i have been a listener to the pod since the beginning & have really enjoyed the coverage… until now. it’s so clear that they have been bought out and have changed. ads flood the pod, even contained within the actual coverage of the book. it’s annoying but something you can get through. the thing that truly bugs me, there is no critical analysis of the books. this podcast is now a fluff piece for whatever author that they have the chance to befriend. what happened to “cauldron boil me”? it seems like they are scared to say anything bad or their true thoughts/opinions. it’s a shame, i feel like they lost the plot of their own podcast.

I recently heard about this podcast on TikTok and thought I would give it a listen. I love When the Moon Hatched and was excited that you did a deep dive of it. I listened to the series and it was amazing. You answered so many questions I had and made me LOVE this book even more than I originally did. Thank you so much for what you do and I look forward to listening to all the deep dives into my favorite books.

Every episode starts with 3 minutes of ads, then 10 minutes in, does another 5 minutes? Way too much. I can’t even recommend this without having people complain to me.

I love listening to Nicole and Lexie’s very thoughtful coverage of acotar. Their love for the books is so apparent and they’re just so good at dissecting literature. Listening to their takes makes me love the books even more.

This podcast was recommended to me by a fellow book lover and I was really excited to hear theories about onyx storm. However, I could only make it about 40 minutes in before calling it quits because of ALL THE ADS it’s honestly ridiculous

You have to read the ENTIRE book before listening to ANY episode. And they post spoilers on their social media. Do not listen to them!

I hardly ever write reviews (or read them, I like to make my own opinions and not let others sway me) but after seeing on IG that FFG might have gotten some mean comments I had to come on here to spread the love! I’ve been a listener/viewer from day 1 and have loved seeing the growth over the years. No one else dives as deeeeeeeep as Lexi & Nicole and is as creative and passionate about what they do. They laugh because they are having fun, and that joy helps me to not take everything so seriously. On the flip side, they handle sensitive topics with care and aren’t afraid to share vulnerable aspects of their own lives and how they relate to the characters. They also do not shy away from saying when they don’t love the way a specific plot point turned out or if something doesn’t quite make sense with the story (cauldron boil me!) but they are always respectful and try to see a situation from all sides. I look forward to their episodes each week and will go back to them for a refresh when a new book in a series is coming out. Before FFG I didn’t have an outlet for enjoying fantasy in this way and I love getting to be a part of the larger community. All the love from a fellow Colorado girlie. xoxo

Needed this show after ACOSH and Onyx Storm- aaaaaaalll the stars

I truly love this podcast, I enjoy seeing a happy fun sisterly bond over books. I feel like part of a group when I listen to them and enjoy watching them grow and try new things. I may not live all the books covered but that’s the fun of reading we can all love what we love. I listen to a few different book podcasts but this one I look forward to.

FFG has now gone the way of every popular podcast that takes off. Starts out humble, unique, exciting, and engaging. The podcast then becomes so popular that ads (from sponsors and the host’s own products) take over. I will continue to listen to ACOTAR and Fourth Wing coverage. But I just listened to an episode where the ad was built into the discussion and episode. It’s so gross and FFG has lost the plot. It has also become obvious that the hosts have become an ad for the authors themselves. There are no critical or differing opinions discussed. Not EVERY book is 5 stars and it’s okay! But you won’t hear that here because the hosts gotta get their bag from the authors. Which is fine, just not the same as when they started!

I really, really want to like this podcast. Huge fan of the books that they cover. I have tried more than once to listen to them, but it’s really just insufferable. Loud, screechy, performative. It’s really a shame because I think that they have some really valid and insightful things to share, but they’re just intolerable to listen to. I wish that they would just talk about the books without the hysterics every three sentences.

I want to like this podcast but there is a major issue for me. It’s jarring to listen to because the one host has a pleasant more soft spoken voice so I turn up the volume so I can hear her but then the other host laughs SO loud for no reason and it’s very annoying. The podcast is not a comedy podcast so I don’t understand why she is laughing so much. It’s kinda like listening to a calming YouTube video and then the loud commercial starts and totally ruins it. I just read some other reviews and many are saying the same exact thing about the laughing. They are older reviews so i guess they aren’t reading them.

Love getting to explore these books deeper!

Love them. But please PLEASE do not do books like you did Burn. As much as I waited for this book I was so looking forward to your recap and deep dives. How you did this killed it for me. I couldn’t finish it. You reading it in time as you recorded and all the stupid theories lost me as someone who finished the book. These episodes were super long BECAUSE of the theories that made no sense with those of us that finished the book. Will continue to listen but not if you do more deep dives like Burn. Disappointed in book AND this deep dive….

I love this read along coverage of Burn of the Everflame. I’ve actually been slowing my reading of this book to keep pace with your episodes because I so love the pause to think an analyze mid book with you all. (Even though I don’t always agree 😉) keep up the great work. Can I suggest web of bias and vengeance next? Final book coming out next spring.

I really really love the read along style you’re doing for the Burn of the Everflame! I hope you do it for more books!!!

I enjoy this pod and appreciate all of the hard work that goes into it. I just wish that a little more effort was given to making sure that words (standard English words, not just made up words found in the novels) were pronounced correctly and the correct usage of I/me, he/him, she/her was implemented. It is, for example, incorrect to say "from Lexi and I." These kinds of mistakes are distracting and undercut the evident care and energy these two women put into their work.

I loved this podcast so much. I started listening during their first season and bought from their first merch drop. Was one of the early patreon subscribers. I am so sad that it has become so scripted. What I loved about the show was that it felt light and fun and there were some super silly moments that felt genuine between the two sisters. Over time even the jokes have started to feel extremely scripted and everything has become so prescribed and frenetic. It’s like they are trying to replace the fun spontaneity with an excessive amount of energy. I get that a lot of research happens for the deep dives but would love if they adopted the format of one person researching and one ad libbing each episode or they just have their talking points and then have a genuine conversation about it within each section of the episode. I also second what some have said about the episode lengths. It’s gotten crazy!

I have enjoyed the deep dives, but the Burn of the Everflame coverage has made for an exceptionally fun reading experience! It’s like having two besties to gush about the book (and Luther) as I’m reading and theorize what may happen next. Nicole and Lexi have changed the way I read and I’m so thankful for their content!

New listener here, and here because I can’t bare doing the ACOTAR re-reads and you girls are SAVING me. Love the humor and the depth - was shocked to see some of the latest comments so yeah - keep “cackling” girls ;) you’re doing amazing!

I want to like this podcast because I love to dig deeper into these books….. but I can’t get past the ear piercing cackling over stuff that’s not funny, the redundant recapping of the books (I read the book already), or the bets I don’t care about. I want More critical reviews and discussion about plots and characters.

…do we need a 4 hour episode for coverage on 5 chapters? (Looking at you Burn of the Everflame coverage) I appreciate the passion and I would love to listen (because I want to listen to their analysis and reflect with the community) but who has 4 hours to listen to an episode AND read the book!? Also- the fake laughing/cackling is really distracting. It feels very put on and scripted.

I used to love this podcast. The deep dives into my favorite books help me relive and stay in these fantasy worlds. It’s a great mix of being lighthearted and deep. I’m majorly struggling with the length of the episodes. I used to think 2.5 hours was long but this week an episode clocked in at over 4 hours. Plus two episodes released each week. That’s the equivalent of a short audiobook every week I would lose out on just listening to the podcast. I wish there was some more critical feedback on the stories. I think we can love a book or series but still have complaints when things don’t work or don’t make sense and instead I feel like we only are getting PR for the books. I understand why but it’s getting less engaging over time. Skip some of the blow by blow recap x 10. I still love them just won’t be listening every week even for my most favorite of series. I think I’ll use them still for one off episodes like prepping me for reading new books in a series.

I thought I would enjoy this podcast as they cover some of my favorite books. But nope. I can’t stand it. It feels overly scripted and they are loud and obnoxious with their laughing. The ads are too much and annoying. Done with the podcast.

I tell everyone I know to read fantasy books and listen to these two. Lexi and Nicole are brilliant, funny, compassionate, and SO GOOD at bringing all perspectives to these books with respect and heart. These episodes add so much JOY and fun to new book releases and beloved series!! Thank you for all you do!!

This podcast is giving me so much life in such an isolating and challenging postpartum season. So thrilled and thankful to have found you!

I love the concept of this podcast and I love the books they are covering. However it is difficult to listen given how scripted the show is. I wish there was a bit more whimsy/less structure. It just reads like an overly descriptive book report. I do wish there was also critical feedback on the books -they aren’t perfect, so they should be broken down as such.

I absolutely love the Fantasy Fan Girls podcast. They are so entertaining, funny, and relatable, and they make books feel super approachable. I’ve honestly never really explored bookish podcasts before, even though I knew they existed, but something about these girls just immediately spoke to me. They feel like my people. Listening to them has really helped me unpack different themes and topics in the stories I love, while also making the experience so much more fun. It feels like I have people I can talk to about my favorite books, theories, predictions, and all the little Easter eggs that are easy to miss. They bring everything to life in such an engaging way and make being part of the book community even better. I look forward to every episode and genuinely love all of their content. Highly recommend to any fantasy reader looking for a fun and thoughtful take on books.

This is the only podcast I have ever given my money to. I run a book club that loves romantasy books and listening to these girls really helps. Their insight, humor, and selections really take reading to another level!

It’s so much fun to follow along with these sisters’ reads. I love their deep dives and episode prep episodes so much. They are funny, but also pull out the most poignant parts of every book.

Their deep dives are wonderful! They always bring up some new detail of the books that help me enjoy them more, even sometimes introducing me to a new plot point or theory. It is like discussing the book with an insightful close friend.

I used to really love this podcast. The deep dives, the crazy theories and the pulling at threads to craft some really interesting discussions hooked me in and I was having a great time listening each week. Unfortunately, none of those things that made me originally love the podcast exist anymore. Everything is extremely scripted and over the top. Not an ounce of critical feedback can be heard because Nicole and Lexie have relationships with the authors so they instead just gush about the “delicious tension” and “beautiful world building” but don’t dare to dip a toe into what didn’t work or what could have been done better or the glaring plot holes. Because there isn’t any critical engagement with the material, it ends up being 2+ hours of painstaking recapping of what happened. I know what happened. I read the book. I want the podcast to engage the material in a meaningful way like it used to instead of fluffy lumped on praise, scripted punchlines, cackling at things that are not funny, and ads upon ads upon ads. Even the moments that are meant to be heartfelt where they discuss a touchpoint to their own lives are so scripted to the point it feels disingenuous. I want to hear them have an actual discussion about the content of the book, not read from their respective scripts. I hope the ladies take some time to get back to what made the podcast great to begin with because I really miss those days.

These girls really analyze every detail and pick up on all the tiny clues! It’s so helpful to listen to them again before a new release!

I’m late to the Fourth Wing/ Empyrean series and going back to the beginning to listen because I love all the theories and deep dives. What makes this podcast better than another I started is the sisters have done plenty of research and prep for the episodes which although long are very interesting the whole time! Can’t wait to also listen to ACOTAR, which will probably make me reread it! Great job fangirls!!

This podcast is SO FUN!!! Nicole and Lexi make me laugh out loud every week, and on top of that, they give me a fresh perspective on the romantasy books I love. If you are a fan of ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, Spark of the Everflame, and more… the FFG podcast is a must-listen!

I found this podcast after reading ACOTAR in 2024! Lexie and Nicole are so entertaining and they have enhanced my reading experiences over the last two years. I love their deeeeeep dives and their commitment to their craft 📚 ❤️

This podcast is part of my weekly Monday routine! Lexi and Nicole are hilarious, and make each episode feel like a convo with your book bestie. Their deep dives are so detailed and well thought-out. I now read books in an entirely new way, and have even more respect for authors taking us readers on a journey. A true must listen for us book girlies!

I have to admit that I have never heard of y’all, so call it kismet that you showed up on the landing page of my Apple podcast app with The Ballad of Falling Dragons, the book that I have anxiously, in-patiently been waiting for for over a year now! I love When the Moon Hatched with my whole heart, so I jumped right in with zero hesitation, and I loved it! Great show, ladies. Now I have to see what else you have.

I can never get tired of them. They are too funny and so energetic. They make my day. And the deep dives! I mean it’s insane!!!! Love it!!!!

Love this podcast!! I’m new to it, but love revisiting my favorite books. The hosts are WONDERFUL and I just love listening! Great podcast to binge!

I appreciate all the work that goes into these deep dives and it’s helped me understand world building in a way that I wasn’t getting before. Love the banter and the bets and the theories. Occasionally I’m laughing so hard I have to go to YouTube to watch the video! One thing I wish Lexi and Nicole would do is take a little bit of time to look up pronunciations and make sure they’re pronouncing them correctly during recording. To hear the name Maura pronounced “Moy-ra” and Forging pronounced “Foraging”in the Kindreds Curse coverage is frustrating.

I wanted to enjoy following along for refreshers on certain series in preparation or new releases, but cannot get past the annoying screaming, the “Hazas”, and incessant cackling. This could be such a great podcast if they toned it down.

Love this podcast and all the book coverage. I have learned so much and analyze while reading now. The banter between sisters is my favorite as well!

Oh man I’ve loved this podcast for so long but the Loudest screaming and what sounds like fake cackling and laughing is incredibly jarring and so loud.

I used to LOVE listening to FFG on my Monday mornings but in the last few months I have found myself unable to get through even PART of an episode (why are they three hours!!?). There are. So. Many. Ads. Not only for outside sponsorships but their own personal promo too for various patreons, discord, etc. I’m not trying to be sold anything or buy into something - I just want to listen to someone talk about my favorite books! It’s incredible they’ve been able to turn this into a living for themselves but holy moly. It’s like they sold out and it feels so transactional now. Also, the screaming/obnoxious cackling has been the deciding factor in switching to another podcast. It’s SO overwhelming, I turn it off the first moment that happens.

If you love fantasy books - these girls are IT!!! A must listen, you won’t regret the thousands of hours of deep dives you listen to

I really enjoy this podcast and the deep dives. I appreciate the time and detail that goes into each episode! My only issues stem from the INSANE amount of ads. When I first started listening, you had to skip through 7+ minutes of ads at the beginning of each episode. Now it’s even worse! Not only are there 7 mins in the beginning, but the constant interruption of 5 min ads, plus them constantly plugging all their appearances and patron levels/welcomes..it’s almost too much. At least put it all together at the end and make it all at one consistent volume level. It’s all so jarring and completely takes you out of the listening experience

I miss the days when I liked this podcast. The episodes have become more scripted, less focused on discussing the book and more so on reiterating world building, and there are now a ludicrous amount of ads. I love book podcasts that discuss things like pacing, character development, writing style, etc. and I appreciate it when hosts aren’t afraid to say what didn’t work for them or what didn’t make sense. This podcast doesn’t really do any of that. They go through the plot basically beat by beat and go over the world building in agonizing detail. I don’t really see the point of that since I read the book. They aren’t bringing any new information or insight. It’s like re-reading the book but worse. Personally I always struggle with podcasts that feel scripted, but the way they present topics is so obviously scripted and pumped up with what feels like fake energy. Theres no room for anything organic, there’s no room to breathe. When episodes clock in at around three hours that really starts to grate on the nerves. Also, I do think some books led themselves to a “deep dive” better than others. The Fourth Wing books are kind of built for wild speculation. Other books they’ve covered, not so much. Finally, the ads. There are so many and there’s no transition so you don’t know when they’re coming so you it’s harder to skip ahead. I’m guessing that’s on purpose to force people to listen to the ads (I think one of the hosts has a marketing background so maybe that’s a trick of the trade?) All of this together makes the podcast, which I once really enjoyed, a frustrating listen.

One of the best deep dive podcasts out there! Lexi and Nicole are not only hilarious but also truly insightful deep divers.

I’ve listened to all FFG episodes minus the Penn Cole series. I now find myself forgetting an episode is even coming out these days. I could hardly get through brimstone coverage for the screaming and arguing setting off my nervous system. I DNF most episodes. Now, I think I speak for the majority of us when I say 1. I don’t need a TOG fan guide because I’ve already read it 2. No one needs a TOG fan guide because you don’t need to know anything to read it…. Just pick an order and read the books. If fan guides are the direction the podcast is going my friends and I have no interest.