Fantology

The gang is all here! The full cast of the Fantology Five share news tidbits from the fantasy landscape, answer mailbag questions and then kick off our next bracket competition - Top Fantasy Villains. Some mild spoilers surface here, although we do our best to keep our descriptions vague. What makes a good villain, why don't we have more of them and most importantly who's rankings are best? Plus, a PSA about the dangers of consuming content at high speeds that some Fantology members have apparently ignored. Next Up: Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan Followed By: Dead Beat by Jim Butcher Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

HBO's adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials got off to a fantastic start with a strong first season. Tune in as Josh and Stephen offer their opinions and reviews. The acting was memorable, the setting and filming was breathtaking and the budgeting was more than adequate! It's not Game of Thrones, but it's not intended to be. Instead the show was magnificent in its own right. Plus, the Lin-Manuel dream cast in the Kingkiller Chronicles TV show - who would he play? Next Up: May Fantasy News + Top 5 Character Rankings Followed By: Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

The Sixth entry into the Dresden Files wraps exceptional character growth in a disappointingly adequate plot. The series is now set-up for explosive entries, but it took a few rough patches in this book to get there. However, there were some amazing and memorable moments too - who can't appreciate holy water balloons and vampire being crushed by frozen turkeys? Plus, Stephen & Josh's favorite Dresden moment is coming up in the next book. What will Ben think of it? Next Up: His Dark Materials Season 1 from HBO Followed By: May Fantasy News + Top 5 Character Rankings Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Blood of Empire concludes the second of Brian McClellan's two Powder Mage trilogies. Stephen and Ryan recap the first two Gods of Blood and Powder books before breaking down the exciting conclusion. If you're looking for a nice combination of military fantasy, political machinations and well defined magic all wrapped around a layer of frontier flintlock fantasy, then this is the series for you! Plus, it's usually a good thing when a book reminds you of Brent Weeks' Lightbringer series...right? Next Up: Blood Rites by Jim Butcher Followed By: His Dark Materials Season 1 from HBO Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

The fifth installment of Dresden Files introduces our favorite plotline and enemy yet: the Fallen Angel Denarians. These guys cause major trouble for Harry and Chicago as they threaten to unleash the literal plague across the world. No word if they had a hand in COVID-19. Once again, Dresden will have to rely on his friends and reach into his bag of tricks in order to save the world! Plus, book your tickets now for our Dresden tour of Chicago! Next Up: Blood of Empire by Brian McClellan Followed By: Blood Rites by Jim Butcher Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Joe Abercrombie continues to impress Ryan, Ben & Stephen with his first stand-alone novel, Best Served Cold. This is a brutal and bloody tale of vengeance crafted by a master storyteller. Not only does this book contain many memorable moments, but it also has us reflecting on the nature of good and evil and how we as humans deal with the tragedies of life. Our characters here don't necessarily deal with them well, as they're all tragically flawed although no less compelling for it. Plus, Cosca: lovable mercenary or mask-requiring wholesale conglomerate? Next Up: Death Masks by Jim Butcher Followed By: Blood of Empire by Brian McClellan Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Dan & Nathan are back to chat with Stephen and break down the minutiae of the Harry Potter-verse. Apologies for the significant audio issues, some hexes are so strong that not even post-production editing can fix them! However, persevere and listen to our takes on Lockhart, Quidditch broom imbalance, Ron's broken wand and the state of house elf affairs. Plus, Stephen's strange connection to de-gnoming. Next Up: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie Followed By: Death Masks by Jim Butcher Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

In this special edition Stephen, Ben and Josh supplement the low amount of news in Covid-19 April with their All-Time Top Five Fantasy Series Rankings. NO SPOILERS! Any book that makes a list like this is exemplary and deserves to be read, but with three different opinions on all time top five we couldn't help but drag each other's favorites through the mud. Just kidding... Kinda. Let us know what your favorite series are and where our opinions are completely off base! Skip to 9:00 for the Top 5 Series Rankings. Stephen: 1.Stormlight 2.Wheel of Time 3.Lightbringer 4.First Law 5.Kingkiller Ben: 1.Cosmere 2.Wheel of Time 3.Harry Potter 4.First Law 5.Red Rising Josh: 1.Mistborn 2.Harry Potter 3.Lord of the Rings 4.Dark Tower 5.Dresden Files HM: Gentleman Bastards, Farseer, Licanius, Stardust, Emperor's Soul Next Up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling Followed By: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

The Dresden Files train continues to pick up speed for Ben, Stephen & Josh in the fourth book of the series. Summer Knight introduces the fae courts in force, as Harry once again is the only wizard for hire that can prevent the annihilation of Chicago. Faeries, vampires & wizards...oh my! Plus, Harry Dresden or Harry Potter, which series handles muggles better? Next Up: Top 5 Series + April Fantasy News Followed By: Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Book 3 of The Wheel of Time takes the series to new heights according to our host Stephen, expert Jake & first-time reader Kaden. The guys provide their unique perspectives on the characters and plot as they break down the action from The Dragon Reborn. No series spoilers, but be prepared to hear all the details of this book! Plus, comparisons to The Ocarina of Time & Animorphs and too bad Rand Al'Thor never watched National Treasure! Next Up: Summer Knight by Jim Butcher Followed By: Top 5 Series + April Fantasy News Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King