Swords and Swoons

S2E12: Sips & Side-Eyes 🍷📚

The drinks are poured, the opinions are flowing, and the side-eyes are fully activated. In this episode, we're putting the deep dives and chapter breakdowns aside for a good old-fashioned bookish vent session. Join us as we sip our beverages of choice and discuss the latest BookTok buzz, books that left us feeling underwhelmed, and the tropes that have us questioning everything.

S2E11: The Rites of the Starling - Deep Dive Finale

We’ve reached the end of The Rites of the Starling and we have a lot to say. In this final installment of our deep dive, we’re breaking down the explosive conclusion, the reveals we didn’t see coming, and the moments that completely reshaped how we view this story. We revisit our early predictions, react to what actually happened, and dive into what this ending means moving forward. Expect strong opinions, emotional reactions, and a few moments where we’re still trying to recover. ✨ Spoilers for the entire book ✨ Final thoughts, theories, and full chaos ahead

S2E10: The Rites of the Starling - Pt 4 Deep Dive (Chapters 36 - 50)

This week, we’re diving into the next section of The Rites of the Starling, and everything we thought we knew is starting to shift. In this episode, we break down both timelines, following Odessa as she pushes for answers and potential solutions, while Caspia uncovers some of the biggest truths we’ve seen so far. On Odessa’s side, there’s finally a glimmer of hope in the search for a cure for Lyssa, but as always, nothing comes without complications. Between tense confrontations, hidden secrets, and growing uncertainty around those closest to her, the stakes feel higher than ever. Meanwhile, Caspia’s storyline delivers a massive lore reveal that completely reframes the world, from the origins of magic to the truth about Calandra and the forces at play. This section is packed with revelations, theories, and moments that had us pausing just to process what we learned. Expect chaos, deep dives, and a whole lot of “wait… WHAT?” as we try to piece together how it all connects. ✨ Spoilers for this section of The Rites of the Starling ✨ Major lore reveals, new theories, and hope (maybe) ahead

S2E9: The Rites of the Starling - Pt 3 Deep Dive (Chapters 19 - 35)

We’re back with Part Three of our Rites of the Starling deep dive, and this is where everything starts to unravel. In this episode, we break down chapters 19 through 35 — from shocking visions and major character reveals to the moments that had us completely rethinking what we know about this world. We dive into Andreas joining the journey, the increasingly intense visions surrounding his fate, and the clues that have us convinced we’re onto something big. We’re also unpacking new lore around the Maxims, mysterious connections to the boy from earlier visions, and the scene that left us spiraling — because we have very strong theories about who Andreas really is… and what that means for Odessa. Expect chaos, questionable predictions, and a lot of “wait… hold on” moments as we try to piece everything together before it all inevitably blows up.

S2E8: The Rites of the Starling - Pt 2 Deep Dive ( Chapters 9 - 18)

We’re back with Part Two of our Rites of the Starling deep dive, and things are officially getting intense. In this episode, we break down chapters 9 through 18 — and the story starts revealing just enough to send us spiraling. We dive into the evolving character dynamics, the moments that had us questioning everything, and the details that feel way too important to ignore. And yes… we’re bringing our wildest theories yet, including who we think Odessa’s mom could be — and let’s just say, we have thoughts!!!! If you’re reading along, this is where things start to click… and unravel at the same time. ✨ Spoilers for Chapters 9–18 ✨ Theories, chaos, and questionable predictions ahead