Devil's Rest Book Club

Hadrian takes offense! In today’s episode the Umandh rebel, Hadrian strikes Gilliam Vas, challenging him to a duel and revealing his palatine status, and Hadrian asks Switch to be his second.  On today’s episode we discuss themes related to subjugation and oppression, self-righteous anger, and empathetic reconciliation.  Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode disc...

Enter, The Quiet! In today’s episode Hadrian we are introduced to Bassander Lin as Hadrian verbally spars with the Chantry at a dinner party, Gilliam Accuses Hadrian of plotting with Valka, and Hadrian learns a the dark secret of the Quiet.  On today’s episode we discuss themes related to betrayal, paranoia, value differences, and suppression of the truth. Quality editing and original music by Cam...

he political tension rises! In today’s episode Hadrian visits an alienage with Valka and the count’s children, Valka and Hadrian continue to become closer, and Hadrian is told to back away from the count’s children by Gilliam Vas.  On today’s episode we discuss themes related to the expression of ethics and responsibility in an authoritarian environment, jealousy, and the gradual growth of loving...

Brothers in arms have been reunited! In today’s episode Hadrian laments at his mistakes that have lead him to be trapped once again in a gilded cage, Hadrian sees the Cilecin he spoke with executed for the triumph he attends, and he meets with Pallino and attempts to reconcile. On today’s episode we discuss themes related to repairing relationships, human worth, image, and the many mistakes that H...

Valka has entered the building! In today’s episode, we discuss the start of Hadrian’s imprisonment in his new gilded cage. Hadrian appears changed by his time in Collosso, and behaves differently at court than he once behaved at Devil’s Rest. He meets the heirs to Emesh, and attends Collosso in the box once again, seeing some he knows fall to the gladiators. Lastly and most important, we meet a Xe...

Finally! Hadrian Marlowe has met his first Cielcin in a most unlikely of places, a cell. In this episode Hadrian’s conflict with Switch continues through lack of communication. As this separation continues, Hadrian finds an opportunity to slip away, using his language skills to talk his way to where the Cielcin is being kept. He has his first conversation with one of the pale, and feels unsure tha...

Victory! Hadrian finally finds home in an unlikely place, Colosso. Hadrian grows closer to his fellow myrmidons, gradually forming a reputation both with his band of brothers, but also individually through his amazing single combat record. As Hadrian’s reputation as being known as “a myrmidon named Had” to the people of Borosevo is fulfilled, he attempts to include more of his band of brothers in...

Colosso once again. Hadrian's in for a real fight this time! Melodrama, sword practice, anxiety and mutual respect. Hadrian definitely makes an impression on his fellow myrmidons this episode as we enter the arena for the first time! On today's episode we discuss the truth about anxiety in life and death situations. We also discuss Hadrian's integration of his youthful idealism with the reality he...

XENOBITES! FINALLY!!! Hadrian has his first encounter with inhumanity and it doesn't go the way he expects! He also ends up burying his best friend/love and stabs a shop keeper before deciding to throw his life away in the ring! Yes, you read that right! This episode is the capstone to Hadrian's life on the street and ends it in tragic fashion! On today's episode we meet the umandh with Hadrian, d...

On this bonus episode, we discuss our thoughts on Shadows Upon Time, the finale of the series. This discussion has a spoiler-free section at the beginning and a revised series pitch! Afterward, we dive deep into the plot, characters, philosophical elements and our feelings about how the series ends! Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Shadows Upon Tim...

It's a hard knock life for Hadrian and Cat! Begging outside of the Chantry's plaza, running from the prefects. But in this episode we focus more on some downtime that the two share! Dreams, wishes and stories are shared but then met with the harsh reality that they both face. We also finally get more context about this Simeon the Red guy we keep hearing about! On today's episode we dive deep into...

In this bonus episode, we discuss our experience at the Shadows Upon Time release gala in Raleigh, NC! What an experience! We loved every second! All shout-outs and links below. Check these folks out! Doomsong Saga Announcement by Christopher Ruocchio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhrZAfwmGf8 Books, Beverages & Besties: https://www.youtube.com/@BooksBeveragesAndBesties INDY Week article on...

A whole new world! A new fantastic point of view! Hadrian is a free man! Homeless, aimless sure…but at least he is free! On today's episode we discuss the disorientation Hadrian must be feeling, cyberpunk space zombies, and the horrors of plague. We discuss the narrative framing, how it keys us into mysteries that we may see later along with mysteries we will never get a true answer for. Hadrian b...

All aboard! Eurynasir Express ready to take Hadrian to Teukros arriving approximately in...13 years?!? On today's episode we leave Delos! The beginning of a new story arc is upon us! these chapters mark the close of their relationship. We discuss the cold vasts amount of space, inconsistent morality on Hadrian's part, and the horror of cryonic fugue! Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Dr...

Now that his mom has his back, there's no way anything could go wrong...right? Will Hadrian have a subtle exit and quietly disappear into the night? Unlikely. On today's episode we continue to examine Hadrian's relationship and portrayal of Crispin as these chapters mark the close of their relationship. We discuss the narrative framing, how it helps us as readers feel the gravity of these moments...

Woof, last chapter was an absolute doozy. Gibson is gone, Hadrian is alone. Or is he? Will hope spring anew or is Hadrian destined to an anagnost's cell? First, he is going to his mom's resort where he will spend the last few weeks on Delos! Relaxing, avoiding hanging out with his little brother. You know, teenager stuff. It is clear that Crispin is not who Hadrian believes him to be in part. We d...

A priest?!? The guy who blew up a sun is going to Seminary?!? I can't imagine what must be going through Hadrian's head as he is being forced to become part of the Future Spanish inquisition! This episode really dives into the meat of the themes that are present throughout the entire series. We have melodramatic teenagers moping on the beach, a plan to escape Dad's big bad seminary plan, an incred...

Now that Hadrian has taken himself out of the succession game, he can spend more of his time drawing Kyra, right? What will he do?? This episode contains our first brush with violence experienced by our narrator. How his family responds becomes the focal point we focus on in these chapters. and we even get a glimpse into some weird issues Hadrian is having with his eyes. Outside of plot, we dissec...

Will our narrator's big play to get back in the succession game work? Maybe? We will have to see! Hadrian may be a great swordsman but he seems to be less adept in the ways of the court! This episode features discussions of cannibalism among aliens, a centuries long war, canny contract negotiations, disappointed fathers and even some gladiatorial games featuring eldritch horrors just to make it th...

There are beginnings listener...and this is one. Our first episode of our Podcast! We dive DEEP into Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio. Chapter one is an absolute banger. This week, we are introduced to our...Hero? Villain? We are unsure. But at the very least he is our narrator, Hadrian Marlowe. We discuss the weight of the first two pages for about an hour and then...

Welcome dear listeners to the trailer and intro to our new series, Devil's Rest Book Club. We are setting out on a detailed re-read of Christopher Ruocchio's The Sun Eater, a modern science fantasy epic. In this first episode, we introduce ourselves as hosts, explain why we believe Sun Eater to be worth your time and generally just rant about the series as a whole. No spoilers though! If you have...