Minds Over Magic

When does choosing your own path become abandoning the people you love? In Episode 4 of our  Onyx Storm  series, we're tackling two characters whose decisions have divided readers: Talia, Xaden's mother, and Andarna. Talia left Xaden when he was just ten years old. But do we know enough about her circumstances to judge her? Andarna leaves Violet to discover more about her own kind. Was she...

Has Dain Aetos finally earned his redemption, or are some betrayals simply too difficult to forgive? This week on  Minds Over Magic , Katya, Chelsea and Katheryn revisit one of the most controversial characters in Rebecca Yarros's  The Empyrean  series. From Dain's betrayal of Violet to the devastating consequences for Liam, we explore whether he's genuinely changed or simply learned t...

Has Xaden Riorson changed beyond recognition in  Onyx Storm , or is he still the same man we knew in  Fourth Wing  and  Iron Flame ? This week on  Minds Over Magic , Katya and Chelsea tackle one of the debates surrounding Xaden's character: has his devotion to Violet overshadowed everything else that once defined him? We explore his shifting priorities, responsibilities to Tyrrendor, friendshi...

Is Violet’s determination to save Xaden an act of love and hope — or is she refusing to face reality? Season 3 begins with  Onyx Storm  and a new voice joining the chaos: Chelsea from  Red Flag Readers ! Katya and Chelsea take opposing sides in one of the debates surrounding Violet in  Onyx Storm : is her refusal to give up on Xaden incredibly romantic, or has hope crossed the line into denial? Th...

We've reached the end of Iron Flame ! In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we explore the psychology behind Chapters 61–66 of Rebecca Yarros' Iron Flame . Together we discuss Lilith's sacrifice, Xaden's impossible decision, Andarna's long-awaited reveal, and what these moments teach us about love, identity, and the choices people make when there are no good options. We also lo...

Can you ever truly know someone? This week we're discussing Chapters 55–60 of Iron Flame and one of the biggest relationship questions in the series: Do we need to know everything about someone to truly trust them? We also explore: Why our minds fill in the gaps when information is missing. Why we still seek our parents' approval as adults. Whether helping those who have wronged us is a re...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we're joined by fantasy author Beth Ann Bautiste to discuss her debut novel, The Scent of Sea and Ash . We talk about Beth's writing journey, the inspiration behind the story, and how she built a world filled with unique cultures, creatures, and magic. Along the way, we explore some of our favourite psychology-inspired topics, including found family, r...

How does our perspective change when we finally experience what someone else has been feeling all along? In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we discuss Chapters 50–54 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros through the lens of psychology. As Violet continues to grow into her leadership role, we explore why it sometimes takes personal experience to truly understand another person's perspective, wheth...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we discuss Chapters 45–49 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. As tensions between riders and gryphon fliers finally boil over, Violet finds herself confronting some uncomfortable truths about jealousy, insecurity, and emotional control. Meanwhile, a long-overdue conversation with Dain raises questions about trust, accountability, and whether damaged relationships...

Violet may be one of the most powerful riders alive, but in Chapters 40–44 of Iron Flame , she discovers that power and control are not the same thing. As Violet begins training her signet with Felix, she is forced to confront the gap between raw potential and true mastery. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Violet and Xaden, riders and fliers are challenged to build trust, and a series of dangerous...

In Chapters 37–39 of Iron Flame , Violet and Xaden are finally back in Aretia, Mira makes a dramatic entrance, and an attempt to raise the wards ends in disappointment. This week, we explore how uncertainty affects the way people think, feel and behave. Why do some people seek intimacy after trauma? Why do groups become suspicious when the systems they rely on start to change? And why can failure...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic, we analyse Chapters 35–36 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros — some of the most emotionally intense chapters in the series so far. As Violet endures Varrish’s interrogation, we explore the psychology of survival under extreme stress, the appearance of Liam during torture, and whether human connection itself can become a psychological lifeline. We also discuss Lili...

Romantasy has exploded over the past few years… but why? In this special bonus episode of Minds Over Magic, we are joined by fantasy author Becky Jane Fox (Veins of Power) to explore romantasy from three different perspectives: the writer, the reader and the psychotherapist. Together, we discuss why romantasy relationships feel so emotionally intense, why readers become deeply attached to fictiona...

In this special episode, we’re joined by author Evan Kidwell to explore the psychology behind his YA fantasy novel Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse . We talk about the inspiration behind the story, the world and its complex social system, and themes like bullying, resilience, ambition, and belonging. We also dive into the idea of found family and how meaningful connections can shape a character’s...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we’re diving into Chapters 31–34 of Iron Flame — the Archives Heist. Jack Barlowe returns… but not as we remember him. Can people really change, or are we too quick to believe in redemption? We also look at the dynamic between Violet and Xaden — what it means to challenge someone without trying to control them, and how trust actually shows up in high-pressure...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic, we’re discussing Chapters 26–30 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. Violet and Xaden are finally making progress — but with Catriona’s arrival, jealousy and insecurity quickly surface. We explore how comparison affects self-worth, why relationships can become complicated even when both people want the same thing, and whether boundaries always help — or sometimes h...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we explore Chapters 21–25 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. From Dain and how we interpret people, to Varrish’s manipulation and the way Basgiath frames harm as “training”, these chapters raise a deeper question: can you trust what you see — or are you being shaped by it? We would love to hear from you! Instagram: @mindsovermagicEmail: mindsovermagicpodcast@gma...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we’re diving into Chapters 16–20 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros — where the pressure really starts to build. Violet is increasingly isolated, forced to hold back the truth to protect those around her… but that kind of silence comes at a cost. From her emotional breaking point with Rhiannon, to her almost-confession to Mira, we explore what happens when everyt...

What happens when a group of highly trained cadets… completely fails to function as a team? In this episode of Minds Over Magic, Katya and Katheryn analyse Chapters 11–15 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros and break down the psychology behind team failure. This wasn’t about skill. It was about ego, mistrust, and communication breaking down under pressure. We dive into:- why “everyone wants to lead” i...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we analyse Chapters 6–10 of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. These chapters take a darker turn as fear, control, and secrecy begin to shape life at Basgiath. From Aetos’ coercive threats to the brutal events on Conscription Day, we explore how power operates, not just through force, but through silence and manipulation. We also break down key psychological themes...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , we begin our discussion of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, analysing Chapters 1–5 (spoilers for Fourth Wing and first five chapters of Iron Flame) and Violet Sorrengail’s psychological shift from survival into responsibility. After the revelations at the end of Fourth Wing , Violet enters a new phase of the story. Instead of simply trying to survive Basgiath, sh...

What happens to grief when you're stuck in survival mode? Can trust ever fully recover after betrayal? And why do Violet and Xaden feel that instant, electric chemistry? In this special Q&A episode of Minds Over Magic , we answer listener questions about the psychology behind Fourth Wing, from trauma and survival to trust, attraction, and complicated family dynamics. Together we explore: W...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , Katya and Katheryn unpack the final two chapters of Fourth Wing (spoilers for Book 1 only). As Violet confronts a fractured reality and Xaden sits with layers of regret, we explore what regret actually does to us. Is it useful? When does it become rumination? And how does it intersect with guilt, shame, and responsibility? We also ask whether someone’s genuine...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , Katya and Katheryn dive into Chapters 36–37 of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (spoilers for Chapters 1–37 only). As the battle at Ressen unfolds, we witness devastating losses that shift the emotional landscape of the story. In these chapters, survival comes at a cost — and not everyone makes it through. From Soleil’s horrifying death at the hands of the venin...

In this episode of Minds Over Magic , Katya and Katheryn unpack Chapters 34–35 of Fourth Wing (spoilers through Chapter 35), where Violet’s world — and her trust — begin to fracture. The truth about venin emerges, secret alliances are revealed, and Violet realises she has been kept in the dark by the people closest to her. But not all betrayals are the same. Xaden withholds information in the name...