Romantasy Roundtable: Fantasy Romance Reviews

Amanda, Kim, and Rick
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Welcome to Romantasy Roundtable: A Tale of Rick and Roses! Join us for an engaging book club and read-along experience as we explore the enchanting world of romantasy, diving into captivating stories and unforgettable moments together! Hosted by Rick and his "roses," this podcast-style channel explores the most spellbinding books in the romantic fantasy genre. What You'll Find Here: Read-alongs of popular romantasy books. Thoughtful analysis of characters, plot twists, and those unforgettable spicy moments. A warm and inclusive space for book lovers to share their thoughts and join the conversation. Always lighthearted, fun, and a bit unhinged Join the Court! Become part of our growing community of romantasy enthusiasts. Share your favorite books, theories, and moments with fellow "rosebuds." New Episodes Grab a book and settle in for an adventure filled with magic and love. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

  1. 6d ago

    ACOTAR 6 & 7: Predictions

    THE RED STRING WALL IS UP, THE CONSPIRACY BOARD IS UNHINGED, AND WE HAVE QUESTIONS. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS. Welcome back to Romantasy Roundtable! Rick, Amanda, and Kim are FINALLY back together, and we’re diving headfirst into our predictions for ACOTAR 6 and beyond. We’re talking A Court of Splintered Harmony, A Court of Forgotten Melody, and every wild theory our brains could possibly cook up before the books hit our hands. Will the Maasverse finally collide in a BIG way, or are we getting Easter eggs and emotional damage from a safe distance? Is Elaine really our next main character? Is Azriel about to steal the spotlight? Could Tamlin get a redemption arc? And WHAT is going on with Lucien, his mysterious family tree, and that very suspicious mating bond situation? We’re connecting dots, pulling receipts from across the series, and making some truly unhinged predictions about: Whether ACOTAR 6 ends with a massive cliffhanger The great Maasverse crossover debate: Bryce, Aelin, and our Night Court favorites Elaine, Azriel, Gwyn, Tamlin, Lucien, and the ships that could make or break the fandom Witches, Amren’s mysterious past, and connections to the Asteri, Daglan, and Vlag The Dread Trove, Made weapons, the Star Sword, and what might be coming together Starfall, the Drop, the Yielding, and theories that might actually connect The mysterious Dusk Court and what could be hiding in the Prison Broken mating bonds, memory loss, old villains, new villains, and who might not make it out alive Plus, we debate whether this series is about to give us another unforgettable romantic pairing, a whole lot of political chaos, or a cliffhanger that leaves us screaming into the void. And naturally, we have VERY strong feelings about Azriel’s POV. Specifically, the soup situation. These are predictions, not facts, so come ready to agree, disagree, and tell us which theories have you reaching for the red string. We want YOUR theories in the comments! Which hills are you willing to die on, and which of ours deserve to be launched directly into the Cauldron? Drop your predictions below, and let’s see who called it when the books arrive! Like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join the Romantasy Roundtable conversation. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok, or email us at romantyround@gmail.com. And if you have winter, solstice, Christmas, or Hanukkah romantasy recommendations for our upcoming episodes, SEND THEM OUR WAY. We’re looking for festive fantasy, questionable quality, and potentially some very questionable candy-cane anatomy. The girlies (gender neutral) are THRIVING.

  2. Oct 14

    The First Stone

    ROMANTASY ROUNDTABLE: THE FIRST STONE — ARC REVIEW We got our hands on an early ARC of The First Stone by Robert Biehn, and folks… WE HAVE THOUGHTS. And by thoughts, we mean Rick is giving this one FIVE STARS, Kim is handing out FOUR, and together we're landing at a very respectable 4.5 stars. Not bad for a debut fantasy novel! Think Avatar meets Mistborn meets Star Wars, with a post-apocalyptic wasteland, elemental magic, dangerous government forces, missing memories, and two siblings who are just trying to survive. Oh, and there's an antagonist named Felix who might just make your skin crawl while smiling directly at you. What's not to love? Amanda is still off enjoying married life and her minimoon, so Rick and Kim are holding down the fort this week. We're keeping this review SPOILER-FREE, so if you're curious about The First Stone, you can hang out with us without worrying about ruining the surprises. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: • THE STORY: Cass and Eve are siblings navigating a devastated world where survival is a daily battle. When Eve becomes dangerously ill, Cass risks everything to find medicine. But their strange markings, missing memories, and unusual abilities suggest their past is much bigger than they realize. • CASS & EVE: A protective older brother, a determined younger sister, and a relationship at the heart of the story. We discuss their choices, their stubbornness, and whether Cass needs to learn a lesson or just needs to be allowed to be an impulsive teenager. • FELIX, THE WALKING RED FLAG: Rick has found a new favorite villain. Imagine Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds, except in a fantasy novel. He's charming, unsettling, dangerous, and absolutely NOT someone you want showing up at your door. • THE WORLD: Post-apocalyptic California, wastelands, refugee encampments, a tightly controlled government, and a magical academy. Kim tries to figure out where everyone is in California while Rick is just happy to be in the wasteland. • THE MAGIC SYSTEM: Elemental powers, magical wielders, augmented soldiers, and a mysterious substance that can strip magic away. We compare the system to Mistborn and Avatar and discuss how the author introduces the rules without drowning us in a giant lore dump. • THE MYSTERY: Who are Cass and Eve really? Why are they being hunted? What happened to their memories? And why does Rick desperately need book two RIGHT NOW? • THE PACING & POVs: We discuss the gradual worldbuilding, the action sequences, the dual perspectives, and whether we wanted more answers sooner or were happy to let the mystery unfold. • THE ROMANCE: Remember, this is Romantasy Roundtable. So naturally, we need to discuss the romance situation. Is there spice? Absolutely not. Are there cute teenage flirting vibes? A little! Our official rating: a zero with a smiley face. • THE FINAL VERDICT: Kim gives it 4 stars, Rick gives it 5, and we're averaging out to 4.5 stars. We talk about what worked, what could improve, and why we're already invested in the next installment. So, is The First Stone worth adding to your TBR? We think so! Come hang out with Rick and Kim as we discuss this early read, celebrate a promising debut, and try not to spoil anything while telling you exactly why we're excited about this series. And Robert, if you're listening… we're still figuring out how to pronounce your last name. Please help us out. Check out The First Stone's website for more information about the world, the magic, and the author's bonus content. You can also look into preordering through Target, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you at the Roundtable!

  3. Oct 12

    Crescent City House of Flame and Shadow: Review

    ROMANTASY ROUNDTABLE: HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW — CRESCENT CITY 3 We made it through 952 pages of House of Flame and Shadow… and somehow we're still standing. Amanda is missing because she had the audacity to be getting married instead of finishing Crescent City 3, so Rick and Kim are left to tackle the entire Maasverse chaos on their own. And when we say chaos, we mean THE MAASVERSE HAS ARRIVED. Bryce accidentally portals herself into Prythian, meets some VERY familiar faces, discovers that the Starborn legacy is considerably more complicated than she thought, and learns that Truth-Teller and the Starsword/Gwydion are basically magical long-lost twins. Meanwhile, Hunt, Ruhn, and Baxian are being tortured by the Asteri, Lydia is playing approximately 47 games of 4D chess, and the lore dump just keeps coming. And then there’s the tiny little matter of Thea, Silene, the Daglan, the Asteri, the Dread Trove, the origins of the Fae, 15,000 years of interdimensional history, and exactly how all of this connects to the rest of the Maasverse. No big deal. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: • BRYCE IN PRYTHIAN: The crossover we've been waiting for! Bryce meets Nesta, Azriel, and the gang, and suddenly Crescent City becomes VERY relevant to ACOTAR. • THE STAR SWORD + TRUTH-TELLER: Why do these weapons recognize each other? What does Thea have to do with them? And why does this connection potentially matter for future ACOTAR books? • THEA'S HORRIFYING LEGACY: Bryce discovers that her beloved Starborn ancestors were… perhaps not exactly the heroes she imagined. Conquest, slavery, betrayal, and some seriously uncomfortable family history. • THE ASTERI ARE WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT: The Drop, the parasite in Midgard's water, their history across worlds, and the horrifying realization that they've been doing this for a VERY long time. • SILENE & THE DUSK COURT: The Night Court bloodline gets connected to the Starborn legacy, and Rick is VERY excited about what that means. • NESTA GETS HER GIRLBOSS MOMENT: Vesperus learns the hard way that Nesta is not here for negotiations. • HUNT, RUHN & BAXIAN'S TORTURE: Wings get severed, powers get harvested, and things get DARK. Meanwhile, Lydia has to stand there and pretend she doesn't care while secretly playing the longest con in existence. • LYDIA + RUHN: Betrayal, sacrifice, children, double-agent chaos, and one of the relationships that absolutely carried this book for us. • JESSA & THE GREAT LIBRARY: 15,000 years of guilt, the value of knowledge, an underground library, and one of the most emotional character arcs in the entire book. • ETHAN & THE SECRET SIDE QUEST: Was this entire storyline necessary? We have thoughts. • THE PRIME: Ethan finally gets his moment, gains magic, and somehow becomes exactly what everyone needed him to become. • THE HELL ARMY + THE FALLEN: The dead rise, mech suits get possessed, old friends return, and the final battle goes completely off the rails. • BRYCE'S BLACK HOLE: Star Sword + Truth-Teller + Bryce + SPACE. That's really all we're going to say. • THE ENDING: Bryce dies. Jessa makes the ultimate sacrifice. Danica returns for one final emotional gut punch. The books are inherited. The Asteri are gone. The Pegasus are back. And Bryce returns the Star Sword to Nesta. AND THE BIG QUESTION: How important is Crescent City actually going to be for the next ACOTAR books? Do you really need to read 3,000+ pages of Crescent City to understand what's coming… or can you just watch Avengers and hope for the best? Come hang out with Rick and Kim as we attempt to shove the entire Maasverse into one episode, argue about Bryce, celebrate Ruhn, defend Nesta, question Ethan's entire existence, and attempt to make sense of Sarah J. Maas's increasingly unhinged interconnected universe. And yes… Amanda was absolutely banned from this episode.

  4. Oct 5

    Crescent City House of Sky and Breath: Review

    CRESCENT CITY 2: HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH | CROISSANT 2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO | Romantasy Roundtable WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE MULTIVERSE. And apparently the best way to explain 800+ pages of murder, rebellion, space vampires, magical batteries, morally questionable queens, mind-sex, and 15,000-year-old conspiracies is… THE JETSONS MEET THE FLINTSTONES. In this episode of Romantasy Roundtable, Rick, Amanda, and Kimberly dive into Sarah J. Maas’s House of Sky and Breath, the second book in the Crescent City series. And yes, we have NOTES. So many notes. Enough notes to apparently fill 38,000 pages. We’re talking Bryce trying desperately to have a normal life, Hunt and Bryce finally embracing the mating bond, Rune and Day’s absolutely fantastic slow-burn romance, Danica’s MANY secrets, the Asteri being interdimensional energy vampires, and the ending that finally connects Crescent City to the Maasverse in the most “HOLY SHIT, THOSE ARE OUR PEOPLE” way possible. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: • Bryce trying to have a normal life… LOL. Absolutely not. • Bryce’s growing responsibility and whether she’s actually becoming a leader • Bryce and Hunt’s relationship, the mating bond, and whether they actually earned it • The best soup in the book: Rune and Day having SEX IN THEIR MINDS • Rune going from “Bryce’s hot brother” to one of the most interesting characters in the book • The reveal that Day is the Hind • Lydia/Hind and the morality of fighting a brutal system from the inside • Cormac: hot, annoying, complicated… and ultimately VERY dead • Ethan finding a new family with Rune, Flynn, Declan, and Theon — aka the frat house for emotionally damaged supernatural men • Theon being an absolute f*****g idiot and somehow repeatedly escaping one magical contract by signing another • The Viper Queen and why we absolutely do NOT trust her… but also kind of do • ARIADNE. THE DRAGON. • First Light and the horrifying truth about how the Asteri harvest the energy of their citizens • SECOND LIGHT — because apparently the Asteri weren’t done being horrifying after death • The Asteri revealed as interdimensional space vampires harvesting entire worlds • Pivian, other worlds, and the massive implications for the Maasverse • Danica’s secrets and why Bryce discovering she barely knew her best friend is devastating • Sophie and Emil, the Thunderbird mystery, and whether their storyline actually paid off • The morally gray rebellion and the question of whether “the good guys” are actually good • The history of Midgard being propaganda written by the victors • Dusk’s Truth, the mysterious Dusk Court theory, and Amanda planting her Maasverse red string board • Bryce’s powers, the Horn, gates, rifts, teleportation, and why her magic might be about ACCESS rather than light • The theory that the gates in Crescent City connect to the gates in Throne of Glass • WHY IS HUNT’S POWER SO COMPATIBLE WITH BRYCE?! • The Asteri controlling everyone by keeping every faction fighting everyone else • Bryce infiltrating the Asteri palace and discovering the truth • Hunt, Rune, Lydia, Baxian, and the absolute chaos of the final confrontation • Bryce grabbing the Star Sword, opening a rift, and YEETING HERSELF THROUGH A PORTAL • And then… THE ACOTAR INNER CIRCLE. And then we have to discuss THE ENDING. Rick had the full “HOLY SHIT” reaction. Kimberly didn’t even get to experience it properly because Rick insisted on reading the final scene to her. And Amanda… well, Amanda had been waiting for the famous Maasverse pizza and discovered that the pizza was, in fact, just pizza. Basically, everyone told Amanda: “You HAVE to finish Crescent City 2. Something HUGE happens.” Something huge happened. It was people from ACOTAR. Amanda: “THAT’S IT?! I HAVE TO READ ANOTHER 865 PAGES?!” We also debate whether House of Sky and Breath actually delivers on its massive lore setup, whether Sarah J. Maas has simply created Too Many F*****g Characters™, and whether the multiverse connection makes the Asteri threat infinitely more interesting. FINAL RATING: 4 stars / 3.5 soup (And yes, Rick was literally riding an Icelandic pony while we figured this out.) SPOILERS: This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for House of Sky and Breath and major Maasverse/ACOTAR discussion. If you haven't finished the book, GO READ IT FIRST! HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH Sarah J. Maas Crescent City #2 Next up: HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW. Then Threshing Day. Then our MASSIVE Maasverse red-string prediction episode. And then… ACOTAR 6. If you enjoyed the episode, PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a comment! And most importantly… WAS THE ACOTAR CAMEO WORTH 800+ PAGES OF QUESTIONS?! Find us everywhere: Instagram & TikTok: @RomantasyRoundtable Email: [romantasyroundtable@gmail.com](mailto:romantasyroundtable@gmail.com)

  5. Sep 28

    Crescent City House of Earth and Blood: Review

    Episode Title: Crescent City Pt. 1: House of Earth and Blood! Hawaiian Pizza, Vacuum Cleaners, & Lehabah's Sacrifice! Description: Grab your Baja Blast and order a questionable Hawaiian pie from the corner store, Rose Buds, because we are officially entering Crescent City! With Amanda getting married in less than a week, the Romantasy Roundtable squad is pre-recording an epic three-part deep dive into Sarah J. Maas's most chaotic, divisive, and action-packed series to date. Rick, Amanda, and Kim are breaking down House of Earth and Blood from start to finish! From Rick's legendary pizza theory (ACOTAR is Domino's, Throne of Glass is authentic Italian wood-fired, and Crescent City is NYC pineapple pizza) to Kim's frantic 45-second recap, we tackle every wild piece of Lunathion lore. We are talking four bureaucratic houses, Hebrew angels, cell phones, Magitech labs, the frat-house glory of Ruhn Danaan and the boys, and why Syrinx the lion-pug chimera is the greatest little guy in fantasy. Plus, we walk through the brutal murder of Danica and the Pack of Devils, Hunt Athlar's tragic enslavement, Micah's livestreamed downfall, and the ultimate tearjerker: Lehabah's unforgettable sacrifice. Pack your bags for Midgard and get ready for pure, unhinged romantasy yapping! Key Highlights & What The Squad Said: • The SJM Pizza Analogy: Rick explains why ACOTAR is reliable Domino's, Throne of Glass is a Michelin-star Italian brick-oven pizza, and Crescent City is Hawaiian pizza with pineapple—some people think it's brilliant, others want it slapped out of their face! • Kim's 45-Second Book Speedrun: Kim attempts to recap an 800-page fantasy epic in 45 seconds, shouting about Danica's death, Micah the Archangel, and Bryce sucking up the villain's demonic ashes with a vacuum cleaner! • Midgard Lore & Bureaucracy Overload: The squad breaks down the four houses, the Asteri, the SPQM slave branding, the First Light power grid, and why the Malakim angels have Amanda giving Hebrew language lessons. • Danica, Connor, & The Pack of Devils: Bryce's party-girl world is shattered when her bestie Danica and the entire Pack of Devils are brutally slaughtered. Rick and Kim re-ignite the debate over whether Taylor Swift's Ruin the Friendship is about Bryce and Connor or Aelin and Sam Cortland! • Grumpy / Grumpy Buddy Cops: Fast-forward 22 months: Bryce is paired with Hunt Athlar (the Umbra Mortis). Between stakeouts, panic attacks, and feeding Hunt junk food, the two realize they understand each other's trauma on a molecular level. • Ruhn Danaan & The Frat Boys: Introducing Crown Prince Ruhn Danaan (the star-sword wielding chosen one with a side-shave and lip ring) alongside Declan Emmett and Tristan Flynn, living in an actual frat house swinging from chandeliers. • Syrinx & Lehabah Steal Our Hearts: Syrinx the chimera teleports around biting Hunt's ass, while Lehabah the fire sprite watches reality TV (Fangs and Bangs!) and wins everyone's heart. • The Synth Sting & Betrayal: Hunt secretly plots to steal the military stimulant Synth to restart the rebellion. When the sting goes wrong, Sandriel flogs him and cuts off his wings, forcing Ruhn to invoke Fae law to save Bryce from financial ruin. • Lehabah's Legendary Final Words: Micah traps Bryce in the gallery and drops Syrinx into a tank with a terrifying Nøkk. Lehabah unleashes her unbridled fire magic to shatter the glass, giving her life with the unforgettable words: "My friends are with me, and I am not afraid." • Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Justice: Bryce shoots Micah with the Godslayer rifle, burns his body, and literally vacuums up his demonic remains while all the city rulers watch live on camera! • The Drop & "Light It Up, Bitch": Danica tattooed Luna's Horn onto Bryce's back! Bryce rides her scooter into the fray, plunges into the bedrock of Midgard alone, and Danica anchors her soul from across the veil. Hunt catches her as their powers merge to incinerate every demon in Lunathion! • Sunball Debate & Final Ratings: What even is Sunball? Rugby? Baseball? Blitzball? Amanda rates the book 3.5 stars, Kim gives 3.5 stars, and Rick crowns it 4 stars (and a full 5 stars on reread!). Plus, the squad awards 1.5 cans of soup for that steamy appetizer scene! Closing & Call-To-Action: Where do you stand on Crescent City—do you love the Hawaiian pizza or do the cell phones take you out of the fantasy? Did Lehabah's sacrifice make you sob? Drop your hot takes in the comments below! Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel on YouTube and Spotify, and follow us on Goodreads, StoryGraph, and the Year app. Got theories or want to chat with the crew? Email us at romantasyround@gmail.com! See you next week for House of Sky and Breath!

  6. Sep 21

    ACOTAR: Books Ranked

    Episode Title: ACOTAR Book Rankings: ACOMAF Wins, Silver Flames Chaos & the Christmas Special! Description: Welcome back to the Romantasy Roundtable! In this special ACOTAR episode, Rick, Amanda, and Kim rank all five books in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series in anticipation of ACOTAR 6! From the gateway-to-romantasy magic of A Court of Thorns and Roses to the emotional chaos of A Court of Silver Flames, we're debating which book deserves the crown—and apparently using cover colors because nobody can remember the titles. There are strong opinions, immediate disagreements, Star Wars references, soup, and one very important question: how much shopping is too much shopping? We revisit Feyre's journey, Rhysand's transformation, the Tamlin twist, the war, the Valkyries, Nesta's redemption, Cassian's backstory, and the infamous Chapter 55 soup scene. Plus, we discuss why A Court of Silver Flames is simultaneously a five-star book and, according to Amanda, a zero-star experience whenever Rhysand and Feyre show up. Key Topics Discussed: • The ACOTAR Book Ranking: We rank A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames from worst to best—and yes, the rankings get spicy. • #5: A Court of Frost and Starlight: The Christmas special gets absolutely roasted. Rick's first read was four stars; the reread dropped it to three. Amanda reminds us that the book is basically everyone shopping for Christmas presents, while the part that actually matters is Cassian flying over the mountain and remembering his mother. • #4: A Court of Thorns and Roses: The original gateway into romantasy! We talk about the Beauty and the Beast setup, Amarantha's unforgettable presence, and why this book is important even if the later books are stronger. • #3: A Court of Wings and Ruin: The war-heavy installment may be less memorable for some of us, but the beginning and ending still hit. Feyre infiltrating the Spring Court, creepy twins, Amarantha's legacy, the King of Hybern's death, and Nesta's legendary throat-ripping moment all get their due. • #2: A Court of Silver Flames: Nesta, Cassian, the Valkyries, and SOUP. We talk about why this book has so much going for it—and why the Rhysand/Feyre pregnancy storyline is the one thing holding it back for Amanda and Kim. • #1: A Court of Mist and Fury: The unanimous favorite for Amanda and Kim, and nearly the top choice for Rick. We discuss Feyre's transformation, the expansion of the ACOTAR world, the Rhysand twist, the mating bond reveal, and that unforgettable line: “There you are. I've been looking for you.” • The Chapter 55 Soup Scene: It wouldn't be an ACOTAR ranking without talking about the soup. Rick still considers it one of the defining moments of the series, and we are absolutely not afraid of the soup. • Rhysand Gets Knocked Off the Pedestal: We debate the difference between loving a character and approving of everything they do. Does Silver Flames give us a more complete picture of Rhysand, or did Sarah J. Maas take things too far? • Nesta's Redemption Changes Everything: Rick explains why Silver Flames completely changed his view of Nesta after initially hating her. We discuss hitting rock bottom, growth, redemption, and whether the series is showing us that nobody is truly irredeemable. • What Comes Next for ACOTAR?: We speculate about the future of the series, including the possibility of multiple perspectives, characters working through betrayals, and whether Feyre and Rhysand will actually have to confront what happened in Silver Flames. Closing/Call-to-Action: What is YOUR ACOTAR book ranking? Is A Court of Mist and Fury the undisputed champion, or are you defending Silver Flames, Wings and Ruin, or even the Christmas special? How much did Silver Flames change your opinion of Rhysand and Nesta? Drop your rankings in the comments! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on Goodreads and StoryGraph. Got an ACOTAR hot take or want to argue with Rick about soup? Email us at romancinground@gmail.com! And get ready for Romantasy Fall 2026—because apparently we're all booked.

  7. Sep 15

    Knave and the Moon: 16-End

    THE KNAVE AND THE MOON — Chapters 16–30 | HOW DID IT END?! | Romantasy Roundtable WE MADE IT TO THE END. And somehow we went from “haha funny gargoyle in a pink robe” to earthquakes, forest fires, royal coups, martyrdom, death, resurrection, and a gargoyle who might literally be becoming a storytelling god. In this episode of Romantasy Roundtable, Rick, Amanda, and Kimberly finish Rachel Gillig’s The Knave and the Moon, the second book in the Stonewater Kingdom duology, covering Chapters 16 through 30. And yes… there are A LOT of feelings. We’re talking about Bartholomew being the absolute MVP, Benji spiraling further into madness, Rory and Cybil’s relationship, the truth behind the sacred spring and the Tour, and the increasingly unhinged ways Rachel Gillig manages to make us love these characters before absolutely DESTROYING US. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: • Rory putting Benji in his place… and why that definitely comes back to bite him • Bartholomew. In. The. Pink. Robe. • The lore behind sprites, gargoyles, stone, and the Stonewater Kingdom • Rory and Cybil’s reunion, romance, and some VERY important “soup” • Cybil’s determination to sacrifice herself and whether the book gives that storyline enough emotional weight • Benji’s increasingly unhinged descent into villainy • The tournament of champions and Bartholomew absolutely DOMINATING • Hamlin Fischer being exactly as awful as we expected • The forest fire, the deaths, and Bartholomew’s heartbreaking sacrifice • The truth about the Tour and the ancient sprite beneath it • Bartholomew’s relationship with the children of the kingdom — prepare yourselves • Cybil giving Bartholomew a surname and WHY IT IS SO DAMN SWEET • Rory’s love confession • The return of the sheepkin rug™ • Ma Bower becoming king… and then THAT happening • The final duel between Cybil and Benji • Benji’s final fate and why Rick actually felt bad for the little bastard • Bartholomew’s death… • THE ENDING. THE ENDING. THE ENDING. • The beautiful final chapters and the idea that stories change every time they’re told • Whether the entire Stonewater Kingdom duology could actually be one of Bartholomew’s retellings • Our final ratings: 5 Stars and TWO SOUPS We also talk about why The Knave and the Moon made us appreciate The Knight and the Moth even MORE, how Rachel Gillig manages to blend romance, fantasy, darkness, whimsy, and almost Disney-movie-level storytelling, and why this duology feels like two halves of one complete story. And, naturally, we have to discuss Bartholomew’s impeccable vocabulary, including his truly elite use of the word “bitch.” Plus: Rick gives another shoutout to Robert Biehn’s The First Stone, Kimberly continues reading it, Amanda is apparently planning a wedding instead of reading, and we reveal what’s coming next on Romantasy Roundtable! SPOILERS: This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Knave and the Moon AND The Knight and the Moth. If you haven’t finished the duology, GO READ IT FIRST! THE KNAVE AND THE MOON Rachel Gillig Stonewater Kingdom #2 If you enjoyed the episode, PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a comment! Tell us what YOU thought of the ending, whether you saw the twists coming, and most importantly… DID BARTHOLOMEW DESERVE THIS MUCH PAIN?! Find us everywhere: Instagram & TikTok: @RomantasyRoundtable Email: romantasyroundtable@gmail.com

  8. Sep 7

    Knave and the Moon: 1-15

    Description: Welcome back, Rose Buds! After conquering Kingdom of Ash and cleansing our palettes with Heartstopper, and ACOTAR reactions, the Romantasy Roundtable is officially kicking off spooky fantasy season with Rachel Gillig's brand-new release, The Knave on the Moon (Chapters 1 through 15)! Rick, Amanda, and Kim are back in the studio diving into the first half of the epic Stonewater Kingdom duology conclusion. But before we get to our favorite one-winged stone bat, we have got to tackle the critical news: Taco Bell bringing back the Choco Taco, Kim consuming an entire birthday chocolate cake in 48 hours, Rick confusing Eleanor Roosevelt with Marie Antoinette during the Great Depression, and our brand-new official partnership with the Yearn app! Plus, Rick gives early love to an incredible ARC fantasy, The First Stone by Robert Biehn. Then, it is straight into the gothic, eerie world of Erilea meets gothic folklore as Sybil Delling and an amnesiac Rory Mandacius fight their way through King Benedict III's corrupt Five Hamlet Tournament. Grab your mild sauce, put on your fluffiest pink thrift-flower gown, and let us dive into the madness! Key Highlights & What The Squad Said: • Taco Bell & Marie Antoinette History Lessons: Rick celebrates the return of the Choco Taco (aka Churro Taco) and claims Eleanor Roosevelt said "Let them eat cake" during the Great Depression, while Kim celebrates her birthday with an entire grocery store chocolate cake. • ARC Spotlight - The First Stone: Rick and Kim gush over an early ARC of The First Stone by Robert Biehn, describing it as Mistborn meets Avatar: The Last Airbender with elemental magic, fantastic pacing, and clean YA worldbuilding edited by the editor of Red Rising. • Prologue Lore - The Cosmic Maiden Buffet: The squad breaks down the creepy mythological prologue where mortals devour an all-knowing cosmic maiden in the Fields of Broograss, forcing her into an eternal slumber of minor tunes that mirrors the looming plot. • Sybil Trapped & Benji Barlow's Forced Wedding: Sybil wakes in Castle Lurch, attempts to strangle King Benji Barlow, and ruins her silk bridal gown with rancid Oxeye sedative before tree sprites crash the sham ceremony. • Rory's Amnesia & Jason Bourne Reflexes: Rory wakes up covered in blood on the Tor with zero memories, gets tackled by Ma Bower, and learns he technically died. Rick compares Rory's instinctual combat hammer skills to Jason Bourne. • Bartholomew is the GOAT of Little Guys: The one-winged stone gargoyle returns in all his unhinged glory, complaining about wool slippers, rocking a pink thrift-flower gown, dropping iconic quotes ("What an arduous process as it is to wait"), and being the absolute goat of sidekicks. • The Five Hamlet Tournament & Eye-Eating Birks: Benji sets up a traveling tournament across the hamlets to flex his stolen stone relics, while the squad faces off against terrifying eyeball-eating Burks in the Chiming Wood. • The Living Sixth Relic: Sybil realizes the prophecies were manufactured, but she herself is the living sixth magical relic, setting her mission to enter the games, destroy every stone object, and kill the king. • The Loomstone Heist & Rory Remembers: At the Coulson Fair lists, Ma Bower shatters her jousting lance against the royal box, allowing Rory to snatch the Loomstone from Torie Basset's neck. His memories flood back: foundling origins, King Benedict I, and his undying love for Sybil. • The Melee & The Knave Unmasked: Dedric Lang beats Sybil's abdominal wound with steel-toed boots, but the mysterious Nave enters the arena with a stonemason's hammer and Sybil's silk scrap, snapping Dedric's wrist and unmasking himself as Rory! • Intimate Blood Divination: In the secret canal factory, Rory fakes amnesia in front of a drunk, paranoid Benji. Sybil grants him his champion's divination, hungrily taking spring-water-infused blood from his finger as Rory whispers their private sacred vow. • The Library Collapse & Pink Robe Rescue: An earthquake crumbles the Harried Scribe's library, Sybil smashes the inkwell relic, and as she nearly drowns in the freezing Tenner River, Bartholomew in his pink robe pulls her from the depths ("There you are, Bartholomew!"). • Disney Princess Hunger Games Debate: Rick derails the pod with a rapid-fire Disney Princess Hunger Games debate: Mulan vs Merida vs Jasmine (with Elsa disqualified for being a queen!). Closing & Call-To-Action: Are you terrified for Bartholomew's crumbling stone wing? Can Sybil reverse her calcified body? Drop your wildest theories in the comments below! Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel wherever you watch or listen, and find us on Instagram, TikTok, and the Year app. Got book recommendations or want to reach out? Email us at romantasyround@gmail.com! See you next week as we finish The Knave on the Moon with Chapters 16 through the end!

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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to Romantasy Roundtable: A Tale of Rick and Roses! Join us for an engaging book club and read-along experience as we explore the enchanting world of romantasy, diving into captivating stories and unforgettable moments together! Hosted by Rick and his "roses," this podcast-style channel explores the most spellbinding books in the romantic fantasy genre. What You'll Find Here: Read-alongs of popular romantasy books. Thoughtful analysis of characters, plot twists, and those unforgettable spicy moments. A warm and inclusive space for book lovers to share their thoughts and join the conversation. Always lighthearted, fun, and a bit unhinged Join the Court! Become part of our growing community of romantasy enthusiasts. Share your favorite books, theories, and moments with fellow "rosebuds." New Episodes Grab a book and settle in for an adventure filled with magic and love. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

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