Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

On today's Roundtable episode, we're celebrating the release of Turncloak with a full spoiler review of Silvercloak, the first book in L.K. Steven's brutally dark fantasy series. We reveal the biggest plot twists, our favourite romantic - and gruesome - scenes, and we break down that WILD ending. We also chat about why we're joing the L.K. Steven fan club, plus, we give our predictions for Turncloak and a mini preview of what you can expect in book 2.

Our book recommendations this week:

Eragon by Christopher Paolini / Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros / A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Maddie Taplin.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable episode, we're gearing up for a revolution as we talk all things Silver Elite by Dani Francis, a dystopian fantasy that combines the best of both genres. We revisit our dystopian fiction origin stories and the genre's explosion in the 2010s with classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Then we look at how Silver Elite combines spicy romance with dystopian themes of revolution and oppression, and a dash of some top tier tropes (only one bed, with a twist!).

Our quickfire book recommendations this week:

5 star reads: Female Fantasy by Iman Hariri-Kia / The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Childhood fantasy fave: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy / Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Fantasy Newbie Rec: Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeires by Heather Fawcett /The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem / The Will of the Many by James Islington

Book that Surprised You: The Winged Game by Sophie Kim / To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

Next on the TBR: Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer / Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Silver Elite in our After Dark section from 32.45 to 41.32. Skip ahead to our fun fantasy game at the end of the episode if you're yet to read it.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Isabelle Werro.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable episode, we're heading to the carriwitchet stadium and cheering on our favourite characters in The Winged Game by Sophie Kim, a brand-new sports romance set in a colourful fantasy world. 'Sports romantasy' may be the next big genre, and this book proves why: true slow-burn enemies to lovers (they really hate each other, and it's exquisite), found family, high-stakes matches, a surprise quest, and countless laugh-out-loud shenanigans. If you read one book this year, make it this one.

Our book recommendations this week:

Jodie: Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald

Hannah: Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

Adelaide: Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer

Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of The Winged Game in our After Dark section from 22.32 to . Skip ahead to our fun fantasy game at the end of the episode if you're yet to read it.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Hannah Armstrong and Jodie Ramodien.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On this week’s Roundtable episode, we’re opening the filing cabinet on Office Romantasy and diving into all four books in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series. It’s grumpy/sunshine on speed, complete with found family, dragons, castles, sorcery, office memos and, naturally, “light paperwork and occasional casual beheading.”

We’re talking openly and with spoilers about Books 1–3, from the workplace romance and ridiculous fantasy bureaucracy to the found-family dynamics that make this unexpectedly delightful rom-com so much fun. We talk Book 4 spoilers run from 24:58–33:12, so skip ahead to our fun fantasy game if you're yet to read Adversary to the Villain.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Lucy Dalziel and Sarah McDuling.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to Shara Curlett about the first book in her brand-new fantasy series, Protector of Beyond, that's full of mythical creatures, perilous trials and kids with mysterious powers. She tells us how she came up with the 'spark' for this magical world after a winding professional journey from DJ to author (tune in to hear the surprising thing those two jobs have in common!). We also talk about about the power of fantasy to capture children's imaginations, and how important it is to get kids reading books in today's online world.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Shara Curlett.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

Release the kraken! On today's Roundtable episode, we're chatting about our latest epic fantasy romance obsession, Steelborn by Taylor J LaRue. From well-crafted magic systems and expansive worlds to underground networks of thieves and spies, we dive into everything we loved about this fantasy debut. We also ask the hardhitting questions: What do we do when fae aren't the love interests? Why aren't there more krakens and pirates in our books? And, most important of all, should the name 'Gavin' be banned in fantasy?

Our book recommendations this week:

Adiba: The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

Issi: Mine After Midnight by Lauren Jackson (check out our interview with Lauren Jackson!)

Adelaide: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman (don't miss our roundtable chat on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series)

Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Steelborn in our After Dark section, from 30.42 to 39.30.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Adiba Oemar and Isabelle Werro.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

Read Shadow Reaper yet? Good. Let's spoil everything!

In this full spoiler review, we're diving deep into Lynette Noni's latest fantasy novel, breaking down the biggest plot twists, shocking reveals, unforgettable character moments, and that ending. From our favourite scenes and emotional moments to the questions we're still asking, nothing is off limits. Whether you're looking for a Shadow Reaper review, an ending explained, or simply want to hear fellow fans obsess over every twist, this episode is for you. Want more on Lynette Noni, Prison Healer or Shadow Reaper? Check out our previous episode 'Soul-sucking reapers or death prisons? Fantasy queen Lynette Noni is back with Shadow Reaper'.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Adiba Oemar and Isabelle Werro.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to one of the Romance Queens of Australian writing, Lauren Jackson, about her vampire romance trilogy, The Red Thorne series. Lauren tells us about the classic vampire content that inspired the series - Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, of course - and gives us a sneak peek of what to expect from the recently released final book, Fight For Us. We also chat about her bestselling sports romance series and her upcoming foray into the masked man romance subgenre. Then Lauren reveals her secret to writing a good book (write what you want to read!) and why it's so important to forget that anyone will ever read your spicy scenes.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Lauren Jackson.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into the bonkers world of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. We chat about the utterly unique chaos of this series and how it weaves together themes of AI, colonisation and reality TV against a backdrop of an alien invasion, a deadly progression game and a talking cat. We also discuss the rise of the Lit RPG genre and the crossover appeal that pulls in gamers, non-gamers and fantasy fans alike. And, most important of all, we reveal our favourite characters and why we're all joining the Royal Court of Princess Donut.

Our book recommendations this week:

The Will of the Many by James Islington

Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Belinda Conners and Lily Crozier.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to husband-and-wife author duo, Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld about their new book, The Mortons, a gothic thriller with The Secret History meets Succession vibes. We discuss why fantasy fans will be drawn to the dark academia atmosphere underpinning the first book in this new series focusing on a murderous crime family. We also chat about what it's like to have your significant other as your writing and critique partner, and why hyper-specifc details like cocktail preferences and vintage fashion make an old-money dynasty all the more believable.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.