In which Bethanie and special guest Katherine discuss Chapters 19-22 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

Hatta urges Cath to perform next at the gathering and offers her a hat to boost her confidence. Cath chooses a white bonnet, symbolizing unconventional decisions, and instead of storytelling, she shares macarons, which earn high praise and Hatta’s respect. Suddenly, the Jabberwock attacks the hat shop. Hatta, Haigha, Jest, and Raven distract the beast so the guests can escape. The Turtle freezes in fear until Cath jabs him with a stick, prompting his escape into the forest. The Jabberwock then targets Cath, but the Lion heroically throws himself in front of her and is carried off by the beast.

Jest escorts Cath home, apologizing for the danger she was placed in. He praises her passion and beauty, then reveals that he and Raven are Rooks—guardians of the White Queen from the Chess realm, embroiled in a secret mission alongside Hatta and Haigha. This revelation shocks and disappoints Cath, as it means Jest must eventually return to Chess. Although Cath wants to be the reason he stays, she resolves to end their relationship. Still, they plan to meet at her family’s upcoming Turtle Days Festival, despite the King’s expected presence.

Cath confides in her friend Mary Ann, who recognizes Cath’s genuine feelings but warns her that she might not truly know Jest and that he could be after her wealth or status. Although reluctant to believe this, Cath becomes determined to learn more about Jest and his true intentions.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

In which Bethanie and special guest Leah from YA Book Chat discuss Chapters 16-18 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

Chapters 16–18 Summary:

Cath receives a white rose from Jest, who soon appears and invites her to a secret tea party. Despite her usual reservations, she agrees. Jest takes her through a magical portal system called the Crossroads to a hat shop in a forest, where the “mad” tea party is hosted by Hatta, the eccentric Hatter. At the party, Cath meets a group of bizarre characters and learns that each guest must perform. Jest performs a rhyme and vanishes into bats, leaving Cath alone with Hatta, who gives her a riddle about the heart. She answers correctly but debates the meaning, hinting at deeper emotional truths. Jest returns at the end, completing his poetic performance.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

In which Bethanie and special guest Aunt Artist discuss Chapters 12-15 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

Chapter 12 Summary

Cath anxiously walks with the King, wondering if he plans to propose and if she can really say no to a marriage proposal—particularly when she considers how pleased her parents will be if she says yes. Cath worries that the King will guess her affections for Jest, whom she is unable to stop thinking about. Under the guise of giving the King advice, and feigning ignorance of his intentions toward her, Cath convinces the King that it’s much better to wait before proposing.

Chapter 13 Summary

Jest confronts Cath about misleading him about her knowledge of the King’s intentions toward her; Jest tells Cath that he thinks the King really does care for her. This irritates Cath, who sabotages a croquet game in the King’s favor as payback against Jest. The stunned look on his face satisfies Cath.

Chapter 14 Summary

Cath’s mother reprimands her for not securing a marriage proposal from the King and upbraids Cath for her eating habits. Cath looks for support from her father, but none is forthcoming. Her mother bemoans Cath’s lack of marriage prospects, and Cath seizes this opportunity to tell her parents about her other prospect—that of opening the bakery with Mary Ann. However, before she can do so, the Pinkertons’ butler announces an unexpected visit from the King.

Chapter 15 Summary

Upon hearing this news, the Marchioness’s demeanor abruptly shifts; now, she praises Cath and tells her how proud she is. Cath and her family greet the King; Cath notices Jest among the King’s entourage and cannot pull her attention away from him. Cath prepares herself for the King’s proposal, working up the courage to decline it, but she realizes that she doesn’t have the willpower to reject it. However, the King announces that he merely wishes to court Cath; Cath is stunned but notices that this declaration of the King’s appears to affect Jest, although Cath is not quite sure why. Relieved to have escaped the proposal yet again, Cath accepts the King’s offer of courtship with the intention of ultimately dissuading him from marriage.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

In which Bethanie and guest artist Aunt Artist discuss chapters 9-11 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Chapter 9 Summary

Mary Ann and Cath visit the cobbler shop of the Caterpillar, hoping to persuade him to lease his building to them, but the Caterpillar tells Mary Ann and Cath that his lease is owned by Duke Pygmalion Warthog, Duke of Tuskany; they’ll have to barter with him. However, the Caterpillar assures the girls that he thinks a bakery would do well in this location; Cath jokes that to ensure her bakery’s success, she’d even hunt down the treacle well, a mythical place said to exist in the Looking Glass maze. Mary Ann and Cath visit the Duke of Tuskany, and Cath realizes that he’s not as arrogant as she previously thought; he’s just awkward and lonely. He is at first reluctant to consider them to fill Caterpillar’s lease, but he agrees to it on the condition that Cath put in a good word for him with Margaret Mearle, whom the Duke harbors deep affection for. Cath, although astounded by this request, agrees.

Chapter 10 Summary

Cath dreads the upcoming tea party with the King but cannot help feeling excited at the prospect of seeing Jest again. She feels conflicted over the amount of time she spends fantasizing about Jest, particularly given that she should be focusing on her bakery. Cheshire appears and informs Cath that the bodies of the courtiers who were taken by the Jabberwock have been found—torn to shreds. Cath is horrified and wants to believe that the Jabberwock isn’t real, although Cheshire advises her that it’s unwise to “unbelieve” something just because she’s afraid of it. Cath feels that something must be done about the Jabberwock, but she knows that the complacent people of Hearts would rather ignore the disturbing truth than address it.

Chapter 11 Summary

At the King’s tea party, Cath searches for Jest but is disappointed when she doesn’t see him. Cath talks with Margaret and the Duke; Cath highlights the Duke’s positive qualities in front of Margaret, but Margaret treats the Duke haughtily. Jest finally appears, to Cath’s elation; however, her excitement dissipates when Jest delivers a summons to her from the King.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

This week Bethanie is joined by first time guest Grace to discuss chapters 5-8 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

Recap of Chapters 5–8:

At the ball, Cath meets Peter Peter and his ailing wife, sensing something unsettling beneath Peter’s harsh demeanor. Soon after, she learns from Cheshire that the King plans to announce his bride—Cath herself. Panicked, she escapes the ballroom with Cheshire’s help and ends up in the rose garden, where she encounters the mysterious Joker, Jest. Jest’s golden eyes and demeanor match the boy from her dream, deepening Cath’s fascination. After fainting upon seeing a hooded figure with an axe, Cath awakens to Jest’s care and a surprising act of kindness—he secretly steals the strings to her corset to help her breathe. Upon returning home, Cath learns that a terrifying Jabberwock attacked the ball after she left. Her mother and even Mary Ann pressure her to accept the King's proposal, dismissing her bakery dreams as unrealistic. Cath is left torn between a life of comfort and a future that follows her passion.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

In this week's episode, Bethanie is joined by Sierra to discuss chapters 1-4 of Heartless by Marissa Meyer. Big shoutout to Sierra who created a magnificent spreadsheet with all of the Heartless Easter Eggs and Foreshadowing!

Recap of Chapters 1–4:

Catherine “Cath” Pinkerton, a noble young woman in the kingdom of Hearts, dreams of opening a bakery with her best friend Mary Ann, despite her parents' wishes for her to marry into royalty. After baking lemon tarts from a dream-induced lemon tree, Cath attends a royal ball where she catches the attention of the King of Hearts—thanks in part to a striking red gown forced upon her by her domineering mother. Though the King is smitten, Cath finds him dull and feels conflicted about his admiration. The ball takes a mysterious turn when a captivating Joker, accompanied by a raven, performs an enchanting and magical act, during which Cath feels an inexplicable connection to him, and his mysterious golden eyes.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

Bethanie is joined by friend of the show Katherine to introduce the next Marissa book...

Heartless!

Synopsis:

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.
Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.

Bethanie is joined by friend of the show Katherine for the final Lunar Chronicles episode!

COVID-128 By Summary

Due to unforeseen circumstances, The OG Rampion Crew + Winter are trapped aboard the Rampion while a new pandemic outbreak plagues Earth. Jacin alone remains on Earth, working at a medical hospital while he studies to become a doctor.

Each crew member is finding their own way to deal with the boredom: Carswell has created a podcast, Cress is inventing games, Iko and Wolf have started an ‘at home workout’’ platform, Scarlet is ‘watching 700 hours of tv’ like TS, Thorne as started his own podcast, Winter has taken up baking, and Kai and Cinder are trying to lead their countries from afar.

TIMELINE: according to Marissa, this takes place after Wires and Nerves.

This podcast is hosted by Bethanie Finger and produced by Three Sisters Podcast Network.

Logo Art was created by Cosmic Nova Flare and the Intro/Outro music was composed by Emma Povvo.