Fiction Fanatics

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered if you're more of a vampire enthusiast or a werewolf warrior at heart? We're stirring the pot of pop culture this week with a playful examination of these nocturnal beings, starting with a throwback to the '80s classic "Teen Wolf." 

Prepare your inner bookworm for a treat as we dive into Ali Hazelwood's "Bride," our tantalizing book of the month. With its promise of vampires, werewolves, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers antics, it's a literary feast you won't want to miss. Our discussion meanders through the moonlit lore of pop culture's most beloved werewolves, from Harry Potter's Remus Lupin to "Teen Wolf's" charming shapeshifters. Hollywood has given us many faces of the supernatural, but none as enduring as these furry heartthrobs, whose legacies we explore amidst tales of personal celebrity run-ins and on-screen portrayals that have us hotly debating their seductive allure.

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Ever found yourself drawn into the magnetic world of a fantasy series, only to become embroiled in the lives of its characters like they're old friends? That's exactly what happened to us with Sarah J. Maas's 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' series. As we jump into the fray, we're dishing out a feisty analysis of Feyre's journey and her complex relationships, comparing it to the fervor of Maas's 'Throne of Glass'. From our first impressions swayed by the book's buzz to our evolving perspectives on character likability, we're dissecting what makes these fictional beings tick and how they capture our hearts—or sometimes don't.

Get ready to explore part two of this amazing series Nerds!

Summary:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

*Summary from Goodreads*

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Ever found yourself drawn into the magnetic world of a fantasy series, only to become embroiled in the lives of its characters like they're old friends? That's exactly what happened to us with Sarah J. Maas's 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' series. As we jump into the fray, we're dishing out a feisty analysis of Feyre's journey and her complex relationships, comparing it to the fervor of Maas's 'Throne of Glass'. From our first impressions swayed by the book's buzz to our evolving perspectives on character likability, we're dissecting what makes these fictional beings tick and how they capture our hearts—or sometimes don't.

Get ready to explore part one of this amazing series Nerds!

Summary:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

*Summary from Goodreads*

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Get ready Nerds and plug in, because we're celebrating Gallentines Day with a heart-filled episode of romance and fantasy! Our conversation whirls from the sticky-sweet intricacies of romance novel tropes to the intoxicating allure of dark fantasy romances.  Plus, we're dissecting our slow-burn book of the month—patience, dear listeners, good things come to those who wait for worlds to build. Whether it's a classic enemies-to-lovers setup or an unexpected werewolf-vampire romance, rest assured we've got the hot takes and the hearty laughs to fuel your literary fire. 

 Curl up and join us for a journey through the pages of our lives and bookshelves, where laughter is abundant, and every story is an ode to the things we love most.

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Chanel, Ashley, and Stacy do not discuss a book this episode but we do get in to fantasy books with our special guest Nora! Join us, where each page turn in our discussion unveils the celebration of love in its myriad forms and the connection we find within the fictional worlds we adore.

Follow us at https://instagram.com/fanficfanaticspod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=,  https://www.facebook.com/fanficfanaticspod/, and https://twitter.com/Fanfic_Fanatics.

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Hey Nerds, Stacy, Chanel, and Ashley discuss the second part of You, Again by the amazing Kate Goldbeck. We had Kate on a while back to discuss her fabulous debut novel! This romcom set in New York City gives us the perfect amount of nostalgia with witty banter. Will Ari and Josh get their happily ever after??

Summary:
Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?

When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly.

A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, and she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, and make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common . . . except that they happen to be sleeping with the same woman.

Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you’re too sad to hate each other—and too sad for hate sex.

As friends-without-benefits, they find comfort in late-night Netflix binges, swiping through each other’s online dating profiles, and bickering across boroughs. It’s better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur. . . .

*Summary from Penguin Random House*

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Hey Nerds, Stacy, Chanel, and Ashley discuss the first part of You, Again by the amazing Kate Goldbeck. We had Kate on last week to discuss this fabulous debut novel! This romcom set in New York City gives us the perfect amount of nostalgia with witty banter. Will Ari and Josh get their happily ever after??

Summary:
Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?

When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly.

A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, and she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, and make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common . . . except that they happen to be sleeping with the same woman.

Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you’re too sad to hate each other—and too sad for hate sex.

As friends-without-benefits, they find comfort in late-night Netflix binges, swiping through each other’s online dating profiles, and bickering across boroughs. It’s better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur. . . .

*Summary from Penguin Random House*

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Hey Nerds, have you ever wondered what it's like to leap from the world of fanfic to the shelves of your local bookstore? The enchanting Kate Goldbeck joins us to recount her metamorphosis from fanfiction aficionado to the author of the bewitching novel "You Again." We wade through the complexities of reimagining beloved characters for a whole new audience, and the shift from the fanfic community's embrace to the terrain of traditional publishing. Kate's insights illuminate the dedication required to breathe new life into well-loved tropes and the delicate balance of staying true to the fanfic spirit while courting mainstream success.

If you're hankering for a tantalizing tale of love, laughter, and the occasional sprinkle of life's bittersweet symphonies, Kate's "You Again" is a rendezvous you won't want to miss. Join us for a podcast episode that's a love letter to storytelling, a toast to personal growth, and, above all, a tribute to the books that make us swoon.

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

Hey Nerds, brace yourselves for a splash of newness with our snazzy rebrand to "Fiction Fanatics," complete with our own candid shots in the logo! The show's evolution promises more than just new visuals; it serves up a heaping helping of comedic genius, heartfelt acknowledgments, and aspirations to delve into future bookish discussions and author interviews. Are supporting characters the unsung heroes of our beloved tales? We're tipping our hats to them, diving into the essence of their wit, and how it intertwines with the fabric of narratives like "You Again" (our January book of the month).

We wrap with a heartfelt shoutout to everyone who's hopped aboard our 2023 podcast train. From the laugh-out-loud moments, to the cherished feedback from folks like Justin, we're traversing this wild literary landscape together. And we can't forget the fanfic throwbacks, our burgeoning romance with rom-coms, and the page-turning tropes that have us all heart-eyes. So, embrace the quirky, the heartfelt, and the sheer joy of story-loving camaraderie as we share our passion for fiction with you, our dear listeners.

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Follow us at https://instagram.com/fanficfanaticspod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=,  https://www.facebook.com/fanficfanaticspod/, and https://twitter.com/Fanfic_Fanatics.

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Send us Fan Mail

The time is here, we are finally covering the EPIC story of "Manacled", by Senlinyu. Join us, Chanel, Stacy, Ashley as we journey into the layers of this incredible fanfiction.

Magic is more than just wands and spells; it's about the emotional bonds that form in its shadow, the sacrifices made for love, and the strength found in the midst of a war-torn world. We dissect the moments of vulnerability that bring characters like Hermione and Draco to life, moving from the strategic tension in war council meetings to the intimacy of their blossoming relationship.

Warning:
 This work is dark. Rape and non-consensual sex are a significant and ongoing aspect of the plot. There are also character deaths, psychological trauma, descriptions of battlefield violence, and references to torture. Reader discretion is advised.

Author's Note:
The characters in this story are not mine: they belong to JK Rowling, whom I happen to not be. The initial inspiration of this plot occurred when watching the first episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. In homage there are elements of it maintained throughout the story. The title High Reeve was drawn from Lady_of_Clunn’s use in her story Uncoffined.

This story diverges from canon following the conclusion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Summary: 
Harry Potter is dead. In the aftermath of the war, in order to strengthen the might of the magical world, Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Hermione Granger has an Order secret, lost but hidden in her mind, so she is sent as an enslaved surrogate to the High Reeve until her mind can be cracked.

***Produced by Jen Hardin***

Support the show

***Produced by Jen Hardin***