If We Survive This

Father Earth is angry...

The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin brings us into a world where people can control the earth and everyone lives in fear of frequent yet unknowable extinction level events. Essun is a normal woman living a normal life which is torn apart on the same day the earth is ripped in two.

Jen and Ellie discuss the world building, concept of self and how peoples fears and beliefs are constructed by the society.

This is the way the world ends, for the last time. 

If you're thinking of branching out to some fiction and non-fiction this is a quick bonus episode with a couple of recommendations of our favourite non-fantasy books we read last year.
Back to your irregularly scheduled fantasy coverage soon...

David Mogo Godhunter is the debut novel by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, a godpunk book following David Mogo

Dive into Lagos in the aftermath of the Orisha War where gods and godlings wander freely. David Mogo, a demigod, lives with hiss adoptive father and illegally hunts the gods wreaking havoc on the land.

Jen and Ellie discuss the world and dive into theme, structure, and agency in a world overrun by deities. 

House of Sky and Breath is the second book in the Crescent City series by Sarah J Maas. We return to Lunathion to find new horrifying depths to the Asteri and how this world formed.

Jen and Ellie dive back in with Bryces to fight with the rebels, find out secrets and fall into traps.

 It's all in the socks!

 Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett is a classic Discworld novel, exploring gender, societal expectation and... socks? We follow Polly Perks, who cuts her hair, finds a pair of trousers and goes off to war. She's only trying to find her brother, but she finds a lot more along the way.

 Jen and Ellie discuss the world and dive into theme, satire and the innumerable parallels the book pulls to reality.

 Upon my oath I am not an argumentative man! ⚔️

Through love all things are possible...

 House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City book 1) by Sarah J Maas is the start of the most recent series by the wildly popular fantasy/ romantasy author. Follow Bryce as she goes from party girl to fighting demons, finding out maybe she didn't know her best friend as well as she thought.

 Jen and Ellie review the worldbuilding, plot, language and how they'd fair against underwater monsters.

 Light it up! ✨

Train as a royal assassin! 

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb is a classic fantasy novel and first in the Farseer trilogy. Train as an assassin, dodge political plots and hide the wrong kinds of magic.  

Jen and Ellie review the world building, plot, language and characters (spoilers and all!) before creeping up on the challenges in the book. This book had them at their Wits end! 🗡️ 

Let's see if we survive this!

Go on an unexpected journey! 

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is the classic fantasy tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins embarking on an adventure with Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, and his company to rescue their home from the dragon Smaug. 

Jen and Ellie review the world building, plot, language and characters (spoilers and all, though what are spoilers with a classic this old?) before diving into the challenges in this book. Answering the most important question, what is in my pocket? 

Let's see if we survive this!

Join the rebellion in Aretia!

 Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is the second book in the Empyrean series, romantasy books that have taken the internet by storm. It sees us return to Basgiath after Violets world view has been destroyed at the end of Fourth Wing.

 Jen and Ellie review the plot, characters and how the world and story expands before battling against the challenges in the book. Dragons and Griffins and Wyverns, oh my!

 Let's see if we survive this!

Join the crew of the Marawati!
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty is the first in a magic filled swash buckingling trilogy. Enter a world of pirates, magic, demons, and a badass protagonist coming out of retirement. 
Jen and Ellie review the world building, plot, language and characters (spoilers and all!) before diving into the challenges in the book. Yo ho ho and a boat load of magic. 🏴‍☠️ 
Let's see if we survive this!