Crescent City HOSAB - Magical Betrothals in Lunathion

Hi there! Welcome to our show notes for our Magical Betrothals in Lunathion episode.

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Prologue - Summary- Breakdown- Theories

This book starts talking about some random gal we don’t know named Sofie who’s at the Kavalla death camp that is guarded by dreadwolves. Her destination is the port of Servast, which would be easy had it been just her, but it's not, it's her plus 5 boys and 6 girls with her thirteen year old brother. 

Sophie is a human who made the drop. She is technically vanir but not. Her parents encouraged to make it for healing abilities and extra armor. She did it in some sketchy shop by a satyr. She, along with the tiny humans, all had rebel parents that had been caught or sold out.

I have to say, why are satyrs so sketchy in this universe? First Danika breaks up a fight between one and a nightstalker, then there’s the salt selling satyr in the meat market, they’re carved into the stone pillars at the white raven and now this back alley satyr drop artist? I think they’re the real villain here

I want you to know that i am now picturing a bunch of satyrs sitting at home being pissed off about the bad apples ruining their reputation.

Sofie spent 3 years searching for her brother and worked through the Ophion ranks to do it. Even though Sofie was human, she wasn’t really since she made the drop. So Ophion would never truly trust her but she made sorta allies with Pippa, leader of the Lightfall unit. Pippa helped Sofie but def for her own gain. Sofie was able to get into the Kavalla camp where her brother was. But she also had some dirt on the Asteri and Ophion knew it. 

She found the right moment to sneak into her brother's bunk and break out the camp with him and the surprise surprise 11 other littles. Naturally while running to their escape van the sirens went off and dreadwolves were after them. They made it to the van and its driver, Agent Silverbow, then hauled ass to Servast. 

  They made it in 30 minutes but knew the Hind was close by. Not only was she close by, Sofie ran right into the lights of an Asteri Vehicle and saw the Hind leaning against another vehicle. We truly meet Lidia Cervos, deer shifter with blonde hair and Amber eyes, known as the Hind in this moment. 

Sofie was running her biscuits off to make it to the boat. But first she took the power she gathered earlier and unleashed, blowing her secret load, letting everyone know she was a thunderbird. She was eyeing the distance to the boat that had already taken off and the Hind asked if she was faster than a bullet, turns out she was not and got shot in the thigh. Four Omega boats showed up to go after the Bodegraven, her escape boat. 

Turns out that crazy gal Pippa is there too, watching from afar though. She wants to know if Sofie and that dirty secret she carries are on the ship. Pippa and her commander are talking about how that boat would likely get blown up instead of saving the children when all the lights went out. And then a bright white light took out the electricity of all the omega subs. No more Brimstone missiles on the radar either and the Bodegraven made it out safely. 

Back on the land the Hind walked up to Sophie Renast asking who she has shared her intel with. Sofie says no one but they go on a boat ride out in the sea. The Hind pulled a small white stone from her pocket, lifting it for Sofie to see, and then chucked it into the water. And told her “At that depth, you’ll likely drown before you hit the seafloor” while binding Sophie's feet with chains and lead blocks. Then gave her the boot of the boat. A gift to Ogena’s. Now pit a pin in that side story.

Name Meaning:
The name "Cervo" has Italian origins, where it directly translates to "deer" in English

Sophie comes from the Greek Sophia which means wisdom, skill, knowledge which makes sense because she obviously has information that she is guarding. And Renast appears to be a surname with French origins, derived from the Old French word "renastre," meaning  rebirth" or "renewal," which considering she made the drop and became something new- immortal, it fits.

CC Community College- Thunderbird Lore

The Asteri had long ago hunted most thunderbirds to extinction.
Thunderbirds gifts were that of electricity, and first light power, too. Energy of any type was hers to command, to suck into herself. She could literally make them wink tf out. 

I wanted to look and see what I could find with thunderbird mythology and this is what i came up with.the The Thunderbird is a significant mythological creature in various American Indian cultures, particularly among tribes in the Midwest, Often depicted as a giant bird capable of carrying immense weight, the Thunderbird symbolizes both natural power and supernatural abilities. In many traditions, it is associated with thunder and storms, believed to create thunder by flapping its wings and lightning by shooting from its beak It is said to have a dual nature, and be both a creator and a destroyer. The Thunderbird brought the rain, but also caused destructive storms, battled whales, and turned people to stone. This is thought to show the Thunderbird as a sort of trickster figure recurrent in many mythologies—. They were described  As powers of the upper world, Thunderbirds wage perpetual war against aquatic spirits of the beneath world, often portrayed as malevolent serpents or felines.- There is a lot of this that tickles my brain. The trickster in nature part, I feel like could fit Sophie. She obviously wasn’t honest about a lot. Plus saying that they are in a perpetual war against aquatic spirits of the beneath world - you could relate it to how we believe that there could be rifts/trenches under the ocean that lead to hel aka beneath world. Which makes you wonder why the Asteri wanted them 86ed. 

Masters in the Maasverse - Maps & Overlapping Worlds 

 Calaculla is right in between both the coastal towns of Banjali and Innish. I think Innish is Servast.
Servast is described as, mist wreathed the narrow docks of Servast, writhing over the chill, night-dark waters of the Haldren Sea. It wended around the ancient stone houses of the port town, the firstlight in the few lampposts above the cobblestone streets flickering.
Similar to when Caelana from Throne of Glass was in Innish-
Celaena hated the heavy blanket of mist that shrouded the day and night.

Then when Sophie and Co were escaping it says they “hurried through the fence and across the muddy road to the dense ferns and steep gully beyond.”What is a Gully? A gully is a landform created by running water, mass movement, or both, which erodes soil to a sharp angle, typically on a hillside or in river floodplains or terraces.

What is right next to Calaculla? A river, which can easily be this gully. Calaculla was worse than Endovier, the camp was expanded because they had so many slaves there. It was expanded more towards Eyllwe. So the OG camp spot is closer to Innish than Banjali. I  initially thought Servast could be here too. But the Morath could be Alcene, that vital depots for the Spine, because Morath means small mountains and in comparison to the White Fangs behind it Morath was little and is smaller on the Erilea map. Alcene means little rock so I really do think Calaculla is to Kavalla, as Bracchus Camp is to Endovier. The mines are already dug from salt and precious metals, so they have space to dump bodies in these death camps. Once again aligning Pangera in Crescent City to Erilea in Throne of Glass

Part 1
The Chasm (shit gets real)

Chapter 1

Bryce was at the ballet to see Juniper who was the star of the night's performance. Before the show started she was looking at the ancient statues with her parents while people were looking at her. She was kind of a big deal and a princess. Her mom asked if she could get a job there with the ever changing art but there were no openings.
They looked at the art while Bryce’s mom told her that she didn’t like Bryce working so close to that sexy Thotumn King. Her mom wasn’t understanding why Bryce wasn’t working for her cool ass boss. Jesiba of course hid her library and everything else was in crates. There really wasn’t a job for her.

Bryce's sick new 8 pointed star scar hadn’t faded, which she noticed her mom looking at it quite a bit as well. Her mom was really going for it tonight because she pointed out things were weird between Bryce and her lova. Bryce was happy with her job and happy with Hunt. They made it to their box seats and Bryce just knew when Hunt arrived.

Bryce was wet from how hot Hunt looked. They were gifted champs and Hunt checked for drugs in her drink, like a true gentleman should. Fury didn’t want to sit with them since her and Juniper were going steady and had moved in together, I’m sure they’ve consummated their relationship, unlike Bryce and Hunt who are bigger fans of sexual tension than sexual intercourse. They are choosing to wait until Feyre's birthday. Weird way to celebrate her but ok. Four months to go. Hunt could smell her thinking about their consummation countdown while they were with her parents for Gods sake. Well good thing the star went off at that moment. 

Her and Hunt use team effort to cover up her bright light. Everyone was ready to bounce but Bryce got it under control so she was able to watch her friend's grand entrance.

CC Community College: Art History:

So we track the art in this series for a multitude of reasons. It gives us answers on timelines, sometimes foreshadowing, and fills in bits of history. 

First Bryce is looking at statues of all the gods and she says they swear they are looking back at her. Which i dont know why it reminded me of when Dorian and Celeana are traveling to rifthold and she was staring at the stars and he said they were staring right back.

 A fae male stood poised above an anvil hammer raised skyward in one fist, lightning cracking from the skies, filling the hammer, and flowing down toward the object of the hammers intended blow: a sword. Label: unknown sculptor Palmira, circa 125 VE. The Making of the sword in the old language of the fae.  - So i believe this is our first introduction of Thurr. We talk more about him in Chapter 8 

One from the first wars- that showed an army of winged demons swooping from the skies upon a terrestrial army gathered on the plain below. This one’s about hel’s armies arriving to conquer Midgard during the first wars. - Reminder that art can be used as a tool for propaganda.

Like this one =A piece of a larger collection- Thus the 7 princes of hel looked in envy upon Midgard and unleashed their unholy hordes upon our united armies

We also get a jelly jubilee sighting. A Pegasus charging into battle. An armored figure, helmet obscuring any features road it with its sword upraised. First Wars.

Which just as a reminder, there are other Pegasus in the Maasverse - Helion, the high lord of the day court has 7! Pegasus. Which are rare and there used to be a shit ton but most had just vanished as if they had been devoured by the sky itself. And guess where they came from? The island the prison sat upon - they had once fed in fair meadows that had long given away to mist.

Thoughts on Hunt & Bryce Being Mates

Bryce had developed a keen awareness of Hunt’s presence, like scenting lightning on the wind. He had only to enter a room and she’d know if he was there by that surge of power in her body. Like her magic, her very blood answered to his.”

Knowing they claim mates, this is interesting. Bryce had developed a keen awareness.
We know with Mates there is a huge scent aspect. When they got sexual on the couch and she came but he didn’t, she smelled him finally, rain, cedar, salt and pure lightning. But that was the only time.
Hunt said she smelled good, like paradise, home and eternity. But never her notes. He told us when she was on her period, but never what she smelled like. 

For example, Aelin immediately smelled Rowan's slutty snow scent.  Even Feyre was smelling Rhys immediately when she wasn’t covered in the filth of under the mountain. Rain, salt and something citrus. 

No mention of scents when Sabine caught them neck nuzzling. So their scent trajectory is interesting. Through love all is possible I guess

Chapter 2

Bryce and Hunt decided to drop into Ruhn’s house party, which honestly seemed like a great time. The whole gang was there Ruhn and the boys, Fury and June. Fury and June were giving Bryce shit for her ridiculous idea of waiting to bang it out until solstice which she is very much regretting with Hunt swaggering around with his backward hat. 

Hunt was being a respectful guy with honoring her wishes for wanting to take it slow but he was living with perpetual blue balls every minute of his life and it was a hard (thats what she said) way to live. He knew she was putting the brakes on them for the survival guilt she felt and not allowing herself to be actually happy. Hunt felt it too on top of the constant dread and worry about what the Asteri would do. While at the party they got news of the new archangeals tapped to replace Micah and Sandriel. Ephraim who currently shared Rodinia with Jakob will take Sandriel’s old spot in northern pangera and Celestina who has overseen Nena which has a population of like 50 but she is more of a figurehead because the legion is controlled by the Asteri and are watchdogs for the northern rift. Hunt says she has a nice rep and Fury confirms she has never heard anything bad either. Hunt is feeling negative about the appointment but Bryce seems to have some positive hope for Celestina. 

Bryce tries to comfort Hunt and tell him everything will be okay. He tries to say Celestina could make their lives very difficult but she is like nay nay dont forget i am the super powerful and special magic starborn princess and she would protect him. Bryce had been meeting with Ruhn once a week for magic lessons. Her magic manifested as starlight- a purely fae gift. And the magnitude of her power came from all those who had given a droplet of their magic to the gates over the years. All together the combo magnified her starlight. 

Hunt doesnt believe that the Asteri appointed a nice gal just because they have a soft side. Fury adds that the war is getting worse in pangera and Valbara is a key territory full of vital resources so a Mrs. Nice Spice leader doesnt make any sense. Juniper wonders if she will just be their puppet. Bryce is like well we wont know until your meeting tomorrow and hey Hunt dont be a dick and start any fights. 

Masters in the Maasverse - Fury Axtar Theory

“How Fury could wear leather in this heat was beyond Bryce.” What if the reason Fury can wear leather in this heat is because she is naturally cold? Maybe because she is a descendant of Hel. Once again, we do not know what type of Vanir Fury is, it was rude to ask. They dont even know what house she belonged to or what magical powers she had. Often described in a way related to night like liquid night. Reminder of the connection in Acotar where Lord Thanatos 

CC Community College - New Archangeals School

So we are told the two new replacement archangeals Ephraim and Celestina so I thought we shall do some research. 

Ephraim- is a Hebrew name meaning fruitful, fertile, productive which considering the asteri’s plans seems pretty right on the money. In the Bible Ephraim was Joseph’s secon son blessed by Jacob to become a great nation and became the founder of a major Israelite tribe. Often representing the northern kingdom of Israel. Sarah Janet often uses biblical references specifically Old Testament because she is Jewish. i dont think it was for not that she chose the name Ephraim for its meaning, also the fact that he is being sent to northern pangera when Ephraim in the Bible represented the northern kingdom of Israel. Plus he used to share his old position with Jakob which in the Bible was his dad.  

As for Rodinia where he used to rule- Rodinia comes from the Russian word Rodina which means motherland or homeland. Not Rodinia was a major supercontinent that assembled about 1.2 billion years ago and began breaking apart around 750 million years ago containing most of Earths landmass. It was earths first hypothesized super continent preceding pangea. Which reminder is where we assume Sarah Janet got the name Pangera as well as Valbara which was a super continent. So thats a total of three super continent names. 

Celestina comes from Latin’s caelestis meaning heavenly or from the sky

she used to rule Nena which in Spanish means little girl or baby girl and it’s Greek roots and guess what Nena was guys? A super continent that existed about 2.1-1.7 billion years ago. It was an acronym for Northern Europe and Northern America. Make that 4 super continents. So yeah guys we are an education podcast. You are welcome for all this super continent knowledge. 

Masters in the Maasverse - Starlight in the Maasverse

Where else do we see starlight in the Maasverse?

In Throne of glass it is mentioned a few times. When Elena appears to Celeana she is described as “her body gleaned as though it was made of starlight.

When describing Lorcans eyes Elides said “their was some emotion she couldn’t place flickering like starlight in those black eyes.”

When Nesryn finds a short sword she said the metal shining as if imbued with starlight that had wyrdmarks on it. The sword it self was an Asterion short sword. Emphasis on asterion

When Yrene was trying to heal Erawan she ends up getting help from Dorian and his raw magic it was described as “ gasped and turned into starlight into warmth and strength and joy.”

Now in Acotar is mentioned quite a few times.

In a court of thorns and roses Tamlin takes Feyre to a glen to swim in a pool of starlight. It is described as silvery sparkling water- silver but also has blue red and pink and yellow glinting beneath. It was light. Tamlin says he doesnt know where it came from. He never asked and no one every explained. Feyre asks what would happen if they were to drink it and tamlin tells her that “legend claims you’d be happy until your last breath.”

Now in A Court of Mist and Fury

Velaris- is called the city of starlight

Feyre wondered when Rhys talked if it was true starlight that flickered in them

When Rhys was training Feyre he made darkness all around them and she let starlight dance on her finger tips.

When Feyre has a rather intense orgasm she wonders if the light pouring out of her was in fact starlight

And then when Nyx is born in a Court of Silver Fucking, he was said to inherit both his mother and fathers starlight. 

Chapter 3

Ruhn was high as a kite with a lady having a seat upon his face. He was providing his services, which sounded to be lovely when Tristan Flynn burst in and told him to come downstairs and to bring his starsword. 

Declan’s security system picked up some anomaly, an aura if you will. The front doors that were open darkened with shadows and out stepped a golden haired fae male while Bryce's scar blazed. 

Maasters in the Maasverse : Shadow Magic

lets do a pulse check on shadows in the Maasverse. At this point in the book and the other two series these are the characters with shadow magic:

Cain- had shadows leaking from him- the shadowy dark thing inside him aka Valg

The “animal” in the library it moved like smoke and shadow

Maeve’s other form was described - no one had lived to tell anything beyond shadows and claws and a darkness to devour your soul

So obviously Valg came from darkness and were able to manipulate shadows as well. 

Dorian- now Dorian has raw magic he can form different elements. He can manipulate shadows as an extension of his power ie shadow hands. Just want to note that he often used ice and wind. Which I cant help but notice that Cormac seemed to be using wind here

In Acotar,

Rhys can control shadows and darkness. He often will create illusions with them. Now his shadow abilities are directly related to the night court unlike our boy Az. 

Azriel- the shadow singer- he can control shadows. He can travel through and merge into them. He is able to use the shadows for spying and they communicate with him. As well as they respond to his emotions. 

Ruhn- has shadow magic through his mother’s line. He has the ability to manipulate shadows which includes summoning and walking through them, and can cloak himself and others in darkness.

And now mystery cousin has shadow magic. 

Chapter 4

Bryce’s tit star scar was glowing and it didnt take a rocket scientist to know why as tall ass fae that appeared out of the shadows was in front of her. Ruhn wanted to know what he was doing here and the male with a fancy pants accent said he had been invited. This mystery man was apparently, Cormac. Ps he is a blonde with excellent sense of smell because he told Ruhn that he smelled like cunt. Cormac was Avallen fae and was cousins with Ruhn and kind of Bryce. She didnt want to claim him on her 23 and me be he is like uhh your light says otherwise. Cormac tells her that he is Ruhn’s cousin directly through his mothers kin but her daddio, King Einar, is fae and his line once crossed with theirs long ago.  

They ask Cormac why he is here and he drop a fucking bomb. He is here to meet his bride and mocks a bow to Bryce. Bryce finds this hilarious. Cormac tells her that it isnt funny business and its been decreed by the autumn king and the high king of the Avallen fae. Juniper appeared from the living room archway with a gun in her hand which seemed to intimidate Cormac a bit. Ruhn told him to skidaddle and Cormac couldn’t leave without a little dig that rumor has it the starsword sings to his bride. Bryce put him in his place and told him to leave otherwise she would make him aka use her pretty little light. Cormac is like no bigs, i have seen all i have needed to see. Which i guess he wanted to see with his own eyeballs that she had the gift and was like see you at the altar byeeee. 

Bryce was ready to get her parents out of dodge early, juniper was scrolling the social needs to make sure any of the secrets were let out of the bag (thankfully due to everyone being scared of Fury). They start getting the deets about Ruhns ordeal and Cormac was in fact the cousin that almost killed him. Cormac wasn’t a happy camper that he spent his entire life studying the starsword and then for Ruhn to get it and now has fiancée also has claim on it. Bryce was hoping there was a way out of the engagement, Marc and Declan were hunting on a solution and would update her when they found one. Bryce seemed overly calm about the whole thing but thats just because she was trying to figure out what the Autumn King’s angle was. 

Bryce and Hunt had a team meeting discussing what the autumn king was up to and how their day got royally fucked pretty quickly. They walked home and as soon as they got in her hallway she could smell blood. When they opened the door they found Ithan Holstrom bleeding all over her wood floors. 

CC Community College - Name Meanings 

Cormac- has an interesting translation in Irish “son of the charioteer” or it can also mean son of the raven or son of corruption which isn't giving a lot of hope for the King of Avavellen.

 Einar name meaning- is a Scandinavian old Norse name that means. “One warrior”, lone warrior, and one army, “leader.” I do find it interesting he doesnt go by his government name and is just the autumn king.  of hope for the king of Avallen. On top of a raven nod which we tracked in book one

Masters in the Maasverse - High Kings

Titles are interesting. The Autumn King and the HIGH King of the Avallen Fae?
When have we heard the term High King? Well, Hybern had a High King.

In A Court of Silver Flames we learn The Sword Gwydion had belonged to a true Fae High King in Prythian, as there had been in Hybern. He had united the lands, its people—and for a while, with that sword, peace had reigned. Until he had been betrayed by his own queen and his fiercest general, and lost the sword to them, and the lands fell into darkness once more. Never again to see another High King—only High Lords, who ruled the territories that had once answered to the king.

And then Amren told Rhys he could be high king with the 3 blades Nesta accidentally Made. 

Rhys then asked her “Why do you want me to turn conqueror?”
Amren asked back, “Why do you shy from the power that is your birthright?”
I have always thought that was a curious thing for Amren to say to him. Rhys is very against it though. We will definitely get more into High Kings later.

Chapter 5

Tharion was definitely channeling Hannah Montana saying everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days, ending up on the Haldren sea looking for a body definitely qualified as one of those days. It’s not his fault he was such a hottie to everyone and that bothered the River Queens daughter. They were looking in a trench in the Haldren Sea. The caption told Tharion that the odds were slim my guy. Guess who’s body he was hunting? That random girl from the prologue, Sofie, the Thunderbird.

Not only was Sofie a Thunderbird but she was a rebel spy and if he was caught, it would not be a good look for The River Queen and Tharion. They had to be super sneaky. He was being punished for making the River Queens daughter cry, but also his fault for taking her maidenhead and becoming betrothed to her. Yikes on bikes Tharion.  Everyone makes mistakes but you strike out left and right in this book bud. Sometimes you need to realize it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me and at tea time everyone would agree. Anyway, he’s been dilly dallying and avoiding this marriage for ten fucking years. Tharion spent more time continuing to do just that and scanned the whole area for a body. They found lead blocks but no body three hours later. He lets the River Queen know the haps and she tells him to find the brother because if she’s alive she’s probably heading for him.

Masters in the Maasverse - Melinoe Trench

We are back in the Melinoe trench guys! And we got some interesting tid bits about. Tharion says “ this northern stretch of the Halden Seas was different. It sucked the life from one’s bones, its grayness creeping into the should. He describes this ocean having a viciousness and it bellowed and raged. He then goes on and says this is where vik was dumped off at and i quote “the wraiths shoebox sized helhole.” Now Ky and i both made the case for the Melinoe trench being some type of portal to hel. We know that oceans often separate realms so i feel pretty married to this theory. Even the fact that he says there are flurries of floating bits - i do know its because i just watched stranger things so i am like yup its like the upside down. 

Chapter 6

Bryce and Hunt were being a dynamic duo trying to help the bleeding Ithan and get to the bottom of what happened to him. Apparently Sabitch didnt take too kindly to Ithan defending Bryce in an article and they beat the shit out of him & kicked him out and then Amelie’s little sister brought him to Bryces. Bryce tells Ithan he has no choice and is staying there and then handles another matter and convinces her parents to leave earlier than expected. 

Bryce says that Ithan will sleep in her bed with her which Hunt is feeling a lot of jealous feelings about. more jelly Belly than her engagement to Cormac. Bryce and Ithan end up having a. Middle of the night heart to heart. She confirms that it was true that Danika was her anchor for the drop and the pack of devils also helped. Ithan tells Bryce that Connor loved her more than anyone and he believed she was his mate. She admitted that she did love him. 

CC Community College - Mates in Crescent City

Shifter Mates- one’s true lover, predestined by Urd. 

Fae- A mate was a blonde deeper than marriage and beyond an individuals control

Angels- there concept was more akin to marriage but matings could be arranged

Chapter 7

Ruhn is not thrilled at this whole engagement situation. The Thotumn King does not care though. He’s like everyone is getting married up in this bitch- you will marry Hypaxia and Bryce to Cormac. Cormac then shares that Hypaxia has a half sister and is a Necromancer, aka someone who can speak to the dead, just like her mom. Ruhn is like cool, no biggie. Cormac is like hold my mead, her half sister is the Hind. 

Daddy Thotum steps in and is like that doesn’t matter, and you guys are doing what I say. In a firm dad voice tells them there will be no more debate. But Ruhn has to get one more in and is like Bryce and Athalar are together ya know. The Thotumn King just tells him they don’t smell like it. After bickering about power, her says that Bryce has one good value and that is her good ol’ womb room. 

Cormac brings up weakening bloodlines just like his daddy had before. Then Ruhn asked if this was really about the war. But daddy just says no, power in the bloodlines. Cormac leaves so Ruhn again asks why are you doing this? Then daddy Thotumn King is a dick because he says Cormac is the son I should have, not the one I was burdened with”

Chapter 8

Their first morning as the new and improved Three Company debuted in the apartment. Bryce let Hunt know if shit hits the fan with the new archangel she was just a call away, Bryce and Ithan reminisced, and then Ithan and hunt had a pissing match. Hunt def held a grudge for Ithan being a little bitch to Bryce for years and let him know it. Ithan was like you know Connor loved her five years and at the five years he finally got her to agree to a date… you are at month five good luck bro. 

Bryce called Jesiba for her third question of the week asking about a piece of art she needs answers on. Jesiba spills the beans that she heard about secret beans aka that Bryce is a fiancé. Her spies let her in on it. Bryce is like cool, any insight as to why Thotumn would try to ruin her life and Jesiba gives her this quote “males will always try to control the females who scare them. Marriage and breeding are their go to methods.” She goes on that she believes that the thotumn got bored waiting and is forcing her to react. Jesiba presses on giving her a semi compliment that she is more like her brother than she realized, she hasnt succumbed to the allure of being the chosen one. She follows up with so you aren’t doing anything with your talent or the horn? She’s like nah my power isnt that great any way plays the Asteri told me to lie low forever and Jesiba hits her with “how terribly boring of you to obey them.” And even a parting “ dont be a cliche and refuse Cormac Donnall.”

CC Community College: Thurr Lore

Thurrr. Okay so we have what I think was a statue of Thurr earlier.  Now we have the first official time we talk about him. When Bryce calls to ask Jesiba about him this is what info she tells us. “I’ve got a nine thousand year old Rhodinian bust of Thurr here. Basically a broody male who was supposed to pass for the nearly forgotten minor storm deity. All that remained of him in their culture was the behemoth of a planet named after him and thursday. I do believe that SJM was inspired by Thor, the Norse god of thunder lightning storms strength and the protection of gods and humans. He was known for immense power, red hair, and wielding the mighty hammer -much like the statue from earlier. He was the defender of Asgard and Midgard, yes Midgard which was the human realm. He was a central figure in myths regarding slaying giants and battling the Midgard serpent who he died from its venom at Ragnorak. now this Midgard serpent is reminding me of the leviathan statue that was at the bone quarter. 

Masters in the Maasverse: Cormac 

So we get Cormac’s last name for the first time so naturally i looked it up. Donnall in Irish means world ruler which i dont believe is by accident. Also did you guys know this is not the first time the name Cormac has been in the Maasverse? In Queen of Shadows when Aelin comes back with red hair it is because she was impersonating one of his top clients and investors, Hinsol Cormac when she freed Aedion from jail. 

And then later when Vernon was terrorizing Elide a man named Cormac with red hair and a black collar around his neck, it was soon to be her betrothed. Is it a coincidence maybe? Or perhaps a family name, obvi we have like 15k in between so who is to say. 

That's a wrap on our first episode of Crescent City House of Sky and Breath Deep Dive. Make sure you are following us on social media and wherever you listen to podcasts! 

As we prep for Rites of Starling, we will be revisiting book one, Shield of Sparrows and breaking down the world, its lore, and the characters that make up this realm. 

Odessa Cross

Our 23 year old FMC who most likely would follow a lot of ADHD pages on her instagram is often tardy for the party because she has a millions of questions to ask. She is the oldest daughter and would definitely love Taylor Swift's bop Eldest Daughter. She was treated as the "forgotten princess" and shoved to the side for her half sister Mae to shine. 

Physical Description: She has curly red hair (she got it from her mama) but her step mother makes her color it brown. While in Quentin she is forced to wear grey also because of said stepmother.  Her eyes are a solid gold without a starburst which is typical for all residents of Calandra

Hobbies: Cliff diving enthusiast, often seen drawing, has an interest in maps. Big fan of monsters whether it's Fazian, mischievous four year olds, and larger monsters with an alter ego. To be fair monsters really seem to be a big fan of her as well. 

Name Meaning:

Odessa-  in greek means crux"long journey" or "voyage." Its linked to Homer's hero Odysseus which reflects the epic travels and endurance of the hero with interpretations including "wrathful" or "one who receives pain." It could also be considered a derivative of Oda who is papa god in this world. 

Cross- in Latin means crux (which is not at all suspicious). It has strong Christian connotations, symbolizing, the cross of Jesus.

The Guardian Aka Ransom

Government Name:  Zavier Ransom Wolfe

The Prince of Turah and heir to the Turan Throne. He has been undercover and goes by the name of The Guardian. He received this nickname after he was bit by a monster and started having "super" abilities (vision, speed, strength, healing, etc.). The super abilities come from him being infected with Lyssa. 

Physical Description: He is a hottie with a naughty body. Tall & broad, chiseled jaw, and brown hair. His eyes are a glorified mood ring and change colors accordingly. He also does not have the typical green Turan starburst. 

He is a believer of praise being saved for the bedroom and not the training ring. 

Name Meaning:

Zavier: Means "bright" "splendid" or "savior"

Ransom: A price paid to deliver someone from captivity, bondage or punishment. In the Bible, Jesus's sacrifice being the ultimate ransom - a payment for humanity's sin's to redeem them from spiritual death and bondage. 

Wolfe- Symbolizes cunning, and loyalty. Usually associated with fierce warrior qualities.

Xavier/Dray

Will the real Prince of Turah please stand up? Welp it wont be this guy. Zavier, (government name: Dray). He has being playing his cousin’s (Ransom) body double for the last 11 years, which he says is an honor.

Physical Description: Another hottie on our hands. Soft wavy brown hair, a scarred eyebrow, with moss colored eyes with Turan’s green starburst.

He is a man of little words, but he still finds time to fulfill the single dad trope by raising Ransom’s little sister. He also likes to share in the bedroom, so good for him.

Name Meaning: 

Zavier: Means "bright" "splendid" or "savior"

Dray: Of English origins meaning large and tall, patient, and long suffering.

King Cross

The King of Quentis is the nicknamed "The Gold King."He is a blonde (first red flag) and has carmel eyes flecked with gold and has an amber starburst like the rest of Quentins. He seems to be quite shiesty and wants Odessa to find a way into Allesaria and try and 86 the Guardian from life. There is something in Allesaria that he desperately wants.

Margot Cross

The current queen of Quentis. She is the mother of Mae and Arty and Odessa's Stepmonster (ruling is still out on her). She was Odessa's mother's lady maid. She made sure Mae was the favorited child and tried to make sure Odessa was off to the side. Unclear if it was for protection or for personal gain?

Note: Blonde with blue eyes with Amber starburst

NAME MEANING

Cross: in Latin means crux (which is not at all suspicious). It has strong Christian connotations, symbolizing, the cross of Jesus.

Gold: Symbolizes wealth, power, success, and prestige.

Margot: French original meaning peart. Symbolizes beauty, rarity, elegance, and timelessness

Mae Cross

An 18 year old spitfire that was groomed her entire life to be the sparrow and future queen. She could use anger management and a hobby that doesnt involve swordplay and bloodlust. She's Odessa's half sister and daughter of Margot and King Cross.

Arthalayus

Arthy is three years old and is heir to the Quentin throne. He is Odessa's half brother and son of King Cross and Margot.

NAME MEANING

Cross: in Latin means crux (which is not at all suspicious). It has strong Christian connotations, symbolizing, the cross of Jesus.

Mae: Spring, growth new beginnings. Nickname for Margaret/Margo.

Arthalayus: Potential derivative of Arthur's symbolizing strength and courage and nobility. Made famous by King Arthur.

Quentis Residents 

Banner

He may be the General of the Golden King's legion but is a complete bore. He was Odessa's former fiancé despite being 15 years older and having a secret lovaaaaa named Brielle. Big grudge against the Guardian for killing is rapey brother.

Brielle 

The nicer of the two of Odessa's lady maids even though she was bangin' Odessa's old fiancé, banner.

Jocelyn

The biscuit of a lady maid who was banging who she thought was Odessa's husband (Dray). Secret spy for King Cross and reported back on Odessa and the Turans.

Name Meaning

Banner: Means flag or standard

Brielle: Heroine of God

Jocelyn: joyful or happy.

Wolfe Family

Ramsey Wolfe

The King of Turah is a big fan of burning books and being kind of a d bag. He wont be winning father of the year anytime soon. Estranged from wife Luella. 

Luella

Mother to Ransom and Evangeline and MIA Queen of Turah. She was the daughter of rich Turannobelamn who arranged a marriage with King Ramsey. She didnt love him and had a side chick named Mikhail. Her bestie is Cathlin. She has a lot of secrets and is a big fan of alchemy. 

Name Meaning:

Ramsey: Wild garlic (unclear if he is a big pasta guy)

Luella: Famous warrior or renowned in battle.

Turah Residents 

Cathlin 

Spends most of her time as Treow's librarian but is often in the right place at the right time. Loves dropping Easter eggs. Besties with Luella. Former resident of Allesaria. 

Evangeline 

Four years old and second in line to the Turan throne. Most believe she is Xavier's daughter but she is actually the secret daughter of Luella and King Ramsey. She has blue starbursts like those born from Ozarth. Goes by the name Evie and is a hide and seek enthusiast. 

Name Meaning:

Cathlin: means pure or clear 

Evangeline: Bearer of good news or gospel

Voster Bros

V Bros Lore

Secretive magical beings. They are supposedly long lived but not immortal. Unclear how many are in the brotherhood. They use blood magic to make unbreakable bonds and can manipulate water, air, and blood. They are weird looking creatures that don't believe in cutting their nails. Green eyes with no starburst. 

Brother Dime

He is the emissary for King Cross but only visits for important events (weddings, royal funerals, etc.) 

Voster High Priest

Prefers to float. His power is unknown just like his whereabouts the last few decades. 

Name Meaning:

Voster: Dutch origin meaning guardian of the forest

Dime: in numerology 10 signifies new beginning, completion, and leadership. 

Make sure you check out our podcast High Fae Housewives for our deep dive of Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. 

In today's class - "Welcome to Crescent City Community College" we will be covering chapters 1-8. 

If you are a visual learner, feel free to watch the class below (clickable) or on Spotify.

For, our audio listeners here is the class on  Spotify and Apple.

For those that want a quick summary of chaps and the break down, including Maasverse tie-ins we got you! Class notes are below.

CHAPTER ONE 

We meet our FMC, Bryce Quinlan, a red headed, half-fae, half-human sass machine. She’s working at Griffin Antiquities with Lehabah, a spicy little fire sprite who is not thrilled when Bryce’s ride-or-die, Danika Fendyr, full-Vanir wolf shifter and certified menace, bangs on the door like, “Where the hell you been, loca?” Bryce lets her in like the good little spider monkey she is. Lehabah immediately starts melting down about how Jesiba, their terrifying enchantress boss, won’t approve of this surprise guest.

Bryce and Danika are pure chaos besties. Bryce is cranky because her new back tattoo, one she drunkenly got to match Danika, is killing her. Danika, meanwhile, is like, “Cute, babe, but I need a shower because I got… fluids on me. Not the fun kind.” She dumps her stuff in the supply closet like it’s no big deal, and the foreshadowing here is absolutely unhinged.

On a reread, the hints are everywhere. Bryce’s tattoo hurting “like Hel,” Danika healing instantly because she’s full Vanir, Bryce being obliterated when she got inked. The first time through you’re just trying to survive the worldbuilding tsunami, but later it’s so fun catching all the clues.

Danika then drops the bomb that she has to meet with the city heads because Phillip Briggs is being released from prison due to paperwork incompetence. Briggs 101: leader of the human rebellion over in Pangera, across the Halden Sea, arrested for planning to blow up The White Raven, a popular nightclub, to start a war between humans and the magical Vanir and the Asteri. Basically, he wants global chaos. Danika vows she’ll tell the archangels, specifically beautiful, infuriating Micah, to shove Briggs right back in a cell.

Meanwhile there’s an actual war in Pangera where humans are rebelling, and Briggs is over here dreaming of a worldwide bloodbath to topple the Vanir and the Asteri, who rule Midgard from the Eternal City. No biggie.

WORD TO YA MOTHAAAA Segment:
Asteri comes from the Greek word for “star.” Big cosmic energy here.
Vanir comes from Norse mythology, a group of gods tied to fertility, wisdom, and prophecy.
Pangera is basically Pangea vibes.
Valbara is another ancient supercontinent reference. All of this absolutely matters.

Jesiba Spotlight:
Jesiba Roga, Bryce’s boss, is a 400-year-old enchantress, born a witch, who defected to the House of Flame and Shadow and now works for the Under-King. She owns Griffin Antiquities and its extremely illegal library and casually turns annoying people into animals. The name Jesiba connects to “to see or behold,” and Roga means “horn” in Slavic languages. And yes, that might tie into Luna’s Horn. Not a coincidence, babes.

Jesiba also has major Circe energy, the Greek enchantress daughter of Helios who turned enemies into animals. We’re putting a pin in that connection.

Maasters in the Maasverse

ACOTAR Parallels:
We get Helion, Day Court Daddy, whose powers are all golden light, spell-cleaving, air magic, sunfire, telepathy, shapeshifting, the whole shebang. Jesiba’s golden wards echo his magic in a big way. Lucien, whose name means “light,” is Helion’s biological son, and Elaine’s name also ties to light. It’s giving Maasverse crossover energy. Jesiba might be the glue.

CHAPTER TWO

Everyone keeps checking on Danika through Bryce because Briggs getting released is apparently very not cool. Danika, who absolutely would have loved New Moon, is hanging out in wolf form. She heads off to do wolf pack things while Bryce goes to do work things. Her task of the day is to look for Luna’s Horn.

There’s a moment where Danika glances at a showroom camera from behind the decapitated ten-thousand-year-old faun statue. Her tail swishes once as she asks why anyone even wants the Horn. Major foreshadowing. Danika is basically Jim from The Office giving a look to the camera. Her tail is the tell.

The Horn got stolen during a blackout. Supposedly “looters” broke into Luna’s Temple and snatched the relic from the lap of the giant enthroned deity. Sure, looters. We immediately learn Danika’s mom Sabine is a massive bitch. Classic fantasy-name curse. Danika and Bryce have been besties since they met, but Sabine insists Bryce is a half-breed slut.

On their walk Danika mentions Bryce’s half brother, who Bryce still holds a grudge against. They talk about the Horn and Bryce wonders if the power outage was connected. Danika’s tail twitches again because Bryce is getting too close to the truth. Bryce talks about her career and Danika’s eyes flick to the very fancy, very necessary Archesian amulet Bryce wears because neither of them has made the Drop yet.

Bryce’s mom calls. Danika snatches her phone because Bryce’s mom is cooler than her own. She lies that they’re out having fun and gets Bryce out of a parental visit because Lunathion is a little too dangerous right now for humans.

Even though Bryce is only half Fae she’s immediately shown as a badass. She still practices at the gun range even though she hates guns. She’s an excellent shot because her dad is legendary and started training her young. Foreshadowing.

Danika being ten steps ahead gives major Aelin energy. No wonder we like her too much too fast.

The two reach Old Square where tons of tourists wait to take pictures with the Gates. There are seven Gates in total, each carved from huge quartz blocks from the Laconian Mountains. Old Square’s is called the Heart Gate. Each gate has a gem that takes one drop of your magic forever.

Emerald with a rose for Five Roses
Opal with wings for CBD
Ruby with a heart for Old Square
Sapphire with an oak for Moonwood
Amethyst with a man’s hand for Asphodel Meadows
Tiger’s eye with a serpent for the Meat Market
Onyx with skull and crossbones for the Bone Quarter

The history teacher once said the Gates were originally communication devices. The line “the power shall always belong to those who give their lives to the city” is giving Sword of Gryffindor energy.

Danika absolutely uses her clout to cut the line. She and Bryce make their little wishes even though Bryce barely has magic to spare. Danika was expected to have a ton, even more than the Autumn King. There’s a test to predict power levels and she and Bryce planned to do it together at twenty-seven. Totally vanity reasons.

We get the basics of the Drop. After the Drop, aging slows massively. Fae can live a thousand years, shifters and witches about five hundred, angels somewhere between. Humans can’t make the Drop at all. The Vanir heal faster, live longer, and are very hard to kill. Fury once dragged them for waiting to do the Drop for vanity. Fury didn’t choose her own Drop age. It just happened or was forced. She was only at CCU as cover for missions and spent her time doing horrific things for a lot of money in Pangera. No one knows who she works for. You simply do not mess with Fury.

Bryce and Danika make their wishes and go their separate ways.

We get a throwaway line that is not actually a throwaway about a poster showing the six enthroned Asteri and an empty throne for their fallen sister. Finding out who that sister is a case we want to solve.

WORD TO YO MOTHA Segment
Adelaide means noble or of noble kind

MAASTERS IN THE MAASVERSE

The Archesian amulet is a tiny pendant of three entwined circles with major protection against magical influence. And in the MAASVERSE this symbol pops up everywhere. The Bone Carver draws it when talking about his siblings. ACOWAR mentions “three stones for the faces of the Mother.” In Throne of Glass Elena’s amulet has the same three-faced-goddess vibe. Manon calls it the Eye of the Goddess and ties it to the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Maybe it’s three worlds overlapping or rips that open gates. Maybe it’s tied to the Archeron sisters. The point is, this symbol matters, and we’ll learn more about the amulet later.

CHAPTER THREE

Bryce gets home to her humble little apartment and immediately sees that the Pack of Devils has taken over like they pay rent. She asks about the Sunball game. They won, of course, and Connor’s brother Ithan scored the winning goal. Bryce absolutely did not flirt even a tiny bit with Connor before heading into the kitchen to check on Danika after her big meeting.

Briggs is being released and Danika is pissed, but Bryce’s best friend telekinesis picks up that something else is eating her. Turns out that during the power outage last week, two CCU students were murdered in Danika’s section. They were basically in ribbons and clearly used as a partial dinner by something. Not great.

We’re only in Chapter Three and there’s already so much shadowing to the fore. Danika’s pack has basically made watchful loyalty, protectiveness, and chaotic sibling energy into an art form. They’ve claimed Bryce as one of their own even though she doesn’t have the pack sigil tattoo down her neck. And the Prime knows this. File that away.

Bryce suddenly remembers she has a date with her rich boyfriend. Connor is not thrilled. Bryce gives the bare minimum to get ready, takes a few shots, throws on a slutty dress, and tries to head out. But Connor intercepts and actually tries to ask her out. She turns him down gently, then continues on to the fancy restaurant.

She and said rich boyfriend have had sex twice in two months. Brutal. Especially when it was just “okay” both times. Their whole dynamic is funny though. They’re so unfiltered with each other it feels like real friends talking about dumb relationship stuff.

We get the iconic exchange.
Danika says, light it up, bitch.
Bryce answers, light it up, asshole.

A few things to highlight from this chapter:

• Redner Industries is a human owned magi-tech company. Michael Domitus has dumped serious money into their cutting edge experiments. This will matter later.
• Family history moment. Bryce’s mom Ember fell for the Autumn King until he became extremely possessive and aggressive. She peaced out before he even realized she was pregnant. The name Ember is symbolic. A dying fire, lingering heat, the last glow before a spark returns. It represents resilience and potential for revival, which fits Ember perfectly.
• Connor moment. Please cue Taylor Swift’s “the 1.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Bryce shows up to her fancy dinner date with no date in sight. That prick strolls in forty-five minutes late like he’s doing her a favor. Even with people making gross comments about her, she still gets herself some very fancy wine because priorities. While she waits, she gets the sweetest messages from Connor:
You know I’m shit with talking. But what I wanted to say, before you tried to pick a fight with me, by the way, was that I think it’s worth it. You and me. Giving us a shot. I’m crazy about you. I don’t want anyone else. I haven’t for a long while. One date. If it doesn’t work, we’ll deal with it. But just give me a chance. Please.
We all feel the trauma incoming. It hurts already.

Reid’s excuse for being late is a long call about some Pangeran conflict. He gets condescending and tells Bryce she wouldn’t get it because it’s complicated. The war’s been going on for forty years. Humans would rather die than keep living under the Asteri. They hate being slaves. Pangera is a full disaster zone. Fury’s been over there doing who knows what for who knows who.

 Dinner is going terribly. Reid is boring. He’s on his phone. Connor is whispering sweet nothings in her messages. So she dumps Reid right there. She takes the bottle of wine, talks shit to another Fae for the vibes, then texts Fury to go out.

Cue Destiny’s Child Jumpin Jumpin. Ladies leave your man at home, the club has ballers and their pockets are grown. Juniper joins. The girls hit the White Raven. I imagine it like Friday night at the Cabaret at Tulalip in 2011. Bryant-level chaos.

Outside Bryce buys some fun drugs. A dealer tries pushing harder stuff but she is way too poor for that. She starts flirting with Connor through texts and finally agrees to a date. She updates Danika, obviously, and tells her to enjoy pack night. Danika being Danika is off doing wolf alpha loyalty activities.

The White Raven is a temple. The building was built around ancient ruins so the dance floor is literally the old stones of some forgotten god’s pleasure temple. Satyrs, fauns, dancing, drinking, sex carvings everywhere. Love that for them.

Danika has spent hours researching shifter history. Lions rule in Helene. Tigers in Korinth. Falcons in Oia. So much foreshadowing it hurts.

Fury calls Bryce out on her half ass vanity attempt and says Reid should have known he was about to be dumped. Fury also has more drugs. Bryce asks if it’s the expensive stuff she can’t afford. Fury tells her no and to stay far away from it. Bryce reminds her she works tomorrow so nothing hallucinogenic.

Synth will make you feel like a god. File that away. All the way away.

World Building Lore

A long time ago the Vanir erupted through that northern Rift and overtook Midgard. The ones who arrived were far more advanced than the humans and regular animals already living there. Their whole calendar reflects it. HE is Human Era. VE is Vanir Era. Basically the Bible but instead of Jesus you get immortal assholes.

The Vanir have reigned for fifteen thousand years. Only in the past few centuries have humans gained more rights thanks to the Imperial Senate with Asteri approval. One wrong move and they go right back to slavery. Slaves are mostly in Pangera but Crescent City has its share, including warrior angels in the 33rd, Micah’s personal legion. SPQM tattoos mark them.

Bryce was born of two Houses since she’s half Fae and half human. But she was forced to yield allegiance to the House of Sky and Breath in exchange for the civitas rank her father arranged for her. Full citizenship at a cost. Her dad would only petition for her if she claimed his House. She resented him for it but even her mom admitted the benefits outweighed the insult. Humans barely have protections and he knew it

Class Notes:

Fury’s description: long onyx ponytail, sharp face, deep-set chestnut eyes, light brown skin. No one knows what kind of Vanir she is. She’s a full civitas citizen with preternatural speed, grace, and reflexes, but she never reveals another form or any special magic. SJM gives us crumbs. Delicious, frustrating crumbs.

CHAPTER 5

Bryce decides she is going to absolutely live it up at the White Raven before her date with Connor in three days. Fury brings a mountain of drugs. They partake. Bryce becomes a full dancing queen, living her best messy life.

She eventually stumbles down her street and apparently browns out the journey because she genuinely has no clue how she got there. She remembers the code to her building, climbs the gross stairwell that smells exactly as disgusting as you’re imagining, and makes it to her door. She focuses just long enough to realize it’s open. And there’s blood everywhere.

She walks inside and finds the Pack of Devils in pieces. Actual piles of her friends. Everywhere. It is horrific. Heart-shredding. You feel it in your stomach.

A thunk sounds from the hallway. Whatever did this must have been hiding in the trash chute. Bryce bolts. In the alley she spots what looks like a demon. Smooth, almost translucent gray skin, crawling on four creepy limbs, feasting on an angel. Definitely nightmare fuel.

She grabs a table leg and smacks the demon in the head. It only pauses for a second, then lunges back for the angel. She tries again, but the thing rips open her thigh and runs. She tries to stop the angel’s bleeding, asks for his phone, calls for help, and begs them to track him through it. They say they’re coming.

And meanwhile we all sit here gutted because Bryce was finally going to go on that date with Connor. After literal years of slow burn. She knew it was going to be something real. And he’s just gone. Her future, gone. Her best friend, gone. Her found family, gone. All in one night. It’s devastating.

Juniper Andromeda Spotlight.
Juniper’s name symbolizes purification, protection, longevity, vitality, and spiritual growth. And Andromeda is a whole galaxy. There’s a concept of Andromeda Starseeds, souls from that galaxy incarnating to help raise consciousness and guide evolution. Bryce describes Juniper as sweet and mild but luminous. It is very fun to view her through the "andromeda Starseed" lens as the series goes on.

MAASTERS IN THE MAASVERSE

Then we get the line about “dancing at the sacred ancient heart of the Raven.” I want to investigate the temple of the forgotten god too. What kind of god had a pleasure temple under a nightclub? It is giving the SOuthern Continent from TOG for me. 

CHAPTER SIX

Bryce goes from screaming grief to terrifying calm. Isaiah, Micah’s top dog but still a slave, takes charge of the case. He’s assisted by Hunt Athalar, also known as the Umbra Mortis. Hunt immediately wants to toss Bryce into a less pleasant interrogation room, which tells you everything about his vibes at first. Sounds like a dick. Is acting like a dick. Very consistent.

HUNT LORE
His nickname, the Umbra Mortis, literally translates from Latin to Shadow of Death. Even Isaiah’s instincts call him predator, killer, monster. Hunt exists in a ripple of stillness, that quiet moment before a thunderclap, the whole world holding its breath around him.

Isaiah gives Hunt the basic rundown on Bryce.
Bryce Quinlan. Twenty-three. Half Fae, half human. Blood test from ten years ago confirmed she’ll have an immortal lifespan. Nearly zero power. Hasn’t made the Drop. Full civitas citizen. Found in an alley with one of their own, trying to keep his heart from falling out with her bare hands.
It flashes back to the alley. Bryce was adrenaline-scorched and heartbroken. Hunt judged her as a spoiled party girl. He stapled her thigh wound battlefield style. Present-day Hunt then learns Danika is dead. You can feel the shift.

Hunt is not in the Triarii, but not not in the Triarii. He is an assassin, a demon hunter, basically Demi Lovato ghost hunting but with a lightning halo and blood on the floor.
Side note: glad you caught your typo because semon hunter is a wildly different job description.

Hunt tracks down demons that slip through the northern Rift or get illegally summoned.
In Chapter 18, the southern Rift is mentioned. It appears once per book. Very convenient. Potential future witch-gate. Noted for later.

Isaiah is also a slave. Both he and Hunt have halos branded across their brows. Pangeran witches used spell-forged ink that binds most of their power. These halos are a mockery of the divine auras early humans once painted angels with. Angels were created by the Asteri to be perfect soldiers and loyal servants. Hunt and Isaiah wear these halos because they were part of the rebellion two hundred years ago led by Archangel Shahar, Hunt’s commander and lover. The rebellion failed. They also have SPQM tattoos on their wrists. Even regrown limbs carry the brand.

Timeline check.
Fae rebellion: two hundred years ago.
Human rebellion: forty years ago.
Asteri: still the worst.

Naturally, everyone immediately blames Briggs, who was just freed that day. Danika had been stressed about it for a reason. Right then Sabine storms in and goes full Sabine. So pissed at Bryce simply for being alive.

Viktoria (Vik), also bearing a halo, shows up to interrogate Bryce. Vik is a Wraith. Interesting to compare with the water wraiths in ACOTAR. She lists every drug Bryce took, plays the audio of Danika dying, and interrogates her aggressively. Total bitch move. Isaiah realizes Bryce is in shock and will not be speaking.

Hunt asks about Bryce’s other friends: Juniper and Fury.
One of Bryce’s texts to Danika said she hooked up with someone in the bathroom and not to tell Connor. Hot take: Bryce was not wrong for that. She was not dating Connor yet. She was grieving, messy, drugged, traumatized, and twenty-three. Let her live.

We get more Fury intrigue.
They have crossed paths with the mercenary enough to know they do not want smoke. Micah even ordered Hunt to kill her. Twice. Hunt refused because he was not suicidal. What could Fury possibly be that scares literal angelic killing machines? Why does Micah want her dead? We will be circling this for the rest of the series.

Bryce finally cracks. She wants to go home. Hunt is surprisingly gentle with her in this moment. Then Isaiah gets a call telling them to release her. Confusion grows when Ruhn Danaan, Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae, walks in demanding to see Bryce. They ask what she is to him. He says she is his cousin. Hunt and Ruhn immediately start swinging their supernatural dicks around before Ruhn leaves.

As soon as Ruhn leaves, Isaiah and Hunt discuss the tracker they put in Bryce’s water. Absolute government conspiracy energy. I too wonder what kind of research Sarah Janet did to create this level of surveillance state.

Ruhn Lore.
Son of the Autumn King. Wielder of the Starsword, ancient blade proving his Chosen One status. His blue eyes shimmer like blue flame even though he has zero fire magic. Fae fire is common in Valbara, but Ruhn’s power is like the kin who rule Avallen across the sea. They summon shadows and mist that can veil the world and the mind. Telepathy-level stuff.

Starsword Lore.
Sword made from iridium mined from a meteorite forged in another world before the Fae arrived through the northern Rift. This should set off every ACOTAR and TOG alarm bell.

Fae Isle of Avallen.
Across the sea. Home to shadow magic. Mind magic. Veils reality. Telepathy. This will be important later in CC and ACOTAR connections.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Flash forward six days after the murder.

Bryce takes a trip to the Bone Quarter because she has things she needs to say. Ithan is there being an absolute dick, telling her she isn’t welcome at the pack’s sailing. Danika’s will be at dawn and Bryce’s would follow. Even if they had invited her, she knows she couldn’t have stood there watching whether Danika’s soul would be judged worthy or unworthy. The pain would have shattered her.

There is silence. Nothing but silence and mist. Bryce kneels before the gate. The temperature drops. The mist tightens. Something ancient and terrible approaches. Still she bows her head. She came here to say goodbye and give Danika one last thing. The creature emerges and even the river trembles.

Let’s pause for the Bone Quarter aesthetic.
Foggy shores. Sketchy boat ride down the Istros.Obsidian steps.Darkness.Silence.Mist.

And the bone gates themselves carved from the ribs of a long dead leviathan who once ruled the northern deep.
It’s giving the Prison in ACOTAR. Feyre’s first visit, staring up at the grassy slope with mist drifting and dread rolling in. Sarah planted this seed on purpose. A breadcrumb for the larger Maasverse. A whisper of connection perhaps?

Leviathan Lore
Biblically, a massive sea serpent.
Christianity sometimes frames it as a demon of pride, even associated with Satan or the Beast of Revelation.
So the Bone Quarter being built from a leviathan’s ribs is a massive lore drop, and we will absolutely dive deeper into this ancient being in Book Two, especially with the Maasverse implications.

Then we get the line:
A light had gone out inside her. A light had been extinguished.
This is one of those deceptively simple SJM gut punches. Light it up becomes something entirely different after this.

And then there is Ithan Holstrom. Ithan sucks. Forever the littlest of bitches. He truly outshines Chaol in bitchery, which is impressive because Chaol has held the crown for years.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Two years after the murders we jump straight into Bryce hooking up at the White Raven. Queen is back to coping the only way she knows how. Her hookup is so overwhelmed by how business-coded her outfit is that he literally assumes she is a prostitute. Bryce assures him it is on the house and carries on like the icon she is.

MAASTERS IN THE MAASVERSE
Riso once said the White Raven sits on the ruins of a temple of pleasure. Which is very interesting when you start triangulating the Maasverse and thinking about ancient god-worshipping cultures. The city that best maps onto Lunathion based on geography, climate, and architectural ruins is the Southern Continent in Throne of Glass, near Antica. Hot. Coastal. Broad religious diversity. Old temples. And we know SJM loves her cyclical civilizations.

We are not spiraling into a full theory here but you are absolutely cooking something correct.

Bryce heads to the VIP section to meet her client Maximus Tertian.
Two hundred year old vampyr.
Unwed and unmated.
Son of the richest and creepiest Pangeran vamp.
Rumored to bathe in tubs full of maiden blood like he is running a Groupon special at Dracula’s Day Spa.
Naturally Bryce wants nothing to do with him beyond this sale. He flirts. She icks. He is so cringe-coded you can smell the entitlement.

Then we get the perfect snapshot of Bryce’s underrated brilliance.
She has tracked down ownership papers for a five-thousand-year-old onyx bust of a vampyr lord.
She has played vamp politics like a fiddle.
She has stroked egos.
She has dangled exclusivity.
She has manipulated rivalries.
She has a business brain sharper than the Starsword.
This girl is not just pretty and petty. She is cunning. Strategic. Socially brilliant in a way Tamlin could never even conceptualize let alone execute.

Then the drop party downstairs distracts her for two seconds but she snaps back.
Maximus gets handsy.
He thinks the money he paid her boss means perks come with the deal.
He puts a bruising grip on her wrist.

And suddenly everything goes quiet in the club.

Enter Ruhn Danaan in his emo prince glory.
Max lets go because Ruhn has that don’t fuck with my cousin body language.

Before we get into him let’s cover the Drop because this is where your readers’ brains should be fully wrapped around the terror of it.

The Drop in short:
You channel your firstlight in a government facility.
You fall into your power.
Your mortal body dies at the bottom.
You have six minutes before your brain shuts down for good.
You run across the psychic runway hoping to generate enough power and will to launch back into life.
If you fail you fall into eternal nothingness.
Someone acts as your Anchor to yank you up.
Making the Drop alone is certain death.

It is terrifying. It is spiritual. It is existential. It is also not a metaphor. It is literal.

Ruhn shows up because he told Riso to notify him anytime Bryce came by. He says the Autumn King wants her to lie low before the Summit. Loose cannons and all that. Bryce is profoundly unimpressed. Ruhn offers to walk her home. She says no. He follows anyway. Bryce flips on the lights to signal you can leave now please and thank you.

Let’s talk Summits.
Once every ten years per Republic territory.
Rotating worldwide so there is always one happening somewhere each year.
Leaders meet to perform whatever policy theater the Asteri demand.
Basically government Comic-Con for political puppets.

We learn Bryce quit drinking. We learn her nice apartment came from Danika’s savings. We get two years worth of grief woven into a single moment when she thinks about her alcohol sweater and lies through her teeth.
Bryce is so strong here. It takes a certain kind of resilience to let people believe the worst about you while quietly doing the hard work of healing alone.

And then there is Ruhn.
He is snarky.
He is intense.
He absolutely gives protective cousin energy.
He pretends he’s chill but is not.
But he cares.
You can see it as early as here.

This chapter marks the moment Bryce the traumatized party girl starts shifting into Bryce the quietly resurrecting heroine. It is subtle. But this is the turning point.

We were so lucky to have Lindsey Richardson on the podcast. Her debut book Godsbane releases on October 7th and you guys it's sooo good! 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Inspiration for Godsbane 
• Writing spicy scenes 
• Fav quotes 
• Character arcs 

This is a relatively spoiler free episode and would love for you to listen or watch! 

Apple     Spotify    YouTube 

Don't forget to get Godsbane on October 7th! 
Buy Book Here

Website 

Instagram 

season 2. episode 2.

Starting October 1st we will be starting our journey of deep diving the Crescent City Series! 

We are so dang excited and can't wait to get into theory mode. With ACOTAR coming soon? We know many of you need to start this journey and why not do it with friends who break it all down for you! 

Speaking of ACOTAR, our boom club for September is A Court of Thorns and Roses! Let's discuss and read together. Join A Court of Dreamers today! 

I dont know about you, but my brain is not firing on all cylinders during the summer. I swear I sweat out intelligence. With that being said, fantasy books usually dont scratch the itch because like i previously said, I am stupid in the summer. I want something light, funny, and something that takes very little brain cells. These 5 series are ones that I dont only think are great to read in the summer, but are honestly all rereadable for me throughout the year.

Chesnut Springs by Elsie Silver

First and foremost, Elsie Silver is an absolute queen in the cowboy romance genre. Her banter and spice are top tier. I definitely think you should start with the Chesnut Springs series. Fall in love with Rhett, Cade, Jasper, Theo, Beau, and hell even Harvey and then move on to her unfinished Rose Hill Series and her highly underrated Gold Rush Ranch Series. I love that all three series are interconnected and we get little cameos in each series. Please report back and tell me when we should all move to Wishing Well Ranch together. 

Did I mention all are on Kindle Unlimited?!

Paperback girlie? No Worries here are links for all 3 series. 

Chesnut Springs  I   Rose Hill  I  Gold Rush Ranch 

Elle Kennedy's Off Campus series is my absolute favorite hockey romance series. I dont even care that I am in my mid thirties and reading about college age kids falling in love. The great thing is Elle like Elsie has two other series that are all interconnected, so you get cameos of all your favorite college kids and even get to see them be parents in a different series. If you read a different college hockey book  that TikTok went crazy over and you were like huh maybe hockey books for me, know that this series is far superior and take a shot with this one. 

All three series are on Kindle Unlimited!

Off Campus  I   Briar U  I   Campus Diaries

The Windy City Series by Liz Tomforde is incredibly underrated in my opinion. Now if reading about college age hockey players was weird to you? Fret not these are professionals! Also, not just hockey! Hockey, basketball, and baseball and they all take play in Chi town. I still can't pick a favorite to this day. If you have yours please let me know. 

Available on KU

Windy City Series

Another banger hockey series and one of the best found family tropes I have ever read. Even better news, the next book comes out this fall. These books are definitely a little longer when it comes to romance, but I really enjoy the slice of life style and while they may be a tad longer i still consumed them in a very short period of time (less than 24 hours).

All available on Kindle Unlimited (look at me helping you save money)

Playing for Keeps Series 

The Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage is sunshine in book form. I love these books and I swear they keep getting better and better as the series goes on. It's a completed series, but I was lucky enough to read Lyla's advanced reader copy of the first book of her new series and I am pleased to say there is a little Rebel Blue cameo.

Not available on KU (sorry boo boos)

The Rebel Blue Ranch 

So there you have it folks, my list of summer romance series that I think you need to add to your TBR immediately. Let me know if you think I should add anymore to the list. 

Below you will find our episode recap where we explore chapters 1-7 of Devney Perry's Shield of Sparrows. To listen to this episode check out Spotify or Apple.

Chapter One

We open with our girl Odessa, standing at the edge of a damn cliff, contemplating if she should jump—not because she’s tragic or on heroine, but because she’s got intrusive thoughts™, a rebellious streak, and is completely over everyone's expectations of what a princess should be. She’s basically a fairytale anti-heroine with a deeply relatable Type B vibe and a ticking clock hanging over her head. If she jumps, she’ll be late. If she’s late, Margot (her possible evil stepmother) will lose it, and she’ll be in Taylor Swift levels of trouble, trouble, trouble.

She pulls back from the edge (for now) and reflects on how her half-sister Mae, the overachieving, sex-positive crown princess of Turan, was made for the role she’s currently being primped (or pimped) for—like it's the red carpet at the Oscars. Odessa, meanwhile, has been shoved into a gray dress (rude), clearly meant to fade her into the background, Cinderella-coded and all.

Enter Banner, her 15-years-older fiancé, who has the emotional warmth of a cold spoon and the personality of a flagpole. He’s got all the right genetics (Quentis-born = amber starburst eyes), but none of the charm (we believe he is a three pump chump). Their relationship is a loveless political match, and they both know it. He shows up dressed to impress, but not for her—turns out he just needed some air. Classic.

Banner hates The Guardian. Like, a lot. He tells Odessa to pray for him today and then starts yelling in her face about revenge, his dead brother, and family trauma caused by said Guardian. The vibe is: Temu Inigo Montoya energy, but without the charisma. Also: rude. Loud. Controlling. Gross.

Odessa rejects his offer to escort her and mentally spirals into thoughts about how Mae gets to marry a prince, travel, and be the treaty-sealing “Sparrow” of the Calandra alliance. Mae might not be virginal, but she’s free. Meanwhile, Odessa is stuck, dressed like a medieval monk, treated like an afterthought, and craving something more.

So what does she do? She runs toward the sea and jumps. Not because she’s broken. Because she wants to feel something real. Because the water is calling. And when she leaps—she flies.

And listen. “Fly” might not be just metaphorical here. Keep your eye on the Crux, the flying creatures, and the strange word choice. Something’s brewing.

Questions we have?

• Why is Margot putting Odessa in grey? Why does she want her to fade into the background?
• The use of the word fly. "Slightest tremor in the earth and I'd either fall or fly." Crux. Sparrow. Book dedication.

Dictionary Time:

Quentin name meaning: the fifth

Turah: Fragrance pleasing to god

calandra: Greek: lovely one Italian: beautiful singing voice in Italian 

Banner: flag bearer, what a fucking dork

Carine: Dear Beloved or pure

Chapter Two

Okay, so our Princess Odessa (name meaning: long journey, wandering, wrathful, and possibly “spawn of Papa God”) has just hurled herself off a cliff, casually, like you do and we pick back up with her dripping wet, cold, and very much not in a sexy, slow-mo music video way. Apparently, she’s been cliff-diving since she was sixteen because it’s the only thing she’s good at (relatable), and she claims this cliff like it’s emotional real estate. It's her safe space. Her therapy. Her whole “If I can’t have peace, I’ll take adrenaline” vibe.

She sneaks back into the castle, soaking wet and humming Don’t Be Suspicious, and finds herself wandering a gallery filled with Crux-themed horror murals. The Crux, btw, are giant, eagle like murder monsters that terrorize Calandra every 30 years or so. One mural even features an auburn male Crux literally eating people like string cheese. Also weird it has auburn hair (like our fav second rate princess).

✨  Enter the Lore Drop

We learn that:

• The Old Gods (Ama & Oda—mom and dad of creation) made animals out of love.

• The Six New Gods, bitter, jealous, middle-child energy, made better, stronger, deadly versions as a cosmic flex.

• The Crux are the worst of those creations beautiful and terrifying AF.

And let’s put a big red circle around the fact that Crux = bird monsters. Then immediately after, Odessa runs into a Voster Priest who cocks his head like a BIRD. Coincidence?? I think NOT.

The Voster Priest:

Sir Creepy shows up looking like if a heron and Gollum had a baby and dressed it in burgundy. Long green fingernails, no eyebrows, and eyes that are just solid, soulless green. He also does some low key magic by pulling the water from her hair and turning it into a crown, which is... super normal and not at all ominous.

This is the first time we see Odessa up close and personal with Voster magic, which makes her feel nauseous and dizzy, like she just got off a tilt-a-whirl from hell. Apparently, the Voster bend air and water and blood, and their magic is all about making aesthetic statements.

Also, nobody knows how many Voster there are or where they even live. Just casually throwing that out there. Odessa says “hundreds or thousands,” but let’s be honest it's giving suspicious “Six” energy. We’re watching.

Dress Code Abuse & Mommy Issues:

Back in her room, Margot the Stepmonster™ shows up with her usual brand of emotional abuse. She scolds Odessa for being late (even though she’s not), offers zero help, and insists on putting brown dye in her hair. Why? Because Odessa’s red-gold-copper-fire strands remind her too much of her mom who she low-key hates. Oh PS: Margot used to be Odessa's mom former lady maid.

So let’s unpack that:

• Margot dyes Odessa’s hair brown to erase her mother’s legacy.

• She doesn’t let her match Mae’s blonde locks either.

• Basically, she wants Odessa  blend into the walls. Why? Is she trying to protect her or sabatoge her. 

And the only thing Odessa gets to wear with color? Her crown. Made of sparkling amber jewels, a nod to those born on Quentis soil. That’s right, her literal only sparkle is government issued.

Meanwhile, Mae is out there...

Living her best skank life. She’s about to marry a prince, she’s doing hot girl things, and no one is shaming her for it. Odessa, on the other hand, gets yelled at for taking a literal swim. Double standards much?

Margot tells her she could’ve been eaten by sharks or worse, marroweels, a monstrous species that’s been migrating inland and absolutely wrecking the kingdom’s trade routes. And while Odessa is stuck in sad girl gray, the Turans have been out there straight up murdering marroweels and decorating the docks with their corpses. So now there’s a meeting about it, apparently it couldn't be an email.

Enter: The Guardian™

Margot lets it slip that The Guardian is coming with the Turans. You know, the one who:

• Allegedly killed Banner’s brother in a love triangle gone wrong.

• Is rumored to be Izzac incarnate, aka the God of Death playing dress up.

• Or was gifted magic by the Old Gods directly.

In any case, he’s already Daddy, and we know Odessa is gonna vibe with that brooding, possibly immortal energy real soon.

Political Set-Up:

• The marroweels are jacking up the supply lines. Kingdoms are getting twitchy. War is on the horizon if shipments don’t arrive.

• Odessa’s kingdom needs allies. Hence the high-stakes Turan summit.

• Oh, and crux season is apparently about to start, so yeah, no pressure.

Odessa finally throws on her crown (the one thing that makes her feel like someone) and heads to the throne room—fashionably late, of course.

Key Themes to Track:

• Hair color = identity and control

• Crux = bird = Voster or Odessa

• Crown as symbolism (she only sparkles in the thing that signifies duty)

• Magic as invasive (Odessa feels sick near it)

• Margot’s manipulation (emotional, physical, symbolic)

• And The Guardian’s arrival... because we are absolutely watching that unfold