Explore every episode of the podcast Novel Theories

Bloomsbury just casually dropped 11 new Reader's Guides, adding to the collection and giving us a guide for every currently published book. And honestly...the questions are very interesting.

Across the different guides, Bloomsbury is asking reader's to consider some concepts in new ways.

Why should you care? What even is a reading guide? What does it pose about the future of the crossover? About Bryce and Hunt? About what Gwyn and Emerie mean to Nesta?

We cover the burning questions and more! (Including Dragonkind and trying to find the d$^# blue dragon!)

Listen along, drop your comments, questions, and feedback! We want to know what you think!

In our fourth and last episode of the Great Azriel Ship War we dive deeeeeep into the Bryce and Azriel ship evidence--and go with us on this journey, because it is 2 full hours of detailed breakdowns. From the weapons as a decoy bond, to the language choices Sarah uses, to the weird ways that Azriel acts out of character in Bryce's presence.

As this wraps up the ship war -- share with us: what do you think? What do you feel like stands out the most to you? What are the top arguments? What are the weakest? And who do YOU think is going to end up as Azriel's future mate?

Sound off in the comments!

Threshing Day is here--and it did not disappoint. These 13 stories are strong, emotional, fun, insightful, informational, and simply chockful of Empyrean goodness. This could be one of Rebecca's best works yet...

SPOILERS AHEAD!

In this episode we discuss:

• What does Asher Sorrengail know?
• Are Signets determined during Threshing?
• Are there dragons who aren't who they say they are?
• Is Xaden the grandson of Sgaeyl's rider?
• Is Imogen the granddaughter of Glane's?
• Why was Liam's Threshing so different?
• Why did everyone have a tree? Except Aaric...

We cover all of this and so much more in this breakdown episode! Comment and let us know your thoughts on Threshing Day!

This week in the Great Azriel Ship War? Azris! Listen along as we uncover the evidence for Azriel and Eris and decide -- is it a Fireheart? Or does it belong Straight in the Cauldron?

(Hint: We are giving it a 50/50 Hot Cup of Suriel Tea...)

We love the Azris shippers--they showed up! The Azris fan-based is fun, passionate, and able to produce way more evidence than I think we were expecting.

If you missed part 1 on Gwynriel and part 2 on Elain, check them out! And next week, stay tuned as we head for our fourth and final movement--you guessed it: Bryceriel.

Happy shipping!

It's time for more of the most unhinged theories! In our third installment of Wild Maasverse Theories, we dig into:

• Is Rhysand related to or connected to Maeve?
• What is with all the monsters in Wendlyn--are they related to the monsters in the prison?
• Was Elain pregnant with Greyson's child when she went in the cauldron?
• Is Gwyn "Shadow-Bryce?"
• Is Hunt "Shadow-Azriel?"

We cover all of these theories and more! Sound off in the comments below - what do you think? Is it a fireheart for you? Do you want to throw it straight in cauldron?

And thank you to everyone who has embraced the Maasverse Scoring System with us! We are thrilled to drop the first MSS image in this episode on YouTube, if you want to see it in person!

For more, you can follow us at:

• Instagram: @noveltheories | @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghan
• TikTok: @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghan
• Reddit: u/noveltheoriespod

We are going deeper into the Great Azriel Ship War this week with part 2: Elriel! We know there are many die-hard Elriel fans out there and we wanted to investigate the evidence they bring to the table.

Honestly? Elain and Azriel fans SHOWED UP with the data. The quotes to comb through were there. But the questions isn't if they have a romantic connection...we know they do. The question is: what does it mean for the future?

Do the patterns that occur in the text prove matehood? Endgame? Where are the arguments strong? Where are they weak? And how do we feel about the entirety of the evidence?

And we want YOUR thoughts. Sound off in the comments, drop your thoughts, theories, and feedback. We want to hear from you.

Maasverse 101: The Great Azriel Ship War Debate is on. Stay tuned as we work on Azris and Bryceriel in parts 3 and 4!

BookTok made her book go viral… and then traditional publishing came knocking.

This week, we’re joined by Sheila Masterson, bestselling author of the dark romance sensation The Poison Daughter, to talk about the whirlwind journey from indie publishing to breakout success.

We talk about what it actually feels like when your book takes off, the realities of going from indie to traditional publishing, the highs and surprises of the process, and what happens when the story you created starts becoming much bigger than you ever expected.

Plus:

• The story behind The Poison Daughter
• How BookTok and Bookstagram helped propel the book
• Going from indie author to traditional publishing
• The whirlwind of getting signed
• What surprised Sheila most about the publishing world
• What comes next
• And… could The Poison Daughter be making it's way to Hulu?

Whether you already love The Poison Daughter, found Sheila through BookTok, or you’re fascinated by what happens when an indie book suddenly catches fire, this conversation is such a fun look behind the curtain.

And, truly, Sheila is an absolute delight. ❤️

Nicole and Meghan take on the evidence for Gwyn and Azriel in the Great Azriel Ship War!

Digging into a debate that started on social media, follow along in the first episode of Novel Theories (formerly Romantasy Readers Podcast) with us as we surface the top evidence for the possible future of Gwyn and Azriel! We uncover the strongest arguments, analyze what makes them work, where might they fall apart, and what we think this means for the future of the Maasverse!

As we move on to the front lines in this war, our first battle will tackle Gwyn and Azriel (Gwynriel), followed in part 2 by Elain and Azriel (Elriel), part 3 on Bryce and Azriel (Bryceriel), and--perhaps--a part 4 on Eris and Azriel (Azris!).

We want to hear all of your comments, thoughts, feedback, arguments--what are the pieces of these ships that work for you? Where do they crumble?

Just remember--there are rules:

- Your arguments must be based in textual evidence, foreshadowing, symbolism, parallels, or lore.

- Your arguments must not be based on author interviews or commentary or personal opinion of preferred story line. If it can't be proven by the text it doesn't exist! (For this debate!)

Happy debating!

In this episode we get to sit down with Alley, co-host of Romantasy Readers, as she bids us farewell as a permanent host in order to continue growing her author business!

Alley, also known as the author Alexandria Arden, is in the middle of writing her 4th book as her 3rd book -- a hockey romance called "After Further Review" is headed for release! Between her Thayar Crown series (The Witch Queen, The Shining Prince) and her new hockey romance, Alley has been insanely busy on tour!

Hear about her run in with a freak tornado accident recently, how it impacted her business growth, and hear her thoughts on the upcoming ACOTAR 6 and 7 releases!

We will miss Alley being here regularly, but she will continue on a guest host whenever she wants! We look forward to this new chapter with Meghan as our new permanent host...and stay tuned because a few changes are coming...

Join Nicole as she sits down to talk with Megan Gad (@megangadreads) to discuss:

• What's going on with Sarah and Bloomsbury?
• Is Rhysand evil?
• What about Bryceriel?
• And so much more!

Show Note: Megan and Nicole recorded this episode prior to the ACOTAR 6 and 7 title and blurb releases. There is the possibility that some items discussed are no longer as relevant as they were prior to recording. BUT! We still want to hear all of your questions! Sound off below with your thoughts, comments, theories, and more.

Is Crescent City in the past and ACOTAR in the future? Is Ragnarok going to happen on Midgard? Is Rhys collecting powerful people—and using the siphons to block Azriel and Cassian’s true power?

In this episode, Part 2 of our Wild Maasverse Theories, we cover all these questions an so much more!

Join Nicole and Meghan as they get a little unhinged, dive deeper, and bring back the Maasverse Theory Spectrum! Is it going Straight in the Cauldron? Does it have Ironteeth? Maybe…just maybe it’s a Fireheart!

In this episode, hosts Nicole and Meghan dig in on the biggest theories to circulate since the ACOTAR 6 & 7 cover and blurb releases, as well as uncover some of their own theories (like…is part of Koschei’s soul in the Dread Trove?).

Do you have a favorite theory for the upcoming releases? What are you SURE is coming, what do you hope isn’t, and what would be the biggest mind-blowing revelation? Let us know in the comments!

All the questions! Court of Splintered Harmony? Court of Forgotten Melody? Who is Koschei? What is going to happen to Cassian? Did we get Throne of Glass hints? What does it all mean!? Join hosts Nicole and Meghan with special guest Ciara as we continue reeling from all the Maasverse news!

This is another emergency episode. The book world is on fire, SJM is feeding us, and we cannot contain the excitement!

Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) on Instagram!

Is that a spider? What kind of spider? What are the flames with fangs? And bones??? This is not a drill! Join Nicole, Meghan, and Ciara as we cover the ACOTAR artwork update and cover leak! What do you think the drop is telling us? Let us know!

Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) for more!

Join Nicole and Meghan, from Marvelous Mrs. Meghan, as they review and rank some of the wildest ACOTAR and Maasverse theories out there!

Join Alley and Nicole as they interview co-writers Annie and Eliza, known as the pen name Sable Sorensen! We ask all the questions you're dying to know about Direbound and the sequel Furybound!

Join Alley and Nicole, along with their special guest Megan (@megangadreads), as they continue the discussion about Sarah J Maas' interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

Join Alley, Nicole, and sensational author Ariel Sulllivan as they talk about her books Conform, Beneath, and the universe Ariel is creating. Conform was Alley and Nicole's top book of 2025, and as readers privileged enough to get an early copy of Beneath, they cannot recommend this world and author enough! As always, the first 15-20 minutes are spoiler free so you can hear all about Ariel's books and get excited to go out and read them.

Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss their top book of 2025, Conform by Ariel Sullivan. As always, the first 15-20 minute are spoiler free, giving you the chance to learn more about the book before you commit to reading it.

Join Alley and Nicole as they breakdown every detail of Sarah J Maas's interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast. They talk about what we might expect from the next books, what theories are debunked (or not!), and everything else they loved about the appearance!

Join Alley and Nicole as they speculate about the rumors that Sarah J Maas could be on the Call Her Daddy podcast, and what we might see if she really does make an appearance in March.

Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss Brimstone, the sequel to Quicksilver.

Join Alley and Nicole as they cover their top ten reads of 2025. You'll definitely want to read the top 3, because they'll be featured in the coming months on the podcast!

UPDATED: If you previously tried listening to this and there was no audio after the intro, this has now been corrected.

Join Alley, Nicole, and special guest Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan) as they discuss the popular booktok/ bookstagram theory that Rhysand is actually the villain! Spoiler alert: they don't think he is!

Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss the sequel to a 2024 favorite, Bride. As always, the first 15-20 minutes are spoiler free, so you can get a sense of the book before you read it! Enjoy!

Join Alley and Nicole as they recap Quicksilver by Callie Hart with you so that you are ready to go when Brimstone drops. No time to reread the book? No problem! Their thorough (if chaotic) play by play of the major moments and important things to remember will help you dive right in.

Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss the incredible new Romantasy series The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman. They loved book 1 and book 2 in this series so much that they had to immediately discuss them both.

As always, the first 15 minutes or so are spoiler free to give you the chance to learn more about these books. After that, you need to have read both books in this series--The Wolf King and The Night Prince--to avoid spoilers.

RUN to read these books!

Join Alley and Nicole as they interview Danielle Jensen as the show's first repeat author guest. They talk about the series finale to her Dark Shores series, the upcoming Bridge Kindgdom series finale, and what's next (a Mad Max inspired romantasy?! Say less!)

As always for our author interviews, the first 15-20 minutes are spolier free, so you can listen even if you haven't read all of her books.

Join Nicole as she interviews the one and only Alexandria Arden, author of The Witch Queen and our very own co-host Alley! They talk all things Witch Queen, being an indie author, easter eggs, and more!

Join Nicole and Meghan (sans Alley!) as they finish the conversation deep diving into Bryceriel from a literary analysis perspective! And if you haven't already, make sure you're following @marvelousmrsmeghan on Instagram and Tiktok!

Join Alley, Nicole, and special guest Meghan from @marvelousmrsmeghan as they do a deep dive on Brycerial from a purely literary analysis perspective! You don't want to miss this incredible Bryceriel episode!

Join Nicole and special guest Kitty as they discuss the Gods and Monsters series by Amber V. Nicole. You need to have read the first 3 books of this series to listen spoiler free!

Books:

The Book of Azrael

The Throne of Broken Gods

Dawn of the Cursed Queen

SPOILER WARNING: You need to have read all Sarah J Maas books to listen to this episode.

This is the audio from a TikTok live Alley and Nicole did with special guest Megan Gad! It's a little chaotic, but still fun! Join us as we discuss all the potential wild SJM theories.

If you are a Romantasy fan you absolutely MUST watch the kid's movie K Pop Demon Hunters, available on Netflix. In the episode, Nicole and Alley break down all their favorite moments and even some theories for what a second movie might be!

Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss their reactions and thoughts on the first six Zodiac Academy books.

Join Nicole and fellow Aussie Kitty (of @kittys.book.salon) as they break down the Booktok/ Bookstagram sensation Silver Elite.

Everyone is thinking it, so you know Alley and Nicole are going to talk about it! The ACOTAR 10 year anniversary marketing plan was... strange. And with nothing from Sarah J Maas, rumors and speculation abound. Join Alley and Nicole as they deep dive Bloomsbury, SJM, and some of the online dialogue around this important and exciting milestone for the ACOTAR series.

**Spoiler warning: you need to have read the entire Maasverse (ACOTAR, CC, and TOG) to listen to this episode**

You know we can't stop talking about this ship! Join Alley and Nicole for Bryceriel 201. In this episode, we get into some of the deeper theories and expanded evidence that Bryce and Azriel are End Game.

Join Nicole and Karly from @boookishisbetter and the Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast as they break down Onyx Storm. They talk about their initial reactions, theories, and what they thought of the book.

For even more deep dives on the Empyrean Series, check out Karly's podcast Dear Fantasy Reader!

Join Alley and Nicole as they deep dive into every gift the Quest Squad received and what it could mean for the future series.

Join Alley and Nicole in this short and sweet episode focused on the mysterious character Aaric! We talk about what he might know, some of the suss things he's done, and how acceptable we would find him as a secondary love interest. We also spend some time talking about the dragons and what they might be hiding, and even chat about Ali Hazelwood's book Deep End. In true Romantasy Reader fashion, the episode is chaotic and fun! :)

Join Alley and Nicole as they talk about the three brothers fable and wha that could mean for the series. Could history be repeating itself? If so, who might be the new three siblings? Is it the three Sorrengail siblings, the three Narvarre princes, or even Xaden and his two brothers? We unpack every possibility in this short and sweet episode using our new format!

Join Alley and Nicole as they talk to the one and only, Raven Kennedy! Author of the Plated Prisoner series and Romantasy guru!

Join Nicole and Alley as they break down their initial thoughts, feelings, and reactions to Onyx Storm. THERE ARE SPOILERS for all three books (obviously!).

In the final Countdown to Onyx Storm episode, Alley and Nicole give you a detailed Iron Flame summary, pointing out the important things you might have missed and all the questions we NEED answers to in Onyx Storm! Then, they give you their final predications for Book 3 in the Empyrean Series! This is a great episode for those who didn't have time to do an Iron Flame re-read, or for anyone looking for some refreshers as they eagerly await Jan 21!

Join Alley and Nicole as they break down Fourth Wing in a high level summary. Even if you did your own re-read, you don't want to miss this episode as it calls out some of the important moments that we all hope are important for Onyx Storm!

Join Alley and Nicole with a very special guest, Karly from @bookish_is_better and Dragon Readers podcast. Karly is an expert on literally everything Empyrean, and we knew we had to bring her along to discuss all things signets! This episode is a great refresher on all the major signets we know about, and we even give you a few of our theories! You do not want to miss the first episode in our Onyx Storm countdown!

Join Alley and Nicole with a very special guest, our Bryceriel bestie and expert on all things Bryce and Azriel, Peach from @theknifeandsword. We talk all things Bryceriel to convince all of you that Bryce and Azriel are star crossed mates! This incredible theory will leave you wanting to reread all your favorite Sarah J Maas books!

**spoilers for the entire Maas-verse**

Can you believe it? Romantasy Readers podcast has officially been going for one entire year! That's one year of book boyfriends, TBR recs, crazy and outlandish theories, and author interviews!

None of it would be possible without our amazing listeners, and we are so thrilled you've come along on this journey with us! Here's to another year!

Join Alley and Nicole as they interview THE AMAZING @therealstevenwalker

Steven is our favorite Tamlin/ Cassian/ Azriel guy on Instagram, and he's pretty funny too! We talk all things ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and romantasy with him. And he even makes a special appearance that you do not want to miss!

Spoilers for ACOTAR and TOG series and Fourth Wing