Of Swords and Soulmates

Mari
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Is this a kissing book? Of Swords and Soulmates features two couples (and sometimes more), with varying reading preferences and experiences, as they read, listen, and sometimes watch romantasy stories and discuss plot, fantasy elements, romance, spice, theories, and more. Join us for our non-expert opinions as we discuss, argue, rave, rant, and hopefully entertain. We may just help you find your next reading obsession or at least contribute to that TBR list!

  1. 5D AGO

    "I Got Abducted..." - Alien Romance, Chaos, a Lion, and a Pink T-Rex

    Send a text What if aliens tried to rebuild human culture using half-baked research and vibes—and you had to survive it with a lion, two dangerously attractive strangers, and a pink tyrannosaur? We dive into Kimberly Lemming’s Cosmic Chaos debut to unpack how a wildlife biologist becomes the most competent person on a planet that shouldn’t exist, why slapstick can carry real stakes, and how consent and agency still matter when a so-called love serum enters the chat. We trade favorite set pieces—from crash-landing to cul-de-sacs copy-pasted across the horizon—and dig into the sharper edges hiding under the humor. The “almost-right” suburbia becomes satire of AI mimicry and media pastiche; an ancient war with no remembered cause turns into commentary on propaganda’s long tail. Along the way, we celebrate the audiobook performances, debate whether this counts as a kissing book or a gloriously filthy romp, and crown Toto the lion as the episode’s undisputed MVP. If you love sci-fi romance with riotous banter, found-family warmth, and worldbuilding that winks at our own chaos, this one belongs on your TBR. We also share quick-hit book news, special editions worth hunting, and upcoming reads, then map who will love this story: fans of Hitchhiker’s Guide energy who want it spicier, readers craving absurdist humor with heart, and anyone who believes laughter is a survival skill. Hit play, laugh with us, and tell us your take: did the chaos win you over, and who stole your heart—Dory, Sol, Locke, or Toto? If you enjoy the show, tap follow, rate and review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a chaotic cosmic getaway. Links from the News Segment and Show: Fae Crate is doing an Opus edition of Jacklyn Hyde’s Monster Bae seriesInstagram LinkThe cover for Bk Borison’s Grim Tidings is outInstagram LinkThe Bone Singer by Abigail Owen releases Sept. 2026Instagram LinkFunko is doing Cruel Prince funkos!Instagram LinkPaige Lavoie new book details - My boyfriend is a Swamp MonsterInstagram LinkCover for Julie de Soto’s Rose in Chains (paperback)Instagram LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    48 min

  2. FEB 12

    "My Funny Demon Valentine" - Love, Secrets, Jazz, & A Demon Curse

    Send a text What happens when a prince of Hell chases jazz instead of damnation and a sharp violinist sees through his curse? We pull apart My Funny Demon Valentine with a mix of swoon and side-eye, exploring how music, touch, and honesty thaw a heart frozen by centuries of numbness. From smoky club sets to rooftop confessions, this love story leans on found family—four demon brothers who tease, cook, and protect like it’s a sport—and pits them against watchers, angelic bloodlines, and the kind of fatherly meddling that makes you want to throw the book. We compare reading formats and why the audiobook’s distinct voices solve the mid-chapter POV jump problem. We talk spice with purpose—heat as a language for someone who can’t yet name feelings—and why consent reads clean even when naivety causes messy moments. Then we dig into Nephilim lore, the politics of celestial hierarchy, and how institutions enforce rules that romance then dares to break. Predictable? Sometimes. But charm isn’t only about surprise; it’s about tone, texture, and the people you want to spend time with. There’s healthy debate, too: frustration over the series pivot after book one, delight in the brothers’ banter, and a firm “kissing book” verdict. Along the way we share rapid-fire romance news—cover reveals, film options, monster romance drops—and a few joyful detours, from Bridgerton watch parties to hilariously mistranslated stickers. If you love Charmed energy, found family dynamics, demons with tender rituals, and jazz as emotional catalyst, you’ll feel right at home here. Enjoyed the episode? Follow Of Swords and Soulmates, rate and review on your favorite app, and share this with a friend who needs a cursed demon with a sax and a soft heart. Tell us your take: audio or ebook for this one? Links and News Cover Release for The Adventures of a Tiny Tree, Including Whimsical Anecdotes from a Discarded Pair of TrousersInstagram LinkPaige Lavoie new book – My Boyfriend is a Swamp MonsterInstagram LinkThe Sequel to Kiki’s Delivery Service released for the first time in English speaking marketsBarnes and Noble LinkBooks for Days Crate company special edition of Victoria Aveline’s Clecanean series Facebook LinkDanielle L Jensen’s Bridge Kingdom has been picked up for a movie by James Farrell’s Red Sage StudiosNews ArticleDaggerbound cover has droppedAmazon LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    56 min

  3. JAN 29

    "A Fate Inked in Blood" - Love and a Fiery Axe to the Head

    Send a text An axe, a prophecy, and a lie that detonates a romance—this conversation gets heated fast. We dive into Danielle L. Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood and split the table on one core question: can love survive when one partner withholds the truth to keep the other alive? Freya’s journey from repressed survivor to god-touched shield maiden becomes our lens for talking about agency, trauma, and the high cost of destiny. Along the way, we compare “cozy” moments to “cutthroat” realities and argue over whether omissions count as betrayal when blood oaths and politics make honesty dangerous. We thread Norse mythology through the analysis—Hel, Hlin, Baldur, and prophecy—showing how the lore shapes character motives and foreshadows the book’s biggest twists. Expect a spirited breakdown of Bjorn’s choices: strategic misdirection or manipulative double life? One of us can’t forgive him; another defends the long game; the rest live in the messy middle where desire and doubt wrestle for control. We also talk craft: side quests that build intimacy, a steady burn that tests consent and trust, and an audiobook performance that adds grit without theatrics. Beyond the main read, we round up romance news you’ll actually care about: Fourth Wing live events and season-per-book TV plans, Lore Olympus heading to animation, special edition drops, and a flurry of new releases and merch. If you’re here for fantasy romance with teeth—feminine rage, godly meddling, and lovers pulled between survival and truth—you’ll find a lot to chew on. Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more romance nerds find us, and share this episode with a friend who loves a good prophecy fight. Then tell us: Team Freya or Team Bjorn? See Links and News from the show at https://ofswordsandsoulmates.com/ep52notes/ Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    59 min

  4. JAN 15

    Wooing the Witch Queen: Come for the stacks, stay for the shadow mommy

    Send a text A wicked queen, a runaway archduke in disguise, and a library begging to be tamed—this one had us grinning, gasping, and arguing about consent, secrets, and sex magic. We dive into Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgess, a romantasy that flips the script: the heroine is the fearsome protector with a laboratory and a reputation, while the love interest is tender, bookish, and carrying scars he didn’t earn. That balance of power isn’t a gimmick; it’s the beating heart of a story that treats softness as bravery and rage as care. We walk through the fairy-tale echoes—think Beauty and the Beast, but reversed—and why the library courtship works so well. From flirtatious poetry and fountain pens to a cataloging project that doubles as foreplay, the romance is playful without losing heat. We also dig into the world’s quiet brilliance: a queer-normative society presented without fanfare, political stakes tied to how magical minorities are treated, and a found family that feels chosen in the best way. Predictable turns don’t dull the ride; the tension comes from timing, trust, and the danger of truths left unsaid. Along the way, we share bookish news: audiobook narrator updates, Fourth Wing nights with the 76ers and Flyers, a Temeraire-inspired tabletop RPG, Ruby Dixon’s daily dragon-shifter serial, and special-edition Kickstarters lighting up monster romance shelves. If you loved Emily Wilde, Assistance of the Villain, or Villains and Virtues, this episode is your cozy, clever, slightly feral sweet spot. Tap play, then tell us your favorite trope reversal and which queen you want next. If this made your TBR grow, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—your support helps more readers find the show. Links from the Show Anthony Palmini, voice of Rhysand in ACOTAR (among others) is doing an Instagram liveInstagram LinkFourth Wing Philadelphia 76ers/flyers takeover in MarchInstagram LinkTemererie the role playing game Kickstarter coming 2026Instagram LinkKickstarter LinkNew Ruby Dixon workInstagram LinkFirst Chapter SampleCaptured by the Fae Beast Kickstarter special editionsInstagram LinkKickstarter LinkOops I summoned a Metamorphic Monster by Opal ReyneInstagram LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    43 min

  5. JAN 1

    2025 Year-In-Review: Reads, Regrets, And Next-Reads

    Send a text New Year, new stacks… and a lot of honesty. We step back from single-title deep dives to survey a full year of romantasy and romance-adjacent reads—what shocked us, what fell flat, and which series rewired our brains. From a YA dragon school that tackles colonial power with heart to a sci‑fi romance that outsmarts its pulpy cover, we spotlight books that prove premise isn’t destiny. We also confess the special editions we still haven’t opened and the sequels we’re saving for a quiet week. We trade our most anticipated releases for 2026—T. Kingfisher’s Dagger Bound, Stephanie Burgess’s Enchanting the Fae Queen, and J.R. Ward’s new romantasy—and champion new-to-us voices, including Bridget Knightley’s fanfic-rooted contemporaries and Moniquill Blackgoose’s sharp worldbuilding. Audiobooks get their flowers: Jeff Hays turns Dungeon Crawler Carl into a one-man full-cast, The Cruel Prince grips harder in audio, and Your Coffin or Mine? dazzles with accent agility. If you’re audiobook-curious, this is your permission to switch formats and fall in. Goals, without the guilt: one of us hit 314 by pairing audiobooks with “eyeball reads” and DNFing early, while others are lowering targets to keep the joy. We share practical series plans, pocket-sized anxiety hacks, and the titles we wish we could read for the first time again—Throne of Glass, Bull Moon Rising, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Also on the table: the hot take that a massively popular series isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. If you love romantasy, monster romance, dragon academies, and smart, character-first stories, you’ll leave with a sharper TBR and a saner plan. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a goal reset, and tell us: what was your most surprising read of the year? Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    59 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    "Good Spirits" - When The Ghost Of Christmas Past Falls In Love

    Send a text A ghost with a deadline. A people pleaser with a past. A Christmas Carol framework that dares to ask whether love can rewrite the rules. We dive into Good Spirits by BK Borison and unpack why this holiday romance feels tender, funny, and surprisingly cathartic. From the opening meet-cute to the late-game goodbye that nearly broke us, we trace how the book balances cozy predictability with real emotional stakes, and why that combo is exactly what many of us crave this time of year. We also explore the book’s sly worldbuilding: an afterlife that runs like a slightly exasperated office, reapers with missing paperwork, and a boss whose accent paints a picture before we get the backstory. Think Beetlejuice bureaucracy meets Spirited’s cheerful existentialism. The panel shares personal reflections on people pleasing, boundary setting, and how Harriet’s growth feels painfully familiar in the best way. Add in a very opinionated cat, on-point spice, and a romance that builds through conversation and care, and you’ve got a seasonal standout. Beyond the review, we detour through folklore with a lidérc deep dive, gush over special editions in the Grishaverse, and chat about the growing crossover between sports events and book fandoms. We close with recs for holiday retellings and audiobooks with memorable performances, plus our favorite Christmas Carol adaptations that shaped how we read stories like this one. If you love cozy fantasy romance, gentle hauntings, and HEAs that feel earned, press play and warm up with us. Enjoyed the episode? Follow, rate, and share the show, and tell us your favorite holiday romance or Carol adaptation—we’re taking notes for our year-end wrap-up! Links from the Episode Witches Love Monsters series collaboration or multiple authors comingRegine Abel, Opal Reyne, Naomi Lucas, Tiffany Roberts4 spicy novellas featuring witches and monstersWill be available on KUInstagram Link Illumicrate is releasing a special edition of the Six of Crows duology.   Royal hardbacks, not signedGeneral presale 01/22 at 3pm GDTInstagram Link2025-2026 Nuggets Fourth Wing Interest Slip is available for submissionWed 04/08/26 versus the Memphis GrizzliesStandard or VIP packageFacebook LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    49 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    From Mary Shelley To Del Toro: A Monster, A Maker, And The Cost Of Creation

    Send a text A stitched body, a bruised heart, and a question that won’t let go: who bears the burden for what we make? We dive into Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and trace its roots from Mary Shelley’s storm-lit summer to a modern, war-shadowed tale about creation, responsibility, and the cost of love. This isn’t just another gothic retelling—it’s a story about breaking cycles, where forgiveness is the bravest experiment in the lab. We start with the news that’s lighting up romantasy—cover reveals, special editions, and why “trend readers vs genre readers” is shaping online discourse more than craft. Then we jump into the film’s craft: Oscar Isaac as a preening, brilliant Victor; Jacob Elordi as a towering, soulful Creature who learns love the way many of us do—from stories and the rare person who is kind; and Mia Goth’s striking dual roles that knit grief, desire, and projection into Victor’s unraveling. We talk color symbolism and costume design as character psychology, from blood-red guilt to nature-drenched greens and x-ray-stitched gowns. Practical effects and built sets keep the world tactile: a ship that creaks, a laboratory that feels engineered by obsession, and camera moves that play like a rock concert. The adaptation choices matter. Setting the tale against the Crimean War reframes Victor’s ambition as morally funded by violence, while the “brain bargain” with an arms dealer sharpens the ethics of creation. Del Toro’s ending—asking for forgiveness instead of doubling down on punishment—will spark debate among purists, but it lands with emotional clarity. We wrestle with whether this is a kissing story, and arrive at something richer: a romance of care, where monstrosity looks less like stitched skin and more like the refusal to take responsibility for what you bring into the world. If you love romantasy, gothic cinema, adaptation theory, or just want to argue about whether color motifs can break your heart, you’ll feel right at home. Hit play, then tell us your hottest Frankenstein take, share the episode with a friend, and tap follow so you never miss what we resurrect next.  Links from the News Segment and Show: Kimberly Lemming did a cover reveal for her latest novel - I Punched An Alien And Now We’re In Couples Therapy Instagram LinkLitJoy Crate is doing a special edition of Gail Carson Levine’s The Two Princesses of BamarreLink to LitJoyCover revealed for The Wrath Gods Reap by Abigail  Instagram LinkCover revealed for Loched in Love by Jacklyn Hyde Instagram LinkGregory Maguire, author of Wicked is releasing a prequel Galinda novelInstagram LinkTime released their 100 must read books of 2025  Link to articleThreads discussion on What’s Going on in RomantasyLink to ThreadsFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    1 hr

  8. 11/20/2025

    Wicked: Power, Friendship, Popularity, Love

    Send a text Oz isn’t just emerald and glitter; it’s a lesson in how stories get made and weaponized. We jump from Gregory Maguire’s Wicked to the Broadway phenomenon and the record-breaking film to unpack how a green-skinned girl became a political problem, a best friend, and a cultural icon. Along the way, we contrast the novel’s darker theology and politics with the musical’s friendship-forward heart and the movie’s big-screen mythmaking, asking what each version chooses to spotlight—and why. We dig into the performances that make the film crackle: Jeff Goldblum’s attention-hoarding Wizard, Michelle Yeoh’s velvet-gloved operator as Madame Morrible, and Cynthia Erivo’s fierce, aching Elphaba who refuses to be managed. Peter Dinklage’s Dr. Dillamond turns prejudice into a gut punch, while Glinda’s arc reveals how image and approval can be tools of control.  Beyond the screen, we step through Universal’s Wicked Experience in Orlando—costumes, set pieces, and a guided path from Shiz to Emerald City—proof that modern fandom doesn’t end with credits. Then we broaden the lens: why monster stories surge in a perfection-obsessed era, how propaganda reframes dissent as danger, and what it costs to speak when silence is safer. We’re saving the “is it a kissing story” verdict for the sequel, but the first film already hits where it counts: who gets to define good, and will your friends still stand close when the posters call you wicked? Tell us: book, musical, or movie—who nailed Oz for you? Subscribe, rate, and share to bring more listeners into the Emerald City conversation. News and Links LitJoy preorders for The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black (Link)Cover for Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maeher (Instagram Link)Cover for World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade (Instagram Link)Author LJ Andrews has suffered a fire. Donation Link & Instagram LinkBK Borsion’s sequel to Good Spirits (Ghosted series) will be called Grim Tidings (Instagram Link)Ali Hazelwood released an audio first foray into the realm of dark academia on Spotify (Link) Vogue Australia article on Monster Romance (Link to article)Hannah F Whitten is releasing a new book in 2026, Reliquary (Instagram Link) Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates

    59 min
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5
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About

Is this a kissing book? Of Swords and Soulmates features two couples (and sometimes more), with varying reading preferences and experiences, as they read, listen, and sometimes watch romantasy stories and discuss plot, fantasy elements, romance, spice, theories, and more. Join us for our non-expert opinions as we discuss, argue, rave, rant, and hopefully entertain. We may just help you find your next reading obsession or at least contribute to that TBR list!

Information

  • Creator
    Mari
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Of Swords and Soulmates
  • Show Website
    Of Swords and Soulmates