Episode Title: Crown of Midnight Chapters 30 to End (The Head-Dropping, Portal-Hopping, Aelin-Revealing Grand Finale!)

Description:

The Romanty Roundtable is officially losing its collective mind. Amanda, Kim, and Rick have reached the explosive conclusion of Crown of Midnight, and let’s just say Sarah J. Maas didn't just break the glass—she shattered the whole damn castle. From the devastating fallout of Nehemia’s death to the most iconic head-on-a-desk moment in literary history, the crew breaks down the Feral Assassin arc in all its bloody glory. We’re talking Dorian’s divine power-up magic, Chaol’s broom-closet sob fests, and the long-awaited revelation that Celaena Sardothien is actually—drumroll please—Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the lost Fae Queen of Terrasen. Expect heated debates on whether Chaol deserved the Worst Boyfriend award, a deep dive into Rick’s chaotic handwriting practice, and why we will never stop talking about soup.

Key Topics Discussed:

Feral Era and The Head Toss: Celaena stops playing nice and delivers Grave’s severed head to the King’s Council like a gruesome gift-wrapped I quit. We discuss why this is peak Assassin behavior.

Jenny on the Block: The trio breaks down Chapter 33’s perspective shift to Calaculla, discussing the powerful portrayal of armed resistance and why this slave girl’s rebellion was a literary masterstroke.

The Ultimate Betrayal: Archer Finn pulls The Worst Heel Turn in history. We dissect his Secret Society snake vibes and why Celaena showing zero mercy was the only correct ending for him.

Portal Problems and Fae Features: The Wyrdgate opens, Fleetfoot (the best golden hound in fiction) almost meets a grim end, and Celaena finally unleashes her Fae form. Fire magic? Check. Pointy ears? Check. Pure chaos? Double check.

The Aelin Reveal: Chaol finally does some library homework and realizes he sent the most powerful threat to the Adarlanic Empire straight into the arms of her Fae allies. Smooth move, Captain.

Rick’s Side Quest: A brief, chaotic detour into Rick’s handwriting practice and his reviews of Gay Hockey romances (Heated Silvery) and Survivor-style Fae smut.

Episode Ratings:

Rick: 4.5 Stars (The world is finally expanding!)

Kim: 4 Stars (Disappointed by fire magic being boring, but loved the pining.)

Amanda: 4 Stars (The books are getting better, even if Chaol is a refrigerator.)

Closing/Call-to-Action:

Are you Team Chaol, Team Dorian, or Team Leave-Them-Both-In-The-Sewer? Drop a comment below and let us know if you predicted the Aelin reveal or if you're just here for the Fleetfoot content. Next time, we’re heading across the ocean for Air of Fire (Chapters 1 to 23). Bring your Wyrdmark dictionaries and extra soup—it’s about to get hot in Wendlyn!

Special ARC Review – The Snow Queen's Heir (Shark Repellent, Snowstorms & DNF Debates)

The Romantasy Roundtable is braving a historic, two-foot Northeast blizzard (we blame you, Queen Lumi) to bring you a very special bonus episode! We are incredibly honored to review our first-ever ARC (Advanced Reader Copy): The Snow Queen's Heir by Keilah Jude. The crew discusses Noel and Lumi's quest for a magical, resurrection-granting necklace, the transition into the Naturei realm, and the inevitable deadly trials.

But the table is divided! Amanda explains why she handed out a DNF at 30%, while Rick and Kim break down why they pushed through the pacing issues for the sake of the world-building. Expect constructive "teacher-brain" critiques, debates on YA romantasy tropes, and a highly relevant tangent about 1960s Batman.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Plot & World-Building: We break down the core quest for the magical necklace, the political genius of single-combat duels to avoid kingdom-wide wars, and how the book cleverly handles Fae immortality.

Teacher Brains Activate (The Critique): Kim wants to take a red pen to the repetitive text, Amanda begs for "show, don't tell," and Rick points out the delayed pacing. We offer our honest, constructive feedback while agreeing the bones of this story have massive potential.

Insta-Love & "Shark Repellent": We debate the sudden romances (or lack of chemistry) and compare Lumi's conveniently appearing magical powers to Adam West's infamous "Shark Repellent" spray.

Tangent City (Blizzards & Hockey): It wouldn't be an episode without a massive detour. We discuss the record-breaking New York/New Jersey snowstorm, and Rick tries to claim a proxy Olympic gold medal because of Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils.

Join us for a snowed-in review full of honest critiques, red pens, and ARC excitement! A huge thank you to Keilah Jude for taking a chance on us and trusting us with our very first ARC, you never forget your first! Stay warm out there, avoid the Snow Queen's wrath, and we will see you back in Erilea next week.

Description: The Romantasy Roundtable is back and diving into the second book of the Throne of Glass series: Crown of Midnight! Rick, Amanda, and Kim unpack the first 29 chapters, where Celaena Sardothien is officially acting as the King's Champion, or at least, she’s pretending to.

We discuss Celaena’s secret plot to fake the deaths of her targets, the return of her old flame Archer Finn, and her desperate attempt to keep her friends safe from the King’s wrath. Meanwhile, Chaol (yes, Amanda is still pronouncing it "Kay-Oal") is struggling with his feelings, and Dorian is realizing his bloodline might be a little more magical than he thought. Plus, we introduce the best new character in the series: Mort the Magical Door Knocker.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Fake-Out Assassin: Celaena isn't actually killing anyone on the King's list. We discuss her clever plan to smuggle targets out of Rifthold and how long she can keep the treasonous secret from Chaol and the King.

Archer Finn & The Rebels: Archer is back, and no one knows how to feel about him. Is he a pretty-boy courtesan? A rebel leader? A snake? Amanda gets whiplash trying to figure out his true motives.

Justice for Kaltain: The crew continues to advocate for Kaltain Rompier, who is being drugged with opium and manipulated by Duke Perrington. We are officially calling for a guillotine.

Magic is Awake: The Wyrdmarks are back, monsters are roaming the halls, and Dorian accidentally explodes a library with his newfound ice magic. We debate the growing supernatural threat and what it means for the Havilliard bloodline.

The Heartbreak: The episode ends with a devastating sprint across Rifthold and the tragic death of Princess Nehemia. We react to the betrayal, the grief, and the brutal cliffhanger.

Closing: Dry your tears and prep your Wyrdmarks. Your homework is to finish Crown of Midnight! We’ll be back next week to break down the explosive conclusion. (And maybe, just maybe, Rick will finally let Amanda talk about gay hockey).

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Episode Title: Throne of Glass – Chapters 27–End (Demon Worms, Wookie Holidays & The Hard Kosher Salami)

Description: The Romantasy Roundtable has expanded! Rick, Amanda, and Kim are joined by a very special guest: Julia (CEO and Founder of Brainwell), to help us survive the chaos of the final chapters of Throne of Glass.

We break down Celaena’s hallucinogenic duel with Cain, the justice for Kaltain (who is officially a tragic figure), and the Dorian vs. Chaol debate that is tearing the group apart. But honestly? This episode is 40% plot and 60% unhinged tangents. We discuss why billiards exist in a fantasy world, attempt (and fail) Australian accents, and spend a concerning amount of time reviewing a Jewish Golem romance involving a refrigerator-sized man named Greg Stoneman.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Ridderak & The Duel: Cain cheats with Bloodbane, calling forth a demon that functions exactly like Slither.io. Celaena wins with a stick, Queen Elena breaks the rules of ghosting, and Nehemia reveals she’s been the MVP the whole time.

The Magical Meet Cute "Novella": In a podcast-within-a-podcast, Amanda and Julia review Magical Meet Cute. We discuss Greg Gollum (a man built like a refrigerator who communicates via grunts), the excessive mentions of Hard Kosher Salami, and why Greg Stoneman might be the ultimate book boyfriend.

Happy Life Day: Amanda goes on a rant about the Wookie Holiday at Disney World. Apparently, "Life Day" is canon, and we are all forced to celebrate it.

Pronunciation Police: We try to honor our listener Jamie’s request for an Aussie accent (spoiler: it sounds like a pirate having a stroke). We also settle the Chaol debate: it’s pronounced "Kale" with a thick Southern accent.

The Breakup: Celaena chooses freedom over Dorian, dumping the Prince to become the King’s Champion. We discuss the heavy "Empire Bad" themes and why Duke Perrington needs to meet a guillotine immediately.

Closing: Grab your Hard Kosher Salami and your Wyrdmarks. We are done with book one! Your homework is to start Crown of Midnight, Chapters 1–29 (Stop when you see Chapter 30!).

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Episode Title: Throne of Glass – Chapters 1–26 (Chaol vs. Kale, The Glass Castle & Total Dog Book Energy)

Description: The Romantasy Roundtable is down a rose (sending healing vibes to Bartholomew the Cat!), but Rick and Amanda are forging ahead into the salt mines of Endovier. We are officially kicking off Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas! Amanda—fresh off the trauma of The Assassin’s Blade—is ready to meet Celaena Sardothien, the charming Prince Dorian, and the Captain of the Guard whose name we absolutely cannot pronounce: Chaol Westfall.

We break down Celaena’s transition from convict to King’s Champion contender, discuss why the Glass Castle is a structural nightmare for anyone afraid of heights, and debate whether the presence of fleet-footed hounds officially makes this a "Total Dog Book." Plus, we answer a listener's Soup, Marry, Kill (Shadow Daddy Edition) that leaves the table divided.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Inbox is Alive! After a year of begging, we finally got our first official listener email! Shoutout to Megan D. for forcing us to play a high-stakes game of Soup, Marry, Kill: Shadow Daddy Edition (Rhysand vs. Xaden vs. The Kingfisher). The table is divided, but we can all agree on one thing: Tamlin still loses.

The Great Chaol Debate: Is it Kay-all? Chail? Or just Kale said with a heavy Southern accent? Amanda and Rick struggle to respect the Captain’s name.

Lillian Gordaina: Celaena goes undercover as a vapid jewel thief/court lady but can’t stop vomiting in the bushes during the mandatory training montages.

Team Dorian vs. Team Chaol: The battle lines are drawn early. Rick is charmed by Dorian’s gift of books, while Amanda is leaning toward the brooding, judgmental Captain.

Chamber of Secrets: Celaena finds a secret tunnel behind a tapestry, spies on the boys, and gets a divine "Save the World" quest from the ghost of Queen Elena (who definitely has Fae ears).

Wyrdmarks & Murder: Competitors are getting eaten (literally, RIP Bill the Eye Eater), and weird runes are appearing in the castle. Magic might not be as dead as the King thinks.

Closing: Grab your bow and arrow and try to hit the bullseye (or just the center). Your homework is to finish the book for next week! We’ll see you at the finish line—try not to get eaten on the way out.

Support the Show:

Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the Throne of Glass series!

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Episode Title: The Assassin’s Blade – Part 2 (Sewer Romances, Toxic Assassin Daddies & RIP, you deserved better)

Description: The Romantasy Roundtable is back to finish the prequel, and we are emotionally compromised. Amanda, Kim, and Rick tackle the final two novellas of The Assassin’s Blade: The Assassin and the Underworld and The Assassin and the Empire. We witness the rise and tragic fall of a dear friend, discuss why Arobynn Hamel is the ultimate gaslighting "Assassin Daddy," and question Celaena Sardothien’s decision-making skills.

But before the heartbreak, we have important business to attend to: Amanda decodes a prophetic dream about a lip piercing (and why her face is swollen), the crew debates NYC snowstorm survival (Team Trader Joe’s Meal Prep vs. Team Bodega Cat), and we finally, FINALLY,get a medical definition for the Inner Hip.

Key Topics Discussed:

Love in a Hopeless Place (A Sewer): We break down the pivotal scene where Celaena and Sam finally admit their feelings while drowning in wastewater. It’s gross, it’s dramatic, and it’s the only acceptable place for a first makeout session in this series apparently.

Arobynn Hamel Hate Club: We dissect the manipulation of the King of the Assassins. From the creepy gifts to buying Lysandra’s virginity, he solidifies his status as a top-tier villain (who we wouldn't trust to hold our drink).

The Inner Hip Resolved: Shoutout to our listener Jamie for solving the mystery! We now know it’s near the pelvic joint/bikini tie area, though Amanda still insists it is not an erogenous zone. Only time will tell

RIP: The crew reacts to the off-screen death, the torture by Farran, and the devastating scene at the mortuary. We discuss why this prequel was necessary to understand Celaena’s trauma going into Throne of Glass.

"I Will Not Be Afraid": We analyze the ending, the Salt Mines of Endovier, and the iconic mantra that defines the rest of the series (even if Rick quoted it wrong).

Closing: Dry your tears, we are done with the prequel!

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Ignore what we said in the outro! After the mics turned off, we decided to pivot. We are skipping Bound by Vengeance and diving straight into Throne of Glass next week. Chapters 1–26. Be there.

Episode Title: The Assassin’s Blade – Novellas 1-3 (Sam Cortland, Skull’s Bay & an inner hip)

Description: The Romantasy Roundtable officially enters the Throne of Glass era! We are kicking off our journey into the Maasverse not with the first book, but with the prequel: The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas. Amanda (the newbie), Kim (the veteran), and Rick (the obsessed) break down the first three novellas: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, The Assassin and the Healer, and The Assassin and the Desert.

We discuss Celaena Sardothien’s 16-year-old audacity, why Sam Cortland gives off the energy of a finance bro you met on a Hinge date, and the group’s firm belief that Rolf the Pirate Lord is actually just a Muppet with magic hands. Expect debates on the anatomy of the "inner hip," questionable teaching methods involving knives, and why the desert is full of scorpions named Josh.

Key Topics Discussed:

Reading Order Debate: Why we chose to start with the prequel (Star Wars style) to get the heartbreak out of the way early—even if Rick thinks Yoda was just a puppet until Episode 2.

Sam Cortland vs. The World: We analyze Sam’s primal urge to be annoying, his "divorced dad" curtain-ripping energy, and why he feels like a guy who drinks IPAs for a living.

The Healer & The Barmaid: A deep dive into Yrene Towers, her brutal self-defense lessons from Celaena, and why "sink or swim" driving lessons in a Florida hailstorm are safer than Celaena's teaching style.

Desert Drama: Celaena heads to the Red Desert to train with the Silent Master, meets Ansel (and her betrayal), and learns that Stygian Spiders are basically just giant horses or "a million scorpions named Josh."

The Inner Hip: The crew tries to locate this elusive body part (Is it the groin? The string bikini line? An erogenous zone?) and why pinching it is the ultimate female friendship bonding moment.

Closing: Join us as we sprint through the desert and liberate slaves with style. Finish The Assassin’s Blade for next week—we have two more novellas to go before the emotional damage truly sets in!

Episode Title: A Court of Silver Flames – Full Book Breakdown (Soup, Stairs & The Trifecta of Chachkis!)

Description: The Romanty Roundtable is back for 2026, and we have officially achieved the Concussion Trifecta! Amanda, Kim, and Rick are diving headfirst into the House of Wind to tackle the behemoth that is A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. We’re breaking down Nesta Archeron’s journey from self-destructive "woman about town" to Valkyrie warrior, dissecting the pregnancy trope that absolutely divided the table, and obsessing over Cassian, the ultimate German Shepherd boyfriend. Expect debates on whether the Blood Rite was realistic, how many chachkis (Dread Trove items) you need to save the world, and enough soup talk to feed an Illyrian army.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Soup Kitchen is Open: We analyze the sheer volume of soup (spicy scenes) in this book—a solid five cans of soup rating. From the stairwell to the infamous dining room table, Nesta and Cassian have zero chill.

Valkyries Assemble: Nesta finds her squad in Gwyn and Emerie. We discuss the power of female friendship, the library priestesses, the sleepover that summoned a miniature pegasus, and the trio’s controversial victory in the Blood Rite.

The Trifecta of Chachkis: Nesta becomes a High Necromancer in the Bog of Oorid, wielding the Mask and proving she’s the scariest Archeron sister. We track the hunt for the Harp and the Crown (and why the Kelpie is the absolute worst).

Feyre’s Uterus vs. The Plot: The crew fights over the pregnancy storyline. Was it necessary? Why did Rhysand hide the truth (again)? Does a baby with wings justify a magical C-section crisis? Kim has thoughts (and a rating of 3 stars to prove it).

Nesta vs. The Stairs: The true villain of the first 50% of the book: 10,000 steps. We discuss Nesta’s physical and mental rehabilitation and why Cassian is the most patient male in Prythian.

Join us for the chaos, the concussions, and the catharsis. Next up, we’re leaving Prythian to start our journey into Throne of Glass. Grab your Assassin's Blade—we’re going back to where it all began!