Battle of the BOOK VILLIANS

Summary

I'll Read What She's Reading – "Battle of the BOOK VILLAINS" (October 22, 2025)

Main Theme/Purpose

In this Halloween-themed episode, hosts Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy (dressed up as male fantasy book characters Tamlin, Cassian, and Lucien) have a chaotic and lively discussion about book villains. Channeling the energy of a "battle bracket," they pit some of the most notorious (and fan-favorite) villains from across popular fantasy and YA books against each other, whittling down the list, debating their strengths, motives, and magical prowess, to crowning the Ultimate Book Villain. The conversation is peppered with laughter, inside jokes, and a no-spoilers policy for plot twists.

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Episode Breakdown

1. Introduction & Halloween Vibes

• [00:12–03:24]
  • The hosts open in costume as Tamlin, Cassian, and Lucien (from Sarah J. Maas's books), poking fun at their costumes. Their intro sets a playful, self-aware, and slightly chaotic tone.
  • “We're the knockoff versions of our characters. Like, $$ store version.” – (Lucien, 01:01)
  • They each give reasons for choosing their characters. Cost and ease were major factors, and they joke about TikTok opportunities.

2. Bracket Rules & Selection

• [03:26–04:40]
  • The idea: a March Madness-style, single-elimination "battle" bracket for book villains.
  • They clarify:
    • Only "actual villains," avoiding spoilery or twist characters.
    • Magic vs. non-magic villains discussed as a challenge for comparisons.

3. Battle Bracket: Round 1

Play-In Match

• [04:41–05:57]
  • Draco Malfoy vs. Aaron Warner (Shatter Me)
    • Decision: Draco advances. Magic trumps dystopian machinery.
    • “When it comes to magic, there's not like a lot you can compete with.” – Tamlin, 05:44

Main Bracket Matchups

• [05:57–15:18]

  • Voldemort vs. Draco Malfoy

    • No contest: Voldemort advances. More ruthless, experienced, and powerful.
    • "Draco's got some humanity left in him." – Lucien, 07:30

  • President Snow (Hunger Games) vs. Jax (Caraval)

    • Jax’s magic and being a literal fate gives him an edge, despite Snow's cunning.
    • “You could just shove President Snow in a card.” – Lucien, 08:40

  • Amarantha (ACOTAR) vs. Vincent (Serpent & the Wings of Night)

    • Vincent would win due to combat prowess and intimidation; Amarantha would avoid direct fighting.
    • "I can't see her in combat. Vincent, you're right. Amarantha would not want to be in combat." – Tamlin, 10:33

  • King of Hybern (ACOTAR) vs. Jack Barlow (Fourth Wing)

    • King of Hybern wins; Jack’s only real asset is his dragon, which isn’t enough.
    • "Who is Jack without his dragon?" – Cassian, 11:29

  • Bone Carver (ACOTAR) vs. Maeve (Throne of Glass)

    • They debate the mystery of the Bone Carver’s powers, but Maeve advances due to known manipulation and power.
    • "For just the fact that we don't know enough about the bone carver...I'm gonna say Maeve." – Tamlin, 13:24

  • Colonel Atos (Fourth Wing) vs. Theophany (Fourth Wing)

    • Theophany wins easily; Atos' signet isn't enough.
    • "Your dragon ain't got nothing on Theophany." – Lucien, 14:43

  • The Jackal vs. Atlas au Raa (Red Rising)

    • Atlas, the superior mastermind, advances.
    • "That man is a puppet master." – Cassian, 15:06

4. "Seductive Seven" (Elite Eight) – Second Round

• [15:40–26:34]
  • They randomize remaining contestants due to bracket math.
  • Notable match: Theophany vs. Jax – Theophany advances, partly for her ability to "suck up magic from the ground" (17:51).
  • Lord Voldemort vs. Theophany — Theophany defeats Voldemort; she's younger, stronger, and can negate his magic.
    • “She'd suck the magic out of those Horcruxes and he'd be dead. Lickety split.” – Tamlin, 19:08
  • Vincent vs. Maeve – Hotly debated. Vincent is a favorite, but ultimately Maeve's ruthless, manipulative nature gives her the edge.
    • “She has nothing that she cares about in this world, really, except for herself.” – Tamlin, 28:44
  • King of Hybern vs. Atlas — Atlas wins, seen as more "brutal" and intelligent due to his environment.

5. The Ultimate Faceoff: Final Three

• [24:45–28:32]
  • Maeve vs. Theophany vs. Atlas
    • Atlas is quickly ruled out (wouldn’t match up on a magical/Fae "home field," is mortal).
    • Debate between Maeve and Theophany centers on manipulation versus raw magical absorption.
    • Consensus: Maeve is crowned the Ultimate Book Villain.
      • “It's kind of like the whole package for a villain. These other people…either didn't have magic, didn't have the mind for it, or had something that they cared about enough to make them weak.” – Tamlin, 28:44

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On battles with magic vs. non-magic villains:

  • “You can't really compare. But you got to, because that's what we decided to do.” – Lucien, 09:34

• On villain archetypes:

  • “He would have the mind to do something, but he wouldn't personally do it.” – Cassian, 09:21 (re: President Snow)

• When faced with indecision (Vincent vs. Maeve):

  • “Should we flip a coin?” – Tamlin, 20:33

• Meta-Commentary:

  • “If you asked me about this a week from now, I probably would have a different answer.” – Cassian, 28:32

• On Maeve's dark edge:

  • “She is savage. It's a little bit more brutal…for a villain, that's what you need.” – Tamlin, 23:07

---

Lighter Tangents & In-Jokes

• [29:44–32:59]

  • The trio jokes about who, as their costumed characters, would win in a fight among themselves. Consensus: Cassian wins physical contests; Tamlin wins musical ones; Lucien gets "biggest simp."
  • “Give us a musical contest. I'm winning. Tamlin's winning. All day, baby.” – Tamlin, 30:57

• [32:30–33:53]

  • Complaints about itchy costumes, joking about what it would be like to live as their characters—"How can you fall in love with someone who has a mask?" (Tamlin, 32:49)

• [34:08–36:58]

  • Teasers about next week's Halloween costumes with cryptic, "unhinged" clues.
  • “If this is your first episode of our podcast, go listen to a few other ones. We're not normally this unhinged, but…” – Tamlin, 36:29

---

Key Timestamps

• Introduction & Costume Chaos: [00:12–03:24]
• Bracket Explanation & Setup: [03:26–04:40]
• Villains Bracket, First Rounds: [04:41–15:18]
• Elite "Seductive Seven" Debates: [15:40–26:34]
• Final Three, Winner Decision: [24:45–28:32]
• Hosts’ Own "Battle" & Tangents: [29:44–33:53]
• Next Episode Hints & Outro: [34:08–36:58]

---

Recap: The Ultimate Book Villain

After lively, character-driven debates and some coin-flip-level indecision, Maeve (from Throne of Glass) is officially crowned the Ultimate Book Villain by the hosts, praised for her cunning, ruthless focus, magical abilities, and complete lack of weaknesses.

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Tone & Style

• Unfiltered, highly conversational, and irreverent
• Playful teasing and inside jokes throughout
• A warm, slightly chaotic "book club" atmosphere

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For New Listeners

If this is your first time with "I’ll Read What She’s Reading," expect future (and past) episodes to be filled with the same blend of bookish analysis, geeky costumes, and “off the rails” silliness—with a passionate commitment to keeping spoilers to a minimum.

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Ultimate Takeaway:
Maeve is the villain to beat, at least until more books come out or the hosts change their minds next week!

Transcript

[A]

Hi, guys. Welcome back to. I'll read what she's reading. I'm Tamlin.

[B]

I'm Cassian.

[A]

And I'm Lucien.

[B]

Laugh or my goatee's gonna fall off.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. That was really hard. Happy Halloween, guys. Early Halloween. Happy early Halloween.

[B]

We think you guys look good. Like, actually, you look good.

[A]

You guys could show.

[B]

If we showed up to some sort of ball, Like, I'm not kidding. People would be like, you guys look good. I would show up and everyone would.

[A]

Be like, everyone would know exactly who you are.

[B]

They might, but doesn't mean I look good.

[A]

You look good. Here's the thing. You look a little chubby. What are we.

[B]

We're the knockoff versions of our characters.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Like, $$ store version. Yeah. Yeah. We wanted to do something that was a little bit more. Yeah. Funny this year. We wanted to be funny. Dress up at.

[B]

Careful with that fiddle, Carol.

[A]

My fiddle. I just might get up and start playing. Oh.

[B]

Literally can't smile.

[A]

Too big. This episode's gonna be really hard not to laugh. Yeah. I feel like we've done really serious costumes in the past, and so we thought, why not add some. Some funness, some man.

[B]

Let bring some manly energy to the podcast.

[A]

You know what? We've never done this before, but maybe let's give some insight as to why we chose the people we chose.

[B]

That's a good idea. I like that.

[A]

Okay. I chose Lucian purely out of the fact that he has red hair and I have red hair, and I thought it would be easy. And you look good. You know, the mask. I chose to do the masked version of Lucian because it was the most easy, mysterious. Yeah. And cheapest, to be quite honest. So I can't with your nose. It keeps hitting the mic. You guys. Yeah, it's sticky so far out. I chose Tamlin because of his fiddle, and I'm kind of blonde and that. Yeah, that's pretty much it. Yeah. I don't know. I just thought it. To be quite honest, I thought the TikTok content I could get would be really good with.

[B]

Yeah, it's really good.

[A]

So. Yeah.

[B]

Well, I just am really cool and have big muscles, so I just thought, you know. Just kidding. No, I just felt like it was with my hair. I didn't want to wear a wig, and, you know, I thought I'd grow. I. I grow pretty thick facial hair, too.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

No, I don't know. The hair. I wanted to wear these dinky little bat wings. And you're flexing really hard, you guys. Tatted me up. I don't know if you can tell. Reggie was added.

[A]

Cassian was really brave. He was really brave. Yeah. Spent a whole one minute getting that tattoo.

[B]

Yeah. Anyways, here we are.

[A]

This. Yeah, we just thought it would be fun in lieu of us being male book characters. We thought it'd be fun to talk about book villains.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And yeah, we just thought, you know, Halloween, it's perfect time to talk about villains. Let's talk about the villains. So we are actually doing like a March Madness bracket for book villains. We're pitting them against each other and then we're going to have an ultimate villain. Not the end. And we're gonna be, we're gonna be honest with you guys. We try not to pick villains, but that were spoilery.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, like a plot twist. All of a sudden they're a villain. We tried not to pick any people like that. So there are some obvious villains in some books that we've read, but we decided to leave them out of this bracket because we love you guys and we don't want to spoil anything for you guys. You know us, we're Kings of Noah spoils. And if per chance we do. No, it's very unintentional. So. Yeah. Without further ado, you guys want to get into it? Yeah. Okay, let's do it.

[B]

So let's.

[A]

We unfortunately had a list of 17 villains, so this is completely randomized. We didn't choose who was going against who, but there had to be a play in competition for our 16th villain, and that is between. Honestly, I'm kind of vibing with this. Draco Malfoy and Aaron Warner. I, I, to be quite honest, I don't know.

[B]

And I don't know either because I have to read.

[A]

We have to like, it has to be a decision. Like, it has to be two. You know what I mean? It's got to be like majority rules here. I. That's really tricky. Magic versus machinery.

[B]

Machinery like guns. Oh, because that's shatter me.

[A]

Right. It's like a dystopian esque. Well, I honest, I say my honest opinion is Draco. I agree. I don't know about you guys, but I think Aaron Warner is a contender. But when it comes to magic, there's not like a lot you can compete with. No, he's just gonna.

[B]

Yeah, I'm just nodding because I trust you guys because I haven't read chatter me.

[A]

Yeah, that's okay.

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna go with Draco.

[A]

Draco. Yeah.

[B]

Draco.

[A]

Three for three. Draco. That was a play in. Good job. Play in. Game for the sweet 16. Oh. Our next pairing, as we go into the bracket, we have he who Shall Not Be Named and the winner of our last bracket, Draco. I. I kind of feel like it's a given. Really. Oh, let's hear it. I don't know. I just. I don't. I. I. Maybe. Maybe I feel like it's closer than it is.

[B]

I mean.

[A]

Huh. I don't know.

[B]

Tell me your thoughts first.

[A]

From the movies, books. Probably Voldemort.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Probably more likely to. But I can see, given the right opportunity.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Draco could.

[A]

Yeah. All right. Yeah. Because I feel like also, Draco tended. Not me. I don't have a mustache. Draco was on his side. So when would. For. Not really, but, like, you know what I'm saying?

[B]

When would he have attacked?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But, like, if given the chance and you put him in the ring, probably Voldemort.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He's got a little more magic knowledge under his belt.

[A]

Yeah. And I also feel like he's just a little. Maybe a little bit more ruthless. Yeah. Draco's got some humanity left in him. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, that's true.

[A]

That's true. Okay.

[B]

Okay, so we need a Voldemort. Voldemort.

[A]

What is the next round? Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Should I say the next round?

[A]

Go for it. Okay, I'll keep track of our other rounds. Okay, perfect. President Snow versus Jax from Carval.

[B]

Oh, I'll let you guys go first.

[A]

I think Jax. I think Jax as well. Because what is President Snow without his little minions? Yeah.

[B]

Are we saying we put him in a ring together? Are we saying just, like, overall? Because I do think Ms.

[A]

Hunger Games over here.

[B]

Well, here's the. I just feel like the power that he has is he just. He is a very smart man, as stupid as he is, that I think that he could find ways to completely destroy him. But also.

[A]

But you can.

[B]

There's things that. Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Jax is a magical being. Yeah. You could just shove President Snow in a card.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I would say, like, for.

[A]

Example, Aaron Warner versus Draco. When you have someone who can produce magic versus, like, not a Joe Schmoe, but somebody who can't produce magic. I do see your point, though. Like, he. He has a very powerful aura.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not saying he would win. I'm just saying, like, he would have the mind to do something.

[A]

He'd throw Jax in the.

[B]

He wouldn't personally do it, like, do it himself, but he would. Yeah, he'd be sneaky, but I'd probably say Jax would beat him.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Because of the magic.

[A]

Yeah. That's what's hard, is you can't. You can't really compare. Yeah. But you got to, because that's what we decided to do. So what, what are we. We decided.

[B]

Jacks.

[A]

Jax. Yep.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think President Snow, up against a lot of other people, would. Would be a contender for sure, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay, next pairing, we have Amarantha versus Vincent. This is a. From the Serpent in Wings of Night. Oh, my gosh. I, I, I don't know.

[B]

I think in a battle, Vincent would win.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

Yeah, he's, like, unbeatable. Everyone's scared of him.

[A]

Is Amarantha Fae? Yeah.

[B]

Mm.

[A]

Yeah, I was just gonna say Vincent's got that, like, vampire speed, but I guess Amarantha would as well.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm gonna say I can't see her in combat, Vincent. You're right. Amarantha would not want to be in combat.

[B]

She would not. She would have other ways that she could.

[A]

She would be similar to President Snower. She would have someone else doing her work for her.

[B]

So I think he would also scare her.

[A]

Yeah, I think Vincent. I think Vincent as well. Ron. Ron. 4. 4. King of Hybern. ACOTAR vs. Jack Barlow, fourth wing.

[B]

King of Hybern.

[A]

King of Hybern. Yeah, but, but he has a dragon or Jack Barlow. We know what we're talking about. Jack Barlow, fourth wing, I think. King of Hybern. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Cause there's something I want to say, but I don't want to say it, actually, so I'd probably say.

[A]

Yeah. Is it a spoiler?

[B]

Well, I was going to say, who is Jack without his dragon?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I know he's just a regular old guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like a signet. But I don't think that that's anything that can compare to what the King of Hyvern.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Has under.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, I agree.

[A]

I, I concur. Yeah, I concur. All right. King of Highborne is the winner. The bone carver versus Maeve.

[B]

That's an interesting pairing.

[A]

That's a fun pairing.

[B]

The bone carver is so tricky.

[A]

I know. I agree. We don't even really know much to his extent. His abilities. Right. Besides him. Besides him appearing as whatever he wants, basically. Yeah. I also feel like Maeve is one of those people that doesn't want to do any dirty work. She wants someone else to do it for her. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I was gonna say, like, she's kind of gives, like, similar vibes to Amorette. Like, she wouldn't be afraid to do anything, but she would. Yeah. Someone doing it for her.

[A]

Yeah. So.

[B]

But then also, I'm like.

[A]

I don't know. She's very powerful, though. Yeah, she is very powerful. I mean. I mean, saying something. Yeah, yeah. You know what? For just. This is my vote. You guys can decide. Your vote for just the. The fact that we don't know enough about the bone carver and everything that he can do. I'm gonna say Maeve, just because I. Yeah.

[B]

I think if you were putting them in the ring, the bone carver, because I do think he is a little more powerful, but Maeve, I don't know. But then Maeve is like the power of manipulation.

[A]

I say that's a really tricky one. I would maybe. Let's just say Maeve.

[B]

Yeah. Just because the bone carver is so tricky.

[A]

All right, Maeve it is.

[B]

Okay, you guys can tell us if we're wrong on that one.

[A]

Yeah, seriously, you can. Oh, this is fun.

[B]

Alrighty, Reggie, you got it.

[A]

Who is it?

[B]

We've got Colonel Atos and Theophany. That's how you say it, right?

[A]

Theophany. Theophony. I'm gonna say the same. The. Yeah, Theophany. The. Anthony. I mean, Colonel Ados just sucks. Yeah.

[B]

He don't stand a chance against what's his signet.

[A]

Mind. No.

[B]

Oh, he can predict. Yeah, that's right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's not a good enough signet. Sorry.

[A]

Your dragon ain't got nothing on Theophany. Yeah, sadly. Oh, the next one. Okay. Ooh. Oh, this is easy. Okay, you guys got it. You can.

[B]

You got it, you got it.

[A]

Okay, so we've got the Jackal from Red Rising and Atlas A Raw from Red Rising. Atlas. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That man is a puppet master. I'm having flashbacks and I'm going, yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that was easy. That would. Yeah.

[B]

The no questions asked.

[A]

It's not fair that it was. They pit those guys against each other from the same book. But it's okay. Oh, I didn't even see this one. Why is there a consolation match? I don't know. We don't want one.

[B]

No.

[A]

Is that it? No.

[B]

Okay. All right, now, so here are our. We're in our elite eight now.

[A]

We are in the elite eight. Actually, I think it's technically six. One, two, three. We have seven. We're in the Seductive seven. Seductive seven. Who we got? We have Voldemort, Jax, Vincent, King of Hybern Maeve, Theophany, and Atlas. Now here's the real question. Do we want to put them up against each other like a typical bracket, or do you want me to random generate it again? What's random gener? Random generate it. You guys got it. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, I'm feeling good about that.

[A]

I have a. I have a feeling I know who's going to be the ultimate winner here. If you're listening, weigh in. Let us know who you think the ultimate winner will be out of these seven people. I have a thought. We'll see. You have a thought about who it would be?

[B]

Yeah, let's.

[A]

I. Straight up, my mind is not working currently. Let's see.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Okay. Here is our new bracket.

[B]

Our first.

[A]

Well, we have a play in because there's seven. So there's a play in game. Yep, there's a play in game. Okay. Who's our playing game? Our play in game is Ja versus Theophany. Theophany. However you want to say her name. This is so interesting. This is a bit of a conundrum doozy. My mind is really working right now. I feel like it's hard because.

[B]

Fourth.

[A]

Wing is not yet finished, you know, And I feel like we really only got to see her for a teeny, tiny part of the book. Tiny, teeny bit. But I mean, if you think about it, sucks up magic from the ground. Yeah. So I think maybe her. Yeah.

[B]

Because I feel like she could take his power.

[A]

Yeah, I. Yeah, I think so, too. I think. I think she wins. Yeah. Theophany girl. All right. That makes me actually terrified for the next book. But that's. That's a new discussion to have. Do we even know the release date for that?

[B]

No, I thought I did.

[A]

No.

[B]

Or I think we just know it's early 2027. Right.

[A]

Oh, I didn't even know that.

[B]

No.

[A]

No. Okay. No. Next pairing. I don't know. We have Lord Voldemort versus the winner of our last play in which would be Theophany. Theophany. Theophany. That was quick. That's my. What. What's your reasoning behind that sucking magic? Oh, okay. Yeah.

[B]

I also think she's, like, got a younger youth.

[A]

She has.

[B]

Yes. Like, yeah, there's something about Voldemort and like, I don't want to say like, his age, but, like, man's is old. She'd be physically stronger and sharper.

[A]

She'd. She'd suck the magic out of those Horcruxes and he'd be dead. Lickety split. Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes. Okay, so Theophany's winning again. Okay. Wow. Okay, we have Vincent. We have Vincent versus Maeve. Vincent. Ah. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

It's so hard because you have to think about it and, like, are they.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Hand combat. Vincent all the way. But it was like they were both scheming. I kind of want to say Vincent, though, because I'm like.

[A]

I kind of want to say him, too, but if you think differently, I'd like to hear your reasoning, kind sir. Lucian.

[B]

It's just hard to.

[A]

Yeah, it is hard because. Yeah. Hand to hand. Hand to hand. Compact or whatever. But also, I think Vincent is a smart enough person to also scheme against Maeve.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, he's.

[B]

I do think, though, that, like, Vincent has almost more to lose, in a sense.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Than Maeve, so she could use that against him. Think about it.

[A]

I'm thinking about it.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? But also, like, a part of me wants to say, put him in the ring together. Vincent wins. I just. I. I really love him.

[A]

I straight up just can't decide. Should we flip a coin? I think, honestly, should we see what they have to say? Who? You continue. You continue. I don't know what I was doing.

[B]

You got the talking stick.

[A]

Yes. Sorry. I feel like I'm in an orchestra. I'm really loving this.

[B]

Um.

[A]

I don't know. It's just. It's tricky when. Wow. Sorry. I'm just. I'm just gonna put this away. I think it's hard, really hard to mesh books and to put each of them into the scenario. I know.

[B]

I feel like we gotta decide how they're fighting because.

[A]

Did you. Did you look it up? I picture it almost like if it was like they had. It was like a book, like a typical book book, like a fantasy book where you have. It wouldn't be a good guy and a bad guy. It'd be both bad guys. But they're both fighting each other in, like, a war. So, yes, there's hand. Hand to hand, compat.

[B]

But also a mix of both.

[A]

And there's every. Yeah. Just everything involved, I think. Vincent h. Why is this so hard? I don't know.

[B]

They're both just so twisty. Like, they could. Both shifty. Yeah, they're both real shifty.

[A]

Let's. You guys. Your instant. Instant gut feeling was Vincent. So we're going with Vincent.

[B]

Was that yours?

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Or is that not yours? That's the only reason why I'm, like, Thinking Maeve is because she has stuff to use against him. Where, like, what does she have?

[A]

Her cadre. Yeah. But, like, she doesn't actually care about them, though.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's why I kind of was in it. But then I'm like, I like Vincent so much. I want him to win. I kind of want to say Maeve now, actually.

[A]

Oh, no, dude. You know, I. I like. I like the way you speak.

[B]

See what I'm saying, Cassian?

[A]

Yeah, I do. I do see what you mean. I do. In like a full, let's say, year long war, Maeve probably would win. Yeah. Are we changing it?

[B]

But the way she would win would be, like, not even. Like, he has love in his heart. I don't think she got any.

[A]

Yeah, she's savage. It's a little bit more brutal.

[B]

And so that's why I think that, like, the war would end for sake of Oraya.

[A]

Okay, all right, Maeve. Maeve, you've convinced us. Maeve. Okay. Our last pairing, that was hard. That was really hard. King of Hybern vs. Atlas.

[B]

A. R.A. ooh, Atlas.

[A]

Why am I the first person to say that? I mean, I was gonna say that too.

[B]

I mean, if you know, you know, knowing what we know about Hybern.

[A]

Yeah. Knowing what we know about the King of Hybern. If you know, you know. And knowing what you know about Alice. If you know, you know, if you know, you know, I would say Alice.

[B]

I would too.

[A]

I think he's just way smarter.

[B]

Yeah. A little more brutal.

[A]

He's just. I also think the world that Atlas lives in, you have to be more brutal.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Than the world that King of Hybern lives in. Yeah.

[B]

Facts.

[A]

So, like, overall, Atlas is just a more brutal guy because of his upbringings. The world he is in. Yes. So, yeah. All right. That was our last pairing for the elite eight minus one. I mean, we have three now. Do we want to just put all three of them up against each other and then choose the end all be all winner? The trio. We have Theophany. Maeve. Oh, my gosh. And Atlas. Oh, I. Hmm.

[B]

Okay, wait, say the. Say that. Sorry.

[A]

Theophany. Theophany. Theophany. Maeve.

[B]

And Atlas.

[A]

And Atlas.

[B]

I just think it's hard because there's not so much we know about Theophany.

[A]

I mean, Alice would just get in a spaceship and have no problem.

[B]

Sorry, my stomach's growling.

[A]

I feel like, okay, who's the weakest of the three? I feel like for the sake of Theophany, and Maeve, we have to take Atlas out of his environment. Like, he's. He's. Yeah, he's not gonna have that too. He's going to be on Earth. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

He's also immortal or I mean, not. He's not. He's mortal. Sorry, sorry. He's not mortal or.

[A]

He is mortal. He's mortal.

[B]

He is mortal.

[A]

He has. He has an expiration date.

[B]

I'm struggling. Yeah, he's got an expiration date on him. So he doesn't have a Fae.

[A]

He's dead. He's smart, but he's dead. He's going to be dead. Yeah. I just don't think compared to like magic, I mean, in space with spaceships, you know. Yeah. Maybe in a war situation. Like a straight up. Yeah, like, you know, strategy. Planet, planet war. Atlas has taken that home. But to like bring it down to Earth. To Earth or the fae realm or Bas Gaia, I think is gone because of the magic Signet abilities or whatever. What are they called again? Are they Signets for. Well, no, I forgot what they're called. Signet works fine.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

The Signet of Theophany. And then Maeve, her. I don't know, other abilities. This is so hard. Not to get spoilery, you guys. Oh, I don't. I don't know. It's also hard because we don't know. Once again, like, we've said a lot about the opposite, I want to say. But I mean, we did kill the. We did x. The bone carver. Because we don't know a lot about the bone carver.

[B]

I kind of am feeling Maeve.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

End all be all just because of her manipulation. Like the fact that she can do that makes like I. I mean, but then could the take her power that easily? I just feel like it's kind of hard.

[A]

I don't think it would be very easy. But you also got to think about weaknesses that are tied to abilities. Correct. Yeah, I. I'm thinking Maeve too.

[B]

I just think in the long.

[A]

I mean, maybe ask us after the next Empyrean book comes out and maybe we'll change our mind. But I think. Yeah, you just don't know exactly enough to fully comprehend. So I feel like it's gotta be Maeve. Guys, Is Maeve the winner? She might be. That's actually wild. I mean, the thing is though, if you asked me about this a week from now, I probably would have a different answer.

[B]

I feel like there's like a certain nature to Maeve that maybe gives her the leg up.

[A]

Well, I mean, when you take into consideration the mind, because obviously she has a smart enough mind to scheme. You also take into consideration the fact that she has nothing that she cares about in this world, really, except for herself. And also the fact that she is Fae and does have, like, magical abilities. Yeah, it's kind of like the whole package for a villain. These other people that we canceled out either didn't have magic, didn't have the mind for it, or had something that they cared about enough to make them weak. Don't come any closer.

[B]

Yeah. Is Maver winner?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I think Maeve is our winner.

[A]

Closer. Let me go.

[B]

Smash him.

[A]

Hold on.

[B]

Once again.

[A]

Spooky spot. Where?

[B]

I got it, guys.

[A]

It's behind the computer. The Bat wing. Hey. Wow. You're so brave.

[B]

All right, now, I think now that we've settled that, who would win in a fight between the three of us?

[A]

Okay, okay. Obviously you. Not me.

[B]

You're meaning, like, I don't have a beast form.

[A]

I got a beast form.

[B]

However, I would just fly away.

[A]

I don't have anything. I'm dead first.

[B]

I mean, I did think about it. I don't know if you. I don't know if I should say this, but I did save you once. Are you.

[A]

Save the day. Save the day. Should we reenact it?

[B]

Yeah. Let me tell you, you guys a tale.

[A]

Oh, you're gonna tell the town?

[B]

No.

[A]

I. For sure I'm gonna die. I think you. I think you'd win. Yeah, I think you would win. Lord of Bloodshed. Like, he's got that armor with the freaking. What are they called? Freaking. Ripped.

[B]

Check me out, you guys.

[A]

But I don't think that's even a question, Cassian. Yeah, okay.

[B]

Yeah. You know why I said that?

[A]

You want to know what? But give us in a musical con contest. I'm winning. Tamlin's winning. All day, baby. What am I. What contest am I winning? Broken heart.

[B]

Best hair.

[A]

I don't know. Cool mechanical eye. Great.

[B]

Probably coolest eye. I don't know. Lucian's pretty hot. He's got that going for him. He's a hottie.

[A]

I think he's got a softy heart. Biggest simp. Biggest simp. That's what you're winning? I'll take it. Biggest simp. You know what? Best musical ability. You know what? Guess what? It can. I'm getting a book about me. Okay? I don't know.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Let me go talk to my buddy.

[B]

Let me go talk to my bff.

[A]

They should beep you should have been as so he could have beef.

[B]

You know, I thought about it, because when I have a favorite bat boy, Cassian might be number three. Like, he might be the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to my favorite bat boy, but now that I am him, I'm feeling this sense of, like.

[A]

Wait a second. She said body. Wait a second. Actually, how are you feeling about Tamlin? Tamlin? They feel miserable. No, I'm just. I. I really think I'm personifying this. This musical.

[B]

I can just see you now. Like, where's our. Where's our fire? Where's our Kellen?

[A]

Mai.

[B]

Ken.

[A]

Mai. I just. Honestly, I just can really sympathize with him for having to wear a mask for 50 years. My face is sweating, and I've been here for, like, an hour. It's itchy. It's itchy. I don't know how they did this. I also just like, how.

[B]

How.

[A]

How can you fall in love with someone who has a mask?

[B]

It's mysterious.

[A]

I mean, I can still see your face.

[B]

You're still really good looking.

[A]

Thank you, guys. And my ears. Sorry.

[B]

Sorry. My ears just itching.

[A]

No, I think this. I don't know. What are we talking about?

[B]

What we're talking about?

[A]

Who would win? Facial hair is falling off.

[B]

Where?

[A]

You guys, if you are not watching on YouTube, you need. You need to.

[B]

Or Spotify.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If you're an Apple podcast listener. Sorry. Sucks to be you.

[A]

I think we've gotten a little unhinged. Cassian would win for sure. Yeah. I can't really say much, but Tamlin just. He's a little bit. Wow. Okay. I'm just kidding, guys. This is too many. I can't stop.

[B]

More hopeless, unfortunately.

[A]

You know, maybe.

[B]

You know, as a wise man once said to me, oh, no, there are some spoilers that have an expiration date.

[A]

If you can text us after November, come back and put two and two together, please let us know.

[B]

A very, very wise man.

[A]

A wise man. Well, on that note, we're gonna end it. I don't think we have anything else for you guys. If you thought this was our only Halloween costume, you thought wrong. You thought wrong. Psych.

[B]

We would not do that to you guys.

[A]

Next week, tune in for our annual Halloween Spooky Story episode.

[B]

Submit your spooky stories to us because.

[A]

We'Ll be in costume again. Yes. They're very good. Try and guess who we're gonna be. I don't think there's any way anyone would ever guess who each of us are gonna be.

[B]

I don't know either.

[A]

No way. I don't think. I don't.

[B]

I don't think.

[A]

I don't know. I feel like no one will guess, but I feel like it's really hard to top the past two years.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I know I did. I don't think my costume's gonna top. I don't know.

[A]

Here's the thing. With this year's Halloween costume, all three of us had such a hard time finding someone that we were super passionate about being. Yeah. But we're still. It's still. We're still gonna kill it. Yeah. So let us know who you think we're gonna be. Come back next week, see if you're right. Yeah, that's my.

[B]

Oh, should we give a hint?

[A]

You want a hint?

[B]

You wanna give each. Give everyone a very unhinged hint.

[A]

Michaela. That's good.

[B]

I could probably say the same for mine. Can I steal yours?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Could you say a too faced for mine?

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. I still need to read your book. Yeah. Can you, please? I will, I promise, after this. Let me think about this. I got it. Okay. My clue. I have no idea. Is wet. I have no idea. All right, guys, for tuning in, a little bit Unhinged episode, I'm so sorry. If this is your first episode of our podcast, go listen to a few other ones. Yeah, we're not normally this unhinged, but.

[B]

Today, yeah, if this is your first time and you stuck around till then, welcome. It's like, you know when people come in, they're like, this is my first impression of you, and I'm not mad about it. Like, hey, you see if you're seeing any clips from the tickety talk.

[A]

Welcome.

[B]

Anyways, sorry.

[A]

Okay. We're just gonna end.

[B]

Thanks for tuning in.

[A]

We'll see you next week. By Sa.