Novel Theories | Romantasy Readers

Epizodes

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  Is Bryce Azriel's Mate? The Great Azriel Ship War, Part 4 - Bryceriel! 04.10.2026 2h

  In our fourth and last episode of the Great Azriel Ship War we dive deeeeeep into the Bryce and Azriel ship evidence--and go with us on this journey, because it is 2 full hours of detailed breakdowns. From the weapons as a decoy bond, to the language choices Sarah uses, to the weird ways that Azriel acts out of character in Bryce's presence.As this wraps up the ship war -- share with us: what do you think? What do you feel like stands out the most to you? What are the top arguments? What are the weakest? And who do YOU think is going to end up as Azriel's future mate?Sound off in the comments!
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  What are the Dragons Hiding? | Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros 02.10.2026 1h 58min

  Threshing Day is here--and it did not disappoint. These 13 stories are strong, emotional, fun, insightful, informational, and simply chockful of Empyrean goodness. This could be one of Rebecca's best works yet...SPOILERS AHEAD!In this episode we discuss:What does Asher Sorrengail know?Are Signets determined during Threshing?Are there dragons who aren't who they say they are?Is Xaden the grandson of Sgaeyl's rider? Is Imogen the granddaughter of Glane's?Why was Liam's Threshing so different?Why did everyone have a tree? Except Aaric...We cover all of this and so much more in this breakdown episode! Comment and let us know your thoughts on Threshing Day!
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  Is Eris Azriel's Mate? | The Great Azriel Ship War - Part 3: Azris 26.09.2026 1h 1min

  This week in the Great Azriel Ship War? Azris! Listen along as we uncover the evidence for Azriel and Eris and decide -- is it a Fireheart? Or does it belong Straight in the Cauldron?(Hint: We are giving it a 50/50 Hot Cup of Suriel Tea...)We love the Azris shippers--they showed up! The Azris fan-based is fun, passionate, and able to produce way more evidence than I think we were expecting. If you missed part 1 on Gwynriel and part 2 on Elain, check them out! And next week, stay tuned as we head for our fourth and final movement--you guessed it: Bryceriel.Happy shipping!
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  Was Elain Pregnant in the Cauldron? | Wild Maasverse Theories 3! 23.09.2026 58min

  It's time for more of the most unhinged theories! In our third installment of Wild Maasverse Theories, we dig into:Is Rhysand related to or connected to Maeve?What is with all the monsters in Wendlyn--are they related to the monsters in the prison?Was Elain pregnant with Greyson's child when she went in the cauldron?Is Gwyn "Shadow-Bryce?"Is Hunt "Shadow-Azriel?"We cover all of these theories and more! Sound off in the comments below - what do you think? Is it a fireheart for you? Do you want to throw it straight in cauldron?And thank you to everyone who has embraced the Maasverse Scoring System with us! We are thrilled to drop the first MSS image in this episode on YouTube, if you want to see it in person!For more, you can follow us at:Instagram: @noveltheories | @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghanTikTok: @bookloveaholic | @marvelousmrsmeghanReddit: u/noveltheoriespod
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  Is Elain Azriel's Mate? | The Great Azriel Ship War - Part 2: Elriel 19.09.2026 1h 41min

  We are going deeper into the Great Azriel Ship War this week with part 2: Elriel! We know there are many die-hard Elriel fans out there and we wanted to investigate the evidence they bring to the table.Honestly? Elain and Azriel fans SHOWED UP with the data. The quotes to comb through were there. But the questions isn't if they have a romantic connection...we know they do. The question is: what does it mean for the future?Do the patterns that occur in the text prove matehood? Endgame? Where are the arguments strong? Where are they weak? And how do we feel about the entirety of the evidence?And we want YOUR thoughts. Sound off in the comments, drop your thoughts, theories, and feedback. We want to hear from you.Maasverse 101: The Great Azriel Ship War Debate is on. Stay tuned as we work on Azris and Bryceriel in parts 3 and 4!
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  From Indie Author to #1 NYT Best Seller! Sheila Masteron and the Poison Daughter 15.09.2026 1h 48min

  BookTok made her book go viral… and then traditional publishing came knocking.This week, we’re joined by Sheila Masterson, bestselling author of the dark romance sensation The Poison Daughter, to talk about the whirlwind journey from indie publishing to breakout success.We talk about what it actually feels like when your book takes off, the realities of going from indie to traditional publishing, the highs and surprises of the process, and what happens when the story you created starts becoming much bigger than you ever expected.Plus: The story behind The Poison DaughterHow BookTok and Bookstagram helped propel the bookGoing from indie author to traditional publishingThe whirlwind of getting signedWhat surprised Sheila most about the publishing worldWhat comes nextAnd… could The Poison Daughter be making it's way to Hulu?Whether you already love The Poison Daughter, found Sheila through BookTok, or you’re fascinated by what happens when an indie book suddenly catches fire, this conversation is such a fun look behind the curtain.And, truly, Sheila is an absolute delight. ❤️
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  Is Gwyn Azriel's Mate? | The Great Azriel Ship War Begins! Part 1 - Gwynriel 12.09.2026 1h 26min

  Nicole and Meghan take on the evidence for Gwyn and Azriel in the Great Azriel Ship War! Digging into a debate that started on social media, follow along in the first episode of Novel Theories (formerly Romantasy Readers Podcast) with us as we surface the top evidence for the possible future of Gwyn and Azriel! We uncover the strongest arguments, analyze what makes them work, where might they fall apart, and what we think this means for the future of the Maasverse!As we move on to the front lines in this war, our first battle will tackle Gwyn and Azriel (Gwynriel), followed in part 2 by Elain and Azriel (Elriel), part 3 on Bryce and Azriel (Bryceriel), and--perhaps--a part 4 on Eris and Azriel (Azris!).We want to hear all of your comments, thoughts, feedback, arguments--what are the pieces of these ships that work for you? Where do they crumble? Just remember--there are rules:- Your arguments must be based in textual evidence, foreshadowing, symbolism, parallels, or lore.- Your arguments must not be based on author interviews or commentary or personal opinion of preferred story line. If it can't be proven by the text it doesn't exist! (For this debate!)Happy debating!
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  A New Chapter Begins! Ft. Alley: Tornado Turned Viral Sales! + ACOTAR 6/7 Theories 10.09.2026 1h 4min

  In this episode we get to sit down with Alley, co-host of Romantasy Readers, as she bids us farewell as a permanent host in order to continue growing her author business! Alley, also known as the author Alexandria Arden, is in the middle of writing her 4th book as her 3rd book -- a hockey romance called "After Further Review" is headed for release! Between her Thayar Crown series (The Witch Queen, The Shining Prince) and her new hockey romance, Alley has been insanely busy on tour!Hear about her run in with a freak tornado accident recently, how it impacted her business growth, and hear her thoughts on the upcoming ACOTAR 6 and 7 releases!We will miss Alley being here regularly, but she will continue on a guest host whenever she wants! We look forward to this new chapter with Meghan as our new permanent host...and stay tuned because a few changes are coming...
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  Megan Gad Reads: Sarah's Beef with Bloomsbury? 04.09.2026 2h 1min

  Join Nicole as she sits down to talk with Megan Gad (@megangadreads) to discuss:What's going on with Sarah and Bloomsbury?Is Rhysand evil?What about Bryceriel?And so much more!Show Note: Megan and Nicole recorded this episode prior to the ACOTAR 6 and 7 title and blurb releases. There is the possibility that some items discussed are no longer as relevant as they were prior to recording. BUT! We still want to hear all of your questions! Sound off below with your thoughts, comments, theories, and more.
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  Wildest Maasverse Theories - Part 2! ACOTAR + CC 29.08.2026 1h 13min

  Is Crescent City in the past and ACOTAR in the future? Is Ragnarok going to happen on Midgard? Is Rhys collecting powerful people—and using the siphons to block Azriel and Cassian’s true power?In this episode, Part 2 of our Wild Maasverse Theories, we cover all these questions an so much more!Join Nicole and Meghan as they get a little unhinged, dive deeper, and bring back the Maasverse Theory Spectrum! Is it going Straight in the Cauldron? Does it have Ironteeth? Maybe…just maybe it’s a Fireheart!
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  BIGGEST ACOTAR THEORY YET? Is Koschei in the Dread Trove? And WHAT is the Valkyrie Cycle? 24.08.2026 1h 11min

  In this episode, hosts Nicole and Meghan dig in on the biggest theories to circulate since the ACOTAR 6 & 7 cover and blurb releases, as well as uncover some of their own theories (like…is part of Koschei’s soul in the Dread Trove?). Do you have a favorite theory for the upcoming releases? What are you SURE is coming, what do you hope isn’t, and what would be the biggest mind-blowing revelation? Let us know in the comments!
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  ACOTAR 6 & 7: Cover and Blurb Reveal! Another Emergency Episode! 18.08.2026 50min

  All the questions! Court of Splintered Harmony? Court of Forgotten Melody? Who is Koschei? What is going to happen to Cassian? Did we get Throne of Glass hints? What does it all mean!? Join hosts Nicole and Meghan with special guest Ciara as we continue reeling from all the Maasverse news!This is another emergency episode. The book world is on fire, SJM is feeding us, and we cannot contain the excitement!Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) on Instagram!
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  ACOTAR NEWS: Emergency Episode - Art Update and Leak? 17.08.2026 44min

  Is that a spider? What kind of spider? What are the flames with fangs? And bones??? This is not a drill! Join Nicole, Meghan, and Ciara as we cover the ACOTAR artwork update and cover leak! What do you think the drop is telling us? Let us know!Follow Nicole (@bookloveaholic), Meghan (@marvelousmrsmeghan), and Ciara (@audiobookaddict_) for more!
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  ACOTAR - Maasverse Wild Theories - Part 1 10.08.2026 1h 8min

  Join Nicole and Meghan, from Marvelous Mrs. Meghan, as they review and rank some of the wildest ACOTAR and Maasverse theories out there!
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  Sable Sorenson - Author Interview 25.04.2026 1h 22min

  Join Alley and Nicole as they interview co-writers Annie and Eliza, known as the pen name Sable Sorensen! We ask all the questions you're dying to know about Direbound and the sequel Furybound!
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  Even More SJM Interview Breakdown with Special Guest Megan Gad 07.04.2026 1h 42min

  Join Alley and Nicole, along with their special guest Megan (@megangadreads), as they continue the discussion about Sarah J Maas' interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
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  Ariel Sullivan - Author Interview 21.03.2026 1h 15min

  Join Alley, Nicole, and sensational author Ariel Sulllivan as they talk about her books Conform, Beneath, and the universe Ariel is creating. Conform was Alley and Nicole's top book of 2025, and as readers privileged enough to get an early copy of Beneath, they cannot recommend this world and author enough! As always, the first 15-20 minutes are spoiler free so you can hear all about Ariel's books and get excited to go out and read them.
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  Conform by Ariel Sullivan 14.03.2026 1h 9min

  Join Alley and Nicole as they discuss their top book of 2025, Conform by Ariel Sullivan. As always, the first 15-20 minute are spoiler free, giving you the chance to learn more about the book before you commit to reading it.
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  Breaking Down SJM's Interview on Call Her Daddy 06.03.2026 1h 34min

  Join Alley and Nicole as they breakdown every detail of Sarah J Maas's interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast. They talk about what we might expect from the next books, what theories are debunked (or not!), and everything else they loved about the appearance!
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  EMERGENCY Sarah J Maas Episode 28.02.2026 19min

  Join Alley and Nicole as they speculate about the rumors that Sarah J Maas could be on the Call Her Daddy podcast, and what we might see if she really does make an appearance in March.