Secrets, Sorcery, and a Bloody Turning Point – Crown of Midnight Heats Up

Welcome back to Books, Cats, & Chaos, where the stakes are rising as we continue our deep dive into Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. This episode covers Chapters 22–29, and fair warning—it’s a brutal one. If you’ve been following our journey through the Throne of Glass series, you know we don’t hold back on the laughs, the chaos, or the heartbreak. If you’re new here, now might be a good time to grab a drink, hug your cat, and brace yourself.

Celaena is straddling two worlds more than ever—assassin and protector, lover and warrior, loyal servant and secret rebel. Her tangled relationship with Chaol takes a steamy turn, while Dorian begins unraveling the threads of his magical heritage. But all the tension boils over in a heart-wrenching twist we never saw coming.

In this episode, we cover:

• Dorian’s deep dive into ancient bloodlines and a creepy library scene straight out of a horror novel
• Baba Yellowlegs finally enters the chat—and drops some serious lore about witches, fae, and the Valg
• Celaena throws Chaol the most romantic rooftop birthday dinner ever… and reveals her most dangerous secret
• From carriage kisses to castle fade-to-blacks, Chaol and Celaena’s relationship finally explodes (in more ways than one)
• The King’s sinister schemes ramp up with a chilling plan to “question” Nehemia
• Kidnapping, betrayal, and a jaw-dropping rescue mission that unveils Archer’s true colors
• The moment that changes everything: Celaena arrives too late

We also unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface: is Nehemia’s fate part of a bigger prophecy? Was Chaol’s silence a betrayal or a tragic mistake? And what kind of monster would leave a scene that horrific?

This is a turning point episode for Crown of Midnight—full of heartbreak, rage, and major character evolution. As always, we throw in our wild theories, lore breakdowns, and yes… just a little cat-related chaos.

We’d love to hear your reactions: Did you see that ending coming? Do you trust Archer? And what do you think Celaena is going to do next?

Why not give us a follow? YouTube: @bookscatschaos Instagram: @books.cats.chaos TikTok: @books.cats.chaos Threads: @books.cats.chaos

Email us your thoughts, theories, and favorite scenes: hello@bookscatsandchaos.com

Or subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast apps Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AcAFpI1givCx5PqMmKHvS?si=4c9a0e6e519944d1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-cats-chaos/id1779417007

If you like what you hear and want to support our show, you can buy us a coffee, it's what keeps us going!

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A Book Lover’s Dream: Romantasy BookCon LA – Panels, Signings & Chaos!

What happens when you bring together 200+ fantasy romance authors, exclusive book editions, immersive panels, and a crowd of book lovers? Absolute bookish mayhem—in the best way possible!

In this episode of The In-Between, we’re recapping our adventure at Romantasy BookCon LA 2025, an event put on by Fabled Fantasy Events that celebrates all things romantasy. With only one day to experience as much as we could, we packed in author signings, engaging discussions, unexpected book discoveries, and even a surprise fan moment with an audiobook narrator!

If you love fantasy books with a romantic twist, or if you’re considering attending this con in the future, this is the perfect deep dive into everything that made this event unforgettable.

The Experience – A Day of Bookish Adventure

Romantasy BookCon LA was a dream for book lovers, offering three massive ballrooms filled with authors, panels exploring the rise of the romantasy genre, and vendors selling everything from stunning bookish art to custom cosplay accessories.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Author Signings & Long-Awaited Bookish Meetups – From Fourth Wing to Throne of Glass, we met some of today’s biggest fantasy romance authors and navigated the chaos of ticketed signings.

Epic Author Panels – Strong female leads, romantasy’s growing dominance, and behind-the-scenes insights—these panels delivered some serious wisdom (and some unfiltered rants).

Fangirling Over Audiobook Narrators – Ka-Ce had a full-blown fan meltdown meeting the legendary Laura Horowitz. It was everything.

The Ultimate FOMO – We almost made it to the masquerade ball, magic show, and murder mystery… but one day just wasn’t enough.

The Parking Garage of Doom – If you’re attending next year, DO NOT PARK AT THE BILTMORE. We have horror stories.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. The bookish energy, the passionate fans, and the chance to be in a space that fully celebrates fantasy romance made this event unforgettable. Next time? We’re going VIP, bringing a rolling book cart, and packing snacks.

Did you go? If you did let us know how your experience was!

Why not give us a follow? YouTube: @bookscatschaos Instagram: @books.cats.chaos TikTok: @books.cats.chaos Threads: @books.cats.chaos

Email us your thoughts, theories, and favorite scenes: hello@bookscatsandchaos.com

Or subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast apps Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AcAFpI1givCx5PqMmKHvS?si=4c9a0e6e519944d1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-cats-chaos/id1779417007

If you like what you hear and want to support our show, you can

Secrets, Betrayal, and a Prince’s Hidden Power – A Deep Dive into Crown of Midnight

Welcome back, book lovers! In this episode of Books, Cats, & Chaos, we continue our deep dive into Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, covering chapters 15–21. Expect heated debates, hidden story clues, and plenty of bookish chaos as we analyze character motives, major plot twists, and the underlying themes shaping Celaena’s journey.

If you love Throne of Glass and want engaging, in-depth discussions that break down every chapter, this episode is for you! Join us as we uncover secrets, explore relationships, and question just how “legendary” the world’s greatest assassin really is.

What You Can Expect in This Episode:

A Song of Rebellion: The haunting melody performed at Prince Hollin’s welcome celebration is more than just music—it’s a bold, dangerous statement. But why doesn’t the King react?

Roland’s Role: Is Roland a willing conspirator, or just another pawn in the King’s twisted game? His involvement is raising eyebrows, and we have theories.

Nehemia vs. Celaena – A Friendship on the Brink? Nehemia wants Celaena to do more, pushing her to take risks. But is her pressure justified, or is she withholding crucial secrets of her own?

The Eye of Elena Mystery Deepens: Celaena pieces together cryptic clues that could unlock ancient power, but someone seems determined to keep her distracted.

Can Archer Finn Be Trusted? Celaena is playing a dangerous game with the King, but is Archer her ace—or her downfall? His suspicious behavior is making us question everything.

Dorian’s Awakening: A prince with a buried secret. When rage and frustration reach their peak, Dorian’s magic manifests in an explosive way. But how long can he hide it?

The King’s Deadly Game: Death threats, shadowy alliances, and political maneuvering—why does the King want Nehemia gone now? And is Chaol walking into a trap?

Bonus Chaos: Cameo appearance by Fynn, our adorable tabby cat, plus our usual mix of sarcasm, unfiltered thoughts, and passionate bookish debates.

Why You Should Listen

Deep-Dive Analysis – We go beyond surface-level discussion to analyze character growth, foreshadowing, and underlying themes.

Spoiler-Free Past the Chapters Discussed – No future book spoilers, so you can enjoy without worry.

Perfect for Fantasy Fans – If you love Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, and Fourth Wing, this podcast is your new home.

Why not give us a follow? YouTube: @bookscatschaos Instagram: @books.cats.chaos TikTok: @books.cats.chaos Threads: @books.cats.chaos

Email us your thoughts, theories, and favorite scenes: hello@bookscatsandchaos.com

Or subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast apps Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AcAFpI1givCx5PqMmKHvS?si=4c9a0e6e519944d1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-cats-chaos/id1779417007

If you like what you hear and want to support our show, you can buy us a coffee, it's what keeps us going!

Help a pet in need! The work...