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281 – Melissa Albert & The Howling Strangeness
Melissa Albert’s novel may be called The Children, but it’s certainly not for kids.
This is a story about the dark creativity behind bright make-believe,
about the pretty lies of childhood and the brutal truths of growing up. It’s
about writers and writing and as you’ll hear me point out, it does for fantasy
fiction what Stephen King’s Misery did for Gothic romance.
And by god do we talk about all of that. As well as celebrating a character that I believe to be one of the best “bad-mothers” in recent fiction (and the secret hero of the book!)
But maybe that’s just me. I’m twisted.
Enjoy.
Other books mentioned:
The Hazel Wood (2018), by Melissa Albert
The Magicians (2009), by Lev Grossman
Daytide (2026), by Chris Panatier
When You Reach Me (2009) by Rebecca Stead
Fangirl (2013), by Rainbow Rowell
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (2026), by Ilona Andrews
Support Talking Scared on Patreon
Check out the Talking Scared Merch line – at VoidMerch
Come talk books on Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram, or email direct to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By Neil McRobert
4.9
307307 ratings
Melissa Albert’s novel may be called The Children, but it’s certainly not for kids.
This is a story about the dark creativity behind bright make-believe,
about the pretty lies of childhood and the brutal truths of growing up. It’s
about writers and writing and as you’ll hear me point out, it does for fantasy
fiction what Stephen King’s Misery did for Gothic romance.
And by god do we talk about all of that. As well as celebrating a character that I believe to be one of the best “bad-mothers” in recent fiction (and the secret hero of the book!)
But maybe that’s just me. I’m twisted.
Enjoy.
Other books mentioned:
The Hazel Wood (2018), by Melissa Albert
The Magicians (2009), by Lev Grossman
Daytide (2026), by Chris Panatier
When You Reach Me (2009) by Rebecca Stead
Fangirl (2013), by Rainbow Rowell
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (2026), by Ilona Andrews
Support Talking Scared on Patreon
Check out the Talking Scared Merch line – at VoidMerch
Come talk books on Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram, or email direct to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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