LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City

House of Sky and Breath / Episode 35: Rebel Rebel Rabble Rousers

Hosts: Natalie Jean, Jackie Zebrowski
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and irreverent deep-dive, Natalie and Jackie tackle chapters 69–74 of Sarah J. Maas’s House of Sky and Breath, continuing their hilarious and comprehensive breakdown of the Crescent City series. The episode focuses on the preparations for the crew’s big infiltration of the Asteri stronghold, bitter sibling dynamics, revelations about leadership, and a shocking discovery about how the Asteri sustain their power. As ever, the hosts balance character analysis and lore speculation with their signature comic banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cosplay Chaos and Mood Setting

• [03:08] The episode opens with both hosts in full cosplay mode as Cormac, discussing their costumes and the “forgiving professor” aesthetic.
  • Jackie jokes about her facial hair:

    “It does feel like I shaved off my pubic hair and glued it in patches to my face.” (Jackie, 03:38)

2. Character Deep Dive: Cormac and Ruhn’s Complicated Bromance

• [15:12–21:11] The hosts break down one of the episode’s emotional highlights: Ruhn reaching out to Cormac the night before their mission.
  • Cormac is “glum,” nursing a drink, resigned over the grim tasks ahead.
  • They discuss themes of letting abusive fathers win and the long shadow of parental trauma.
  • The two build a tentative new camaraderie, with Cormac apologizing for past hostilities.

    “For a glimmer, Ruhn could see the male his cousin might have become… A good king.” (Narrator, quoted by Natalie, 21:17)

  • Both hosts note it’s a rare moment of male vulnerability in the Maas universe.

3. Hunt & Celestina’s Cryptic Encounter

• [24:07–32:43] Hunt visits the barracks before the mission, putting on the Umber Mortis helmet, symbolically reconnecting with a darker era.
  • Celestina catches him, tells him to keep the helmet on (awkward!).
  • Their conversation is layered with suspicion, as Hunt wonders if she knows about the rebellion.
  • Celestina says,

    “Now that you’re a prince, you don’t need to bow to me,” leaving Hunt further suspicious and readers speculating about her allegiances. (31:36)

4. Danger Approaches: Tharion & Cormac at the Lab

• [33:34–45:00] Tharion and Cormac pose as Imperial soldiers to infiltrate the lab, worrying about time constraints — especially since Tharion needs to submerge in seawater within hours.
• Highlights the layered, real-world stress amid the fantasy:
  • Tharion’s physical limitations as a mer “with a deadline”
  • Cormac’s practiced arrogance at the checkpoint
• The team notes the presence of human slaves in the labs and Pippa’s squad camouflaged as laborers.

5. Team “Fuck You”: The Olive Grove, Battle Prep, and Leadership Talk

• [45:15–52:45]
  • Bryce, Ruhn, and Hunt anxiously wait in an olive grove outside the Eternal City for Cormac’s signal.
  • Natalie and Jackie riff on their own ‘90s pizza nostalgia but pivot to genuine analysis of Bryce’s combat readiness and feelings.
  • Just before breaking for the infiltration, Ruhn makes a key proposal:

    “He wants daddy gone, and he wants Bryce to take the crown.” (52:45, summarized by Natalie)

  • Debate over whether Bryce wants (or deserves) to rule and the classic trope: “the best leaders are those who don’t want power.”

6. Mission Start: Teleports, Anxiety, and Battle Stations

• [50:15–63:46]
  • Cormac teleports the team, one-by-one, into the palace—an exhausting magical feat for him.
  • The tension is high; even amidst jokes, the hosts acknowledge the emotional stakes, especially with Hunt and Bryce’s brief farewell:

    “See you on the other side, Quinlan.” (Hunt, 50:48)

  • The hosts note Cormac’s building exhaustion and fatalistic tone, setting up ominous foreshadowing.

7. Bryce’s Shocking Discovery – The Asteri’s Dark Secret

• [63:46–73:08]
  • Bryce sneaks into the hidden room beneath the palace, following the infamous code “42069.”
  • Finds a hall lined with crystal pipes, each assigned to an Asteri, glowing with First Light.
  • The realization dawns:

    “The Asteri fed on first light… All these sacrifices, those drops of power, weren’t for powering the planet. They were for feeding their cruel gods.” (Narrator, paraphrased by Natalie, 71:10–71:30)

  • Comedic riff on the literalness: “Do they take the first light up their ass?” “It’s a big, like, iPad dock for them.” (Jackie & Natalie, 69:41–70:05)
  • Strategic implications: If the team can stop the flow of First Light, the Asteri’s reign might end.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cosplay Commitments:

  “If I learn how to teleport, it’s over for you bitches.” (Jackie, 10:11)

• On Fantasy Politics:

  “It’s just two boys with daddy problems… brewing down.” (Narrator/Jackie, 17:46)

• On the Reveal of the Asteri’s Feeding:

  “Cut off the first light… We gotta unplug them from their seat butts. They’re taking it up the ass and we gotta stop that funnel.” (Jackie, 72:18 & 72:44)

• On Bryce’s Reluctance for Leadership:

  “I just wanted to be a normal girl… breasting all about.” (Jackie, 53:28)

• On High Fantasy Security Logistics:

  “You have to, like, use your angel power... Wing print.” (Natalie & Jackie riff, 27:15–27:20)

Important Timestamps

• [03:08] – Cosplay and pre-episode banter, setting tone
• [15:12–21:11] – Ruhn and Cormac’s emotional meetup
• [24:07–32:43] – Hunt/Celestina tension in the barracks
• [33:34–45:00] – Tharion/Cormac lab infiltration, discussion of Pippa, human labor
• [45:15–52:45] – Team “Fuck You” battle prep, Bryce & Ruhn’s leadership conversation
• [50:15–63:46] – Teleporting into the palace, group dynamics, foreshadowing
• [63:46–73:08] – Bryce uncovers the Asteri energy pipeline, major plot revelation

Tone & Style

The episode is equal parts humor and earnest enthusiasm for Maas’s world. The hosts pepper genuine literary analysis with improv-heavy dialogue, goofy character voices, and pop culture comparisons (from West Side Story to 90s Pizza Hut to Vampire Facials). Their signature irreverent style makes the unfolding high-stakes plot feel both fun and emotionally messy, mirroring the chaos and heart of Crescent City itself.

For Next Week

• Read through Chapter 75
• Questions to ponder: What will cutting off the First Light mean for Crescent City? Is Cormac really doomed? Will Bryce accept her royal responsibilities, or run from them?

End of summary.