Story Darlings

Greetings, would-be cadets. Today, the Darlings discuss the romantasy phenomenon that has taken the world by storm, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Empyrean series book 1), and what a ride it is.

Consider yourself conscripted into Basgiath War College where, if lucky, you'll gain entry into your desired quadrant. That is, if you can survive its demands. Rider, Scribe, Healer, Infantry—choose carefully.

We meet chronically injured, Violet Sorrengail (aka Violence) and the tall, dark, and handsome, Xaden Riorson—son of the Great Betrayer, Jack(-ass) Barlowe, and a small army of other cadets who may or may not survive their first year at Basgiath.

Pour one out for [redacted].

We hope you enjoy this bonus episode while we take a short break between our ACOTAR and Crescent City series readalongs. Iron Flame discussion: imminent.

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Sandra and Tera are joined by one of their FAVORITE story darlings and SJM fangirls, Jessea Jurhs from the Gym Was Cancelled podcast! Together, they discuss the second half of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas (ACOSF chapters 38+)!

Seeing as how this is the final ACOTAR book, at least for now, the trio gives a broad-strokes recap of the major plot developments while sharing their theories about the series—no matter how unhinged they might sound.

The second half of ACOSF screams sex, sex, and more sex, but it is the overarching plot behind Lady Death and the Valkyries that is *chef's kiss*

They talk about why Nessian might be superior to Feysand, what makes Nesta such a compelling protagonist, potential Azriel ships, and there are lots of musings around Eris, Lucien, and that pesky thing called the mating bond.

Silver Flames brings belly laughs, lots of crying and trauma healing, and glorious girls kicking butt moments, making the latest ACOTAR installment one of SJM's greatest books to date. Cue the sad tears for not having another ACOTAR book to read.

But next up? Crescent City.

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The Darlings discuss the first half of one of their favorite ACOTAR books to date, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas (ACOSF ch. 1–37). Nesta has been a bad, bad girl, and our poor Prince of B*stards, Cassian, has been tasked with fetching the eldest Archeron daughter for a capital 'I' Intervention at Feysand's sprawling estate.

Nesta's new reality? She is to live at the House of Wind, train with Cassian Illyrian-style at Windhaven, and work for Clotho in the House of Wind's library. Azriel gets to play chaperone. Commence Nesta striking a bargain with Cassian, LOTS of sexual tension, and terrible flashbacks and PTSD.

Tamlin has apparently gone full beast mode. Rhysand is hiding something major from Feyre. Mor is off in Vallahan. The Inner Circle is dealing with the remaining mortal queens (headed up by Briallyn) and trying to find the Dread Trove.

Something is very, very wrong with Nesta. And Eris. It seems the presumed heir of the Autumn Court is hiding secrets of his own... perhaps secrets that aren't his to tell. Silver Flames is shaping up to be an SJM masterpiece!

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Tera and Sandra discuss A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas (ACOFAS). Feyre tries to find her purpose in Velaris post-Hybern, the Archeron sisters have to adjust to horrible biannual periods, Nesta's still super mean, and Cassian's just a big, strong brute with a heart of pure gold. Feysand and the Inner Circle enjoy the Winter Solstice holiday, and it's adorbs.

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The Darlings finish their discussion of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas (ACOWAR chapters 37+). Tera says Feyre was thrust into her role as the temptress. Sandra begs to differ. 😏

Sandra and Tera dive into the third ACOTAR book: A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) by Sarah J Maas (chapters 1–36).

Previously, the Darlings discussed every book in SJM's Throne of Glass series. Strongly recommend reading those books and listening to those episodes!

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The Darlings finish the second ACOTAR book: A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) by Sarah J Maas. At last, they arrive at the long-anticipated chapters of 54 and 55. First the sweet, and then the spicy. SJM feeds us in the second half! 👀

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Tera and Sandra crack open the second ACOTAR book: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (chapters 1–32). Tera is an ACOTAR first-timer, Sandra a fourth-timer.

Previously, the Darlings hosted a readalong for SJM's entire Throne of Glass series. Strongly recommend reading those books and listening to those episodes.

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Welcome back to our series readalong of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas! In this episode, the Darlings talk about the second half of book one (chapters 24+). Tera is an ACOTAR first-timer, Sandra a fourth-timer.

Previously the Darlings hosted a readalong for SJM's Throne of Glass series. Strongly recommend reading those books and listening to those episodes.

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Welcome to our series readalong of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas! In this first episode, Tera and Sandra talk about the first half of book 1 (chapters 1–23). Tera is an ACOTAR first-timer, Sandra a fourth-timer.

Spoilers ahead, including some mentions for SJM's Throne of Glass series (we highly recommend you go back and read those books—we have 16 full episodes discussing them!). Proceed at your own risk.

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Thanks for listening to the second half of our discussion of Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas. This concludes our first SJM series readalong for Throne of Glass. And wow—we caught feelings. 😭😭😭

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Thanks so much for listening to the first part of our discussion of Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

Our wrap-up of Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas ends on a high note (as compared to Empire of Storms). In the second half, SJM delights us, then destroys us, with helpless baby ruks 🥺. Yrene and Chaol attend a very 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.

SO… did Chaol redeem himself?? 🤔

Thanks so much for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

The Darlings have a book talk about Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas! Welcome to the Southern Continent. Tower of Dawn transports readers 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 SJM's 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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Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

The second half of Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas 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 Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas (the first half). Just 2.5 more books to go in our SJM readalong for the Throne of Glass series! 😭

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 MAASacre 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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The Darlings 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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If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

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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. 😢

Thanks so much for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

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.

Thanks so much for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

The Darlings discuss the second half 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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If you enjoyed this episode, you can support our show by leaving a rating or review. It's such a big help! 🖤

Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

The Throne of Glass series readalong continues with Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas (the first half). 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.
If you enjoyed this episode, please support our show by leaving a rating or review—it helps more than you know. 🖤
Follow along on our Throne of Glass series readalong:

The Darlings discuss the second half of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas! 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)?

Book 2 was a classic SJM rollercoaster, and now we glance ahead to Heir of Fire.

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Where to find more SJM content:

"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 half of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (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 the second half of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas (chapters 27+). Tera still has love for Chaol, but will it last? Safe to say Tera has major love for SJM's first-published protagonist, Celaena Sardothien.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

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

Follow along on the 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 premiere of Story Darlings.

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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 (2023).

Please excuse the shoddy audio on Tera's end for this sneak peek trailer episode!

In this episode, Sandra and Tera share their favorite reads of 2021. From indie books and non-fiction to romance and epic fantasy—these are the stories that resonated the most and will be remembered for years to come.

Happy New Year! The Darlings 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 from Amazon Prime's Wheel of Time adaptation, and Sandra talks demonic possession and how her first experience with jury duty went (spoiler alert: it was SUPER weird).

Sandra Bruxvoort and Tera Palozola share their favorite Christmas movies. Tera has a lot, Sandra does not. These are the movies that get them in the holiday spirit—reminding them of Christmas-Past, and giving hope for Christmas-Future. You can tell Tera wrote this because if Sandra had, it would just read, “Bah humbug!”

The Darlings are observing the holidays over the next two weeks, so the next episode will be released on January 3, 2022. Happy New Year.

In this introductory episode, show hosts Sandra Bruxvoort and Tera Palozola share what to expect on Story Darlings. Books, songs, video games, movies...they discuss all kinds of stories—in whatever mediums those might be.