Podcast Summary: Flights of Fantasy
Episode: S5 : Ep 37 – ACOWAR: Revisited – Part 3
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Anna, Kim, Christina
Main Book Discussed: A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) by Sarah J. Maas
Episode Overview
In this deep-dive episode, the Flights of Fantasy hosts revisit the third book in the ACOTAR series, A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR), focusing on pivotal character moments, world-building, and thematic developments. Using their trademark mix of heart, humor, and keen analysis, Anna, Kim, and Christina unpack weighty themes like trauma, self-sacrifice, friendship, and power – all while engaging in lively banter and drawing connections across Sarah J. Maas’s universe.
Spoiler Warning: Discussion covers all current ACOTAR books and future SJM lore.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Library: A Place of Healing and Quiet Power
[03:38–11:12]
- Setting: The vast, peaceful library under the House of Wind becomes a symbol of recovery and strength for trauma survivors, especially the priestesses.
- Key Insight: Rhysand transformed the library into a haven:
"I made this library into a refuge for them. ... It belongs to them whether they stay a week or a lifetime." — Rhys (via Kim, 05:05)
- Clotho’s Story: Introduction of the head priestess, Clotho, and her severe trauma, paralleled with Rhysand’s need for quiet, safe spaces post-Amarantha.
- Emotional Layer: The library offers not just learning, but peace and community for those who need it.
- Bantery Moments: Rhysand and Feyre’s flirtatious exchanges lighten the tone:
“I can’t work with you distracting me if you’re sitting next to me. The last thing on my mind is reading dusty old books. Especially when you’re in all that tight leather.” — Rhys (07:32)
2. Rhysand’s Burden of Sacrifice and Cassian’s Insight
[07:53–10:58]
- Sacrificial Nature: Rhysand’s willingness to sacrifice everything echoes throughout the book and series.
“He’s inclined to do everything himself, to give everything of himself. ... He still tries to do everything himself. He still thinks it’s not enough.” — Cassian (via Kim, 08:31)
- Team Dynamics: The hosts highlight Cassian’s perspective and the tension between independence and delegation.
- Foreshadowing: Hints at Rhysand’s flaws as both strength and weakness.
3. Recruiting Monsters: Bone Carver, Weaver, and Briaxis
[11:00–13:12; 19:01–26:35]
- Feyre’s Strategy: If Hybern has numbers, “we got monsters” (Christina, 11:12). Enter the plan to recruit the Bone Carver and more.
- Bone Carver’s Lore Dump:
- The Bone Carver, Weaver (Striga), and Koschei are ancient siblings, older and more powerful than most realize.
“He is actually a death God. ... He is part of something much bigger and much, much older.” — Anna (20:24)
- Cryptic hints about Fae history and “the Fae warrior” whose bloodline might still influence future plot lines (possibly Vassa).
- Briaxis Characterization: Cassian is terrified of Briaxis, who is likened to a “black cat,” which the hosts find both hilarious and telling.
“He literally looked at every single one of them and was like, ‘Don’t you ever go. Don’t even bring up the name by accident.’” — Kim (11:54)
4. Amren & Nesta: A Dynamic Defined by Power and Belonging
[13:04–19:01]
- Their Connection: Amren recognizes Nesta’s power and outsiderness, delivering a fan-favorite, foreshadowing quote:
“When you erupt, girl, make sure it’s felt across worlds.” — Amren to Nesta (14:00)
- Mutual Recognition: Both are sharp, formidable, and struggle not to fit the “mold.”
- Training Partnership: Nesta’s agreement to train with Amren marks a pivotal step in her arc—gaining purpose beyond caring for Elain.
5. Politics and Power in the Hewn City
[29:57–47:54]
- The Throne Scene: Iconic moment as Rhys seats Feyre on the Night Court throne—he perches on the arm, commanding the room to “Bow.”
“It’s so clear. ... You will now treat her with the reverence, the respect you treat me.” — Christina (30:19)
- Kier’s Manipulation: Kier bargains for access to Velaris, knowing its value after Hybern's attack, causing distress in Mor (33:38).
- Eris’s True Nature:
- The Eris/Mor dynamic surfaces again. Eris reveals more complexities—perhaps he's less villainous and more trapped than previously believed.
“Not all of us were so lucky in our friends and family as you, Rhysand.” — Eris (37:29)
- Possible hints he knows or shares Mor’s secrets, or has secrets himself.
6. The Inner Circle Shatters: Mor’s Breakdown
[42:37–47:54]
- Aftermath: Mor’s anger at Rhys for agreeing to Kier’s demands without warning or consulting her.
“Her voice broke, and something in my chest cracked too, at the tears that began running down her face.” — Christina (43:14)
- Rhysand’s Brutal Honesty:
“If Amarantha offered us a slim shot at survival, Rhys said, his gaze unflinching, then I would not give a shit that she made me fuck her for all those years.” — Rhys (44:29)
- Amren’s Wisdom:
“You made the right call. Played it well. But you also played it badly.” — Amren (46:12)
7. Future Speculation & Foreshadowing
Throughout
- Numerous “pin it for Mastermind” comments—highlighting the hosts’ SJM conspiracy wall vibes and plot theorizing, especially regarding ancient Fae, secret bloodlines, and character foreshadowing (see Bone Carver, Eris, and Vassa discussions).
- Rhysand’s tendency to withhold information from his circle is flagged as foreshadowing for later books.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On the Library’s Purpose:
“A library is a temple of so sorts.” — Kim (04:29)
- Rhys’s Flirty Banter:
“The last thing on my mind is reading dusty old books. Especially when you’re in all that tight leather.” — Rhys, as quoted by Kim (07:32)
- On Rhys’s Self-sacrifice:
“He’s inclined to do everything himself, to give everything of himself. ... He still thinks it’s not enough.” — Cassian (08:31)
- Amren to Nesta:
“When you erupt, girl, make sure it’s felt across worlds.” — Amren (14:00)
- Bone Carver’s Lore:
“You have met my sister, my twin, the Weaver, as you now call her. I knew her as Striga. She and our older brother Koschei. ... All before Prythian. Before the land was carved up and any high lord was crowned.” — Bone Carver, read by Anna (20:56)
- Eris’s Pain
“Not all of us were so lucky in our friends and family as you, Rhysand.” — Eris (37:29)
- Rhysand’s Harsh Survival Logic:
“If Amarantha offered us a slim shot at survival ... I would not give a shit that she made me fuck her for all those years.” — Rhys (44:29)
- Amren’s Scolding:
“You made the right call. Played it well. But you also played it badly.” — Amren (46:12)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- The Library Scene: 03:38–11:12
- Sacrificial Rhysand Discussion & Cassian’s Quote: 07:53–10:58
- Monster Recruitment (Bone Carver, Weaver, Briaxis): 11:00–13:12 and 19:01–26:35
- Amren & Nesta’s Relationship: 13:04–19:01
- The Hewn City, Throne Scene, & Kier’s Demand: 29:57–34:11
- Eris Unmasked: 34:11–42:37
- Mor’s Breakdown & Inner Circle Rift: 42:37–47:54
Overall Tone & Style
The hosts blend insightful literary analysis with infectious enthusiasm and humor. Their banter (see: Briaxis as a “black cat,” “winner, winner, chicken breakfast,” and mock-thespian readings) makes for an inviting, besties-in-your-ear style that helps ease the episode’s heavier themes.
Conclusion & Next Episode Preview
The show ends with excitement for more drama and analysis in upcoming episodes—hinting at library attacks, Elaine’s love triangle, the High Lords’ meeting, and more wild SJM theorizing.
Summary for First-Time Listeners
This episode is an in-depth, passionate book club chat about the middle of A Court of Wings and Ruin. It balances deep dives into character psychology and series-wide foreshadowing with laughter, favorite quotes, and recurring jokes. Whether you’re rereading ACOTAR or picking up threads for the first time, this episode is full of insights, emotions, and a whole lot of bookish heart.