Before we get into it, William updates us on some accolades and adaptations from our previous books and Jacob describes CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33, a whacko brilliant new video game from France. And then we’re talking both of our favorite book of 2025 thus far — Sarah J Maas’s QUEEN OF SHADOWS — it’s thrilling pacing, wonderful characterizations, Aelin’s ever-evolving hair color, the even better (and darker) witch plot, and the climax to end all climaxes, and last but not least, our trepidation about the much debated upcoming tandem read.

UPCOMING EPISODES:

• May 6: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 1–20
• May 13: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 21–58
• May 20: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 59-End

Jacob and William recount their joyous in-person reunion (the first since the pod began!) and the highs and highs of Coachella. And then they keep sipping the Booktok Kool-Aid as they go all in on Sarah J Maas’ THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE and HEIR OF FIRE, in which they discuss the controversial suggested reading order for the prequel novellas, the total badassery of the Ironteeth witches, the two hot new Fae muscle daddies on the scene (Aedion and Rowan obvz), the difference between wyverns and dragons, and so so much more.

Jacob and William chat about their hopes and fears for the LEGEND OF ZELDA film, unpack the truly bizarre choices made in THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, and gear up for their imminent reunion at COACHELLA. And then they're back in the Arena for the violent, epic, and heartbreaking final act of Suzanne Collins' SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. One of them loved it, one of them hated it, and both have a lot to say about what it all means, how we feel about the tragic fates of the beloved Tributes, and whether or not we think the prequel series should continue.

Jacob and William are recording in the wee hours of Jacob’s birthday, prompting a brief discussion of Hunger Games Astrology, before the pair revisit the film version of CATCHING FIRE. Then, it’s back to SUNRISE ON THE REAPING for Part 2: THE RASCAL, where Haymitch and the gang of Newcomers are in final preparation mode for the Fiftieth Annual Hunger Games.

Jacob starts our violent YA fantasy hour by telling us all about R. F. Kuang’s THE POPPY WAR and William shares his love for other Asian-inspired fantasy series. After a quick touch base about the *other* prequel (and it’s many, many songs), we go right back into Panem, District 12, and the Capitol all over again in the highly anticipated new book in the HUNGER GAMES franchise — SUNSET ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins. In this episode, we deep dive into PART ONE: THE BIRTHDAY and gush about how much we’re feeling this book thus far, what sets it apart from the previous trilogy, which characters we love to hate and love to love, and we even get the chills from getting the chills.

Jacob and William are joined by Brittnay Johnston, co-host of HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST PODCAST, to bring out their own inner Booktok girlies by dipping their toes into the Maas-verse. But first, Jacob has a harrowing ordeal with a dodgy meat stick, William day drinks until he talks to a dolphin, and Brittnay shares the dizzying highs and mids of starting her own podcast. Then it's a two-for-one special during a full-spoiler discussion of THRONE OF GLASS and CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J Maas, unpacking the femininomenon of these books, deciphering Wyrdmarks and exploring secret passages, and even fan-casting the canceled TV adaptation.

First, William and Jacob imagine an alternate reality where Jake and Will host a very different podcast. Then they devolve into a discussion of Lady Gaga's MAYHEM, Bong Joon Ho's MICKEY 17 and the new hit video game SPLIT FICTION, before announcing their April Book, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING.

Once that's all finished, they finally get to the point and ALIEN CLAY concludes, as Daghdev and your hosts finally uncover the secrets of Kiln's alien landscape.

UPCOMING EPISODES:

March 25– INTERLUDE: Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight w/ Brittnay Johnston

April 1– Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins Part 1

Before we get deep into ALIEN CLAY: PART TWO, Jacob spirals about Paradise-triggered fear of the end times, William online shops for realistic mermaid babies, and they both continue their love affair with Jenny Haniver. And then we finally travel with the Excursionistas into the wilds of Kiln in all its disturbing and bizarre, extraterrestrial glory, culminating in the alien monster attack of our dreams/nightmares when a giant green alien elephant attacks and eats some of our characters with its retractable tusks and legs-turned-mouth-suckers. :)