A Novel Bunch

#059: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re kicking off Crescent City House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas—and BUNCHIES… we were not prepared.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We meet Bryce Quinlan: party girl, art dealer, and absolute IT girl of Crescent City—living her best life alongside her ride-or-die, Danika Fendyr.And then… everything is ripped away.What starts as a lush, chaotic world filled with Houses, angels, Fae politics, and ancient power quickly turns DARK when a brutal, inhuman massacre wipes out Danika and the entire Pack of Devils in a single night. And Bryce? She comes face-to-face with the horror that did it. From there, we spiral into grief, mystery, and a city that feels anything but safe.Enter Hunt Athalar—Umbra Mortis, enslaved assassin, and walking weapon—assigned to watch Bryce as a new murder surfaces… identical to Danika’s.Coincidence? Absolutely not.Now Bryce is pulled into an investigation she never asked for, forced to confront the truth about that night, Danika’s secrets, and the chilling reality that the killer never stopped hunting.We’re breaking down the emotional devastation, the insane world-building, Bryce and Hunt’s tension-filled dynamic, and all the early clues (because you KNOW SJM is planting seeds).Because one thing is clear already:This wasn’t random.And it’s far from over.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#058: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into the FINAL chapters of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… we are not okay.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We’re breaking down chapters 50–66 AND doing a live reading of chapters 65 & 66—and yeah… it’s as chaotic, devastating, and jaw-on-the-floor as you’d expect.It all starts with Violet’s second signet fully emerging—dream walking—which opens up a terrifying new layer of power (and danger). Because if she can enter dreams… who else can? And more importantly, can she change them? From there, everything escalates. The Irids return, Andarna makes a shocking choice, and we uncover major truths about Dunne, devotion, and the gods themselves. Violet’s past? Not what we thought. Her future? Still unwritten, but very much in play.Meanwhile, the war explodes. Losses hit HARD. Loyalties are tested. And Violet is forced to lead in ways that cost her pieces of herself along the way.Then we hit chapter 64… and everything snaps into place.Aaric is a precog. Not partial. Not limited. He knows. He’s been knowing. And Violet? She’s been walking straight into fate this entire time. And then… Xaden.Chapter 65 changes everything. The betrayal. The bond. The “new brother.” The moment he finally breaks, and the reason why? Gut wrenching.We’re spiraling over the venin reveals, the Irid power hierarchy, Violet’s connection to both Dunne and Malek, and the terrifying realization that power—true power—always comes at a cost.And that ending?Yeah... “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.” Absolutely shattered us.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#57: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 33–49 of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… we are officially in emotional warfare.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We land on Hedotis expecting wisdom and instead get manipulation, mind games, and XADEN’S MOM?? Yeah… enter Talia. But it also unlocks something deeper—because now we’re not just seeing his power shift… we’re seeing why.And that shift is getting worse.From poisoning plots to political alliances, every isle tests the squad in a new way, but the real tension is internal. Xaden is fighting himself. Hard. The control is slipping, the instincts are darker, and when he says he’d rather feel nothing than risk hurting Violet? Yeah. We’re spiraling.Meanwhile, Violet is stepping UP. Like… full command energy. Strategy, leadership, sacrifice, she’s becoming exactly what everyone needs… even if it costs her everything.Then we hit Zehyllna and things go from chaotic to devastating. Losses stack up (Trager?? Sila??), the “gifts” feel more like ominous setups, and Violet starts piecing together something massive: fate isn’t random here. It’s calculated.And then… the Irids.SIX of them. Watching. Judging. Refusing to help. Confirming our worst fear: there is no cure for venin. Not a clean one, at least. The soul is stripped piece by piece… and once it’s gone? It’s gone.Except… Violet doesn’t believe that. And neither do we.Because now the secret is out. Xaden is turning, and Violet finally tells her squad. The fallout? Surprisingly loyal. But the question shifts from if they can save him… to what happens if they can’t.Back in Aretia, everything starts collapsing. The wards are failing, venin are infiltrating leadership, and the war is no longer coming—it’s HERE. And just when we think Xaden might hold the line… another shadow wielder emerges.Yeah. Magic is rebalancing. And it’s not in his favor.But the most terrifying part?Even after everything—the fear, the distance, the literal countdown on his soul—Xaden still chooses Violet. Still comes back. Still fights it.73 days without channeling. 73 days of control.And when they finally give in to each other… he doesn’t lose it.Which means one thing:Maybe he’s not too far gone.We’re breaking down Xaden’s unraveling, Violet’s rise to power, the Irid revelations, the “no cure” debate, and the growing theory that fate, love, and war are all tied to the same irreversible force.Because if love changes the soul…What happens when that soul is already breaking?Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#56: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 16–32 of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… things just went from unsettling to straight-up unhinged.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We start picking up on something Rebecca literally warned us about—there’s a double meaning in the epigraphs—and suddenly EVERYTHING feels like a clue. Letters from Asher? Cryptic. Lilith’s unsent messages? Worse. And the deeper we go, the clearer it becomes… Violet has never been told the full truth. Not even close.Meanwhile, enter: JEALOUS XADEN.Because Halden is back, asking Violet out like nothing ever happened, and Xaden? Oh he handles it. Shadows, threats, slammed-against-the-wall energy… we are absolutely feral. But beneath the tension, there’s something darker building, because Xaden isn’t just protective anymore. He’s shifting.And we need to talk about that shift.His power is different. Stronger. Colder. Controlled… until it’s not. The gold flecks in his eyes? Gone. The way he reads Violet? Sharper. And when things go down in Deverelli… he doesn’t hesitate. At all.Yeah. We’re not okay.As the squad heads to the Isles, the vibes somehow get even weirder. No magic. No connection. No dragons communicating, except Violet and Tairn. And yet, for Xaden… it’s peaceful. Which is maybe the scariest part of all.We meet Narelle, uncover more of Asher’s hidden plans, and everything we thought we understood about the gods gets reframed—because in the Isles, it’s not divine… it’s something else entirely.Because according to the Isles?It’s not divine.It’s science. It’s alchemy.And whatever is happening between Violet and Xaden… might be something entirely new.Oh, and then there’s the temple.Silver-haired priestesses. Six pillars. A goddess calling Violet to choose her path. And when Violet says, “I choose him”… something answers back.Lightning. Power. A force she swears she didn’t summon.So who did?Because by the end of chapter 32, we’re left with one terrifying realization:Xaden might be becoming the storm…but Violet?She might be something even more powerful.We’re breaking down jealous Xaden (bless), the Deverelli chaos, the venin evolution, the growing “cure” theories, and the very real possibility that Violet’s destiny has been set in motion long before she ever knew it.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#55: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into the prologue and chapters 1–15 of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… something is OFF. Like… deeply, unsettlingly OFF.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We pick up in the aftermath of absolute devastation, and immediately the vibes are wrong. Jesinia is translating everything, secrets are surfacing, and Andarna casually drops that she may have altered a venin by changing her scales?? I’m sorry—WHAT? If that’s true, that could change everything we thought we knew about defeating them.Meanwhile, Violet is no longer saying “I will not die today”… it’s now “I will save him.” And that shift? It tells you everything. Because at the center of all of this chaos is Xaden—and the terrifying possibility of what he’s becoming.Because let’s talk about it.The pull of power.The connection to the earth.The fact that he can sense venin.Yeah… we’re not okay.And things only get weirder from there. Venin are infiltrating Basgiath, targeting the weak, and we meet a mysterious silver-haired figure who can wield lightning?! I’m sorry—since WHEN can venin do that? And why does she feel… connected to Violet?The worldbuilding is going absolutely feral again—ancient journals, hidden runes, missing truths about Navarre, and repeated mentions of “the six”… except now we know there’s actually a seventh. (Hi, Andarna??)We also get MAJOR red flags across the board:Brennan looks exhausted in a way that feels familiar…Xaden is unraveling—emotionally and physicallyAnd Violet’s mother?? The more we learn, the less anything makes sense.Oh—and can we TALK about that unsent letter from Lilith? Because not only does she clock Violet’s poor taste in men (same), but it raises a million questions about her past, her knowledge, and what she’s been hiding this entire time.On the political side, things are escalating fast. Violet is charged with treason, alliances are shifting, and Xaden is officially named Duke of Tyrrendor—which is terrifying now that he is venin.And then there’s the magic.Signets are getting rarer. Stronger. Stranger.We’re hearing about once-in-a-generation powers appearing at the same time.And the balance of magic? Yeah… that might be breaking.By the time we hit chapter 15, the tension is unbearable. Because Xaden himself basically admits that if it came down to it… he would choose Violet over everything. Over the war. Over morality. Over everyone.And if that’s not foreshadowing something absolutely devastating… I don’t know what is.We’re breaking down all the early clues, the venin infiltration, the Andarna implications, and of course… the growing fear that Xaden might be slipping into something we can’t come back from.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#54: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 53–66 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… I don’t even know how to emotionally process what we just read. The reveals? The heartbreak? The absolute spiral we’ve entered?*SPOILERS AHEAD*We jump right back into chaos as the battle intensifies and new powers begin to emerge—hello Sloane and that RARE siphon signet?! The stakes are higher than ever as alliances start shifting, especially between Cat and Violet (did hell freeze over?), and tensions explode both on and off the battlefield.But the real emotional gut punch? Violet and Xaden.These two are barely holding it together as secrets continue to unravel, and when Violet finally asks the question we’ve ALL been waiting for… the answer changes everything. Trust is shattered, lines are drawn, and suddenly love isn’t the only thing at stake anymore.Meanwhile, the worldbuilding goes absolutely feral. We’re talking wyvern, venin, hidden runes, ancient journals, and the horrifying realization that Navarre has NOT been telling the full story. Like… at all.And then there’s General Sorrengail.Something is off. The physical changes, the secrecy, the knowledge she’s been holding onto… we get MAJOR clues that there’s more to Violet’s mother than we ever realized—and we are diving deep into the theory that could change EVERYTHING.As the final battle at Basgiath erupts, it’s pure chaos. Dragons falling, riders risking everything, sacrifices being made—and one moment in particular that will absolutely destroy you.The wards are on the brink. The truth is out. And just when you think we might make it out alive…we get hit with THAT ending.Like… Rebecca?? Be so serious.We’re breaking down ALL the major reveals, the emotional fallout between Violet and Xaden, and of course… our unhinged theories (including the Lilith Sorrengail situation because I have QUESTIONS).Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#53: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 40–52 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… the tension? The betrayals? The absolute chaos? We are so deep in it. *SPOILERS AHEAD*We pick up with the aftermath of everything shifting, Andarna’s wing isn’t fully healed, Brennan is alive and thriving under a new identity, and Mira officially joins the rebellion after a very justified punch to the face. Family reunions here are… aggressive.Violet realizes she might know how to raise the wards, but when it fails, she makes a bold move: Tecarus. Enter a literal palace, luxury vibes, and Xaden dramatically reappearing like the shadow daddy he is… only for things to spiral when we learn Catriona is his ex—and Tecarus’s niece.Cue tension, jealousy, and THAT dress moment, when Xaden takes one look at Violet and says, "that dress… you’re playing dirty, Violence.”But things turn deadly fast when Tecarus forces Violet to prove her power… by unleashing a venin. Casual. She survives, but at a cost: an alliance forcing riders and fliers together.And spoiler... they hate each other.On the journey back, everything goes wrong. A trap is triggered, Luella falls, Ridoc is injured, and wyvern close in, confirming the venin now know everything. The war isn’t coming… it’s already here.Back in Aretia, tensions explode. Cat and Violet finally throw down, emotions are manipulated, secrets about Xaden’s past come out—and just when Violet is about to lose control…Xaden steps in. And this man makes a statement.After breaking up the fight, he takes Violet straight to the throne and reminds her exactly where he stands: “My house. My chair. My woman.”Meanwhile, the bigger picture comes into focus: venin rankings, runes, rebellion relics, and the terrifying realization that this war has been building for much longer than anyone thought.Then Violet cracks the code. The wards were never about riders, they’re about dragons.And just when she’s ready to act—Xaden returns from battle barely alive… and immediately knows she’s figured it out. The question is… are they already too late?Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#52: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re covering chapters 27–39 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, and you guys… the emotional damage? The secrets? The chaos? We are officially in the deep end now. *SPOILERS AHEAD*After the attack scare, Violet races to find Xaden, only to discover him completely fine and sparring like nothing happened… while she’s spiraling. What follows is an intense reunion where Violet finally lays her heart out, and while she still can’t say the three little words, she gives him three of her own: “I need you.” And let’s just say… the tension breaks.But reality hits fast. The mission continues, and we meet Catriona—Xaden’s stunning, very not-over-him ex. The tension is immediate, and things escalate when we learn the truth about the luminary and the dangerous cost it would take to get it… a cost that centers around Violet.Back at Basgiath, Violet finally tells her friends everything, and instead of betrayal, she gets loyalty. Together, they uncover a hidden vault tied to the First Six, leading to a high-stakes heist that ends in success… briefly.Because Violet makes one fatal mistake—trusting Nolan.She’s captured, cut off from Tairn, and thrown into a brutal interrogation where Varrish tries to break her, but she doesn’t. Somehow, Liam is there with her, keeping her grounded, until Dain steps in, sees the truth, and in a shocking turn… kills Varrish.Chaos erupts. Xaden arrives. And in the aftermath, Violet takes her power back and for the first time, she and Xaden are fully aligned.Then finally… he says it. He loves her!But the truth about Violet’s mother changes everything, revealing deals and sacrifices that have been shaping her life all along. With secrets exposed, Violet shares the truth through Tairn, and dragons and riders choose sides, following her to Aretia.And just when it feels like everything is shifting…Andarna wakes up.The war isn’t coming anymore—it’s here.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#51: This week on A Novel Bunch, we continue our deep dive, covering chapters 14–26 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, where Violet Sorrengail’s second year at Basgiath escalates from stressful to straight-up sinister. Because the real enemy might not be across the border… but inside the Riders Quadrant itself.*SPOILERS AHEAD*The Riders Survival Course kicks off with a twist no one sees coming. Violet and her squad are drugged with an herbal concoction that severs their connection to their dragons and signets, forcing them to survive the wilderness like ordinary cadets. No lightning. No dragons. Just a forest full of hunters.It’s supposed to be a test.But when infantry cadets start dying, it becomes clear this “exercise” is something else entirely.Back at Basgiath, the questions keep piling up. Why are professors suddenly capable of cutting riders off from their dragons? Why are historical records about wyvern mysteriously missing from the archives? And why does it feel like the leadership of Navarre is hiding something bigger than anyone imagined?Jesinia might be an ally… or she might be another loose thread in a system designed to bury the truth.Meanwhile Violet finally gets the chance to visit Xaden, only for Varrish to sabotage the reunion before it even begins. Punishments are piling up. Surveillance is tightening. And the message is clear: someone powerful wants Violet under control.Or dead.When Xaden and Violet finally reunite, the tension between them explodes. The chemistry? Still undeniable. The trust? Completely shattered.He wants three little words.She refuses to give them.And if fixing Aretia’s failing wards means digging into forbidden knowledge about the First Six, Violet may be forced to risk everything—including the people she loves—to find the answers.But the real danger arrives when Varrish drags Violet and her friends into interrogation.Poisoned drinks. Brutal beatings. Dragons cut off. Secrets demanded.And just when it feels like things can’t get worse…Jack.Freaking.Barlow.The cadet Violet watched die is suddenly alive again—and Nolan looks like a man who’s been trying to resurrect the impossible.As the chapter closes, another attack hits the border. Mira’s unit is involved. Xaden’s post is under fire. And Violet runs across Basgiath with one terrifying thought in her mind:If he’s dead, nothing else matters.The second year isn’t just testing riders.It’s breaking them.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#50: This week on A Novel Bunch, we officially begin Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros and Basgiath isn't the only thing that's changed. The wards are cracking. The dragons know more than they're saying. And Violet Sorrengail wakes up to a truth that rewrites her entire life. *SPOILERS AHEAD*Violet is alive. Brennan is alive. Aretia is real.Venin exist. Wyvern exist. And the war Navarre denies is very, very real.Instead of returning to Basgiath as a hero, Violet walks back in as a secret. One of only a few who know the truth. And knowing the truth? It’s heavier than any weapon.She’s still in love with Xaden—obviously—but she’s trying very hard to convince herself she’s not. Because how do you trust the man who knew your brother was alive this whole time?Brennan isn’t exactly offering comfort either. To him, Violet looks less like a sister and more like Xaden’s greatest weakness. Brutal.Back at Basgiath, the second year begins, and it’s clear this year isn’t about survival. It’s about control.Dragons are bonding less. Assassination attempts are rising. Interrogations are coming. And leadership has shifted in dangerous ways. Dain is Wingleader. Rhiannon is Squad Leader. And Violet’s circle is smaller than ever... five survivors from eleven.Andarna? Twice her size. No more time-stopping. Fully in her teenage dragon era. Moody. Defensive. Perfect.When a first-year assassin snaps Nadine’s neck in front of Violet, something inside her fractures. This isn’t random. This is targeted.Colonel Aetos wants her dead. Varrish is circling. Letters are redacted. Students are disappearing. And the Riders Quadrant feels less like a school and more like a trap.Xaden returns—finally—but distance and secrets still stand between them. He’ll earn her trust, he says… but only if she’s brave enough to ask the questions she actually wants answers to.And then there’s one name that shifts the air entirely:Catriona.The first year is when some riders lose their lives.The second year is when the rest lose their humanity.And we’re only thirteen chapters in.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 

#049: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Xaden Riorson’s BONUS CHAPTER (Chapter 9) from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros… and let’s just say, seeing the rebellion king’s POV? Life-changing. Jaw-dropping. Unwell.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#048: This week on A Novel Bunch, we are spiraling straight into the back half of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros—where lightning doesn’t just strike once, secrets fracture loyalties, and Violet Sorrengail realizes the war she’s been fighting… isn’t the real one.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Jack is dead. Fourth Wing is celebrating. Violet is not.She thanks little Andarna—“worth it,” our tiny golden queen says—and then promptly spirals over what it means to kill. Violet doesn’t fear Jack’s death. She fears what it’s turning her into. She always thought she’d be a mender like Brennan. Instead? She’s becoming the weapon.And according to Xaden and Tairn… she is the weapon.What follows? Oh, just Violet telling Xaden to stop being honorable and ruin her life. Lightning answers the call. Curtains catch fire. Windows shatter. Shadows splinter wood. Their first night together quite literally shakes Basgiath as her pleasure triggers a storm over the Riders Quadrant.Romance? Explosive.Power control? Questionable.Emotional restraint? Gone.In the aftermath, Xaden reveals the truth behind the 107 scars across his back—one for each child of the rebellion he protected. If any of them betray Navarre, he dies. The weight he carries is brutal. On the Parapet, Violet finally admits it first: she’s in love with him. He takes her to his room. Lightning strikes again—hard enough to blow out his window. And just as they’re mid-round-five chaos?War Games begin.But it’s not a drill.At Athebyne, the mask drops. Xaden and the marked ones have been secretly supplying weapons to gryphon fliers to fight something Violet thought was folklore—Venin. Creatures who drain magic from the earth. Creators of Wyvern. The monsters Navarre insists aren’t real.Her father’s cryptic note clicks into place: it only takes one desperate generation to erase the truth.And Dain? He stole her memories. Told his father. Sent them into a trap.The choice becomes impossible: obey command… or save 300 innocent civilians in Resson from four Venin.They stay.Dragons. Gryphons. Wyvern. Blue fire. Death rings. Chaos.Liam dies. Deigh falls. Tairn is struck from the sky. Violet watches everything burn—and finally understands: kill the Venin, and the Wyvern fall with them.With Andarna stopping time and Xaden’s shadows at her back, Violet unleashes everything. She kills the leader. Xaden destroys the last.And then she falls. Poisoned. Dying. Too far from Basgiath.Xaden risks everything and takes her somewhere forbidden.When Violet wakes, they’re not at Basgiath. They’re in Aretia. Rebuilt. And standing in the doorway?“Welcome to the revolution, Violet.”Brennan.The secrets were never small. The war was never simple. And Violet Sorrengail is officially on the wrong side of the kingdom—and the right side of history.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!   

#047: This week on A Novel Bunch, we are spiraling deeper into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros—where secrets turn lethal, dragons guard dangerous truths, and Violet Sorrengail stops just surviving…and starts uncovering a war no one is talking about.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Andarna has stopped time. Our tiny golden queen proves “though she be but little, she is fierce,” and suddenly Violet is holding the most dangerous secret in Navarre. So this stays between Violet, Tairn, Sgaeyl…and Xaden.“You’re all dead,” Xaden says calmly as his shadows snuff out everyone but Oren—before he finishes the job himself. Violet has never killed anyone. Xaden has. The contrast is sharp. Intimate. Unavoidable.Amber’s betrayal explodes next. She orchestrated the Codex breach, and even when Violet begs for mercy, Tairn enforces dragon law. The cost of leadership is brutal. And Dain? Still choosing the rules over Violet.Meanwhile, hostility toward the marked ones grows, Squad Battle looms, and Violet starts noticing something is very wrong with the war effort. Entire villages are being ransacked. Pleas for help sit unanswered on her mother’s desk. What exactly is Basgiath training them for?Solstice brings chaos, oranges bring karma (bye, Jack), and Violet’s power finally begins to simmer under the surface. But the real storm? It’s Xaden.The wall kiss. The snow. The thunder. The hands on her face. “You have incredibly touchable skin.” He stops it—because he refuses to act on desire that isn’t fully hers. The tension is unbearable. The restraint? Somehow hotter.He gifts her a custom knife. Takes over her training. Sets a boundary that lasts approximately three seconds. And when their dragons can’t be separated for more than three days, he leaves his post to be near her.At the front lines in Montserrat, Violet reunites with Mira, sees how broken the border truly is, and realizes the war they’re being taught about doesn’t match reality. Gryphons attack. Xaden kisses her as a distraction. And our jaws are on the floor. Violet can speak to Xaden mind to mind. The secrets are stacking. The attraction is undeniable. The politics are rotten. And Andarna—sweet, darling baby—may be the key to everything.Time can stop.But this story? It’s accelerating.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🐉🔥 

#046: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re continuing Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, covering Chapters 10–18—where Threshing Day tests every rider, the dragons make choices no one expects, and Violet Sorrengail learns that survival sometimes means breaking the rules…and trusting the impossible.*SPOILERS AHEAD*The gauntlet looms, and somehow, Violet Sorrengail’s squad is the only one without a single death since the Parapet. That luck doesn’t last long. As cadets face the obstacle course, Violet survives on grit, memory, and sheer will—only to watch Aurelie fall to her death. The brutality of Basgiath is relentless, and Violet learns quickly that surviving doesn’t mean escaping loss.While burning Aurelie’s belongings, Violet has a rare, quiet moment with Xaden Riorson, one where shadows listen, truths slip, and he admits that every day he lets Violet live is how he proves to himself he’s still a good man. It’s intimate. It’s dangerous. And it changes everything.Presentation Day arrives—the deadliest day of the year. Violet’s size nearly costs her everything, but she outsmarts the Gauntlet in a way no one’s seen before. Accused of cheating by rule-obsessed Third Wing cadet Amber Mavis, Violet survives only because her photographic memory saves her life. Again.Then comes Threshing.Dragons line the Vale. A rare golden feathertail appears. And when Jack, Oren, and Tynan decide the smallest dragon is expendable, Violet does the unthinkable—she steps in front of them. Broken, bleeding, and outmatched, Violet risks her life to save a dragon… and is chosen by the most powerful black dragon alive: Tairneanach. And as if that weren’t enough, the feathertail—Andarna—chooses her too.Two dragons. One rider. Chaos ensues.With Tairn bonded to Violet—and revealed as the mate of Xaden’s dragon, Sgaeyl—their fates are officially entwined. Violet survives another assassination attempt, earns her relic tattoo, and kisses Dain Aetos… only to feel absolutely nothing. The shift is undeniable. The bond with her dragons is changing her—making her feared, isolated, and powerful.By the end of Chapter 18, Violet has bonded with legends, gained enemies, lost her childhood love, and discovered Andarna’s terrifying secret ability: she can stop time.Basgiath is done playing nice. And Violet Sorrengail is no longer just surviving... she’s becoming something unstoppable.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🐉🔥

#045: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re launching into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, covering Chapters 1–9—where conscription is a death sentence, dragons choose violence, and Violet Sorrengail is forced onto a path no one believes she can survive.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Violet Sorrengail was trained to be a scribe, not a rider—but on Conscription Day, her storm-wielding mother shoves her into the deadly Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College, where cadets die before classes even begin. The parapet claims its victims fast, including sweet Dylan, and Violet survives by brains, grit, and a well-placed knife.Enter Xaden Riorson, son of the Great Betrayer, leader of the marked ones, and the man Violet is warned will kill her on sight. Their first meeting is immediate enemies-to-lovers energy, and when Xaden promises the parapet will finish Violet for him, we know this man is a problem.As Violet navigates combat training, broken bones, and assassination attempts (looking at you, Jack Barlowe), she leans on new friend Rhiannon and childhood best friend Dain Aetos, who begs her to quit before she’s killed. But Violet refuses, armed with her late brother Brennan’s cheat sheet and her own sharp mind.When Violet stumbles upon a secret meeting of marked cadets, Xaden catches her—and reveals his rare signet: he commands shadows. Instead of killing her, he lets her go.By the end of Chapter 9, Violet has survived every attempt on her life, turned poison into a weapon, and faced Xaden Riorson in the sparring ring, where he calls her “Violence,” pins her down, and spares her again. The threshing looms, dragons are watching… and Violet is choosing to stay.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 

#044: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re doing a live reading of Azriel’s BONUS CHAPTER from A Court of Silver Flames—and yes, it is unhinged, emotional, and incredibly juicy.Let's get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

#049: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Xaden Riorson’s BONUS CHAPTER (Chapter 9) from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros… and let’s just say, seeing the rebellion king’s POV? Life-changing. Jaw-dropping. Unwell.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#043: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 67–80 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where sisterhood survives the mountain, the High Lord of the Night Court Kneels, and Nesta Archeron becomes a legend.*SPOILERS AHEAD*The Blood Rite turns lethal as Nesta and Emerie race to find Gwyn—only to be lured into a trap set by Emerie’s cousin Bellius, his mind twisted by Briallyn’s Crown. A monster attacks. Blood spills. And just when it seems hopeless, a voice rings out: “HERE!” Gwyn had outplayed them all, weaponless but watching, waiting. “You came looking for me.”“Of course we did. It’s what sisters do.”Together, they run the Breaking—the deadliest path to Ramiel. Arrows fly. Gwyn is wounded. Hunger and exhaustion close in. But at the mountain’s base, Gwyn makes the choice that defines them all: not as Illyrians, not for titles—but as something new. Valkyries. Emerie climbs for her mother. Gwyn climbs for Catrin. And Nesta finally tells the truth of the Cauldron, of who and what she is—only to have her sisters grip her hands tighter.They climb anyway.Bellius returns. Nesta carries them because this—this—is why she climbed ten thousand steps. When Gwyn and Emerie reach the Pass of Enalius, Nesta stays behind to hold the line. Like Enalius before her, she draws a boundary and names her blade Ataraxia. Inner peace. She kills for her sisters.Elsewhere, Cassian and Azriel track Eris—only to be delivered straight into Koschei’s grasp. Briallyn reveals everything: the kidnapping, the weapons, the Rite itself. She crowns Cassian and orders him to kill, eyes already on Nesta.Cassian obeys… and turns the blade on himself.Nesta snaps. She unmakes Briallyn into nothing. Cassian lives. They name the bond at last.But there’s no time to breathe—Feyre is dying. The baby is dying. Rhys is dying.So Nesta takes the Crown. The Mask. The Harp. She stops time itself and bargains with the Cauldron, offering back every ounce of power she stole. Save them all—or take everything from her.The Mother listens. Nyx is born. Feyre lives. Rhys bows to Nesta Archeron.In the aftermath, the Valkyries stand—bloodied, healed, unbroken. Emerie and Gwyn refuse Illyrian titles. They are Valkyries, through and through. Cassian calls Nesta “mate” like it’s breathing. The House of Wind is hers. Feyre gifts her a painting of the moment she held the Pass alone.And at their father’s grave, Nesta leaves a small wooden rose.Not as penance.But as peace.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🖤🔥

#042: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 58–66 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where love is named (and feared), friendships become sacred magic, and three women are thrown into the most brutal trial in Prythian.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Feyre’s birthday brings awkward family tension, unexpected laughter, and a gift from Cassian so thoughtful it nearly breaks Nesta open—a Symphonia filled with the music she loves. But when he gets too close, she lashes out, insisting she deserves someone like Eris instead. Then comes the truth. The fire. The choice to let him stay.While Cassian’s away, Nesta gathers Gwyn and Emerie for a sleepover that becomes something ancient and holy. Friendship bracelets. Wishes etched in coins. “I wish for us to always find our way back to each other.” The magic answers.Training changes everything. Gwyn cuts the ribbon. Emerie follows. Then Nesta. The Valkyries are born.They conquer the obstacle course. The men rage. Azriel quietly reveals the truth: they now qualify for the Blood Rite. “I’d rather be a Valkyrie,” Nesta says—and means it.Nesta climbs the stairs. Makes peace with Amren. Learns she made the House when she wished for a friend. “Welcome back to the Night Court, Nesta Archeron.”Spring brings shadows. Eris warns of Briallyn. Cassian asks Nesta to say the word she’s been running from—mate. She can’t. Instead, she invokes their bargain and sends him away.That night, darkness comes for them.Gwyn screams. Nesta is taken.Cassian arrives too late. The Valkyries have been thrown into the Blood Rite.On Ramiel, Nesta wakes among enemies with only a dagger and her will. She kills. She runs. She becomes what she’s been training to be. She saves Emerie from icy death. She finds shelter with a stranger. And when her charm glows again, she knows—Gwyn is in trouble.And the Valkyries are about to rise in the wild.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🗡️🔥

#041: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 51–57 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where the Valkyries level up, ancient magic sings, and Nesta Archeron steps fully into her power… with a desk, a harp, and a death-god in her wake.*SPOILERS AHEAD*The Valkyries are back on the mat, ribbons in hand and confidence rising. Emerie demands the real update (“Tell me you at least had a week’s worth of fun”), and Cassian proves what “cutting the ribbon” actually looks like—right into the now-infamous hold onto the desk moment. But it’s not all heat: in the library, Nesta and Gwyn choose bravery, attending a priestess service together. Music becomes sanctuary, friendship becomes armor, and a real bond is forged.Then the song opens a door. The Harp awakens—and answers Nesta. Drawn into a parallel space, she finds a golden instrument at the heart of the Prison. The Crown and Harp link her to Briallyn. Rhys sends Cassian in with one of Nesta’s blades—to see what happens when she uses it. Visions. Six thrones. Lanthys. A god who should not be able to die.He tries anyway.Nesta runs. Then turns back. She counts strings—twenty-six—and bends worlds. She reaches Cassian, names her blade Ataraxia, and takes out a death-god with her own magic and Ataraxia. The Prison screams. They fall into Velaris. Cassian collapses. Nesta chooses hope.After, she finally apologizes to Feyre (daemati style). We learn of the Daglan, Gwydion, the Wild Hunt—and that Ataraxia is a death sword. A plan forms: to keep Eris loyal, Nesta will dance with him at Solstice. Cassian is not okay.Winter arrives. Gwyn secures a chapter on the rebirth of the Valkyries—“Our stories are worth telling.” The House reveals its heart. Nesta meets it with hers.At Solstice, Rhys gifts Eris one of Nesta’s blades. Nesta dances. The room burns. Eris whispers truths about Mor. Cassian cuts in, trembling and brave. And then—Eris offers himself everything Rhys could want.In exchange for Nesta as his bride.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 🗡️🔥

#040: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 41–50 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where ancient magic sharpens its teeth, loyalties fracture, and Nesta Archeron finally breaks… only to begin again.*SPOILERS AHEAD*The dread deepens as Helion confirms the truth behind the Crown: the soldiers aren’t bewitched, they’re influenced. The Dread Trove is awakening, and the Mask reacts to Helion in ways it doesn’t to the others, hinting at blood-deep magic and ancient wearers long forgotten. Nesta refuses to learn how to unward it, knowing exactly what she’d be tempted to do with that knowledge. Instead, she studies war, dreams of building an army of priestesses, and lets desire take over—right into that headboard scene.Then the blades arrive. Three weapons Nesta helped forge—impossible, cursed, and powerful enough to rival the Dread Trove itself. Amren fears they are something new entirely… and decides Nesta cannot know. When Rhysand is warned that these swords could make him High King, he refuses, despite Amren’s chilling reminder that the Cauldron’s favor never lasts forever.At the Spring Court, Nesta finds her voice. She challenges Eris, confronts Tamlin for what he did to Feyre, and realizes—finally—what home feels like. But the cracks widen back in Velaris. The Valkyries are reborn through training, shared history, and joy. Nesta pushes for their techniques to be honored alongside Illyrian ones, and for the first time, music and laughter return to the ring.Until the truth comes out.When Nesta learns that Rhysand and Amren kept the swords from her, the betrayal shatters her. A confrontation with Amren explodes. Feyre intervenes—and Nesta tells her the truth about the pregnancy. The fallout is immediate and brutal. Cassian takes Nesta away before Rhysand can do something unforgivable.In the mountains, Nesta collapses under the weight of her grief, her father, her failures, her self-loathing. At a sacred lake, she finally lets it all out. Cassian stays. He listens. He reminds her that she is counted. That she is worth fighting for. And when he tells her to rise—she does.On moonlit shores, Nesta Archeron draws the eight-pointed star perfectly.Not as a weapon.But as a beginning.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#039: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 30–40 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas, where secrets rot in silence, ancient horrors wake in the dark, and Nesta Archeron steps fully into something terrifying and powerful. *SPOILERS AHEAD*In the aftermath of silver fire, Nesta wakes grounded by Cassian, and guided back by Rhysand’s unexpected kindness. But peace doesn’t last long. Feyre’s pregnancy takes a deadly turn when it’s revealed her baby has wings, a truth so dangerous the Inner Circle decides to keep it from her entirely. Nesta agrees to try scrying again—knowing the cost may be steep.That cost becomes horrifyingly clear at the Bog of Oorid. When Azriel disappears and Nesta is dragged beneath the water by a Kelpie, instinct and power collide. She claims the Mask, raises the dead, and emerges not just alive, but bowed to. Cassian and Azriel recognize death when they see it… and they kneel.Back in Velaris, the truth of the Mask comes out: only someone Made from the same dark source can control it. Nesta can—and that realization scares her more than anything. As training continues, the Valkyries grow stronger through mind-stilling, swords, and sheer will. Nesta conquers the stairs, the rain, and the forge itself—sparking strange, freezing embers that even Lucien can’t ignore.Because Nesta Archeron isn’t just training anymore.She’s becoming something forged...and the world is starting to feel it.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#038: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into a LIVE reading of the bonus chapter you’ve all been waiting for—Cassian & Nesta in Wings & Embers.Happy Holidays, Bunchies! Buckle up… because feelings will be felt. 

#037: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 19–29 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where sexual tension detonates, ancient magic comes roaring back, and Nesta accidentally starts a quiet revolution in the House of Wind.*SPOILERS AHEAD*These chapters open with Nesta and Cassian doing what they do best: colliding. Their chemistry boils over in a sharp, unbalanced encounter that leaves Cassian reeling and Nesta retreating—but it’s clear the power dynamic between them is shifting, even when neither wants to admit it.At the River House, the larger threat comes into focus. The human queen Briallyn is hunting the Cauldron, aided by the death-god Koschei, and together they’re after the Dread Trove—three terrifying Made objects: the Mask, the Harp, and the Crown. Nesta finally speaks about the Cauldron, admitting she doesn’t know what she took… only that she meant to. Cassian’s quiet pride in her says everything.Elaine steps forward as a key player, Feyre reveals she’s pregnant—with a boy—and Nesta’s self-loathing crashes hard against the people still trying to love her. Meanwhile, Cassian and Azriel circle questions of legacy and children. But the real heartbeat of these chapters lives in the library. Nesta trains, manipulates the system (brilliantly), and creates something radical: a safe, joyful entry point into strength. Gwyn signs her name. Then Emerie shows up. And suddenly, this isn’t just training—it’s the beginning of the Valkyries.As the trio grows, so does Nesta’s resolve. She challenges Merrill, draws priestesses out of hiding, and finally decides she can’t ask others to be brave if she won’t face her own terror. When she turns to bones and stones once more, the past overwhelms her—and her power erupts.The night ends in silver fire. Nesta screaming. Cassian anchoring her. Rhysand shaken to his core after feeling the Cauldron through her mind.Because Nesta Archeron didn’t just survive the Cauldron.She took death—and it’s awake.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#036: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 10–18 of A Court of Silver Flames— a stretch of chapters where Nesta finally eats, finally trains (kind of), makes a friend or two, pisses off everyone else, uncovers brutal new truths, and accidentally becomes besties with a sentient house.*SPOILERS AHEAD*We open with Nesta’s slow, reluctant climb out of rock bottom: talking to the House (which is absolutely alive and absolutely over her nonsense), nightmare spirals, failed attempts at the 10,000 stairs, and the kind of sexual tension with Cassian that could power Velaris for a century. But when Cassian hits her with a quiet, devastating please, Nesta freezes — and the distance between them deepens.Meals with Cassian and Azriel are a disaster, but something shifts after Cassian’s talk with Feyre. He tries again, offering Nesta training on her terms — no Windhaven spectators, just an hour on the rooftop and a bargain sealed between them. One lesson becomes two, breath work loosens her tongue, and she lets slip the first raw truths about her mother, her noise-filled mind, and the shame that stalks her.Meanwhile, the library gives Nesta something she didn’t know she needed: Gwyn. A friend who doesn’t flinch, doesn’t judge, and carries trauma of her own from Sangravah. Between stolen books, whispered nightmares, Valkyrie lore, and protective stones, their bond becomes the first real light Nesta’s let in. And the House? It keeps rewarding her for it — romance novels, warm food, baths, and enough chocolate cake to fix anyone’s inner child.Outside Velaris, the threat rises: Eris pushes for alliances, the human queens are scheming with something ancient and wrong, and Tamlin is brooding in beast form. Cassian and Rhys can feel the danger sharpening — and Nesta? She’s more tangled in it than she realizes.But the moment that truly cracks these chapters open? Cassian telling Nesta he doesn’t judge her — and her admitting she’s never hated him. That, and that rooftop confession: “Your power is a song, and one I’ve waited a very, very long time to hear.” A line that shifts everything, even if neither of them dares say what it means yet.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#035: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re cracking open A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas with Chapters 1–9,  a raw, brutal, addictive plunge into Nesta Archeron’s spiral, her silver-flame power, and the very first sparks (and snarls) of her new… let’s call it arrangement with Cassian. *SPOILERS AHEAD*We open with a nightmare — Nesta’s memory of being forced into the Cauldron, the death-promise she made to the King of Hybern, and the moment she bit into that ancient magic and took what it didn’t want to give. From there, Part One: Novice thrusts us into the mess she’s made in Velaris: cheap wine, mediocre sex, and a whole lot of self-loathing wrapped in a male’s shirt. Feyre and Rhys finally say what everyone’s been thinking: she’s done tearing herself apart on their dime. Move into the House of Wind. Train with Cassian. Work in the library. Or go back to the human lands. Nesta, unsurprisingly, chooses violence.Cassian steps in as trainer, babysitter, and long-suffering daddy warrior who absolutely does not have the patience for Nesta’s bullshit — but still can’t help wanting her. Their first days are pure chaos: Nesta publicly humiliating him at Windhaven, Cassian snapping back that she’s not the only one who’s suffered, Mor cutting her to pieces with one brutal line, and the House itself refusing to serve her wine like it’s staging an intervention. But cracks start to show — memories of holding Cassian as he lay dying, her first kind interactions with Emerie and Gwyn, and a bowl of soup the House basically force-feeds her like a protective auntie.Meanwhile, a storm is brewing outside Nesta’s personal apocalypse: human queens scheming, Eris sniffing around for alliances, soldiers disappearing without a trace, Koschei the deathless stirring in his cursed lake, and Beron aligning himself with the wrong side of history. Cassian knows the danger is growing — and that Nesta, whether she likes it or not, is right in the center of it.But the biggest spark of these early chapters? The moment Cassian quietly leans down, offers Nesta his hand, and reminds her: keep reaching out yours. A single line that shifts everything — not enough to save her, but enough to make her wonder if she wants to be saved at all.Let's get into it, Bunchies! Grab this month’s book: amzn.to/3Er9cuF#booktokreads #acourtofsilverflames #bookclub #bookclubdiscussion #bookreview #acotarseries #booktube #booktok #bookstagram

#034: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re celebrating Solstice in Velaris with Chapters 15–28 of A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas — a cozy, glittering, gift-filled chapter set that gives us peak Inner Circle warmth, laughter, and just the right amount of emotional depth.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Feyre searches for the perfect gift for Rhysand while rediscovering her own creative spark, the Bat Boys head to the sauna for their annual tradition of snowball wars, steam, and brotherly chaos, and the Inner Circle exchanges gifts that are heartfelt, hilarious, and so perfectly them. Even Nesta shows up, and Cassian can’t help himself — he walks her home, sparks flying even as tempers flare. Their moment may end with Cassian tossing the thoughtful gift he spent months finding into the Sidra, but the tension between them says everything: there’s still fire there.But the biggest Solstice highlight? Feyre tells Rhysand she’s ready to try for a baby, turning the celebration into something truly magical. And in a surprise that softens the edges of the season, Tamlin asks Rhys a simple, powerful question — one that asks whether forgiveness might someday be possible.A tender, glowing Solstice — full of hope, healing, and new beginnings.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#033: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re kicking off A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas with all the wintery vibes, Solstice prep, and Inner Circle chaos your heart could want. Feyre and the gang are easing into post-war life—and trust us, it’s every bit as sweet, messy, and magical as you’d hope.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Feyre settles back into Velaris as snow settles over the city, reconnecting with Rhys, her sisters, and the rhythms of a world healing from war. Elaine grows steadily stronger, Lucien drifts between courts, and Nesta… keeps her distance while quietly stealing every scene she’s in. Rhys handles Illyrian drama with High Lord patience, Cassian stirs up trouble with his usual charm, and Mor pulls Feyre into a trip to the Court of Nightmares that reminds us how far she’s come.Feyre returns to painting, pouring the truth of herself—Ouroboros and all—onto canvas. Meanwhile, Rhys visits the Spring Court, where Tamlin is a hollow echo of who he once was, offering a quiet reminder of how much has changed.As Solstice approaches, the Inner Circle bustles with gift-giving, teasing, unexpected tenderness, and more found-family warmth than anyone can wrap in ribbon. Az and Elaine share small moments, Amren is equal parts chaos and charm, and everyone is just trying their best to make the holiday meaningful.Let's get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

#032: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into the final chapters of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas—and Bunchies, this is it. The war, the heartbreak, the redemption, and the moment Feyre finally faces herself. Grab your Illyrian blades and a box of tissues, because this finale is everything.*SPOILERS AHEAD!*We open with Mor’s truth—no more lies between her and Feyre—as she finally reveals the part of herself she’s kept hidden for centuries. Her confession is raw, tender, and a reminder that love—real love—means letting yourself be seen. But there’s no time to dwell. Hybern’s army looms, and our High Lords must decide if humanity is worth saving. Cassian’s vow to protect the helpless, even if it kills him, seals the deal, and then, Amren drops a bomb: she’s cracked the code to end Hybern once and for all.From there, it’s a race against time. Feyre faces the Ouroboros mirror—alone, but the monster staring back isn’t Hybern. It’s herself. But she doesn’t run. She endures. And that’s what makes her worthy. When she returns, the Bone Carver and the Weaver join the fight, side by side with Bryaxis, and for one heartbeat, it feels like maybe—just maybe—they can win.Then the battle begins. Shields fall. Blood rains. Tamlin and even Beron’s army arrive (shocking, we know), and the lost queen Vassa takes to the skies as a firebird of vengeance. Feyre and Amren race to the Cauldron, while Nesta and Cassian make their final stand—a stand that ends with one of the most gut-wrenching, beautiful promises in the series: “I will find you again in the next world.”Just when it seems all is lost, it’s Elaine—sweet, quiet Elaine—who strikes the killing blow, ending the King of Hybern once and for all. But victory comes at a cost. Amren unleashes her true form to save them, obliterating Hybern’s army and herself with it. Feyre remakes the Cauldron… but in doing so, loses Rhysand. His death shatters the court—and us—but the High Lords join their power, one by one, to bring him back. Even Tamlin.And when Rhysand finally breathes again, he’s got one last surprise: Amren returns, now fully Fae—and maybe, for the first time, fully human at heart.Feyre calls for peace among the courts, for new treaties and a new start. And as she and Rhysand return home to Velaris, she realizes that though everything has changed, love—messy, hard, hopeful love—is still the heart of it all.Because in the end, as the Suriel said, only you can break you.Let's get into it, Bunchies! 

#031: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 53–65 of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas—and Bunchies, grab your tissues and your battle armor. Because this week we’re saying goodbye to one of Prythian’s most unexpected heroes, watching Nesta and Cassian bring the heat, and heading straight into enemy territory for a rescue mission that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.*SPOILERS AHEAD*It begins at the human estate, where Jurian—yes, that Jurian—turns out to be not the unhinged villain we thought. Instead, he’s been playing a dangerous game to send warnings to Drakon and Miryam. Turns out, our boy’s been undercover this whole time. And when he drops the bomb that Tamlin’s gone running back to Hybern? Yeah… Tamlin’s choices aren’t doing him any favors these days.From there, things escalate fast. Elaine’s heartbreak over Grayson sparks Nesta’s iconic slap heard ’round the continent, Jurian feeds them intel on Hybern’s next move, and then—boom—the first major battle of the war erupts. Cassian and his Illyrians tear through the enemy in a brutal dance of death, Nesta’s eyes never leaving him, and Feyre realizes that even victory feels like loss. But when the tide turns, Feyre sets off to find the one being who might still help them: our beloved gossip queen, the Suriel.And that’s when Sarah J. Maas rips our hearts out. Feyre finds the Suriel near the Weaver’s woods, only for Ianthe (ugh, her) to ambush them. But our girl outsmarts her, luring Ianthe straight into the Weaver’s waiting claws—just in time to hold the Suriel as it dies in her arms. “Leave this world a better place,” it tells her. And if you didn’t sob, you might be the Cauldron itself.Back at camp, tensions flare—Mor and Feyre clash, Nesta channels her magic with bone and stone to find Hybern’s army, and Varian and Amren share that kiss (finally!). But then—silence. The Cauldron calls. And when it takes something from Nesta, it takes what she loves most: Elaine.Feyre and Azriel infiltrate Hybern’s camp in disguise, only to find Elaine bound, gagged, and moments from execution. Enter Tamlin—yes, Tamlin—whose green eyes tell her one thing: run. And in that heartbeat, we remember—he was the one who helped her. Who gave her the chance to escape. What follows is chaos and courage, blood and fire, until Feyre spreads her wings and flies home.And when it’s over, the Archeron sisters are side by side once more—curled together like they used to be, but this time holding on tight.Let's get into it, Bunchies! 

#030: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 40–52 of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas— and buckle up, Bunchies, because the long-awaited High Lords’ meeting is pure chaos. Tempers flare, secrets explode, and Feyre’s powers are put on full, fiery display.*SPOILERS AHEAD*It starts quietly enough, with a glimpse of the Bone Carver, a haunting vision of Feyre and Rhys’s possible future son, and Elaine… baking (progress!). But peace doesn’t last long. Nesta shocks everyone by joining the mission to the Dawn Court, where the long-awaited meeting of Prythian’s most powerful begins. Enter the High Lords— Kallias and his fierce mate Viviane, Helion in all his golden glory, and finally, Tamlin. His entrance? Explosive. His insults? Even worse. Let’s just say Azriel’s shadows have never been closer to striking.What follows is chaos laced with politics, pride, and power. Accusations fly, Feyre literally bursts into flame, and the Court of Dreams proves why they’re not to be messed with. Nesta steps into her power, demanding unity against Hybern, and one by one, the High Lords rise beside Feyre... six out of seven ain’t bad.But the biggest revelation? Helion isn’t just a flirt, he’s Lucien’s real father. The gasp heard ‘round Prythian. And just when the dust settles, Nesta feels it: a shudder in the Cauldron. The wall has fallen. Hybern has made his move. Feyre strikes a bargain with the monster beneath Velaris, Bryaxis, and the Inner Circle heads to war— starting with a visit to Elaine’s ex, Graysen. But when they arrive, there’s already a traitor waiting.And then it hits, the figure in the doorway isn’t a stranger. It’s Jurian.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#029: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re doing a live reading of the High Lords’ Meeting—Chapter 44 of ACOWAR!!Buckle up, Bunchies! 

#028: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 27–39 of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas — and peace in Velaris doesn’t last long. The Inner Circle fractures, secrets surface, and the shadows of war are closer than ever.*SPOILERS AHEAD*Tensions ignite when Rhys’s secret deal with Keir and Eris nearly tears the Court of Dreams apart. Mor’s heart breaks, Amren reveals her chilling origins, and Elain’s eerie visions begin to blur the line between prophecy and madness. But as always, Feyre and Rhys find their way back to each other — this time through honesty, vulnerability, and a shared fear of what’s coming.Then the focus shifts to the sisters. Feyre trains with Cassian and Azriel (cue wing lessons and brooding tension), while Nesta and Elain start to reveal just how deep the Cauldron’s touch runs. When Hybern’s Ravens infiltrate the library, Feyre unleashes the monster beneath Velaris — and it’s gloriously horrifying. In its wake, we learn the truth: the Cauldron is broken because Nesta stole something from it.As Elain’s power sharpens, we discover what she is — a Seer — and Lucien steps up to find the lost firebird queen, Vassa. It’s a dangerous mission, but his goodbye to Elain says everything.And just when the dust settles, Amren bursts in with the news no one’s ready for: Hybern has attacked the Summer Court. Feyre, Rhys, and the Inner Circle fly into battle — and war truly begins.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#027: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re back with A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas, covering Chapters 14–26 — and the Inner Circle is officially back in Velaris, baby. Feyre and Rhysand have reunited, the Court of Dreams is reassembling, and things are about to get messy.*SPOILERS AHEAD* Feyre’s home, Lucien’s defected, and Rhysand is back to being the most romantic High Lord alive. The Spring Court’s in shambles, Nesta’s radiating death-goddess energy, and Elain’s whispering riddles about firebirds while Lucien quietly breaks our hearts.Amren’s decoding the Book of Breathings, Cassian’s flirting through training, and Nesta’s serving “don’t talk to me” realness. Sparks fly — literal and otherwise — while Rhys and Feyre remind us what true equals look like.Then strategy takes over. Feyre learns to fly with Azriel (swoon), we visit the library where priestess Clotho embodies survival and healing, and Feyre and Rhys share one of their rawest moments yet: some wounds only heal through love.Enter the Bone Carver. In the Prison, Feyre faces the eerie being who takes the form of her and Rhysand’s future son (WHAT!?). His price? A mirror called the Ouroboros, hidden deep in the Court of Nightmares.From there, the emotional hits keep coming — Elain’s visions grow stranger, Nesta shakes even Amren, and the Hewn City trip explodes when Feyre takes Rhys’s throne and Mor’s past with Eris surfaces. Cracks form in the Inner Circle, Keir proves himself vile as ever, and one haunting question remains for Nesta: “What are you?”Let's get into it, Bunchies! 

#026: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re kicking off A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas with Chapters 1–13—and Feyre is playing the long con.*SPOILERS AHEAD* We open with a war-torn memory, Rhysand walking through the battlefield, desperate to find Cassian and Azriel. But in the present, Feyre is deep undercover in the Spring Court, putting on the performance of a lifetime. She’s back in Tamlin’s estate, smiling sweetly while sending secrets through the bond to Rhys. Acting, darling.Feyre is pretending to be the grateful, broken girl who’s just happy to be home. But behind the paintbrush and fake smiles, she’s scheming. Spying on Hybern’s creepy twins, manipulating Tamlin’s ego, and quietly unraveling the Spring Court from the inside out. Alis knows. Lucien suspects. And Ianthe? Well, she’s about to get exactly what she deserves.Feyre’s plotting leaves Tamlin screaming and Ianthe shattered. But when she gets her shot to escape, she doesn’t take it. Not without Lucien. Because no one touches her friend without consequences.But the final moment? Feyre, face glowing with power, surrounded by Illyrians, tells Lucien’s dirtbag brothers exactly who she is.“I am the High Lady of the Night Court.”Let's get into it, Bunchies! 

#025: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 55–69 of A Court of Mist and Fury—and nothing will ever be the same.*SPOILERS AHEAD* It starts with soup. Ends with war. And in between? Some of the most iconic, romantic, and gut-wrenching moments in the entire series. Feyre and Rhysand finally accept the mating bond (and each other), but their happily ever after is short-lived. With the human queens closing in, a brutal attack on Velaris, and the Cauldron stirring once more, everything Feyre has fought for is suddenly on the line.We get that Chapter 55 scene (you know the one), the infamous mating frenzy, and a devastating assault on the city of starlight. The gang goes to Hybern to destroy the Cauldron—but instead walks into a trap. Rhys makes a secret reveal. Nesta makes a promise with one pointed finger. And Feyre, our girl, makes a heart-shattering sacrifice no one saw coming.But the final twist? Tamlin thinks he won—yet he just invited the High Lady of the Night Court into his home.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#024: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re doing a live reading of the chapter that changed everything — Chapter 54 of ACOMAF!!Buckle up, Bunchies! 

#023: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 41–53 of A Court of Mist and Fury—and the tea? It's nuclear.Feyre is sharpening her powers, flexing her wings (literally), and getting dangerously close to truths she might not be ready for. The gang heads into the Court of Nightmares to retrieve a truth-telling orb—but let’s be real, that’s not the only truth that comes out this week.We get Mor’s heartbreaking backstory, Feyre's first glimpse of Rhys at full terrifying power (hot), and a sneak peek at Illyrian wingplay etiquette. Then comes the long-awaited Starfall, where spirits light up the sky, and a very revealing night at the inn changes everything.But the biggest twist? (SPOILERS AHEAD) The Suriel, drops a bombshell that sends Feyre into an emotional spiral:“The High Lord of the Night Court is your mate.”Let’s get into it, Bunchies!! 📚✨

#022: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re cracking open Chapters 28–40 of A Court of Mist and Fury—and things are getting steamy, sneaky, and downright swoony.Feyre is learning to fight, to harness the darkness, and to let herself feel again. Letters are written (sorry, Daddy Tam), shirts are off (hello, Illyrian sweat squad), and the City of Starlight shines even brighter as Feyre starts to feel at home.We head to the Summer Court with Rhys and Amren on a secret mission to retrieve half of the Book of Breathings—and let’s just say: Tarquin enters the chat. He’s sweet, flirty, and easy to love... much to Rhysand’s dismay. Feyre is pulling off a heist, forging new friendships, and realizing just how powerful—and desirable—she really is. The Court of Dreams is tested. Sacrifices are made. Wraith debts are repaid. And Feyre? She’s not just healing. She’s becoming.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!Grab this month’s book: amzn.to/3Er9cuF

#021: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Chapters 14–27 — and listen, Daddy Rhysand is giving inner circle intros, emotional support, sexy mind powers, and emissary job offers faster than we can say “Hello, Feyre darling.”We arrive in Velaris, the hidden City of Starlight, and wow—it is giving found family fantasy dreamland. Feyre meets Rhysand’s inner circle (Mor, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren a.k.a. the baddest little bat squad in all of Prythian). Rhysand gives Feyre space, protection, and one hell of a reality check — not just with words, but with actions. She chooses to stay. To train. To fight. To find herself. And in the process, she starts to see just how much Rhysand has sacrificed to protect his people—and how much he’s willing to risk for her.We face the Weaver (nightmare fuel), meet the Bone Carver (a creepy 8-year-old boy with light eyes), and learn that the King of Hybern is not playing games. War is coming. A book must be found. And Feyre—our girl—is the key.There are notes passed, growing sexual tension off the charts, and one very sassy High Lord tackled after Feyre is used as bait. Oh, and Nesta and Cassian? Yeah. It’s starting. Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 

#020 This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Chapters 1–13 — and let’s just say, the aftermath of under the mountain is anything but happily ever after.Feyre is drowning in nightmares, guilt, and Tamlin’s suffocating protection as their wedding looms. With Ianthe orchestrating the perfect ceremony, Feyre silently begs for help while walking down the aisle — and it arrives in the form of Rhysand, crashing the wedding with a perfectly timed, “Hello, Feyre darling.”Rhysand whisks her away to uphold their bargain, and Feyre begins to glimpse the Night Court: reading lessons, mental shields, and Rhys’s unshakable belief that she is more than a prize to be coddled. We unpack her suffocating life back in the Spring Court, Tamlin’s refusal to let her grow, and the devastating panic attack that finally pushes her to break free.Enter Mor, Rhys’s fierce and fabulous cousin, and the promise of something new: Velaris, the hidden City of Starlight. With Feyre’s choice to leave the Spring Court behind, Part Two is on the horizon — and with it, a whole new world of power, freedom, and found family.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

#019: In this electric, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation, we chat with twisty, sultry suspense queen May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives, My Summer Darlings, and All the Little Houses. We talk all things book-to-screen—from title drama (spoiler: her husband helped name The Hunting Wives) to selling the TV rights before the book even hit shelves, and the surreal experience of watching her skeet-shooting, lipstick-wearing characters come alive on set.May dishes on being an executive producer, honoring the character of East Texas, and why writing sexy, complex, mature women is both rare and powerful. We bond over astrology (Margo is such a Leo), crystals, transcendental meditation, and moon water. Plus: May’s small-town love story and the origin of her Netflix crown. This is the woo-woo girlie book chat of your dreams. Manifest margaritas with us and hit play.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#018 This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 35–46 of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses — where Feyre’s love for Tamlin is tested against Amarantha’s impossible trials, and a certain High Lord begins to blur the lines between foe and ally.Through heartbreak, sacrifice, and stolen moments with Tamlin, Feyre’s determination never wavers. From the curse-breaking riddle to her final, devastating choice, she proves just how far she will go to save the High Lord she loves.But lurking in the shadows is Rhysand — dangerous, charming, and unexpectedly helpful. His bargains, cryptic motives, and surprising moments of care complicate everything Feyre thought she knew about loyalty and survival.At last, the masks fall, Amarantha’s reign ends, and Feyre is reborn High Fae. Yet the cost of love, the scars of sacrifice, and the way Rhysand watches Feyre suggest this bargain is only the beginning.Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

#017 This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 23–34 of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses — and let’s just say, the stakes have never been higher.From magical kisses and solstice celebrations to the jaw-dropping arrival of Rhysand, Feyre’s world shifts overnight. We learn the chilling truth about Amarantha, the curse binding Tamlin, and just how deep Feyre’s feelings run when she chooses to risk everything to save him.We unpack Feyre and Tamlin’s romance hitting new heights, Nesta’s surprising support, and Alis’s devastating reveal that Feyre was the key to breaking the curse all along. And then… Under the Mountain we go, where Amarantha’s deadly games await.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨ 

#016: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re deep into the heart of Prythian with Chapters 11–22 of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses, and let’s just say… things are heating up in more ways than one.From Feyre’s successful attempt at catching the Suriel and learning the bombshell truth — Tamlin is a High Lord — our girl’s world keeps expanding. We meet deadly creatures like the Bogge and the Naga, get cryptic warnings about the blight, and watch Feyre slowly realize Tamlin’s quiet acts of care might mean more than she’s ready to admit.We unpack everything from Lucien’s tragic Autumn Court backstory, Tamlin’s gallery-and-paint gifts (hello, swoon), and a very steamy Calanmai night where Feyre ignores orders to stay in her room… and ends up meeting the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. The tension? Off the charts.Plus: we debate if Tamlin’s gestures are genuine or calculated, cast our dream actors for Spring Court royalty, and theorize what the blight really is. One thing’s for sure — Feyre might be human, but she’s already in deep.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

#015: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re cracking open the long awaited... A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas—and let’s just say… we’re not in the mortal realm anymore.We’re diving into Chapters 1–10, where we meet Feyre: youngest of three sisters, reluctant huntress, and the only reason her family hasn’t starved. From slaying a suspiciously large wolf to being dragged across the wall to live with a masked faerie lord, our girl is thrown into a dangerous, magical world she’s been raised to fear.We unpack everything from our first impressions of the viral series to toxic sibling dynamics (Nesta, please), and Tamlin’s mysteriously broody charm.Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#014: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re joined by Library Reads Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author Annabel Monaghan—the beloved voice behind Nora Goes Off Script, our book of the month and a forever favorite.In this special episode, Annabel Monaghan sits down with us for a conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and full of wisdom. We dive into the full-circle story of how she pursued writing later in life—despite it being a childhood dream—her proactive approach to getting the words down, and her advice on building lasting relationships (she’s been married nearly 30 years!). Annabel also shares the inspiration behind her latest book, It's A Love Story, her favorite character she’s ever written, and her top summer must-read. And in classic Annabel fashion, she leaves us with an unexpectedly moving take on funerals—and how they often bring out the best in people. You won’t want to miss this one!Let's get into it, Bunchies!

#013: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re wrapping up Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan and the final chapters give us everything. We finally learn the big bombshell that changes our entire perception of Leo—and let’s just say, we owe him an apology.From red carpet reunions to a heartwarming proposal (yes, with a ring), this is the rom-com ending we’ve been dreaming of. Join us as we laugh, cry, and try to recover from one of the most satisfying finales we’ve read all year.Let’s get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨Grab next month’s book: amzn.to/3Er9cuF

#012 This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 16–20 of Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan—and let’s just say: Leo Vance has some nerve. Nora’s trying to move on, but between rewriting their love story, landing a 750K script deal, and a 2AM text from Hollywood’s most unavailable man… let’s just say our jaws are on the floor.We unpack everything from Nora’s decision to sell her heartbreak to the highest bidder (honestly, get that bag), to whether she should’ve gone full revenge-glow-up for the Oscars. Plus: Molly fangirls over the Oscar noms, Alyssa spirals over that first edition Oliver Twist with a “please say hi to everyone” note (Leo, seriously?!), and we debate one big question—are we really still rooting for Nora and Leo?Let's get into it, bunchies!

#011: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 11–15 of Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan… and let’s just say, Leo’s gone rogue and we’re feeling some type of way.We kick things off with laughs and real talk on emotions, love bombing, and the chaos of modern relationships. Molly shares her own Hollywood dating experience, while Alyssa opens up about the power of vulnerability.From ghosting and long-distance love to Nora’s parenting struggles and Leo’s disappearing act, we’re breaking down what happens when romance gets messy—especially with kids involved.We also explore how reality TV and social media shape our views on love, and why friendship is the real MVP in heartbreak.This episode is honest, heartfelt, and just a little chaotic—just how we like it.Let's get into it, bunchies!