In our first episode of 2026, Books Between Friends is diving into Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard—and we’re officially entering a world divided by blood.

In this kickoff episode, we cover Red Queen Chapters 1–5, where we meet Mare Barrow, a girl living in a society split between Silvers with godlike powers and powerless Reds who exist to serve them. What starts as a familiar dystopian setup quickly turns into something… electrifying.

We break down the worldbuilding, the rigid class system, and that shocking early reveal that changes everything. Plus, we discuss first impressions of Mare as a protagonist, the political implications already bubbling beneath the surface, and whether Red Queen feels more dystopian, fantasy, or something in between.

Grab your bookmarks and join us as we begin our Red Queen journey—because this world wastes no time pulling you in.

Welcome to our final episode before the new year hits! When we talk about expansive world building, great magic systems, and complex and interesting characters, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series most definitely hits the mark from our catalog of 2025. Join us for this Greatest Hits episode as we dive into Sanderson's world of political intrigue, incredible heist plots, and a badass magic system found in Mistborn: The Final Empire.

This is our next installment of our greatest hits from 2025! What better way to nerd out with book friends than by discussing this dark urban, portal fantasy from V.E. Schwab. Come travel with us, book friends... As Travars!