Dear Fantasy Reader, Ep 9: Brimstone Unanswered Questions: What Readers Want to Know Before Book 3

Release Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Hannah, Kinsey, Carly
Series Covered: Fae and Alchemy - Brimstone (Book 2)
Episode Theme: In this episode, the squad delves into the biggest mysteries left unsolved by Brimstone and speculates about what's in store for Book 3 in Rebecca Yarros' Fae and Alchemy series. Through lively discussion and playful banter, the hosts explore character fates, plot implications, major theories, and listener-submitted burning questions.

Episode Overview

Purpose:
To dissect and discuss the unresolved questions at the end of "Brimstone," providing theories and insight for what might come in Book 3 of Fae and Alchemy. The hosts address topics like Everlane’s mind, the origins of the rot, godly secrets, vampire politics, dream states, and more—drawing on textual evidence, fandom theories, and their own inferences.

Tone:
Conversational, fangirly, bold, and a touch irreverent. Expect humor, deep fandom energy, and creative theorizing throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Everlane’s Trapped Mind

[03:10 – 06:53]

• State of Everlane: Still unconscious since the end of Quicksilver; Idina spoke through her, but Everlane remains unresponsive.
• Where is her mind?
  • Kinsey’s Theory: Everlane’s mind is trapped in Daxis (the Under God kingdom), likely linked to her thrall with Malcolm and the vampires’ connection to Under Gods.
    • “I think her mind is trapped in Daxis...because when Sarris was speaking to Edina, she had said that she saw like shadows or something around her.” — Kinsey [03:48]
  • Dream State: Could be similar to the mate dream state seen with other characters, but not confirmed.
  • Consensus: Character Renfys, with his connection, would have found her if this was normal dream magic—suggesting she's deeper or elsewhere.
• Potential Rescue: The o’Sheeleth and their butterflies might be required to bring her back.

2. The Witch Plotlines & Consequences of Dark Magic

[06:57 – 09:36]

• Where did Owlgit go?
  • Likely alone, possibly seeking Ishabel after recognizing dark magic was used.
• Witch-Lorath Dynamics:
  • Lorath’s distrust toward witches possibly ties to Ishabel knowing his true name—a major fantasy taboo.
    • “ Don’t ever give someone your true name. Don’t do it.” — Kinsey [09:30]

3. Kayden’s Parentage and Godly Mysteries

[09:36 – 13:33]

• Big Reveal: Kayden (Kingfisher) can wield shadows, suggesting he is half-god. Father's identity not explicitly confirmed.
• Finryn Theories:
  • Most believe Finryn is the real father and also a god—possibly Styx, god of oaths.
    • “If he Styx. And Styx is the river that people swear oaths by and make promises with. Maybe that's why they named the stone.” — Kinsey [12:42]
  • The spelling similarity between "Finryn" and "Fearn" (oath stone) considered an intentional Easter egg.
• Madra’s Prisoner: If Finryn is a god, does Madra have a god trapped in Sylvarin? Refer to previous episodes for that deep-dive.

4. The Mystery of the Rot

[13:33 – 16:02]

• Origins: Unclear; rot is devastating Yvelia, with some feeders coming from Sylvarin.
• Theories:
  • Upset balance of the world due to the Triumvirate and Madra’s actions is suggested as a cause.
    • “...the Triumvirate upset the balance of the world and are somehow causing it.” — Kinsey [14:11]
  • The Silver City (and Sandsaroth) are described as giant runic circles performing massive spells—possibly tied to the spread of rot.
    • “The entire city is a massive rune. That is a big spell that's happening there.” — Carly [15:33]

5. Vampire Politics & Odina’s Orders

[16:56 – 20:58]

• Odina instructs Cerys and Foley not to take the cure.
• Speculation on Reason:
  • Could be due to unique abilities as vampires, loyalty bonds, or plot-driven avoidance of reversions back to humans.
  • Carly wonders if a new, reformed vampire court may be needed as a plot point.
• Hannah highlights the meta aspect: The author (Callie) uses Odina’s instructions to direct the plot and characters conveniently.

6. Mating Bonds and Dream State Magic

[24:01 – 29:01]

• Shared Dreams: Cerys and Kayden share a dream realm where events have real-world effects.
• Origin Theories:
  • Might be a god-granted mate bond or specific to Kayden's half-god status.
  • Possible that Cerys has a unique ability facilitating this.
• Dream State Presence: Onyx’s appearance here supports the idea that he is more than a normal fox—perhaps a familiar.

7. Dragon Bonds—Power, Consent, and True Names

[29:01 – 32:20]

• Do dragons bond with non-dragons?
  • Host consensus: "Claiming" seems involuntary or potentially based on true names, not the consensual magical bond seen in other series.
    • “Claim seems...does not seem consensual.” — Hannah [29:07]
  • If you know a dragon’s true name, you might command it—theorized as root of fae-dragon conflict.
  • Dragons and protagonists may reach a “begrudging allyship,” not true bonding.
    • “Acclaim, but a begrudging allyship.” — Kinsey [31:44]

8. Rapid-Fire Listener Questions

[32:21 – 48:13]

a. F*, Marry, Kill: Kingfisher, Carrion, Taladeus**

• Unanimous Panel Choice:
  • F* Carrion, Marry Kingfisher, Kill Taladeus.
  • “I want him to grovel. Okay. I feel like Karion would be such a good time...” — Hannah [33:00]

b. Onyx’s True Nature

• Supported theory: Onyx is likely a familiar or spirit guide (Reinforced by his dream-state presence).

c. What Did Cerys Sacrifice to Save Onyx? [36:45 – 38:47]

• Unclear: Maybe Hazerack’s rune ability, possibly a kernel of her soul, or another kind of magic reserve. Text supports a sacrifice but doesn’t clarify its substance.

d. Moving Tattoos

• God markings change with power unlocks. Personal tattoos move only during intimacy, presumably “because magic and fun.”

e. Kingfisher’s Trade at the End of Brimstone

• Fan worry: Is he trading Cerys?
• Host consensus: “No way in hell.” Could be himself, his godly sword Nimaril, or a Persephone-style temporary stay in the underworld.
• “If he's going to be lined up to give up something, it's going to be [Nimaril]. I think he'd give up that before he gave up Sarris.” — Carly [42:01]

f. Fate of Madra & Malcolm

• Malcolm: Possibly dead-in-limbo due to poison loophole, not the standard triumvirate kill condition.
• Madra: Still at large, presumed dangerous.

g. Renfys and A’jin Magic

• Scrying can't see Renfys in A’jin, likely due to his oathmark or A’jin’s magical protections.

h. Taladeus & Zovina Mate Confusion

• Zovina manipulated Taladeus emotionally, but a true mating bond was probably not present.

i. Identify Kingfisher’s Brothers

• Crave and Githrund; half-brothers through Kingfisher’s (God) father.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You never, ever make a blood oath and you never give someone your true name.” — Carly [09:30]
• “The on the spot theories are sometimes the most fun.” — Carly [13:33]
• “I hope it is something where it's...a claim, but a begrudging allyship.” — Kinsey [31:44]
• “I want him to grovel. Okay. I feel like Karion would be such a good time.” — Hannah [33:00]
• “All she has to do is have Odina instruct Serris to do this or not this. And so it's like sneaky, sneaky. Really creative there.” — Hannah [20:31]
• On Kingfisher’s supposed “trade”: “No way in hell he'd trade her.” — Hannah [40:06]

Key Timestamps

• [03:10] Everlane’s state discussed
• [06:57] Witch plotlines and dark magic
• [09:36] Kayden’s father theories
• [13:33] Origins of the rot
• [16:56] Vampire politics, Odina’s orders
• [24:01] Dream state magic
• [29:01] Dragon bonds/truenames
• [32:21] Listener Q&A begins
• [33:00] F/M/K game & fun banter
• [35:57] Onyx’s magical nature
• [36:45] The cost to save Onyx
• [39:05] Tattoo magic
• [39:50] End-of-book trade speculation
• [44:07] Triumvirate & villain fates
• [45:52] Renfys and A’jin magic
• [47:04] Zovina and Taladeus
• [48:13] Kingfisher’s brothers revealed

Final Notes

• The episode is thorough in synthesizing fan questions into fun, organic speculation, always flagging book spoilers and keeping content well-sourced.
• Next up: Mass Verse Mayhem—prep for ACOTAR 6—plus major coverage of all things SJM.
• Listeners are encouraged to check previous episodes for deeper theory, worldbuilding, and more (link in show notes).

“Until next time, dearest fantasy readers, prepare for ACOTAR 6 as we begin our journey through the Mass Verse in a Mass in pre season. I am so unbelievably proud of that term pun. It might be like the best pun I’ve ever come up with.” — Hannah [50:54]