William reels from the kill-a-palooza that was Final Destination: Bloodlines, we debate whether or not SFF books should have their own section at bookstores, and Jacob immediately dives head-first into the next book in the A CHORUS OF DRAGONS series. And then we’re onto the wonderful twisty final section of Jenn Lyon’s THE RUIN OF KINGS! We find out who Kihrin *really* is (we think), evil villains’ sinister plans are finally revealed, and we both become the math lady meme again and again as we find out who lived, who died, and who didn’t actually stay dead.

UPCOMING EPISODES:

• May 29: Author Interview with Jenn Lyons
• June 5: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, Part One

Jacob shares the scary sci-fi-ification of ChatGPT and gets carried away with an impression of the alien Pleiadadian language, before William discovers the writings of author Lois McMaster Bujold, and discusses how fantasy bro author Patrick Rothfuss ALLEGEDLY scammed his fans out of a million dollars. And then on to part two of Jenn Lyons' THE RUIN OF KINGS, where in one timeline, Kihrin is on island time having bb orgies and taking lessons from a bartender and on the other, he is discovers its all in the family as he meets abusive dads, kooky aunts, annoying little brothers, and horny body-swapping stepmoms.

NEXT EPISODE:

May 22: The Ruin of Kings Chapters 59–Epic Conclusion

William gives a glowing (and spoiler-free) review of SINNERS, Jacob shares his harrowing ordeal in the editing bay, and we read our first ever (!!!) fan letter. And then onto Jenn Lyons glorious epic fantasy debut, THE RUIN OF KINGS — a wildly inventive, deeply intricate, and incredibly bonkers book. It has multiple timelines, several enchanted necklaces, and a psychotic evil sexy lady demon that may be one of the most fun villains we’ve ever read!

UPCOMING EPISODES:

• May 13: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 21–58
• May 20: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 59-End

Before we get into it, William updates us on some accolades and adaptations from our previous books and Jacob describes CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33, a whacko brilliant new video game from France. And then we’re talking both of our favorite book of 2025 thus far — Sarah J Maas’s QUEEN OF SHADOWS — it’s thrilling pacing, wonderful characterizations, Aelin’s ever-evolving hair color, the even better (and darker) witch plot, and the climax to end all climaxes, and last but not least, our trepidation about the much debated upcoming tandem read.

UPCOMING EPISODES:

• May 6: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 1–20
• May 13: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 21–58
• May 20: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 59-End

Jacob and William recount their joyous in-person reunion (the first since the pod began!) and the highs and highs of Coachella. And then they keep sipping the Booktok Kool-Aid as they go all in on Sarah J Maas’ THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE and HEIR OF FIRE, in which they discuss the controversial suggested reading order for the prequel novellas, the total badassery of the Ironteeth witches, the two hot new Fae muscle daddies on the scene (Aedion and Rowan obvz), the difference between wyverns and dragons, and so so much more.

Jacob and William chat about their hopes and fears for the LEGEND OF ZELDA film, unpack the truly bizarre choices made in THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, and gear up for their imminent reunion at COACHELLA. And then they're back in the Arena for the violent, epic, and heartbreaking final act of Suzanne Collins' SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. One of them loved it, one of them hated it, and both have a lot to say about what it all means, how we feel about the tragic fates of the beloved Tributes, and whether or not we think the prequel series should continue.

Jacob and William are recording in the wee hours of Jacob’s birthday, prompting a brief discussion of Hunger Games Astrology, before the pair revisit the film version of CATCHING FIRE. Then, it’s back to SUNRISE ON THE REAPING for Part 2: THE RASCAL, where Haymitch and the gang of Newcomers are in final preparation mode for the Fiftieth Annual Hunger Games.

Jacob starts our violent YA fantasy hour by telling us all about R. F. Kuang’s THE POPPY WAR and William shares his love for other Asian-inspired fantasy series. After a quick touch base about the *other* prequel (and it’s many, many songs), we go right back into Panem, District 12, and the Capitol all over again in the highly anticipated new book in the HUNGER GAMES franchise — SUNSET ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins. In this episode, we deep dive into PART ONE: THE BIRTHDAY and gush about how much we’re feeling this book thus far, what sets it apart from the previous trilogy, which characters we love to hate and love to love, and we even get the chills from getting the chills.