ACOTAR: The Mother Deep Dive | Who is Prythian’s Creator, Really?

Who is Prythian’s Creator? In this deep dive podcast episode, we break down everything we know about The Mother in Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series. Join us as we unravel her powers, her motivations, and why she’s so interested in Nesta. Then, in our Maasverse section, we unravel her connections to the Throne of Glass gods, Urd, and her role in the greater story. Whether you're a long-time fan of ACOTAR or finished the series yesterday, this episode offers deep insights and mind-blowing theories for fans both old and new!

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Dragons in the Details is your go-to podcast for detailed Romantasy lore explorations—no chapter recaps, just fresh insights and thoughtful connections. Please note: spoilers for the full ACOTAR series for the entire episode, and for Throne of Glass, and Crescent City in our Maasverse section.. Subscribe and join the conversation!

00:00 Ronnie Finally Watches Heated Rivalry

08:36 Episode Overview: The Mother Deep Dive

13:14 Corrections and Omissions

15:53 What's the Mother's Whole Vibe?

17:13 Who (or what) is the Mother?

26:20 What are The Mother's Powers?

36:19 The Mother and The Cauldron: Allies or Adversaries?

40:31 Nesta's Powers: Life and Death

46:48 Maasverse Corrections + Omissions

53:47 What is the Connection Between the Mother, Wyrd, and Urd? (CC, ToG)

01:16:42 Exploring the Fae Creation Myth

01:47:49 Pre-cog Corner

01:52:18 Reading Corner

01:54:25 trueCrime-intro-high-short.wav

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Who is the villain of ACOTAR 6? In this deep dive podcast episode, we explore the Slavic folklore behind Koschei the Deathless to predict Sarah J. Maas's next moves in the ACOTAR series. Discover the mysterious powers of Koschei, the intriguing Onyx Box theory, and the secrets behind the Swan Maidens. Plus, we dive into the Maasverse lore with connections to Throne of Glass and Crescent City, unraveling the nature of the Death Gods. Whether you're a fan of Feyre's journey or the wider Maasverse, this episode offers deep insights and new theories.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION: 👉 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives!

Dragons in the Details is your go-to podcast for detailed Romantasy lore explorations—no chapter recaps, just fresh insights and thoughtful connections. Please note: spoilers for the full ACOTAR series for the entire episode, and for Throne of Glass, and Crescent City in our Maasverse section.. Subscribe and join the conversation!

00:00 The Great Sheet Debate

02:52 Episode Overview: Koschei Deep Dive

07:59 SEASON 3 ANNOUNCEMENT!! WE WILL BE COVERING...

13:24 COSMS: Confirmation that Lucien is Helion's Heir?

16:02 COSMS: We're not here for plot holes!

20:02 Fun Q: What are the Death Gods favorite board games?

22:43 What are Koschei's Powers?

38:22 What's in Koschei's box?

48:57 Who are the Swan Maidens?

01:02:15 COSMs: Vassa Vassa Vassa

01:08:11 What are the Death Gods? (Maasverse)

01:44:48 Reading Corner: The Will of the Many!

01:48:36 trueCrime-intro-high-short.wav

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Welcome to "Dragons in the Details," your go-to podcast for deep dives into Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series and the wider Maasverse, including Throne of Glass and Crescent City.

In this episode, Abby and Ronnie dive into Prythian’s most terrifying spinner, the Weaver of the Woods - Stryga! We break down her bone-chillin powers, what it means that she can “eat life,” how her mythology ties into her ACOTAR storyline, and the dark truth behind her haunting song. Then in our Maasverse section (spoilers ahead!), we connect her to the ToG witches, explore her very valg-y imagery, and ask the big question: is she connected to the Mother herself? The theories get wild, but we always bring receipts!

No chapter-by-chapter spoilers here—just rich analyses and bold theories about characters and story arcs that fans can enjoy whether they're new or longtime readers. Tune in for an unfiltered exploration of your favorite Maasverse moments, where no detail goes unanalyzed and no theory is too unhinged!

Perfect for fans of ACOTAR and the Maasverse—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Spoilers: Full ACOTAR series in our ACOTAR section; Throne of Glass and Crescent City in our Maasverse section.

👉 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives into your favorite Maasverse characters! ⚠️ SPOILERS for entire ACOTAR series + full Maasverse (Crescent City & Throne of Glass)!

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00:00 Yes we are STILL talking HEATED RIVALRYYYYY07:34 Episode Overview: Stryga Deep Dive09:20 COSMs: The Blood Rite, The Western Wind, Our Girl Merrill15:59 Fun Q: Should we get into knitting?18:06 What are Stryga's Powers? (ACOTAR)35:04 Stryga's Mythology Break Down (ACOTAR)46:29 The Meaning Behind Striga's Song (ACOTAR)01:01:16 Maasverse COSMs: We still don't know what the Death Gods are01:14:49 Why did Stryga have the Ouroboros? (Throne of Glass)01:32:48 What is the connection between weavers in the Maasverse? (Throne of Glass, Crescent City)01:54:22 Pre-cog: Stryga lives!

Welcome to "Dragons in the Details," your go-to podcast for deep dives into Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series and the wider Maasverse, including Throne of Glass and Crescent City.

In this episode, Abby and Ronnie unpack the mysteries surrounding the Bone Carver: why he refused to leave the Prison, what he was tracing in the dirt, and the hidden lore that reveals huge secrets about Prythian. No chapter-by-chapter spoilers here—just rich analyses and bold theories about characters and story arcs that fans can enjoy whether they're new or longtime readers. Tune in for an unfiltered exploration of your favorite Maasverse moments, where no detail goes unanalyzed and no theory is too unhinged!

Perfect for fans of ACOTAR and the Maasverse—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Spoilers: Full ACOTAR series in our ACOTAR section; Throne of Glass and Crescent City in our Maasverse section.

👉 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives into your favorite Maasverse characters! ⚠️ SPOILERS for entire ACOTAR series + full Maasverse (Crescent City & Throne of Glass)!

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00:00 We're falling in love (with Heated Rivalry)

08:13 Episode Overview: Bone Carver Deep Dive

11:43 COSMs: Bat Boy Reading Lists, So Many Tamlin Babes

18:17 Fun Questions: Who's the Bone Carver's Bestie?

21:29 What are the Bone Carvers's Powers?

34:53 Why did the Carver want Feyre to look in the Ouroboros?

50:19 What 's the BC's tie to the Phases of the Moon?

01:09:59 Maasverse COSMS: So many things this week

01:18:33 Maasverse: What does the Bone Carver appear to Feye as? (CC, ToG)

01:26:52 Maasverse: What is the Bone Carver tracing in the Dirt? (ToG, CC)

01:40:52 Maasverse: Why doesn’t the Bone Carver want to leave the Prison? (CC)

01:47:52 Maasverse: Bone Carver's connection to the God of Truth (ToG)

01:56:12 Precog: The Bone Quarter, The Ouroboros

02:03:20 trueCrime-intro-high-short.wav

Hello! If you're reading this, that might mean that you love ACOTAR and the Maasverse, and maybe you like what we do. If you like what would do, would you consider subscribing and leaving a review? If you do, we promise we'll keep bringing you the ACOTAR and Maasverse deep dives you love every week! Until we move on to our next series, at least.

Join Abby and Ronnie as we explore ACOTAR's most mysterious location: The Prison! We're unpacking everything about Prythian's misty island compound—what the Prison actually is, the enigmatic Prison guards and their potential connection to Koschei, and why Nesta said the magic there "felt different" than Night Court magic.

**Maasverse Spoilers from here on out**

In our Maasverse section (spoilers ahead!), we dive deep into all things Dusk Court. We break down what the island was during the time of Silene and the Asteri, puzzle over what Lanthys actually is (Valg? Prince of Hel? Asteri warrior? We're genuinely stumped), explore the connections between the Harp Chamber and Elena's Tomb in Throne of Glass, and trace those "strange symbols" carved into the Prison to other places across the Maasverse.

Finally, in our pre-cog corner, we ask: did Baba Yellowlegs know EXACTLY what she was talking about in Empire of Storms? And could High Lord magic have Starborn origins, too?

Perfect for fans of ACOTAR and the Maasverse—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

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00:00 Christmas Movie Mayhem

05:20 Episode Overview: The Prison Deep Dive

13:22 Fun Question: FMK Prison Edition

17:24 ACOTAR: What is the Prison?

34:43 ACOTAR: What are the Prison Guards?

41:46 Maasverse COSMs: Why does Rhys think Beron could free the inmates?

47:09 Maasverse: Dusk Court Deep Dive (CC)

59:59 Maasverse: What is Lanthys? (CC, ToG)

01:09:41 Maasverse: What are the connections between the Harp Room and Elena's Tomb? (CC, ToG)

01:21:44 Maasverse: Why is the mountain on top of the prison covered in Wyrdmarks? (CC, ToG)

01:30:37 Pre-Cog Corner: Baba Yellowlegs, Mor and Emerie, High Lord Bloodlines

01:37:36 Reading Corner: The Knight and the Moth, Alchemised

Join Abby, Ronnie, and special guest MORGAN (aka ThreeFacedGoddess on TikTok) for the ultimate Maasverse Holiday Special and 2025 Recap! We're kicking off with a cozy end-of-year roundup featuring our favorite reads, binge-worthy TV shows, standout movies, and all the memorable media moments from 2024. Expect hot takes, cozy vibes, and plenty of laughs.

In the second half, dive deep into the worlds of Sarah J. Maas, including ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, Crescent City, and the broader Maasverse. Morgan shares her most fascinating and unhinged theories on key characters like Feyre, the mysteries of Hel, Maeve’s true nature, and the secrets of the cauldron. If you've been searching for answers hidden in the ACOTAR series or the greater Maasverse, this is the conversation for you.

Grab your favorite holiday drink and get comfortable for a fun and insightful journey filled with theories, laughs, and dragon-worthy deep dives. Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes covering your favorite Maasverse characters! Spoilers ahead for the entire ACOTAR series, Throne of Glass, Crescent City, and more.

👉 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives into your favorite Maasverse characters! ⚠️ SPOILERS for entire ACOTAR series + full Maasverse (Crescent City & Throne of Glass)!

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00:00 What's it like to have Pigmented Lips?

04:22 It's our Holiday Sweater!

08:24 Off The Cuff: Our Maasverse Reading Order Recs

12:21 The Best Books We Read This Year

19:47 The Most Surprising Books We Read This Year

22:56 The Best Movies We Saw This Year

26:57 The Best Shows We Watched This Year

35:07 Our New Year's Resolutions

43:13 Spoiler Alert and Holiday Wishes

43:28 Introduction to Morgan (aka threefacedgoddess on tiktok!)

50:50 Maasverse: Did Feyre make the Drop?

01:16:03 Maasverse: Did Theia make a Bargain with Hel?

01:36:22 Maasverse: Has Maeve been to Spring Court?

01:50:34: What We’re Reading (Alchemised, still)

Join Abby and Ronnie as they descend into the depths of ACOTAR'S House of Wind Library! From the mysterious sentience of the House itself to the terrifying (but cuddly) creature known as Bryaxis - we break it all down for you in this ACOTAR Deep Dive Episode! What exactly IS the House of Wind and why does it have a heartbeat? What's really at the bottom of the Library? And why are Nesta and Emerie so affected by the Library when Gwyn seems totally fine?!? Something's not adding up.

👉 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives into your favorite Maasverse characters! ⚠️ SPOILERS for entire ACOTAR series + full Maasverse (Crescent City & Throne of Glass)!

In this episode, we investigate:

• What each bat boy's favorite book genre would be (this got chaotic)

• The House of Wind's sentience and mysterious heartbeat

• Deep dive into the priestesses - Clotho, Merrill, and our beloved Gwyn

Maasverse Section:

• What IS Bryaxis and where did it come from?

• Why doesn’t Bryaxis want to leave the library?

• What's really at the bottom of the Library?

• Who built the Library? Asteri, Valg, Princes of Hel, something else?

• Why Nesta and Emerie are affected by the Library while Gwyn is not (CC, ToG)

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00:00 Holiday Chaos and Adulting

06:46 Episode Overview: "The Library carved into the mountain beneath the House of Wind that is also known as the home and refuge of the priestesses and many souls in need" Deep Dive

09:26 COSMs: Everyone loves Eris

12:34 Fun Question: What is each bat boy's favorite genre?

16:44 ACOTAR: What is the House of Wind? How does it have a heartbeat?

38:38 ACOTAR: Priestesses Deep Dive - Clotho, Merrill, and Gwyn

01:00:49 Maasverse COSMs - The lady with the red nails, More Eris we still love him

01:09:40 Maasverse Deep Dive: What is Bryaxis? (CC, ToG)

01:20:36 Maasverse: What's at the bottom of the Library? (CC)

01:50:21 Maasverse Deep Dive: Why are Nesta and Emerie affected by the Library when Gwyn is not? (CC, ToG)

01:55:24 Pre-cog corner: The Nature of Dreams

02:02:08 Pre-cog corner: Eris and Thanatos: A Connection?

Join Abby and Ronnie as they dive deep into our faithful leaders of Prythian - the High Lords! From Beron’s nefarious motivations to Helion’s connection to the mask - we break it all down for you in this ACOTAR Deep Dive Episode! What exactly is the source of the High Lord’s Powers? Who’s the heir to each court? And how exactly is it possible that in the millennia of magic choosing the High Lords, a High Lady has never ever been chosen?!? We smell a rat.

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💬 Drop your Eris theories in the comments - we read them all!

⚠️ SPOILERS for entire ACOTAR series + full Maasverse (Crescent City & Throne of Glass)!

In this episode, we investigate:

• The source of the High Lord’s power

• What we can learn from Calanmai

• The likely heirs to each court (Lucien’s looking good for like, 3 of them)

• Whatever the hell is going on in the Autumn Court

Maasverse Section:

• How the high lord’s power ties to the Asteri (Hello, Vesperus, hi, what did you mean when you said the land drank from you??)

• What happened to all the High Ladies

• The connections between Beron and the Autumn King (we think it could involve some caves and some thin places)

• Helion’s connection to the Mask

• Thesan’s connection to other healing powers in the Maasverse (looking at you, Tower of DAWN)

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00:00 Intro: Sarah J Maas is trying to kill us

05:00 Episode Overview: High Lords Deep Dive

10:05 Fun Question: Choose a Court

13:36 ACOTAR: What is the source of the High Lord's Power?

27:39 ACOTAR: Who are the heir's to each court?

40:51 Maasverse COSMS: Book of Mormon, Why did Cassian forget about Rhys's Orrery?

43:28 Maasverse: What is the source of the High Lord's Power? (CC)

55:23 Maasverse: Why are there no High Ladies anymore? (CC)

01:04:26 Maasverse: What is the connection between Beron and the Autumn King? (CC)

01:14:22 Maasverse: Why is Helion so affected by the mask? (CC)

01:23:19 Maasverse: Tracing the healing powers (CC, ToG)

01:34:16 Precog Corner: Nyx vs Nox, Is Eris a Crochan Witch?

01:44:06 Outro