Novel Theories

This episode contains SPOILERS for A Court of Splintered Harmony!

Is the Night Court CURSED? Are Vassa, Elain, or Gwyn hiding something sinister? Is Rhysand slowly becoming the very thing he once fought against? And WHAT was REALLY going on in THAT SCENE?!We're going DEEPER into A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas! After devouring ACOSH and sharing our initial reactions, we're back with even MORE theories, looking closer at the key moments, hidden clues and scenes that might just change everything we thought we knew about the Maasverse.Join Nicole and Meghan as we pull apart the details, question character motivations and investigate what ACOSH could be setting up for the future of the series.

A Court of Splintered Harmony is officially here, we've inhaled every page, and our brains may never recover.

SPOILER WARNING: We're discussing the entire book, so finish reading before you hit play!

WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?!

Sarah J. Maas has given us SO much to unpack, and we're diving headfirst into the chaos. The revelations, the character developments, the unanswered questions, the implications for what's coming next—we have THOUGHTS.

And in true Novel Theories fashion, Nicole comes in HOT with theories already overflowing, while Meghan needs approximately 48 more hours to process everything before returning with a cohesive puzzle snapped into place.

There's so much to discuss, and we're only scratching the surface. Consider this Part One of a much larger, deeper conversation as we begin piecing together everything Sarah has given us.

Let the theorizing begin!

With less than 48 hours until the release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, Novel Theories digs into what we might can (and hope!) to see in the newest ACOTAR installment.

We want to set the ship wars aside and look at the bigger themes, characters arcs at play, potential plot lines, and more. Join us as we look closer at the Dread Trove puzzle art (including a few very interesting placements), talk about the future of the Valkyries, and even try the Aussie Famous Tim Tam Slam!

Have your own thoughts and ideas for this upcoming book? We want to know! Sound off in the comments!

"But did it even matter? If it was fate or choice to be together?"

The eternal question: Are Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar fated or chosen mates? We dive into this heated topic in detail! In this episode we cover:

- What does Crescent City tell us about mates?

- What do the multiple definitions mean?

- Is there a physical mating bond?

- What about the scents merging?

- But, Ruhn said...

And perhaps, the most controversial argument we see: "But, Sarah said..."

So...now, we want to know what YOU say. Do you think they are fated? Chosen? And does it even matter for you?

Sound off in the comments and let us know!

Bloomsbury just casually dropped 11 new Reader's Guides, adding to the collection and giving us a guide for every currently published book. And honestly...the questions are very interesting.

Across the different guides, Bloomsbury is asking reader's to consider some concepts in new ways.

Why should you care? What even is a reading guide? What does it pose about the future of the crossover? About Bryce and Hunt? About what Gwyn and Emerie mean to Nesta?

We cover the burning questions and more! (Including Dragonkind and trying to find the d$^# blue dragon!)

Listen along, drop your comments, questions, and feedback! We want to know what you think!

In our fourth and last episode of the Great Azriel Ship War we dive deeeeeep into the Bryce and Azriel ship evidence--and go with us on this journey, because it is 2 full hours of detailed breakdowns. From the weapons as a decoy bond, to the language choices Sarah uses, to the weird ways that Azriel acts out of character in Bryce's presence.

As this wraps up the ship war -- share with us: what do you think? What do you feel like stands out the most to you? What are the top arguments? What are the weakest? And who do YOU think is going to end up as Azriel's future mate?

Sound off in the comments!

Threshing Day is here--and it did not disappoint. These 13 stories are strong, emotional, fun, insightful, informational, and simply chockful of Empyrean goodness. This could be one of Rebecca's best works yet...

SPOILERS AHEAD!

In this episode we discuss:

• What does Asher Sorrengail know?
• Are Signets determined during Threshing?
• Are there dragons who aren't who they say they are?
• Is Xaden the grandson of Sgaeyl's rider?
• Is Imogen the granddaughter of Glane's?
• Why was Liam's Threshing so different?
• Why did everyone have a tree? Except Aaric...

We cover all of this and so much more in this breakdown episode! Comment and let us know your thoughts on Threshing Day!

This week in the Great Azriel Ship War? Azris! Listen along as we uncover the evidence for Azriel and Eris and decide -- is it a Fireheart? Or does it belong Straight in the Cauldron?

(Hint: We are giving it a 50/50 Hot Cup of Suriel Tea...)

We love the Azris shippers--they showed up! The Azris fan-based is fun, passionate, and able to produce way more evidence than I think we were expecting.

If you missed part 1 on Gwynriel and part 2 on Elain, check them out! And next week, stay tuned as we head for our fourth and final movement--you guessed it: Bryceriel.

Happy shipping!

It's time for more of the most unhinged theories! In our third installment of Wild Maasverse Theories, we dig into:

• Is Rhysand related to or connected to Maeve?
• What is with all the monsters in Wendlyn--are they related to the monsters in the prison?
• Was Elain pregnant with Greyson's child when she went in the cauldron?
• Is Gwyn "Shadow-Bryce?"
• Is Hunt "Shadow-Azriel?"

We cover all of these theories and more! Sound off in the comments below - what do you think? Is it a fireheart for you? Do you want to throw it straight in cauldron?

And thank you to everyone who has embraced the Maasverse Scoring System with us! We are thrilled to drop the first MSS image in this episode on YouTube, if you want to see it in person!

For more, you can follow us at:

• Instagram: @noveltheories | @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghan
• TikTok: @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghan
• Reddit: u/noveltheoriespod

We are going deeper into the Great Azriel Ship War this week with part 2: Elriel! We know there are many die-hard Elriel fans out there and we wanted to investigate the evidence they bring to the table.

Honestly? Elain and Azriel fans SHOWED UP with the data. The quotes to comb through were there. But the questions isn't if they have a romantic connection...we know they do. The question is: what does it mean for the future?

Do the patterns that occur in the text prove matehood? Endgame? Where are the arguments strong? Where are they weak? And how do we feel about the entirety of the evidence?

And we want YOUR thoughts. Sound off in the comments, drop your thoughts, theories, and feedback. We want to hear from you.

Maasverse 101: The Great Azriel Ship War Debate is on. Stay tuned as we work on Azris and Bryceriel in parts 3 and 4!

BookTok made her book go viral… and then traditional publishing came knocking.

This week, we’re joined by Sheila Masterson, bestselling author of the dark romance sensation The Poison Daughter, to talk about the whirlwind journey from indie publishing to breakout success.

We talk about what it actually feels like when your book takes off, the realities of going from indie to traditional publishing, the highs and surprises of the process, and what happens when the story you created starts becoming much bigger than you ever expected.

Plus:

• The story behind The Poison Daughter
• How BookTok and Bookstagram helped propel the book
• Going from indie author to traditional publishing
• The whirlwind of getting signed
• What surprised Sheila most about the publishing world
• What comes next
• And… could The Poison Daughter be making it's way to Hulu?

Whether you already love The Poison Daughter, found Sheila through BookTok, or you’re fascinated by what happens when an indie book suddenly catches fire, this conversation is such a fun look behind the curtain.

And, truly, Sheila is an absolute delight. ❤️

Nicole and Meghan take on the evidence for Gwyn and Azriel in the Great Azriel Ship War!

Digging into a debate that started on social media, follow along in the first episode of Novel Theories (formerly Romantasy Readers Podcast) with us as we surface the top evidence for the possible future of Gwyn and Azriel! We uncover the strongest arguments, analyze what makes them work, where might they fall apart, and what we think this means for the future of the Maasverse!

As we move on to the front lines in this war, our first battle will tackle Gwyn and Azriel (Gwynriel), followed in part 2 by Elain and Azriel (Elriel), part 3 on Bryce and Azriel (Bryceriel), and--perhaps--a part 4 on Eris and Azriel (Azris!).

We want to hear all of your comments, thoughts, feedback, arguments--what are the pieces of these ships that work for you? Where do they crumble?

Just remember--there are rules:

- Your arguments must be based in textual evidence, foreshadowing, symbolism, parallels, or lore.

- Your arguments must not be based on author interviews or commentary or personal opinion of preferred story line. If it can't be proven by the text it doesn't exist! (For this debate!)

Happy debating!

In this episode we get to sit down with Alley, co-host of Romantasy Readers, as she bids us farewell as a permanent host in order to continue growing her author business!

Alley, also known as the author Alexandria Arden, is in the middle of writing her 4th book as her 3rd book -- a hockey romance called "After Further Review" is headed for release! Between her Thayar Crown series (The Witch Queen, The Shining Prince) and her new hockey romance, Alley has been insanely busy on tour!

Hear about her run in with a freak tornado accident recently, how it impacted her business growth, and hear her thoughts on the upcoming ACOTAR 6 and 7 releases!

We will miss Alley being here regularly, but she will continue on a guest host whenever she wants! We look forward to this new chapter with Meghan as our new permanent host...and stay tuned because a few changes are coming...

Join Nicole as she sits down to talk with Megan Gad (@megangadreads) to discuss:

• What's going on with Sarah and Bloomsbury?
• Is Rhysand evil?
• What about Bryceriel?
• And so much more!

Show Note: Megan and Nicole recorded this episode prior to the ACOTAR 6 and 7 title and blurb releases. There is the possibility that some items discussed are no longer as relevant as they were prior to recording. BUT! We still want to hear all of your questions! Sound off below with your thoughts, comments, theories, and more.

Is Crescent City in the past and ACOTAR in the future? Is Ragnarok going to happen on Midgard? Is Rhys collecting powerful people—and using the siphons to block Azriel and Cassian’s true power?

In this episode, Part 2 of our Wild Maasverse Theories, we cover all these questions an so much more!

Join Nicole and Meghan as they get a little unhinged, dive deeper, and bring back the Maasverse Theory Spectrum! Is it going Straight in the Cauldron? Does it have Ironteeth? Maybe…just maybe it’s a Fireheart!

In this episode, hosts Nicole and Meghan dig in on the biggest theories to circulate since the ACOTAR 6 & 7 cover and blurb releases, as well as uncover some of their own theories (like…is part of Koschei’s soul in the Dread Trove?).

Do you have a favorite theory for the upcoming releases? What are you SURE is coming, what do you hope isn’t, and what would be the biggest mind-blowing revelation? Let us know in the comments!

All the questions! Court of Splintered Harmony? Court of Forgotten Melody? Who is Koschei? What is going to happen to Cassian? Did we get Throne of Glass hints? What does it all mean!? Join hosts Nicole and Meghan with special guest Ciara as we continue reeling from all the Maasverse news!

This is another emergency episode. The book world is on fire, SJM is feeding us, and we cannot contain the excitement!

Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) on Instagram!

Is that a spider? What kind of spider? What are the flames with fangs? And bones??? This is not a drill! Join Nicole, Meghan, and Ciara as we cover the ACOTAR artwork update and cover leak! What do you think the drop is telling us? Let us know!

Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) for more!

Join Nicole and Meghan, from Marvelous Mrs. Meghan, as they review and rank some of the wildest ACOTAR and Maasverse theories out there!

Join Alley and Nicole as they interview co-writers Annie and Eliza, known as the pen name Sable Sorensen! We ask all the questions you're dying to know about Direbound and the sequel Furybound!