We’re completing the Old Kingdom trilogy and becoming Abhorsens in our own right. We discuss Lirael’s interiority, forgive Sam for his book 2 failings, start a cult dedicated to Mogget worship, and consider how this series helped inspire the current YA fantasy horror boom. We went to the ninth gate and returned, what did you do this weekend? And remember: nothing says fell necromancy like a lightning farm.

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Our other Old Kingdom and Garth Nix episodes:

Sabriel (very first episode of the podcast, listen at your own risk)

Sabriel (Redux)

Lirael

The Ragwitch

Mister Monday

Sabriel concept art by Josh Wong

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Sir Simon has us in his thrall! The Castle in the Attic remains a pure delight, bringing out the child searching for a magical miniature castle in us both. We discuss Sir Simon’s bizarre (yet winning) quirks, the joys of soft boy William, and the key ways that fictional parents disrupt fantasy narratives. Put a mouse to roast over your tiny fire - it’s time to defeat an evil wizard.

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We finally finish a series! Trickster’s Queen brings the many threads of political intrigue loose in the Copper Isles to a satisfying (if predictable) conclusion. We discuss the coziness of a perfect fantasy regime change and how overly rosy depictions of righted systemic injustices both help and harm the readers. Perfect spy blobs, spice intolerance, crow-man coming of age, and so, so many reports to write - a little of something for everyone.

Be sure to listen to our Trickster’s Choice episode before this one, we cover the series’ worldbuilding in depth (this ep is more focused on narrative structure and characterization).

Thanks to everyone who has requested we finish this duology!

Westmark has it all - political intrigue, long cons, a dashing leader of the revolution, and two months in a garret writing other people’s letters. We discuss Lloyd Alexander’s fast-paced opening to the Westmark trilogy and why it feels like classic fantasy in spite of its lack of true fantasy elements. Join us in breaking down Theo’s soft boy protagonist appeal, the power of an irrepressible urchin, and the bad monarchies of life and literature. Count Las Bombas is offering you an elixir, drink it all up!

Thanks to all the listeners who have requested Westmark!

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We’re covering the first two books of Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest series, The Forests of Silence and The Lake of Tears! Deltora brings out the best in us; we rave about the impeccable art, wild pacing and grotesque monsters as we travel the kingdom searching for hidden gems. Scholastic book fairs, reading positions we’ve aged out of, fights about Beyoncé - this episode has it all. Join us!

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Welcome to Middle Grade March! This episode, we’re following siblings Nizhoni and Mac Begay as they save their dad from monstrous coal exec Mr. Charles. They discover their similarities to the Hero Twins of Navajo legend and explore their burgeoning abilities through increasingly challenging trials. Grace and Madeleine discuss preferred middle school-age magical weapons, the power of a snarky little brother, and just how many pastas can be combined in a single dish. We also examine the ways this book is controversial, share the opinions of Navajo/Diné scholars and consider ways we can be respectful readers while honoring lines of disclosure. Join us!

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NOT RECOMMENDED: Rebecca Roanhorse's RACE TO THE SUN by Michael Thompson

The Sci-Fi Author Reimagining Native History by Lila Shapiro

‘The Elizabeth Warren of the Sci Fi Set’ - Author faces criticism for repeated use of tribal traditions by Acee Agoyo

Rebecca Roanhorse on Which Aspects of Diné Culture are Featured in Trail of Lightning by Stubby / Reactor Mag

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A special lil episode on the enigmatic Grendel, by John Gardner! After covering The Snow-Walker’s Son and considering ancient Nordic literary monsters, Grace was compelled to revisit this darkly comedic retelling of Beowulf from his foe’s perspective. Joining her is Ranae Hanson, author, activist, and top-notch mother-in-law. Curl up in your watery cave and join us!

Celebrate Valentine’s with this fascinating, bizarre and indelible tale of love among young witches - we’re reading The Changeover, by Margaret Mahy! We meet Laura Chant and her young brother Jacko, who are living a mostly-peaceful life in the Christchurch suburbs punctuated by Laura’s “warnings,” psychic premonitions that never bode well. When an ancient demon disguised as a terrifying shopkeeper places his mark on Jacko and begins extracting his life force, Laura enlists local teen oddball (and prefect) Sorry Carlisle, who seems to have more than a touch of magic about him. Laura and Sorry discover a path forward that places Laura firmly in her own power and brings them closer together. Children of divorce, teen awkwardness, Enya-esque rituals and more than one romance novel wait inside (all wrapped up in Mahy’s exceptional prose) - join us!

Thanks to all the listeners who requested this and brought Mahy into our lives!

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We’re getting into our frigid sailboat and exploring The Snow-Walker’s Son, by Catherine Fisher! Jessa and Thorkil are banished to a forgotten hall in the far North when their fathers attempt to overthrow the current jarl, a pretender to the throne. The false jarl happens to be married to Gudrun, a terrifying ice sorceress who previously sent her own son to the same dark fate. Her son Kari is said to be a twisted monster, but Jessa and Thorkil discover that he’s much more complex - and get swept up in a plot to right Gudrun’s many wrongs. Grace and Madeleine delve deep into Grendel parallels, the potential alignment of a snake that encircles the world, and continue to love a cold witch. Join us!

Note - This is the first book in what is now packaged as a single volume titled Snow-Walker.

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Grendel by John Gardner

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We’re overwhelmed with holiday spirit and we’re releasing this Babetreon episode on the main feed! *Please note that unlike our main feed, this episode is explicit.

The sibling squabbling is at an all-time high as Grace tries to force Madeleine to enjoy a Christmas film. Happy Hogswatch!