In this episode of the Reading Materials, we dive into Part 1 of Kingdom of Ash and unpack the first 67 chapters of Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale.

We talk through the most badass moments, share our favorite character pairings as alliances start to shift, and explore what has us most excited (and nervous) for the second half of the book. From survival and strategy to sparks of hope in the darkest places, this is where the endgame truly begins.

Disclaimer: We had some audio issues during the recording of this episode, which can be heard in the second half as a crackling sound. We apologise for this and hope you enjoy listening nonetheless.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Spoiler Warning

03:00 - The Blurb

03:45 - The Actual Plot

08:30 - Our Discussion of Kingdom of Ash (part 1)

01:09:15 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:09:45 - Outro

In this special wrap-up episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we look back on our 2025 in books and podcasting.

We break down our reading stats, revisit our favorite books, characters, and standout podcast moments, and chat about what surprised us most along the way.

Plus, we look ahead to what 2026 has in store for our TBRs, the podcast, and the stories we can’t wait to dive into next.

In this week's episode of Reading Materials, we dive into Kill the Beast by Serra Swift and talk about how refreshing it was to read a fairy-tale retelling with no romance in sight.

We discuss the role of trusty companion Brandy, unpack the mechanics of curse-breaking, and explore why this story works so well without leaning on romantic love as a solution.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Brief Life Updates

05:10 - Introduction to the Author

06:40 - Spoiler Warning

07:15 - The Blurb

08:55 - Our Discussion of 'Kill the Beast'

55:10 - Next Time on Reading Materials

57:40 - Outro