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

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we step into Cinder House by Freya Marske and unpack what makes this a genuinely enjoyable Cinderella retelling.

We talk about how impressively well-developed the characters are for such a short book, and we dig into a bigger conversation about queerness in publishing — where representation feels authentic, and where it risks being used as a marketing hook.

Cozy, clever, and more layered than it first appears, this one gave us plenty to discuss.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:15 - Brief Life Updates

03:00 - An Introduction to Freya Marske

05:15 - Spoiler Warning

06:00 - The Blurb

06:55 - Our Discussion of 'Cinder House'

49:20 - Next Time on Reading Materials

50:05 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into The Treasures by Harriet Evans (released June 12, 2025), exploring its richly drawn dual settings in 1950s London and 1960s New York.

We unpack our love/hate relationship with cliffhangers, chat about how surprisingly dark the story becomes, and reflect on how these layered timelines reshape the family drama at its core.

Thank you for Viking for sending us ARCs of the book.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

02:30 - An Introduction to Harriet Evans

05:10 - Spolier Warning

05:40 - The Blurb

06:30 - Our Discussion of the Book

01:09:45 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author H. R. Cole to discuss her debut adult fantasy novel Daughter of the Void, published in August 2025.

H. R. shares her thoughts on the bias women face in the fantasy genre, what it takes to craft a truly captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, and how her background in medical journalism shaped her approach to writing.

It’s an engaging and insightful conversation about resilience, romance, and breaking boundaries in fantasy fiction.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Ross Montgomery to talk about his latest release, The Murder at World’s End, published on October 30, 2025.

Ross shares insights into his career as a beloved children’s author, what it was like transitioning to writing murder mysteries for adults, and the books he read as a child that completely blew his mind. It’s a fun and fascinating conversation about creative evolution, storytelling across genres, and the stories that shape us.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into To Love a Liar by L. V. Matthews, released on September 11, 2025.

We chat about the joy of exploring different genres, our feelings about Jackson the dog, and which characters had us second-guessing their every move. It’s a lively discussion full of twists, suspicions, and the thrill of a well-crafted mystery.

Thank you to Penguin for sending us advanced reader copies of To Love a Liar.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Brief Life Updates

02:00 - Introduction to L. V. Matthews

05:05 - Spoiler Warning

05:40 - The Blurb

06:00 - Our Discussion of To Love a Liar

01:03:55 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:05:00 - Outro