S5 Ep9: S5 : Ep 9 - Reckless by Lauren Roberts

Summary

Flights of Fantasy Podcast: Season 5, Episode 9 – "Reckless" by Lauren Roberts

Introduction

In Season 5, Episode 9 of Flights of Fantasy, hosts Christina and Kim delve deep into Lauren Roberts' Reckless, the thrilling continuation of the Powerless series. Released on April 1, 2025, this episode promises an engaging analysis of the book's intricate plot, character development, and the romantic dynamics that define the story.

Initial Impressions and Overall Feelings

From the outset, Christina [00:35] and Kim [00:40] express their excitement and emotional investment in Reckless. They acknowledge having stronger feelings about this installment compared to previous books, setting the stage for a passionate discussion.

Christina [03:35] gives a spoiler-free overview, highlighting major concerns about pacing, noting that "not much at all happened for the first, like, 80% of the book," with significant events trailing towards the end [03:39]. Despite these pacing issues, both hosts appreciate the enjoyable moments between Peyton and Kai, emphasizing Kai's pivotal role in carrying the narrative [03:48].

What We Didn't Love

1. Pacing and Plot Progression

   Christina and Kim critique the book’s pacing, feeling that the majority of the story lacks substantial plot movement until the final chapters. Christina remarks [05:29], "Legitimately, nothing happened," expressing frustration over repetitiveness and minimal plot advancement. They describe the narrative as "loopy," with constant back-and-forth interactions that feel stagnant [05:58].

2. Overuse of the Word "Pretend"

   One significant annoyance is the frequent use of the word "pretend," which appears 61 times throughout the 380-page book [16:55]. Christina points out [17:11], "We all are so aware that no one's pretending. Like, you love each other," leading to feelings of redundancy and disrupting the narrative flow.

3. Internal Inconsistencies and Logistical Issues

   The hosts take issue with practical plot elements, such as the protagonists being chained together while attempting to bathe. Christina questions [15:50], "The logistics of this are so ridiculous to me," highlighting unrealistic scenarios that detract from the story’s believability. They also express confusion over the family tree's presentation, finding it horizontal and convoluted [20:29].

4. Confusing Elements and Novella Integration

   Christina and Kim question the purpose of the novella Powerful, feeling it adds little to the main narrative and introduces irrelevant characters like Mac, who doesn’t appear in Reckless [11:25]. They argue that Powerful should have been condensed or integrated differently to maintain narrative coherence [08:48].

5. Character Motivations and Development

   The motivations behind King Kit’s actions are unclear and seemingly contradictory. The hosts struggle to understand why Kit, following his father's brutal policies against the ordinaries, would propose to Peyton, an ordinary girl [50:07]. They find his sudden vulnerability and mixed signals confusing, suggesting inconsiderate character development [57:00].

Theories and Suggestions for Improvement

1. Earlier Emotional Development

   Christina suggests that the emotional turning point between Kai and Peyton should occur earlier in the narrative, allowing for a more natural progression of their relationship [07:17]. By developing their bond halfway through the book, the repetitive loop could be broken, providing a balanced mix of romance and plot advancement.

2. Condensing the Story into a Novella or Duology

   Kim proposes that Reckless could have been effectively condensed into a novella, streamlining the desert trek and focusing on critical plot points [08:13]. Additionally, they suggest a duology structure instead of a forced trilogy, allowing for tighter storytelling without unnecessary extensions [10:00].

What We Loved

1. Character Development: Kai’s Role

   Despite pacing issues, Christina and Kim praise Kai's character, acknowledging that he "carried this whole book on his back [03:48]." His emotional depth and vulnerability shine in pivotal scenes, making him a standout character that anchors the story.

2. Romantic Scenes and Emotional Moments

   The hosts highlight several romantic and emotionally charged scenes:

   • Rooftop Makeout Scene [24:49]: Christina describes the electric tension as Kai and Peyton reunite, capturing their palpable chemistry.

   • Gentleman's Club Escape [25:35]: This scene successfully blends romance with action, showcasing their ability to pretend to be a couple under duress, adding depth to their relationship.

   • Oasis Makeout Scene [27:16]: Set in a secluded oasis, this tender moment under the rain symbolizes their yearning and deepening bond, contrasting previous confrontations.

   These scenes are celebrated for their portrayal of genuine affection and the progression of Kai and Peyton’s relationship, free from the earlier narrative stagnation.

3. Journal Revelations

   A significant plot twist occurs when Peyton discovers important truths in her father's journals [30:07]. This revelation clarifies backstory elements and strengthens Peyton's resolve, providing crucial insights into the kingdom's dark secrets.

4. Abigail’s Survival

   Christina and Kim celebrate the surprising revelation that Abigail is alive [23:22], which alleviates frustration from previous mourning and adds a layer of depth to the story.

5. Character Vulnerability

   The moments where Peyton expresses her grief and loss, particularly regarding her father and best friend Adina [33:21], are lauded for adding emotional depth and allowing readers to connect more deeply with her character.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Christina [24:55]: "I may be a monster, but if you cut me, I'll bleed. If you break my heart, Pay, you'll break me. Ruin me."

• Kim [44:54]: "I won't spend the rest of my life hating you for saving yourself. I know why you did what you did, and I hope you understand why I did the same."

• Christina [55:32]: "She is the torture. I may not survive eagerly. She is my undoing."

Epilogue Reactions

The epilogue presents a devastating turn as Kit prepares to propose to Peyton under oppressive circumstances. Christina and Kim express confusion and frustration over Kit's motivations, questioning his alignment with his father's brutal legacy and the plausibility of his actions [50:10]. They debate whether Kit is truly evolving or spiraling further into villainy, contemplating possible outcomes like his sacrifice or manipulation by Callum [56:07].

Theories for Future Books

Looking ahead, Christina and Kim speculate on potential plot developments in Fearless:

• Character Relationships: They ponder whether Peyton will marry Kit out of obligation, the kingdom’s demands, or genuine affection, suggesting that Lauren Roberts might introduce complex dynamics or even character deaths to resolve the intense emotions [55:20].

• New Kingdoms and Lineages: With hints that the next book will explore different kingdoms [57:36], the hosts theorize about possible connections between Peyton and other characters like Mac, suggesting hidden lineages or alliances that could enrich the story’s complexity [58:18].

Conclusion

Despite its pacing issues and some confusing plot elements, Reckless offers memorable character moments and romantic highlights that keep readers engaged. Christina and Kim appreciate the deepening relationship between Kai and Peyton, the emotional revelations, and the anticipation for future developments. They encourage listeners to share their thoughts and theories on social media and support the podcast through ratings and reviews.

Final Thoughts

Christina and Kim wrap up the episode with excitement for Fearless, eager to uncover more about the kingdoms and characters that populate Lauren Roberts' expansive Romantasy world. They emphasize the importance of community engagement and express gratitude to their patrons for their continued support.

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Praising Kai's Strength: "He carried this whole book on his sexy back [03:48]."

• Emotional Makeout Scene: "Our mouths crash together [24:55]. I repeat, voice quiet. Hate me enough to make me want you. Ruin me."

• Heartbreaking Epilogue: "She is the torture. I may not survive eagerly. She is my undoing."

Support and Community

The hosts encourage listeners to join their community on Instagram and TikTok at Flights of Fantasy Podcast, where fans can share their thoughts and engage in discussions. They also remind listeners to rate and review the podcast to help spread the magic of Romantasy literature.

Closing Remarks

Christina and Kim sign off with enthusiasm, promising more insightful and passionate discussions in future episodes. They invite listeners to "keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight."

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Flights of Fantasy, your Romantasy podcast book club. I'm Christina, joined by my book besties, Kim and Anna, and together we're diving into the characters, theories, lore and magic behind all your favorite fantasy romance books.

[B]

Oh, my goodness. Friends, you are in for quite the treat tonight. Oh, we are so excited to be here chatting Reckless by Ms. Lauren Roberts.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Oh, guys.

[A]

Journey, we have more feelings about this book than usual, I would say.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And we cannot wait to get them all out.

[B]

Yes, we are so excited to be diving into this book.

[A]

We absolutely are. But before we dive in, we do want to give a big thank you to everyone who has already rated and reviewed the show. If you haven't had a chance yet, please, please take a moment and do so on your preferred podcast platform. It really does make a huge difference in supporting the show, and we're just so, so appreciative. And a quick reminder of what we've got going on over on Patreon, guys. We've got chapter chats for Reckless, we've got chapter chats for Powerless, we've got chapter chats for Powerful, and we will soon have chapter chats for Fearless. So as a reminder, chapter chats are our Patreon exclusive video episodes where we pause every few chapters to share our thoughts, feelings and real time reactions as we read the book together and speak specifically for Reckless. This was a treat because Kim and I. Oh, yeah, in one chapter chat, figured out the ending, then talked ourselves out of the ending and then into a new ending. So if you'd like to see that really fun Journey real time as we lived it, please head over to Patreon. Also on Patreon, in our Tier 2 SJM series, where we deep dive characters, couples and scenes from all of our Queen Sarah J. Maas's series. This month, we're continuing our deep dive of Selena in Throne of Glass, specifically focusing on Crown of Midnight, which is quite a journey for her. If you know, you know. So you don't want to miss that. Head over to Patreon for that. And speaking of Patreon, let's shout out some very special patrons.

[B]

Let's do. In this episode, we are going to be shouting out Lauren Pandisia, Patty Beard, Emily Stalvi, and Joy Williams. Thank you guys so, so, so much for supporting us. I know we say it all the time, but you know who I'm going to quote tonight, actually is our queen, Hillary Duff, when she said this is what dreams are made of. Yeah, I was thinking that earlier today. I was like, you know what? I just. As Hillary Duff would say, oh, this is what dreams are made of.

[A]

This is what dreams are made of. You guys. You are what dreams are made of.

[B]

Our patrons.

[A]

Our patrons.

[B]

Exactly as Hillary Duff says. Could we have said it any better?

[A]

Dreams.

[B]

Dreams are made.

[A]

Hey, now.

[B]

Hey.

[A]

Hey now.

[B]

Guys, if you don't know what movie we're talking about, I don't actually know what you're doing.

[A]

Okay. Wow. We should start doing this. Like, song quotes with Kim for Patreon.

[B]

I would love that. Yes, let's do that. Yes, I will do that.

[A]

First up, Hilary Duff. What a way to start.

[B]

First up, Queen Hilary Duff. I don't really know how I'm going to top that, but I will do my very best.

[A]

Challenge accepted.

[B]

Okay, so before we fully dive in, I'm going to give a quick spoiler free thoughts from both of us. Okay. Just to, like, really sum it up, just to set the vibe going into the book, but I think, you know, we did have some pretty major issues with the pacing. As we will touch upon. We felt like not much at all happened for the first, like, 80% of the book. Large percent, a majority percent, one might say. I don't. I'm no mathematician, but I'm just 80% seems like a lot. But then all the things happen at the end.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And we did mostly, like, we enjoyed it for what it was. We loved the Peyton and Kai's moments together. Sweet Kai. PI carried this book on his back.

[A]

On his sexy back. He carried the whole damn book.

[B]

He sure did. And the ending kept us on the actual edge of our seats. And needless to say, we need fearless like yesterday.

[A]

100%. Agreed.

[B]

We need it.

[A]

We had complaints, but overall, you know, it was a fun time. And we are about to have fun dissecting it. 100%.

[B]

Yeah, we are.

[A]

All right, so without further ado, here is your spoiler warning for all of Powerless, all of Powerful, and all of Reckless by Lauren Roberts. Okay, let's dive in. So this is a reminder of where we left off at the end of Powerless. Okay, so like, the immediate ending right where we left our friends. All right, here we go. Okay. Adina is killed during the final trial. The resistance arrives, attempts to take over, and fails terribly. Kit realizes the Resistance use the tunnels, leading him to believe that Peyton has betrayed him. Oh, no. Peyton kills the King after a fight, but not before learning that Kai, not the king, killed her father. Mm, really? Don't get us started on that. We have a lot of feelings. Go to our Powerless Episode.

[B]

Oh, God. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Kai then tries to capture Peyton, but ultimately lets her go because he loves her and Kit. Now our crazy Kit King orders Kai to hunt Peyton down and bring her back. End of powerless.

[B]

That was fantastic. What a recap, Christina.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Okay, so we are gonna first talk about what we, like, didn't love so much so that we can get to the fun stuff that we did. Love it. But, you know, we gotta talk about it because I think we can all agree that maybe. Actually, we can't all agree, but Christina and I can agree that we felt like the pacing was just a little bit off. There was no real plot progression until the very end of the book. And then it kind of felt like this is what we've been looking for the entire book. This is what we've wanted. Why couldn't we have had this a little bit earlier?

[A]

Legitimately, nothing happened.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, I am the vibiest reader of the group.

[B]

You are.

[A]

And it is very rare that I text in the group any sort of complaints, like, actually ever about a book.

[B]

Truly. Yeah. No.

[A]

And I text. Kim was like, so. But I'm loving the banter and all, but, like, it feels like I'm reading the same scene over and over and over again. And, like, actually what's happening, like, where we. What is happening in the plot. And don't get me wrong, I loved the banter and the tension, but also it just, like an egregious amount of zero plot progression.

[B]

Agree.

[A]

And loopy.

[B]

Yeah, it was very loopy. Like you said, it was the same conversation. I hate you. No, I don't hate you. I'm going to rescue you. But now I hate you again. Like, you've chained me. But we're kissing.

[A]

I hate that I hate you.

[B]

I hate that I hate you. I'm just kidding. I love you. Nope, just kidding. I hate you again. Because we're not pretending anymore. It just felt like back and forth and back and forth and back and forth, but nothing was moving forward.

[A]

What a great way to say that. Yes.

[B]

However, we do have some theories maybe on how this could have been fixed. No one's asking us. Lauren's not rewriting the book. But yet we're gonna tell it to you anyways.

[A]

But here we are. Because we've thought about this a lot, friends and. Okay, so we both have some theories on how we think this book could have been fixed. I do also want to preface here. We have so much respect for Lauren Roberts. She is killing it. This is our opinion. It is still a Number one New York Times bestseller. Like, girlfriend, proud of you. Props.

[B]

Love that for you.

[A]

This is just our opinion. Okay, sure. All right, so first and foremost, it really felt like Lauren kind of wrote herself into a hole here. All right, so because book one had to end with Kit telling Kai to go bring Peyton back. Right, Right. And then book two had to end with them returning and Kit proposing. Like, that was that big cliffhanger.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

So that meant that most of book two had to be just dragging out this inevitable. Like, no real plot could progress or develop. Besides, just getting her back to Ilya. That was all that could actually happen.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

But here's my pitch.

[B]

Yes, go on.

[A]

How we could have remedied that. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, so first of all, I do think we should have spent more time with the mixers, and I think we should have come up with a more creative name than mixers. Number one. Number two.

[B]

Valid.

[A]

Number two. Okay. When it comes to Kai and Pei, so what if we got that, like, emotional turning point between the two of them? We're, like. We're acknowledging our feelings. We're being vulnerable way earlier. Okay. Like, halfway through, instead of 80% through. Through. All right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then instead of spinning the whole book, like, running back and forth and fighting, they actually choose to run away together and, like, go somewhere and just be in love and pretend. But, like, in that way, like, they pretend the outside world doesn't exist and they're, like, in their happy bubble and we get to see them there, like, living and, like, being a couple. And then something happens. Like, something forces them to come back. Like.

[B]

Like an external conflict.

[A]

Yes. Like maybe Kai's mom dies or Callum sends where the. Kit desperately needs you. He's going crazy or something. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then they make the decision together to go back, and the ending happens the exact same. Like, they have to pretend to be the enforcer and the fugitive. Whatever.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And we still get to the same place, but it would have broken up that back and forth across the desert and given us more time with them as a real couple before everything's falling apart because we haven't really gotten that. We got, like, a second of it, and then it felt like it was ripped away, you know? And so I feel like that would have broken up the monotony of, like, the same loop.

[B]

Oh, I love it. That is a fantastic idea.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you.

[B]

What a great solution.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

You know what? I love it. And I think that this could have solved a lot of our problem, truly.

[A]

Well, that's what I'M here for to solve your problems. But you have a great theory as well. What's yours?

[B]

So I still stand by the fact that I think this could have been a fantastic, tight novella, because powerful was only 220 pages and this book was 390. I think we cut an easy hundred pages off of this. Like, nothing. That's just desert time. Just, we're in the desert, we're deserting. I don't care. Okay, cut it. So, like, we're already basically at a novella. You know What I mean?

[A]

100%. I have a theory. I think this was a novella first.

[B]

See, I kind of feel like that too. Obviously, like Christina said, the ending had to be that she's back in Ilya, but the ending of book one had to be like, Kai is to go get her. So again, this goes back to, like, this could have been a novella. And the beginning of book two is the novella ending the proposal. But from someone else's pov. Like, from Kai's pov. He's watching the scene where Kit proposes to Peyton.

[A]

Done.

[B]

At the end of book two.

[A]

So, like, epilogue would be beginning of book two.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So therefore you didn't have to read the novella.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You just, like, it's getting retold to you at the beginning of book two.

[B]

It's getting retold, but in a different POV to make a difference.

[A]

Oh, fuck yeah.

[B]

And fun.

[A]

Fuck ye. Yes. I love this. You know what else I think would make this fantastic? Sorry, just one addition.

[B]

What?

[A]

That exact thing. But also, it's a duology. Like, I think we could make this a duology as well.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I think this could have been a little novella and then we could have just wrapped it all up in this next book, you know?

[B]

I agree.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I think the trend now is automatically go trilogy. And I just feel like nobody wants to do a duology, but sometimes that's just what you need to do.

[A]

100%. I'm reading a duology right now, Heartless Hunter, and I have to say, it is tight and it makes sense, but I think sometimes, like, it's hard not to say it's second book syndrome.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

But also I could see how that is tricky as an author, where they're like, we need you to have a trilogy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the middle book is really just getting you to the end. It's not the beginning. First world building, and you kind of have to progress it, you know?

[B]

Yep, totally.

[A]

I'm not saying that I know exactly how it could have been done, but I think These are good options is all I'm saying.

[B]

I think these are good options. Yes. So what is something else that maybe we didn't love about this book, Christina? Oh, well, that you specifically don't love having read Powerful.

[A]

Oh, my friends, speaking of novellas. So I read Powerful Friends. I'm going to tell you right now, the amount of anger that I feel that Powerful exists. Why does it exist? If anyone didn't read Powerful, I'm going to tell you right now. It's just Adina's perspective of Powerless. She still dies at the end. Nothing new is really revealed except for this romance she develops with a character named Mac. So therefore, you read it after Powerless, and you're like, well, the whole purpose of this is to introduce Mac. He's going to be important. Then he does not appear in Reckless, and it is. Is bonkers. Why?

[B]

Why? Why?

[A]

Why Powerful exist? Why it exists? Why?

[B]

Why it exists?

[A]

My brain is broken. Like, I don't understand.

[B]

Yeah, I don't understand.

[A]

If it wasn't to inform book three, why did it come out? It's so frustrating.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And there is an interview from Lauren Roberts where someone asked her this question when she's on her Reckless book tour, and they say, where was Mac? Are we gonna see Mac? And she's like, so, no. But she says, like, hint, hint, wink, wink, don't forget about him. So I'm sure he's going to be in Fearless. But then the question is, like, put the novella there. And an answer that she gave was that she wrote Powerful after she wrote Reckless.

[B]

That makes no sense.

[A]

Which doesn't make sense. That's why I think there's something weird. Like they were like, we need you to have a novella at certain point. But, like, if you wrote it before or after, then, like, put a line in Reckless that's literally just like, oh, she sees a guy with this scar on his lip and a streak of silver hair, and then we move on. Like, that would have been Mac. And then if you would have read the novella, you would have known, but it wouldn't take you out. Like, it. It feels so frustrating to me that Powerful did not have anything to do with book 2.

[B]

I agree. It didn't move the story forward at all, which I. I guess you could argue that's not what novellas are supposed to do. But it just felt like, I don't understand. Maybe we will understand in Fearless. Maybe he'll be a part of Fearless in a big way. But it just feels weird to have that be the novella between book one and two, 100%.

[A]

And there's nothing new that we find out. Right. Like, it's not even. Like, there's a moment in Powerless that is like a fade to black. And we get the new information. We get very minimal reveals. Like, it's nothing that advances the plot, like you said.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I think that led to a lot of my frustration with this book coming in from powerful. And then we don't even see Mac, and then it's like, what are we doing?

[B]

What are we doing? Like, literally what someone explained the purpose of what we're doing here. You know what else I didn't understand was the being chained together for as long as they were. Okay. Friends. Shocker. Kim didn't love this because it led to a terrible bathing situation. Or lack thereof, y'all. They were chained together for far too long. Okay, guys.

[A]

So long.

[B]

So long.

[A]

Did he have a key? He had it the whole time, right?

[B]

Did he? Or did he break it off somehow?

[A]

No, you're right. No, because the way they actually get unchained at the end is one of his Imperials that finds them. Like, cuts it off.

[B]

It cuts it off. Yeah. He, like, hurts her in the process.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[B]

And he has to act like he didn't care.

[A]

That helps a little bit.

[B]

It does. He didn't have the key, which is, like, terrible plan, by the way. Like, how are you going to get out of this?

[A]

Also, they could have just gone to a blacksmith or something. Like, they would have been fine.

[B]

Right? True, true. So they're chained together at the ankles, which means they can't take their pants off to take a bath. And I think. I mean, I feel pretty strongly that the bottom half is really one that needs to be bathed. You know what I mean? Like, if we're talking of all the halves of either half, I just think the bottom half is vital for cleansing. Okay, but so he has to sit up against the door so she can. I'm putting bathing in quotes because, like, how much bait you can't. You can only do much when the pants and underwear are on.

[A]

The logistics of this are so ridiculous to me. So somehow she's in a bath with her ankle chained, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it somehow is out of the bath and under the door against the wall, Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The amount of questions I have about the length of this chain. So sometimes it's long enough for this to happen. Other times they're stumbling over each other and, like, it's hidden under her dress.

[B]

Her dress.

[A]

Like, you won't see it when she has A dress on, right? And then other times, it will reach from a bathtub over under the door.

[B]

What? What do you mean? What do you mean? But the most egregious thing of all about this is. So she gets in the bath with her pants on, and then she's like, okay, I'm done. And she gets out and it says, her pants are damp. Wrong. They'd be soaking wet.

[A]

Drenched.

[B]

Drenched. Like, dripping wet. Then she gets out of the bath and goes and lays on the bed soaking wet. Y'all, what? The way I was twitching at this, I was like, I'm sorry. First of all, you got in the bath with fucking pants on. Didn't bathe that part of your body, which is disgusting because you were just in a sewer. Don't even get me started on that. Don't even get me started.

[A]

Also because she never pulled it down to her ankles. Like, just do a quick pull down.

[B]

Thank you. And then let it just hang out there.

[A]

I guess the pants could just hang out at your ankles for a minute, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, God. And then the dance up bed. I didn't. Honestly didn't even clock this. I was so frustrated about the bath.

[B]

I wish I didn't.

[A]

Yeah, mattress.

[B]

The sheets is soaking wet. And then he's like, oh, no worries. I'll sleep on the floor. And I'm like, yeah, honestly, I would too. Save yourself. Like, don't put yourself in that disgusting wet bed.

[A]

It's probably seeping through.

[B]

Oh, it's seeping. It's dripping everywhere. It's dripping everywhere. And I'm appalled, frankly.

[A]

Frankly, this is worse than Trash Fort.

[B]

You know what? I think you're right. Oh, 100%. It's worse than the Trash Fort. Yes. Yes, it is.

[A]

At least in the trash, for they were dry. So.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. I guess I feel strongly about bathing. And I just. It really. I was like, oh, now you're putting up deterrents so that we can't actually bathe.

[A]

We actually physically cannot wash our body. Got it, Got it. Cool, cool, cool.

[B]

You know what? But I like the idea that she pushed her pants down to her ankles, and I'm gonna. That's now canon moving forward for me.

[A]

Let's hope she did, because, my God.

[B]

It wasn't mentioned at all. Like, it actually specifically says her pants are damp from getting in the bath with them, but.

[A]

And it says that she's like, I can't remove my pants, but I can't.

[B]

Remember my job, but I can take my top off. Like, oh, thank God. Which like, yes, great to bathe at least half of you, but, like, down here.

[A]

Vital.

[B]

Vital, vital. Okay, what else?

[A]

So other things we didn't perchance love the use of the word pretend. Oh, listeners, we're here to tell you that the word pretend was used 61 times in this 380 page book.

[B]

Too many times.

[A]

I want you to think about that for a minute. And I would say there's probably like, I mean, tops. Maybe four. That we enjoyed it. Right. Like, there were tops. That I was like, wow, this is a good use of that word.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But like, we all are so aware that no one's pretending. Like, you love each other. You love each other. It just felt so overused at a certain point. And I think it led to the feeling of the loop. And the thing I was like, didn't we just do this? Like, we just pretended. And then truly, it felt like she was like. He would say pretended.

[B]

This.

[A]

This switch was flipped in her and she was like, oh, okay, great. So I'm just gonna strip off and I'm gonna straddle again. Like, there's no roles. It was as if. You know how in Marvel movies. This is my one reference. Someone's like, mind controlled and they have a certain keywords that if they say them, they're flipped in to whatever. So.

[B]

Sure. Never seen a Marvel movie, but it sounds right.

[A]

Anyways, it's like if you say certain words, like a trigger word, and they like, snap into this ultra personality.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It felt like pretend was her trigger word. Like, I have this vision in my head. He says, let. Let's pretend. And just like all of a sudden, the lights go out and it's like, yeah. Unholy starts playing and she takes her.

[B]

Top off, straddling him, and she's like, mommy, don't know.

[A]

Immediate, Immediate.

[B]

She's got the chain. She's like.

[A]

I came in like a wrecking ball. Oh, God, it's good.

[B]

That would have been awesome. Damn it.

[A]

That's what the gentleman's club needed. God.

[B]

Yes. A performance.

[A]

Performance with the chain.

[B]

Damn it. That's what I would have loved to see, man.

[A]

Okay. Yes. So the use of the word pretend was overused. That was difficult for us.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Kim also talk us through another piece of the book that was quite challenging.

[B]

Well, here's what happened, folks, is we read the prologue and we were instantly very confused. So we start texting each other and we're like, hold on, it's an anniversary. He's getting sticky buns from Gail. He's going to the willow tree. And he says, happy birthday. A.

[A]

A.

[B]

Now, I think we can all remember that Peyton calls Idina A and Adina loves sticky buns. In fact, if you watched our power full chapter chats, you would know that Adina literally lives off sticky buns.

[A]

It's all she eats. It's her entire nutritional chart. It's. That's. Every food group is sticky buns.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And it's also very harped upon that Pay calls her A. Like that is her nickname. That is what they call each other. It's very important.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

So why are we calling this character A and adding in the sticky buns if not to confuse us? Like, what reason would we do this, friends?

[B]

I don't know. And Christina actually called this. We were texting and she was like, but surely there's not some, like, long lost sister or cousin that we've never mentioned that we are going to just bring up now for the sake of what? And I was like, surely not. And then she just screenshot it later when we got to that part was like, surely so, so surely so, surely so. We sure did Brought her up from nowhere. We've never mentioned her before. There's never even been a passing comment about anything to do with this sibling first book.

[A]

Nothing. Nothing. I will. I'll give Lauren this. There is a really, really small, confusing family tree that has now been added to the beginning of Reckless Cristina.

[B]

Don't even get me fucking started on that tree. I hate it. It's so pointless.

[A]

It is, for some reason, sideways. It's horizontal, not vertical.

[B]

It's horizontal. Why?

[A]

And it's also confusing and it's other, like, lineages. Like, it's the door kingdom lineage and like, all these things. But whatever point is all the way to the left. It does say Ava and Kit and Kai. And there is the most small little dove on the ribbon.

[B]

I couldn't even see that damn bird. I was like, hold on, wait. I saw Christina Senna. And I was like, well, hold on. According to the legend, there should be a dove by Ava's name because she's dead. I didn't see it. Christina zoomed it in all the way. Was like, oh, here it is. You can barely see it. Come on now.

[A]

And if that was supposed to be a like, reveal, like, she didn't want to show us that Ava was dead. Put the family tree in the back of the book. Yes, put it in the back and be like, oh, now we get it. Ava's here. She was a reveal.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Oh, God damn it. That Dove. Really, really fun.

[B]

That really irritated me. I was like, I can't see it.

[A]

Okay, are we ready to move on to what we did love?

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

You know, we actually really did love some things here. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, our main takeaway love of the book was Kai. I mean, let's be real. As we've said, he carried this whole book on his back 100%. But, but, but, but. Before we get to our favorite Kai moments, we have to talk about a very special cameo from a very special little girl named Abigail.

[B]

Guys, she's alive. She's alive. The way that I know so many of you were like, if y'all don't shut. Shut up about fucking Abigail and read this next book. I swear to God.

[A]

We harped on her for ages. Ages.

[B]

We couldn't let it go.

[A]

I just can't believe. No, but I know we should let it go. But back to Abigail. And we couldn't let it go. And I know that listeners were like, guys, you're killing me. Just please read Reckless. She is alive.

[B]

I did wonder, like, why so many people were like, yeah, really gonna need you to read Reckless right now. And I'm like, like, I think this was about Abigail, because I think y'all were like, you've talked about her five to six times in this episode. You've gotta let it go.

[A]

It seems that you're distressed about her death, and I need you to know she's alive.

[B]

Y'all are.

[A]

Oh, God.

[B]

Heroes and saints for putting up with us. Because it really bothered us. I screamed, texting Christina, like, get to this page. I need you to get to this page. It's Abigail.

[A]

I just text back all caps.

[B]

She lives. She lives.

[A]

She's alive, Guys. Wow.

[B]

I mean, we didn't do much with.

[A]

Her, but I really felt justified.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it made me feel good for Kai and good for the source material that we didn't kill a child. You know, I just need to know it. I need to know that it didn't happen. Agree. And I. I know it was never gonna be on page. It made me feel better in my soul, you know?

[B]

I agree. Yeah.

[A]

So we do see Abigail, and she's, like, got her little knife, and it's actually very fun and cute because Kai's like, oh, my God, you are a little paid in. Because she's, like, a little thief.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And she's got a knife, and she's, like, a little badass, and it's so cute.

[B]

But he gave her. She kept the dagger that he Gave.

[A]

Her because she says, like, at least I've got a knife. And he's like.

[B]

We were like, why would he give her the knife just to send her to her death? I don't edit.

[A]

What good is that going to do her? The scorches. Was she going to stab a scorpion? Oh, God.

[B]

Oh, God.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

I just. It's so funny where it's like, yeah, that kid's brought back up and she still has Kai's dagger. And y'all just went on and on.

[A]

But I'm sorry.

[B]

God, it's so funny.

[A]

Oh, man. Oh, bless you, listeners.

[B]

Okay, truly.

[A]

So, all right, so Abigail leads. Actually leads him to Payton, which is fun.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He sees her in a fighting ring. It's a whole big thing. All right, so, guys, here we go. The first time that they see each other is this rooftop makeout scene. It's their first time together on page in this book. And for us, this energy just popped. It was, like, electric immediately. It was like the buildup. Trekking through the desert was a rough time for all, but once we got there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is their palpable tension that I love. This is like, we're back, baby. We're in.

[B]

We're here.

[A]

Take us to the rooftop.

[B]

Woo.

[A]

Also, not only are we back on a rooftop, we're back to sexy sparring.

[B]

Sexy sparring is back too much. I love it.

[A]

They are not good at a lot of things, but you know what they're good at? Sexy damn sparring.

[B]

Yeah, they are.

[A]

Oh, the knife at the throat all the time. Oh, my God. All right, so quote from this sexy sparring session.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He says, you promised to be my undoing. I murmur, lowering my head close enough to hear her sharp intake of breath.

[B]

Oh, God.

[A]

So prove it. Her face angles up towards mine. Our nose is brushing. She never lowers the dagger, and the point of the blade still draws blood from my throat. Prove it. I repeat, voice quiet. Hate me enough to make me want you. I cup her jaw, feeling her eyes burning into mine. Ruin me.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Our mouths crash together and it goes.

[B]

God, that is electric. I'm obsessed.

[A]

The ruin me.

[B]

Just like the ruin me.

[A]

God damn it. It's good.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

It's good.

[B]

That worked.

[A]

You know it worked. And like the rooftop also, it was like a tie. Back to the powerless rooftop scene. And just. I liked it. I liked this. This being their first moment.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What I think I struggled with was it was like kind of over and over, but this as our first moment together, I was in. I was in.

[B]

Totally agree. Another really Fantastic scene that we loved was the scene in the gentleman's club when they are running away.

[A]

One of the times they have to.

[B]

Run into this gentleman's club and they're, like, going down the alleys. And I was like, come on, run. And they just, like, go into the first door that they see and it's this dark, hazy, smoky gentleman's club. And there's women, like, like, slung all over the men's laps. And he's like, hurry, get over here. So he sits down and, like, slings her across his lap. And she has her arms, like, wrapped around him and she has, like, a hat on. And they're both, like, hiding under the hat. He's, like, nuzzling her.

[A]

Guys, it's hot. It is hot, hot, hot. There's a point where, like, another, like, girl comes over to try to flirt with him because he's, you know, so sexy. And she says, this lap is taken. It's so good.

[B]

And he's like, oh, you jealous, gray.

[A]

Oh, God, it's good, guys. And he's playing cards and he's, like, trying to play a part. Like, oh, this is what they always do. Like, they're a couple. And so he's like, what do you think, babe? And she's, like, looking at his cards.

[B]

Like, it' it's so hot.

[A]

It's hot.

[B]

I love this. This was a time when the pretend really worked. They were in danger. The people that were trying to find them burst into the club and they're going around table to table. And so there's, like, tension there. There's tension between them and the people that are trying to get them. There's tension between her and Kai and it's so delicious and it's sexy and it's fun and it worked.

[A]

It absolutely worked. Agreed. This is one of the moments that pretend worked because they actually had to pretend there were outside forces making them pretend. It wasn't just like, I don't want to accept my feelings, so let's just.

[B]

Pretend it doesn't exist.

[A]

It was like, you have to pretend in the story, in the plot. Loved it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Another great moment we loved from them was this oasis makeout scene that we find, like, they find this secluded, beautiful, little, like, oasis.

[B]

Sounds lovely.

[A]

After we've been, you know, all through lots of trauma.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And, guys, if you know one thing about us, you know we're sluts for a rain scene.

[B]

Yes, we are. We love it.

[A]

We love it. And they are in the water. Water. Another time when I didn't understand the length of the chain. He decides he's, like, going to go in the water, and he's, like, undressed and getting in the water, and then she decides to undress. Or maybe it's vice versa. But, like, someone's in the water and someone's on the beach still clothed, and they can still keep walking, and the other one has to, like, catch up anyways. Not important. But what is important is that they're in the water. Okay. She can't swim. And he's like, oh, okay, I've got you. I've got you. Whatever.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, God, of course he does.

[A]

And they're, like, pretending, but we're making progress in the pretending.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yes. It's not like, oh, let's just pretend. He's like, this is not us. Neither of us have magic. No one is forcing us to do anything. You're not an ordinarian. I'm not an elite. You're not a fugitive. I'm not the enforcer. This is just us.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And, like, that is a different level of pretending that makes it feel like it's about them.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And about this special place they can be. Just them, without these roles and these titles. It's so good. She's straddling him in the water, and they're making out, and it's raining, and. And it's so good. And so he's like, you gonna kiss me, Gray? Or just continue admiring what you see? And then she's like, I'm still contemplating drowning you, actually. And he says, oh, darling, I already am, and I'm begging you to let me breathe you in. And then she says, I thought you never begged. And then he says, I'm getting used to it when it comes to you. And then he kisses her.

[B]

Damn it, that's good.

[A]

And then we're in Peyton's mind, and she really knows.

[B]

Notes.

[A]

Specifically, this kiss feels different than the other times they've kissed. She says it feels like a kiss making up for lost time. Like, the kiss at the rooftop was about hatred and anger. The kiss in the sewer was, like, panicked and impulsive. And this is like, them just being themselves. And they're, like, longing and yearning in the rain. And it's so good. Like, I loved it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It was what we wanted for a lot of the progression. I hated how long it took us to get here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I did enjoy the symbolism or the thing that it was like they're in this little oasis. They're in, like, a secluded, little, like, almost other world bubble.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then they're like, let's just be ourselves and love each other.

[B]

Yes. I loved it. It so worked. It was fantastic. You know what else really I enjoyed?

[A]

Tell me.

[B]

Thought it was fun. Was the journal reveals everybody.

[A]

Papa's journal.

[B]

Papa's journal. So we're making out in the oasis pool. It's beautiful. It's sexy. It's lovely. Then she's like, oh, my pack is getting wet. It. Let's go find a rock cave to hang out in. As you do, obviously. Oh, no. We need a fire. Oh, well, I brought my dad's journals that I haven't touched for days, but we can use it as fire kindling. Sure. But, like, while I have it out, let's read it. Oh, let's do read it, Peyton, because it uncovers some very interesting truth. I'm gonna break those truths down for you right now.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Wow. Okay. So Peyton's actual parents dropped her off on her dad's doorstep when she was a baby. And the man she knew as her father raised her as his own. And he never told her that he wasn't really dad. Peyton's adoptive mother really did die giving birth to a baby and is buried in the backyard. But it's both her and the baby. Peyton thought obviously, like, she was the baby and that she lived. And her mother is in the backyard.

[A]

As did we all.

[B]

As did we all. Oh, no. So Peyton's dad is. Is not her birth father, and she really is just ordinary and powerless, which I have to say, I love.

[A]

Do you think that she's going to stay ordinary and powerless? This.

[B]

She better. She better.

[A]

I'll tell you that for free. She better.

[B]

If I start to see things manifest in book three after being ordinary for two and a half books. Not me pleased about it.

[A]

I'm going to tell you that I think that the fact that it's called powerless.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If we go back on that and the fact that, like, she now literally has a tattoo of an O for ordinary on her, and we talk about that a lot. It's like, oh, for ordinary. We. We know what. It's forlorn. Like, you don't need to keep telling us. Like, we get it, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But is that her harping on it in a way of, like, reminder. I'm not gonna trick you.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Or is it, like, I'm gonna pull off sneakaroo and she is eventually gonna have powers?

[B]

No, I hope not. I hope that the whole point is that there can be a female main character who is not the chosen one magically. So that she's really just ordinary and. And she really is powerless, like the whole book series, like you said, has been about. The other big thing is that the king, Kit and Kai's father has basically been bribing the healers for the healers in all of Ilia, by the way.

[A]

All of them.

[B]

Not a moral one among them. They've all been bribed for a very long time to continue the lie that the ordinaries carry this quote unquote undetectable disease and that they will get the elite slash the mundane sick and it will cause them to lose their powers. So the king has been bribing every single healer for decades.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

To keep this lie up. Because the healers are the only ones that say that they can detect this undetectable disease, which, like, he also then.

[A]

Bribes them to only serve. They won't work in the slums.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They will only serve the elites. So the elites aren't going to question it. They're like, oh, yeah, serve me. Like, you know.

[B]

Right, Right.

[A]

It's horrible. It's awful.

[B]

It's horrible. And so that is why Ilya must eradicate them is because everybody believes that they're sick. But Peyton's father knows the truth. He knows that they're not sick. There is no undetectable disease. It's a complete lie made up by the king, and her father knew it. And that is why her f. Father started the resistance. And I love. I thought the journal reveal was so fun. I also really loved the conversation that Kai and Peyton have afterwards. I felt like it was one of the first real vulnerable moments from her in this book where she was like, I'm not doing well, you know, like, I have already had so much taken from me, and the one thing that I had left was my father and the love of my father and him being my dad. And now that is taken from me and I have nothing and I am no one. It was so heartbreaking to hear her say that, but it felt like I could really connect to her as the reader, and I felt like that was really nice and I wish we would have seen a little bit more of that in the book.

[A]

I totally agree. I think we got a lot of Kai being vulnerable, like, in random moments. And I think the pay vulnerability was a little, like, few and far between. And I think this was a big moment for it. And it really. It resonated. It was good. It felt like we were getting almost getting to know her more. Like, you know how usually in a second book, like, you feel like you Know her, and you're just deepening that connection. And it felt like this is the second book, and I didn't feel like I got deeper with her until this moment.

[B]

Totally. Yes, absolutely. I completely agree. I felt like this was a great moment for us, and it also leads to a really great moment between her and Kyne. It's very tender, but can we move to another tender moment between Kai and Paden? Because this was one of my favorite moments in the entire book.

[A]

I. I freaking loved this whole sequence of events after the bandit attack. So there's bandits. It doesn't really matter, but they have to fight them off. Okay. And so.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So Kai gets hurt, guys. And. Oh, oh, Kai Pie. And then she has to kill people, which we know that already sends her into a tizzy. She really gets emotional when she has to kill people.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So in that process, she gets, like, kind of bloody and she's emotionally distraught, and it's a whole thing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they escape to a cave. All right. And she's tending to Kai's wounds. And in the process of that and the killing of the people, her brain gets really bloody. Okay. She's got her braid, and her braid has blood in it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And first off, I need to set a reminder for everyone, a psa, that Kai is gravely injured.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

During everything I'm about to read to you. Okay. So just, like, that adds to the level of devotion.

[B]

It sure does.

[A]

I want to just make sure everyone knows. Okay. So her braids all bloody, and she just loses it. She, like, she absolutely loses it. And she's like, I can't. You have to cut it off. Off. You have to cut off, like, telling him to cut off her braid. And Kai's holding her face, and he's saying, hey, hey, look at me. I'll wash your hair. Okay. The blood won't be there forever. And she's like, yes, it will. The blood will always be there. The blood of my father, the blood of my best friend. And it's, like, so hard for her. It's hard to read, but it's really beautiful moment between the two of them.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then Kai is like, I don't want you to regret this. Like, please don't make me cut your hair. And you're gonna be mad at me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And she just looks at him and she says, please, Kai. And that, like, breaks him. And she's like, okay. So he gets the dagger and he comes, cuts the braid off of her hair.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which I have to say, as someone who stopped Reading a certain series because the female lead shaved her head and I just couldn't get past it. Not that's bad thing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But just I was frustrated by the choice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, how short is her hair really gonna be? And it's like, guys, it's like her shoulder.

[B]

Shoulder length.

[A]

I had no clue how long this braid was.

[B]

Me either.

[A]

She was walking around with this much hair. Like that is heavy in general. She's like, oh, a weight's been lifted emotionally. No, a weight's been lifted actually physically, like legit. Logistically. This was not smart to have this.

[B]

Much weight on the run. No. We need to keeping it light and tight, Peyton. Okay. We should have cut that days ago.

[A]

Yeah. That's not a good fighting thing to have that much hair.

[B]

Totally not. No.

[A]

Anyways. But it's so sweet. It's so, so sweet. And then he takes care of even more guys. He like cuts this cloth and she isn't even talking. She's just in distress. And he cuts this cloth and he uses the last canteen of water, like legitimately. The last of their water. Yeah. And he just like very slowly and sweetly washes the blood off her hands. Cuz she's like, this is what it is. And he notes it. He says like, you weren't like this about blood until after Adina. And she's like, I can't. I can't talk about it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it becomes this thing where he just silently does it and it's so gentle and precious. And he's like so specific about it. She talks about how he cleans her fingernails. It's just so sweet and lovely. So then after that, we get some really cute little banter where he's like, you don't regret it, like cutting the hair? And she goes, no. And he says, good, because I've always had a thing for short hair. And she goes, oh, really? And he says, it's true. Among other things, of course. Short hair, Ocean blue eyes, 28 freckles, and how tall are you? And she goes, five and a half feet. He goes, five and a half feet. The terrifying ability to kick a man's ass. Stunning smile, ridiculously stubborn hair like molten silver. Quick to threaten me with a dagger.

[B]

Oh my God, it's so cute.

[A]

I'm like, this is the like flirtiness that they weren't allowing themselves up until this point of him specifically being like, no, it's about you. I love like you, like this is central to you. And it was so fun.

[B]

I loved it. Oh my God. It Was incredible. It was so, so good. I also actually really liked seeing her mourn Adina finally.

[A]

Oh, thank God. She spent this entire book, guys. We left powerless with her legitimately having just held her best friend dying.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[A]

And then all of powerful is just like the end of powerful. We leave with the deep, deep devastation of Adina dying. And I think she mentions her. Her twice in this book. Maybe this was a big, pivotal moment. I'm glad we mentioned her, but the fact that we had to be glad she was mentioned was wild.

[B]

It is wild. Y'all like that again, doesn't make sense to me. I understand that there was a lot going. Actually. Actually, that's a lie. There wasn't anything going on, and you had nothing but time to sit here and actually, this just happened days ago, by the way. It's like, it's been two years.

[A]

That's a great point, Kim.

[B]

A couple days.

[A]

Been like four days. Why are we not more upset about this? That's a great point.

[B]

Why is this not being brought up more? I don't understand.

[A]

Great point. Great point.

[B]

Like her dad I totally get. Obviously, that's your dad. It's clear. The trauma and the grief is still very fresh there. Her best friend barely mentions her the.

[A]

Entire book that she just held while she died.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And she died because of her, really. She led her to her doom. You're right. Yeah.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

I'm glad we mentioned it, because if we hadn't, it would have felt actually really weird.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it is frustrating that it was so little that we mentioned it.

[B]

I agree. Something else that we really did, like, was the conversations at the end that Kit had with the queen and jacks.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I felt like these conversations really humanized him, and it showed, like, his more vulnerable side without him just being, like, crazy Kit, who's, like, throwing food out the window.

[A]

Sad little bird boy.

[B]

Sad little bird. Kit throwing food, watching the carrots onto the hedges.

[A]

Like, so weird. I get it. I get it. He's unwell. But, like, something about that was so weird.

[B]

I get it. He's unwell. But.

[A]

But, like, did we need to watch the carrots plop onto the ground below?

[B]

Yeah, that was wild.

[A]

And then he's writing letters to Payton. Like, his character arc in this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I felt like. Was strange to me. I get it. I understand what we're doing. But it almost felt like either we left powerless with Kit almost feeling like, oh, he's gonna be a villain.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

He was like, oh, no, fuck you. Go get her. And, like, angry and like, villain.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

And then we went here and it was like, no, that's not what we're doing. But I'm confused what we're doing. Doing.

[B]

Yep. Agreed. You know, can we also touch on, like, the queen is on her deathbed, and I guess I'm just really not understanding why we're mourning the king at all. I don't get it.

[A]

One trillion percent. Especially this queen. Because she's Kai's mother. Yes. She's Kai's mother. And he was awful to Kai.

[B]

Yo. He was straight up abusive to Kai.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And the queen knew it and Kit knew it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And I understand that sometimes when people die, they become like. Like saints. Like, they can do no wrong. That was not shown in this situation. Like, no one is mourning him. Being like, he was an incredible man, what a wonderful father, a loving husband. No one's bringing that up. They're just like, we're so sad that he's dead. And I'm like, but why, Truly?

[A]

And I think what makes it so frustrating is that this woman, this queen who is Kai's mother.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Is, like, not even sick. She pretty much what we're saying is she's, like, just heartbroken. Like, she is so sad that he has died, that she's dying. Like, she. She can't function.

[B]

Dying herself. Correct.

[A]

And it's like, okay, but he did abuse your son.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

His entire life.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I don't know. Something about this scene. I love that it showed us a different Kit. I loved that outcome. I loved Kit getting to play with Jax. That was huge.

[B]

Huge, huge.

[A]

The playing with Jax, I was like, oh, okay. And that really shifted my. We're not being a villain. Like, I was like, he's being his sweet self.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, with Jacks, and I loved that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But something about the queen stuff, the queen herself being like, you look just like him. Can you come see me more? You look like him. It was weird.

[B]

That is weird. You're right. You're right. Super strange. And she was like, I'm sorry I.

[A]

Didn'T ever pay you any attention as your stepmom. And it was like, okay, so sorry about that now, but.

[B]

But can you come chat with me? Like, what the man? Like, what a twat waffle. That is so rude. I just. I can't.

[A]

No, I. I totally agree. But then at the end of the day, this did also humanize Kit, so it was effective in that way. You're right.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But there was something about the queen that really frustrated me.

[B]

Agreed. Agreed.

[A]

I just don't know what we're doing there.

[B]

I think I would have liked to have seen Kit more throughout the book. Not be crazy, like, have other moments of interaction with him where he wasn't, like, throwing the food out of his window that he wasn't. Like, I haven't bathed in days and I've ink all over me. But, like, okay, I'm doing good. Everything's fine.

[A]

It's fine. And like, writing poetry and writing letters. To pen.

[B]

Yeah, to pen. Hey.

[A]

Like sonnets and stuff.

[B]

Guys, they literally had like three conversations and he's being like, she's my muse. What? Stop it.

[A]

So the only thing I can think of is, like, there was a lot of off page in Powerless. I think that she spent a lot of time with Kit, I guess, walking the gardens or something. But, like, from what we.

[B]

Okay, sure. Because there's.

[A]

This makes no sense.

[B]

It makes sense, right? Yeah, agreed. I just don't know how much free time she had, you know, like, she felt pretty booked and busy to me in Powerless. Like, I don't know, in between the.

[A]

Trials for her life. Yes.

[B]

And then also being with Kai and then the training, you know? And the training and everything.

[A]

The dinners.

[B]

Yeah. I just. I don't understand his level of obsession with her. But it's a fantasy romance book.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She's some random girl, so obviously she's literally a random girl.

[A]

She's an ordinary. She's a random girl.

[B]

She's a complete ordinary.

[A]

Yep. Okay.

[B]

Okay, let's run through this poppy scene.

[A]

Oh, scene, Kimberlyn, the poppy scene.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Now, I mean, wicked is really forefront in our minds, so therefore wizard of Oz is forefront in our minds. So, like, the poppies really spoke to us. Okay.

[B]

First thing I thought of, I was like, oh, we're here. We're here to see the wizard of Oz. Careful, they'll make you sleepy. We're off to see the Wizard. We have your night mask. Get your pillows. Oh, my God.

[A]

Okay, okay, okay, okay. So the poppies, guys, this was everything we've worn. Wanted.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It was the entire, entire climax of this book. Because let's be real, this book wasn't about plot. It was about their romance.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And it was a loop de loop of banter. And then it got here and it was like, God damn it. Thank you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is what we've been wanting. They were communicating. They're being honest about their feelings. They make flower crowns, for Christ's sake. They're like, giggling.

[B]

God damn it. It's cute.

[A]

They snuggle and Kai tells her he's falling in love with her. Like, there's so many moments here, guys. There's this part, okay? This is Kai. He says, quote, I may be a monster, but if you cut me, I'll bleed. And if you break my heart, pay, you'll break me. So if even a sliver of your soul longs for mine, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to deserve it.

[B]

Oh my God. Shut up, sweet boy. I love him. Oh my God, I love him.

[A]

Just love him back. Pay. Jesus. And I do get it. It's hard. He's bringing you to your death.

[B]

But like, like, we'll figure that out.

[A]

Figure it out.

[B]

That's not important. Just be together. It's like be in the puppies together.

[A]

Oh, God. Okay. Oh, and then there's a great. Sorry. This is one of our great pretend moments, guys.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

He says this. It's a one little line where he's like, oh, darling. And he smiles. He says, I have never had to pretend to want you.

[B]

Shut. Shut up. Shut up.

[A]

And it's hard because I do think the word pretend was overused throughout the book.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But we got to this line. I was like, okay, fine, okay, I'll.

[B]

Give it to you, Lauren. I liked it.

[A]

If we needed the build up to get to pretend being used, here, I will take it.

[B]

Fine, I'm into it. Oh, that's so damn good.

[A]

So good.

[B]

This next quote, I think is one of the most important conversations in the book.

[A]

One trillion percent. So speaking of honesty, speaking of communicating, speaking of being in a real relationship with each other and not being just like bantery little teenagers. They talk about their fathers and how they both killed the other one's fathers. And they get to a resolution like, okay, so Peyton says, what about our fathers? I blurt, what about what we did to one another? Kai says, quote, I won't spend the rest of my life hating you for saving yourself. I know why you did what you did and I hope you understand why I did the same. And then Pay says, I, I forgive you, Kai. I think I might have a while ago because I can forgive you for what you didn't even know you were were doing.

[B]

There we go. Final thank you.

[A]

It's good.

[B]

My God, this is all I've ever wanted.

[A]

The growth.

[B]

This is all I've wanted.

[A]

Truly. Thank you so much for giving this to us. At 83%, we will take it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I was thrilled with this.

[B]

Yeah, this is thrilling.

[A]

One trillion percent.

[B]

I loved it.

[A]

You know, this does take us Though into the actual ending of the book, which was a. Was a time.

[B]

So it was a doozy.

[A]

A doozy, if you will. It was a doozy, if you will. So, Kim, talk to us about just like generally, what's. What's going on here at the end.

[B]

So we've had a mysterious box that has been showing up throughout the book in Kit's pov. Callum, who is his new advisor. Guys, that makes no sense.

[A]

Zero sense.

[B]

I didn't remember who Callum was. Christina had to remind me that he was the head of the resistance.

[A]

Yeah, he's the guy who made the.

[B]

Shitty speech at the last trial. Okay? He was the head of the resistance and now he seemingly kits advisor.

[A]

So, okay, the only thing that makes sense to me at all in this, possibly when we go to the mixer.

[B]

Oh, we go to the mixers.

[A]

When we go to the mixer's party.

[B]

The mixer's party.

[A]

When we go see the mixers. There's literally no other way to say it.

[B]

Nope. No, there's not.

[A]

Then we go see the mixers. Someone asked Lenny.

[B]

Oh, Lenny.

[A]

Oh, got all Lanny howdy. If anyone's wondering, in the audible of this version, he also has a southern accent. Okay, okay, Lady. Howdy, lady. Okay, so they ask like, what happened to Callum and some other girl, I can't remember her name. And he says, the king has them. And they're like, oh, no, they must be prisoners. No, no, Callum is his adviser. So he was taken prisoner as the head of the resistance.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the only thing I can think of is it's because he is a fatal. Right, and the king has one of each. Fatal, at like his command. And he's a mind reader.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So, but why would you trust him to be your advisor then?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

He was the head of the resistance. He's clearly got his own agenda. Yeah, like, what about Callum? Talking to you would make him think that he is out for your own well being. It doesn't make sense.

[B]

It doesn't make any sense. It's so confusing. So when Callum brings Kit this box, he's like, what does your dad always tell you? What did he say? And Kit says, to be a great king, you must first be brave, benevolent and brutal. Only then can you rule a great kingdom. And then Callum says to Kit, like, talking about the box, doing this would take all three of those qualities he hoped to find in you.

[A]

How, how, how, how? Like, truly explain it to me, how is this brutal? Like, you're saving her?

[B]

Yes. You're saving her. He also says, this is a sacrifice that must be made for the good of the kingdom. Okay, so all that say we had no clue what was in the box. I was like, it has to be a ring. I bet it's Kai's enforcer ring. Christina was like, what if he proposes to Peyton? And I was like, that's crazy. Why would he propose to Payton? That makes no sense. And she was like, you're right, that does make no sense. So we were like, it has to be Kai's enforcer ring. Because if you remember, Kai took his enforcer ring off before he left for the desert.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I was basically like, I will put this back on whenever you trust me again. Whenever I earn your trust back.

[A]

I thought he was going to banish Kai and be like, I have a new enforcer. It's going to be this guy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I also thought, per chance, he was going to propose to Blake Blair, but I said, what if he proposes to pay? And we were like, no. Why would that make any sense? So turns out, yeah, because here's the thing, okay? Callum saying to him, this is what you have to sacrifice that must be made for the good of the kingdom. Like, all these things. If we take it under the assumption that Callum's speaking as the head of the resistance, like, yeah, he's like, this is for the good of the kingdom.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

She's gonna be better at the ordinaries, whatever. But clearly that's not what. What he is saying to Kit. Right? Because then that's not his father's rule. That's not his father's room. Like, he's trying to stick with the same path as his father when it comes to ordinaries.

[B]

Yes. Right.

[A]

So it doesn't make sense. There's another line from Cal says, which means you sacrifice who you were. He's like, now you're king, which means you sacrifice who you were for who you need to be and who you need to be it with. Which now, looking back at that, like, that was really obvious. But okay, but, like, who you need to be it with. Fifth. I just don't get it, guys. I don't get it. Like, it doesn't make any sense.

[B]

I don't get it either. So talk us through. Like, what? Okay, so, like, here's what actually happens.

[A]

So what actually happens? Kai and pay. After the poppy scene, the Imperial show up. They're like, let's pretend we love each other, but, like, it's so hard and we actually have to really pretend. It was actually really heartbreaking. Like, it's really bad. She gets led through the streets and people yell at her. It's actually, like, really traumatizing.

[B]

Oh, yeah, it's rough.

[A]

But Kai and Pai are led to the throne room. Okay. The court is all gathered, everyone's there, and Kit is on the throne. All right. And he is. He's pretty cold to Kai.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's pretty much like, bro, you're late.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What the. What took you so long?

[B]

Where have you been?

[A]

And pretty much he, like, asks without asking if something happened between the two of them. Kai then lies, of course. He's like, nope. No unnecessary circumstances were needed for her. Like, let's move on. So then Kit introduces Pay as an ordinary, makes her admit to letting the rebels in. And murdering his father in front of everyone is like, did you do this? Did you do this?

[B]

Whatever.

[A]

And then he says to his court, pretty much like, I know you all think I'm crazy, but I assure you that, quote, my future decisions are anything but crazed, and I will explain them all to you in due time. Okay. The time is now.

[B]

The time is now, sir.

[A]

And then he says, peyton Gray, stand. And she's like, well, here it goes. I'm going to die now. And then he pulls out a box and he says, you are to be my bride.

[B]

I'm sorry, what? Like, good sir, you have lost your mind. I need someone to explain to us what Kit gets out of this. What is Kit getting out of this? As the king by marrying Paden.

[A]

What. What would he poss. What is he getting out of this? And why would he be convinced by Callum this was a good idea? And it would lead to his father being proud of him with, like, being brutal and being benevolent and being brave, like, what? Truly, what is happening?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

I'm so confused why Kit would find this to be something that eventually he could convince the court is a good idea. Do you know what I mean?

[B]

Yes. Because Kit is running on the same platform as his father, and his father's platform is. Is that ordinaries are diseased. They are decaying our population, essentially. They're making us lose our powers. They need to be banned from Ilya.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So if you are following your father footsteps, which I think at this point, we are supposed to think he is.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How on earth is marrying someone who's supposed to be banned from the kingdom? Why?

[A]

Truly, why? It makes no sense. I do have one question for you here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right. So Kit pretty much says, like, what took you so long? He's like, they Were unexpected circumstances. And he's like, what about your men? He's like, unexpected circumstances.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then he looks at him, it looks at Kai, and he says, what about her? And as in, like, did something happen between the two of you? Right.

[B]

Yeah, Right, right, right.

[A]

Kai says, says, no, they were. Since. And he says, brother. What about with her? Like, he calls him brother.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Do you think that a piece of that was Kit being like, this is your last chance to say that you have feelings for her? Because I'm about to propose. Like, this is your one out. Like, I'm give you one more chance to be like, something is between us Because I'm about to propose to her, and then it's going to be a whole new ball.

[B]

But he knows that Kai would never do that.

[A]

But I'm wondering if he would have said, head were there unexpected circumstances with her. If Kai would have been like, well, there always is.

[B]

Or like, something.

[A]

We're gonna have to talk about that in private, not in front of the court. Or like, something, something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If he would have been like, all right, well, we gotta re. We gotta replan this. We need to all be informed. Like, something.

[B]

No, I don't think so.

[A]

I'm just curious.

[B]

No, that is such a good question. I just think kid is so far gone down, like, the crazy king path.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That he was like, I'm gonna propose to her no matter what.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I actually. Not that he doesn't care, but, I mean, like, it's a touchy subject between the two of them, 100%. But, like, that's so interesting. I think he knew something happened. Like, why else would they be so late? Kai is very good at his job, and yet he's taken an alarmingly long time to come back with her. Like, I think he knows that something happened. I think he was, like, almost asking him. And, like, I know the answer, but I'm gonna see if you're gonna tell me.

[A]

Okay. Yeah.

[B]

And Kai's like, what? No, never.

[A]

I also wonder if it was a bit of like, you don't even know what we're about to walk into. But I gotta confirm, you serve me right.

[B]

I think so too. I think it was like a power trip thing. Yeah.

[A]

Like, you're my enforcer. You don't answer to her. You know what I mean?

[B]

Totally.

[A]

I'm more important than her. Kind of.

[B]

Yes. I love that. That's what I think.

[A]

It's just very interesting. Oh, God, Then we get this epilogue, Kim. This was just the saddest, sad boy epilogue.

[B]

Oh, Poor Kai. So, like, he sees this happen and does he fall to his knees?

[A]

They're already kneeling, I think.

[B]

Oh, right, they're already all kneeling, thank God, because he is. Is unwell.

[A]

Oh, poor, sweet boy, he says.

[B]

And to think I wasted so much time trying to hate her. To think I won't have enough time to love her because I am bound to her very being hers. Until the day she realizes I don't deserve to be.

[A]

Are you kidding me? Oh, my God, this is so completely devastating.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because we have spent the whole book and a half. First book, half this book.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Of them being like, I don't really feel things for you. And all of a sudden he's like, I do love you. We feel for each other. They are actually admitting their feelings. And so now we're going into this with him being like, no, no, I do accept that I have these feelings, but this is what's happening with them.

[B]

It's devastating. God, he says, this will be the rest of my life. Forced to love her from a distance, mourn the loss of her each day. But I will. I will smother every emotion but the one that belongs to her. I will love her until I am incapable of the feelings. She is the torture. I may not survive eagerly. She is my undoing. What? Lauren, that's some damn poetry.

[A]

That's some gorgeous prose there. It is.

[B]

That is. You know what that is. That's some gorgeous prose.

[A]

Prose, Yep. I loved that. I mean, I hate it for sweet Kai. Pie, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What is going to happen? Like, what do we actually think is going to happen?

[B]

I think she's going to marry Kit.

[A]

You think she's actually going to marry him?

[B]

I think it's either that or she knows she's going to die, so she's like, well, fine, if I must.

[A]

I wonder if she's like, if I must consent. I wonder if she's going to say, like, yes, because she has to. No one can fault her. Like, it's this or death.

[B]

Yeah, totally.

[A]

And she'll say yes, and then it'll be something like a book that I'm not going to spoil, but that they get married and that he presents to the whole court and everyone that he's being terrible to her, but really, like, behind closed doors, like, are you okay? Do you want a bath? I really think you're wonderful. And then I wonder if, like, that's gonna happen. And then in public, he's gonna be mean to her, and then Kai is gonna be like, how could you?

[B]

True.

[A]

Like, that I love her so much, and pull her aside, like, are you okay? And it's, like, that dynamic.

[B]

Ooh, that's interesting.

[A]

I. I really. I don't see how we get out of this without Kit dying.

[B]

Oh, shit. Really?

[A]

That's what I think's gonna happen. I think Callum's gonna be our big bad.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think he's manipulating everyone the whole time. I think he's, like, a big bad guy.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I think that Kit is gonna, like, sacrifice himself for his brother and be like, oh, I love. I always loved you. Like, for the two of them, you know? And then they'll, like, rule the kingdom.

[B]

Oh, I can see.

[A]

That is what I think might happen.

[B]

Oh, poor Kit. But also.

[A]

Right. But that's the thing. That's what we felt. This whole trilogy is like. Are we supposed to feel like this is a love triangle?

[B]

Right. Christina and I have never felt like it's a love triangle. Like, we've always been. Like, I've always felt like it's obviously her and Kai. Like, Kit doesn't matter.

[A]

Yeah. And so I think that's what's something that's gonna be interesting to play with, because I think she set it up. Up to where if he was actually the villain, I'd be like, well, this makes sense. I get it. He is actually the villain. He's like, oh, I want to take what Kai always had that I didn't have and, like, all these things, and we could have gone down that crazy train, and instead, I feel like we're backtracking and he's gonna be kid again. Kind of.

[B]

Yes. Charming, like, flirty, and be like, my.

[A]

Wife, which is like, are you gonna.

[B]

Try to do a love triangle at this point?

[A]

Because that is actually gonna make me want to throw the book at the wall. Like, if we actually have her have feelings for Kit.

[B]

I can't read that.

[A]

I can't read it.

[B]

No, I don't want to read it.

[A]

I think she can look at him as, like, a brotherly figure. Sure. But I don't. I can't do it.

[B]

Yeah. I don't feel in their relationship. I don't feel like we can move back.

[A]

Her and Kai.

[B]

Well, her and Kit even, like, back to, like, being friendly.

[A]

Agreed. Agreed.

[B]

To me, it's like, no, we can't. We can't go back there. We've already had that whole, like, oh, I like you, but she's like, I'm betraying. Like, you know, that dynamic's already been done 100%.

[A]

Yeah. I'm very Curious. Lauren has said that in this next book, we're going to go to all the kingdoms. Oh. Which makes me very curious on what we're going to do there.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Yeah. She said we're going to visit everything on the map. Ooh. And that's exciting. There's a lot of theories that, like, maybe Pei is descendant from, like, a royalty from, like, another kingdom somehow. Oh, I don't really know how that would work, but I think it plays into the fun idea that maybe she's gonna visit other kingdoms.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I love the idea that maybe her and Mac are siblings. Mac has a silver in his hair and his parents are terrible. Like, just the worst.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

And so it would make sense if somehow they had a child that was ordinary. They would be like, bye.

[B]

They would get rid of it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, my God, Christina. What if their brother and sister and he, like, comes to save her or something?

[A]

Or he has, like, a pole to her and then they figure it out somehow? I don't know how they would figure it out, but yeah.

[B]

Oh, I love that.

[A]

But I'm curious. Have we figured out. I don't think it's been established that the elite power, like, could skip generations. Like, if an elite and elite have a baby, it could be an ordinary child.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Has that not been established?

[B]

I didn't know that.

[A]

I think the only way you have an ordinary child is if it's an ordinary person. An ordinary person having a child.

[B]

Oh, really? Okay. So if two elites have a baby, they have.

[A]

They're an elite.

[B]

They're an elite.

[A]

That's what I think. So that's why it's confusing to me that, like, it couldn't be Max parents, because.

[B]

Oh, right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But we don't know. We don't know a lot of things we don't know.

[B]

But we are very excited for Fearless.

[A]

Yes. We're very excited.

[B]

We cannot wait. Yeah. It's gonna be fun. I mean, hopefully. Hopefully. It's gonna be fun. I'm excited to see the other kingdoms. I'm excited to see what the hell's going on with Kit and crazy Kit, you know? Yeah.

[A]

It really felt like this. This was our book just to bridge the gap to book three, which makes me excited for book three.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Completely agree. I love that. Okay, well, I think that's it, you guys.

[A]

Yay.

[B]

We'll be back soon. Well, friends, that wraps up another episode of Flights of Fantasy podcast. Don't forget to join our book club community on Instagram and tick tock at Flights of Fantasy podcast where you can share your thoughts, theories and favorite moments with us and fellow listeners. We'd love to hear hear from you. If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us spread the magic of Romantasy to even more book lovers. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight.