Hearts & Daggers Holly Fairall and Devin MacDonald

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 Holly’s 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
What’s 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.

Summary: Grab your brushes and palettes, friends - we’re 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 house’s 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. Holly’s 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 father’s 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 won’t 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 can’t see faces could paint an award-winning portrait. Devin’s 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 mother’s death, her father’s apathy, her step mother and sister’s 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
What’s 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.

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 year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and 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.

Summary: You’re 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. Devin’s key takeaways were:
Not only is the book full of videos where Chris describes what it’s like to live on the ISS, but there’s 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 Hallie’s 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, Mallory’s existence on Eternity is peaceful… until a shuttle full of humans comes to the station and the bodies begin to pile up again. Holly’s 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 wasn’t so much the real focus of this story and didn’t 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 you’re 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
What’s 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.

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. Holly’s 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 “Barn Moms” 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, she’s met with more than she expected as her brother’s best friend, Luke Brooks, becomes more than just an occasional thorn in her side. Devin’s key takeaways were:
If you’re looking for some horse energy, this is the book for you. Emmy’s 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 you’re looking for a more subtle, closed door romance vibe, tread lightly with this book. If you’re 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
What’s 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.

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 she’s in dire need of therapy). Today we explore The Assassin’s Blade, five short stories focused on Celaena’s time as an assassin before she’s 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 year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and 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.