Podcast Summary: "I'll Read What She's Reading" – Episode: QUICKSILVER - January Book Club

Hosts: Reggie, Kennedy, & Mikayla
Release Date: February 5, 2025
Book Discussed: Quicksilver by Kali Hart

1. Introduction to Quicksilver

The episode kicks off with the hosts introducing Quicksilver by Kali Hart as the January Book Club selection. Reggie expresses her intrigue, comparing the book to a blend of "Daisy Jones and the Six" meets "Magnolia Parks" due to its mix of romance and sports elements.

Reggie [00:24]: "It's Daisy Jones and the Six meets Magnolia Parks. And so my intrigue."

Kennedy highlights that the book is a sports romance, specifically about a figure skater, and notes that the audiobook version has garnered positive reviews on Goodreads.

Kennedy [00:46]: "The COVID is also a sports romance. And people, the reviews that I saw on Goodreads said that it's a really good audiobook."

2. Overall Rating and Initial Impressions

The hosts share their overall ratings for Quicksilver, averaging around 2.75 stars out of 5. Mikayla initiates the discussion by expressing her disappointment with the book feeling "cookie cutter" compared to other fantasy novels.

Mikayla [02:39]: "I feel like it was very cookie cutter from a lot of fantasy books... it just wasn't anything revolutionary for me."

Reggie concurs, mentioning that despite the book's popularity, especially among their listeners, it didn’t meet her expectations. She points out the predictability of the plot and the lack of surprising elements.

Reggie [03:57]: "There were things that popped out to me that I was like, oh, I've seen this before."

Kennedy adds that her enjoyment of the book was affected by trying to rush through it to start reading her next pick, Onyx Storm.

Kennedy [05:55]: "I was on a work trip in Florida... trying to finish the book before Onyx Storm came out."

3. Positive Aspects of the Book

Despite the overall lukewarm ratings, the hosts acknowledge several strengths in Quicksilver:

• Magic System: Kennedy praises the unique magic system involving quicksilver and alchemy, expressing a desire for more exploration of these elements.

  Kennedy [14:10]: "Number one, the magic system was genuinely pretty cool... making swords, that was really new for me."

• Character: Carrion: Both Reggie and Kennedy highlight Carrion as a standout character due to his "quippy lines" and charismatic presence.

  Reggie [14:59]: "I loved Carrion. I loved him so much."

• Humorous and Relatable Scenes: Mikayla enjoys specific scenes that bring humor and relatability, such as interactions involving Carrion and Kingfisher.

  Mikayla [37:02]: "I loved him. He was the best part of the book."

4. Criticisms and Areas of Discontent

The hosts delve into several criticisms that led to their lower ratings:

• Predictable Romance: Mikayla and Reggie felt that the romance arc was rushed and lacked depth, deviating from the expected slow burn typical in romance genres.

  Reggie [05:55]: "The romance in this book didn't feel very romance-y to me."

• Overused Tropes: The use of familiar Romantasy tropes made the story feel recycled rather than innovative.

  Kennedy [30:15]: "The regurgitating of the fantasy tropes that everybody knows works... didn't work for me."

• Mate System: Both Mikayla and Reggie expressed fatigue with the forced mate system common in fantasy novels, yearning for characters to choose their partners rather than being fated.

  Kennedy [31:36]: "I want them to want to choose each other. And I'm tired of the mate thing."

• Character Development Issues: Reggie noted that aside from Carrion and Onyx, other characters did not leave a lasting impression, making the main romantic plot feel disconnected.

  Reggie [07:11]: "I just felt like Carrion was the only character I really liked."

5. Listener Reviews and Engagement

The hosts introduce a new segment where they read and discuss listener reviews, showcasing both five-star and one-star feedback to highlight diverse opinions.

• Positive Listener Feedback: Some listeners praised the book for aligning perfectly with their taste in fantasy, appreciating the intricate twists and character dynamics.

  Listener [39:27]: "This is my exact taste in fantasy... it's a great intro. Romantasy book."

• Negative Listener Feedback: Conversely, others criticized the book for relying heavily on popular BookTok trends, deeming it a hit-or-miss experience.

  Listener [41:29]: "By the grace of God, I will never listen to BookTok again... they are just a hit or miss."

6. Future Plans and Book Selection

Looking ahead, the hosts announce their excitement for the upcoming book selection in March, hinting at Brimstone and encouraging listeners to engage with their community on Fable and social media platforms.

Reggie [50:26]: "We're very excited about our February book club book. So... tune in the first Wednesday of March for us to go over that."

7. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts reiterating their appreciation for diverse reader opinions and inviting listeners to continue their book discussions in future episodes.

Reggie [50:49]: "Reading is subjective... thank you for sticking around... join our fable to follow along as we read together."

Notable Quotes:

• Mikayla [02:39]: "I felt like it was very cookie cutter from a lot of fantasy books."
• Reggie [05:55]: "The romance in this book didn't feel very romance-y to me."
• Kennedy [14:10]: "The magic system was genuinely pretty cool... making swords, that was really new for me."
• Reggie [14:59]: "I loved Carrion. I loved him so much."
• Kennedy [31:36]: "I want them to want to choose each other. And I'm tired of the mate thing."
• Reggie [50:26]: "We're very excited about our February book club book."

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of Quicksilver, balancing personal opinions with listener feedback, and sets the stage for future discussions within the "I'll Read What She's Reading" community.