Revolution was the easy part. Governing is another story.

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson, covering chapters 13–24.

Luthadel may be free from the Lord Ruler, but the real battle has just begun. As political tensions rise and outside armies threaten the city, Elend must decide whether his ideals can survive in a world that demands compromise. Meanwhile, Vin finds herself increasingly isolated, questioning who she can trust—and whether she truly belongs in the world she helped create.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The escalating political instability in Luthadel

• Elend’s struggle between idealism and survival

• Vin’s growing paranoia

• The complicated and unsettling presence of Zane

Join us as we unpack the tension, the character shifts, and the mounting pressure in chapters 13–24.

The Lord Ruler is dead… so why does everything feel more fragile than ever?

In this first episode of our The Well of Ascension deep dive, we’re breaking down chapters 1–12 and asking the big question: what does it actually take to rebuild an empire after it collapses?

We talk through:

• Elend’s impossible task of ruling Luthadel without becoming what he overthrew

• Vin grappling with power, paranoia, and her uneasy bond with OreSeur

• Sazed’s quiet but deeply unsettling journey alongside Marsh

• And the early warning signs that maybe—just maybe—the Final Empire didn’t fall as cleanly as we thought

We also introduce our State of the Empire recap, share first impressions, and kick off our 3-2-1 format: ✨ three standout moments ✨ two impactful character beats ✨ one prediction going forward

Welcome back to Scadrial, book friends. Things are already getting tense.

In the final episode of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends wraps up our discussion of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, covering Chapters 22 through the end, where long-held assumptions unravel and the truth finally comes into focus.

As secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested, it becomes clear that much of what Mare—and the reader—believed was carefully constructed. The questions of trust, power, and manipulation that have been building throughout the book collide in an ending that forces us to reassess nearly everything that came before.

In this episode, we discuss the major reveals, the emotional fallout of betrayal, and how the ending reframes the story as a whole—leaving us with more questions, stronger opinions, and an urgent need to continue the series.

⚠️ This episode contains full spoilers for Red Queen.

In Part 3 of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends tackles Chapters 15–21, where uncertainty takes center stage and trust feels like a dangerous gamble.

As Mare settles further into life among the Silvers, the question isn’t just how to survive—but who, if anyone, is safe to believe. With shifting loyalties, carefully chosen words, and motivations that feel increasingly unclear, these chapters introduce a growing sense of paranoia that hangs over every interaction.

In this episode, we unpack the theme of trust, discuss which characters feel genuine versus strategic, and explore why suspicion may be Mare’s most necessary survival skill yet. Even the most “obvious” threats feel complicated, leaving us wondering if the real danger is still hiding in plain sight.

This episode contains spoilers through Chapter 21 only.

In Part 2 of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends continues our discussion of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, covering Chapters 8–14, where power is subtle, survival is strategic, and nothing is as simple as it seems.

After the shocking events of the Queenstrial, Mare Barrow is pulled into the heart of the Silver court—a world built on spectacle, control, and carefully crafted appearances. As she’s forced to learn new rules and play a role she never asked for, we unpack what it means to survive in a system designed to use her.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Mare’s loss of agency and growing role as a political pawn

• The dynamics and power plays of the Silver court

• Early impressions of Cal and Maven

• How performance, fear, and manipulation shape this world

• Why these chapters quietly escalate the stakes

This episode contains spoilers through Chapter 14 only and is perfect for readers following along or revisiting Red Queen with fresh eyes.

In our first episode of 2026, Books Between Friends is diving into Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard—and we’re officially entering a world divided by blood.

In this kickoff episode, we cover Red Queen Chapters 1–5, where we meet Mare Barrow, a girl living in a society split between Silvers with godlike powers and powerless Reds who exist to serve them. What starts as a familiar dystopian setup quickly turns into something… electrifying.

We break down the worldbuilding, the rigid class system, and that shocking early reveal that changes everything. Plus, we discuss first impressions of Mare as a protagonist, the political implications already bubbling beneath the surface, and whether Red Queen feels more dystopian, fantasy, or something in between.

Grab your bookmarks and join us as we begin our Red Queen journey—because this world wastes no time pulling you in.

Welcome to our final episode before the new year hits! When we talk about expansive world building, great magic systems, and complex and interesting characters, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series most definitely hits the mark from our catalog of 2025. Join us for this Greatest Hits episode as we dive into Sanderson's world of political intrigue, incredible heist plots, and a badass magic system found in Mistborn: The Final Empire.

This is our next installment of our greatest hits from 2025! What better way to nerd out with book friends than by discussing this dark urban, portal fantasy from V.E. Schwab. Come travel with us, book friends... As Travars!