Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast: Episode 1 – Quicksilver Recap: Everything You Need Before Brimstone
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Kinsey and Carly
Book Discussed: Quicksilver (Fae and Alchemy series, Book 1) by Kali Hart
Purpose: This episode is a detailed recap and analysis of Quicksilver, preparing listeners for the release of the sequel, Brimstone.
Episode Overview
Kinsey and Carly dive into a comprehensive, chapter-by-chapter breakdown of Quicksilver, highlighting critical plot points, major characters, intricate world-building, and key lore essential before starting Brimstone. They offer insightful commentary, theory-crafting, and fangirl moments while underscoring pivotal revelations, foreshadowings, and unresolved mysteries.
"Sanity is not guaranteed." – Carly, [00:54]
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: The Protagonist & Her World
- Serris Spain: Introduced as a thief in the impoverished 3rd District of Zarin, tasked with protecting her brash brother, Hayden.
- Survival is dire: 6 ounces of dirty water a day.
- Inciting Incident: Serris steals a gauntlet from a Queen’s guard, which spirals the story into action.
“The theft of this gauntlet is the catalyst for the entire book, because after this theft, everything goes sideways.”
– Kinsey, [01:35]
2. First Act: Capture, Interrogation, and Magic Unleashed
- Failed Fences & Betrayal: Elroy refuses to melt the gauntlet; Carrion Swift warns Serris to get rid of it.
- Hayden’s Arrest: Serris is arrested after her brother is caught; she’s tortured by Queen Madra’s ruthless guard.
- Magical Awakening: As Serris nears death, liquid metal swallows her enemies, and a mysterious “Kingfisher” rescues her by pulling her through a magical Quicksilver pool.
“[Kingfisher] puts his pendant on her and takes her through the quicksilver pool. Just as she passes out from pain and blood loss…”
– Kinsey, [04:19]
3. Entering the Fae Realm: New Allies and Court Intrigue
- Healing & Revelation: Fae healer Everlane explains Serris is now in Yvelia, healed by Fae magic, and she’s special.
- The King & The Accused: King Belacan tasks Serris with using her alchemy to unlock the Quicksilver Pools—the key to crossing between worlds and realms.
- Courtroom Drama: Kingfisher is introduced as a notorious criminal and accused of mass murder, but is saved due to a prophecy by the Oracle, Maoway.
“Be on the lookout in Brimstone for Maoway to be brought up again.”
– Carly, [05:12]
4. Plot Foundations: Blood Oaths, Relics, Forbidden Magics
- Relics & the Cost of Magic: Serris’ alchemical skills are essential for crafting relics (magical travel pendants)—failing which can be deadly.
“Traveling through the quicksilver without a relic can kill you or leave you permanently afflicted...”
– Kinsey, [08:06] - Kingfisher’s Curse: The quicksilver torments him, driving him to madness without his relic.
- “Never ever make any sort of binding deal”: Serris makes a blood oath—classic fantasy misstep.
5. The Band Assembles: Allies, Betrayals, and Snark
- Carrion's Mix-up: Kingfisher, sent to rescue Hayden, brings back Carrion Swift instead, due to a scent-based misunderstanding and Carrion’s “yes” under duress.
- Comic relief: “The way I could never survive in this world and the lack of bath so that you would still smell like your one night stand weeks later. Absolutely not.” – Carly [10:21]
- The Blood Oath’s Literal Enforcement: Serris is forced against her will when Kingfisher commands, leading to tension in the party.
6. War on the Horizon: Lore & Stakes
- Vampire Threat: A blood curse turned some Fae into vampires; Malcolm, an enemy Fae, builds an undead horde.
- Desperate Battle: Fae must keep breaking the ice on a river to stop vampires from crossing; the war effort is failing due to royal neglect.
"If Serris can make the relics they need and also figure out how to make magic imbued weapons like the godsword, this could turn the tide of the war in their favor."
– Carly, [13:23]
7. Easter Eggs & Prophecies
- Fae are not all truth-bound—lawless Fae can lie.
- Some characters are revealed to be more than they seem (Carrion as the lost Dianthus heir).
8. Major Plot Beats: Relics, God Swords, Awakening Bonds
- God Swords: Serris unlocks the power within old, legendary swords. The sentient Quicksilver chooses who can wield them.
- Lorath’s sword, “Angel’s Breath,” instantly becomes legendary for its destructive magic.
“Pretty fucking awesome.” – Carly, [16:22]
- Sex and Soul Bonds: Serris and Kingfisher become godbound mates (full fated-mates trope, complete with mind communication).
“I mean I’m shocked that they’re fated mates. I did not see that coming at all.”
– Carly, [18:01]
9. The Climax: Betrayals, Rescues, and World-Shattering Revelations
- Villain Alliance: Malcolm, Madra, and Belacan are siblings, revealed during the labyrinth showdown.
- Kingfisher’s Hundred-Year Guilt: Due to a magical coin-flip binding deal, Fisher was forced to let a town fall, resulting in looping suffering and his own exile.
“I had to read at least twice to fully understand.”
– Carly, [20:29] - Carrion’s Secret Identity: He’s the Dianthus heir, and his Fae blood poisons Malcolm.
- Epic Endings: Serris beheads Malcolm in a fight but is fatally wounded; is turned into a vampire to save her life.
10. Cosmic Stakes and the God of Chaos
- Branching Universes: Serris is brought before the God of Chaos, who shows her the tree of universes and reveals her and Kingfisher’s love might destroy reality as the gods know it.
“In every version of reality that can be seen, her and Fisher being together destroys the tree. But there are unknown versions the God of Chaos cannot see…”
– Carly, [22:30] - Hidden from the Gods: To save them, their thread is cut from the “cosmic tree,” making them invisible to higher powers but also making Serris something entirely new.
11. Aftermath & Cliffhanger
- Transformation: Serris awakens as a half-Fae, half-vampire, future unknown.
- Coronation: As the one who slew the vampire king, she is now set to be crowned as the new Queen of Vampires.
“He then informs her that she is set to be coronated as the Queen of the Vampires since she killed the King, and that is how the book ends.”
– Kinsey, [24:13]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“They are rationed just 6 ounces of water a day in a hot, dusty climate, and if that wasn't bad enough, the water is dirty and making people sick.”
– Carly, [01:15] -
“If magic is gone and Fae don't exist, that she, what, is just drinking a bunch of bone broth?”
– Carly, [02:57] -
“This is when they finally give in and just fuck already.”
– Kinsey, [12:50] -
“Never, ever make any sort of binding deal. But Serris is desperate to get Hayden away from Madra and agrees.”
– Carly, [09:24] -
“As Fisher is carrying Ceres, who is transforming into a vampire, she is yanked from his arms by an invisible force into the Quicksilver pool. I'm fairly certain he didn't take that well, but we don't have his POV for this moment.”
– Carly, [22:03]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:01] – Introduction to Serris, Zarin, and dire living conditions
- [02:27] – The gauntlet is lost and Hayden is arrested
- [04:36] – Serris awakens in the Fae realm, revelations unfold
- [06:00] – Kingfisher’s status, courtroom drama, royal prophecies
- [08:06] – Explanation of relics and the dangers of Quicksilver magic
- [09:49] – The Carrion switcheroo, blood oath loopholes
- [11:26] – Vampire attack, introduction to the war camp
- [13:23] – Stakes of the ongoing war for the Fae, loss of hope without Serris' alchemy
- [16:00] – Battle scenes: Lorath’s God sword in action
- [18:47] – Sibling villain twist, labyrinth escape, the coin’s history
- [22:30] – Conversation with the God of Chaos, multiverse stakes
- [24:13] – Serris’ transformation and coronation as Queen of Vampires
Episode Tone
Fun, irreverent, wildly passionate, and honest. The hosts fangirl, speculate, and inject humor and relatable exasperation, especially regarding fantasy tropes and character decisions. Swearing is present and used for emphasis, maintaining an energetic, “book besties” atmosphere throughout.
Final Takeaways
- Quicksilver is a rapid-fire ride blending heist, fae politics, epic battles, multi-dimensional stakes, and complex relationships.
- The hosts highlight crucial world-building and lore, noting “must-watch” items for Brimstone (e.g., Maoway, lawless fae).
- The cliffhanger ending sets up massive personal and cosmic stakes for the sequel.
“That is one hell of an ending.” – Carly, [24:13]
What's Next
The hosts tease more prep for Brimstone with episode discussions on their favorite moments, predictions, and deep dives into the world’s magic, politics, and theories—including links to Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm recaps for those seeking more Romantasy podcast content.
For additional analysis, recaps, and bonus content:
Visit dearfantasyreader.com or join the community on Patreon or Discord.
Perfect for readers needing a refresh, deep lore dive, or just wanting to fangirl along before the sequel!