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

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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!

⚠️ This episode contains spoilers for Red Rising ⚠️

In Season 2, Episode 5, we’re sharing our full spoiler reactions to Red Rising by Pierce Brown. We break down our thoughts on the characters, major plot points, and the moments that completely shifted our opinions—plus whether we’re ready to keep going with the series.

We also talk about what we loved, what didn’t fully land for us, and what we’re hoping to see in the next books.

If you’ve finished Red Rising and need to process it with someone, this episode is for you.

Hoodies provided by MadebyMoorelight:madebymoorelight.etsy.com

📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC

January: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

February: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

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📚 Book Discussed:

• Red Rising — Pierce Brown

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

Emily (@emily.reads.alot) is back for Part 3 of our Alchemised miniseries, and this episode dives headfirst into one of the most complicated conversations in modern fandom.

We talk about Alchemised and Manacled, the legacy of Harry Potter, and whether works inspired by that universe still have a place at the table. This is a nuanced discussion about fanfiction, fandom culture, transformative works, and how readers navigate loving stories while grappling with the harm tied to their origins.

This episode is thoughtful, honest, and rooted in conversation—not conclusions.

📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC

We’re currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

February's book will be Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

📌 Follow us

TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:

https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

📩 Contact us:

ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

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

We’re officially kicking off our Red Rising era.

In this episode, we share our non-spoiler expectations and first impressions as we start reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown for our January Fable Book Club. We talk about what drew us to the book, what surprised us early on, and how it’s hitting so far—without giving anything away.

If you’re reading along with us or still deciding whether to pick it up, this episode is the perfect place to start.

📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC

We’re currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

📌 Follow us

TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:

https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

📩 Contact us:

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

This week, we’re diving into one of the most fascinating figures in the Maasverse: the Viper Queen of Crescent City.

In this villain deep dive, we break down her background, power, and presence within Crescent City—pulling apart what we know, what’s implied, and what’s still hidden. From her history and influence to the quotes that make her so memorable, we explore why the Viper Queen looms so large despite often staying in the shadows.

📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC

We’re currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown

🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

📌 Follow us

TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:

https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

📩 Contact us:

ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

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

Season 2 starts here—& we’re kicking things off with our very own Book Wrapped.

In this New Year’s Day premiere, each of us shares our worst read of 2025, our best book from each month, and the reads that surprised, disappointed, or completely consumed us along the way. We also talk about what kind of readers we’re hoping to be in 2026 and what’s already sitting at the top of our TBRs.

📚 January Fable Book Club Pick: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Join Read and Yap with ACOCAC here:

https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979

📌 Follow us

TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more:

https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

📩 Contact us:

ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

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

Lindsay:

Worst Book of the year: God of Malice by Rina Kent

Best books of each month:

Jan- Onyx Storm: Rebecca Yarros

Feb- Throne of Glass: Sarah J Maas

Mar- Heir of Fire: Sarah J Maas

Apr- Kingdom of Ash: Sarah J Maas

May- Iron Flame: Rebecca Yarros

June- Silver Elite: Dani Francis

July- Crescent City House of Earth & Blood: Sarah J Maas

Aug- Crescent City House of Flame & Shadow: Sarah J Maas

Sept- Terror at the Gates: Scarlett St Clair

Oct- Alchemised: SenLinYu

Nov- Green Light: serene musafir

Dec- Draco Malfoy & the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love: isthisselfcare

Most anticipated reads of 2026:

Red Rising: Pierce Brown

Rose in Chains: Julie Soto

Secrets & Masks: Emerald Slytherin

All the Young Dudes: MsKingBean89

A Tongue So Sweet & Deadly: Sophia St Germain

Plated Prisoner: Raven Kennedy

Heavenly Bodies: Imani Erriu

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil: VE Schwab

Bride/Mate: Ali Hazelwood

Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy: Brigitte Knightley

Three Pianos: Andrew McMahon

Nora McInerny

Amy:

Worst book of the year:

•The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen

Most anticipated new releases of 2026:

•The Knave and The Moon by Rachel Gillig

•Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver

•Daemonic by Kaylie Smith

•Coiled at the Roots by Scarlett St. Clair

Most anticipated:

•Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

•Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

•The Poppy War by R.F Kuang

•The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

January:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

February

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas

March:

Crescent City House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

April:

A Promise so Bold and Broken by Sophia St. Germain

May:

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

The Golden Rose of Valenul by Enna Hawthorn

June:

The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig

July:

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

August:

Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn

September:

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair

October:

Alchemised by SenLinYu

November:

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

December:

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Dominique

January- The Mindf*ck Series: S.T. Abby

February- Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm: Rebecca Yarros

March- Phantasma: Kaylie Smith

April- Spark of the Everflame: Penn Cole

May- Throne of Glass: Sarah J. Maas, Feathers So Vicious: Liiv Zander

June- The Bond that Burns: Briar Boleyn

July- Problematic Summer Romance: Ali Hazelwood, Crown of Midnight: Sarah J. Maas

August- Knight and the Moth: Rachel Gillig, Terror at the Gates: Scarlett St. Clair, Shield of Sparrows: Deveny Perry

September- City of Gods and Monsters: Kayla Edwards

October- Mate: Ali Hazelwood

November- For Whom the Belle Tolls: Jaysea Lynn

December- Silvercloak: L.K. Steven

Worst Book of 2025- Skyshade: Alex Aster

Most anticipated sequels of 2026:

April- Rites of Starling

June- Harvest Season

September- The Knave and the Moon

October- Coiled at the Roots

November- Captive Traitor King

Most anticipated reads 2026:

Red Rising: Pierce Brown

The Bloodsworn Saga: John Gwynne

Project Hail Mary: Andy Weir

The Farseer Trilogy: Robin Hobb

Mistborn: Brian Sanderson

The Will of the Many: James Islington