Flights of Fantasy Book Club Podcast

S5 Ep 41 - Brimstone by Callie Hart, Part 1

Release Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Anna, Kim, and Christina

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode kicks off a deep-dive book club discussion of Brimstone by Callie Hart, the second book in her Fae and Alchemy fantasy romance series. The hosts—Anna, Kim, and Christina—analyze plot twists, world-building, character arcs, trope execution, and series consistency, all in their signature mix of lively banter, critical insight, and readerly enthusiasm. This is the first of a two-part Brimstone analysis, focusing on world-building updates, pacing, new magical systems, key characters and relationships, and how the book’s devices enriched—or complicate—the overall reading experience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Vibes & Reader Expectations

• The hosts went into Brimstone with the expectation of a “fun, lower stakes, romantasy ride,” valuing the series for its banter, vibe-driven narrative, and chaotic fun.
• While the story is “more about the vibes for us,” they acknowledge grammar issues and notable plot inconsistencies that have been discussed in the fandom (04:29–05:44).

“We went into Brimstone expecting a fun, lower stakes, romantasy ride...but overall, this series has been more about the vibes for us since the beginning. And we showed up for the banter, the romance, the chaos, and obviously Carrion. And at the end of the day, friends, we had a grand old time.” — Anna (04:40)

2. World-Building Expansions: The Vampire Court & Beyond

• New setting: The Vampire Court, notably the capital city of Amontraal.
• The “Five Lords of Midnight” serve under the Vampire Queen (Serris), representing a diverse array: Fae, vampires, and converted witches (06:06–08:17).
• Hierarchical magic—Queen Serris’ magically binding commands and the inability for vampires to lie to their sire.
• Feeders (feral vampires/zombies) are now “infected” and serve as an agent of chaos—the result of only the most powerful vampires being able to turn Fae (08:31–09:36).
• “The rot” is a spreading magical blight linked to Madra, who wields a portal spell centered on the human city Zilvarin (noted for its wheel/circle symbolism in the magic system).

“I feel like the most important thing here to note is the hierarchy power structure of the Vampire Court…There are five Lords of Midnight. They are the higher, more powerful vampires. But also they're not all vampires...there's room at the table for everyone.” — Anna (06:35, 07:10)

“The rot and the infective eaters are being created by Queen Madra, and she is transporting them through a very strong magical portal…what is the human city of Zavarin built and shaped as? A wheel, guys.” — Anna (09:01)

3. Magic System Analysis: Thermodynamics, Small Magics, and Plot Devices

• Introduction of “small magic,” finite minor magical wells distinct from birthright magic—leading to confusion and complaints about a lack of clear rules and potential for plot convenience (12:40–15:52).
• The first law of thermodynamics invoked to explain that magic is neither created nor destroyed, only repurposed—a metaphor for Madra’s magical siphoning and hoarding (10:47–11:45).

“Ask me why this is the only thing I remember from any science class—I couldn't tell you. But it really stuck out to me because when Foley talks about magic, he tells Saris that...you cannot kill magic. You can kill all of the people and magic wielders, but...that magic does not get destroyed. It just gets repurposed.” — Anna (10:55–11:37)

“Honestly, it just feels really messy...I wish there was more rules surrounding who gets what and why and maybe a limit to how many you can have. Like, I think we need more rules around these.” — Christina (13:18)

4. Pacing & Structure: “Lightning Speed” Plot

• The hosts praise the rapid pacing: “There was very little downtime, no rest, no recovery, barely a chance to breathe,” but note that this speed sometimes covers up plot holes—issues only spotted upon reflection (17:46–18:42).
• The spicy scenes are the only brief pauses in an otherwise relentless story.

“The plot was moving so fast and I was having so much fun because it was moving so fast. But then when I take a step back and look at it, I feel like we were on such a fast ride that I didn't notice all of the things that bothered me...” — Anna (18:20)

5. Key Moments & Magical Plot Points

a. Coronation Day: Vampire Rituals & Power Moves

• Unorthodox vampire customs: “Dosing”—a euphoric, sexualized blood-drinking ritual during Serris’ coronation.
• The aftermath: Aerith (Lord of Midnight) is killed after disrespecting the new queen, only to be revealed as a spy for Hell—adding intrigue to the power dynamics (19:45–20:34).
• Carrion's perpetual comic relief provides balance.

“Sweet Fisher is just standing there as she's dosing him. Painfully turned on in front of the entire Vampire Court, trying to survive the coronation with the hard on of a century.” — Kim (19:43)

b. The Little Blue Book: Seer Manipulation and Free Will

• Fisher’s mother, Adina, was a seer who wrote a cryptic, magical “guidebook,” dictating Serris’ journey in real time.
• The hosts express discomfort with how this device removes Serris’ agency, likening it to a heavy-handed “plot device” (23:00–26:25).
• The mechanics and origins of the book (stargazer birds, centuries-old, pages as magical eggs) are questioned for logic and plausibility.

“I feel like this was a very, very, very heavenly fire plot device…if you just flip the page, Idina literally says, turn the page after the ball...Is Serris actually making these choices because the book is telling her what to do?...This is not her doing it. This is not the main female character. This is Idina orchestrating it.” — Anna & Kim (24:59–26:25)

c. Magical Elements: Brimstone, Dragons, and Fire Sprites

• Brimstone emerges as a key MacGuffin—critical to defeating the rot.
• Fire sprites are entirely made of brimstone and considered precious.
• Dragons are highlighted as important, breathing both fire and runestone—laying groundwork for their role in the endgame (27:29–27:57).

6. Secondary Characters & Relationships

a. Taladeus: Vampire/Fae Complications and Motivations

• Taladeus, originally a side character, grows more significant—yet his motives (particularly regarding his relationship with Zovina) remain murky.
• The hosts theorize about a potential (but unconfirmed) mate bond, debating whether his actions make sense without it (28:12–32:46).

“Anytime they were on page together, I cannot stress enough that I feel like this woman hated him.” — Anna (29:53)

b. Lorath and Ishabel: Cults, Witches, and Enemies-to-Lovers?

• Lorath’s people prohibit magic, treating it as a sin “worse than murder,” giving “full cult vibes.”
• The hosts delight in potential hidden romance (“enemies to lovers”) between Lorath and witch Ishabel, backed by snarky banter, shared missions, and suspiciously loaded exchanges—plus a compelling “cloaked figure” theory (36:52–40:40).

“We are somehow, inexplicably, but absolutely shipping Ishabel and Lorath. Okay, I don’t care. It’s enemies to lovers. It’s so happening.” — Kim & Anna (36:59–37:10)

c. Carrion: Breakout Star and Emotional Resonance

• Carrion is unanimously adored—depicted as witty, deep, and an “onion” layered character with hidden vulnerability under his jester facade.
• Iconic moments: The “I really like your horns” scene (46:51) and Fisher’s raw advice on pain (42:14).
• His dynamic with Fisher evolves from banter to mutual respect, with the human realm trip providing “peak forced proximity” and critical character development (41:08–45:23).

“There’s only one way to learn how to endure pain the way I have. You have to suffer through it again and again and again...Feel the pain you’ve been given, Carrion. Don’t be fool enough to ask for more. It’s a curse I would spare you from, believe me.” — Fisher (42:14)

“If you treat me like I’m the court jester, I’ll be the court jester...If at any point you underestimate me, then I’d say that was your mistake. Rather than mine.” — Carrion (45:23)

“My name is Carrion. Nice to meet you all. I really like your horns.” — Carrion, addressing the Satyrs (46:51)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We’re stem girlies, okay?” — Kim (10:34), after a segment on the laws of thermodynamics.
• “Who’s to say? Not us.” — Running joke.
• “Are you helping, or are you?” — Christina, regarding the meddling seer mother-in-law (23:30).
• “It’s very much giving culty—a sin worse than murder.” — Anna on Lorath’s people (36:52).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:28 — Podcast starts, hosts reunite for Brimstone discussion
• 04:29 — Anna's PSA: Grammar, plot inconsistencies, and fandom context
• 06:06 — World-building with Anna: The Vampire Court, hierarchy, new threats
• 09:36 — Discussion of the rot, magical portals, and city symbolism
• 12:40–15:55 — “Small magic” introduction, confusion, and plot device critique
• 17:46 — Pacing analysis
• 19:43 — Coronation day, “dosing,” and Aerith’s fate
• 23:00–26:48 — “The little blue book” seer plot device, criticism
• 27:29 — Brimstone, dragon lore, and fire sprites
• 28:12–32:46 — Taladeus, Zovina, and mate bond debate
• 36:52–40:44 — Lorath/Ishabel banter, cults, and enemies-to-lovers ship analysis
• 41:07–47:27 — Carrion spotlight, Fisher advice, satyr audience, and banter
• 47:27 — Episode wrap–up and notes for Part 2

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• The episode is playful and irreverent but does not shy away from careful critique, especially on plot mechanics and magic system consistency.
• Emphasis on the strengths: character dynamics, banter, Carrion’s arc, and the book’s “vibe.”
• Constructive criticism: the plot sometimes relies too much on convenient magic, thin logic, or “guidebook” devices.
• Many favorite quotes and moments are delivered in the hosts’ trademark humorous, exasperated, and bookish manner, making the discussion lively even when pointed.

Stay Tuned…

Part 2 will dive deeper into main heroine Serris, Kingfisher, and the book’s explosive ending.

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