Before we begin, we want to name that this episode discusses character death, gendered violence in storytelling, and the concept of fridging. We’re approaching this as a literary discussion, not a definitive statement, and we’re interested in exploring multiple interpretations. This episode is us thinking out loud, challenging each other, and engaging thoughtfully with complex ideas.

In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re joined by special guest Antoinette (@antoinettecealopesreads). We start with a lighthearted Kiss, Marry, Kill before moving into a deeper conversation about Eo from Red Rising.

We discuss Eo’s role in the narrative, her function as a symbolic catalyst, comparisons to a Lucretia figure, the concept of fridging, and how her death shapes Darrow and the broader story.

Our goal isn’t to arrive at one definitive interpretation, but to examine how these storytelling choices function and what questions they raise about narrative structure and character motivation.

Check out Antoinette’s Podcast: The Literary Guillotine

@AntoinetteCeaLopes

✨ Fable Book Club — Read & Yap with ACOCAC

February Book Club: Legendborn by Tracy Deonnhttps://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 Follow us & find everything in one place:https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR.

It’s Galentines Day, and we’re doing what we do best: talking books and gently roasting each other.In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we play bookish superlatives and share our all-time favorite couples, found families, underrated ships, and the characters we’ll defend forever—mostly from the Sarah J. Maas universe, with a few side quests along the way.It’s a laid-back, friendship-forward episode full of fandom opinions, laughs, and very strong feelings about fictional people.Our Galentines Bookish Superlatives

Lindsay

All-Time Favorite Couple

Aelin and Rowan – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Favorite Found Family

Dramione Slytherins – Harry Potter fanfiction

Throne of Glass crew – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Most Underrated Couples

Ruhn and Lidia – Crescent City, Sarah J. Maas

Chaol and Yrene – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Favorite Ship

Dain and Sloane – The Empyrean Series, Rebecca Yarros

⸻

Amy

All-Time Favorite Couple

Bryce and Hunt – Crescent City, Sarah J. Maas

Favorite Found Family

Nesta and the Valkyries – A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Maas

Most Underrated Couples

Lilith and Zahariev – Terror at the Gates, Scarlett St. Clair

Sybil and Rory – The Knight and the Moth, Rachel Gillig

Favorite Ship

Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

⸻

Dominique

All-Time Favorite Couple

Darien and Loren – City of Gods and Monsters, Kayla Edwards

Favorite Found Family

For Whom the Belle Tolls – Jaysea Lynn

Most Underrated Couples

Lilith and Zahariev – Terror at the Gates, Scarlett St. Clair

Sybil and Rory – The Knight and the Moth, Rachel Gillig

Favorite Ships

Celaena and Dorian – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Rowan and Lorcan – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

⸻

Addy

All-Time Favorite Couple

Dorian and Manon – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Favorite Found Family

Playing for Keeps – Becka Mack

Most Underrated Couples

Nesryn and Sartaq – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Rook and Regan – Rook & Rebel, Kate Crew

Iris and Roman – Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross

Jory, Ky, and Asher – Warrior Princess Assassin, Brigid Kemmerer

Favorite Ship

Darrow and Mustang – Red Rising, Pierce BrownIf you love romantasy, messy fandom opinions, and Galentines energy, this one’s for you.✨ February Fable Book Club Pick: Legendborn by Tracy DeonnRead along with us in Read & Yap with ACOCAC:https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979📌 Follow us & find everything in one place🔗 https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaosTikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.comThanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

February kicks off with a Galentines/Valentines-inspired episode—and yes, we start with a little controversy.

In this week’s episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we talk about overrated book boyfriends (respectfully… mostly), then move into romance-forward recommendations for every kind of February reader:

• One Valentine’s Day read

• One Galentines Day pick

• One BIPOC / LGBTQ+ recommendation

We also get personal—sharing stories about our own relationships, how we met our significant others, and why romantasy as a genre matters so deeply to us.

Books Mentioned:

Lindsay

Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love - isthisselfcare

Yes Please - Amy Poehler

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Amy

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

An Ancient Witches Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Addy

Tourist Season - Brynne Weaver

Untamed - Glennon Doyle

Give me more - Sara Cate

Daydream - Hannah Grace

Dominique

The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid

House of Rayne - Harley LaRoux

Big Gay Wedding - Byron Lane

✨ February Fable Book Club Pick: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Join Read & Yap with ACOCAC on Fable:
https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

📌 Follow us + find everything in one place
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos
TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts

📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!