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We are overjoyed to welcome Travis Baldree — #1 New York Times bestselling author of Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust — to Friends Talking Fantasy!

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Travis joins us to discuss his highly anticipated new book, Brigands and Breadknives (out November 11, 2025). In this conversation, we explore:

Why Fern takes center stage as the POV character

How the story shifts from cozy “new shop” vibes into adventure

The themes of identity, purpose, and listlessness that drive the book

The true nature of “stakes” in cozy fantasy — and why they’re anything but small

Travis’s career journey from game developer → audiobook narrator → bestselling novelist

📚 Brigands and Breadknives releases November 11, 2025 — preorder your copy today!

Set sail with us in this Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast episode as we dive deep into Scott Lynch’s Red Seas Under Red Skies, book two of the Gentleman Bastard series. ⚔️

Charles (first-time reader) and Dylan (returning with fresh eyes) unpack Lynch’s brilliant storytelling, Locke & Jean’s evolving friendship, and the themes of trust, betrayal, and sacrifice.

We also share personal reflections, highlight the incredible audiobook narration by Michael Page, and tease future projects on the horizon.

If you loved Lies of Locke Lamora, you won’t want to miss this one.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy 

Visit our website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/ 

Charles returns from paternity leave and rejoins Dylan for a jam-packed episode of the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast! 

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy 

This week I (Dylan) got to hang out with Hannah and Laura from On Wednesdays We Read Podcast (OWWR Pod) for a conversation all about our favorite characters in fantasy!

As always, Hannah and Laura brought a ton of insightful takes as well as a lot of laughs! And if you’re not already listening to OWWR Pod, definitely check them out too :)

I (Dylan) am joined by my lifelong friend Derek (of Roger Roger: A Star Wars Podcast fame) to talk about the 2025 Superman film! We covered what we liked, what didn’t land for us, and where the DC universe could be headed from here. We also revisited standout moments and talked about the actors' performances, all while enjoying the kind of back-and-forth we’ve been having about movies for decades!

Hey friends, quick announcement! We just dropped a special YouTube-exclusive episode of Friends Talking Fantasy where we reveal the cover of Whalesong by Miles Cameron to not just to the world, but to Miles (Christian) himself! That's right, we had the honor of showing the author his brand-new cover for the first time and capture his live reaction.

This was such a big event that Charles made a return for this one! We got him to stop by in the midst of his paternity leave. Head over to YouTube, check out the new cover, and hear Miles talk with us about Whalesong, the Arcana Imperii series, and what’s coming next.

Here's the link: https://youtu.be/yKC_ASIvmiU

I (Dylan) had the pleasure of welcoming Spencer from The Fantasy Files Podcast to the show. Spencer came prepared with a treasure trove of hidden gem fantasy recommendations, digging deep into the genre’s overlooked corners to spotlight books and authors that deserve more attention.

Spencer left me excited to read some books that I had never even heard of before, and I’m sure you’ll be feeling the same way after this episode! We’re talking about:

-Titles that deserve way more readers

-Underrated authors who are doing brilliant, original work

-Books that break the mold and breathe fresh life into fantasy tropes

Spencer’s passion is infectious. If you’re feeling burned out on the same old fantasy recommendations, this episode is a must-listen. Check out more from Spencer on the excellent Fantasy Files YouTube channel: The Fantasy Files Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FantasyFiles

In this special episode, Dylan is joined by Stephen from the Fantology Podcast for an epic deep dive into his favorite fantasy books and authors! Stephen shares his personal tier list, walking us through the writers who have shaped his love for the genre—from all-time legends to underrated gems.

Whether you're new to fantasy or a longtime fan looking for your next great read, you’ll come away with a list of compelling recommendations. Expect some hot takes, thoughtful insights, and plenty of titles to add to your TBR! Check out Stephen and the rest of the crew at Fantology: https://www.youtube.com/@FantologyPodcast

Let us know in the comments: Who are YOUR top-tier fantasy authors?

With Charles out on paternity leave (congrats, Charles!), Dylan takes a crack at doing a full solo episode of Friends Talking Fantasy.

Dylan provides some early thoughts on Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils (spoiler: it’s really good), reflects on what it's like to reread Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, and talks to himself about how The Will of the Many helped him break out of a reading slump.

Dylan also talks through some recent fantasy-world news, including the reported cancellation of The Wheel of Time and a very human but somewhat disgruntled blog post from George R.R. Martin about Winds of Winter (sort of)

The Friends journey into the brutal heart of Christopher Buehlman’s The Daughter’s War, the grimdark prequel to The Blacktongue Thief. They unpack the stark tonal shift between the two novels—where Buehlman trades snark for sorrow, and swagger for survival. The spotlight falls on Galva, whose stoic presence in The Blacktongue Thief is given heartbreaking depth as her backstory unfolds through war, trauma, and fractured family loyalties. From hive-minded goblins to the emotional cost of legacy, the hosts explore what makes The Daughter’s War such a powerful, if punishing, read—and why some readers might not be ready for just how dark this prequel gets.

Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy