#045: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re launching into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, covering Chapters 1–9—where conscription is a death sentence, dragons choose violence, and Violet Sorrengail is forced onto a path no one believes she can survive.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Violet Sorrengail was trained to be a scribe, not a rider—but on Conscription Day, her storm-wielding mother shoves her into the deadly Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College, where cadets die before classes even begin. The parapet claims its victims fast, including sweet Dylan, and Violet survives by brains, grit, and a well-placed knife.

Enter Xaden Riorson, son of the Great Betrayer, leader of the marked ones, and the man Violet is warned will kill her on sight. Their first meeting is immediate enemies-to-lovers energy, and when Xaden promises the parapet will finish Violet for him, we know this man is a problem.

As Violet navigates combat training, broken bones, and assassination attempts (looking at you, Jack Barlowe), she leans on new friend Rhiannon and childhood best friend Dain Aetos, who begs her to quit before she’s killed. But Violet refuses, armed with her late brother Brennan’s cheat sheet and her own sharp mind.

When Violet stumbles upon a secret meeting of marked cadets, Xaden catches her—and reveals his rare signet: he commands shadows. Instead of killing her, he lets her go.

By the end of Chapter 9, Violet has survived every attempt on her life, turned poison into a weapon, and faced Xaden Riorson in the sparring ring, where he calls her “Violence,” pins her down, and spares her again. The threshing looms, dragons are watching… and Violet is choosing to stay.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#044: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re doing a live reading of Azriel’s BONUS CHAPTER from A Court of Silver Flames—and yes, it is unhinged, emotional, and incredibly juicy.

Let's get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

#043: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 67–80 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where sisterhood survives the mountain, the High Lord of the Night Court Kneels, and Nesta Archeron becomes a legend.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Blood Rite turns lethal as Nesta and Emerie race to find Gwyn—only to be lured into a trap set by Emerie’s cousin Bellius, his mind twisted by Briallyn’s Crown. A monster attacks. Blood spills. And just when it seems hopeless, a voice rings out: “HERE!” Gwyn had outplayed them all, weaponless but watching, waiting. “You came looking for me.”
“Of course we did. It’s what sisters do.”

Together, they run the Breaking—the deadliest path to Ramiel. Arrows fly. Gwyn is wounded. Hunger and exhaustion close in. But at the mountain’s base, Gwyn makes the choice that defines them all: not as Illyrians, not for titles—but as something new. Valkyries. Emerie climbs for her mother. Gwyn climbs for Catrin. And Nesta finally tells the truth of the Cauldron, of who and what she is—only to have her sisters grip her hands tighter.

They climb anyway.

Bellius returns. Nesta carries them because this—this—is why she climbed ten thousand steps. When Gwyn and Emerie reach the Pass of Enalius, Nesta stays behind to hold the line. Like Enalius before her, she draws a boundary and names her blade Ataraxia. Inner peace. She kills for her sisters.

Elsewhere, Cassian and Azriel track Eris—only to be delivered straight into Koschei’s grasp. Briallyn reveals everything: the kidnapping, the weapons, the Rite itself. She crowns Cassian and orders him to kill, eyes already on Nesta.

Cassian obeys… and turns the blade on himself.

Nesta snaps. She unmakes Briallyn into nothing. Cassian lives. They name the bond at last.

But there’s no time to breathe—Feyre is dying. The baby is dying. Rhys is dying.

So Nesta takes the Crown. The Mask. The Harp. She stops time itself and bargains with the Cauldron, offering back every ounce of power she stole. Save them all—or take everything from her.

The Mother listens. Nyx is born. Feyre lives. Rhys bows to Nesta Archeron.

In the aftermath, the Valkyries stand—bloodied, healed, unbroken. Emerie and Gwyn refuse Illyrian titles. They are Valkyries, through and through. Cassian calls Nesta “mate” like it’s breathing. The House of Wind is hers. Feyre gifts her a painting of the moment she held the Pass alone.

And at their father’s grave, Nesta leaves a small wooden rose.

Not as penance.

But as peace.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🖤🔥