In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re back with Round 2 of our chaotic 2025 Book Bingo! This week’s squares:
✨ “Side Character Who Stole the Show”
😲 “Biggest Surprise of the Year”

From a sentient gargoyle in The Knight and the Moth to shock reads like Dire Bound and The One by John Marrs, we’re talking about the characters and books that totally blindsided us (in the best way). Plus: your favorite picks, unexpected romances, and cliffhangers that left us SCREAMING.

🎙️ What’s inside:

• Why Bartholomew the gargoyle is Book Bits royalty 👑
• The surprise book Emily tore through in 48 hours
• A side character Cassie might secretly want as a book boyfriend 👀
• Audience faves from Quicksilver, Throne of Glass, Metal Slinger & more
• New bingo squares for next round!

🖤 Tag us on Instagram @BookBitsClub with your picks & join the bingo chaos!

We’re kicking off our Fiction’s Fresh Faces mini series with debut author Alexandria Arden, who’s taking the Romantasy world by storm with The Witch Queen. In this episode, we go behind the scenes on her writing process, how she self-published a 200K-word fantasy novel with no traditional publisher, and what sets her morally gray heroine and reluctant-allies-to-lovers romance apart. We also get into her hot takes on enemies-to-lovers tropes, viral book discourse, and why mature protagonists matter in fantasy. If you love deep worldbuilding, emotional slow burns, and Manon Blackbeak energy—this episode is for you.

🎧 Plus: spicy scene talk, author icks, and a playlist that slaps harder than a massverse cliffhanger.

🔗 Grab The Witch Queen on Kindle Unlimited or alexandriaarden.com
📚 Follow @alexandriaardenauthor on Instagram and TikTok

The ultimate Knight and the Moth finale episode! Cassie and Emily present their Book Wrap-Up Awards covering everything from MVP characters to worst betrayals, plus complete ratings on spice, romance, plot twists, and more.

Episode highlights:

• Book Wrap-Up Awards ceremony (Best setting, battles, most unhinged moments)
• Romance analysis and spice level ratings
• Emotional impact discussion and cry factor
• Wild theories about sprites, magic systems, and Book 2 predictions
• Final fan casting and reading recommendations
• Overall ratings and who this book is perfect for

A must-listen for Rachel Gillig fans, fantasy book lovers, and anyone considering their next romantasy read. Whether you're a longtime fantasy reader or new to the genre, this comprehensive review covers everything you need to know about Knight and the Moth.

Perfect for fans of: Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Rebecca Yarros, Stephanie Meyer, fantasy romance, dark academia, and epic fantasy adventures.

#FantasyBooks #BookReview #RachelGillig #Romantasy #BookPodcast #FantasyReads #BookRecap #BookClub #DarkFantasy