In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by bestselling romance author Amy Lea for a warm and candid conversation about life as a writer. Amy's newest book, The Bodyguard Affair, will be released on the 26th of February, 2026!

We chat about the importance of finding and nurturing an author community, her favourite (and least favourite!) romance tropes, and her ambition to branch out into new genres in the future.

It’s a fun, honest discussion about creativity, connection, and what comes next.

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we finish our journey through Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas and unpack the choices that define the series’ endgame.

We talk about how Aelin isn’t the one to vanquish the big bad, share our very real feelings about the Thirteen’s devastating sacrifice, and debate whether this epic deserved an epilogue.

From triumph to heartbreak, we break down what worked, what surprised us, and what still lingers after closing the final page.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - Spoiler Warning

00:55 - Summary of Kingdom of Ash (part 2)

03:30 - Our Discussion

01:23:25 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials, we dive into Part 1 of Kingdom of Ash and unpack the first 67 chapters of Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale.

We talk through the most badass moments, share our favorite character pairings as alliances start to shift, and explore what has us most excited (and nervous) for the second half of the book. From survival and strategy to sparks of hope in the darkest places, this is where the endgame truly begins.

Disclaimer: We had some audio issues during the recording of this episode, which can be heard in the second half as a crackling sound. We apologise for this and hope you enjoy listening nonetheless.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Spoiler Warning

03:00 - The Blurb

03:45 - The Actual Plot

08:30 - Our Discussion of Kingdom of Ash (part 1)

01:09:15 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:09:45 - Outro