SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers from the ACOTAR series, Crescent City series, & Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.

#084: This week on A Novel Bunch, we are diving into the Prelude and chapters 1–12 of A Court of Splintered Harmony, and Sarah J. Maas is wasting NO time throwing us straight into CHAOS!

We're finally getting Azriel's POV, and his heartbreaking childhood reveals some MAJOR mysteries surrounding his shadows, the wind, and even the stone. Meanwhile, a dangerous hunt for ancient Made objects is underway, Koschei appears to be pulling the strings, and tensions between Prythian and the Continental kingdoms are reaching a boiling point.

Back in Velaris, the Inner Circle is practically falling apart. Nesta and Cassian's mating bond is being tested, Rhys and Feyre are clashing over the future of Prythian, and AZRIEL AND ELAIN?! EXCUSE ME?! We have some THOUGHTS.

And let's not forget the mysterious onyx box, the lost Dusk Court, Bryaxis, and some VERY interesting connections to Crescent City. Could Azriel's powers be tied to an ancient form of magic? Is Elain hearing something far more sinister through the stone? And why are we suddenly so worried about Cassian?!

From shocking romantic developments and devastating revelations to hidden Easter eggs, ancient magic, and some absolutely WILD Maasverse theories, we're unpacking it ALL.

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SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the entire Throne of Glass series through the end of Heir of Fire. Other Maasverse works may be mentioned from ACOTAR and Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas.

#083: This week on A Novel Bunch, we're finishing Heir of Fire, and BUNCHIES, WE ARE NOT EMOTIONALLY PREPARED FOR THIS.

Between Stygian spiders, mysterious towers, ancient magic, and a certain Fae prince who has us questioning EVERYTHING, these final chapters are giving us enough Easter eggs, heartbreak, and theories to keep us talking for DAYS.

In Wendlyn, Celaena and Rowan's relationship takes a major turn as they uncover the terrifying truth behind the creatures lurking in the shadows. From the revelation of carranam to THAT declaration of friendship (I CLAIM YOU!), the tension is at an all-time high. And as Celaena is forced to confront the devastating memories of her past, we're finally piecing together what really happened to young Aelin Galathynius.

Meanwhile, Manon and Abraxos continue to steal our hearts as the Thirteen prepare for war, but a familiar Stygian spider has us connecting some VERY interesting dots from The Assassin's Blade. Back in Rifthold, Chaol and Aedion investigate the king's mysterious towers, Dorian and Sorscha grow closer, and the king's dark plans are becoming more horrifying by the chapter.

And can we PLEASE talk about Maeve?! Between blood oaths, Wyrdkeys, ancient secrets, and Rowan's mysterious past, we have QUESTIONS. Not to mention the arrival of the Valg has us spiraling into some absolutely WILD Maasverse theories. RHYSAND, WE NEED TO TALK.

From heartbreaking sacrifices and shocking betrayals to powerful declarations, unexpected alliances, and one absolutely DEVASTATING ending, we're unpacking it ALL.

Because one thing is certain: Celaena Sardothien is no longer running from her past. Aelin Galathynius is ready to reclaim her future.

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SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the Throne of Glass series through Chapter 35 of Heir of Fire. Other Maasverse works may be mentioned from ACOTAR and Crescent City By Sarah J. Maas.

#082: This week on A Novel Bunch, we are diving into chapters 1–35 of Heir of Fire as Celaena arrives in Wendlyn, completely consumed by grief, only to find herself face-to-face with the infamous Rowan Whitethorn. Between brutal training sessions, mysterious Fae powers, and THAT BITE (EXCUSE ME?!), we have a LOT to discuss.

Meanwhile, Manon Blackbeak and the Thirteen are preparing for war, and an unlikely little wyvern named Abraxos is already stealing our hearts. Back in Rifthold, Aedion Ashryver is playing a dangerous double game, Chaol is caught between loyalty and rebellion, and Dorian's growing magic threatens to expose everything.

And let's not forget Maeve, the mysterious Fae queen who seems to know far more than she's letting on. What does she really want with Celaena? What's lurking beneath the frozen lake? And are we spotting some very familiar connections to the ACOTAR universe?!

From hidden Easter eggs and shocking revelations to heartbreaking backstories, ancient magic, and a whole lot of Fae tension, we're unpacking it ALL.

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SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the entire Empyrean series, including Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm, and all of Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros.

#081: Grab the tissues, Bunchies! This week, join us for a special LIVE READING of Sloane’s chapter from Threshing Day as we experience every heartbreaking, emotional moment together.

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Spoilers ahead for the entire Empyrean series, including Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm, and all of Threshing Day.

#080: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Threshing Day chapters 8 through 14—and BUNCHIES, the dragons are officially keeping SECRETS.

We’re recapping the final seven POVs from Imogen, Rhiannon, Sawyer, Ridoc, Liam, Sloane, and Aaric, and breaking down all the theories, clues, and major reveals along the way.

Imogen’s chapter immediately blows everything open when we learn Glane already bonded her grandmother—despite the official records saying she had zero previous riders.

So Glane is lying about her age, her history, AND knowingly bonding someone from the direct bloodline of a former rider.

WHY DOES SHE WANT IMOGEN’S BLOODLINE?! And it doesn’t stop there.

Liam’s dragon Deigh tells him that dragons from his line have always favored riders from Liam’s family—and flat-out confirms that some dragons know about the evil beyond Navarre’s borders and are actively choosing riders who can help fight it.

Then Sloane bonds Thoirt, Deigh’s sister, who reveals the exact same thing: their dragon line has long chosen the Mairi bloodline.

And if that wasn’t enough, Sloane learns she inherited the gift of her mother, Rune Master Celadine Mairi.

BUNCHIES. THE BLOODLINES ARE BLOODLINING.

Meanwhile, Sawyer’s second Threshing gives us some brutal foreshadowing about adapting to loss, Ridoc somehow bonds the literal dragon version of himself, Rhiannon proves she was born to lead, and Dain breaks the Codex to save Sloane when she hits rock bottom.

And then there’s Aaric.

He bonds Molvic, admits he knows the truth about the war beyond the wards, completely rejects his family’s rule, and delivers one VERY ominous promise:

“I intend to tear this kingdom apart.”

So now we have dragons falsifying records, dragons deliberately seeking specific bloodlines, legacy abilities resurfacing, and riders being chosen for a war most of Navarre doesn’t even know exists.

At this point, we’re convinced of one thing: Threshing isn’t random. The dragons are building something.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

Spoilers ahead for the entire Empyrean series, including Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm, and all of Threshing Day.

#079: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Threshing Day chapters 1 through 7—and BUNCHIES, the dragons are somehow giving us MORE questions than answers.

We’re getting Threshing Day through Brennan, Mira, Xaden, Garrick, Dain, and Bodhi—and one thing keeps coming up: bloodlines.

Brennan bonds the orange daggertail Marbh after Papa Sorrengail mysteriously shows up at Threshing, gives him the now VERY suspicious black beaded bracelet, and casually reminds us that dragons have always loved the Sorrengail family.

Then Mira’s chapter gives us an even bigger reveal: the Sorrengail line includes fire wielding and tide wielding. Are dragons deliberately choosing certain bloodlines because they know what abilities will be needed for the war ahead?
And then there’s Xaden.

Sgaeyl calls him the grandson of Maxim Riorson—even though Xaden believes Maxim was his great-uncle—potentially explaining EXACTLY how Xaden manifested two signets without leadership realizing Sgaeyl had bonded someone in his direct bloodline.

Except Garrick’s dragon Chradh ALSO says he specifically sought out Garrick’s bloodline… and Garrick has two signets too.
COINCIDENCE?! WE THINK NOT.

Meanwhile, we see Colonel Aetos already molding Dain into the rule-following man we meet in Fourth Wing, Xaden and Garrick’s brotherhood is destroying us, Cat is already driving Xaden insane, and Bodhi gets some VERY suspicious “brother” and “death or demise” language that has us side-eyeing the venin brother theory all over again.

Oh—and why does everyone seem to be bleeding before their dragon bonds them?! Are dragons checking something in their blood before choosing them? Venin check, perhaps?

Because at this point, one thing feels very clear:

The dragons know WAY more than they’re telling us.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

078: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into The Assassin’s Blade in FULL, and BUNCHIES, knowing where Celaena’s story is headed makes this one HURT.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

We meet 16-year-old Celaena Sardothien, already Adarlan’s most notorious assassin, and finally get the full story of Sam Cortland.

From Skull’s Bay, where Celaena and Sam defy Arobynn and free hundreds of enslaved people, to the Red Desert, where Celaena trains with the Silent Assassins and survives Ansel’s betrayal, these novellas show us exactly who Celaena was before Endovier.

Along the way, she meets Yrene Towers, unknowingly changes the course of her life, encounters Stygian spidersilk, rides an Asterion horse, and even crosses paths with two VERY familiar strangers:

DORIAN AND CHAOL.

But eventually, everything comes back to Sam. After years of rivalry, bickering, and feelings neither of them will admit…

CELAENA AND SAM FINALLY GET TOGETHER.

They buy their freedom from Arobynn and plan to leave Rifthold behind. One final job. One chance at a new life. And then...

SAM NEVER COMES HOME.

His death absolutely destroys Celaena (and us). Lavender soap will never smell the same... *cue tears*

Celaena goes after the men responsible, only to walk straight into a trap. And the betrayal cuts even deeper when we learn Arobynn was the one who orchestrated it all.

Celaena Sardothien is handed over to the King of Adarlan. Which means we officially know how she ended up in Endovier.

Bunchies, Let’s get into it!

#77: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re doing something a little different: a special LIVE reading of the final chapter of The Assassin’s Blade — Chapter 12, plus the “Before” and “After.”

And Bunchies… safe to say, we will never be the same.

“My name is Celaena Sardothien, and I will not be afraid.”

Yeah. We’re not okay.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!