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.

In this episode, Leah Stuhler from YA Book Chat joins me to discuss Cinder's Wedding Adventure.

*Note* This episode was a special Patreon feature recorded at the original release date of the book, 2022.

Book Synopsis:

Cinder, the star of the Lunar Chronicles, is getting married! She and Emperor Kai have made it to their big day – now all Cinder has to do is show up and say "I do." But it’s not so easy when there are twists and turns and obstacles along the way, and you, the reader, are in control of her fate, along with the many friends and strangers she meets on this adventure. Can you and Cinder make it to happily ever after?For fans of Marissa Meyer, this is the ultimate interactive celebration of all things Lunar Chronicles. And, you’ll also discover characters and settings from Heartless, Renegades, Instant Karma, and Gilded, along with so many possible endings! This inventive and fun adventure is a must-have for fans, only available as an e-book exclusive.

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 episode, Leah Stuhler from YA Book Chat joins me to discuss Cinder's Wedding Adventure.

*Note* This episode was a special Patreon feature recorded at the original release date of the book, 2022.

Book Synopsis:

Cinder, the star of the Lunar Chronicles, is getting married! She and Emperor Kai have made it to their big day – now all Cinder has to do is show up and say "I do." But it’s not so easy when there are twists and turns and obstacles along the way, and you, the reader, are in control of her fate, along with the many friends and strangers she meets on this adventure. Can you and Cinder make it to happily ever after?For fans of Marissa Meyer, this is the ultimate interactive celebration of all things Lunar Chronicles. And, you’ll also discover characters and settings from Heartless, Renegades, Instant Karma, and Gilded, along with so many possible endings! This inventive and fun adventure is a must-have for fans, only available as an e-book exclusive.

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 Cassie from Of Slippers and Spindles to discuss the final Stars Above short story, Something Old, Something New.

Something Old, Something New By Summary

After Wolf moves to the farm with Scarlet; Winter, Jacin, Cress, Thorne, Iko, Kai & Cinder arrive to attend their wedding. They are bombarded by paparazzi who want pictures of the first public wedding between a Lunar & Earthen. Wolf decides to surprise Scarlet three days before the planned date to catch the paparazzi off guard and have a peaceful wedding.

Cress, Winter, Iko & Cinder distract Scarlet and trick her into getting ready for the wedding while the boys decorate the living room. Wolf & Scarlet end up having a makeshift wedding in their living room with Kai as the officiant.

During the reception, Kai & Cinder sneak away to sit by a stream, where Kai proposes to her with his mother's engagement ring and Cinder says yes. They all live happily ever after.

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.