Lattes and Lore Podcast

“Everyone loves to say this is where Aelin takes her power back……but Queen of Shadows isn’t just about reclaiming a throne—it’s about what happens when everyone stops pretending to be who they were told to be.”

Today we’re diving into The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook—book three of Dungeon Crawler Carl.The dungeon is bigger, messier, and way more unhinged. The AI is getting weirdly obsessed, the trains don’t make sense, and Carl? Carl has figured out how to weaponize the game itself.

Welcome back to Lattes and LoreToday’s episode? Pure chaos.We’re diving into a fantasy-themed Would You Rather…The kind of choices that get you cursed, betrayed, or accidentally bonded to a morally gray man with emotional issues and a tragic backstory.So grab your emtional support drink, settle into your coziest reading nook, and prepare to make some truly terrible decisions with us.

Today’s episode is Fantasy Explained Badly, On Purpose, which means if you’re here for accurate lore, detailed worldbuilding, or correct pronunciations… this is your cue to leave.We’re talking dragons, dystopias, cursed objects, space revolutions, and at least one sentient cat — all explained the way fantasy books feel when you skim three chapters, miss a name, and somehow still get emotionally wrecked.So grab your emotional support weapon, lower your expectations, and please do not fact-check us.

One book breaks your heart. The other teaches you how to survive it.Today we’re talking about The Assassin’s Blade and Heir of Fire the two books that take Celaena Sardothien from a trained weapon to something far more dangerous: a woman who remembers who she is.This is where the series stops flirting with epic fantasy and commits. Where grief becomes a crucible, where magic awakens, and where the crown stops being a concept and starts being inevitable.Spoiler warning: we are discussing everything. Blood, betrayal, trauma, and the moment Aelin Galathynius steps into the fire.

Welcome back to the podcast, where today we’re entering the assassin-to-queen pipeline. We’re talking Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas aka the books that start as a murder competition and end with emotional trauma, political rebellion, and one of the most iconic name reveals in fantasy. We’re breaking down assassins with feelings, princes with questionable judgment, captains who love duty a little too much, and the moment this series quietly says, ‘Oh, you thought this was light reading?

This episode we discuss "The Knight and the Moth" by Rachel Gillig. “So grab your cloaks, sharpen your skepticism, and prepare for spoilers—because we’re diving headfirst into omens, rot, and one very inconvenient knight.”

We grew up reading fantasy and it shows. In this episode, we discuss books that shaped our reading journey from spells and wonders as kids to war, rebellion and morally grey characters as adults.

This episode we discuss are favorite reads of 2025.

“This is not a safe space for fantasy characters today. We’re handing out Christmas gifts based entirely on vibes, trauma, and whether or not they deserve peace.”

Today, we’re diving into the world of Metal Slinger, a place where power cuts sharp, loyalties bend like steel, and every choice feels forged in fire. From metal-born magic to the characters who wield it a little too well, we’re unpacking the grit, the danger, and the delicious chaos Rachel Schneider built. So grab your gauntlets, brace your heart, and don’t touch anything glowing, it's probably lethal.

When the magic’s alive, the weapons remember, and the gods won’t stay quiet. What happens when a mortal thief winds up in the fae realm? Chaos, gods, and a dangerously hot fae with trust issues. We’re unpacking Quicksilver’s blend of metal, magic, and mayhem.

Welcome back to Lattes and Lore Pod where the apocalypse is personal and the coffee’s never strong enough. Today we’re diving headfirst into Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, the book that turns morality, mayhem, and reality TV into one big existential dungeon crawl. From over-leveled cities to explosive soul crystals, we’re asking the hard questions — like, would you save humanity or just hit the detonate button for the drama?Welcome to Level 3 — where chaos has a camera crew.

Not all dawns bring hope. We’re tearing into Sunrise on the Reaping — the origin, the symbolism, and why Collins’ newest story hits just as hard as the first arrow through the arena. It’s pain, politics, and Panem at its finest.Grab your coffee and your emotional armor — this dawn isn’t gentle.

Today we’re dodging curses, spotting toxic tropes, and admitting we’d still fall for the morally gray guy with a tragic backstory.  Just remember “Not all heroes wear capes — some just wave red flags really well.”

“In Blunder, even light casts a shadow.”Today on Lattes and Lore, we’re diving deep into Gillig’s haunting finale — exploring the cost of power, the weight of identity, and why sometimes, the monsters inside us save us best.Rachel Gillig’s Two Twisted Crowns isn’t just a sequel. It’s a reckoning — the story of what happens after the fairytale ends, when the hero’s victory leaves scars no magic can heal.⚠️ Spoiler warning: Full spoilers ahead for One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. If you haven’t finished both, this is your last chance to turn back. For everyone else… grab your cloak, draw your card, and follow us into the mist.

Today we're diving into the mist soaked kingdom of Blunder, where magic comes with a price and secrets lurk behind every shadow. Let's talk about One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig.

This episode we dive into Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. As always spoiler warning if you haven't read this book yet.

On today's episode we discuss moments we enjoyed and some we didn't in Iron Flame.

On this episode with play "would you rather" but with a fantasy theme.

On todays episode we discuss some of our favorite authors and favorites tropes to read!! Drop a comment on who are some of your favorite authors and tropes.

Today we dove into our recap of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. Our focus was chapters 1-25 but spoilers are always on the table for entire Empyrean Series.

We had the pleasure of interviewing romance author Katie Russell. Find her instagram: IG: authorkatierussellBooks available on amazon and kindle unlimited or her website: www.authorkmrussell.com

Today's episode we discuss some of our favorite villains throughout some of our favorite book, comics and TV series. As always there is a chance of spoilers.

On today's episode we discuss how we would react to common occurrences in fantasy books as our 20 year old selves and 30 year old selves.

We cover chapter 34-39.

We dove into chapters 28-34.

Part 2 of our Fourth Wing recap we pick up post execution and travel through manifesting signets and winning a squad battle.

As always Spoiler Warning!!! If you haven't read the 3 current books from the Empyrean Series tread carefully. In this episode we dive into the first have plus some of what we know from the other books of the Empyrean Series.

Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't read all A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Throne of Glass series and Crescent City series. Will will be diving into our loved theories and hot takes. 

This episode we discuss how our love of reading started and how we found it again as adults.