Dear Fantasy Reader – Ep 7: Brimstone Initial Thoughts & Reactions (Fae & Alchemy Series)

Release Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Hannah, Kinsey, Carly
Book Discussed: Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2, by Callie Hart)

Episode Overview

In this vibrant, laughter-filled episode, Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly reconvene to share their raw, spoiler-filled initial reactions to Brimstone, the much-anticipated second entry in Callie Hart’s Fae & Alchemy series. From raving about outstanding audiobook performances and immersive worldbuilding, to collectively freaking out over plot twists, animal companions, and relationship dynamics, the hosts dissect everything they loved (or didn’t) about Brimstone. The conversation ranges across beloved characters, memorable scenes, major reveals, and their biggest theories for the trilogy’s conclusion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. General Impressions of Brimstone

• Pacing & Tone: All hosts loved the immediate continuity from book one, the faster pace, and the increased Kingfisher POV.
  • Carly: "I loved that we got so much Kingfisher point of view. I loved the pacing. I loved that we just jumped in right from where we left off." (02:53)
  • Kinsey: "This is a five star off vibes! ...I actually laughed out loud multiple times. I thought this book was so funny and I thought the romance was well done." (03:19)
  • Hannah (on fast pacing and reading habits): "I needed it to pick up fast and it delivered. There were some times...I feel like I fell off a little bit on that pace, but got hooked right back in by something else." (04:54)
• Audiobook Praise: All three hosts adored the narrators’ performances and the overall production.
  • Hannah: "I’ve never read a book via audio that was this good for Quicksilver and Brimstone because the narrators are just so incredible." (06:33)
  • Kinsey: "It almost felt like a graphic audio without it being an official graphic audio production." (07:00)
  • Carly: "The audiobook is just. It is so, so, so, so good." (07:33)

2. Brimstone vs. Quicksilver

• Strong consensus: Brimstone edged out Quicksilver for all three hosts, mainly due to pacing and increased action.
  • Carly: “The pacing was just a little bit tighter for Brimstone... more mix of action kind of sprinkled throughout.” (10:24)
  • Kinsey: "For me, I like it more than Quicksilver, and I thought it met expectations." (08:23)
  • All were excited about the higher stakes—gods, dragons, and larger conflicts on the horizon. (09:21)

3. The Rot/Zombie Horror Element

• Kinsey: Found the zombie-esque plotline highly stressful but narratively effective. (04:14, 25:42)
• Hannah: Had to "rewrite the scenes in my head" to avoid gross visuals. (26:24)
• Carly: Appreciated the unique dilemma—heroes fighting infected versions of their own people, heightening the stakes. (26:36)

4. Onyx the Fox – Emotional Centerpiece

• Onyx’s near-death and “fake-out” was deeply impactful for Hannah and Kinsey.
  • Hannah: "My body was angry...I was so distraught that one you wouldn't tell me that that happened." (13:10–14:27)
  • Kinsey: "I did not want to spoil it for you completely because I feel like you deserve to have those reactions." (15:06)
• Emotional animal plot devices were debated: Hannah dislikes reversals, wants sacrifices to have long-term meaning. (17:26)
• Hosts theorize that Onyx’s survival and loss of Seris’ ability will have important future consequences. (20:11–22:07)
• Fan-favorite scene: Kingfisher feeding Onyx trout using magic – "Thank you, little one." (23:52)

5. Archer & Fire Sprites – The Key to the Rot

• Archer’s near-death had the most emotional impact this book for Hannah: "I was heartbroken. I thought for sure he was done." (29:51)
• Kinsey: "I was ready to end it all for Archer." (32:07)
• Surprise and delight at how fire sprites and brimstone tie into the plot; community-based sprite magic and Archer’s role were highlights. (31:23–32:07)

6. Taladeus’ Unexpected Turn

• Taladeus’s mass-murder of the high vampires was a huge shock and "one of my favorite scenes," per Kinsey. (34:44, 35:48)
• Hannah: “He’s my favorite character. He’s like the rising star that comes out of that show, that’s him for Brimstone for me.” (34:53)
• Carly: "I was getting a little concerned that we were leaving too many problems for book three to solve...I was so glad [the vampire problem] was [resolved]." (36:20)

7. The True Name Reveal: Kingfisher → Kydan Greystar Finvarra

• The big reveal and power of names brought chills and was called “the best scene” of the novel.
  • Kinsey: “It was my favorite part of the entire... The quote just slapped so hard!” (38:24)
  • Hannah: “I got chills again, dude. My whole body. I stopped what I was doing.” (38:49)
• Name debate: Kinsey loved “Kydan,” Hannah struggled with the switch from Kingfisher. (39:55–41:28)

8. Dragons! — The Major Reveal

• Hosts called their earlier dragon theories vindicated (and were over the moon).
  • Hannah: “We felt so many DMs on Instagram being like, you guys were right about the dragons. It felt so good!” (44:09)
  • Kinsey: “When they finally crossed into Daxis, they were greeted by the dragon. I was like, I knew it!” (46:37)
  • Carly: “I was just so sure...it was like, YES, let’s go!” (47:25)
• Dragons are mean, mind-speaking, and crucial for addressing the rot.

9. Kydan’s Parentage – The Half-God Twist

• All three were thrilled by this twist.
  • Kinsey: “One of the best cliffhangers that I've read in a while. And it's not a cliffhanger where I'm super stressed or — oh no." (50:16)
  • Hannah: “It’s one of those that makes you go reread and pick up on things that make a lot more sense now.” (50:29)
  • Debated if the text is explicit about Kydan being half-god (hosts are certain). (51:05)

10. Carrion Moments — Comic Relief & Character Depth

• Numerous favorite Carrion lines, especially banter with Kingfisher and sardonic commentary.
  • Kinsey: "The entire Kingfisher Carrion interaction in Zolvarin was gold ...’Hate to be a bother, but if you’re not in a position to save me right now, then could you possibly kill me instead? This really sucks.’" (56:09)
  • Hannah: “I love their relationship development.” (57:04)
  • Carly: “His character was so much fun in this book. I had so much fun reading him. Loved him in Quicksilver. I didn’t think I could love him more, and then I did.” (60:20)

11. Top Kingfisher & Seris ROMANTIC MOMENTS

• Down bad for each other; NOT a romance full of misunderstanding and conflict, but “us against the world.”
  • Kinsey’s favorite quote: "Every part. I love all of you. I’d spend fortunes of the universe...But all I have is my life...I’d spend it and consider the price small if it meant keeping you safe." (62:00)
  • Hannah: "I absolutely adore his obsession with her dresses...He said, you’re right. I wouldn’t want to ruin the dress." (63:03)
  • All loved that the central relationship was a support system, not a source of melodrama. "Thank God. So refreshing.” (65:45)
  • Spicy moments appreciated: "Kill me. Sit on my face and ride my tongue until I fucking die..." (68:18)

12. Standout Scenes, Additional Predictions, and Character Notes

• Kinsey nailed several predictions: Silver City powering Madra, true name in Adina’s book, stargazers creating the magical book, true name hidden with the Kingfisher statue (69:54–73:16).
• Taladeus’s sword “Redemption” and his emotional arc received special love. (74:17)
• Scene shoutouts: Seris demolishing rivals, Kingfisher wrecking Madra’s guards, the coronation slaughter, Kingfisher’s mom’s test. (75:30–77:27)
• Seris’ “queenly” journey admired; all appreciated her practical, non-whiny strength in the face of unrelenting change. (77:41)
• Kingfisher’s POV was called a "game-changer" in enjoyment and immersion. (81:11)

13. New Characters – The Hazrax & Foley

• Divided opinions: Kinsey trusts them for now—Foley "is an honorable Fae" (88:11), Hazrax "just wants to observe. It’s just. Baby girl." (85:44).
• Carly is 50/50: "I think there’s something going on with Foley, though, that we don’t know about yet." (88:03)
• The Hazrax gives powerful “Briarax” or “Surael” from ACOTAR vibes. (86:20–86:54)

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• "I was actually laughing out loud multiple times. I thought this book was so funny..." — Kinsey (03:19)
• "If Onyx died, I was dnfing. Like, I just can’t." — Hannah (13:10)
• "Do you think you'll be able to turn invisible at some point? If I could have access to magic, I would definitely opt for invisibility." — Carrion, recounted by Kinsey (59:30)
• "Every part. I love all of you. I’d spend the fortunes of the universe to protect you..." — Kingfisher (62:00)
• "Sweet fucking mercy… Kill me. Sit on my face and ride my tongue until I fucking die. I can’t take it anymore." — Kingfisher (68:18)
• "I love their relationship... I just love how down bad this man is for her." — Carly (66:00)
• "We don't torture people," and Kingfisher said, "Says, Carrion tortures me daily." — Kinsey (69:29)
• "How can I consign myself to another endless dark when I've been given back the light?" — Taladeus (74:17)
• "I'm so happy he's still alive. I'm really curious to see where his character arc went." — Kinsey on Taladeus (82:28)

Flow of Discussion – Notable Moments with Timestamps

• [02:53] First reactions – loved Kingfisher’s POV, pacing, immediate plot continuation
• [04:14] Zombie/rot storyline – anxiety and immersion
• [06:33] / [07:00] Audiobook performance gushing
• [08:23] Comparing Brimstone and Quicksilver
• [13:10] – [15:06] Onyx “death” scene – raw emotional reactions
• [20:11] Theorizing why saving Onyx will be plot critical
• [29:51]/[32:07] Archer’s near-death. "Protect Archer at all costs."
• [34:44] Blood court vampire massacre – Taladeus’s twist
• [38:24] – [41:28] Kingfisher’s true name reveal & feelings about name switch
• [44:09] / [46:37] Dragons return – “I knew it!”
• [50:16]/[51:05] Half-god reveal, reaction and debate about clarity
• [56:09]/[58:17] Carrion's banter, role as comedic and emotional support
• [62:00]/[63:03] Top romantic quotes and favorite moments
• [68:18] "Sit on my face." — peak spice appreciation
• [69:54] Theories that came true (true name, Silver City, dragons)
• [74:17] / [75:30] / [77:27] Favorite emotional scenes, moments of catharsis
• [77:41] Seris as queen – strength in adversity
• [81:11] Kingfisher’s POV – a favorite for the hosts
• [85:44] On the Hazrax: childlike trust vs. wary skepticism

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Enthusiastic, informal, sisterly “book club” energy.
• High on banter, meme-ready quotes, and deep-dive analysis grounded in character love.
• Joy over healthy romance representation—“us against the world.”
• Appreciation for unpredictable plot twists, but no love for fake-out or meaningless animal deaths.
• Strong anticipation for dragons, more Carrion, Taladeus’s redemption, and the evolving magical world.

For New Listeners: Why This Episode Rocks

If you’ve finished Brimstone, this episode is your new favorite post-read companion—balancing serious analysis, wild theories, and total fangirling, with enough clarity and context that even if you missed the book, you’ll know who, what, and why everyone cares. The hosts' chemistry makes for a dynamic, engaging listen, with enough spicy quotes and laugh-out-loud exchanges to keep you thoroughly entertained and well-caught up.

Next Week: Brimstone Theories for Book 3 — hosts will dive into their top predictions and hopes for the series conclusion. Be there!