Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast

Episode 8: Fae and Alchemy Book 3 Predictions After Brimstone

Release Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Hannah, Kinsey, Carly

Episode Overview

In this lively and theory-packed episode, the Dear Fantasy Reader hosts—Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly—delve into their predictions and wild speculations following their first read of Brimstone, the latest installment in the much-loved Fae and Alchemy series by Callie Hart. With season three centering on deep-dives into Onyx Storm, this episode focuses on up-to-the-minute analysis, foreshadowing, and big questions as the squad looks ahead to Book 3. Expect passionate dissection of character twists, lore, lore-bending mythological references, connections to magic systems, and just enough fangirling to keep it fun!

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Hazrax’s Identity: God of Secrets?

[03:53 – 05:42]

• Kinsey's Theory: Hazrax, one of the Vampire Lords, is likely Kurin—the God of Secrets.
  • Evidence: Hazrax's reluctance to talk, observer role, refusal to join Malcolm and Seras' Court, and being the source of Seras’ godmark rune.
  • Quote – Kinsey: "If you're a God, why would you seal yourself to something lesser than you? It also gave Seras a godmark rune, which traditionally only comes from God." (03:53)
• Carly's Take: Considers and ultimately agrees, calling the theory "a much cleaner way of explaining what the Haserax is than time travel." (04:38)
• Group Insight: While Hazrax isn’t titled “keeper of secrets” (which goes to Taladeus among the vampires), the God of Secrets mantle fits better.

2. Fire Sprites and Ecological Magic

[05:54 – 07:33]

• Carly's Observation: The extinction of fire sprites ties directly to the absence of dragons, since dragons produce brimstone—the sprites’ lifeforce.
  • Quote – Carly: "I think the fire sprites dying off is in direct relation to the fact that there were no more dragons present in this realm... If we bring the dragons back, we're gonna see more fire sprites." (06:15)
• Hannah & Kinsey: Heartbroken over the sprites; hope the return of dragons can spark revival.

3. Predictions for Carrion: Plant Magics and the Throne

[07:33 – 09:39]

• Kinsey: Carrion’s visible plant magic and connection to renewal foreshadows he will heal Evalia and justify his ascension.
  • Quote – Kinsey: "He'll completely heal Evalia and regrow everything that was previously destroyed by the rot." (08:07)
• Carly & Hannah: Embrace the idea, loving the “plant daddy” identity for Carrion and seeing biomes revived as a metaphor for hope.

4. Kayden/Kingfisher’s Magic and Ancestry

[09:42 – 15:55]

• Carly: Suggests Kayden’s (Kingfisher’s) magic is tied to the region of San Seroth and both of his parents.
• Kinsey: Notes classic lore confusion—illusion and shadow magics have swapped parentage in bonus content.
• On Symbolism: Dragon iconography in both San Seroth and Kayden’s powers likely links to a deeper magical heritage or religious icon (11:53).
• The Name Reveal:
  • Kinsey’s deep dive into Kayden’s full name:
    • “Kayden/Kaiden” as “fighter,” “Kai” as “ocean,” “Dan” as “to judge” (various languages); “Graystar” referencing the realms as stars; “Finvara” (meaning “fairy king, king of the dead”).
    • Quote – Kinsey: "Finvara means fairy king and king of the dead... in some legends, the fairy king ensures good harvests, which can be super useful considering that the land is currently rotting." (15:55)
  • Kayden as “hope” both in prophecy and as a symbol (stargazers = kingfishers = hope).

5. Arthurian and Mythological Parallels

[22:51 – 26:19]

• Kinsey: Draws analogy to the Fisher King legend—land’s health tied to the king’s wound, but in the series it’s “Uno reverse” where king and land mirror opposites.
  • "If Kayden’s health is connected to the land... Serris and Kayden might have to choose between the rot and his sanity." (24:41)
• Carly: Expands on Arthurian/Grail motifs, suggesting betrayals and hidden secrets may play a role, as in classic tales.

6. Solas, Swords, and Portals

[20:13 – 22:51]

• Discussion about the God swords: why Kingfisher’s father might have left Solas in the quicksilver pool and how it’s connected to prophecy or keeping characters apart for timing.
• Speculation that there may be additional quicksilver pools/portals in Sylvarin and that the cut-off could explain landscape changes (desertification).

7. Bonus Chapters and Potential Plot Threads

[29:15 – 29:59]

• Mention of Kayden’s rejected offer from Xerath, God of Chaos; how being half-god means Kayden might not serve multiple pantheons.
• The ongoing significance of relics, glamours, and illusions in hiding divine provenance.

8. The Return of Fae Wings

[30:29 – 31:42]

• Carly: Points out foreshadowing from a steamy scene where Fisher’s shadows form “gossamer wings,” predicting the Fae (or at least Kingfisher) will get their wings back.
  • Quote – Carly: "I still think we're gonna see the fae get their wings back. At the very least, Kingfisher will." (31:13)

9. Marriage Prospects: Kayden and Serris

[32:47 – 34:16]

• With Kayden’s true name revealed, the road to marriage is (technically) open. The group is especially invested after earlier narrative blue balls regarding fae marital traditions.
  • Quote – Hannah: "My brain, when we got the name reveal, went straight to that. Like, oh my God, they can get married." (33:04)

10. Lorath and Ishabel: Are They Mates?

[37:42 – 39:00]

• Listener Theory (shoutout to Jules): Lorath and Ishabel may be fated mates, based on scent-following and mate dynamics established for Kingfisher and Serris.

11. The God Swords and Traitor Gods

[40:00 – 42:20]

• Theories about why certain gods are called “traitor gods”—possibly linked to godswords bestowed to fae, leading to new existential risks (Nemoral).
• Carly highlights peculiarities of Kingfisher’s sword, which is different (iron content, never gone dormant, possible vengeance imbued).

12. Unanswered Mysteries, Bonus Content, and Carrion’s Secret Sidequests

[44:50 – end]

• Carly suspects Carrion (again) of sneaking around with ulterior motives in Amitrea, possibly linked to hiding Simon or unspoken plans.
• Editing error noted in Chapter 14: Carrion allegedly appears in two places at once, but per Callie Hart, it’s a mistake.
• Unfinished arcs: Will Carrion’s machinations pay off in Book 3? Will the bonus chapter’s dragon tamer reappear?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kinsey on mythmaking: "If Kayden’s health is connected to the land... Serris and Kayden might have to choose between the rot and his sanity." (24:41)
• Hannah on weddings: "I hate off scene or prevented weddings... It's like a personal attack on me specifically every time." (33:52)
• Carly on magical ecosystem: "If we bring the dragons back, we're gonna see more fire sprites, and that might save them." (06:15)
• Carly on fae wings: "Sometimes there's important Easter eggs in the sex scenes, you guys." (31:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:53] Hazrax theory (God of Secrets)
• [05:54] Fire Sprites & Dragons
• [07:33] Carrion’s plant magic & destiny
• [09:42] Kayden/Kingfisher’s magic & ancestry
• [15:55] Name theory deep-dive
• [20:13] God swords, portals, and Solas' location
• [22:51] Fisher King parallels & Arthurian lore
• [24:41] Health of Kayden vs land theory
• [30:29] Gossamer fae wings
• [32:47] Wedding predictions
• [37:42] Listener theory: Lorath & Ishabel as mates
• [40:00] Traitor Gods, godswords, and magical fallout
• [44:50] What is Carrion up to? & bonus chapters

Tone and Style

The hosts maintain a playful, fangirl-forward, and thoroughly analytical conversation style, frequently validating each other’s literary sleuthing while laughing about their own obsessiveness and collective tinfoil hat moments.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Read the Book

This episode is a spoiler-heavy, theory-rich companion for Brimstone, designed to spark new theories, highlight subtle foreshadowing, provide mythological and literary context, and invite readers to re-examine favorite moments with new eyes. The group’s chemistry and call-outs to listeners’ own theories make for a welcoming, “book club with your besties” experience.

For more predictions, author interviews, and deep-dives, subscribe to Dear Fantasy Reader and join the squad on their Discord and Patreon for even more Empyrean series madness.