Book Talk for BookTok

Latest Episodes:

Throne of Glass: Chapters 11 - 15 Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Best friends Jac and Amy conduct a literary analysis of Sarah J. Maas's debut novel, Throne of Glass. In this episode, they discuss chapters 11-15.

Each episode is broken into 2 parts. This is part 1 of this week's episode. Stick around for part 2, which airs on Thursday.

(Spoilers for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire will be discussed. Any larger series or other SJM spoilers will be reserved for the end of Thursday's episode in part 2.)

Every episode, Jac and Amy use their combined 13 years of literary academic training to analyze and give voice to reasons why you may love or hate today's popular books. They embrace and respect modern fantasy, romance, and romantasy books written by women. And so, it is in their nature to analyze these books as you would any other novel you might have discussed in school.

Chapter summary for this week's episodes:

With Chaol at her side, Celaena forces her body beyond its limits in her effort to prepare for the looming first trial in her bid to become the King’s Champion. She judges her competitors at the first gathering of the group, and more than once Celaena wishes she could put each of them in their place. However, at the command of her sponsors, Celaena tries to perform in the middle of the pack without standing out enough to do well or poorly during her training. Along the way, she meets Nehemia, another potential ally or foe who is similarly captive in the palace at Rifthold. In the end, it takes all of Celaena’s strength and will to successfully complete the first Test.

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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.

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Throne of Glass: Chapters 7 - 10 (Part 2) Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Best friends Jac and Amy conduct a literary analysis of Sarah J. Maas's debut novel, Throne of Glass. In this episode, they discuss chapters 7-10.

Each episode is broken into 2 parts. This is part 2 of this week's episode. Come back on Tuesday where they will explore chapters 11 - 15.

(Spoilers for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire will be discussed. Any larger series or other SJM spoilers will be reserved for the end of Thursday's episode in part 2.)

Chapter summary for this week's episodes:

Following her year of slavery, Celaena Sardothien returns to Rifthold as a guest of the palace and would-be Champion with Dorian and Chaol. Despite Celaena’s wariness of the glass castle, the assassin finds herself pleased with her accommodations and the ready supply of books Dorian is willing to give her. But unlike Dorian, many are unhappy with Celaena’s presence, including the King of Adarlan, who does not hold back his ire regarding Dorian’s choice of Champion. Meanwhile, Celaena does her best to hide her fear of the king and her disdain about her missteps as a competitor on the eve of the competition’s first trial.

Sponsors:

Manscaped! Give him the gift of grooming this Valentine’s Day! Get 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com. That’s 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com!

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

Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok

TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok

YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok

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

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Throne of Glass: Chapters 7 - 10 Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Best friends Jac and Amy conduct a literary analysis of Sarah J. Maas's debut novel, Throne of Glass. In this episode, they discuss chapters 7-10.

Each episode is broken into 2 parts. This is part 1 of this week's episode. Stick around for part 2, which airs on Thursday.

(Spoilers for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire will be discussed. Any larger series or other SJM spoilers will be reserved for the end of Thursday's episode in part 2.)

Chapter summary for this week's episodes:

Sponsors:

Manscaped! Give him the gift of grooming this Valentine’s Day! Get 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com. That’s 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com!

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

Throne of Glass: Chapters 1 - 6 (Part 2) Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our 10-part literary analysis of Sarah J. Maas’s debut fantasy novel, Throne of Glass. In this episode, we explore chapters 1–6 and begin our deep dive into Celaena Sardothien’s story. From slave in Endovier to contender for the King’s Champion.

Each week, best friends Jac and Amy bring 13 years of combined academic literary training to their analysis of modern fantasy, romance, and romantasy. In Part 1 of this week’s episode, we examine how Throne of Glass introduces themes of agency, identity, and survival in a brutal empire—and how Celaena’s history as Adarlan’s most feared assassin shapes her every step toward freedom.

This is Part 2 of this week’s episode. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there for full context. In this second half, we continue our discussion with a deeper dive into character dynamics, evolving worldbuilding, and the literary techniques that shape Celaena’s introduction.

Spoiler Note: This discussion includes spoilers for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire. Any larger series spoilers (including Empire of Storms, Kingdom of Ash, Tower of Dawn, or House of Earth and Blood) are reserved for Part 2 of the episode.

If you’re new to our podcast, we also recommend checking out our full literary breakdowns of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series and Crescent City (House of Earth and Blood) for even more in-depth SJM discussion.

Chapter Summary: After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien is given the chance of a lifetime: to compete for the role of the King’s Champion and earn back her freedom. Despite the lack of respect she receives from the Crown Prince of Adarlan and the Captain of the Guard, Celaena agrees to their terms of engagement to enter the competition as Dorian’s candidate for Champion. Over the following weeks, Celaena—formerly Adarlan’s greatest assassin—travels in chains with the Prince’s retinue back to the capital city, while the past and many secrets that haunt her lurk around every corner.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Submit your thoughts at ⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠ for a chance to be featured in a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

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

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Throne of Glass: Chapters 1 - 6 Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

This episode is Part 1 of 2. Stick around for Part 2, airing Thursday, where we continue the conversation and expand on character dynamics, worldbuilding, and narrative technique.

Chapter Summary:
After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien is given the chance of a lifetime: to compete for the role of the King’s Champion and earn back her freedom. Despite the lack of respect she receives from the Crown Prince of Adarlan and the Captain of the Guard, Celaena agrees to their terms of engagement to enter the competition as Dorian’s candidate for Champion. Over the following weeks, Celaena—formerly Adarlan’s greatest assassin—travels in chains with the Prince’s retinue back to the capital city, while the past and many secrets that haunt her lurk around every corner.

Let’s keep the conversation going!
Submit your thoughts at booktalkforbooktok.com for a chance to be featured in a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion.

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

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

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

Throne of Glass Season Trailer Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

"My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, and I will NOT be afraid."

If that quote from Sarah J. Maas’ "Throne of Glass" series gives you full-body chills, then you’ve come to the right place.

Hi! We’re Book Talk for BookTok with Jac and Amy, a literary podcast where we take the romantasy books you love seriously.

We use our academic background to provide an in-depth literary analysis on Sarah J. Maas’ debut novel "Throne of Glass." It’s just like we’re back in English Lit class, but with more jokes.

So tune in every Tuesday and Thursday to get your dose of "Throne of Glass" with your book besties.

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

The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole (Part 2) Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our Winter Book Club! Each week we provide a flash analysis of some of BookTok's favorite books.

This week, we discuss "The Book of Azrael" by Amber Nicole. This is part two of this week's episode.

Sponsor:

Visit Wildgrain.com/BOOKTALK, or you can use promo code BOOKTALK at

checkout to get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box when you start your subscription.

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

The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole (Part 1) Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our Winter Book Club! Each week we provide a flash analysis of some of BookTok's favorite books.

This week, we discuss "The Book of Azrael" by Amber Nicole. This is part one of this week's episode. Stick around for part two, which airs on Thursday.

Sponsor:

Visit Wildgrain.com/BOOKTALK, or you can use promo code BOOKTALK at

checkout to get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box when you start your subscription.

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

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah (Part 2) Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our Winter Book Club! Each week we provide a flash analysis of some of BookTok's favorite books.

This week, we discuss "The Stardust Thief" by Chelsea Abdullah. This is part two of this week's episode.

Sponsor:

Manscaped - Get 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com.

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

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah (Part 1) Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to our Winter Book Club! Each week we provide a flash analysis of some of BookTok's favorite books.

This week, we discuss "The Stardust Thief" by Chelsea Abdullah. This is part one of this week's episode. Stick around for part two, which airs on Thursday.

Sponsor:

Manscaped - Get 20% off + free shipping with the code BOOKTALK at Manscaped.com.

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

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