Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice

Zodiac Academy, Ruthless Fae (Book 2), Chapters 1-11 PART 2

Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice

Show Notes

” What in the name of Santa sunbathing in a thong are you up to?” - The one and only Geraldine Gruss catching her majesties red handed and covered in dirt in the Wailing Wood. Welcome back to episode 8 (PART 2 of Ruthless Fae Episode 1… confusing, we know) of Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice, a spoiler-free, read-along romantasy podcast. Whether you're a first-time Solarian traveler or a greedy, slippery salmon back for seconds, you fit right in, bae. Madeline (the fan-girling, fast-talking, certified yapper) has read the whole series. And incessantly bugged Josie (the calm, cool professional hater) to start Zodiac Academy. Josie will be reading in real time with you. Providing initial reactions and predictions, while Madeline serves as the guide to help point you along in the right direction. This is a uniquely formatted bookish podcast because we wanted to create a space where you can join the conversation and get in on the action WITHOUT having to finish the book, series, or ENTIRE universe!!!! This week, we're covering chapters 1 through 11 of Ruthless Fae, book 2 of Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, where we’re rising from the ashes of defeat, forged anew, and determined to claim our rightful place in Solaria. We have increased the number of chapters we’re covering per week. This weeks’ coverage will be split into two parts. Part 1 includes a deep-dive recap of chapters 1-8. Part 2 will cover chapters 9-11, the Whimsy and Spice Report, Prophecy Updates, and world building. On this episode we discuss:

Kylie Majors’ major secret #kyliesinsecureandeveryoneknowsit Ass-to-crotch rescue mission from Professor Grumpy Pants HOLES, Wailing Woods Edition 2 inch crystals and spell-bound werewolf flea summoning Updates on Josie’s Prophecies

We want to hear your thoughts, feelings, opinions, and predictions! Text or leave us a voicemail at (323)-612-8008 or email us at [email protected]. And of course, be sure to follow us on Instagram @whimsyspicepod for all the latest updates (and to be slightly entertained sometimes). And please, for the love of the stars, leave us a 5-star review. Xoxo, Madeline and Josie

More from Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice

Oct 21, 2026

“Who eats dry ass porridge oats? He’s like a sad, starving little raccoon. By choice” - Mr. Sunshine, Leon Knight Welcome back to episode 31 of Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice, a spoiler-free, read-along romantasy podcast. Whether you're popping your cherry (gum), or an insatiable, lil monster back for seconds, you fit right in, bae. Madeline (the fan-girling, fast-talking, certified yapper) has read the whole series. And incessantly bugged Josie (the calm, cool professional hater) to start Zodiac Academy. Josie will be reading in real time with you. Providing initial reactions and predictions, while Madeline serves as the guide to help point you along in the right direction. This is a uniquely formatted bookish podcast because we wanted to create a space where you can join the conversation and get in on the action WITHOUT having to finish the book, series, or ENTIRE universe!!!! This week, we're covering chapters 18 through 29 of Vicious Fae, book 3 of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, where Elise finds herse This week, we announce the BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR, deep-dive chapters 18 through 29, have a haunting world building sesh, boot-quaking Prophecy Updates, and the Whimsy and Spice Report. On this episode we discuss:

Oct 16, 2026

“But who I am is possessive. And I want to possess you. Not as an object, Elise, like a demon.” - Ryder Draconis, the starsdamned Lunar King Welcome back to episode 30 of Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice, a spoiler-free, read-along romantasy podcast. Whether you're popping your cherry (gum), or an insatiable, lil monster back for seconds, you fit right in, bae. Madeline (the fan-girling, fast-talking, certified yapper) has read the whole series. And incessantly bugged Josie (the calm, cool professional hater) to start Zodiac Academy. Josie will be reading in real time with you. Providing initial reactions and predictions, while Madeline serves as the guide to help point you along in the right direction. This is a uniquely formatted bookish podcast because we wanted to create a space where you can join the conversation and get in on the action WITHOUT having to finish the book, series, or ENTIRE universe!!!! This week, we're covering chapters 1 through 17 of Vicious Fae, book 3 of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, where Elise finds herse This week, we deep-dive chapters 1 through 17, have a quick world building sesh, boot-quaking Prophecy Updates, and the Whimsy and Spice Report. On this episode we discuss:

Oct 7, 2026

Salutations and welcome to our very first Pepper X Book Club episode, a special side-series where we'll discuss other books we're reading in a more casual format. Think book club over wine with the girls, rather than our usual deep-dive style. For this episode, Madeline is joined by Sarah (@sarahvolumesandvibes) and Lexy (@bookswithlexy) to spin out over "Kiss of the Basilisk", book 1 of the Split or Swallow series by Lindsay Straube for endless laughs and a few takes that might surprise you. This episode is good for a light review before starting "Between Two Kings" (book 2) or "Kneel Before Me" (book 3) if it's been a while since you read. Or if you haven't read it yet due to concerns about the content, you can listen to this episode to get a good feel it. There are some spoilers, but it's a very high- level, conversational style recap, and there will still be shocking surprises to first-time readers who listen to this episode first! In this episode, we discuss:

Sep 30, 2026

“Because I needed some joy in my life like a starving man needed meals. And I planned on gorging myself on him for as long as I could with whatever time I could steal with him.” - Elise “I’ll never pick one man” Callisto Welcome back to episode 28 of Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice, a spoiler-free, read-along romantasy podcast. Whether you're popping your cherry (gum), or an insatiable, lil monster back for seconds, you fit right in, bae. Madeline (the fan-girling, fast-talking, certified yapper) has read the whole series. And incessantly bugged Josie (the calm, cool professional hater) to start Zodiac Academy. Josie will be reading in real time with you. Providing initial reactions and predictions, while Madeline serves as the guide to help point you along in the right direction. This is a uniquely formatted bookish podcast because we wanted to create a space where you can join the conversation and get in on the action WITHOUT having to finish the book, series, or ENTIRE universe!!!! This week we're reviewing Savage Fae, book 2 of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. This episode covers the entire book, but is spoiler-free for the rest of the series. For chapter-by-chapter recaps, check out our last four Savage Fae episodes. This week, we’re joined by Ryann, a NYC based bookish creator obsessed with Zodiac Academy, Xaden (her pup), and consuming an absurd amount of romantasy books. Follow her on Instagram @readingwith.ryann and Tik Tok @readingwithryann for book recs and to join her book club! This week we discuss:

Sep 29, 2026

“You’re Elise Callisto… an angel of vengeance” - Gabriel “boy with The Sight and no Common Sense” Nox Welcome back to episode 27 of Whimsy, Spice, and Sometimes Nice, a spoiler-free, read-along romantasy podcast. Whether you're popping your cherry (gum), or an insatiable, lil monster back for seconds, you fit right in, bae. Madeline (the fan-girling, fast-talking, certified yapper) has read the whole series. And incessantly bugged Josie (the calm, cool professional hater) to start Zodiac Academy. Josie will be reading in real time with you. Providing initial reactions and predictions, while Madeline serves as the guide to help point you along in the right direction. This is a uniquely formatted bookish podcast because we wanted to create a space where you can join the conversation and get in on the action WITHOUT having to finish the book, series, or ENTIRE universe!!!! This week, we're covering chapters 28 through 43 of Savage Fae, book 2 of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, where more mysteries are popping up than moles in a smack-a-mole game at the faerie fair. This week, we deep-dive chapters 28 through 43, have a quick world building sesh, insane Prophecy Updates, and the Whimsy and Spice Report. On this episode we discuss:

See all episodes →