Episoder
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Summary: Welcome to Episode 5 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Aelin is back in Rifthold and ready to break hearts, faces, and rules in order to tee up the future she and her fledgling court are fighting for. Today we explore Queen of Shadows, the fourth (or fifth depending on your reading order) book in ToG. Now that Celaena has let go of her assassin pretenses and stepped into her true identity as Aelin Galathynius, she and her team return to Adarlan to confront old and new enemies alike with an eye toward claiming her throne in Terrasen and winning the larger war.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: From horror to Hallmark, a small town setting is ripe for intrigue for Holly and Devin this week. Join our hosts as they break down books set as far from a city as possible. Living in a town of 3,000 people, Devin feels right at home with a rural community and Holly brings the creepiness and the connections of more isolated regions via her book. Both hosts agree that rural settings turn up the heat in their respective wheelhouses, but with wildly different outcomes (you know, bonking vs. butchering).
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:59): Devin discussed Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score, a novel following Maggie Nichols as she takes on her most audacious flip project yet in the tiny town of Kinship, Idaho. With a goal of renovating the famed Victorian mansion in less than 4 months and hitting one million subscribers on YouTube, Maggie has no time for the flirtatious and talented landscaper Silas Wright, until he shows her that maybe he and the town are the exact things she should be focused on. Devinâs key takeaways were:
The tiny town of Kinship is the opposite of everything Maggie has ever known and is what makes Silas who he is. Silas cannot imagine living somewhere outside of Kinship and has a big, boisterous family that he sees 2-3 times / month in a group setting. Maggie has been on her own since 21 and only lives in the same place for 3 months at a time. The setting plays a huge role in how they develop as a couple and individually.
When do we need people, when do we want people, and how often should life be done alone? Maggie and Silas are diametrically opposed at the start of the book; Silas loves being vulnerable and trusting his gut, and Maggie canât do anything without a spreadsheet. Score explores vulnerability and how we grow best through our protagonistsâ differing viewpoints.
With references to YouTube comments, gifs, viewership, editing, posting, etc. as well as choices for each room and a whole team of people working on the house and landscaping, this book was an HGTV lover's dream. It was fun to hear about this mansion-sized undertaking and some interior decor subplots.
The Dagger (20:07): Holly discussed Bad Cree by Jessica Johns, a literary horror book following Mackenzie, a young Cree woman who has moved to Vancouver to avoid facing her sister Sabrinaâs untimely death. In the last few weeks sheâs been followed everywhere by crows and her nightmares featuring crows, a frozen lake, and her sisterâs body have been intensifying. Soon enough, Mackenzie and the reader reckon with the fact that something is going on after she dreams she falls through ice into the lake; Mackenzie wakes up drenched and her phone is broken - the last location of which is showing at the lake hundreds of miles away. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Mack has fled to Vancouver but returns home to learn to embrace her roots again and not run from pain. At home things are much more in the open: the community is small, peopleâs actions are visible, the land itself is very visible with the plains and farmland. The area has suffered both from companies coming in to frack and extract resources from the land and then abandon the community once they took what was valuable; the community grapples with generational and recent traumas.
Grief plays a huge role throughout this story; not only is Mackenzie navigating the death of her sister Sabrina; the whole family is also still reeling from the loss of their matriarch, Kokum, several years before.
Ultimately even though there are classic horror elements, family and community play a huge role in Bad Cree. The characters are so close and play specific roles within their larger community; knowledge is passed around and sought out from the elders, there are traditions of late night card games and poker. The theme of crows throughout is a metaphor for sticking together, for mourning our dead, for watching each othersâ backs.
Hot On the Shelf (38:42):
Holly: The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
Devin: The Prospects by KT Hoffman
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (42:31):
Holly: Dodgers Baseball
Devin: Spring Skiing
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Manglende episoder?
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Summary: Welcome to LoveFest number six, where Holly and Devin gush about the acclaimed fantasy author V.E. Schwab. Every ten episodes our hosts come together to highlight where their tastes intersect. While you may think of V.E. Schwab as being squarely in Hollyâs wheelhouse, this author is more similar to Neil Gaiman and infuses empathy, care, and creativity into plots so that even the most sensitive romance reader can find something to love.
Topics Discussed:
Author Background (4:04):
Completing her first work at the age of 19, V.E. Schwab (pronouns she/they) has since published more than twenty works for YA and adults. Publishing under the monikers Victoria Schwab and V.E. Schwab, this author is best known for fantasy series that blend with reality and creepy, ghost-filled plots. Highlights for Holly and Devin generally are her monthly newsletter and her almost poetic, haunting style.
Series (10:25):
Cassidy Blake Series
City of Ghosts
Tunnel of Bones
Bridge of Souls
Shades of Magic Series
A Darker Shade of Magic
A Gathering of Shadows
A Conjuring of Light
The Fragile Threads of Power
Villains Series
Vicious
Vengeful
Victorious (pub date TBD)
Standalones (34:01):
Gallant
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The Near Witch
Hot On the Shelf (55:05):
Devin: Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Holly: James by Percival Everett
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (59:45):
Devin: Season 2 of Extraordinary on Hulu
Holly: Perfect Days, Japanese film
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Grab your brushes and palettes, friends - weâre talking Visual Artists today! Join Holly and Devin as they discuss the role of art in their own lives and books in their wheelhouses. Whether you grew up drawing horses and chickens like Holly or unable to even master stick figures like Devin, a splash of color from artists (or blood) will be just what you need to get your hearts racing.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (5:28): Holly discussed The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, a puzzle game mystery novel set in 1985. On a long, stormy night a woman fell from the houseâs tower, a painting disappeared, and a man vanished under what seemed to be impossible circumstances. Soon after, the group of six left in (alive) in the home discover a body burning in the basement incinerator. After that chill opener, the novel unfolds in two threads: this disastrous night and the same night one year later when the group gathers with more questions than ever. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Fujinuma Kiichi, wheelchair-bound after a horrific car accident, is the son of renowned artist Fujinuma Issei and lives in Mill House with all of his fatherâs paintings and his 20-years-younger wife who is kept isolated in the tower. The group we meet gathers annually for a viewing of the portraits, but this year goes sideways - fast.
The role of art is woven through the novel in an impactful way: the absent but looming artist father, the desire and greed the visitors feel for his work, art as a motivation for crimes and even a secret, final painting that Fujinuma Kiichi wonât let anyone see.
The overall structure and puzzle element to the mystery really resonated with Holly; you have to pay close attention as a reader and the plot can get a little convoluted but it all comes together in the end very effectively.
The Heart (24:14): Devin discussed Hello, Stranger by Katherine Center, a novel following Sadie Montgomery as she almost simultaneously discovers she is a finalist in a national portrait competition that would revolutionize her career prospects as an artist and that she was rendered face-blind after a surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain. Sadie must rediscover herself and the people in her life as she navigates her face-blindness and works to uncover how someone who canât see faces could paint an award-winning portrait. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Center loves to weave new and old trauma through her romances and this book is no exception. Sadie has to deal not only with her motherâs death, her fatherâs apathy, her step mother and sisterâs horrible treatment, but also the trials and struggles of navigating friendships with other priorities while she fights against her face blindness.
Post-surgery, Sadie must confront and work her way through the fact that her portraiture might be ruined. She fights hard to overcome her handicap and still render photo-realistic portraits for the competition, but is ultimately unable to do so and has to question her artistic identity and her personal identity through the process.
Never has Devin ever dealt with a love triangle this fun or unusual. To only have the male protagonists described in the most vague, weird ways (their vibe, their torsos, the blob of their face and hair) was an absolute blast and the potential lover character arcs were phenomenal to follow.
Hot On the Shelf (44:17):
Holly: Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah Johnson
Devin: A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (48:06):
Holly: The Legend of Korra on Netflix
Devin: A wheel throwing pottery class
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Welcome to Episode 4 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! The universe we understand in this series explodes with new characters, new places, new faces, and new challenges. Today we explore Heir of Fire, the third (or fourth depending on your reading order) book in ToG. After the crushing events of Crown of Midnight, Celaena travels under the guise of an ordered assassination to Wendlyn. Once there, she is brought face-to-face with her history, her future, and who she needs to become.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Youâre out of this world, listener! Join Holly and Devin today as they discuss books set in or featuring outer space. Devin has always been obsessed with space exploration and studied it in college, whereas Holly only really wants to read about this subject in her books. Whether you have a passion for astronomy or astrology, whether you dream of flying to the moon or are glad your feet are firmly planted on earth, these books have something for you!
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:41): Devin discussed A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young, a unique romance following event planner Hallie Goodman and NASA astronaut Christopher Ortiz as they orbit each other and then collide. After discovering his video diaries from the ISS (International Space Station), Hallie develops a crush on the charismatic astronaut and starts to send her own recordings to his discontinued NASA email address. Little does she know, though, that Chris is watching them and developing a crush of his own. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Not only is the book full of videos where Chris describes what itâs like to live on the ISS, but thereâs metaphorical space for better and worse laced throughout this novel. Chris works for NASA and did 5 months in space, but both he and Hallie struggle with space, taking up more of it in their lives and not letting it get in the way of their fledgling romance.
Both protagonists have a lot of trauma and a lot of current struggles with their families, especially their parents. This informs how they show up in their relationship and how they react to various triggers. A lot of the book involves the repair or boundary setting of Hallie and Chris with their families.
Chris, having dated a socialite named Darcy and Hallie who is consistently wrapped up in the world through her work have to fight for their positions in society and for authenticity in their relationships. Even Hallieâs dad struggles with posturing and connection when he buys a gigantic house to make his ex jealous.
The Dagger (23:48): Holly discussed Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty, book one in the Midsolar Murders series and a novel following Mallory Viridian, a human living on the space station Eternity amongst various species of aliens. Having left earth after realizing that people connected to her are murdered at an alarming rate, Malloryâs existence on Eternity is peaceful⊠until a shuttle full of humans comes to the station and the bodies begin to pile up again. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
One of the best aspects of the book was the various aliens on board, ranging from the Gneiss who are creatures made of living rock to the Sundry, an insect species similar to wasps who have a hive mind and can only communicate with you if three or more of them gather together.
The murder mystery component of the story felt misleading - there wasnât so much the real focus of this story and didnât come together in a way that felt satisfying; there was some confusion on the core thrust of the plot and what the reader should be focused on.
Ultimately, this book had a lot of promise and intriguing world building of alien species cohabitating in a sentient space station, but the execution felt chaotic and messy. If youâre looking for a sci-fi thriller with a unique twist, though, check out this series.
Hot On the Shelf (47:34):
Holly: Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
Devin: How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (50:52):
Holly: Dune Part 2
Devin: Bread baking weekly
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Giddy up, friends, and join us for a ride into the wild world of horses. Holly has been a lifelong Horse Girl and Devin spent a decade taking horseback riding lessons, but neither of them have been as involved with the animals as any of the characters in their featured books today. For better or worse, a life revolving around horses can be all encompassing and high pressure; our hosts highlight the good and bad in their respective wheelhouses today.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (6:39): Holly discussed Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier, a thriller perfect for anyone looking to read about rich people behaving badly. We follow two teenage sisters, Piper and Maple, and their mother, Heather. as they move to an exclusive community in the heart of Southern California. Once there, they begin riding at the Rancho Santa Fe Equestrian, where horses (and murder) are a lifestyle. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
From the start we learn that someone is dead, and then Brazier weaves us through the lead up to the incident with alternating perspectives from Heather, her daughters, and other âBarn Momsâ at the stables.
There are distinct socioeconomic themes and dynamics in this book; Heather is newly wealthy and determined to give her daughters the life she never had, but the established families in the community are suspicious and judgemental.
This book is full of characters that are flawed, hurt, downright unlikeable and their internal challenges clash against their peers as they feed their ambitions and fight for what they believe they deserve.
The Heart (21:44): Devin discussed Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage, a novel following professional barrel racer Emmy Ryder as she returns to her hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming after an accident renders her unable to get back on her horse. Once there, sheâs met with more than she expected as her brotherâs best friend, Luke Brooks, becomes more than just an occasional thorn in her side. Devinâs key takeaways were:
If youâre looking for some horse energy, this is the book for you. Emmyâs family owns Rebel Blue Ranch which raises cattle, horses, gives riding lessons and embraces the classic western vibes. Luke and Emmy spend most of their time around horses and the deepening of their romantic dynamic is part and parcel with those interactions.
The story does not hold back on the steam front; this book is almost shockingly sexy and involves dirty talk. If youâre looking for a more subtle, closed door romance vibe, tread lightly with this book. If youâre not, join Devin for an absolute blast.
Sage has ADHD herself and worked hard to bring more authentic representation of the disorder with Emmy. Both she and Luke have traumas and experiences that inform and block their connection that they work through together to grow as people (and together).
Hot On the Shelf (45:32):
Holly: The Searcher by Tana French
Devin: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (50:00):
Holly: The Night Of on HBO
Devin: Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Amazon Prime
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Welcome to Episode 3 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Get excited as we dig into the prequel novellas that make us fall in love with Celaena even more (and understand why sheâs in dire need of therapy). Today we explore The Assassinâs Blade, five short stories focused on Celaenaâs time as an assassin before sheâs sent to Endovier and the plot of Throne of Glass begins.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Sometimes the best gifts come in smaller packages - join us today, friends, as Holly and Devin review short story collections in their respective wheelhouses. With a deep history of reading short fiction from their college years, Holly and Devin reflected that while less common to read in adulthood, short stories havenât lost their value or potency. Being able to impact a reader quickly enough to have a complete short story is a feat of writing prowess and the two collections they review today prove that.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (2:58): Devin discussed Love in Color by Bolu Babalola, a collection of myth retellings centered around West Africa with a sprinkling of Greek and Middle East legends thrown in. Babalola reshapes the tales of Nefertiti, Scheherazade, Psyche and others to move away from patriarchal tropes and toward a women-centered happily ever after. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Many of these myths end badly and usually with the death or subjugation of the female protagonist; by applying common romance tropes in the retelling they take on a more hopeful, lighter air and really underline the value of love conquering all
The default characters were all BIPOC, and the book told stories that arenât well-known outside of the home cultures/countries. It was amazing to recognize stories like that of Psyche and Thisbe from Greek mythology that we were taught in school, but then also dive headfirst into new-to-you myths. Definitely worth researching the myths as you go to compare vs. Babalolaâs work.
Told from the perspective of the woman instead of the man in all but one of the stories (Attem), the reader is left overall with a feeling of empowerment and connection. By resetting the myths in modern Manhattan, for example, we are reminded that myths arenât history but evolve with us, acting as a mirror that reflects who we are and who we want to be.
The Dagger (15:56): Holly discussed Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales by P.D. James, a reprinted series of short stories published posthumously in 2017 from works written between 1973 and 2005. With the title a nod to Macbeth, James stories pack a punch with ordinary characters who commit dark acts. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Influenced by the likes of Agatha Christie, James took the popular murder mystery concept and deepened it by adding emotional, moral, and psychological layers that draw the reader in and are clear even in the short story format.
Interestingly, many of the stories in this collection are set around Christmas. If youâre a reader who loves a little murder for the holidays, this collection is for you. For example, a cozy mystery author reflects on being caught up in a real-life murder as a youth when his family had guests to their home for Christmas and the person who dresses up as Santa is found dead.
Told mostly in the first person with unnamed narrators, Jamesâ builds tension with car trips gone wrong (three were in the car when they pulled over, why do only two arrive at the house?), deep family history, wolves in sheeps clothing, and the close quarters of vacations and manor homes in the UK.
Hot On the Shelf (38:21):
Holly: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
Devin: Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (42:38):
Holly: Godzilla Minus One film
Devin: Get On Your Knees comedy special by Jaqueline Novak on Netflix
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Grab that benzoyl peroxide and your Abercrombie cologne, friends, weâre talking teenagers on this lovely Galentineâs day! Whether you always felt like an old soul the way Holly did, or hid behind athletics and Evanescence like Devin to get through those spicy years of youth, the YA books our hosts discuss today will bring you comfort, connection, and cringe.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (4:35): Holly discussed Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide, a YA mystery following Sade as she navigates her third year at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after being homeschooled most of her life. The very first night, Sadeâs roommate and house sister Elizabeth disappears. Soon after, the body of a student turns up and the search for Elizabeth becomes frantic. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
With vibes that bring âWednesdayâ and âMean Girlsâ together, this novel is heavily dark academia. There is a clear sense of place, and boy is that place creepy! The uneasy undercurrents fit perfectly with the plot as Sade and her best friend Baz investigate their friendâs disappearance.
The student dynamics in play are not only fun to read but also amplify the sense of teenage angst through the novel. The Unholy Trinity, a group of 3 popular girls, along with Sadeâs best friends not only have various queer and cis-het romantic intrigues but also deep relationships and conflicts that connect to the disappearance.
At over 400 pages, this book would have likely been more impactful and effective if it were edited down a bit, especially in the middle. There were some questions floating around about the mystery we follow that required some suspension of disbelief, although once past there enjoyable nonetheless.
The Heart (21:55): Devin discussed Henry Hamletâs Heart by Rhiannon Wilde, a YA romance following the titular character as he confronts his final year at Brisbane Northolm Grammar School for Boys, the uncertainty of his future heading to Uni, and the burgeoning romantic feelings that he never saw coming. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Henryâs struggle to understand his sexuality, his blossoming romantic love for his platonic best friend, Len, and also what he wants from his future as a high performing perfectionist at school is fantastic, authentic, and endearing. By contrast, Lenâs confidence in his bisexuality and his self-acceptance acts as an anchor for us and draws Henry like a moth to flame.
Figuring out your sexuality in a cis-het society is full of stress, second-guessing, and gaslighting. Wildeâs gentle treatment can act as a guide for YA readers and a soothing balm for queer people like Devin who suppressed those feelings in high school and acted straight.
We root for Henry easily, but heâs also not mature or polished and grapples constantly with the impacts of his choices on his future, which feels too big. His internal narrative feels true to his age and heâs a bit of a mess, but is also pressured by various family members to focus on different aspects of himself as he takes the step to university.
Hot On the Shelf (36:13):
Holly: Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
Devin: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (40:24):
Holly: Fleabag on Amazon Prime
Devin: Weâre Here to Help Podcast
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Welcome to Episode 2 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Buckle up as we get in deeper with Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian as they FAFO what happens after the kingâs champion is crowned. Today we dive into Crown of Midnight and break down the romances, friendships, speculation and heartache that draw us deeper into SJMâs first fantasy series.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Brrrrrr, itâs cold in here, there must be some novels in the atmosphere! (sorry). Join Holly and Devin today as they head up to the great white north and explore books set in the Arctic. Cold this biting can drive people together or even further apart, and braving the elements requires trust and risks a lot when that trust is broken. Holly and Devin both love when their protagonists battle the elements, but for very different reasons and with very different outcomes.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (4:31): Devin discussed The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler, a romance following Zoey Caldwell for her once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the town of Moose Springs, Alaska. Once there, in collaboration with her wealthy best friend Lana and a handsome townie who hates tourists named Graham Barnett, Zoey explores the natural wonders of the region⊠and some much more interpersonal wonders with Graham. Devinâs key takeaways were:
If youâre looking for a taste of arctic adventures, this book delivers pretty well. There are moose (mooses? meese?) galore, four-wheeling adventures, whale watching, you name it. That being said, Zoey runs into a lot of problems on her adventures (even zip lining doesn't go right) so the readerâs enjoyment gets a bit clouded by the continuous mishaps.
The friendships and side characters in this book were amazing. Lana is a complicated and fascinating character I wish we had seen more of, and Graham's cohort of local friends are unique, rounded, and intriguing. Even Lanaâs wealthy friends who suck are hilarious and add good color to the story.
Graham is a bit of a complicated (read: toxically masculine) protagonist; he wonât stop calling Zoey âgorgeousâ as a pet name, he resorts to violence and throwing punches during any conflict, and isnât great at processing his own emotions. He also hates tourists without acknowledging that all his income and his lifestyle are thanks to their money.
The Dagger (23:17): Holly discussed A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke, a supernatural horror novel with two timelines set on a single location - the whaling ship Ormen. In the modern-day timeline, a cohort of explorers and content creators arrive in northern Ireland to squat on the shipwrecked vessel before it is dragged out to sea and sunk by officials. The reader gets insight into 1901 events that ripple into today, though, as they follow a young woman in Scotland who is attacked and taken aboard the Orman against her will. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Cooke creates a bone-chilling and creepy atmosphere with strong writing and invocation of rhymes and sailor song; the book captures the sense of isolation and madness that can plague people in arctic elements for too long. While great, Holly wishes there had been even more of this woven in.
Like many readers, when there are dual timelines Holly is usually drawn to one more than the other. Here, she found the present timeline was focused on content creation and engaging a social media audience. The other timeline that follows a woman as she awakes surrounded by a sailing crew headed deeper and deeper into the arctic held more intrigue.
This book is dark; itâs all about trauma and the permanent traces that haunt us, with many violent acts committed throughout. Cooke weaves in metaphors and commentary on humanityâs violation and pillaging of the environment - particularly the entitlement of men and the harms theyâve caused over time.
Hot On the Shelf (42:13):
Holly: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Devin: Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (45:42):
Holly: Poor Things, 2023 film
Devin: Skiing Big Sky in Montana for the first time
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Letâs get meta, friends! Today, Holly and Devin talk through books with podcasters as the protagonists. They use this podcast medium to dig into the value of podcasting and the way that an audio medium impacts our lives, for better and for much, much worse. Due to its growing popularity in the last decade - true crime for Holly and comedy/science for Devin - podcasts are more and more featured in books and as podcasters themselves, our hosts are all for it. Theyâll stop saying âpodcastâ so much nowâŠ
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (3:20): Holly discussed None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, a psychological thriller that follows popular podcaster Alix Summers as she crosses paths with an unassuming woman named Josie Fair. After Josie pitches herself as the subject in one of Alixâs podcast episodes, the women become progressively more entwined and Alix is left to uncover the dark, terrible legacy of Josie after her sudden disappearance. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Jewell alternates the POV between Alix and Josie and includes excerpts from the podcast episodes they record; Holly recommends this book on audio specifically because of the mixed media elements.
From the start, Alix and Josie are foils for each other. Alix is pretty, upper middle class, successful and fulfilled in her work. Josie is frumpy, constantly described as wearing denim everything and married to a man almost 30 years her senior. Jewell weaves them together in a fascinating and terrifying way.
As the title indicates, Jewell masterfully balances perspective (via Alix, who is uncertain about who Josie is and whether to keep working with her) such that the reader even to the end cannot feel confident in who to believe and where lies the truth.
The Heart (20:22): Devin discussed Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin, a âYouâve Got Mailâ retelling that follows Hana Khan as she balances her passion for podcasting with her efforts to save her motherâs halal restaurant, Three Sisters Biryani Poutine. When a competitor, Wholistic Burgers and Grill, opens on the same street, Hana is thrown into battle against the charming and gorgeous Aydin Shah. With her podcast, Anaâs Brown Girl Rambles, as a solace and the dedicated listener Stanley P as a confidant, how can Hana do it all? Devinâs key takeaways were:
Instead of email for this Rom Com re-do, Aydin and Hana come together and are kept apart by her podcast and their DMs. Her engagement with audio allows the reader to explore what having a voice means, especially with moments of anti-muslim hate crime in the story.
Yes, this is a romance but Jalaluddin focuses on Hana as a full and complete woman outside of romantic love, and explores self-love, familial love, and community love and care through the novel - with a special emphasis on the Toronto Golden Crescent neighborhood.
With concerns over the failing restaurant run by her mother for so long, Hana has to fight to keep traditions alive but also has deep passion for audio broadcasting and the modern ways people connect to each other. Both Aydin and Hana have to wrestle with those pressures and the possible gentrification of their Muslim neighborhood in Scarborough.
Hot On the Shelf (39:09):
Holly: Independent People by Halldor Laxness
Devin: Text Appeal by Amber Roberts
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (43:08):
Holly: A new season of reading in 2024
Devin: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: To start year 3 of Hearts & Daggers with a bang, we are launching a brand-new special miniseries that is sure to delight Hearts and Daggers readers alike.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
In this our first episode, we will share a brief introduction to the series; the order in which we'll be reading; and then dive into discussion of the book Throne of Glass. Each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. We will warn you in this episode before we get into spoilers, in case you want to listen and get a taste before diving into the series yourself. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Welcome to year three of Hearts & Daggers, friends! We are so delighted you are along on this ride with us. To get 2024 started, Holly and Devin are digging into books by debut authors. There may be nothing more impressive that someone who puts their heart and hard work on the line to publish their first book. Itâs not only difficult to get published in the first place, but once your book is out there are thousands if not millions of people who experience your finished work. Holly and Devin both love reading debuts, finding that the more diverse voices added to the canon the more they enjoy diving in.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:45): Devin discussed Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen, an enemies-to-lovers centered around Olivia Huang Christenson and Bennett OâBrien as they go head-to-head in a competition to see whose Chinese zodiac matchmaking approach is best. Liv is working hard to maintain the traditions of her grandmotherâs matchmaking business and Bennett has launched a new dating app that recommends matches using the Chinese zodiac. Devinâs key takeaways were:
The crux of the romance and the plot of the novel is the push/pull between tradition and innovation. How can one maintain culture via traditional practices and where should technology and new perspectives impact those traditions?
Devin is year of the Horse and Holly is year of the Snake, but either had been exposed very much to the Chinese zodiac before Devin read this book; Kung Jessen pulls from her Chinese-American heritage to add a unique cultural and historical perspective to the novel without making it seem like a lesson at school.
Lunar Love was a bit light on the romance side and not very steamy. That being said, it was built authentically through Liv and Bennettâs competition. Reading how each of them watched each other on dates that they themselves orchestrated and the complicated feelings there was especially enjoyable.
The Dagger (19:22): Holly discussed Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden, a crime thriller following Virgil Wounded Horse as he delivers vigilante justice for his Lakota Nation community when the American legal system and the trivial council fall short. When heroin makes its way onto the reservation and directly impacts Virgilâs nephew, his career in vigilantism suddenly becomes personal. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
This novel was not only an extremely solid debut, but an important fresh voice for the triller genre; it was character-driven and a slower build in terms of action, but Holly read it in a day and found it was impossible to put down.
Winter Counts explores themes of justice and the corruption that can preclude real accountability and fairness within not only the federal policing system as it interacts with the Native communities, but also the tribal councils themselves and the cascading impacts it has on the people.
Through Virgil and the other characters of the book, Weiden explores not only how personal history and trauma influence perspectives and actions but also the challenges of maintaining and evolving cultural identity and traditions for the Native communities in the modern era.
Hot On the Shelf (35:26):
Holly: The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
Devin: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (41:29):
Holly: Rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender
Devin: The Old Man and the Pool by Mike Bribiglia
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Happy Holidays, folks! To start year 3 of Hearts & Daggers with a bang, we are launching a brand-new special miniseries that is sure to delight Hearts and Daggers readers alike.
We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. Weâre excited to share that we will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.
We encourage you to read along with us throughout the yearâor at whatever point youâre jumping into these episodesâand enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.
The first episode will air in January and theyâll continue to drop each month until we finish the series.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Welcome home, friends! Join Holly and Devin today as they discuss books that feature a return to our roots, to going back where we came from (for better or worse). Devin highlights that this trope is common and effective in romances - Hallmark and Lifetime use it constantly. Holly shares that thrillers remind the reader that âhomeâ isnât always cozy and safe but can be the source of trauma and horrors to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (3:40): Holly discussed Sundial by Catriona Ward, a novel following Rob, a woman who has it all - a husband, two children and a nice house in the suburbs. At least, thatâs how it looks on paper. After discovering that her husband is cheating on her with her only friend and feeling increasingly worried for her daughter Callieâs bizarre behaviors, Rob seeks answers at Sundial, the remote desert ranch where Rob grew up. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
This novel explores the theme of nature vs. nurture, both in humans and animals. What makes us who we are, and how much can human intervention modify and control the choices we make? The setting in the Mojave desert doubles down on this exploration, portrayed as a brutal, hungry animal waiting to be fed.
Ward keeps us back on our heels through the novel with alternating timelines and POVs; we follow Rob and Callie in the present day, but also see Rob of the past and her childhood at Sundial. We are left feeling distrustful of everyone and unsure which story we can rely on.
Robâs return home and Callieâs introduction to Robâs fraught past is a major factor in this novel; we are privy to the present day experience of Rob coming back to Sundial, but we also move back in time to learn what happened there when she and her sister Jack were growing up, particularly the events surrounding their late teens.
The Heart (17:17): Devin discussed Delilah Green Doesnât Care by Ashley Herring Blake as we follow the titular character from the life sheâs fought hard to build in New York City back to her hometown of Bright Falls for her step-sisterâs wedding. As a professional photographer, sheâd normally reject the opportunity outright but the five-figure paycheck sways her. Once there, she meets her sisterâs friend Claire and decides that the entire two-week extravaganza would be more fun with some flirtation. Delilah ends up with way more than she bargains for and so does the reader. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Even with Astrid, Delilahâs cold and perfectionistic step sister, a lot of this book is about finding your voice and learning how to stand for what you need and want, with boundaries and sharing feelings etc. whether in romantic partnerships or platonic friendships.
The first of a three book series, this novel is a sapphic romance and is very fantastically steamy; Herring Blake focuses her talents on not just sexy moments but hot dialogue to make even the most seasoned romance reader blush. As queer romances go, this one is a fantastic representation of real queer community and intimacy.
The chaos and stress of going home, facing triggers head-on and the complicated family dynamics between Claire and her ex husband all build to the sense that this whole exercise is tough for everyone, but also worthwhile to build a better future for everyone involved.
Hot On the Shelf (37:09):
Devin: A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
Holly: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (40:46):
Devin: Boygenius (especially Julien Baker)
Holly: The Crown, Season 6 Part 1
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Itâs time for another awesome LoveFest with Devin and Holly! This week they discuss Swedish author extraordinaire, Fredrik Backman. Known globally for his stories full of heart, redemption, and seeking meaning in the hardest parts of life, heâs been a long-time favorite of both hosts. He sheds light on octogenarians and children, the ignored and the marginalized in his writing and brings would-be villains into a gentle light. We love rooting for all his characters!
Topics Discussed:
Background (4:39): Backman debuted with A Man Called Ove in 2012 and lives in Sweden with his wife and two children; Holly and Devin discuss how they discovered his work and stand-out aspects of his writing.
Curmudgeon Book Discussion (10:59):
A Man Called Ove: After his wifeâs death, Ove decides life isnât worth living. But life has a funny way of pulling you back in and with a colorful and caring cast of characters, this grump discovers just how much there is to live for.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You Sheâs Sorry: After the death of her sole caretaker and grandmother, Elsa is left with a series of letters addressed to residents of their apartment building. The adventure she goes on to deliver them opens up Elsaâs world and reveals a community she never thought she had.
Britt-Marie Was Here: A sequel to âMy GrandmotherâŠâ this novel hones in on the strict, cleanliness- and rules-focused character Britt-Marie as she leaves her unfaithful husband and tries to rebuild her life in the decrepit town of Borg. There, she uncovers that the colorful inhabitants of the town are much more than meets he eye and that perhaps, sometimes, mess is ok.
Recent Book Discussion (26:02):
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: This tear-jerker focuses on loss, aging, and dementia as three generations of men confront the decline of the grandfather.
Anxious People: Following a failed robbery attempt at a cashless bank in a small Swedish town, this novel examines what happens when strangers become entwined in a hilarious hostage situation and compassion and vulnerability win the day.
Beartown Series (35:20):
A three-book series (Beartown, Us Against You, The Winners), Backman explores a tiny community in a frozen north-Sweden forest that revolves around itâs hockey teams. His magnum opus, these stories follow the junior ice hockey team, itâs coaches, players, and parents, as they struggle to survive trauma, a declining economy, and other challenges. Trigger warning for sexual assault.
Hot On the Shelf (51:54):
Devin: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Holly: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (55:30):
Devin: David Sedaris Live Reading at CU Boulder
Holly: Killers of the Flower Moon movie (you can check out the book here!)
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Pour yourself a mug of warm cider and snuggle under a blanket for this weekâs episode - weâre hanging out in cabins in the woods! Is the wind outside a soothing background to a great makeout session or the cover for clomping feet coming to get us? One thing weâre sure of - our hearts sure are racing whenever protagonists end up in rural cabins. Devin and Holly agree that while the outcomes of the stories in their respective wheelhouses differ, the allure is the same - isolated, cozy, and full of the unknown.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (2:31): Devin discussed The City Bakerâs Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller, a novel following Boston-based pastry chef Olivia Rawlings and she escapes a professional disaster by moving to a tiny Vermont town called Guthrie. Once there, she is hired to work at the Sugar Maple Inn by the owner, Margaret, who has her own apple-pie agenda, thrusting Livvy into a tiny community that makes a big impact on her life. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Livvy and the other characters in this novel all have their own ambitions, goals, and hang-ups. Some may seem silly on the surface (winning a pie baking contest) but are much more profound once you dig in. This story counteracts the assumptions we make about small towns and reminds us that community, whatever the size, makes us who we are.
The descriptions of food in this novel are some of the best Iâve seen and rival Louise Penny. The sugar, the bread, the kitchen Livvy bakes in every morning and the way she approaches new recipes with us experiencing each ingredient makes this cozy novel delicious as well.
Vermont as the setting also amplifies the cozy happy energy of the story; thereâs line dancing, small bars, a tiny sugar cabin Livvy moves into that has a woodstove, so many blankets and smells of pine and nature. Every season described is idyllic and enjoyable, even aside from the plot!
The Dagger (16:37): Holly discussed In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt, a historical fiction suspense book set in colonial New England that follows a woman, Goody, who leaves her husband and son for the day to pick berries. She finds herself venturing deeper and deeper into the woods and stumbles upon a house - and much, much more. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
This novel is lyrical but concise and reminded Holly of T.S. Elliott poems; the woods act as a symbol for freedom and dreams, for example. Thereâs tension between the woods, where women can be wild and free, and fear of that from the uptight rules of religion and Goodyâs society.
The reader encounters many eerie and unknown things through this story; a deep well, a living ship made of human bones, butchering pigs, and âswallowing screamsâ are a short list. The setting in the woods and in rural cabins gives us a sense of creeping unknown and begs the question - are things what they seem?
A central theme of the story is womanhood and exploring the archetypes of being a woman; Hunt explores how women in history have been limited, abused, and subjugated to the rule of them through the guise of religion. Goody must break out of her traditional roles and learn to rely on the women she encounters who try to help; no one else will.
Hot On the Shelf (37:31):
Holly: Linghun by Ai Jiang
Devin: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (40:37):
Holly: Lupin Part 3 on Netflix
Devin: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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Summary: Get those reading glasses on and join us for some extra nerdy energy this week, friends! Holly and Devin discuss Modern Classics today - those works post World War II that created pivot points in the cannon for the Thriller and Romance genres. In this era, ideas about race, gender and class are shifting as readers broadened their understanding of an interconnected world. Sexual liberation and violent horrors that had previously been viewed as outrageous become commonplace, so of course both our hosts have a blast this episode!
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (3:02): Holly discussed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, a Nordic crime fiction novel following Mikael Blomkvist (journalist and publisher) and Lisbeth Salander (a computer hacker) as they investigate the disappearance of a woman 40 years ago. Together, Blomkvist and Salander uncover the secrets of the womanâs family through the darkest corners of Swedish society. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
The novel delves into themes of violence, sexual abuse, and family secrets. It explores how individuals and families can hide dark and painful truths, often at great cost including corruption and financial malfeasance.
Lisbeth is a central character who represents female empowerment; her intelligence, resilience and capacity for self-defense are key elements in the story. Larsson explores issues of gender and the societal treatment of women.
This novel had a significant cultural impact and made important contributions to the mystery and thriller genres. Specifically, the complex female protagonist, darker themes, moral ambiguity and critique of society are now common in the genre, begun by Larsson in 2005.
The Heart (20:31): Devin discussed The Lionâs Daughter by Loretta Chase, a bodice-ripper romance from 1992 following the fiery-haired and -tempered Esme Brentmore as she works to avenge her fatherâs (supposed) murder, entangled all the way with the scoundrel and handsome rake, Varian St. George. They roam the country of Albania as fiendish plots and unspoken feelings bring them together and threaten to tear them apart. Devinâs key takeaways were:
This novel and others by Chase are part of the bodice-ripper romance era (think: woman in silk dress laid sensually in a field with her blouse exposing ample cleavage). Bodice Rippers are known for âexoticâ locations, sexually explicit material, heroines with careers outside of housewife/mother who are also virginal yet fierce and handsome alpha males bent on seducing and dominating that woman.
Chase brings all the above tropes to the table with the country of Albania as the background. Albanian herself, Chase adds a real air of authenticity to Esme, who was born and raised in Albania by her English father, Jason, and to many of the colorful side characters.
The romance in this novel is filled with delightful tension (once you become aware that Esme is over 18 and there is therefore no statutory rape going on - yikes) and a lot of âI must have youâ energy. Esme is witty, combative, and quick to anger. Varian is immature, selfish, and devastatingly charming (also known as a fuckboi).
Hot On the Shelf (48:50):
Holly: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Devin: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (53:09):
Holly: Stray, the video game
Devin: Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod
Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
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