A Novel Bunch

A Novel Bunch
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BOOKS

Welcome to A Novel Bunch, your new favorite modern-day book club! Hosted by besties Molly Burnett and Alyssa Tabit Smith, this podcast dives into one book per month, broken down chapter by chapter. New episodes drop every Tuesday, so grab your copy and read along—right here on A Novel Bunch.

  1. 1D AGO

    A Court of Mist and Fury (Bonus Chapter - Wings & Embers): LIVE READING

    #038: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into a LIVE reading of the bonus chapter you’ve all been waiting for—Cassian & Nesta in Wings & Embers. Happy Holidays, Bunchies! Buckle up… because feelings will be felt.

    44 min

  2. DEC 16

    A Court of Silver Flames (Ch 19–29): Silver Flames Awaken & the Valkyries Rise

    #037: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 19–29 of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas—where sexual tension detonates, ancient magic comes roaring back, and Nesta accidentally starts a quiet revolution in the House of Wind. *SPOILERS AHEAD* These chapters open with Nesta and Cassian doing what they do best: colliding. Their chemistry boils over in a sharp, unbalanced encounter that leaves Cassian reeling and Nesta retreating—but it’s clear the power dynamic between them is shifting, even when neither wants to admit it. At the River House, the larger threat comes into focus. The human queen Briallyn is hunting the Cauldron, aided by the death-god Koschei, and together they’re after the Dread Trove—three terrifying Made objects: the Mask, the Harp, and the Crown. Nesta finally speaks about the Cauldron, admitting she doesn’t know what she took… only that she meant to. Cassian’s quiet pride in her says everything. Elaine steps forward as a key player, Feyre reveals she’s pregnant—with a boy—and Nesta’s self-loathing crashes hard against the people still trying to love her. Meanwhile, Cassian and Azriel circle questions of legacy and children.  But the real heartbeat of these chapters lives in the library. Nesta trains, manipulates the system (brilliantly), and creates something radical: a safe, joyful entry point into strength. Gwyn signs her name. Then Emerie shows up. And suddenly, this isn’t just training—it’s the beginning of the Valkyries. As the trio grows, so does Nesta’s resolve. She challenges Merrill, draws priestesses out of hiding, and finally decides she can’t ask others to be brave if she won’t face her own terror. When she turns to bones and stones once more, the past overwhelms her—and her power erupts. The night ends in silver fire. Nesta screaming. Cassian anchoring her. Rhysand shaken to his core after feeling the Cauldron through her mind. Because Nesta Archeron didn’t just survive the Cauldron. She took death—and it’s awake. Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

    1 hr

  3. DEC 9

    A Court of Silver Flames (Ch 10–18): The Kiss That Almost Broke the House of Wind

    #036: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 10–18 of A Court of Silver Flames— a stretch of chapters where Nesta finally eats, finally trains (kind of), makes a friend or two, pisses off everyone else, uncovers brutal new truths, and accidentally becomes besties with a sentient house. *SPOILERS AHEAD* We open with Nesta’s slow, reluctant climb out of rock bottom: talking to the House (which is absolutely alive and absolutely over her nonsense), nightmare spirals, failed attempts at the 10,000 stairs, and the kind of sexual tension with Cassian that could power Velaris for a century. But when Cassian hits her with a quiet, devastating please, Nesta freezes — and the distance between them deepens. Meals with Cassian and Azriel are a disaster, but something shifts after Cassian’s talk with Feyre. He tries again, offering Nesta training on her terms — no Windhaven spectators, just an hour on the rooftop and a bargain sealed between them. One lesson becomes two, breath work loosens her tongue, and she lets slip the first raw truths about her mother, her noise-filled mind, and the shame that stalks her. Meanwhile, the library gives Nesta something she didn’t know she needed: Gwyn. A friend who doesn’t flinch, doesn’t judge, and carries trauma of her own from Sangravah. Between stolen books, whispered nightmares, Valkyrie lore, and protective stones, their bond becomes the first real light Nesta’s let in. And the House? It keeps rewarding her for it — romance novels, warm food, baths, and enough chocolate cake to fix anyone’s inner child. Outside Velaris, the threat rises: Eris pushes for alliances, the human queens are scheming with something ancient and wrong, and Tamlin is brooding in beast form. Cassian and Rhys can feel the danger sharpening — and Nesta? She’s more tangled in it than she realizes. But the moment that truly cracks these chapters open? Cassian telling Nesta he doesn’t judge her — and her admitting she’s never hated him. That, and that rooftop confession: “Your power is a song, and one I’ve waited a very, very long time to hear.” A line that shifts everything, even if neither of them dares say what it means yet. Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

    53 min

  4. DEC 2

    A Court of Silver Flames (Ch 1–9): Welcome to the Era of Nesta Archeron

    #035: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re cracking open A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas with Chapters 1–9,  a raw, brutal, addictive plunge into Nesta Archeron’s spiral, her silver-flame power, and the very first sparks (and snarls) of her new… let’s call it arrangement with Cassian.  *SPOILERS AHEAD* We open with a nightmare — Nesta’s memory of being forced into the Cauldron, the death-promise she made to the King of Hybern, and the moment she bit into that ancient magic and took what it didn’t want to give. From there, Part One: Novice thrusts us into the mess she’s made in Velaris: cheap wine, mediocre sex, and a whole lot of self-loathing wrapped in a male’s shirt. Feyre and Rhys finally say what everyone’s been thinking: she’s done tearing herself apart on their dime. Move into the House of Wind. Train with Cassian. Work in the library. Or go back to the human lands. Nesta, unsurprisingly, chooses violence. Cassian steps in as trainer, babysitter, and long-suffering daddy warrior who absolutely does not have the patience for Nesta’s b******t — but still can’t help wanting her. Their first days are pure chaos: Nesta publicly humiliating him at Windhaven, Cassian snapping back that she’s not the only one who’s suffered, Mor cutting her to pieces with one brutal line, and the House itself refusing to serve her wine like it’s staging an intervention. But cracks start to show — memories of holding Cassian as he lay dying, her first kind interactions with Emerie and Gwyn, and a bowl of soup the House basically force-feeds her like a protective auntie. Meanwhile, a storm is brewing outside Nesta’s personal apocalypse: human queens scheming, Eris sniffing around for alliances, soldiers disappearing without a trace, Koschei the deathless stirring in his cursed lake, and Beron aligning himself with the wrong side of history. Cassian knows the danger is growing — and that Nesta, whether she likes it or not, is right in the center of it. But the biggest spark of these early chapters? The moment Cassian quietly leans down, offers Nesta his hand, and reminds her: keep reaching out yours. A single line that shifts everything — not enough to save her, but enough to make her wonder if she wants to be saved at all. Let's get into it, Bunchies!  Grab this month’s book: amzn.to/3Er9cuF #booktokreads #acourtofsilverflames #bookclub #bookclubdiscussion #bookreview #acotarseries #booktube #booktok #bookstagram

    1h 4m

  5. NOV 25

    A Court of Frost and Starlight (Ch 15–28): lllyrian Snowball Fights & Sauna Secrets

    #034: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re celebrating Solstice in Velaris with Chapters 15–28 of A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas — a cozy, glittering, gift-filled chapter set that gives us peak Inner Circle warmth, laughter, and just the right amount of emotional depth. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Feyre searches for the perfect gift for Rhysand while rediscovering her own creative spark, the Bat Boys head to the sauna for their annual tradition of snowball wars, steam, and brotherly chaos, and the Inner Circle exchanges gifts that are heartfelt, hilarious, and so perfectly them.  Even Nesta shows up, and Cassian can’t help himself — he walks her home, sparks flying even as tempers flare. Their moment may end with Cassian tossing the thoughtful gift he spent months finding into the Sidra, but the tension between them says everything: there’s still fire there. But the biggest Solstice highlight? Feyre tells Rhysand she’s ready to try for a baby, turning the celebration into something truly magical. And in a surprise that softens the edges of the season, Tamlin asks Rhys a simple, powerful question — one that asks whether forgiveness might someday be possible. A tender, glowing Solstice — full of hope, healing, and new beginnings. Let's get into it, Bunchies!

    51 min

  6. NOV 18

    A Court of Frost and Starlight (Ch 1-14): Rhysand Pays Tamlin a Visit

    #033: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re kicking off A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas with all the wintery vibes, Solstice prep, and Inner Circle chaos your heart could want. Feyre and the gang are easing into post-war life—and trust us, it’s every bit as sweet, messy, and magical as you’d hope. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Feyre settles back into Velaris as snow settles over the city, reconnecting with Rhys, her sisters, and the rhythms of a world healing from war. Elaine grows steadily stronger, Lucien drifts between courts, and Nesta… keeps her distance while quietly stealing every scene she’s in. Rhys handles Illyrian drama with High Lord patience, Cassian stirs up trouble with his usual charm, and Mor pulls Feyre into a trip to the Court of Nightmares that reminds us how far she’s come. Feyre returns to painting, pouring the truth of herself—Ouroboros and all—onto canvas. Meanwhile, Rhys visits the Spring Court, where Tamlin is a hollow echo of who he once was, offering a quiet reminder of how much has changed. As Solstice approaches, the Inner Circle bustles with gift-giving, teasing, unexpected tenderness, and more found-family warmth than anyone can wrap in ribbon. Az and Elaine share small moments, Amren is equal parts chaos and charm, and everyone is just trying their best to make the holiday meaningful. Let's get into it, Bunchies! 📚✨

    45 min

  7. NOV 11

    A Court of Wings and Ruin (Ch 66–82): The Battle for Prythian

    #032: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into the final chapters of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas—and Bunchies, this is it. The war, the heartbreak, the redemption, and the moment Feyre finally faces herself. Grab your Illyrian blades and a box of tissues, because this finale is everything. *SPOILERS AHEAD!* We open with Mor’s truth—no more lies between her and Feyre—as she finally reveals the part of herself she’s kept hidden for centuries. Her confession is raw, tender, and a reminder that love—real love—means letting yourself be seen. But there’s no time to dwell. Hybern’s army looms, and our High Lords must decide if humanity is worth saving. Cassian’s vow to protect the helpless, even if it kills him, seals the deal, and then, Amren drops a bomb: she’s cracked the code to end Hybern once and for all. From there, it’s a race against time. Feyre faces the Ouroboros mirror—alone, but the monster staring back isn’t Hybern. It’s herself. But she doesn’t run. She endures. And that’s what makes her worthy. When she returns, the Bone Carver and the Weaver join the fight, side by side with Bryaxis, and for one heartbeat, it feels like maybe—just maybe—they can win. Then the battle begins. Shields fall. Blood rains. Tamlin and even Beron’s army arrive (shocking, we know), and the lost queen Vassa takes to the skies as a firebird of vengeance. Feyre and Amren race to the Cauldron, while Nesta and Cassian make their final stand—a stand that ends with one of the most gut-wrenching, beautiful promises in the series: “I will find you again in the next world.” Just when it seems all is lost, it’s Elaine—sweet, quiet Elaine—who strikes the killing blow, ending the King of Hybern once and for all. But victory comes at a cost. Amren unleashes her true form to save them, obliterating Hybern’s army and herself with it. Feyre remakes the Cauldron… but in doing so, loses Rhysand. His death shatters the court—and us—but the High Lords join their power, one by one, to bring him back. Even Tamlin. And when Rhysand finally breathes again, he’s got one last surprise: Amren returns, now fully Fae—and maybe, for the first time, fully human at heart. Feyre calls for peace among the courts, for new treaties and a new start. And as she and Rhysand return home to Velaris, she realizes that though everything has changed, love—messy, hard, hopeful love—is still the heart of it all. Because in the end, as the Suriel said, only you can break you. Let's get into it, Bunchies!

    1h 10m

  8. NOV 4

    A Court of Wings and Ruin (Ch 53–65): Stay With the High Lord

    #031: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into Chapters 53–65 of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas—and Bunchies, grab your tissues and your battle armor. Because this week we’re saying goodbye to one of Prythian’s most unexpected heroes, watching Nesta and Cassian bring the heat, and heading straight into enemy territory for a rescue mission that’ll leave your jaw on the floor. *SPOILERS AHEAD* It begins at the human estate, where Jurian—yes, that Jurian—turns out to be not the unhinged villain we thought. Instead, he’s been playing a dangerous game to send warnings to Drakon and Miryam. Turns out, our boy’s been undercover this whole time. And when he drops the bomb that Tamlin’s gone running back to Hybern? Yeah… Tamlin’s choices aren’t doing him any favors these days. From there, things escalate fast. Elaine’s heartbreak over Grayson sparks Nesta’s iconic slap heard ’round the continent, Jurian feeds them intel on Hybern’s next move, and then—boom—the first major battle of the war erupts. Cassian and his Illyrians tear through the enemy in a brutal dance of death, Nesta’s eyes never leaving him, and Feyre realizes that even victory feels like loss. But when the tide turns, Feyre sets off to find the one being who might still help them: our beloved gossip queen, the Suriel. And that’s when Sarah J. Maas rips our hearts out. Feyre finds the Suriel near the Weaver’s woods, only for Ianthe (ugh, her) to ambush them. But our girl outsmarts her, luring Ianthe straight into the Weaver’s waiting claws—just in time to hold the Suriel as it dies in her arms. “Leave this world a better place,” it tells her. And if you didn’t sob, you might be the Cauldron itself. Back at camp, tensions flare—Mor and Feyre clash, Nesta channels her magic with bone and stone to find Hybern’s army, and Varian and Amren share that kiss (finally!). But then—silence. The Cauldron calls. And when it takes something from Nesta, it takes what she loves most: Elaine. Feyre and Azriel infiltrate Hybern’s camp in disguise, only to find Elaine bound, gagged, and moments from execution. Enter Tamlin—yes, Tamlin—whose green eyes tell her one thing: run. And in that heartbeat, we remember—he was the one who helped her. Who gave her the chance to escape. What follows is chaos and courage, blood and fire, until Feyre spreads her wings and flies home. And when it’s over, the Archeron sisters are side by side once more—curled together like they used to be, but this time holding on tight. Let's get into it, Bunchies!

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to A Novel Bunch, your new favorite modern-day book club! Hosted by besties Molly Burnett and Alyssa Tabit Smith, this podcast dives into one book per month, broken down chapter by chapter. New episodes drop every Tuesday, so grab your copy and read along—right here on A Novel Bunch.

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    A Novel Bunch
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  • Episodes
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    © 2025 A Novel Bunch
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