A Court of Cortisol and Chaos

Episode 8: Eo — Sacrifice, Symbolism, and Storytelling | ACOCAC Podcast

Before we begin, we want to name that this episode discusses character death, gendered violence in storytelling, and the concept of fridging. We’re approaching this as a literary discussion, not a definitive statement, and we’re interested in exploring multiple interpretations. This episode is us thinking out loud, challenging each other, and engaging thoughtfully with complex ideas. In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re joined by special guest Antoinette (@antoinettecealopesreads). We start with a lighthearted Kiss, Marry, Kill before moving into a deeper conversation about Eo from Red Rising. We discuss Eo’s role in the narrative, her function as a symbolic catalyst, comparisons to a Lucretia figure, the concept of fridging, and how her death shapes Darrow and the broader story. Our goal isn’t to arrive at one definitive interpretation, but to examine how these storytelling choices function and what questions they raise about narrative structure and character motivation. Check out Antoinette’s Podcast: The Literary Guillotine @AntoinetteCeaLopes ✨ Fable Book Club — Read & Yap with ACOCAC February Book Club: Legendborn by Tracy Deonnhttps://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts 🔗 Follow us & find everything in one place:https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos 📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR.

Episode 7: Galentines Day & Bookish Superlatives | ACOCAC Podcast

It’s Galentines Day, and we’re doing what we do best: talking books and gently roasting each other.In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we play bookish superlatives and share our all-time favorite couples, found families, underrated ships, and the characters we’ll defend forever—mostly from the Sarah J. Maas universe, with a few side quests along the way.It’s a laid-back, friendship-forward episode full of fandom opinions, laughs, and very strong feelings about fictional people.Our Galentines Bookish Superlatives Lindsay All-Time Favorite Couple Aelin and Rowan – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Favorite Found Family Dramione Slytherins – Harry Potter fanfiction Throne of Glass crew – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Most Underrated Couples Ruhn and Lidia – Crescent City, Sarah J. Maas Chaol and Yrene – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Favorite Ship Dain and Sloane – The Empyrean Series, Rebecca Yarros ⸻ Amy All-Time Favorite Couple Bryce and Hunt – Crescent City, Sarah J. Maas Favorite Found Family Nesta and the Valkyries – A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Maas Most Underrated Couples Lilith and Zahariev – Terror at the Gates, Scarlett St. Clair Sybil and Rory – The Knight and the Moth, Rachel Gillig Favorite Ship Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas ⸻ Dominique All-Time Favorite Couple Darien and Loren – City of Gods and Monsters, Kayla Edwards Favorite Found Family For Whom the Belle Tolls – Jaysea Lynn Most Underrated Couples Lilith and Zahariev – Terror at the Gates, Scarlett St. Clair Sybil and Rory – The Knight and the Moth, Rachel Gillig Favorite Ships Celaena and Dorian – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Rowan and Lorcan – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas ⸻ Addy All-Time Favorite Couple Dorian and Manon – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Favorite Found Family Playing for Keeps – Becka Mack Most Underrated Couples Nesryn and Sartaq – Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas Rook and Regan – Rook & Rebel, Kate Crew Iris and Roman – Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross Jory, Ky, and Asher – Warrior Princess Assassin, Brigid Kemmerer Favorite Ship Darrow and Mustang – Red Rising, Pierce BrownIf you love romantasy, messy fandom opinions, and Galentines energy, this one’s for you.✨ February Fable Book Club Pick: Legendborn by Tracy DeonnRead along with us in Read & Yap with ACOCAC:https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979📌 Follow us & find everything in one place🔗 https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaosTikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.comThanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

Episode 6: Galentines, Valentines, & Overrated Book Boyfriends | ACOCAC Podcast

February kicks off with a Galentines/Valentines-inspired episode—and yes, we start with a little controversy. In this week’s episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we talk about overrated book boyfriends (respectfully… mostly), then move into romance-forward recommendations for every kind of February reader: * One Valentine’s Day read * One Galentines Day pick * One BIPOC / LGBTQ+ recommendation We also get personal—sharing stories about our own relationships, how we met our significant others, and why romantasy as a genre matters so deeply to us. Books Mentioned: Lindsay Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love - isthisselfcare Yes Please - Amy Poehler Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid Amy Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver An Ancient Witches Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward  Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Addy Tourist Season - Brynne Weaver Untamed - Glennon Doyle  Give me more - Sara Cate  Daydream - Hannah Grace  Dominique The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid House of Rayne - Harley LaRoux Big Gay Wedding - Byron Lane ✨ February Fable Book Club Pick: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Join Read & Yap with ACOCAC on Fable: https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979 [https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979] 📌 Follow us + find everything in one place 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos 🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts 📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

S2 Ep. 5: Red Rising — Our Final Thoughts | ACOCAC Podcast

⚠️ This episode contains spoilers for Red Rising ⚠️ In Season 2, Episode 5, we’re sharing our full spoiler reactions to Red Rising by Pierce Brown. We break down our thoughts on the characters, major plot points, and the moments that completely shifted our opinions—plus whether we’re ready to keep going with the series. We also talk about what we loved, what didn’t fully land for us, and what we’re hoping to see in the next books. If you’ve finished Red Rising and need to process it with someone, this episode is for you. Hoodies provided by MadebyMoorelight:madebymoorelight.etsy.com 📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC January: Red Rising by Pierce Brown February: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979 [https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979] 📌 Follow us TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos [https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos] 📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com [ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com] 📚 Book Discussed: • Red Rising — Pierce Brown 💫 Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

S2 Ep. 4: Alchemised, Manacled & the Fandom Conversation | ft. Emily.Reads.ALot | ACOCAC Podcast

Emily (@emily.reads.alot) is back for Part 3 of our Alchemised miniseries, and this episode dives headfirst into one of the most complicated conversations in modern fandom. We talk about Alchemised and Manacled, the legacy of Harry Potter, and whether works inspired by that universe still have a place at the table. This is a nuanced discussion about fanfiction, fandom culture, transformative works, and how readers navigate loving stories while grappling with the harm tied to their origins. This episode is thoughtful, honest, and rooted in conversation—not conclusions. 📚 Join our Fable Book Club — Read and Yap with ACOCAC We’re currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown February's book will be Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 🔗 https://fable.co/club/read-yap-with-acocac-with-acourtofcortisolchaospodcast-514859046979 📌 Follow us TikTok & Instagram: @ACourtofCortisolandChaos 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos 📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com 💫 Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!