Episodit
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Summary: Welcome to Fall, friends, and dive into Spooky Season with Holly and Devin today. Our hosts are launching their favorite season of the year with our 7th LoveFest! Weâre diving deep into the Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman - a four book, multi-generational saga following the Owens witches as they explore, grow, and combat a curse that keeps them all from long-time love. Hoffmanâs style is known for its connection to nature, the focus on women, and a bittersweet treatment of life and aging. Whether you read these books in publication or chronological order, youâre in for a witchy treat!
Topics Discussed:
Practical Magic (10:19):
After their parents die, Sally and Gillian are raised by their eccentric aunts, Frances (Franny) and Jet Owens, in an old house filled with the scent of herbs and magic. The aunts openly practice witchcraft, and while this fascinates the girls, it also causes them to be ostracized by the townspeople.
The Owens women are notorious in their Massachusetts town for their magical abilities and are rumored to be cursed in matters of love; any man who falls in love with an Owens woman is doomed to an untimely death.
The sisters have contrasting personalities: Sally is practical, responsible, and yearns for a normal life, while Gillian is wild, impulsive, and eager to escape the confines of her small-town life.
The Rules of Magic (20:50):
Prequel to Practical Magic, going back to tell the story of their aunts from book 1
The novel is set in the 1960s and follows the lives of three siblings: Franny, Jet, and Vincent Owens, who live in New York City. They come from a long line of witches, but their mother, Susanna Owens, forbids them from practicing magic or interacting with the supernatural. Despite their motherâs strict rules, the siblings are irresistibly drawn to magic.
Magic Lessons (27:45):
The story begins in the 1600s in England, where Maria Owens is born under mysterious circumstances. She is abandoned as an infant in a snowy field but is found and raised by Hannah Owens, a healer and practitioner of the âNameless Artâ (magic). From Hannah, Maria learns about herbs, healing, and magic. Hannah also gives her the essential rule that will shape Mariaâs life: "Always love someone who will love you back."
Maria is betrayed by the man who once declared his love for her, who she follows to Salem, Massachusetts. Maria's experiences with love lead her to create the infamous Owens family curse: that any man who loves an Owens woman will meet a tragic end. This curse is born out of Maria's heartbreak and becomes a central element in the Owens family's history, affecting generations to come.
The Book of Magic (35:54):
The novel opens with Jet Owens receiving a sign that her time is near. As she nears death, she hears the "deathwatch beetle," a sound that heralds the impending death of an Owens family member. Before she dies, Jet leaves behind a letter revealing the key to breaking the family curse that has plagued the Owens women for centuries.
This novel ties together the stories of multiple generations of the Owens family, focusing on their quest to finally break the family curse and achieve a future where love does not result in tragedy.
Jetâs death deeply affects the family, especially Sallyâs daughters, Kylie and Antonia. In the wake of Jetâs passing, Kylie discovers that the curse may have already started affecting her own life. She is in love, but fears for the life of her beloved.
Hot On the Shelf (45:59):
Holly: The Book of Witching by CJ Cooke
Devin: The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (49:10):
Holly: Playing piano again
Devin: Experiencing live music at the Dillon Amphitheater
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 8 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Aelin is being tortured and held inside an iron coffin by Maeve and her lackey, Cairn. Lysandra plays her at the front, Rowan will stop at nothing to find her, and things are looking very grim for our heroes. Today we explore Kingdom of Ash Part 1, the seventh (or eighth depending on your reading order) book in ToG. As Maeve and Erawan begin to make their final moves, the grand tapestry of friends, allies and lovers across continents must come together and find a way to overcome horrible odds and an existential evil.
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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Puuttuva jakso?
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Summary: Welcome to the final stop on our Summer Road Trip Series, friends! Today, Holly and Devin sip some tea while sheltering from the Seattle rain in Washington State. With cozy vibes that can quickly turn sinister, this state is ripe with potential for stories in either wheelhouse for our hosts. Culturally and literally this state is rooted in nature and the natural world, which can highlight the most epic loves or the darkest, chilling terrors. Weâre so delighted you joined us for our road trip and are excited to dive into Spooky Season with you next!
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (4:08): Devin discussed Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, a sapphic romance following Darcy Lowell and Elle Jones after a disastrous first date turns into a fake-dating relationship of convenience. Both trying to escape pressures from family, the no-nonsense actuary Darcy and the earnest astrologer Elle agree to play the part of lovers through the holiday season, but fate (and the stars?) have a different plan for them. Devinâs key takeaways are:
This novel takes place in Seattle and everything about it from the location descriptions to the characters themselves speak to that quirky, offbeat but sincere culture. Things are a bit slower, the rain creates a vibe, and everyone is more in-tune with their feelings in this neck of the woods.
Astrology is a major player in the entire trilogy by Bellefleur. The book has fun astrological tidbits woven throughout (what song are you based on your astrological sign, etc.) and is a huge part of Elleâs career, life etc. and how Darcy ends up authentically connecting with her.
This story was one of Devinâs favorite âopposites attractâ and âfake datingâ trope stories sheâs run into for the last several years. Elle and Darcy are both so authentic, their issues so valid and their situation so feasible feeling that itâs impossible not to buy in.
The Dagger (16:27): Holly discussed The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean, a crime fiction story centered around Ellie Black - a 19 year-old who stumbles out of the Washington State woods and back into the world from which she disappeared when she was kidnapped two years prior. Detective Casey Calhoun works with Ellie and is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her, but has a hard time getting straight answers. With personal investment in uncovering the truth, Calhoun must discern if itâs trauma or if Ellie is hiding something. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
The concept and tropes in this book arenât groundbreakingâdisappearing girls, seasoned detective determined to solve itâbut somehow Jean made the story feel fresh with fantastic execution. Jean deeply established the characters themselves, which balanced well with the story that unravels in alternating POVs and timelines.
Jean examines themes like misogyny and misplaced affection; Ellieâs perspective is told as though sheâs speaking to someone, although weâre not sure who, if itâs the detective or someone else. It goes back and walks the reader through what she experienced while kidnapped, which is pretty chilling.
There was a decent sense of place as being in the Pacific Northwest, especially when experiencing the vastness of the woods that Ellie is held within and from which she emerges.
Hot On the Shelf (31:40):
Holly: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Devin: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (37:13):
Holly: Frasier
Devin: Getting creative with a glass blowing 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: Holly would like to welcome you to her state! On this stop of their Summer Road Trip Series, Holly and Devin discuss books set in the sunny, lovely California. Whether youâre basking in the glitz and glam of Hollywood in LA, sipping wine in Napa Valley or dancing in the queer energy of San Francisco, this state truly has it all. That applies to books as well - from serial killers to rich people behaving badly to epic romances, Holly and Devin feel like theyâd never run out of Cali stories to enjoy.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (4:52): Holly discussed Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier, a psychological thriller following Lyla, her husband Graham and his mother Margo as they play âThe Gameâ i.e. inviting people to live in their guesthouse under the pretense of helping them, only to secretly manipulate and destroy their lives. Enter Demi, an unhoused woman who has jumped at the chance to better her own lot in life and will absolutely not go down without a fight. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
The sense of place wasnât a huge part of the book but the story utilized specific aspects of Los Angeles specifically in a way that felt real-to-life and effective. No other city is as well positioned to tell a story like this, contrasting great wealth against great poverty.
This book highlights a huge issue that a lot of the country is facing, and which cities like Los Angeles in particular face: the wealth gap and housing crisis. The contrast of Demiâs life compared to Lyla and Grahamâs highlights the callousness and cruelty that can arise from extreme privilege. It questions the morality of the wealthy and the lengths they will go to maintain their status.
Brazier takes on a satirical tone and creates unlikeable characters in Good Rich People; the sharp way Brazier writes in Lylaâs voice, for example, expressing her disdain for the less-than-wealthy, had Holly laughing out loud because it was so gross and so spot-on. The depiction of rich people is extreme and requires some suspension of disbelief; the reader can easily question if very wealthy people are quite this overtly awful and criminal.
The Heart (19:26): Devin discussed The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center, a novel following Emma Wheeler as she gets the chance of a lifetime to collaborate on a romantic comedy film script with the world-famous and award winning Charlie Yeates. Having lived in Houston, TX her entire life caring for her disabled father after a rock climbing accent when she was young, Emmaâs leap to LA is in crisis right away when she realizes Charlie didnât know she was coming and does not want a collaborator. Stuck in his mansion together, can these enemies find common, rom-com ground? Devinâs key takeaways were:
This book had big Hollywood energy; Meryl Streep is featured as well as several fictitious stars and as Charlie takes Emma around the city we as the reader get to experience the glitz, glam, and privilege of the area. Thereâs heavy industry talk and focus for film and screenwriting which is enjoyable to delve into.
While yes, this is a romance, our protagonistsâ journeys center more than anything on their careers. What does aspiration look like when youâve dealt with so much trauma? How does one advocate for themselves in their career authentically? Emma and Charlie must face each otherâs divergent paths as well as their trajectories in order to heal and grow together.
If youâre into trauma porn, this book is for you. Devin struggled a bit with just how many different threads of trauma exist for Emma and Charlie and how the book piles even more on as it goes. It was a bit of a miss here; a little less volume of trauma would have made the core trauma more emotionally gratifying.
Hot On the Shelf (38:12):
Devin: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
Holly: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (41:09):
Devin: The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
Holly: House of the Dragon Season 2
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: Devin would like to welcome you all to her state! On this stop of their Summer Road Trip, Holly and Devin discuss books set in the Rocky Mountain state. Even though weâre all battling heat waves, both their books feature blizzards, being snowed in, and close quarters tension. In every other way, though, the plots differ drastically. Known for its outdoor culture, snow skiing, and craft beer this state has a lot to offer those seeking an adrenaline rush like our hosts!
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (5:21): Devin discussed The Gamble by Kristen Ashley, a second-chances romance that follows Nina Sheridan, a visitor to the mountain town of Gnaw Bone, as she finds herself stuck in a gorgeous A-frame home with the homeowner, Holden âMaxâ Maxwell due to a rental mixup. Escaping to Colorado to think about her future and her neglectful fiancĂ© back in the UK, Nina was hoping for peace and quiet but Max brings anything but; can she withstand the allure of this sexy mountain man? Devinâs key takeaways were:
This is a quintessential Colorado book. Very strong sense of place, small town with resort energy on the sides and picturesque with the start of a blizzard and lots of good views, mountains, valleys, dive bars. Devin spent a good chunk of it wondering if it was modeled after the town she lives in specifically.
There are trigger warnings for sexual abuse and violence, physical violence and threats. This book has heavy trauma, for every single character; it classifies as trauma porn in a lot of ways. If you like watching people who have suffered and then work to support, grow, and love each other this book will work great for you.
There is a simmering tension between Max and Nina right from the start and while some of the build up is the annoying âinterruptedâ trope, it is a blast to read and experience. The book takes its time building everything and the side characters/town play a huge part, but the care, chemistry and overall vibes between our protagonists carry you through.
The Dagger (21:08): Holly discussed No Exit by Taylor Adams, a psychological thriller that follows college student Darby Thorne on her frantic drive home to Utah to see her dying mother. In the mountains of Colorado, a blizzard forces her to stop at a remote highway rest stop. Trying to find cell service in the parking lot, Darby discovers a little girl locked in an animal crate in the van near her car; the situation becomes increasingly dangerous from there. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
The novel explores themes of survival as Darby must use her wits, courage, and resourcefulness to navigate the life-threatening situation and protect herself and the kidnapped girl. Adams underlines the moral choices characters make in extreme circumstances for good or evil; Darbyâs determination to save the girl contrasts sharply with the kidnapperâs sinister motives.
We arenât seeing broader life in Colorado, but the book uses the wintry elements to great effect to increase the tension and stakes in the story. The setting of the remote, snowed-in rest stop amplifies themes of isolation and vulnerability. The characters are cut off from the outside world, heightening the sense of danger and urgency.
No Exit has various twists and a nail-biting pace, even some horror elements. It reminded Holly a bit of The Shining just in the way of feeling trapped and isolated in a wintry wasteland. The reader feels the intensity of trying to survive as Darby uses her wits, courage, and resourcefulness to navigate the life-threatening situation.
Hot On the Shelf (35:54):
Devin: Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World Without a Bullhorn by Omkari L. Williams
Holly: The Feast by Margaret Kennedy
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (39:07):
Devin: Bobâs Burgers
Holly: New rescue dog, Toki!
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 a book and a slide of deep dish pizza, itâs time to visit Chicago folks! Today Holly and Devin discuss books set in the iconic city that brought us greats like The Bean and Al Capone. While neither host has a lot of experience in the midwest or in Chicago itself, they both think itâs a great setting for a book - especially in Hollyâs darker wheelhouse. Stick around after the end credits for a spoiler-y romp through some horrifying details on her book today!
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (3:05): Holly discussed The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker, a crime thriller that follows Detective Sam Porter as a bus accident that killed a man quickly turns into a hunt for the not-yet-murdered final victim of the Fourth Monkey Killer. He had been crossing the street to mail a package containing a human ear when the bus struck him down, but Samâs work isnât anywhere near over. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
This book may be the most horrifying and messed up book Holly has ever read. Dual storylines follow the content of a diary the killer had on his person when he died and the current, real-time hunt for his final victim and both are deeply disturbing.
The novel explores the blurred lines between good and evil, as the 4MK sees himself as a punisher of wrongdoers rather than a mere killer. This moral ambiguity challenges readers to question what constitutes true justice and whether taking the law into one's own hands can ever be justified.
There isnât a strong sense of Chicago, with the focus resting much more on action and the characters involved. The investigation roves around the city but without too much detail on place, and the diary feels more suburban family life vibes and the tone of it is very midwest, stilted 60s tone.
The Heart (19:09): Devin discussed Love at First by Kate Clayborn, a second-chances romance following Will Sterling and Nora Clarke after Will inherits an apartment from his uncle Donny. As the leader of the HOA in a six-unit building that has barely changed in decades, a new presence (especially one who wants to convert the unit for short-term renters) is a threat to everything Nora fights for. Feuding and at loggerheads, Will and Nora canât help but notice thereâs an undercurrent of something else in their fights and attempts to undermine each other. Devinâs key takeaways were:
The sense of place isnât super strong in this book because the focal point is a single apartment building in Chicago. Will works at a hospital near the south shore and Nora is much further north. Later in the book there are more scenes set in popular Chicago, but otherwise itâs really a character driven story.
The tenants in the apartment building that acts as our focal point is a chosen, messy family. Both protagonists struggle with their own biological families and the trauma they got from their parents, but they also both seek found family in their community as it evolves.
The primary trope in this novel is enemies to lovers, but even that element is subtle and infused with a lot of emotional intelligence on both parts. It diffuses a lot of tension in the book; Devin was never stressed out or unsure about our protagonists even though it technically followed our classic arc. Alternating between Nora and Willâs perspectives, we go deep on who they are and their interior perspectives.
Hot On the Shelf (37:11):
Holly: Kingdom of Copper by S.A Chakraborty
Devin: A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (39:47):
Holly: Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+
Devin: We Are Lady Parts on Peacock
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 7 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Leaving Aelin and her court behind this time, we follow Chaol and Nesryn as they visit a new part of the world and embark on their own adventures. Today we explore Tower of Dawn, the sixth (or seventh depending on your reading order) book in ToG. Chaol and Nesryn have traveled to Antica to achieve two goals: benefitting from their world-class healers to help Chaol walk again and secure the support of the Khagan in the war. Both become more complicated and more important and sooner than later we realize that no matter the physical distance, everything they do connects to Aelin and her struggle to overthrow the evil in Erilea.
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: Howdy, partners! Stop number three on our road trip this summer is the Lone Star state - Texas! Join Holly and Devin as they take a romp around the second largest state in the union. Itâs huge, itâs hot and as Holly underlines, tensions tend to run high. A melting pot of the West, the South, American and Mexican influences, Texas really does have it all. Holly and Devin share the ends of the spectrum with their books today.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:55): Devin discussed Pumpkin by Julie Murphy, a novel that follows Waylon Russell Brewer as his private, quiet drag aspirations are exploded into the public sphere after his audition tape for Fiercest of Them All (a drag show Ă la RuPaulâs Drag Race) is released. As a cruel joke, he and his twin sisterâs girlfriend Hannah Perez are nominated as Prom Queen and King respectively. Instead of caving to the bullies, Waylon and Hannah decide to play to win. Devinâs key takeaways were:
This is such a gay book; itâs amazing, itâs flamboyant, itâs loud and proud and includes so much drag. Waylon and his twin Clementine are both gay and we meet a myriad of other queer characters throughout. Whether some characters are already out or not, this book vibrates with positive energy for the queer community.
When you hear about a queer book set in Texas, you go in assuming a central tension will be community rejection of the queer character but that was not the case in this book. Waylonâs parents accept him and his sister right away and thereâs a Prism group of fully out high school students - most people arenât repressed and even one character comes out during the book. Yes thereâs bullying and vitriol but the school supports LGBTQ students and the tone overall is uplifting and supportive.
As a high school story, this book explores the evolving sense of self we all remember from that age. While the focus is on Waylon with a first-person narrative structure, we see every character in the book evolve who they believe they are into who they can be.
The Dagger (15:47): Holly discussed Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke, a literary mystery set in East Texas in 2016. We follow Darren Matthews, a Texas Ranger who has recently been suspended and is called over to Shelby County to help investigate two bodies, one of which recently washed up on the shore of a local womanâs back yard. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Racial tensions abound in this novel. The bodies found were a Black man from Chicago and a local white woman. Darren also struggles with his own identity as a Black man and having to balance being a Texas Ranger with wanting to do right by his community, including the Black community that congregates at Genevaâs.
Locke underlines the importance and value of community, particularly how the Black community in the town has had to find joy and safety where they can. How places like Genevaâs serve as a haven for locals or anyone passing through.
Darrenâs career has put strain on his relationship w his wife Lisa, so heâs also navigating being recently kicked out and wanting to go back, while also not wanting to give up his purpose or turn down cases like these.
Hot On the Shelf (34:25):
Devin: Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh
Holly: Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (38:12):
Devin: Riding a horse!
Holly: X-Men 97
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: Today Holly is joined by a special guest - Laura Tremaine, the host of the 10 Things To Tell You podcast and author of The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs and Share Your Stuff, Iâll Go First. Laura has been sharing her life online for over a decade. She writes about friendship, anxiety, motherhood, and marriage. Her posts and podcast episodes resonate with women looking for ways to connect more deeply with others as they transform from one era of life into another.
Lauraâs favorite author is Stephen King, a masterful storyteller and a mutual favorite of Hollyâs. She advocates for more women to read King and the value of owning that we love to be scared! Her 2024 Stephen King Summer Book Club began on June 1st; learn more about it during todayâs episode and hear why Laura loves to add spooky to summer.
Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod / @laura.tremaine / @10thingstotellyou
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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Episode 64: The Carolinas
Summary: Welcome to stop two of our summer road trip around the United states - the Carolinas! Holly and Devin both have connections to these southern states (Hollyâs bachelorette was in Charleston, SC!) but the books they brought today made them feel even closer to the region. Whether youâre curling up to read a sapphic romance or buckling up for a character-driven murder mystery, our hosts have something for you today!
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (4:04): Holly discussed Decent People by DeâShawn Charles Winslow, a historical mystery set in the segregated town of West Mills in 1976. Josephine (Jo) Wright has returned back to her small hometown to marry her childhood sweetheart, Olympus âLympâ Seymour. When the bodies of Lymâs three half-siblings are found, though, Lymp becomes the lead suspect and Jo must fight for her love and her community to uncover the truth. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
This book explores shame in all its forms; the characters struggle with shame around their station in life, race, heritage and sexuality. It motivates certain people to hide and others to act, as Jo uncovers as she untangles the knots of relationships in her community.
As Joe begins to investigate those who might know the most about the deaths of her fiancés half-siblings, she uncovers darker secrets than she ever imagined. Winslow paints for the reader a slow story pivoting between townspeople connected to the victims; a pattern of cover-ups, racial incidents, homophobia and medical misuse.
Read this book if you enjoy character-driven mysteries, small town secrets and drama, a historical 1970s setting. North Carolina as a setting strikes a great backdrop for the themes Winslow explores.
The Heart (18:42): Devin discussed Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings, a floral sapphic romance set in Asheville, NC. Opal Devlin, a woman dressed as an ice cream cone and used to being taken advantage of by everyone she knows, finds the opportunity to achieve her dreams when she wins the lottery and purchases a flower farm where she envisions becoming an artist. Little does she know that Pepper Smith, an angry, gorgeous farmer, is waiting for her and sees herself as the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms. Enemies to roommates to⊠well. Devinâs key takeaways were:
This book is perfect for Pride Month! Opal is enthusiastically bisexual and has had a lot of experience with myriad genders, often with a lot of negative ones with cis men (see: her crappy ex Miles who keeps trying to get some of her winnings). Pepper identifies as a lesbian but has never felt like she can trust anyone enough to open up and actually have an intimate experience.
Opal moves from Charlotte to Asheville and the sense of place is strong in this novel; The Thistle and Bloom Farm is vivid, vibrant, and a microcosm of the rich culture in North Carolina. Pepper has never known any home outside of the farm and Opal is working on a new beginning herself, all couched inside of the verdant region.
Pepper has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum. Opal is undiagnosed but knows that she is likely on the spectrum as well as having ADHD. They have both struggled in their lives with being taken advantage of by people who were supposed to love them and their neurodivergent experience bonds them and aligns with the way they each seek to build, finally, a safe space in which to thrive.
Hot On the Shelf (35:16):
Devin: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Holly: Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (38:59):
Devin: Pride Month and being out and proudly bisexual
Holly: Challengers with Zendaya
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.
Keywords: Literature, Books, Reading, Bookish, Pop-culture, Thriller, Romance, North Carolina, South Carolina, The Carolinas, Summer Roadtrip, Decent People, DeâShawn Charles Winslow, Late Bloomer, Mazey Eddings, Just for the Summer, Abby Jimenez, Middle of the Night, Riley Sager, Pride Month, Challengers, Zendaya
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Summary: Welcome to Episode 6 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Aelin is on the move to build an army after being rejected from her rightful throne in Terrassen. Today we explore Empire of Storms, the fifth (or sixth depending on your reading order) book in ToG. Aelinâs court has just come together and is immediately at risk for being torn asunder. With monsters threatening from sea and air, within and without their group, Aelin must decide who she is and what sheâs willing to sacrifice to save the world.
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: Weâre choosing the scenic route this summer as we travel around the United States book by book. Join Holly and Devin on their first stop today - Maine! Known for its lobsters, gruff people, rocky shores and gorgeous landscapes this state is the easternmost state of the 50. While the vibes skew much more toward Hollyâs wheelhouse, weâre reminded that love can happen anywhere with Devinâs book.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (4:01): Devin discussed Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes, a novel following Eveleth âEvvieâ Drake as she becomes a recluse after the untimely death of her husband. Dean Tenney, former MLB pitcher whose career tanked after a case of the yips, seeks to find solace and escape by moving into Evvieâs spare apartment. They agree at the start - Dean doesnât ask Evvie about her husband, and Evvie doesnât ask Dean about his baseball career. As their rocky friendship solidifies into something more, though, they risk letting everything into the light. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Known as a very culturally New England, isolated place, Maine can also be a safe haven once you find your people. This state as the backdrop of this romance is perfect - there is pain, grief, and isolation but thereâs also connection and building something sustainable out of the bedrock of the shoes of the region.
Both through the more traditional grief of losing someone and through the grief of losing the life you thought youâd live, Evvie and Dean work to recover together and the reader gets to see how people come back to themselves through the help of others.
While the premise is heavy, Holmes breathes this novel full of life, joy, and romantic connection. While not the steamiest book Devin has ever read, love is at the forefront as both the most challenging and the most healing thing our protagonists can do.
The Dagger (15:29): Holly discussed Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols, a novel that opens on three teenage boys skateboarding after dark and quickly turns even darker when a boyâs body is found at the historic settlement in Granite Harbor. We follow Alex, former writer and now detective in town as he investigates first one murder and then escalates as more bodies are found and the parents in town realize none of their teens are safe. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
Both literally as well as within the history that lingers in Maine - its violence, its folklore and traditions, the need for survival in a harsh climate - all resonate throughout the book and serve to heighten the tension at every turn.
Nichols really packs a punch when it comes to gore and gruesome scenes (though it isnât overdone). There are some gross, unsettling scenes in the story and Holly shares trigger warnings for animal cruelty and gore/violence.
A lot of this book explores the anxiety of parenting teens. We see characters like Isabel, who has just started working at the Granite Harbor Living History Settlement, struggle to navigate keeping her teenage son Ethan safe while often feeling helpless. Nichols highlights the tenacity with which parents will fight for their kids even when theyâre almost grown themselves.
Hot On the Shelf (38:16):
Holly: The Mantis by Kotaro Isaka
Devin: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (41:10):
Holly: Ripley on Netflix
Devin: Anyone But You 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: Today Holly is joined by a special guest - Sara Hildreth, the creator behind FictionMatters - a literary Instagram account, newsletter, and book club focused on putting thought-provoking books into the hands of adventurous readers. Sara also co-hosts Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun. As a former English teacher, Saraâs literary knowledge and thoughtfulness has greatly enriched the reading lives of thousands, including Hollyâs.
Keep an eye out for Saraâs Paperback Summer Reading Guide 2024 and the Novel Pairings summer readalong of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo!
Topics Discussed:
Genre Fiction (2:03):
For Sara, Genre Fiction signals to the reader that it will be following certain templates, patterns, and tropes. There are expectations set through the genre, which is why some genre fiction is the most disappointing for readers because of those expectations.
No genre or designation is mutually exclusive - romances and mysteries can also be literary. Sara underlines that a lot of genre designations are more about marketing the books than they are about the actual content.
Genre fiction is important; to be a good reader of literary fiction you should know a lot about genre fiction. Genre fiction is a playground for tropes and knowing and understanding them can help readers recognize when authors are doing things with those tropes.
Dark Literature (15:37):
When Sara thinks of âDark Literature,â she thinks of darker themes that explore those aspects of human nature and relationships. It can also describe the atmosphere of a book - think dark academia, for example. However, for Sara this remains loosely defined and really targets the âvibeâ more than a hard definition.
Sara divides books in her mind between Light and Dark and Cold and Warm. Less of a fan of Light books, Sara does appreciate Warm and Cold books that have more or less heart and emotional depth. There can be aesthetic darkness without being psychologically bleak, and a lot of readers are drawn to subgenres like âcozy horrorâ that fit in different places in the quadrants.
Gothic Literature is often hallmarked by a heroine in a creepy house as she explores her own psychology. Sara extends the definition to books that play with the interior vs. exterior trust and reliability of a protagonist and macabre settings with a sprinkling of horror tropes to explore human motivation and psychology.
Classic + Modern Dark/Literary Books (24:49):
Classic:
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Modern:
Never Let Me Go by Kazu Ishiguro
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
The Keep by Jennifer Egan
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Hot on the Shelf (41:51):
Sara: This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (44:21):
Sara: Top Chef on Bravo
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: We left money by the phone for pizza, listeners! The parents are out to dinner tonight while Holly and Devin discuss books featuring babysitting. Whether you made pocket money as a teenager or lived your best life as an Au Pair in Europe, most of us have experience babysitting and certainly being babysat. Books that explore the power, social, and logistical dynamics of babysitters with their employers and children usually go one of two ways, and Holly and Devin are the resident experts for both. Grab a slice of greasy cheese and get excited to hear them break it down.
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (4:29): Holly discussed Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak, a supernatural thriller that inspires nightmares. Mallory Quinn is fighting for a new beginning after leaving rehab and lands a full time nanny position watching five year-old Teddy for the Maxwell family. Finding the stability sheâs always craved and bonding with Teddy, Mallory thinks sheâs found the solution to her future until Teddyâs adorable drawings take a sinister turn; Mallory must decipher the images and save Teddy before itâs too late. Hollyâs key takeaways were:
A major theme of this thriller is second chances when all seems hopeless. Malloryâs struggle with addiction not only underlines the triumph of her new beginning but throws her into self-doubt; can she trust her recollections and experiences as Teddyâs drawings reveal what should be unbelievable?
The pictures add a unique and engaging twist to this story; Rekulak builds tension well by including the actual images of Teddyâs drawings in the book. The reader will be turning pages seeing normal stick figures of a kid, a bunny, the sunâand then unveil something super creepy.
Malloryâs relationship with the Maxwell family underlines the class and power dynamics often at play for babysitters; she moves into a well-to-do suburban setting, in drastic contrast to Malloryâs upbringing and her life recently as an addict on the Philly streets.
The Heart (23:06): Devin discussed Lifeâs Too Short by Abby Jimenez, a romance following Vanessa Price (YouTube sensation and world traveler) and her next door neighbor Adrian Copeland (a workaholic criminal defense attorney) as they are thrown together in order to care for Grace, Vanessaâs half-sisterâs baby after the child is left on Vanessaâs doorstep with no warning. As friendship blossoms into something more, both Vanessa and Adrian must acknowledge that the last thing either could just be the thing they need most. Devinâs key takeaways were:
Adrian and Vanessa are on the opposite ends of the risk tolerance spectrum but for similar reasons. Trauma and fear drive them both to do what they do; for Adrian it's to do nothing at all and work nonstop. For Vanessa it's to experience as much as she can all the time, with no consistency or roots. Thrown together, the sparks fly as these polar opposites clash and connect.
Vanessa already lost her mother and sister to ALS, and she has a 50% chance of getting it herself. She lives with the assumption that she wonât make it past 30 years old. What do we do when we think right now is all we have? Does it make us love harder or avoid it? Jimenez interrogates this with her polar opposite protagonists.
In the physical form of baby Grace, both Vanessa and Adrian must confront their relationships with responsibility. Vanessa has spent her life avoiding real responsibility, obligations and deep connections because she doesnât want to leave anyone heartbroken after her expected, untimely death. The reader examines with our protagonists the point at which love and responsibility meet.
Hot On the Shelf (40:13):
Holly: The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas
Devin: Outlive by Peter Attia, MD
Whatâs Making Our Hearts Race (44:06):
Holly: A Gentleman in Moscow Limited Series Show
Devin: Just For Us Standup Comedy Special by Alex Edelman
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 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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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.
- Näytä enemmän
