A Novel Bunch

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood: (Ch 49-72): The Clue Danika Left… “Through Love, All Is Possible”

#061: This week on A Novel Bunch, we covered chapters 49–72 of House of Earth and Blood and BUNCHIES… Sarah J. Maas officially chose violence. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Bryce and Hunt’s investigation into Danika’s death spirals into absolute chaos as new clues reveal the truth behind the Horn, Synth, and what REALLY happened the night the Pack of Devils died. First of all… WHAT DO YOU MEAN Danika may have been involved with Synth!? We uncover terrifying footage from secret Synth trials, learn the drug is basically synthetic magic capable of turning humans into monsters, and discover Danika was secretly investigating it long before her death. But every answer only raises more questions. Meanwhile Bryce summons Aidas, Prince of the Chasm—aka one of the most suspiciously hot demon princes ever—and he drops cryptic warnings about Bryce’s future, her power, and the fact that the Oracle “did not see” what he did. Casual!!! We also get MAJOR lore reveals: Ruhn’s legendary starborn sword was forged from the same meteorite as a missing dagger tied to an ancient prophecy… and yes BUNCHIES, we are absolutely spiraling over the possible ACOTAR connection. And emotionally? These chapters DESTROYED us. Bryce opens up about the motorcycle crash that nearly killed her and Danika, Hunt reveals the heartbreaking truth about his mother and why he joined Shahar’s rebellion, and the two somehow become even more emotionally codependent while pretending they’re “just roommates.” Oh—and then comes the kiss. THE KISS!!!!! After Bryce endures excruciating pain to extract venom from her leg wound, Hunt talks her through it, comforts her… and gives her the softest little kiss that had us LOSING OUR MINDS. But naturally SJM rips our hearts out immediately after. Because Hunt has been hiding the truth. Not only did he know about Synth… he secretly worked with Viktoria and Justinian to try to overthrow the Archangels using it. And worst of all? He believed Danika may have taken Synth the night she died and accidentally slaughtered her own pack before summoning the kristallos demon. Bryce is devastated. Furious. Betrayed. And then things somehow get EVEN WORSE. Justinian is brutally executed. Viktoria’s soul is trapped forever. Hunt is handed back over to Sandriel. Bryce offers MILLIONS to buy his freedom—and even offers herself in exchange—but Hunt rejects her to protect her. Then, in true SJM fashion, the chapters end with Bryce being attacked by a kristallos demon while everything around her completely falls apart.  WE ARE NOT OKAY. Let's get into it, Bunchies!

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood: (Ch 35-48): Wait... WHO Really Stole the Horn!?

#060: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving deeper into Crescent City House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas and BUNCHIES… the plot officially THICKENED. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Bryce and Hunt’s investigation into Danika’s murder takes a dangerous turn after a bombing at the White Raven leaves Bryce injured—and forces Hunt into full protective mode. Suddenly our reluctant duo is living together, sharing late-night banter, trauma dumps, and enough tension to power Crescent City itself. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the Horn gets WAY bigger. We learn Danika was secretly investigating the Horn before her death… the temple footage was tampered with… Sabine Fendyr may be hiding something… and ancient legends reveal the Horn can only be wielded by someone Starborn. As Bryce and Hunt dig deeper into demon attacks, rebel groups, underground tunnels, and hidden truths, we also get some MAJOR emotional reveals—Bryce’s heartbreaking visit to the Oracle, Hunt opening up about Shahar, and the two of them slowly becoming each other’s safe place whether they want to admit it or not. Oh—and the flirting? OFF. THE. CHARTS. From Jelly Jubilee unicorns and jealous Hunt moments to almost-kisses constantly getting interrupted, these two are driving us insane in the best way. But then SJM drops the bombshell of all bombshells: Danika Fendyr stole the Horn. And suddenly… nothing we thought we knew about that night feels true anymore. Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood: (Ch 1–24): We Were NOT Ready for Chapter 5…

#059: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re kicking off Crescent City House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas—and BUNCHIES… we were not prepared. *SPOILERS AHEAD* We meet Bryce Quinlan: party girl, art dealer, and absolute IT girl of Crescent City—living her best life alongside her ride-or-die, Danika Fendyr. And then… everything is ripped away. What starts as a lush, chaotic world filled with Houses, angels, Fae politics, and ancient power quickly turns DARK when a brutal, inhuman massacre wipes out Danika and the entire Pack of Devils in a single night. And Bryce? She comes face-to-face with the horror that did it.  From there, we spiral into grief, mystery, and a city that feels anything but safe. Enter Hunt Athalar—Umbra Mortis, enslaved assassin, and walking weapon—assigned to watch Bryce as a new murder surfaces… identical to Danika’s. Coincidence? Absolutely not. Now Bryce is pulled into an investigation she never asked for, forced to confront the truth about that night, Danika’s secrets, and the chilling reality that the killer never stopped hunting. We’re breaking down the emotional devastation, the insane world-building, Bryce and Hunt’s tension-filled dynamic, and all the early clues (because you KNOW SJM is planting seeds). Because one thing is clear already: This wasn’t random. And it’s far from over. Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

Onyx Storm | Live Reading (Ch 65–66) + Recap (Ch 50–66): “Don’t Look for Me.”

#058: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into the FINAL chapters of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… we are not okay. *SPOILERS AHEAD* We’re breaking down chapters 50–66 AND doing a live reading of chapters 65 & 66—and yeah… it’s as chaotic, devastating, and jaw-on-the-floor as you’d expect. It all starts with Violet’s second signet fully emerging—dream walking—which opens up a terrifying new layer of power (and danger). Because if she can enter dreams… who else can? And more importantly, can she change them?  From there, everything escalates. The Irids return, Andarna makes a shocking choice, and we uncover major truths about Dunne, devotion, and the gods themselves. Violet’s past? Not what we thought. Her future? Still unwritten, but very much in play. Meanwhile, the war explodes. Losses hit HARD. Loyalties are tested. And Violet is forced to lead in ways that cost her pieces of herself along the way. Then we hit chapter 64… and everything snaps into place. Aaric is a precog. Not partial. Not limited. He knows. He’s been knowing. And Violet? She’s been walking straight into fate this entire time.  And then… Xaden. Chapter 65 changes everything. The betrayal. The bond. The “new brother.” The moment he finally breaks, and the reason why? Gut wrenching. We’re spiraling over the venin reveals, the Irid power hierarchy, Violet’s connection to both Dunne and Malek, and the terrifying realization that power—true power—always comes at a cost. And that ending? Yeah... “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.” Absolutely shattered us. Let’s get into it, Bunchies!

Onyx Storm (Ch 33-49): Enter the Irids… (Andarna's Seventh Breed Is HERE)

#57: This week on A Novel Bunch, we’re diving into chapters 33–49 of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and BUNCHIES… we are officially in emotional warfare. *SPOILERS AHEAD* We land on Hedotis expecting wisdom and instead get manipulation, mind games, and XADEN’S MOM?? Yeah… enter Talia. But it also unlocks something deeper—because now we’re not just seeing his power shift… we’re seeing why. And that shift is getting worse. From poisoning plots to political alliances, every isle tests the squad in a new way, but the real tension is internal. Xaden is fighting himself. Hard. The control is slipping, the instincts are darker, and when he says he’d rather feel nothing than risk hurting Violet? Yeah. We’re spiraling. Meanwhile, Violet is stepping UP. Like… full command energy. Strategy, leadership, sacrifice, she’s becoming exactly what everyone needs… even if it costs her everything. Then we hit Zehyllna and things go from chaotic to devastating. Losses stack up (Trager?? Sila??), the “gifts” feel more like ominous setups, and Violet starts piecing together something massive: fate isn’t random here. It’s calculated. And then… the Irids. SIX of them. Watching. Judging. Refusing to help. Confirming our worst fear: there is no cure for venin. Not a clean one, at least. The soul is stripped piece by piece… and once it’s gone? It’s gone. Except… Violet doesn’t believe that. And neither do we. Because now the secret is out. Xaden is turning, and Violet finally tells her squad. The fallout? Surprisingly loyal. But the question shifts from if they can save him… to what happens if they can’t. Back in Aretia, everything starts collapsing. The wards are failing, venin are infiltrating leadership, and the war is no longer coming—it’s HERE. And just when we think Xaden might hold the line… another shadow wielder emerges. Yeah. Magic is rebalancing. And it’s not in his favor. But the most terrifying part? Even after everything—the fear, the distance, the literal countdown on his soul—Xaden still chooses Violet. Still comes back. Still fights it. 73 days without channeling. 73 days of control. And when they finally give in to each other… he doesn’t lose it. Which means one thing: Maybe he’s not too far gone. We’re breaking down Xaden’s unraveling, Violet’s rise to power, the Irid revelations, the “no cure” debate, and the growing theory that fate, love, and war are all tied to the same irreversible force. Because if love changes the soul… What happens when that soul is already breaking? Let’s get into it, Bunchies!