🎙️ EPISODE: Top Fantasy & Romantasy Reads of 2025 (Goodreads Awards Picks!) 📚✨

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the most buzzed-about fantasy and romantasy books of 2025, as voted by the Goodreads community. Whether you’re a high fantasy devotee, a romantasy enthusiast, or just looking for your next unforgettable read — we’ve got you covered!

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Welcome back to The Reading Rift!

This is Reading Recaps, where we go chapter-by-chapter through epic stories. This season, we’re diving into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, starting with Mistborn Era 1.

Bec: I’m Bec, your long-time Sanderson reader (10+ years in the Cosmere).

Lydia: And I’m Lydia—the romantasy reader who is brand-new to Sanderson, epic fantasy, and Allomancy.

Bec: My mission is to guide Lydia (and you!) deep into the Cosmere—explaining the magic, unpacking the lore, and laughing at Lydia’s extremely wrong predictions.

Lydia: Don’t worry—this episode only spoils Part 2 of The Final Empire. If you’re caught up to where I am, you’re safe! Today, we’re covering Part 2: Rebels Beneath a Sky of Ash, Chapters 9–15.

In This Episode We discuss:

Vin’s training arc and new identity as Lady Valette Renoux

• Comfortably flying through the mists

• Kelsier’s training assignments

• Sazed’s religions, Keeper mysteries, and his oath to protect her

• The ten Great Houses and the dangers of femininity in Vin’s past Allomancy Level-Up • Pewter, tin, bronze, copper

• Steel and iron pushes/pulls

• Atium and future-sight

• Why Kelsier warns that every metal has weaknesses Court Politics and Vin’s First Ball

• The deepness mural

• Obligators as “confessors”

• A shocking encounter with Vin’s father

• AND… the debut of Lord Elend Venture (Lydia: I ship them already.) The Mission

• The oppressive emotional Soothing of the Lord Ruler

• Steel Inquisitors and their terrifying eye spikes

• The mysterious book Vin uses to survive • Sazed’s rescue and healing

• Kelsier’s hunt for the Eleventh Metal Discussion Topics • Is the risk of rebellion worth the cost of safety?

• Manipulation—Allomantic or emotional?

• Power, control, and believing in something bigger than yourself

Predictions Lydia revises her theories:

• Elend + Vin = endgame

• The hero from the epigraphs might fall—or turn evil

• Vin will walk the same journey as the Hero of Ages

• The mists are more important than anyone is saying

• Kelsier is planning something huge Epigraph Breakdown Bec reads selected epigraphs and Lydia guesses which ones will make her facepalm after she finishes the series. Highlights From Lydia Likes:

• The faster pacing of the rebellion plot

• Everything about Elend Venture Dislikes:

• Still wanting deeper emotional connection from the narrative

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Next Episode Part 3 drops next Thursday! Subscribe and turn on notifications to follow Lydia’s Cosmere journey.

00:00 Welcome to Reading Recaps

02:38 Into part 2

19:07 The Heist Peak

20:41 Lydia’s Likes and Dislikes

22:27 Epigraphs

31:47 Magic System

36:21 Quotes

44:23 Lydia’s Predictions

Welcome to The Reading Rift! This is Reading Recaps, where we dive deep into epic stories one chapter at a time. In this season, we’re entering Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, beginning with Mistborn Era 1.

I’m Bec, and I’ve been reading Sanderson for over a decade.

And I’m Lydia—your resident newbie, romance-lover, and chaos bringer.

(Bec) I’ll be guiding Lydia (and you!) through the Cosmere as we break down the chapters, explore the magic system, and laugh at Lydia’s deeply incorrect predictions. Don’t worry—no spoilers beyond the chapters we discuss. Today we’re covering the Prologue and Part 1 of Mistborn: The Final Empire.

In this episode, we break down:

✨ The ash-covered world and ominous Final Empire

✨ Kelsier the Survivor, rebellious chaos gremlin of our hearts

✨ Vin’s trauma, trust issues, and awakening as a Mistborn

✨ Allomancy explained—steel, iron, pewter, tin, and more

✨ The crew: Ham, Breeze, Clubs, Dockson, Marsh, Sazed, and a very confused Vin

✨ The epigraphs—and which ones Lydia thinks might secretly spoil the entire series

✨ Themes from Part 1:

• Prejudice—natural or taught?

• Isolation vs vulnerability •

What do you believe—and why does it matter?

• Fighting darkness by protecting your mind

Plus: Lydia’s unhinged predictions, including:

🔥 The mists are a metal you can burn

🔥 Or… the mists make the skaa hopeless

🔥 Vin is 100% the savior of the world

🔥 Kelsier has plans nobody sees coming (probably true tbh)

If you're reading along for the first time or revisiting a Cosmere classic, you’ll be right at home.

About This Episode This is a spoiler-safe deep dive only up to the end of Part 1. If you’ve read through chapter 8, you can safely listen along. New readers and longtime fans are welcome!

💬 Join the Rift Community Tell us below: What was your initial reaction to the mists, Vin, and Kelsier when you first read Mistborn? We want to hear your theories, your nostalgia, and your favorite moments.

📚 What’s Next? Part 2 drops next Thursday! Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next chapter-by-chapter breakdown.

⚠️ PART 2: EXPLICIT SPOILER WARNING ⚠️

Everything from here on out contains full spoilers for Book 1 and discusses adult themes. Please check the content advisory before reading or listening.

👉 Content warnings: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/content-advisory

In Part 2, Lydia finally gets to fan-girl as we break the book wide open. We play a Character Confessions Game, deep-dive into worldbuilding, and unpack the hardest moments of the story.

Covered in Part 2:

• Full plot recap and timeline

• Political history, magic, and the Soul Trappers

• Ara, Stedd, Savant, Alys, Thalia, Therimar, and more

• Character motivations, manipulation, redemption, and choice

• Trauma, forgiveness, love as a spectrum, pacifism, honor vs action

• The ethics of survival and power

• That ending—and what it means for Book 2

This episode is for readers who want thoughtful analysis, emotional honesty, and no pulled punches when discussing dark fantasy.

📖 Links & Resources:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204888283

Where to buy Dawn of the Darkest Day: [add links]

KC Woodruff’s website & socials: https://www.kcwoodruff.com

✨ If you enjoyed this interview, like, subscribe, and tell us which character broke you the most.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KC Woodruff | Dawn of the Darkest Day (Soul Trappers Saga)

📚 The Reading Rift – Full Author Deep Dive (Spoiler-Free + Spoilers)

In this two-part interview, we sit down with KC Woodruff, author of Dawn of the Darkest Day, the first book in the Soul Trappers Saga, for an honest, in-depth conversation about writing, publishing, and the dark fantasy story that has stayed with us long after the final page.

PART 1 (Spoiler-Free): Writing, Publishing & Book Foundations

In the first half of the interview, KC walks us through her journey as a reader and writer—from her earliest reading memories to the moment she knew she would be a published author. We dive into:

• The books and authors that shaped her love of reading

• Discovering writing as more than a hobby

• Early drafts, doubt, and the “I can actually do this” moment

• D&D’s influence on storytelling and worldbuilding

• Her writing timeline, revision process, and strengths as a writer

• Choosing indie publishing vs traditional

• Editing, cover design, KDP, and production

• Marketing myths, finances, and growing a reader base

• Conventions, Nexus panels, and meeting readers in person

• Audiobooks, tools, platforms, and long-term career vision

• Why she writes—and what she hopes her work gives readers

We also explore Dawn of the Darkest Day spoiler-free, including:

• Elevator pitch for new readers

• Comparable books

• Emotional experience and intended audience

• Origin story and real-life themes woven into the narrative

• Magic system basics and political setup

• How readers can best support KC and follow her work

Buy the book: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/books

Follow KC: writerwoodruff

Trigger warnings: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/content-advisory