train of thoughts.

SPEAKER_02 27:12

Or maybe not. Or maybe not.

SPEAKER_05 27:14

Just follow, follow along with the adventure. So you mentioned Aiden's point of view. Yeah. How she did the point of views in all of these books is actually my favorite.

SPEAKER_02 27:26

Yes. Yes, that's why I'm surprised JD didn't like it because he likes POVs like that.

SPEAKER_05 27:31

Yes. Like having read, I'm an avid reader. Like every those who know me, you guys know. Um, like I've read the where it's defined like Jack's point of view, Jill's point of view, and like the text point of view, and the everything. And but like I the way it just seamlessly like you could pick it up. Loved it, and it only gets better, especially in her other books, too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 27:59

Because I mean, she matured as her writing matured as she matured, you know. It's like you could see her grow up just even with the throwing of glasses by itself. And it's it's really cool to see, and she actually in the third book delves deeper, and then that's what that's when the change happens. And it's like so good.

SPEAKER_05 28:20

Yes, yes. I just had to touch on that because I like wrote that down somewhere in these notes, and I was like, I need to say that. Oh my goodness. Um, I do have to say that my probably my favorite chapter in the entire series. Uh-oh, okay. Is in this part one.

SPEAKER_02 28:41

What is it?

SPEAKER_05 28:41

It's chapter 27.

unknown 28:43

Chapter 27.

SPEAKER_05 28:44

And it's where Aylen shows up in Skull's Bay. Oh my gosh. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 28:52

Like how she's like, oh, hi, Majesty.

SPEAKER_02 28:55

And then she's like, you, I do not know to Rowan. Yes.

SPEAKER_05 28:59

Yes. And she's like, she's playing with the emeralds, and she's just like spinning out. I have so many favorite, like, little moments throughout this series, but that is by far my favorite chapter. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 29:13

And then when Lysandra walks in, yeah, and she's like, oh, you are beautiful, aren't you? Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:18

Because Lysandra was changed to Alain.

SPEAKER_05 29:22

Yes, exactly. But like, I could just picture like me sitting, if it was like a movie or a TV series, like I could picture me just sitting there with popcorn, like just enjoying that completely.

SPEAKER_02 29:35

Just that scene alone. It's just like everyone else knows what's going on too, except for Rolf. And it's the funniest thing. And then he's like, if you kill her now, I'll ally with you.

SPEAKER_04 29:46

And then it's like, wrong thing to say.

SPEAKER_02 29:52

Hey, at least, at least they eventually got him as an ally. So I will say that.

SPEAKER_05 29:55

Yes, that is very true. But then, like Dorian saying, like, it's also one of my favorite quotes, you will find that one does not deal with Selena Sardothian. One survives her.

SPEAKER_04 30:07

Yes. One survives her. That is so true, though. If anyone could understand that, it's Rolf.

SPEAKER_02 30:14

Yeah. Well, because even when Rowan first got to Skulls Bay, he's like the vastness of this place, just imagining the destruction she put upon this town because it's so big. And it's like, she was 16 when she did that, right?

SPEAKER_04 30:33

15, 16. Yeah, 16. 15, 16, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 30:35

And then, like, I even said that, like in chapter 20, the fact that Rowan was surprised by how much destruction she did in Skulls Bay. Are you really that surprised? He shouldn't be at this point.

SPEAKER_02 30:47

Exactly. Like, like, I mean, just think of her scheming in Queen of Shadows, where she got the money for them. Yeah. She would go under into sneak away at night, and then by herself. Trick Lorca and everything.

SPEAKER_05 31:04

Like, yes. Just yeah. But I just had to know like that in this entire series, that is my favorite chapter.

SPEAKER_02 31:12

I I love your favorite chapter. I will say that is a great chapter for anyone to read it. If you just go in and read that chapter, if you don't giggle, put a comment and then like we can talk about it.

SPEAKER_05 31:26

And hopefully I'll get you to giggle. It's just so good.

SPEAKER_04 31:31

Yes. But go ahead. No, you go ahead.

SPEAKER_05 31:35

Okay. No, I felt like you were gonna say something. It's totally fine. I same. Okay. Well, I was gonna talk about. We haven't, I love Selena and Aileen, slash Aileen, but the man in peace. That was weird.

SPEAKER_01 31:51

I was going for that next. Oh, this part what?

SPEAKER_05 31:55

Oh, okay. This is great.

SPEAKER_01 31:56

Yeah, we're in a single hike.

SPEAKER_05 31:59

Um okay, I did have a comparison I wanted to call out. And this is just me. I will say, just putting it out there, when Emma Boo asked me to be a guest boo, I did not do like I didn't go on the forums, I didn't read conspiracies, I did not read anything like I wanted to form my own opinion while taking these notes. Same. Um so I felt like Manon and Ailen are on a very similar journey.

SPEAKER_01 32:30

It's funny you say that.

SPEAKER_02 32:32

Oh, really? Because I said that I mentioned something like that in the third book.

SPEAKER_05 32:38

Yes, like they're just very, it's not exactly, but just very similar.

SPEAKER_02 32:44

They have a it's almost like a parallel. Yes. And the way I mentioned it, I didn't say it like that, but I was like, if you think about it, Manon is Ailen. Yes. If Aileen was mad and let her rage take over. Yes. And then Ailen would be Manon. Wait, vice versa. You know, like if Manon was allowed to feel her emotion, she would be more like Ailen.

SPEAKER_05 33:12

Well, even if like you want to like further go on that, like Manon was in a way sheltered. So now that this, it's almost like this plays into a little bit later of like now that this is on her doorstep and she's getting to see this other part of the world and what's going on, it's opening her eyes to different things and different feelings, like hope. Yes, and everything. Like it's eye-opening for her, and it's opening her heart.

unknown 33:43

It is.

SPEAKER_02 33:43

I mean, heck, she killed other witches to save Dorian.

SPEAKER_05 33:48

And let's not forget our girl E.

SPEAKER_02 33:50

Elid. Yeah, I call her E. Elid, Elite. Yeah, like the fact that she is like, do you bleed red or blue to her? Yeah. Which as soon as she said blue, she was like, under my protection.

SPEAKER_05 34:03

Yes, exactly.

SPEAKER_02 34:04

And then she's like, I don't care, take my money. Go escape.

SPEAKER_05 34:07

Just bye. Bye. And then she's like, she's very much like, go this way. Like you, she's supporting the hope. And then oh, later on, oh, I can't wait to talk about that scene. I know exactly what you're talking about. Anyways, okay, I can't, but just very parallel, and the fact that we're seeing in this part Manon being quite literally ripped to shreds, and her world being ripped to shreds.

SPEAKER_01 34:36

Yes, I was talking about.

SPEAKER_02 34:41

Oh my gosh. So, first off, her grandmother, she is actually the one who shall not be named. Okay. I have no nice words to say that lady. If like she's another person that like witch, she's someone that I she is a witch. Yeah. If if she if it would work, you'd push her down the stairs, let her just crack her neck, but it's never gonna work because she's a witch. Okay. But like we do not like her.

SPEAKER_05 35:07

What was it? How would how did you kill which? I'd put her on the stake. You know I have a fire pen.

SPEAKER_02 35:17

Oh it's just her character. I mean, it makes us feel something. So that's but it's like it's just like uh yeah, she saves Dorian, blah blah blah, and then that ends up making her she shows up for a meeting and she realizes it's a trial. A trial. Luckily, Petra is there, kind of set her piece. Um, page 120 to 121, by the way. Yes. Um but the gr her grandmother was like, blood still must be paid. And then she's like, Astrid will give her life.

SPEAKER_05 35:51

And it's her hunt for Astrid, like she grandma's been wanting to kill Astrid since Astrid, probably before, but since Astherin had the stillborn. Yeah, at least. At least freaking least. So this was her way to legally, I literally wrote this, legally get her killed that happened. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 36:14

First time I remember the first time I read this. This was the last book that was out at the time. And when I read that, I was like cursing up a story. This woman better, not her Astrid. And then, of course, by the time this ended, there were no more books out, and I was so excited to get the next book, and it was Tower of Dawn. And I was so upset reading it back, though. Yeah, but reading it back, Tower of Dawn is good. But at the time, I was very upset because like Astrid was one of the people I wanted to know more about.

SPEAKER_05 36:48

Yes, honestly, okay, and I did note this. If Sarah J. Mass, if you are watching this, could you please write a book about the 13 and their adventures?

unknown 37:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 37:02

And then could you please write a book about the cadre and their adventures?

SPEAKER_04 37:07

That would be so good. Like, wouldn't it?

unknown 37:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 37:10

Like, I don't get me wrong. I with these new books, like, I do I want Throne of Glass to show up again, especially with the connection with Crescent City. But everything's been connected already anyway, and there's so many theories out there, you might as well just being able to read some of the 13 adventures and the cadre adventures would just be so fun.

SPEAKER_02 37:30

Well, that was also like she said it, and I was like, read this, but we don't have to, it's a long quote. Yeah. But basically, when Astron is about to be, um Manon goes, I had like I had spent a hundred years with her, and I still wished for more. That was like chapter more. It's chapter 17, yes. Yeah, and and she and then she's standing there looking at her, and then her 13, and then Manon, no Manon, Astorin, do their brow thing. Yes, and that's a symbol for a high queen, uh witch queen. Yes. And another thing is before that's the quote that started all this, Astran said, take my body back to the cabin.

SPEAKER_05 38:18

Yes, heartbreaking, because that's where and like that's where she was happiest. And the fact that that story, Astron's story, kind of helped open up Manon's eyes.

SPEAKER_02 38:33

It really did. That's when Manon started changing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 38:37

She started like started to see her grandmother in this new light and started to see what she's really like, not just this. I have to respect her. No, we really don't. But to touch on the eyebrow thing real quick, um, because one of the quotes in that right after that is forged in hope for a better life, a better world. Yes. So it's two courts recognizing what the world doesn't know yet. So if you think about it, when the Ailens court goes to Darrow and they're like pissed because they're like, no, this is our queen. No, it's that court recognizing, no, this is our queen. Yeah. And the world doesn't know it yet. And it's the same thing here.

SPEAKER_02 39:19

But then right when she, and this is confirmed too, right when she sends the 13 away and gives her last order to them, her grandmother tells her, You killed your stepsister.

SPEAKER_04 39:32

Half sister, stepsister, half sister, sorry.

SPEAKER_02 39:34

You're correct. Half sister.

SPEAKER_05 39:36

I I was more checking myself, not you. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_02 39:38

So did I do that wrong? Her name was Rihannen. Yeah. And then she confessed, her grandma confessed that she killed her mom. Because. Just because her mom was in love with the a rare-born Cochrane prince.

SPEAKER_05 39:54

Okay, you say Cochrane, I was saying it Croatian. See, listen, I don't say things right.

SPEAKER_02 40:01

Well, I think it's Cochrane.

SPEAKER_05 40:05

Okay, I make a chronic that between now and the time we record the next episode, we don't listen to the audiobooks, okay? Audiobooks are still a great form to read. JD listens to audiobooks. Yes, it's still a great form to read. I am subscribing more to audiobooks just because I work nine to five and it's the only way I can read sometimes. But I promise I will listen and get properly pronounced these.

SPEAKER_02 40:30

Or you just take pride that we pronounce it in our own southern way.

SPEAKER_05 40:35

Yeah, I'm gonna go with that. We put respect on their names. That's all that matters.

SPEAKER_02 40:39

Just know we love these characters.

SPEAKER_04 40:41

Yes. But yeah, she can't made her kill her half-sister.

SPEAKER_05 40:46

And the fact that, like, she gr grandma, I know she technically, I'm just gonna call her grandma.

SPEAKER_02 40:53

Yeah, grandma.

SPEAKER_05 40:55

She technically only says that for Manon to hear.

SPEAKER_02 40:59

And she only she whispered it quiet enough only Manon could hear.

SPEAKER_05 41:03

But I wonder, I do wonder, did she really?

SPEAKER_02 41:07

Well, Edda and Briar were right below, waiting for her.

SPEAKER_05 41:11

Well, not even that. I'm talking about Iskra and the other witches. Did she really? Because grandma's playing the long game.

SPEAKER_02 41:20

That's true. And they Iskra already hated her, so she would take that knowledge and be like, yo, we gotta kill her. Yes. Even more now.

SPEAKER_05 41:27

And that could play later on with a certain scene. But oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 41:32

See, I love that you know all this already, too.

SPEAKER_02 41:36

I kind of wish though, that if if this was like your first time reading it, I could be like, and what do you think about that?

SPEAKER_05 41:42

And what do you think about that? That would be fun. Okay, we'll talk about that later. Um, but I mean, just I do want to say that Iskra is also manon times 10.

SPEAKER_02 42:02

She is. She's just not as disciplined.

SPEAKER_05 42:05

But she doesn't, well, no, she doesn't have an Astron. She doesn't have the 13.

SPEAKER_02 42:10

True.

SPEAKER_05 42:11

True. So she wants it, but she can't obtain it. She isn't uh she doesn't have it. She cannot obtain it. She isn't willing to listen.

SPEAKER_02 42:21

Nope. She's not.

SPEAKER_05 42:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 42:24

She is just her smiling when Manon walked in to the trial.

SPEAKER_05 42:29

Yeah. Just well, of course she's gonna spin it her way because she's been gunning gunning for Manon's wingleader job.

SPEAKER_02 42:37

She's starting to sound like me whenever I'm like just what word came out of my mouth.

SPEAKER_05 42:43

Um but I did what bother there was one thing that bothered me. So sorry. That that all happened in chapter like 7-8. 17-18. 7-8, where like um wait, sorry, 11, where it was the trial. Uh 17 is where like the Astralin, and then like 18 plot twist of hey, she's the true heir. But then we don't hear about Manon, I think, until Chapter 25? Chapter 25, 26, and it's like, oh yeah, she's still alive. And I'm like, Yeah, she's my favorite character.

SPEAKER_02 43:23

And the first time I read this, I'm like, did she live? Like, yeah, it's like, hello, like, can we check on her, please? But can I say something about chapter 25? Yes. After her and Embraxos get away from the Bloodhound, yeah. I wonder. She tells him to take her to the coast to somewhere safe. And then part one ends up where she is somewhere safe.

SPEAKER_05 43:49

Where is that? I wonder.

SPEAKER_02 43:51

Yeah, shall we tell? Should we say it? You go. He takes her to Ailen and her court. Hello! Yeah, that's where she. Be safe. Because a Braxos is a smart, good, good, good wavern. I say Werven. Anyways.

SPEAKER_05 44:13

I know. I know. Okay. But yes, but also, um sh he also knows that Ailen's connected to a lead.

SPEAKER_02 44:25

Yeah. Oh, how wait, how does he know?

SPEAKER_05 44:28

Because yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 44:30

Sorry, I'm tired.

SPEAKER_05 44:31

So, like, in I betcha, I hope. I don't know. I'm thinking like him, potentially. In his mind, that's a connection to someone he knows is also safe.

SPEAKER_02 44:41

True. Also, he likes flowers, so he knows what's up.

SPEAKER_05 44:44

Yeah, exactly. Um, can we talk about that bloodhound for a second?

SPEAKER_02 44:48

Yes.

SPEAKER_05 44:49

Very creepy. Very, also, very creepy and really curious why the Dark King specifically sent a bloodhound for her, specifically. Why was it for breeding? Oh. Was it because he she pissed off grandma? Was it because she's the true heir and could help control the second part of the witches? I think it could be a little bit of all of those.

SPEAKER_02 45:18

Yeah. Because number one, she's the enemy now.

SPEAKER_05 45:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 45:22

Number two, if she has that blood in her, she is a prize.

SPEAKER_05 45:28

Yeah. Cause then there's a whole untapped witch army. Yeah. It could be any of those. You're really good. I just thought it was really weird.

SPEAKER_03 45:36

Like, hmm. Hmm.

SPEAKER_05 45:38

Because there is the whole breeding.

SPEAKER_02 45:40

That was really that was very shitty. Well, it's also just creepy how uh she was described the bloodhound. Oh, like super white skin, like she's never seen sun. Yeah. She was naked, and then she transformed and was it to white, white monster.

SPEAKER_05 45:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 45:57

And then her nose was so monstrous that that's why she's a bloodhound. Something that can hunt someone like her manon.

SPEAKER_05 46:05

Well, and can we talk about the feeding off that? Yes. It was creepy, gross, disgusting. Everything described in part one was creepy, gross, disgusting. Like the Ilkin? Yes. Yes. Well, and was it the Ilkin that they came across? Lorgan? Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 46:20

The Ilkin.

SPEAKER_05 46:21

But they were like times 10.

SPEAKER_02 46:23

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 46:24

They weren't how they normally were described.

SPEAKER_02 46:27

And they were like they could revive themselves. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 46:30

Like. Yes. So like the animal, not the animals, the creatures, excuse me, they were they were weird. They were.

SPEAKER_02 46:38

I feel like as these books go on, the monsters from Morath just get worse and worse and worse.

SPEAKER_05 46:45

They do.

SPEAKER_02 46:45

They do.

SPEAKER_05 46:46

Because they've had time to be.

SPEAKER_04 46:53

I was gonna say sit, but okay.

SPEAKER_01 46:58

Yeah, that was probably not the best way to put that. Well, cook.

SPEAKER_02 47:06

But like, uh, they're just it's creepy. It is. It was very creepy. I do love though how Alid basically talked her way out of the being captured by the Hilkin.

SPEAKER_05 47:17

Okay. I'm gonna go on that too. Oh my squirrel. I'm just gonna say squirrel every time. I'm gonna change to something. I'm okay with it. So Ali doing that, that was the first time that she channeled Manon. She was very much like, what would Manon do? And then the second time is when she's trying to join the troop. The troop, excuse me. Yes. I think Ali, like you described her earlier, she is also very unsure of herself because she's known this one role. Yeah. And she's recently found out, hey, you're part witch as well. So she's trying to figure out who she is too. So like that, she's like, hey, let me play up like I'm Manning. Hey, let me play up like I'm Astorine. And who am I? That is true.

SPEAKER_02 48:09

Because, like, if you haven't read part two yet, you see it as time goes on with this. Like, heck, in part one, she told when Lorgan was asking about the dungeons. Yeah. She was like, figure out for yourself. Yeah, she was putting her foot down. She's starting to get like more confident as time goes on.

SPEAKER_05 48:30

And strong. Like, actually strong. Like the strength. Ah, spoil small spoiler. The strength she gets, like emotionally and mentally.

SPEAKER_02 48:41

Yes. Yes. Especially in um the last book. Yes. Kingdom of Ash. Yes. Guys elite. She's a badass. I'm just gonna say I'm just saying the horse for Rasha. Yeah. That scene. Yeah, if you know, you know.

SPEAKER_05 48:56

Yeah. But like the fact that she was also willing after she was like, go find out for yourself. And then she actually told Lorakin, like she was vulnerable, which shows emote uh emotional maturity. Yep. Of like, hey, this is what actually happened to my ankle. And then, like, yeah, I've survived this.

SPEAKER_02 49:18

And I love how he saw the scar of the chain after she let slip that she was chained. Yes. And then it went still or he went still or something.

SPEAKER_05 49:26

Or yeah, I love how like his reaction was shh, basically, not word for word, people. Yeah. Um, should I kill him on the way out?

SPEAKER_02 49:34

Like, do you want me to kill your uncle? Yeah. And then she ends it with like, when you kill my uncle, ask him yourself to a question asked. Yeah. And it's just like so funny. It's like, she's like, Yeah, go kill him. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 49:46

And the fact that that strength in itself, because she used to be very afraid of her uncle.

SPEAKER_02 49:51

Yeah. I mean, oh gosh. Well, actually, speaking of afraid, like, and people growing characters growing in this series, like Ailen in chapter 15, when the overseer of Endovir comes back in Valve form, basically. Um, it mentioned the book mentioned she still dreams of him, and she reverted back to her fear in that moment. And she kept repeating, I will not be afraid. So it's it's not funny, but it's funny how like one instance can put you back in that spot. And we do see that with a lead in a future book. Or no, in the future of this book, yes, there's one moment where she does have to face something. Yeah. And it's like no matter how much you heal in some situations, which is why I like these characters so much, is like they show, like, no matter how much you heal, there is still some times when your trauma can come back up, but you are strong for it.

SPEAKER_05 50:56

And it's okay. Yeah. It's okay to be afraid, it's okay to admit you're afraid. Yeah. I will say her saying that, I'm gonna connect it to another book. Um, remind me very much of Violet in Fourth Wing saying, I am not going to die today. I will not die today.

SPEAKER_02 51:10

Like, well, the re side note, sorry, guys. Violet, like I very much connect it with her like character just because it's just like if that was me, I would I'd be breaking a bone, I'd be falling apart. Oh, that that would be fun.

SPEAKER_05 51:29

Yes, yes, yes, yes. We can't squirrel on that too hard. Okay, but no, back to this, back to this. But it's very much like facing the fears, and like I think a lot of the rest of this is facing past and new fears.

SPEAKER_02 51:47

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 51:48

Of I mean, Rowan pulling the son card of for Gavril, of like your son may die.

SPEAKER_02 51:54

Yeah, that's a fear, and then um Aiden confronting him, and he didn't know he was gonna say all that about his mom to Gavril.

SPEAKER_05 52:04

That was heartbreaking.

SPEAKER_02 52:06

Like we knew his mom sacrifice, but like he she didn't get help because of you, because of your service to Maeve.

SPEAKER_05 52:14

Yes, because she was so scared of Maeve taking him, Aiden, heartbreaking, heartbreaking. She would probably still potentially still be alive. Yep.

SPEAKER_02 52:28

And he's one year older than her in this book now.

SPEAKER_05 52:31

Isn't that so sad?

unknown 52:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 52:35

But makes me want to cry a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 52:38

I know I know. Like if you actually think about like some of these could be situations in real life. Like if you were estranged from your father and your mother died young and you never knew your father, and then he imagine meeting him for the first time.

SPEAKER_05 52:51

In like a very stressful situation. Yeah. I mean, yeah, life or death situation.

SPEAKER_02 52:56

Oh, Skulls Bay.

SPEAKER_05 52:57

Oh, Skulls Bay. We'll always have Skulls Bay. Um, but even like the fear of like Ailen not getting her crown, of failing not getting allies, of um Lysandra, oh, not seeing Evangeline again. Can can we mention Evangeline real fast? I love this kid. Okay. I adore her, and I have so many thoughts on her. Like she was the first thing I wrote down.

SPEAKER_02 53:27

Yeah. Well, actually, yeah, she's right here. Yeah, she's right here. So in chapter five, she didn't want to leave the uh the court, she didn't want to go with Murtaugh, she didn't want to because that's Lysandra's basically her mom at this point. Yes, but Aileen talks her into watching over Fleetfoot. I know and then says, work your magic on these miserable old men while you're at it. Win me back by Kingdom Evangeline. And then Evangeline smiled. She's like, I got you. Yeah. This kid, though, in this book and in Kingdom of Ash, well, heck in the last book when she saved Lysandra. Yeah. But in Kingdom of Ash, we get more insight into Evangeline, and it is so good. Okay, what did you want to say, Power?

SPEAKER_05 54:14

Well, okay. First, yes, the fact that she didn't want to leave because the of everything she saw, like growing up with Lysandra in that house and like Lysandra protecting her and being scarred. Yes, she knew that group was safe. Yes, that was her safe place.

SPEAKER_02 54:32

She didn't know Murtaug. She didn't know these old men.

SPEAKER_05 54:34

Or Dara would be. She just knew from the 15-minute experience with these old men.

SPEAKER_02 54:40

They attacked Ailen.

SPEAKER_05 54:41

They pissed off Aylen.

SPEAKER_02 54:43

And Ailen's a safe spot.

SPEAKER_05 54:44

And that's rule number one of not to do.

SPEAKER_02 54:48

Yes. Especially with a kid who went through all she did.

SPEAKER_05 54:51

Yes. And like Aileen's very much a safe space. So her not wanting to go with them, very, very, very okay. Yes. And then Aileen saying, like, hey, go win me back my kingdom. Like, I only make a mission. Yeah. You're in on this. Like, but I was very surprised, but not at the same time, and I'll tell you why, that they brought Evangeline and Fleetfoot with them.

SPEAKER_02 55:17

Well, they were gonna keep her safe at the castle.

SPEAKER_05 55:20

Yes. Well, like I knew that was the plan, but I was surprised that they didn't like take them back to um Nesfrien's uncle's place potentially to be safe or something. Like they they the travel, you know what I mean? Well, hear me out. Okay. Because was Aileen not leaving them behind?

SPEAKER_02 55:46

Um yeah.

SPEAKER_05 55:52

Okay. Um do you think Aileen sees some of herself in Evangeline and wasn't gonna let history repeat itself in the sense of like Aileen and her parents were stayed in that one spot and then her parents were murdered. So she was like, we're going together.

SPEAKER_02 56:26

Yeah. I think well, definitely now that she has her powers, now that she magic is free. Is going to reclaim her throne because this all happened, she brought her with her before she realized they're not letting me claim my throne. But like she thought, I think she thought she's like, she's gonna be safe with us in our group, and we can't separate her and Lysandra at this point. Yes. And then can I mention? I love your thought process by the way, but can I mention, do you remember the part where I think it was Ailen's POV where she looked at Ren and he was looking sadly at her because of their matching scars?

SPEAKER_05 57:02

Yeah, that's heartbreaking that Ren has scars, but also Ren can go take a short-ish walk, a long-ish walk off a short clip. And I say ish only because of what happened previously, but he's a troubled young man.

SPEAKER_02 57:23

I get it.

SPEAKER_05 57:24

He is a troubled young man. He only knows Selena, he doesn't know Ailen. It's one of those, it's another person she has to convince. I know. But in the her giving the blood oath to Rowan doesn't help either. Because that was something that was brought up. True. And Ren was like, looked at Aiden like, what? Let this happen? Yeah. Well, okay. No, I'm gonna say something. It's Aylen's body, she can do what she wants.

SPEAKER_02 57:57

Yeah, she can give her blood to whoever she wants to give it to.

SPEAKER_05 58:01

Yes. I mean, gentlemen, it's a woman's body, she can do what she wants.

SPEAKER_02 58:08

I kind of like how that's brought up in this book, too. Yeah, with like a lead, how she was trying to tell Lorcan, no, you're gonna play my husband because men are entitled to things that are unclaimed. And then he noticed it right away when they got in the carriage. Yeah, and the guard stopped them at the toll and he was looking at a lead. Yes. He's like, why he says wife loudly and then pulls her to him and holds her while they wait.

SPEAKER_05 58:32

Well, of course he's not gonna believe her either because he's a guy, yeah. Well, A, that, but B, he's only been around Maeve. So that goes back into the he hasn't seen it. Yeah, it hasn't been called out to him before. That's true. So now that it's called out, it's almost similar to like the man in piece of like she hasn't seen it unless it's been called out. Yeah. Gosh, you are good at that. Thank you. Um, but it's just all the little connections. Um there are so many. Speaking of little, the little folk.

SPEAKER_03 59:06

I have them too.

SPEAKER_05 59:08

Okay. Right here. I have a theory about the little folk. First of all, I absolutely adore them.

SPEAKER_02 59:17

They remind me of like Fleetfoot and Abractos, where I just want to cover them.

SPEAKER_05 59:21

Yes, and I adore all that they do throughout this series, and I will speak more to that a little bit later. Um, but when they are in the temple, okay. Yes. I had like I had an epiphany, Brandon. I think like okay, backtrack. Sorry. One of the main themes here is like there are a few characters that are being guided by one or more goddesses. Yes. I think Brandon is using the little folk to help guide. He is. He I think he said it too. Did he? I couldn't remember outright if he said it. It was I couldn't remember outright if he said it. Quite frankly. But I was like, I know he mentioned them, like, oh, those are my people, but like the Yeah, like um the wyvern attack.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:17

They left a wyvern. Yep. Um the temple.

SPEAKER_05 1:00:19

Yeah, and then they left the temple, which was like, well, again, I was taking notes, so that's why I was like, click.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:25

Yeah, and that's where that's what decided her going to Ilium. Yep. And then she got there and connected it to the Mycenaean. She um got rid of Arder Lane Control, and then she went to the rock where she knew Brandon would most likely appear.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:41

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:42

And when he appeared, I think I do think he did say that there they were helping me. Yeah. I think they said that he said that about the.

SPEAKER_05 1:00:50

I couldn't remember. I didn't write it down specifically.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:52

So sorry, people. I I wrote it down in these notes, but look how many that is. Those are a lot of notes. Those are a lot of notes.

SPEAKER_05 1:00:58

If you can't see them, there are a lot of notes. It's there's a lot of notes. I think she like wrote down word for word each page from the book. No, I didn't. Almost. Um, but it's just interesting that we've seen a lot of goddesses.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:16

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_05 1:01:17

And now he just wants to be like, oh, by the way, I've basically been helping you the whole time. Such a dude thing to do, by the way. Um, but I love the little folk. And just I can't talk about that scene yet.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:30

Uh oh, I know exactly what you're talking about. I thought like we yes.

SPEAKER_05 1:01:36

Can we go to part two, please? Not yet. No. Um, but it just it's very interesting that even in book one, the little folk only approach Ailen. Like, yes, they leave little things outside the barrier in this book and everything while they're traveling, but they only approach Ailen throughout the series. Throughout the series. They only leave messages for Aiden. Yeah. So that is what? Two, three?

SPEAKER_02 1:02:10

Well, even when she was released from Endovir, yeah, they left the flowers around her statue. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So I don't know. I'm saying, like, is it one, uh, two, three god goddesses that are oh, so Alina, Elena, um, Deanna came and visited her. Yeah. Brandon. I think Is it three? It's got to be three. I mean, yeah, because Gavin is with Dorian. Yeah. Um then Mala, she doesn't come back, does she? I don't think she does. No. Okay. We may have to we'll look that up.

SPEAKER_05 1:02:50

Um, um, but no, it was just it was interesting to me that of course he's like, yeah, I've been helping you this whole time. And it's like Okay.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:58

Okay, Brandon, if you say so.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:00

If you say so, but I don't know if I 100% believe that because your daughter It's all our fault. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:09

Okay. She's kind of making me mad right now. Okay. Not me. The daughter. Not me. Elena. If you know, you know.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:21

Um, but not as bad as Deanna.

unknown 1:03:24

I know.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:25

So I have a couple of extra things.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:28

Hit me, I may have more. Because I literally wrote down something for each chapter. Okay. These so I've got I've got 39 things plus some. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:38

So I'm just gonna say these two things. Okay. And then I'm done. Okay. But I want you to keep talking about whatever you want to talk about. Oh, I love this. I could go on and on. So another little callback for Ailen.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:51

Is chapter 34, page 307. This is when Skulls Bay is about to pop off.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:57

Um, she sees AD and running up the watchtower. Yeah. And that was her reminder of Sam. Her heart strained. Quote in quote. Little sad part there.

SPEAKER_05 1:04:08

It is. Hold on, I want to touch on that. Um, don't go to the next thing. I think it's just it goes back to young love, first love. Yeah. And I mean, when she visited the grave, Rowan completely respected that. And it's it's facing not a fear, but loss. It's facing grief.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:28

I have another thing after this, too. I completely forgot about it, and what you just said reminded me of it.

SPEAKER_05 1:04:35

It's facing loss, it's facing grief. And she hasn't been to Skulls Bay since Sam died. So that is that maybe stirring up memories. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:45

But just seeing him run up that.

SPEAKER_05 1:04:46

Yeah, it was very sad. She was probably also fearful that history would repeat itself. Just saying. True. Anyways.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:54

I'm gonna save my other extra thing for later because this other one is way more important. Okay, where is it? I have it. I know it's here. Where is it? Maybe I will say this then, and then I'll go find it. Okay. But I know what I'm looking for.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:13

Say that and then I'll say what I was saying.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:15

Oh, I found it.

unknown 1:05:15

Okay.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:16

Sorry.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:17

You're good. Are you kidding me? Okay. So in chapter 13, Dorian is on the boat with Rowan after Rifthold. Yeah. Were you gonna say this? I was gonna say something. Okay, so they were talking about Sorcia and Lydia. And Dorian is surprised. This is written down. He is surprised because he sensed the bond between Aileen and Rowan, assuming that they were mates. And then chapter 38, they tell each other they love each other. Not Rowan and Dorian, but Ailen and Rowan. I mean, and then they had their sexy time.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:53

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:53

Sexy time.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:55

More implied sexy time. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:56

And then after that, chapter 39, Rowan. Thinks that their joining had unleashed him, broken and remade him. That's pretty strong feelings and words for not being mates. Just gonna say that, leave that right there.

SPEAKER_05 1:06:12

So I'm gonna go. So what I was gonna say about chapter 13 of Rowan and Dorian being in the boat. Yeah, it was I love that it was a bro bonding moment for them.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:23

It was. And then he offered to train him.

SPEAKER_05 1:06:26

That plus Dorian had a very rough time in the last book.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:06:33

And he quite literally has no one to talk to about it.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:38

Like literally in one of his early chapters, he said, I hate the silence of the castle. I can't stop dreaming about what I did. I have to keep reminding myself it wasn't me, it was the Valve prince inside of me. Yes. So if he feels useless that he keeps repeating that. Yes. And then the first time Ailen saw him laugh was in Skull's Bay after hanging out with Rowan for two weeks.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:00

Exactly. So if anyone is gonna help him A start healing and B understand what he's feeling and control his magic, it's gonna be Rowan.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:09

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:10

Because, like you just said, Rowan lost somebody. They talked about their they talked about losing that. And I mean, yes, Rowan helped Ailen with her magic. So he has some understanding, even though their magics are very different. And he explains that. He's like, I'll do the best I can, but hey, since I can only do so much, I'm gonna help you find somebody. So there is that. But I just love that bro bonding because it's very much like he's the big brother Dorian needs right now and will continue to need. Because I think also it's later on. This may be a spoiler, it's either in this book or a later book that like Rowan compliments that Dorian's going to be a good king. Oh yeah. Rowan has seen many princes, many kings, and like Dorian is going to be a good king.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:57

Because of all he's been through and how he feels and thinks about certain situations and just how he presents himself in these situations.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:05

Exactly. And so like I think write another book. I think like if this were to continue, like Dorian's going to lean on Rowan's counsel from the like 500 plus years Rowan's been around and the other kings that he's seen so that he doesn't make mistakes.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:24

Because he's seen Rowan has seen I just said the mic. No, it's okay. I do it all the time. Okay. But Rowan has seen kingdoms rise and fall his whole life. He's helped destroyed half of them. Exactly. And it's like he knows he knows what different types of people are out there.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:38

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:39

And he knows the heart of people, even though he doesn't like to admit he likes people.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:44

Yeah, he likes certain people, not all people.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:48

I mean, I feel him. I'm just reminds me of Joe. Joe's her man.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:55

Joe's my man. Joe Boo. Joe Boo likes certain people. Say you mean and tolerates everyone else.

SPEAKER_04 1:09:04

Love you. Hi, Joe. He's gonna be like, what were you telling people? Exactly. Please no one send this to. I'll make sure it's not short.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:20

It's gonna be in the video though, probably. Because Janie's editing that.

SPEAKER_04 1:09:26

Janie's gonna save it on his phone and show him. He's probably gonna film it on his phone. Okay. We're just not gonna talk about that because that's kind of in the middle of it. So he probably won't save it.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:37

Because he sinks the voice to the beginning of the clip when I restart the cameras. Oh. So he probably knows he's serious right now.

SPEAKER_05 1:09:48

Oh. But I'm gonna talk about the mate thing for a second. The what? What? The mate thing for a second. Yes. So in other books, I'm gonna pull in other books for a second. Okay. In other smuttier books.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:04

Uh oh.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:05

There is second chance mates. So that's not brought up here. But when I first read that, I was like, oh, is this potentially a thing? Yeah. Because you didn't know what happened. Because we didn't, yeah. When I first read it. So yeah. I was like, oh, second chance love. Because I was thinking, oh, Sam was her first love. She tragically lost him. Oh, she was Lydia was his first love. He tragically lost her. Oh, this is second chance for both of them.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:35

My romance heart was going like, come on.

SPEAKER_04 1:10:37

Yes, my romance heart. I'm a true romantic.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:40

Instead, we learn that Maeve is even more of a rat that we'll say than we thought. But we won't get into that now.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:50

Yes, we will not. I I told you she needs her own episode. She her and grandma. Can they have a joint episode and we just trash both of them? Sure. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:01

Maybe we should invite JD to that one.

SPEAKER_05 1:11:03

You'd be like, they did that? Yeah. How rude. Okay. And then what were else were you gonna say?

SPEAKER_02 1:11:08

Okay, last thing. Aileen asks this chapter 31. Aileen asks Finries and Gabrielle if Maeve's blood oaths can be broken. And Fenry's answers that it would kill them if they tried. And that's a little bit of a foreshadowing for you people.

SPEAKER_05 1:11:26

That's a big foreshadowing for you people.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:29

And I never noticed that till this reread.

SPEAKER_05 1:11:32

I didn't either, actually. I'm glad you called that out. Yeah. Because also, so one of the other things I noticed with Gavril and Fenry is that Maeve's image and even Lorc, Maeve's image in part one is starting to crack with the three of them. It is in perfection. Um just with like, I mean, even uh, I forget exactly, but it was like Aitlin simply thanked them and they were surprised with that.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:05

Yeah. Because they were like, what?

SPEAKER_05 1:12:07

Queens can thank you. Say thank you. Um just with like a simple thank you and like basic respect. I actually wrote it that wrote that down. Not wrote, wrote that down. Um but it's just very interesting how she's comparing herself to Maeve because she doesn't want to be like Maeve, obviously. But I also love that this is the start in chapter 31 specifically of Aileen and Venri's friendship because they're gonna be besties.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:38

Well, as soon as he saw her, he just had a smile on his face. And he was just laughing at her antics. I will say that. That just rereading it and seeing like him going, like, oh, this is the best thing ever. Yes. Definitely when she was Sedlana in Rolf's office.

SPEAKER_05 1:12:52

Yes. Yeah. And then like the fact that he volunteered to train her too. I know. That was a news to us, but like obviously that didn't happen. But like just how things, it's another like people's eyes are opening, um, situation, which I think is good because it goes into the theme of hope that things are changing for a better world.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:17

Um, going off of that, Lorgan even said that Alid was an idealist. Like he thought that. Well, you know. And it's like, that's right, she is an idealist.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:30

Yes, because she found out her queen and her queen's cousin, who she thought was dead, who her uncle, I'm 99% sure, don't quote me, who her uncle uh told her they died.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:43

I don't remember.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:45

I not the specific. She thought they were dead.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:47

Well, I think it was she didn't know she wasn't 100% sure. Well, she everyone had heard that Elon had died when she was a kid. Yeah. So I'm sure her uncle told her that. Yeah, I don't know.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:59

Okay. Yeah. So then she finds that out. So this is a new hope for her. Yeah. Star Wars twist there. Um, like this is a new hope for her. So her hope is playing in major. So she's like, if I find her, things are gonna be okay. Which, yeah, I completely get that. So everyone can just chill and go in with hope. Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 1:14:24

Because we like hope. We do. And it, I mean, when you read this, like these books are like emotional damage, right? It just gives you as a reader emotional damage. Emotional damage. And there's all these mentions of hope, hope, hope. And then it's like, how am I gonna believe that if you're making me cry over this? This, yeah. Or that.

SPEAKER_05 1:14:47

Um, but that's also life if you think about it. That is true. It's like, here's this piece of hope, here's a lemon, here's this piece of hope, here's a lemon I'm gonna throw at you. I know, right? We just talked about this before we filmed. We're not gonna talk about that. Nope. Nope.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:02

But do you have anything else?

SPEAKER_05 1:15:04

Okay, yes. Okay. I did. We talked about this a little bit earlier of how there's some healing in this.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:12

Okay. In chapter 24, and there's some of this done sporadically with different characters, but specifically, uh, oh, actually, it started when Aiden, when Ailen rescued Aiden, and then they're in bed and they're like, tell me what's happened since I last saw you. So specifically when in chapter 24, Aiden and Ailen have that like, I called it the walk down memory lane.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:37

Oh, yeah, of Indovir and Threllas. Yes, Threllas.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:41

Because he was literally like just over the ridge. Um, I thought it was good because each of them is carrying this guilt.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:50

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:51

Because Aiden was like, I was right there. Like I knew what you were doing.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:55

It's like you were 14.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:57

Exactly. Like you were 14 in this battle, like, and uh this and that. And I think people, everyone, not us as readers, but they should like should have. Obviously, their characters in the book, they're not going to like just take that step back of like, yeah, let's talk through to release some of that guilt.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:16

Yeah, but because right before that, she kept thinking, I need to hurry, I need to hurry. So she was, I feel like in the same sense, she wasn't in the right mindset to take that time. No, at all.

SPEAKER_05 1:16:27

No, but the they're doing it now, so it's a good first step.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:32

It is later.

unknown 1:16:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:36

Sorry.

SPEAKER_05 1:16:37

Yeah, until later. It is, it definitely is a good first step. First step because it's just it goes plays back into he knows Selena.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:16:47

She's combining A Lynn with that now.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:50

I really, I really, really do like how you brought that up. Like because I never looked at this book that way, but it is true. She is merging, and even like with Lorcan saying, if you find one, you'll find the other.

SPEAKER_03 1:17:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:05

And it's it's it is repeated throughout the book. And I don't know, that that it's just a really cool take.

SPEAKER_05 1:17:12

Well, because like I was thinking about it how I think unfortunately, I'm gonna give this man a compliment. Darrow put it in perspective for me. Yes. Because Darrow when he was like, I've I know what you've done.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:28

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 1:17:29

And then I even I think I even wrote it down. I don't know exactly. Um, she brought Fleetfoot to the meeting because she was like, if I'm gonna show up, I'm gonna show up exactly who I am.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:40

And I did love that.

SPEAKER_05 1:17:42

So this was her saying, screw you then.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:45

Yeah, I don't care what you think of me.

SPEAKER_05 1:17:47

You've already decided about me. You had this meeting before I even showed up to town and got the dog and I brought my wet dog. You already had the Lords decide against me. Before meeting me. Before meeting me, and judging me now, you judged my story and everything you've heard about me. You didn't ask why. You didn't understand that, yeah, I spent the year in Andover. Yeah, I did what I did to survive so I could get back home. By the way. Um just heads up. Um, so that's why I think she's like, screw it. If everyone's gonna judge me as soon as they realize I'm these two people, then I'm gonna be these two people and make it this is who I am as a queen.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:34

Not apologize for it. Yeah, no. She brought that Selena swagger into the Ailen's, into Ailen's life, basically. She was like, I'm not gonna apologize for anything because this I did do that. I did do this, I did do that. Like it's it is who what happened, and it is who I am. And yeah, I think that is a very important message message of the story. Um because that's uh Manon realizing who and what she is. That's uh Astron in the 13 doing the same. That is Lysandra also doing it. Oh, can we Lysandra, by the way? Go for it. Can we talk about how she defended Dorian to Aiden?

SPEAKER_05 1:19:19

Love it. Honestly. It was It was uh chapter 29.

SPEAKER_02 1:19:25

No, it was chapter.

SPEAKER_05 1:19:28

Nope, it was 31. Because it's after she showed up, Aiden showed up in 27. Yeah. So it was like maybe 28, 29.

SPEAKER_02 1:19:38

She goes, and this was in the alleyway, yeah. After Dorian had left, he was enslaved, he was tortured for months, not just by his father, but by that thing inside of him. He was violated. He was, and even if you cannot draw up, draw up forgiveness for stabbing Alien against his own will, then try to have some compassion for that.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:03

Yeah, as someone she's saying that as someone who was violated, yes, since she was young. 16. Yeah. Also training before that, but but yeah, training before that, but on her own as a I I hate to say it this way, but like as a professional at 16. At 16. Yeah, and I say professional because her training was done. Yep. Um she had her bidding. She had her bidding, yeah. Which is very like But she owns that.

SPEAKER_02 1:20:35

Even when Dara was like, you call this a lady or whatever he said.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:20:40

And she was just like, she sat up straight and was like, Yeah, I am.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:44

I'm more of a lady than you're ever gonna be.

SPEAKER_02 1:20:46

True.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:47

Um, but it's like that's I circling back to that, like the fact that Dara basically called Lysandra, I think he point blank called her a whore, not having it right in front of me. Oh yeah. So Aylen's like, yeah, this is my court. We're thieves, we're whores, we're assassins, we're fe. So this is a child of the children. This is exactly who we are. So yeah, I'm gonna go get allies, not the way you expect me to, because I'm not selling myself for my kingdom. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:17

I'm looking for the people I know I can trust, even though they are not the people you would think.

SPEAKER_05 1:21:22

Yes, because I have survived so much for my kingdom, but I think that was her drawing the line on the sand as well.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:31

And I love that she drew that line. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:21:33

So she wasn't gonna marry anyone but Rowan. I'm sorry, I'm just gonna say it.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:38

True. True. Even though he punched her in the face. Damn him. Okay, what do you rate part one of Empire of Storms? Out of ten or out of five. Five. One through five. Five is top, one is ooh. I would put it as a four. Yeah, because you said this one's your favorite book out of the series, right? Yes. It has yes. This is a three-five for me. That's good for me. That's really good for me.

SPEAKER_05 1:22:11

Yeah, I can see that. Okay. I think I think I have that extra weight because it has my favorite chapter.

SPEAKER_02 1:22:16

Yeah, my favorite one was Queen of Shadows. Yeah, I can totally see that as well. So the next episode, hopefully, Book Boo Heather.

SPEAKER_05 1:22:26

Book Boo Heather will make an appearance one way or another.

SPEAKER_02 1:22:30

But the next episode will be these, the second part of Empire Storms. So if you haven't read it, please read it. Like, comment, give us recommendations. Thank you, Heather. So happy for being a Book Boo.

SPEAKER_04 1:22:43

Love it. Hopefully, we'll see you again. But y'all have to see me again.

unknown 1:22:49

Bye.