Book Talk for BookTok

Latest Episodes:

Crown of Midnight Chapters 6–11: Celaena vs. Destiny – Who’s in Control? Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Book Talk for BookTok! In Episode 2 of our Crown of Midnight season, Jac and Amy analyze chapters 6–11 of Sarah J. Maas’s second book in the Throne of Glass series. Celaena Sardothien navigates haunted hallways, political games, and romantic tension, but beneath it all lies a deeper struggle between fate, freedom, and identity. This is part 1 of this week's episode.

This week, we ask:
Which expectations placed on our characters are new, and which have carried over from the previous book?

We unpack major literary themes and moments, including:
– Mirror imagery and characters as reflections of each other
– Fate vs. free will, especially for Celaena, Dorian, and Nehemia
– The weaponization of sex and gender roles
– Ownership, isolation, and who really “knows” Celaena

From Mort the talking skull to Celaena’s deadly dinner with Archer Finn, this section reveals how destiny and denial shape the heroine’s next steps. As always, we apply two academic literary lenses to guide our analysis:

– Jac uses a feminist lens to explore power, perception, and performance
– Amy uses a Marxist lens to analyze rebellion, control, and structural pressure

Spoilers ahead for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire.

Sponsors:

Babbel: We're partnering with Babbel to gift you 55% off subscriptions, but only for our listeners. Go to Babbel.com/BOOKTALK.

ZocDoc: Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/BOOKTALK to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured!
Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show:
Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok
Merch: Etsy Store

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok
TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok
YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok

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Crown of Midnight Chapters 1–5: Assassin, Spy, Queen? (Literary Analysis, Part 2) Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Book Talk for BookTok! Best friends Jac and Amy return to break down Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glassseries. In this premiere episode, we dive intochapters 1–5, where Celaena Sardothien is no longer just Adarlan’s most feared assassin; she’s the King’s Champion, but not in the way everyone thinks.

This is part 2 of this week's episode.

Through our signature academic literary analysis (backed by our 13 years of combined literary training), we explore themes of misinformation, identity, shifting power dynamics, and imaginary lines between people, personas, and political loyalties.

Spoilers ahead for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire.

This season, we’re asking: Has Crown of Midnight truly prepared Celaena for her future as Aelin Galathynius?

This episode starts with that question and more: – How are Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol navigating their changing relationships? – What role does dissociation play in the early narration? – And why is Celaena’s fashion sense so symbolically important?

We apply a feminist lens (Jac) and a Marxist lens (Amy) to unpack character arcs, foreshadowing, and major literary breadcrumbs you may have missed.

If you love: 🗡 Morally gray female protagonists 📚 Literary analysis meets fandom ❤️‍🔥 Enemies-to-lovers, love triangles, and character trauma 🔥 Spicy theory debates and SJM universe connections ...you’re in the right place.

Sponsors:

Babbel: We're partnering with Babbel to gift you 55% off subscriptions, but only for our listeners. Go to Babbel.com/BOOKTALK.

ZocDoc: Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/BOOKTALK to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at ⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show: Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠ Merch: ⁠Etsy Store⁠

Follow Us on Social: Instagram: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠ TikTok: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠ YouTube: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crown of Midnight Chapters 1–5: Assassin, Spy, Queen? (Literary Analysis, Part 1) Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Spoilers ahead for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire.

This season, we’re asking: Has Crown of Midnight truly prepared Celaena for her future as Aelin Galathynius?

This episode starts with that question and more: – How are Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol navigating their changing relationships?
– What role does dissociation play in the early narration?
– And why is Celaena’s fashion sense so symbolically important?

We apply a feminist lens (Jac) and a Marxist lens (Amy) to unpack character arcs, foreshadowing, and major literary breadcrumbs you may have missed.

If you love:
🗡 Morally gray female protagonists
📚 Literary analysis meets fandom
❤️‍🔥 Enemies-to-lovers, love triangles, and character trauma
🔥 Spicy theory debates and SJM universe connections
...you’re in the right place.

Sponsors:

Babbel: We're partnering with Babbel to gift you 55% off subscriptions, but only for our listeners. Go to Babbel.com/BOOKTALK.

ZocDoc: Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/BOOKTALK to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured!
Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show:
Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok
Merch: Etsy Store

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok
TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok
YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preparing for Crown of Midnight: Listener Reactions & All Things Sarah J. Maas Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Before we dive into our upcoming 10-part literary analysis of Crown of Midnight, we’re taking a moment to celebrate all things Sarah J. Maas—with help from YOU, our listeners.

In this special episode, we:

Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments from across the Throne of Glass series
Discuss key characters, worldbuilding, and SJM’s signature writing style
Revisit moments from A Court of Thorns and Roses, House of Earth and Blood, and Kingdom of Ash
Explore how Maas’s storytelling has shaped the romantasy genre and taken over BookTok

Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering her books, this episode is your one-stop refresher before we begin our deep dive into Crown of Midnight.

—

🎧 Book Talk for BookTok is your weekly literary analysis podcast for romantasy, fantasy, and romance. Hosted by best friends Jac and Amy, we bring our combined 13 years of academic training to break down the stories you can’t stop thinking about.

Follow us now to catch our Crown of Midnight deep dive—and revisit our previous seasons on ACOTAR and A Court of Mist and Fury!

Sponsor

Tackle your to-do list today and get 15% off your first task at TaskRabbit.com or on the Taskrabbit app using promo code BOOKTALK.

Let's keep the conversation going Submit them at ⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show: Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠ Merch: ⁠Etsy Store⁠

Follow Us on Social: Instagram: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠ TikTok: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠ YouTube: ⁠@BookTalkForBookTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Wattpad and Fanfiction Are Changing Publishing (with Alessandra Ferreri) Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

How Fanfiction is Reshaping Publishing: A Conversation with Alessandra Ferreri of Wattpad

What do After, The Kissing Booth, and countless BookTok favorites have in common? They all started on Wattpad. In this episode, we sit down with Alessandra Ferreri, Head of Content at Wattpad and self-proclaimed “Fanthropologist,” to explore how fanfiction is influencing the future of publishing, screen adaptations, and Gen Z storytelling.

We dive into:

What makes a fanfic—or fanfic-inspired story—poised for mainstream success
The fan behavior Wattpad studies to identify breakout stories
Popular tropes and character archetypes trending on the platform
How fandom trends evolve from Wattpad to BookTok to bookstores and screens
The growing legitimacy of fanfiction in literary conversations
How Wattpad scouts original voices and builds community-driven success

Whether you're a longtime Wattpad reader or just discovering the platform, this conversation sheds light on how digital storytelling, fan communities, and BookTok trends are reshaping what it means to be a reader—and a writer—in 2025.

🎧 Perfect for fans of BookTok, fanfiction, romantasy, YA fiction, and those curious about the future of publishing.

—

About Our Guest
Alessandra Ferreri is the Head of Content at Wattpad, the global storytelling platform and webnovel leader from WEBTOON Entertainment. With nearly a decade of experience studying fan communities, she balances art and data to discover breakout stories that span books, screens, and genres.

—

✨ Book Talk for BookTok is your weekly deep dive into Romantasy, fantasy, and romance with the academic flair of an English class—but way more fun. Subscribe for author interviews, literary analysis, and all things BookTok-worthy.

Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured!
Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show:
Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok
Merch: Etsy Store

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok
TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok
YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writing Q&A: Fantasy & Romantasy Craft Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Spring Book Club is over, and we're kicking off our next adventure: a 10-part literary analysis of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. But before we dive in, we’re answering your writing questions! From worldbuilding to character arcs, best friends Jac and Amy bring their academic training and literary passion to this special Q&A episode for aspiring romantasy writers and curious readers alike.

Whether you're a fan of Sarah J. Maas or looking to refine your own storytelling craft, this episode is packed with thoughtful, educational insight grounded in deep genre knowledge.

Who we are: Both Jac and Amy hold bachelor's degrees in Creative Writing. Jac also has a Master’s in Comparative Literature, while Amy has a Master’s in Higher Education. With 13 years of combined academic training, we apply literary theory and creative writing frameworks to analyze and understand modern romantasy and help writers elevate their own craft.

If you love smart, bookish conversations about fantasy, romance, and the power of female-centered storytelling, you're in the right place.

What’s next?
We’re starting our Crown of Midnight analysis next week, so now is the perfect time to catch up on our literary breakdowns of A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.

Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured!
Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

Support the Show:
Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok
Merch: Etsy Store

Follow Us on Social:
Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok
TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok
YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vampire's Bargain by Jasmine Walt Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

With 13 years of combined academic literary training, Jac and Amy analyze modern fantasy and romance novels through a critical lens, treating them with the same thoughtfulness and depth as any classic literary text. Whether you love or hate a book, they’ll help you understand why.

Books featured in this Spring Book Club season include:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Quicksilver by Cali Hart
Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
The Vampire’s Bargain by Jasmine Walt

Coming Soon: After Book Club, join us for a 10-part deep-dive literary analysis of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, continuing our popular series on the Throne of Glass saga.

Perfect for fans of:

Romantasy podcast analysis
Fantasy romance book clubs
BookTok and Bookstagram favorites
Women-authored fantasy fiction
Critical deep-dives into bestselling series like ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and more

Let's keep the conversation going! Submit your thoughts to our form on our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) for a chance to have your thoughts discussed during a future mini-episode, or on a Patreon-exclusive episode.

Want to support the show?

Or check out our merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For all other information, visit our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powerless by Lauren Roberts (Part 2) May 28, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Spring Book Club, a weekly literary analysis podcast focused on today’s most popular romantasy and fantasy romance books by women authors. In this episode, best friends Jac and Amy dive into Powerless by Lauren Roberts, breaking down key themes, character development, and why this BookTok favorite has taken the romantasy world by storm. This is Part 2 of this week's episode.

Books featured in this Spring Book Club season include:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Quicksilver by Cali Hart
Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
The Vampire’s Bargain by Jasmine Walt

Coming Soon: After Book Club, join us for a 10-part deep-dive literary analysis of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, continuing our popular series on the Throne of Glass saga.

Perfect for fans of:

Romantasy podcast analysis
Fantasy romance book clubs
BookTok and Bookstagram favorites
Women-authored fantasy fiction
Critical deep-dives into bestselling series like ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and more

Let's keep the conversation going! Submit your thoughts to our form on our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) for a chance to have your thoughts discussed during a future mini-episode, or on a Patreon-exclusive episode.

Want to support the show?

Or check out our merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For all other information, visit our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powerless by Lauren Roberts May 27, 2025

Show notes

With 13 years of combined academic literary training, Jac and Amy analyze modern fantasy and romance novels through a critical lens—treating them with the same thoughtfulness and depth as any classic literary text. Whether you love or hate a book, they’ll help you understand why.

Books featured in this Spring Book Club season include:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Quicksilver by Cali Hart
Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
The Vampire’s Bargain by Jasmine Walt

Coming Soon: After Book Club, join us for a 10-part deep-dive literary analysis of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, continuing our popular series on the Throne of Glass saga.

Perfect for fans of:

Romantasy podcast analysis
Fantasy romance book clubs
BookTok and Bookstagram favorites
Women-authored fantasy fiction
Critical deep-dives into bestselling series like ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and more

Let's keep the conversation going! Submit your thoughts to our form on our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) for a chance to have your thoughts discussed during a future mini-episode, or on a Patreon-exclusive episode.

Want to support the show?

Or check out our merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For all other information, visit our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview with Penn Cole May 22, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Spring Book Club, the weekly podcast where best friends Jac and Amy dive deep into the world of romantasy and fantasy books with in-depth literary analysis, spicy takes, and special guest interviews.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome bestselling romantasy author Penn Cole, creator of the viral Kindred Curse series. We discuss the magical world of Spark of the Everflame, Glow of the Everflame, and Heat of the Everflame, plus get a teaser for the upcoming book, Burn of the Everflame.

With a combined 13 years of academic literary training, hosts Jac and Amy bring scholarly insight and passion to the world of fantasy, romance, and romantasy. During their Spring Book Club, they dive into today’s most popular fantasy romance novels, analyzing themes, tropes, character arcs, and storytelling techniques with the same depth and rigor found in college literature classes. This is a podcast where TikTok book favorites and BookTok bestsellers are treated with the same respect as literary classics, especially books written by women in the fantasy and romance genres.

Spring Book Club is your go-to romantasy podcast for in-depth book discussions, literary analysis, and author interviews.

Spring Book Club Reading Roster:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Quicksilver by Cali Hart
Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
The Vampire’s Bargain by Jasmine Walt

Sponsor:

Visit Olive and June for 20% off your first System! OliveAndJune.com/BookTalk

What’s Coming Next? Don’t go anywhere when Spring Book Club wraps up, we’re launching a 10-part literary analysis series on Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. We’ll dive deep into plot structure, character development, world-building, and the themes that make this fan-favorite installment in the Throne of Glass series so unforgettable.

Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and anyone who loves thoughtful breakdowns of popular romantasy books.

Want to support the show?

Or check out our merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BookTalkForBookTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For all other information, visit our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://booktalkforbooktok.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices