Wyrdmarks, Winter Balls, and Chaol’s Fumbling: Unpacking the Mysteries of Throne of Glass
Welcome back to another episode of Books, Cats, & Chaos! This week, James and Ka-Ce bring their trademark mix of humor, insight, and just the right amount of snark as they dive into Chapters 34–40 of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
This stretch of the story plunges us into the Yulemas season in Rifthold, but the festive spirit is overshadowed by deepening mysteries, strained friendships, and unsettling discoveries. Celaena faces the fallout of the massacre of Nehemia’s people, a devastating reminder of the king’s cruelty. Meanwhile, Chaol’s fumbling attempts at comfort (and his less-than-stellar reaction to Celaena’s humanity) are balanced by Dorian’s effortless empathy and playful banter. These moments showcase the contrasting dynamics between the characters and highlight the ways they each perceive Celaena—as a weapon, a woman, or a friend.
The tension escalates with Celaena’s discovery of wyrdmarks scrawled ominously beneath her bed, reminiscent of the gruesome markings near the murdered champions. The questions pile up: Are the wyrdmarks meant to protect her or mark her for something sinister? And what role does Nehemia, with her growing air of mystery and knowledge of wyrdmarks, play in all this?
James and Ka-Ce explore it all, from Celaena’s growing relationships with Dorian and Chaol to her moments of vulnerability that make her feel strikingly human in a world of political schemes and dark magic. The pair also dissect the book’s exploration of trust, identity, and hidden motives—both personal and political.
And of course, there’s plenty of chaos: from pondering Celaena’s so-called assassin skills (why does everyone sneak up on her?) to debating whether Chaol or Dorian wins this week’s “best boy” award. Spoiler alert: it’s Dorian. Obviously.
If you’re new to the podcast, here’s your friendly reminder that this is a spoiler-free zone for anything beyond Throne of Glass. No spoilers for ACOTAR or Crescent City, so you can relax and enjoy the deep dive without fear. Just don’t forget to pop on those headphones if little ears are nearby—James and Ka-Ce aren’t afraid to spice things up with some colorful language.
Catch all our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Like, comment, subscribe, and let us know what you think of the new format we’re trying out this week. We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as we continue navigating Celaena’s journey—and all the chaos that comes with it.
Check us out on all the other platforms
YouTube: @bookscatschaos
Instagram: @books.cats.chaos
TikTok: @books.cats.chaos
Email us your thoughts: hello@bookscatsandchaos.com
Or subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast apps
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AcAFpI1givCx5PqMmKHvS?si=4c9a0e6e519944d1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-cats-chaos/id1779417007
If you like what you hear and want to support our show, you can buy us a coffee, it's what keeps us going!
We also fully support the work that K911 ResQ does in their efforts to save as many abandoned animals as possible. If you would like to donate to their efforts you can do it directly from their website. Every little bit helps -
