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An axe, a prophecy, and a lie that detonates a romance—this conversation gets heated fast. We dive into Danielle L. Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood and split the table on one core question: can love survive when one partner withholds the truth to keep the other alive? Freya’s journey from repressed survivor to god-touched shield maiden becomes our lens for talking about agency, trauma, and the high cost of destiny. Along the way, we compare “cozy” moments to “cutthroat” realities and argue over whether omissions count as betrayal when blood oaths and politics make honesty dangerous.

We thread Norse mythology through the analysis—Hel, Hlin, Baldur, and prophecy—showing how the lore shapes character motives and foreshadows the book’s biggest twists. Expect a spirited breakdown of Bjorn’s choices: strategic misdirection or manipulative double life? One of us can’t forgive him; another defends the long game; the rest live in the messy middle where desire and doubt wrestle for control. We also talk craft: side quests that build intimacy, a steady burn that tests consent and trust, and an audiobook performance that adds grit without theatrics.

Beyond the main read, we round up romance news you’ll actually care about: Fourth Wing live events and season-per-book TV plans, Lore Olympus heading to animation, special edition drops, and a flurry of new releases and merch. If you’re here for fantasy romance with teeth—feminine rage, godly meddling, and lovers pulled between survival and truth—you’ll find a lot to chew on.

Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more romance nerds find us, and share this episode with a friend who loves a good prophecy fight. Then tell us: Team Freya or Team Bjorn?

See Links and News from the show at https://ofswordsandsoulmates.com/ep52notes/

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A wicked queen, a runaway archduke in disguise, and a library begging to be tamed—this one had us grinning, gasping, and arguing about consent, secrets, and sex magic. We dive into Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgess, a romantasy that flips the script: the heroine is the fearsome protector with a laboratory and a reputation, while the love interest is tender, bookish, and carrying scars he didn’t earn. That balance of power isn’t a gimmick; it’s the beating heart of a story that treats softness as bravery and rage as care.

We walk through the fairy-tale echoes—think Beauty and the Beast, but reversed—and why the library courtship works so well. From flirtatious poetry and fountain pens to a cataloging project that doubles as foreplay, the romance is playful without losing heat. We also dig into the world’s quiet brilliance: a queer-normative society presented without fanfare, political stakes tied to how magical minorities are treated, and a found family that feels chosen in the best way. Predictable turns don’t dull the ride; the tension comes from timing, trust, and the danger of truths left unsaid.

Along the way, we share bookish news: audiobook narrator updates, Fourth Wing nights with the 76ers and Flyers, a Temeraire-inspired tabletop RPG, Ruby Dixon’s daily dragon-shifter serial, and special-edition Kickstarters lighting up monster romance shelves. If you loved Emily Wilde, Assistance of the Villain, or Villains and Virtues, this episode is your cozy, clever, slightly feral sweet spot. Tap play, then tell us your favorite trope reversal and which queen you want next. If this made your TBR grow, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—your support helps more readers find the show.

Links from the Show

• Anthony Palmini, voice of Rhysand in ACOTAR (among others) is doing an Instagram live
  • Instagram Link
• Fourth Wing Philadelphia 76ers/flyers takeover in March
  • Instagram Link
• Temererie the role playing game Kickstarter coming 2026
  • Instagram Link
  • Kickstarter Link
• New Ruby Dixon work
  • Instagram Link
  • First Chapter Sample
• Captured by the Fae Beast Kickstarter special editions
  • Instagram Link
  • Kickstarter Link
• Oops I summoned a Metamorphic Monster by Opal Reyne
  • Instagram Link

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New Year, new stacks… and a lot of honesty. We step back from single-title deep dives to survey a full year of romantasy and romance-adjacent reads—what shocked us, what fell flat, and which series rewired our brains. From a YA dragon school that tackles colonial power with heart to a sci‑fi romance that outsmarts its pulpy cover, we spotlight books that prove premise isn’t destiny. We also confess the special editions we still haven’t opened and the sequels we’re saving for a quiet week.

We trade our most anticipated releases for 2026—T. Kingfisher’s Dagger Bound, Stephanie Burgess’s Enchanting the Fae Queen, and J.R. Ward’s new romantasy—and champion new-to-us voices, including Bridget Knightley’s fanfic-rooted contemporaries and Moniquill Blackgoose’s sharp worldbuilding. Audiobooks get their flowers: Jeff Hays turns Dungeon Crawler Carl into a one-man full-cast, The Cruel Prince grips harder in audio, and Your Coffin or Mine? dazzles with accent agility. If you’re audiobook-curious, this is your permission to switch formats and fall in.

Goals, without the guilt: one of us hit 314 by pairing audiobooks with “eyeball reads” and DNFing early, while others are lowering targets to keep the joy. We share practical series plans, pocket-sized anxiety hacks, and the titles we wish we could read for the first time again—Throne of Glass, Bull Moon Rising, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Also on the table: the hot take that a massively popular series isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.

If you love romantasy, monster romance, dragon academies, and smart, character-first stories, you’ll leave with a sharper TBR and a saner plan. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a goal reset, and tell us: what was your most surprising read of the year?

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A ghost with a deadline. A people pleaser with a past. A Christmas Carol framework that dares to ask whether love can rewrite the rules. We dive into Good Spirits by BK Borison and unpack why this holiday romance feels tender, funny, and surprisingly cathartic. From the opening meet-cute to the late-game goodbye that nearly broke us, we trace how the book balances cozy predictability with real emotional stakes, and why that combo is exactly what many of us crave this time of year.

We also explore the book’s sly worldbuilding: an afterlife that runs like a slightly exasperated office, reapers with missing paperwork, and a boss whose accent paints a picture before we get the backstory. Think Beetlejuice bureaucracy meets Spirited’s cheerful existentialism. The panel shares personal reflections on people pleasing, boundary setting, and how Harriet’s growth feels painfully familiar in the best way. Add in a very opinionated cat, on-point spice, and a romance that builds through conversation and care, and you’ve got a seasonal standout.

Beyond the review, we detour through folklore with a lidérc deep dive, gush over special editions in the Grishaverse, and chat about the growing crossover between sports events and book fandoms. We close with recs for holiday retellings and audiobooks with memorable performances, plus our favorite Christmas Carol adaptations that shaped how we read stories like this one. If you love cozy fantasy romance, gentle hauntings, and HEAs that feel earned, press play and warm up with us. Enjoyed the episode? Follow, rate, and share the show, and tell us your favorite holiday romance or Carol adaptation—we’re taking notes for our year-end wrap-up!

Links from the Episode

• Witches Love Monsters series collaboration or multiple authors coming
  • Regine Abel, Opal Reyne, Naomi Lucas, Tiffany Roberts
  • 4 spicy novellas featuring witches and monsters
  • Will be available on KU
  • Instagram Link
• Illumicrate is releasing a special edition of the Six of Crows duology.
  • Royal hardbacks, not signed
  • General presale 01/22 at 3pm GDT
  • Instagram Link
• 2025-2026 Nuggets Fourth Wing Interest Slip is available for submission
  • Wed 04/08/26 versus the Memphis Grizzlies
  • Standard or VIP package
  • Facebook Link

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A stitched body, a bruised heart, and a question that won’t let go: who bears the burden for what we make? We dive into Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and trace its roots from Mary Shelley’s storm-lit summer to a modern, war-shadowed tale about creation, responsibility, and the cost of love. This isn’t just another gothic retelling—it’s a story about breaking cycles, where forgiveness is the bravest experiment in the lab.

We start with the news that’s lighting up romantasy—cover reveals, special editions, and why “trend readers vs genre readers” is shaping online discourse more than craft. Then we jump into the film’s craft: Oscar Isaac as a preening, brilliant Victor; Jacob Elordi as a towering, soulful Creature who learns love the way many of us do—from stories and the rare person who is kind; and Mia Goth’s striking dual roles that knit grief, desire, and projection into Victor’s unraveling. We talk color symbolism and costume design as character psychology, from blood-red guilt to nature-drenched greens and x-ray-stitched gowns. Practical effects and built sets keep the world tactile: a ship that creaks, a laboratory that feels engineered by obsession, and camera moves that play like a rock concert.

The adaptation choices matter. Setting the tale against the Crimean War reframes Victor’s ambition as morally funded by violence, while the “brain bargain” with an arms dealer sharpens the ethics of creation. Del Toro’s ending—asking for forgiveness instead of doubling down on punishment—will spark debate among purists, but it lands with emotional clarity. We wrestle with whether this is a kissing story, and arrive at something richer: a romance of care, where monstrosity looks less like stitched skin and more like the refusal to take responsibility for what you bring into the world.

If you love romantasy, gothic cinema, adaptation theory, or just want to argue about whether color motifs can break your heart, you’ll feel right at home. Hit play, then tell us your hottest Frankenstein take, share the episode with a friend, and tap follow so you never miss what we resurrect next.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Kimberly Lemming did a cover reveal for her latest novel - I Punched An Alien And Now We’re In Couples Therapy
  • Instagram Link
• LitJoy Crate is doing a special edition of Gail Carson Levine’s The Two Princesses of Bamarre
  • Link to LitJoy
• Cover revealed for The Wrath Gods Reap by Abigail
  • Instagram Link
• Cover revealed for Loched in Love by Jacklyn Hyde
  • Instagram Link
• Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked is releasing a prequel Galinda novel
  • Instagram Link
• Time released their 100 must read books of 2025
  • Link to article
• Threads discussion on What’s Going on in Romantasy
  • Link to Threads

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Oz isn’t just emerald and glitter; it’s a lesson in how stories get made and weaponized. We jump from Gregory Maguire’s Wicked to the Broadway phenomenon and the record-breaking film to unpack how a green-skinned girl became a political problem, a best friend, and a cultural icon. Along the way, we contrast the novel’s darker theology and politics with the musical’s friendship-forward heart and the movie’s big-screen mythmaking, asking what each version chooses to spotlight—and why.

We dig into the performances that make the film crackle: Jeff Goldblum’s attention-hoarding Wizard, Michelle Yeoh’s velvet-gloved operator as Madame Morrible, and Cynthia Erivo’s fierce, aching Elphaba who refuses to be managed. Peter Dinklage’s Dr. Dillamond turns prejudice into a gut punch, while Glinda’s arc reveals how image and approval can be tools of control.

Beyond the screen, we step through Universal’s Wicked Experience in Orlando—costumes, set pieces, and a guided path from Shiz to Emerald City—proof that modern fandom doesn’t end with credits. Then we broaden the lens: why monster stories surge in a perfection-obsessed era, how propaganda reframes dissent as danger, and what it costs to speak when silence is safer. We’re saving the “is it a kissing story” verdict for the sequel, but the first film already hits where it counts: who gets to define good, and will your friends still stand close when the posters call you wicked?

Tell us: book, musical, or movie—who nailed Oz for you? Subscribe, rate, and share to bring more listeners into the Emerald City conversation.

News and Links

• LitJoy preorders for The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black (Link)
• Cover for Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maeher (Instagram Link)
• Cover for World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade (Instagram Link)
• Author LJ Andrews has suffered a fire. Donation Link & Instagram Link
• BK Borsion’s sequel to Good Spirits (Ghosted series) will be called Grim Tidings (Instagram Link)
• Ali Hazelwood released an audio first foray into the realm of dark academia on Spotify (Link)
• Vogue Australia article on Monster Romance (Link to article)
• Hannah F Whitten is releasing a new book in 2026, Reliquary (Instagram Link)

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What if a convention put comfort, consent, and community first—and it actually worked? We unpack our weekend at the first Monsterotica BookCon in Baltimore, where a color-coded lanyard system, pronoun stickers, and clear badges turned awkward small talk into easy connection, and digital queues set us free from hours of standing in line. From first-timers to seasoned con-goers, we found a format that lowered stress, reduced FOMO, and let us focus on what we love: monster romance, author meetups, and the joy of geeking out together.

We start with how each of us discovered monster romance—Ice Planet Barbarians binges, Creature Cafe obsessions, and the case for “if it can’t pass as human, it’s a monster.” Then we dig into what made the con run smoothly: fast registration, well-briefed volunteers, and a simple schedule with real breaks. That breathing room fueled the best parts of the weekend—trading handmade goodies in the atrium, spontaneous meetups, and vendors who actually had time to talk. Panels explored creature design and why fated mates and nonhuman love stories hit so hard. Nights brought costume karaoke, a 360 video booth, and a cosplay moment for the ages with three distinct Dusk Walkers and their brides posing with author Opal Rain.

We also share candid notes on the tech: day-one hiccups in the mobile waitlist smoothed out by day two, shorter physical lines, and the sheer relief of not missing panels for signings. Vendors and authors told us they sold out and felt supported, which says everything about how the con prioritized people over chaos. By the time book trivia filled the atrium, it felt like a family table—loud, funny, and full of love for a genre that thrives on imagination and acceptance.

If you’re monster-curious, con-curious, or just love hearing how a niche community built a better fan experience, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs new reads, and leave a review to help more monster romance fans find us. What feature would your dream book con include next?

Links from the Show:

· Monster Erotica Book Con - https://monsteroticabookcon.com/

· Griefcat - https://www.instagram.com/griefcatpartytime

· Tally - https://www.instagram.com/smut.and.stitches

· Kyle - https://www.instagram.com/phasorshift

· Rich - https://www.instagram.com/minotaurreads

· Jen - https://www.instagram.com/demiangel2

· Katie - https://www.instagram.com/madcapkatiereads

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Our Romantasy BookCon Orlando 2025 recap takes you inside Orlando’s packed romantasy gathering—where authors, panels, and pop-up shops turned a sprawling venue into a surprisingly smooth reader playground. We break down what scaled well, what didn’t, and the small fixes that could make next year even better.

We start with the basics: travel, check-in, and how the con split across two ballrooms without losing flow. Ticket talk gets real—why guaranteed panel and author slots mattered more than early access—and we share how no-shows created last-minute wins for savvy attendees. From planned signings with Sarah Beth Durst and Hannah Nicole Maeher to elevator hellos and booth banter with Grace Draven and Juliet Cross, the best moments stayed personal, photographed, and unhurried.

On the vendor side, candles, stickers, and lore-inspired jewelry delivered, but we make the case for more inclusive, non-binary-leaning merch: regulation-sized mugs, ear cuffs, leather goods, and costume pieces like tiaras and horns for the ball crowd. We also spotlight the rise of on-site trading and argue for a dedicated swap zone to keep hallways clear and community buzzing. Then we wade into the night-events debate: the ball earned praise, while the high-priced Disney add-on drew mixed reviews on value and logistics. Our suggestion—keep special programming on property with thoughtful theming and shared meals that center authors and readers—aims at better experience per dollar.

You’ll also hear what creators want more of in romantasy right now: horror romance, humor and banter, real enemies-to-lovers, strong-from-page-one heroines, diverse representation, and slow burns that pay off. Our verdict: same tier next year, arrive a day earlier, pace the panels, and bring space in your bag for surprise finds.

If you enjoyed this debrief, follow Of Swords and Soulmates on Instagram and TikTok, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a quick review. What do you want more of at book cons—cozy or monstrous, mugs or tiaras? Tell us and we’ll take that wishlist to the floor.

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