notes

Welcome back to The Reading Rift!

This is Reading Recaps, where we go chapter-by-chapter through epic stories. This season, we’re diving into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, starting with Mistborn Era 1.

Bec: I’m Bec, your long-time Sanderson reader (10+ years in the Cosmere).

Lydia: And I’m Lydia—the romantasy reader who is brand-new to Sanderson, epic fantasy, and Allomancy.

Bec: My mission is to guide Lydia (and you!) deep into the Cosmere—explaining the magic, unpacking the lore, and laughing at Lydia’s extremely wrong predictions.

Lydia: Don’t worry—this episode only spoils Part 2 of The Final Empire. If you’re caught up to where I am, you’re safe! Today, we’re covering Part 2: Rebels Beneath a Sky of Ash, Chapters 9–15.

In This Episode We discuss:

Vin’s training arc and new identity as Lady Valette Renoux

• Comfortably flying through the mists

• Kelsier’s training assignments

• Sazed’s religions, Keeper mysteries, and his oath to protect her

• The ten Great Houses and the dangers of femininity in Vin’s past Allomancy Level-Up • Pewter, tin, bronze, copper

• Steel and iron pushes/pulls

• Atium and future-sight

• Why Kelsier warns that every metal has weaknesses Court Politics and Vin’s First Ball

• The deepness mural

• Obligators as “confessors”

• A shocking encounter with Vin’s father

• AND… the debut of Lord Elend Venture (Lydia: I ship them already.) The Mission

• The oppressive emotional Soothing of the Lord Ruler

• Steel Inquisitors and their terrifying eye spikes

• The mysterious book Vin uses to survive • Sazed’s rescue and healing

• Kelsier’s hunt for the Eleventh Metal Discussion Topics • Is the risk of rebellion worth the cost of safety?

• Manipulation—Allomantic or emotional?

• Power, control, and believing in something bigger than yourself

Predictions Lydia revises her theories:

• Elend + Vin = endgame

• The hero from the epigraphs might fall—or turn evil

• Vin will walk the same journey as the Hero of Ages

• The mists are more important than anyone is saying

• Kelsier is planning something huge Epigraph Breakdown Bec reads selected epigraphs and Lydia guesses which ones will make her facepalm after she finishes the series. Highlights From Lydia Likes:

• The faster pacing of the rebellion plot

• Everything about Elend Venture Dislikes:

• Still wanting deeper emotional connection from the narrative

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Next Episode Part 3 drops next Thursday! Subscribe and turn on notifications to follow Lydia’s Cosmere journey.

00:00 Welcome to Reading Recaps

02:38 Into part 2

19:07 The Heist Peak

20:41 Lydia’s Likes and Dislikes

22:27 Epigraphs

31:47 Magic System

36:21 Quotes

44:23 Lydia’s Predictions

Welcome to The Reading Rift! This is Reading Recaps, where we dive deep into epic stories one chapter at a time. In this season, we’re entering Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, beginning with Mistborn Era 1.

I’m Bec, and I’ve been reading Sanderson for over a decade.

And I’m Lydia—your resident newbie, romance-lover, and chaos bringer.

(Bec) I’ll be guiding Lydia (and you!) through the Cosmere as we break down the chapters, explore the magic system, and laugh at Lydia’s deeply incorrect predictions. Don’t worry—no spoilers beyond the chapters we discuss. Today we’re covering the Prologue and Part 1 of Mistborn: The Final Empire.

In this episode, we break down:

✨ The ash-covered world and ominous Final Empire

✨ Kelsier the Survivor, rebellious chaos gremlin of our hearts

✨ Vin’s trauma, trust issues, and awakening as a Mistborn

✨ Allomancy explained—steel, iron, pewter, tin, and more

✨ The crew: Ham, Breeze, Clubs, Dockson, Marsh, Sazed, and a very confused Vin

✨ The epigraphs—and which ones Lydia thinks might secretly spoil the entire series

✨ Themes from Part 1:

• Prejudice—natural or taught?

• Isolation vs vulnerability •

What do you believe—and why does it matter?

• Fighting darkness by protecting your mind

Plus: Lydia’s unhinged predictions, including:

🔥 The mists are a metal you can burn

🔥 Or… the mists make the skaa hopeless

🔥 Vin is 100% the savior of the world

🔥 Kelsier has plans nobody sees coming (probably true tbh)

If you're reading along for the first time or revisiting a Cosmere classic, you’ll be right at home.

About This Episode This is a spoiler-safe deep dive only up to the end of Part 1. If you’ve read through chapter 8, you can safely listen along. New readers and longtime fans are welcome!

💬 Join the Rift Community Tell us below: What was your initial reaction to the mists, Vin, and Kelsier when you first read Mistborn? We want to hear your theories, your nostalgia, and your favorite moments.

📚 What’s Next? Part 2 drops next Thursday! Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next chapter-by-chapter breakdown.

⚠️ PART 2: EXPLICIT SPOILER WARNING ⚠️

Everything from here on out contains full spoilers for Book 1 and discusses adult themes. Please check the content advisory before reading or listening.

👉 Content warnings: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/content-advisory

In Part 2, Lydia finally gets to fan-girl as we break the book wide open. We play a Character Confessions Game, deep-dive into worldbuilding, and unpack the hardest moments of the story.

Covered in Part 2:

• Full plot recap and timeline

• Political history, magic, and the Soul Trappers

• Ara, Stedd, Savant, Alys, Thalia, Therimar, and more

• Character motivations, manipulation, redemption, and choice

• Trauma, forgiveness, love as a spectrum, pacifism, honor vs action

• The ethics of survival and power

• That ending—and what it means for Book 2

This episode is for readers who want thoughtful analysis, emotional honesty, and no pulled punches when discussing dark fantasy.

📖 Links & Resources:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204888283

Where to buy Dawn of the Darkest Day: [add links]

KC Woodruff’s website & socials: https://www.kcwoodruff.com

✨ If you enjoyed this interview, like, subscribe, and tell us which character broke you the most.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KC Woodruff | Dawn of the Darkest Day (Soul Trappers Saga)

📚 The Reading Rift – Full Author Deep Dive (Spoiler-Free + Spoilers)

In this two-part interview, we sit down with KC Woodruff, author of Dawn of the Darkest Day, the first book in the Soul Trappers Saga, for an honest, in-depth conversation about writing, publishing, and the dark fantasy story that has stayed with us long after the final page.

PART 1 (Spoiler-Free): Writing, Publishing & Book Foundations

In the first half of the interview, KC walks us through her journey as a reader and writer—from her earliest reading memories to the moment she knew she would be a published author. We dive into:

• The books and authors that shaped her love of reading

• Discovering writing as more than a hobby

• Early drafts, doubt, and the “I can actually do this” moment

• D&D’s influence on storytelling and worldbuilding

• Her writing timeline, revision process, and strengths as a writer

• Choosing indie publishing vs traditional

• Editing, cover design, KDP, and production

• Marketing myths, finances, and growing a reader base

• Conventions, Nexus panels, and meeting readers in person

• Audiobooks, tools, platforms, and long-term career vision

• Why she writes—and what she hopes her work gives readers

We also explore Dawn of the Darkest Day spoiler-free, including:

• Elevator pitch for new readers

• Comparable books

• Emotional experience and intended audience

• Origin story and real-life themes woven into the narrative

• Magic system basics and political setup

• How readers can best support KC and follow her work

Buy the book: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/books

Follow KC: writerwoodruff

Trigger warnings: https://www.kcwoodruff.com/content-advisory

Welcome to our annual book awards round up and by annual we mean our first one because this is our first year doing our podcast. Here is how this episode will work: we have all the books we have talked about this year on the podcast and we will be debating on which awards go to which book. Let the awards begin!

Nominated Books:

1. Throne of glass
2. Crown of midnight
3. Assassins blade
4. Warbreaker
5. Alchemised
6. Quicksilver
7. Brimstone
8. Some call me eve
9. Enigma
10. Blood beneath the snow
11. Dr J & H
12. Mistborn era 1 book 1
13. Dawn of the darkest day

Awards

1. The ‘Most Cinematic / Begs to Be Adapted’ Award
2. The ‘Stayed Up Until 3 A.M.’ Award
3. The ‘I Need Therapy After This’ Award
4. Best Plot Twist
5. Most Unhinged Character
6. Biggest Emotional Damage
7. Best Worldbuilding
8. Favorite Protagonist
9. Villain You Secretly Rooted For
10. Most Memorable Quote
11. Best Romance Tension
12. The “Did We Read the Same Book?” Award
13. The “New Core Memory” Award

Welcome back to The Reading Rift. I’m Lydia, a lifelong book addict married to a writer, and I’m joined by Bec, a writer and my sister-in-law. In today’s episode, we dive into the classic gothic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Before we get into the plot, characters, and themes, we kick things off with our new segment, Aggressively Wrong Summaries—where we confidently tell you what a book is about with absolutely zero context. From moral lawyers to musical adaptations, this one sets the tone.

This episode contains spoilers for the entire novella and includes adult conversations and language. You have been warned.

We explore the life of Robert Louis Stevenson: a rebellious Victorian raised under strict religious expectations, a man fascinated by psychology and the duality of human nature, and an author whose illness-driven dreams helped shape this nightmare of a story.

We discuss the historical backdrop of Victorian London, a city of polished respectability on the surface and darkness beneath, and how scientific, cultural, and moral anxieties of the era fed directly into the creation of Jekyll and Hyde.

We then walk through a full plot summary, following Mr. Utterson’s investigation, Hyde’s violent crimes, Jekyll’s unraveling control, and the final revelation of the self-destruction that comes from attempting to separate the darker parts of human nature. In our thematic discussion, we examine how Utterson’s limited viewpoint shapes the story, the way modern audiences miss the original mystery structure, and why adaptations have drastically changed the meaning of the tale. We unpack human duality, addiction, temptation, reputation, masks, and the way Jekyll’s choices reflect the darkest truths about identity and self-deception.

Finally, we wrap up with some big questions:

What happens when we hide the parts of ourselves we fear most?

Is redemption possible without accountability?

Why are we drawn to villains who reflect the shadows we carry?

Stick around for the end, where we announce our upcoming episode: a roundup of the books we have discussed so far on the podcast. It is going to be chaotic in the best way. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode.

Aggressively Wrong Summaries

• “If Jacob had been supportive to Edward and the two went on a journey together, only to return to Bella being far more of a badass.”
• (The energy of the book, but hilariously incorrect.)

Character Deep Dives

Saeris

• Feels like a completely different character than in Quicksilver
• Is it growth? Trauma? Changes in her magic?
• How does her magic function now? Rules vs vibes vs consequences

Kingfisher / Khydan Graystar Finvarra

• His chapters were standout
• Peak “best boyfriend” moments:
  • “I’ve got you—go be a badass, but also you can lean on me.”
• The reveal that he can use magic in the human realm
• Name significance—what should we even call him now?
• Names hold power, and nobody is operating under their true name

Carrion

• The true MVP
• Always knows the answers — why don’t people listen to him??
• “If you want me to be the jester…”
• Budding friendship with Kingfisher
• His magic: destined to heal the world
• What does his rule look like?

Ren

• Guard of the Gate of Ajun
• Demon gate connection
• His sister being Fisher’s sword

Loreth & The Witch

• Prejudice themes explored through their dynamic
• Lydia ships them
• Questioning the witch backlash:
  • Why were we mad at her for healing the vampires?
  • Felt like an overly convenient way to remove a plot point

Tal & Z Chick

• Absolute rage at her for messing with Tal
• Tal’s emotional confession:
  • Planning to take his own life
  • Stopping when he felt the sun
  • His god-sword Redemption

Names & Their Power

• Kingfisher = Khydan Graystar Finvarra
• How names shift identity and power

Wrong Predictions

• Lydia’s fear of a “why choose” ending or love-interest switch

Right Predictions

• Bec called:
  • The three elements
  • Demon involvement
  • Certain magic revelations

Book 3:

• Is Kingfisher half-god?
• “Our Father” implications
• Styx possibly being the father?

The Black Pool

• Not Quicksilver — so what is it?
• What’s its purpose?

Onyx Being Saved

• Was it too easy?
• Emotional payoff vs plot convenience
• What this sets up for book three

The Trade

• What is the trade?
• Who is being traded?
• What is the cost?

Overall Takeaways

• Emotional highs
• Favorite reveals
• What felt confusing or unresolved
• Strengths vs weaknesses

Predictions for Book 3

Our Theories

• Carrion will heal the rot
• Dragons will be key to killing the infected
• Onyx is more than what he appears — possibly divine
• Fisher will have to sacrifice something massive for his god-fate
• Saeris saved Onyx with the rune — she won’t be able to save someone in book three.