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.

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.

Tone & Style

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

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.

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