Stacey McEwan - A Forbidden Alchemy | A Dear Fantasy Author Interview
Release Date: 07/17/2025
Hannah Nicole Maehrer - Accomplice to the Villain | A Dear Fantasy Author Interview
Dear Fantasy Reader
🎤 Recorded before release day — one of Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s first interviews about Accomplice to the Villain! In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with Hannah Nicole Maehrer to get the inside scoop on Accomplice to the Villain! This episode was recorded before the book’s official release, making it one of Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s first in-depth interviews about the story. As some of the earliest readers to dive into this world, the hosts came armed with questions, theories, and all the romantasy chaos you’d expect from...
info_outline
Accomplice To The Villain Immediate Thoughts & Reactions | Fangirl Breakdown
Dear Fantasy Reader
In this spoiler-filled reaction episode, hosts Kinsey and Karly (and Kingsley??) break down their initial thoughts & reactions to Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s highly anticipated Accomplice to the Villain, which released yesterday, August 5th, 2025. The excitement? High. The chaos? Unhinged. As our resident ATTV-fangirl, Kinsey dropped everything to read Accomplice to the Villain as soon as the advanced reader copy hit our email (thank you RedTower & Entangled!). Unfortunately for her, this meant she had to very impatiently wait for another cohost to finish before she could fully...
info_outline
Jade Presley - The Never List | A Dear Fantasy Author Interview
Dear Fantasy Reader
In this spicy new episode of Dear Fantasy Author, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with New York Times bestselling author, Jade Presley, to talk all things The Never List, a steamy “why choose” romantasy packed with magic, myth, and four very swoon-worthy love interests. This book became an instant book club favorite—and we were so excited to get the inside scoop directly from the author herself! Jade shares how she built this unforgettable fantasy world (including the inspiration behind the gem-themed cities), why she wanted her magic system to feel earned, and what it was like...
info_outline
Stacey McEwan - A Forbidden Alchemy | A Dear Fantasy Author Interview
Dear Fantasy Reader
🎤 Recorded the day before the US release date - one of Stacey’s first in-depth interviews about A Forbidden Alchemy! In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stacey McEwan to get the inside scoop on her brand-new romantasy release, A Forbidden Alchemy! Known for her signature blend of humor and heartbreak, Stacey delivers a world of gangster grit, slow burn tension, a wildly unique magic system, found family, devastating twists, and just enough banter to make the heartbreak hurt...
info_outline
What’s Next for Dear Fantasy Reader: New Formats, New Books, Same Fangirl Energy
Dear Fantasy Reader
With Onyx Storm wrapped, the DFR hosts—Hannah, Kinsey, & Karly—are giving you a quick update on what’s coming next for the pod! From new season formats to upcoming coverage plans—this is everything you need to know about what’s changing, what’s staying, and what’s ahead! Featuring: A shift from chapter-by-chapter deep dives to fast-paced prep and post-release reactions What series they are covering next How upcoming seasons are being planned around 2026’s biggest romantasy releases 📌 Explore the full DFRP season guide: Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader? The...
info_outline
Bree Grenwich & Parker Lennox | A Dear Fantasy Author Interview
Dear Fantasy Reader
🎤THE ONLY PLACE THE ESPRITHEAN 3 BOOK DETAILS HAVE BEEN REVEALED! (title, cover, and release date—all first announced in this episode) In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox, co-authors of the Esprithean series, for a two-part interview that blends cozy chaos, craft talk, and major romantasy reveals. The first portion of the episode is completely spoiler-free and perfect for anyone curious about the Esprithean series. We chat about Riftborne, Duskbound, and the authors’ upcoming spinoff series,...
info_outline
Ep. 18 Onyx Storm Deep Dive: Ch. 63-66 | Easter Eggs, Theories & Key Moments
Dear Fantasy Reader
Join your favorite Quest Squadmates—Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly—as they dive deep into chapters 63-66 of Rebecca Yarros' captivating fantasy, Onyx Storm! First, they'll journey into the Archives Vault for a quick chapter recap before diving into an engaging, in-depth discussion and analysis of key moments, sharing transformative insights from Yarros’ recent Q&As, and drawing thoughtful connections to earlier books in the Empyrean series. Next, it's time for a check-in at the Healer’s Quadrant, where they'll take the temperature of beloved characters, share favorite moments,...
info_outline
Ep. 17 Onyx Storm Deep Dive: Ch. 58-62 | Easter Eggs, Theories & Key Moments
Dear Fantasy Reader
Join your favorite Quest Squadmates—Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly—as they dive deep into chapters 58-62 of Rebecca Yarros' captivating fantasy, Onyx Storm! First, they'll journey into the Archives Vault for a quick chapter recap before diving into an engaging, in-depth discussion and analysis of key moments, sharing transformative insights from Yarros’ recent Q&As, and drawing thoughtful connections to earlier books in the Empyrean series. Next, it's time for a check-in at the Healer’s Quadrant, where they'll take the temperature of beloved characters, share favorite moments,...
info_outline
Ep. 16 Onyx Storm Deep Dive: Ch. 53-57 | Easter Eggs, Theories & Key Moments
Dear Fantasy Reader
Join your favorite Quest Squadmates—Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly—as they dive deep into chapters 53-57 of Rebecca Yarros' captivating fantasy, Onyx Storm! First, they'll journey into the Archives Vault for a quick chapter recap before diving into an engaging, in-depth discussion and analysis of key moments, sharing transformative insights from Yarros’ recent Q&As, and drawing thoughtful connections to earlier books in the Empyrean series. Next, it's time for a check-in at the Healer’s Quadrant, where they'll take the temperature of beloved characters, share favorite moments,...
info_outline
Shield of Sparrows Immediate Thoughts & Reactions | Fangirl Breakdown
Dear Fantasy Reader
In this spoiler-filled reaction episode, Hannah and Karly hit record just two minutes after Hannah finished reading Shield of Sparrows. The emotions? Raw. The spiraling? Immediate. The chaos? Very. Real. Karly finished the book first and, like the responsible bookish bestie she is, threw together a quick outline to help guide the conversation. But let’s be honest, this episode was recorded between 1am and 3am, so no matter how structured it tries to be... it’s still mostly unhinged. This is the kind of post-read breakdown where your heart is still racing, your voice is too loud, and you...
info_outline🎤 Recorded the day before the US release date - one of Stacey’s first in-depth interviews about A Forbidden Alchemy!
In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stacey McEwan to get the inside scoop on her brand-new romantasy release, A Forbidden Alchemy!
Known for her signature blend of humor and heartbreak, Stacey delivers a world of gangster grit, slow burn tension, a wildly unique magic system, found family, devastating twists, and just enough banter to make the heartbreak hurt harder—and we were honored to be among the first readers to experience it!
This episode was recorded the day before the book’s official US release, making it one of Stacey’s first in-depth interviews about the story. As some of the earliest readers to dive into this world, the hosts came armed with questions, theories, and all the romantasy chaos you’d expect from fangirls!
The interview includes both spoiler-free and spoiler-filled sections (see timestamps below). In the first portion, Stacey walks us through her writing journey & the inspirations behind her story—including Peaky Blinders, her unique approach to worldbuilding, and why writing a unique magic system with real consequences was so important to her.
After a spoiler warning, the conversation dives deep into characters & scenes, world-building & theory clarifications, and an interrogation about the cliffhanger. Stacey also shares a few hints about what readers can expect in the sequel—and answers some chaotic theory questions along the way.
Bonus segments in this episode include a Swiftie Mania deep dive, where Stacey pairs Taylor Swift songs to her characters, a hilarious round of Are You Smarter Than a Fangirl? trivia, and a heartfelt Reader’s Letter from the hosts.
Whether you’ve already devoured the book or you’re just romantasy curious, this episode is full of laughs, lore, and behind-the-scenes chaos you won’t want to miss!
Segment Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:56 Spoiler-Free Segment
35:17 Spoiler-Filled Segment
01:13:22 Swiftie Mania: Applying Taylor Swift Songs to A Forbidden Alchemy
01:24:14 Are You Smarter Than A Fangirl? Trivia
01:31:44 The Reader’s Letter
01:37:06 About Dear Fantasy Reader
**Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes**
Ready to add one more book to your TBR? Order A Forbidden Alchemy:
AUS - https://amzn.eu/d/ffna5L1
Follow Stacey McEwan’s Journey:
Website - https://www.staceymcewanbooks.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@staceymcewanbooks
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/staceymcewanbooks/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574240476854
Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader?
The DFRP chapters so far:
• Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame
• Season 2: Onyx Storm Prep
• Season 3: Onyx Storm Deep Dive
• Season 4: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers!
• Hazel McBride, author of A Fate Forged In Fire, interview - https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/9594e5aa-cf8d-4fdb-9ee4-ddd8eb5e9600/Season_3_E18.mp3
• Bree Grenwich & Parker Lennox, authors of Riftborne, Duskbound & The Ascended, interview - https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/9594e5aa-cf8d-4fdb-9ee4-ddd8eb5e9600/S4_DFA_Ep._2__Grenwich__Lennox_FULL_AUDIO.mp3
• Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we’re interviewing next!
• Season 5: Book Reactions & Standalone Coverage — our ongoing collection of bonus book chats, reactions, wild theories, and anything that doesn’t fit into a formal season but absolutely deserve their moment.
• & MORE TO COME!
Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com
DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/
SUPPORT US ON PATREON—AD-FREE & FULL VIDEO EPISODES, BOOK CLUB, & MORE: http://patreon.com/dearfantasyreaderpodcast
JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK
Follow along:
Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod
TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod
YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod
Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod
New regular season episodes drop Thursdays (with early access Wednesdays on Patreon).
Don’t forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!