A Novel Bunch – Details, episodes & analysis

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A Novel Bunch

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Frequency: 1 episode/6d. Total Eps: 83

Welcome to A Novel Bunch, your new favorite modern-day book club! Hosted by besties Alyssa Tabit Smith and Molly Burnett, this podcast dives into one book per month, breaking it down chapter by chapter. Expect deep-dive discussions exploring the lore, characters, theories, world-building, and all the details you may have missed. New episodes drop every Tuesday, so grab your copy and read along with us!

A Novel Bunch has covered Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses, Crescent City, and Throne of Glass series, along with Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series. New episodes drop every Tuesday, so grab your copy and read along with us!

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Heir of Fire (Ch. 1–35): The Bite Heard 'Round the Maasverse (AND WE'RE FREAKING OUT!)

Episode 82

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Duration 43:30

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.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6JMA4nk...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
YouTube: @anovelbunch

Follow us:
Instagram: @anovelbunchpodcast
TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anovelbunchpodcast
Facebook: / a-novel-bunch-podcast-61578539544471

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Threshing Day: LIVE READING of Sloane's Chapter: "You Will Never Be Alone Again"

Episode 81

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 49:59

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.

Grab this month’s book: amzn.to/3Er9cuF

Listen now:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6JMA4nk...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
YouTube: @anovelbunch

Follow us:
Instagram: @anovelbunchpodcast
TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anovelbunchpodcast
Facebook: / a-novel-bunch-podcast-61578539544471

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Threshing Day: Chapters 8–14 (Final Seven POVs): Recap, Theories & Deep Dive

Episode 80

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • Duration 46:08

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!

Threshing Day: Chapters 1-7 (First Six POVs): Recap, Deep Dive & Theories: Black Bracelet Theory

Episode 79

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Duration 01:06:01

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.

The Assassin's Blade: Full Book Recap, Deep Dive & Theories: "My name is Celaena Sardothien, and I will not be afraid."

Episode 78

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 43:27

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!

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The Assassin’s Blade: Live Reading | The Assassin and the Empire, Chapter 12

Episode 77

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 33:27

#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!

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Crown of Midnight: Full Book Recap, Deep Dive & Theories: Meeting Aelin Galathynius, the Lost Heir of Terrasen?! MIND BLOWN

Episode 76

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 59:11

#076: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering Crown of Midnight in FULL and Bunchies, this book just changed the entire game.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Celaena is officially the King’s Champion, but surprise: she’s secretly not killing his targets. Instead, she’s helping them disappear, including her latest assignment, Archer Finn, a childhood friend who reveals that rebels are searching for the lost heir of Terrasen:

Aelin Galathynius.

OH RLY.

Meanwhile, Celaena and Chaol are getting VERY close. Nights together, dancing, birthday dates, talking about leaving Rifthold and yes, they finally become a couple.

Alyssa is suffering. Dorian deserves JUSTICE.

Speaking of Dorian…

DORIAN HAS MAGIC.

During a council meeting, his anger literally cracks stone and shatters a window. He also notices that the King, Duke Perrington, and Roland are all wearing matching black rings.

Nothing ominous about that!!!

Then Baba Yellowlegs drops some MASSIVE lore: the Valg are demons from another world, there are three Wyrdkeys capable of opening Wyrdgates between realms, and the King may already possess one.

MULTIVERSE ALERT.

And then everything falls apart.

Nehemia begs Celaena to fight for Eyllwe, but Celaena refuses. Nehemia’s final words to her?

“Nothing more than a coward.”

Chaol later learns about a threat against Nehemia but keeps it from Celaena. He gets kidnapped, Celaena races back to the castle…

…and Nehemia has been murdered.

Celaena completely snaps and nearly kills Chaol, until Dorian uses his magic to stop her.

From there, we finally see the assassin everyone has been warning us about.

Celaena hunts down Grave, walks into the King’s council carrying his head, and declares war on everyone responsible for Nehemia’s death.
But the BIGGEST betrayal is still coming.Celaena eventually learns Archer ordered Nehemia’s assassination. He planted the threat, kidnapped Chaol, and manipulated Celaena into blaming him.Then he TAKES FLEETFOOT INTO A PORTAL. Obviously we lost our minds. Celaena follows and TRANSFORMS INTO FAE.She kills the creature inside the portal, saves Fleetfoot and Chaol, and then kills Archer.After everything that happened, Chaol realizes Celaena is no longer safe in Rifthold and arranges for her to be sent to Wendlyn.Before she leaves, he tells her: “I love you.”Her response? “I’m sorry.”Then Celaena whispers a date into his ear, the day her parents died. Chaol finally puts the pieces together.Celaena Sardothien isn’t just Celaena Sardothien.SHE IS AELIN ASHRYVER GALATHYNIUS.THE LOST QUEEN OF TERRASEN.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

Throne of Glass (Ch. 43–55): "Blood Ties Can't be Broken"... WHAT!?

Episode 75

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 28:51

#075: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Throne of Glass chapters 43 through 55, and BUNCHIES—we’ve got Kaltain on our LAST nerve, portals opening, MORE Wyrdmarks, and Celaena officially becoming the King’s Champion.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

But first—Wyrdmarks in ACOTAR?!

Feyre describes the faded markings around her family’s human cottage as whorls, swirls, and runes carved around the doors and windows for protection against faeries.

Now that we’ve seen Wyrdmarks used for protection, portals, and crossing between realms in Throne of Glass... could those cottage markings actually be Wyrdmarks—or some forgotten version of the same ancient language?

WE HAVE QUESTIONS.

Back in Erilea, Celaena finally reveals her true identity to Nehemia, who gives her the name Elentiya, Spirit That Could Not Be Broken.

Then it’s time for the final duel.

Celaena takes down Grave in under two minutes, but before she faces Cain, Kaltain poisons her wine with bloodbane. As Celaena becomes weaker and more disoriented, Cain begins taunting her with horrifying details about the night her parents died.

HOW DOES HE KNOW THAT?!

And somehow things get even worse.

Creatures begin surrounding Celaena during the fight, creatures no one else can see. Elena appears through a portal, drives them away, removes the poison from Celaena’s body, and gives her the chance to fight back.

Celaena defeats Cain, a Wyrdmark glows across her forehead, and when Cain tries to attack her from behind, Chaol kills him—his first kill ever.

CUZ HE’S IN LOVE. I SAID WHAT I SAID.

Nehemia then reveals she knew WAY more than we realized: she drew the protective Wyrdmarks beneath Celaena’s bed, could see the creatures during the duel, and opened the portal that allowed Elena to save her.

Throne of Glass (Ch. 29–42): Dorian Girlies, WE ARE SO UP

Episode 74

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 • Duration 29:13

#074: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Throne of Glass chapters 29 through 42, and BUNCHIES—the romance is ROMANCING.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The competition continues, another Champion is brutally murdered, and the mysterious Wyrdmarks scattered throughout the castle are becoming harder to ignore.

Celaena begins suspecting Nehemia may know more than she’s letting on, especially after finding Wyrdmarks hidden beneath her bed and discovering Nehemia has been studying them herself.

Meanwhile, Dorian and Celaena are getting CLOSER. He saves the puppy Celaena begged him not to delete, gifts her Fleetfoot (SWOON), dances with her at the Yulemas ball—and then follows her back to her rooms where THEY KISS.

But romance isn’t the only thing heating up.

Dorian recognizes Celaena’s mysterious amulet as the Eye of Elena, Duke Perrington reveals Celaena’s true identity to Kaltain, and a plan is set in motion to drug her before the final duel.

Then the castle mystery finally starts coming together.

Celaena discovers the murdered Champions are being sacrificed to summon a terrifying creature called a Ridderak, allowing its summoner to steal their strength—and she catches Cain in the act.

After surviving the Ridderak with King Gavin’s sword, Damaris, Nehemia finds Celaena and bathes her... only to reveal glowing turquoise Wyrdmarks covering her body.

WE HAVE QUESTIONS.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

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Throne of Glass (Ch. 15–28): We Found the First Major Maasverse Connection!

Episode 73

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 35:09

#073: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 15 through 28 of Throne of Glass, and BUNCHIES… the competition is officially underway, the Champions are being hunted, and the clues are starting to point toward something much bigger beneath the glass castle.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Before we dive into the chapters, we found an old video of Sarah J. Maas sorting her characters into Hogwarts houses, and obviously, we need to discuss. From Ravenclaw Dorian and Hufflepuff Chaol to Celaena’s Slytherin-Gryffindor mix, we’re breaking down whether we agree or not!

Then it’s back to the competition as Celaena deliberately hides the full extent of her abilities, survives increasingly brutal trials, and risks everything to save Nox after Grave pushes him from the castle wall.

Meanwhile, Dorian and Celaena continue growing closer through books, music, and one very flirtatious game of billiards, while Chaol sends Dorian away from her rooms, only to give Celaena his amethyst ring moments later. The love-triangle energy is officially here, Bunchies.

But romance may be the least of Celaena’s problems.

Nehemia reveals that the mysterious symbols around the clock tower are ancient Wyrdmarks, and Celaena discovers they can be used to open Wyrdgates into other realms. After finding secret passages behind the tapestry in her room, she is led beneath the castle to the tomb of King Gavin and Queen Elena.

There, Elena warns her that the eight gargoyles guard a portal between worlds, and that something evil is already inside the castle.

We’re connecting the Wyrdmarks, Elena’s protective amulet, and The Walking Dead to major Crescent City moments, questioning whether “Ah! Time’s Rift!” could connect to the Northern Rift, and asking just how early Sarah J. Maas began planting the seeds for a much larger crossover.

And just when the mystery could not get any bigger… Cain reveals that he knows Celaena’s true identity.

Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

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