Episodes

  • Blood Over Bright Haven: Chapters 13-17 | From Breakdown to Burn-It-All-Down Energy
    Apr 15 2026

    Hey readers~ This week we’re getting into the nitty gritty of some more morality struggles through the lens of Sciona in Blood Over Bright Haven. Now that Sciona has faced the worst of herself (and Tiran), how will she grow from here?

    Or… will she? Sciona’s character is going to have to make some difficult decisions, all while she’s dealing with the trials of being a woman in STEM.

    In this episode we discuss some heavy-hitting moral issues and also laugh over our own imagined versions of the characters.

    Stay tuned till the end for some completely off-the-rails goofery, which we needed after discussing this section of Blood Over Bright Haven!! Join the discussion and let us know what you think. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast.

    Interested in more from us? You can also read our stream-of-consciousness reactions to the reading and show notes and see what didn't make it to the show on our Patreon now. And consider joining our growing community there for other bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Blood Over Bright Haven: Chapters 6-12 | Sciona, Babe...Are You the Bad Guy?
    Apr 8 2026

    Hey readers! This week the stakes are already rising high for Sciona and Thomil in Tiran. Blood Over Bright Haven has blown us away with its unique magic system and storytelling - but now the characters are taking center stage and our hearts are heavy with anticipation and emotion.

    We get into it this week while discussing Tiranish belief systems - maybe we were a little harsh on Brittany (and Sciona)? You be the judge. We love a good debate and a thought-provoking book… You be the judge.

    Tune in this week as we discuss the reveal of what Blight truly is and how Sciona’s world comes crashing down around her.

    who she might consider to be out of his league. But is he? Thomil has got something up his sleeve too.

    This is the beginning of a rich world with intense discussions about religion, classism, and equality. Join us this week! And let us know what you think. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast.

    Interested in more from us? You can also read our stream-of-consciousness reactions to the reading and show notes and see what didn't make it to the show on our Patreon now. And consider joining our growing community there for other bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Blood Over Bright Haven: Chapters 1-5 | You Can't Magic Your Way Out Of Misogyny
    Apr 1 2026

    Hey readers~ We’re back with a bang! This week we dig into the first section of M. L. Wang’s amazing fantasy book Blood Over Bright Haven, a fun, lore-heavy dark academia novel packed with magic and feminism.

    Sciona Freynan is about to prove everyone wrong by being the first woman mage to pass the university exam and become an Highmage - but not without any pushback. The other highmages are not exactly happy to have a woman joining their midst, but she’s used to that.

    What really surprises her is the ally she makes by being forced to partner with a Kwen - an outsider - who she might consider to be out of his league. But is he? Thomil has got something up his sleeve too.

    This is the beginning of a rich world with intense discussions about religion, classism, and equality. Join us this week! And let us know what you think.

    You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Season 5 Trailer | Three Books, Zero Stability: It's the Institutional Collapse Starter Pack
    Mar 25 2026

    📕💀🕯️Hey, readers - this week we’re taking some time to discuss our upcoming season of standalones only. Instead of choosing a full series this time around, each of us have chosen a book to review and discuss. We ended up with a dark academia vibe, which we are not upset about at all.

    Join us to discuss our choices for the upcoming season: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, and The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova! Are you excited for these reads? What are your favorite standalones?

    Tell us what you think. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    32 mins
  • Off the Shelf | Sarah J. Maas said WHAT?!?!?
    Mar 18 2026

    Listeners! This week we're reacting to the interview that shook the book community. That's right. We FINALLY got ACOTAR news.

    From lore hints and cryptic answers to moments that had us pausing the audio to go, "Wait. WHAT?", this interview had the fandom buzzing, and so we obviously had to weigh in.

    Did we learn anything new? Maybe. Did we spiral into theories? Absolutely. Was it informative? Debatable. But was it entertaining? Absolutely.

    We're overanalyzing, theorizing, spiraling, and we hope that you join us on the crazy train. So grab your red string board because the speculation is getting out of hand...just like us.

    So are you excited for the upcoming books? What about what SJM revealed about her personal life? What are your theories about whose story will take center stage in ACTOAR 5? 6? 7? Whatever number it is...

    Let us know your thoughts in the comments. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Mate: Chapters 31-Epilogue | Koen and Serena Get Hot and Knotty
    Mar 11 2026

    Welcome to the happy ending, readers~ This week we discuss some of the intricacies of Serena’s heat and how the book ends on both a high AND low note! We’d love to hear your thoughts this week.

    Did you feel just as confused about the endings as we did? We wanted concrete answers! So many ends left untied. Join us as we wrap up Ali Hazelwood’s Mate with a lot of laughs this week.

    You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Mate: Chapters 21-30 | Serena Attends a Family Reunion
    Mar 4 2026

    Hey, readers! We’re back with part 3 of our discussion on Mate. This week we discuss all the sordid details concerning Serena and Koen’s union. These fools are finally facing the truth, and personally, we’re thrilled to finally get to the good stuff.

    How will Koen handle the new information about Serena’s mysterious illness and her family history? Protective Koen is on full display this time around, and we’re taking note of all the ways his behavior gives away his true feelings.

    Even still, he’s hesitant to give everything away…how many loopholes can they take advantage of before making the decision to break a very big promise? Plus, some of our early theories have come true by the end of the section - but what will this mean for the fate of Serena and the Northwest Pack? She’s taking swooning to a whole new level.

    Join us this week and tell us what you think about Koen! Let us hear your thoughts! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Mate: Chapters 11-20 | Serena Gets Cult-ure Shock & Koen Shatters
    Feb 25 2026

    Welcome back readers! It’s time to get into the good stuff~

    This week we’re finally entering Koen’s territory, and it’s feeling quite domestic. Yep, we’re going to the Den that raised Lowe and brought us the very sexy, intense Koen. But what does that mean for Serena?

    There’s so much to unpack for Serena as we discover that she may have a tie to the Northwest pack that doesn’t include Koen. And her presence there is not welcome by everyone. Plus, Serena’s condition is worsening, and Koen is quick to figure out she’s hiding stuff.

    What will he do? Will our theory come true about the reason Serena is sick? And how long before Koen finally admits he’s absolutely head over heels? We’re living for the tension all over these pages. Join the discussion this week!

    Let us hear your thoughts! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Youtube @themidnightreaderspodcast. You can also join our growing community on Patreon for bonus content and more.

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    1 hr and 11 mins