Story Darlings

SO… did Chaol redeem himself?? 🤔

Our wrap-up of Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas ends on a high note as compared to Empire of Storms. Part 2 delights us (then destroys us) with baby ruks 🥺, Yrene and Chaol attend a dramatic party in The Oasis for a covert mission of their own, and a fun race across the desert ensues on a hell-horse called Farasha, or “Butterfly.”

There are bloodline secrets, and the truth about the spiders is revealed. Maeve’s past comes to light, and we have another secret wedding with a whole lotta feels and redemption sprinkled in. 🖤

It seems some ties will go deeper than marriage.

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Welcome to the Southern Continent. Tower of Dawn part 1 transports us to Antica, or Milas Agia, the god-city. Some say the city itself was built by the very hands of the gods. Hmmm... 🤔

We FINALLY get to see what became of the aspiring healer from back in Innish: Yrene Towers (spoiler: she's been killing it as the most distinguished healer in the Torre Cesme's 1,000-year history).

Chaol and Nesryn meet the Khaganate, and there is DRAMA—a suicidal princess, a Prince of Spies, ruk riders, family reunions, lavish parties in the desert, and... sterilization??

Yrene is NOT nice to Chaol. But it seems they're stuck in this together, because they BOTH have a lot of trauma to process.

While this addition to the Throne of Glass series isn't about battlefield action and gore, there is a ton of court intrigue with some horror elements sprinkled in. The question is: what's really going on in Antica?

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Part 2 of Empire of Storms is a whirlwind. Lorcan dazzles the ladies at the knife show while Elide gets jelly. Dorian nurses Manon back to her bad self (Princeling’s bedside manner leaves Witchling—nay, ALL of us—hot and bothered). And Aedion loses brownie points with Lysandra.

MATES, SECRET MARRIAGE, and an iron coffin?! ⚰️

But then Lorcan goes and loses brownie points with EVERYONE. 🫣

What’s that, you say? Something’s in the water?? It’s a shark! No—a sea wyvern?! NO. It’s Lysandra, AKA the MVP of Skull’s Bay!

Today we bring you s2e11: Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas. Just 2.5 more books to go in our Throne of Glass readalong! 😭

Manon gets her ass kicked by Grandma Blackbeak, Aedion calls dibs on his future wifey, Kitty-Cat Boy grapples with his new reality, Aelin dons an old mask, and Dorian becomes Sad Boy™️

Oh, and Lorcan reluctantly accepts his new role as protector to the Lady Elide…despite still being blood oathed to B*tch Queen Maeve.

The A-team's seas look suspiciously calm, don’t you think? 🤔

What can go wrong?

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Welp. Tera got the MAAS-acre she's been hankering for. In this episode, The Darlings discuss part 2 of Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (chapters 48+).

Kaltain goes full Carrie on Morath. There's a new king in "Otterland." Chaol makes his bed. Then lies in it. Permanently. Maybe... 👀

And Lady Lysandra of Lysandraland does NOT make nice with the super serious, stiff-lipped Lorcan.

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Tera Palozola and Sandra Gibbons discuss part 1 of Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (the first 47 chapters). Aelin (or Alien, as Tera sometimes refers to her), is known to her enemies as the Fire-Breathing B*tch Queen—but mainly Lorcan.

We find out so much in the first half of the book, such as how is Kaltain Rompier looking these days? What of the indomitable Manon Blackbeak? (What realization does our favorite witch come to about Elide?)

And is it too late to save Dorian?

It’s cute that Aedion is Rowan’s biggest fangirl, and Lysandra goes Gone Girl on Arobyn’s ass. AT LAST.

The Story Darlings discuss all this and more! 🤓🤓

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The Darlings wrap up their discussion of The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J Maas, sharing their insights on the last 2 novellas: The Assassin and the Underworld and The Assassin and the Empire. Since Tera and Sandra are NOT reading the Throne of Glass series in box set order, you might avoid this episode until you've read Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire.

There are a few Easter eggs sprinkled in this one (for those viewing the episode)! Can you find them?! You never fully realize all the ridiculous things said until the video's been edited. LOL. 😂

Celaena experiences a taste of real love with the selfless Sam Cortland. Tera rags on Arobyn's new favorite toy, Lysandra, and both Tera and Sandra are ready for ALL the girl rage after Rourke Farran rips away Celaena's long-deserved shot at peace and happiness.

Once again, Celaena proves she really should have brushed up on her poisons. This one hurts. 😢

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Part 1 of this SPOILER-filled discussion covers The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J Maas. Tera and Sandra talk about the first 3 novellas in TAB: The Pirate Lord, The Healer, and The Desert. Since we're NOT reading the Throne of Glass series in box set order, you might avoid this episode until you've read Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire!

Celaena Sardothien is a riot in The Assassin's Blade. There is CHAOS in Skull's Bay. Celaena does her best Gracie Lou Freebush with Yrene Towers (holla, Miss Congeniality fans!). Asterion horse-racing across the Red Desert, silent assassin dance parties, spidersilk-selling merchants, and the dashing Sam Cortland... oh my! This one was fun.

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This is part 2 of our summary and discussion of Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas. There are giant talking spiders, Dorian’s relationship is short-lived, Rowan and Celaena get closer, and it turns out Manon ain’t ALL bad—she’s got a soft spot for broken things—à la Abraxos—much to Grandma’s infinite disapproval.

This is the book where major pivotal things pop off and IT'S SO GOOD! 🔥🔥🔥

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The Throne of Glass series readalong continues with Heir of Fire part 1. Tera and Sandra are fully aboard the "Good Ship Aedion." You don't have to tell them twice.  And Rowan who?? There are so many characters being introduced, but this is when Throne of Glass finally starts to feel like epic fantasy.

Manon Blackbeak might be Sandra's favorite character ever (despite Tera thinking she's chaotic-evil), and awww. Tera thinks Dorian has a good thing going with Sorscha. That's cute. IYKYK.

Witches, wyverns, wyrdmarks, and Wendlyn... oh my! This story is just getting started.

Thank you so much for tuning in to part 1 of our Heir of Fire summary and discussion.

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After the events discussed in the previous episode, Tera was ready for capital 'R' Revenge. So, did she get it? More importantly, why does Dorian have "magic fingers" according to some (Sandra)? Thanks for listening to part 2 of our Crown of Midnight discussion!

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"We've already got a love triangle going on—we don't need a love square." In this episode, Tera and Sandra discuss the first part of Crown of Midnight (chapters 1–29), and oof. It's a lot. Does Tera still love Chaol Westfall? Why is Celaena eating so much chocolate cake? We need all the girl rage, plz. Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating or review. 🖤

Where to follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

In this episode, Tera and Sandra discuss Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas from chapter 27 onward. Tera still has love for Chaol, but will it last? Thanks so much for tuning in.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating or review. 🖤

Where to follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong: 

Happy Galentine's Day! Veteran SJM reader, Sandra, joins virgin SJM reader, Tera, to discuss the first 26 chapters of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. Do you think it's fair to call Celaena Sardothien cocky? Is Chaol Westfall's gruff sense of honor a hindrance to what is right? Should Crown Prince Dorian be "knocked down a peg" as Tera puts it? And what the hell are wyrdmarks? We discuss all this and more in the season 2 premiere of Story Darlings. Thanks so much for tuning in.

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Hip-hip-hooray! Tera & Sandra are BACK after a loooong staycation, and they're kicking things off with a series readalong: Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. Take a shot every time someone says "ship." The first episode drops Valentine's Day. Thanks for listening.

Happy New Year! Tera & Sandra are back, kicking off 2022 with another blast from the past: the 2000s cult classic, Mean Girls. They also share their appreciation for Lan's butt, and Sandra talks demonic possession and how her first experience with jury duty went (it was weird).

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola share their favorite Christmas movies. Tera has a lot, Sandra does not.

These are the movies that get us in the holiday spirit—reminding us of Christmases-past and giving us hope for Christmases-future. You can tell Tera wrote this because if Sandra had, it would just read, “Bah humbug!”

Since we're observing the holidays over the next 2 weeks, our next episode will be released on January 3, 2022. Happy New Year.

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola take a trip down memory lane with the hit TV show Gilmore Girls. They discuss how the series defined their teenage years and how they relate to the characters now as adults.

Tera Palozola & Sandra Gibbons discuss Netflix's Red Notice (starring Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Gal Gadot), about two international art thieves vying for top spot with an American agent hot on their trail.

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola discuss the book series and television adaptation of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, and whether it’s better to have loved and lost or never to have loved at all. They also share why it’s important to not only find joy in the small things, but to live life to the fullest.

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola discuss the Netflix documentary, American Murder: The Family Next Door, which follows Chris Watts and the disappearance of his wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella and CeCe.

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola welcome college buddy, David Ziama, to the show to discuss the Netflix Kissing Booth movies, which star Joey King & Jacob Elordi.

In celebration of International Author Day, Tera Palozola & Sandra Gibbons welcome children’s book author Nonku Kunene Adumetey to talk about her upcoming book, “I Celebrate My Voice.”

Nonku shares deeply personal stories on overcoming adversity.

12 years after its release, Jennifer’s Body, which stars Megan Fox & Amanda Seyfried, has finally found its audience as a commentary on sexism and feminism. Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola unpack the film’s influences and themes.

Some things are too good to last. Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola discuss the season finale of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Apple TV+ series, Mr. Corman.

Tera Palozola & Sandra Gibbons share their all-time favorite moments in the 15-season television series, Supernatural, which stars Jensen Ackles & Jared Padalecki.

With the recent release of Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version) Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola discuss one of the most prolific storytellers of our time: Taylor Swift.

Sandra Gibbons & Tera Palozola discuss mental health and Mr. Corman, a new Apple TV+ series starring, written, and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

In this episode of Story Darlings, Tera Palozola & Sandra Gibbons muse about why people love Hocus Pocus so much.

Tera Palozola & Sandra Gibbons discuss the merits of reading about toxic relationships. Exhibit A: the After series by Anna Todd.