Besties and the Books Podcast

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How is Insurgent for a middle book? Compelling or basic? We’re reading the Divergent series for the first time and today we’re diving deep into Insurgent, book two in the original trilogy. As the “middle book,” which can sometimes be the most difficult to get through in any series, we’re here to answer the question: does this one hold up? 
Tris and Four are figuring out how deep the government conspiracies go and have to make some difficult choices to survive. This has them questioning if they, or the rebels they're supporting are becoming just as tyrannical as those they’re trying to overthrow. 
As we prepare to bring you our deep dive coverage on the new release: The Sixth Faction, and The Last Testimony (out on February 2, 2027) we’re examining these young adult novels with a fine toothed comb. How are they contributing to the “are books political” conversation? Are these stories considered coming of age? And how do they execute science fiction and dystopian themes that are digestible for young audiences? We want to know if the new duology is necessary, timely, and entertaining, and if it’s a money grab or actual quality.
Oh… and we’ll also be following up on our thoughts regarding Tris and Four and their suspicious similarities to a certain other couple in a certain other series that we’ll now be referring to as "Divergent with Dragons…” Join us for all this, then tune in next Friday for Allegiant, the epic (and polarizing) conclusion to the original trilogy! 
Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9
THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou
We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j
CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2
____
Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:
Ashley is wearing a Eureka Books Tee from @eurekabooks | https://www.eurekabookshop.com
Liz is wearing a Scream Ghostface Crewneck from Etsy
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!
Support the show
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@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz 
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife 

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail
Did you add Defy the Dusk to your preorders yet? Hmmmm?? Sometimes you meet your heroes and they turn out to be just as badass as the FMCs in your favorite books they’ve written. Today we’re sharing our spoiler free interview with the incredibly talented Danielle L Jensen to celebrate the upcoming release of Defy the Dusk, part one in her brand new post-apocalyptic fantasy duology. She’s the absolute queen of high fantasy world-building, knows how to write banter and dialogue that is unmatched, and has A LOT to say about “romantasy” as a genre. 
Defy the Dusk is book one in her newest adult post apocalyptic fantasy series - The Sundering Duet. And it will be out everywhere you find your books, including Audible on November 3rd, so get your preorders in now!  It’s already a New York Times bestseller along with her Saga of the Unfated Duology which we read for book club, her Bridge Kingdom Series which many of you know and love, and her young adult Dark Shores and Malediction Series. Danielle’s novels are published internationally in twenty-three languages, and she lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family and guinea pigs.
We talk about her backlist and what to expect from each of her uniquely constructed worlds and magic systems, how Defy the Dusk is different from her other previous works, and how symbolic it is of our current political climate. What specific dystopian media has influenced her work? Has Danielle always been a writer? Does she relate to her characters? And what can we anticipate from her in the future?
Listen on to get to know the talent behind these intricate stories, and hear the unexpected answer to our on-the-spot smash or pass… Defy the Dusk edition. 
Pre-Order your copy of Defy the Dusk Now! | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773240/defy-the-dusk-by-danielle-l-jensen/
Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9
THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou
We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j
CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2
____
Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:
Ashley is wearing a cropped Besties and the Books hoodie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd 
Liz is wearing our Besties and the Books Exclusive Beanie (coming soon!) | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!
Support the show
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@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz 
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife 

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail
We’re reading the Divergent series for the first time! We know, we know… we’re an entire fifteen years late, but our curiosity finally got the best of us and the timing seems pretty perfect. 
Sci-Fi Summer has turned into dystopian sci-fi fall because Veronica Roth decided to come out with a whole new alternate reality duology retelling of the Divergent universe starting with The Sixth Faction. Part one dropped about two weeks ago, and part two, The Last Testimony, releases everywhere on February 2, 2027. 
We’re here to expand our “‘market research” of the dystopian, science fiction, “are books political?” and coming of age genres. We’ve covered The Hunger Games, Wicked, and Red Rising because we recognize how relevant these stories are in our current societal climate and we want to keep these conversations going. Plus, we want to know if the new duology is necessary, timely, and entertaining. Is it a money grab or is it actually good? 
We’ll be releasing a full-length bonus episode on Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, and Four, plus the short story We Can Be Mended, and finally, The Sixth Faction plus the movies! And don’t worry, in February we will follow up with our official ranking and wrap up with The Last Testimony. Join us on Instagram and over on the free Fable app for our spoiler free reading updates. 
Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9
THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou
We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j
CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2
____
Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:
Ashley is wearing our Besties and the Books Merch | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Liz is wearing a discontinued  “Fireheart” hoodie by @downthebondofficial | Code: BestiesandtheBooks | https://www.downthebond.com
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!
Support the show
YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz 
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife 

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail
Out of all the Colleen Hoover books, Verity came the MOST recommended. Ashley and Liz found themselves ferociously turning the pages of their new favorite read: the romantic thriller Verity,  in rapt anticipation, unable to see what could come next from the impossibly complex and unpredictable plot. So captivated by the impeccable character development, suspense, and sheer psychological terror they almost missed their opportunity to see the movie in theaters (with seats and tickets being so scarce and hard to come by due to record sales). Fortunately for everyone, they snapped out of their Colleen Hoover induced trance just long enough to watch the movie that would change both of their lives forever… 
Wait… is it Opposites Day or did we just need a convenient excuse to get y'all to watch this episode and happened to find that paragraph on a secret flash drive or hidden note? (IYKYK 😵‍💫🤪.) 
We read our first Colleen Hoover book, watched the movie it was based on… and now we’re here to share our unfiltered thoughts and reviews. Do we understand the fandom? Are we now a part of it? Do we have a fever that can only be cured by more COHO? Or were three of the hottest actors of all time fumbled by a screenplay based on a book that left much to be desired?
We answer all of these questions plus discuss the secret (problematic) second epilogue, give you our five sentence summary, book versus movie showdown, and star and spice ratings. 
We’ve got all this, plus a fave and fail about the over-the-hill-and-through-the-woods adventure journey which was Liz seeing Verity at a Humboldt County movie theater, cold brew coffee fails and Haunted Mansion decor, and a smash or pass all about… you guessed it… Verity.
 Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9
THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou
We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j
CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2
____
Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:
Ashley is wearing a custom Loki tank top from @RadVentureLand on Etsy | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/4ftmw/
Liz is wearing a “Bat Sh*t Crazy” Crewneck Sweatshirt by @darkanddisturbedshop | Code: VEGAN10 | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/bat-shit-crewneck?_pos=2&_sid=eb8fa2b05&_ss=r
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!
Support the show
YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz 
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife 

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix

Send us Fan Mail
Well, we Read Threshing Day. First and foremost we’d like to strongly and emphatically reiterate (because apparently that’s what we do here in the book community) that Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros is NOT book four in the Empyrean Series, so don’t get your hopes up! Okay, now that that’s been said…
Today we’re covering Threshing Day, book 3.5 in the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. It came out a week ago, it’s a 224 page partner novella, and is it worth it? That's what we’re here to answer today! We’ll give you our spoiler free star and spice rating of this somewhat surprising release as we wait for the upcoming official full-length installment in this dragon series with a cult following. 
We’ll discuss if it was necessary. Is it a cash grab? Is it something you can enjoy without reading the rest of the series? Are there spoilers? Easter eggs? Is this multi-pov novella written entirely about Threshing day and each recruit’s meet cute with their soul-bonded dragon chalk full of interesting dragon lore? 
We do have to say that the extensive artwork by @joerequeza.art is completely off the rails amazing so go give him a follow, and don’t be deceived by the gray cover, because it’s what’s on the inside that matters!
We bring you our unfiltered thoughts, a fave and fail about spooky season movies, and a smash or pass all about dragons. 
 Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We go behind the book with NYT Bestselling author Autumn Krause and The Gods Will Sing Our Song: https://youtu.be/656QHeao6F4?si=VMLZ-zAa6pltOio9
THE Sheila Masterson yaps with us about going trad & her book community phenomenon The Poison Daughter! https://youtu.be/V9MpoOX3CyQ?si=TMLPJeBNcSrpxYou
We interviewed Penn Cole about Burn of the Everflame & the end of the Kindred’s Curse Saga! https://youtu.be/nYDN-XCTkbM?si=ivFq7kWg6rNGWP6j
CJ Leede talks with us about impactful feminist horror and always writing outside the box: https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=gCUkr-vvFQAFMxw2
____
Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:
Ashley is wearing a “Diners and Drive-ins and Dungeons and Dragons and Dives” t-shirt from @ TikTokShop | * https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9D8rgT66Ts3-yIpiD/
Liz is wearing a “Going for Blood” Violet Fourth Wing tee from @thebeanworkshop | Code: BOOKBESTIES10 | https://thebeanworkshop.store/products/going-for-blood-t-shirt
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!
Support the show
YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz 
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife 

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix