Books That Burn
120 episodes - English - Latest episode: 23 days ago - ★★★★ - 10 ratingsA book review podcast where we discuss how authors treat and traumatize their characters. Part of the Certain Point of View network.
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Episodes
Anatomy of Sequels - A Reviewer's Perspective
April 01, 2024 09:00 - 19 minutes - 22.8 MBSometime in the first year of my review blog, I developed a checklist which I use when reviewing sequels. It helps me qualitatively describe how they are composed, and how they interact with the surrounding books in their respective series. More recently, I added a much shorter checklist for describing the first book in a series. Full Episode Text on Reviews That Burn Works Cited Ancrum, K. The Weight of the Stars. Imprint, 2019. ---. The Wicker King. Imprint, 2017. Black, Holly. Ironsi...
Why ”Immortal Longings” Isn’t Like ”The Hunger Games”
March 04, 2024 10:00 - 10 minutes - 12.1 MBGreetings! Welcome to Books That Burn. I'm Robin, welcome to another book essay about something that was too big of a thought to fit into a normal review, specifically: Why Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong is not like The Hunger Games. Please feel free to send us suggestions for future essays. Before I get started, I'd like to thank our Patron who gets a monthly shoutout, Case Aiken. The support of our Patrons makes this podcast (and blog) possible, and we're grateful to all of you. When per...
Queerness and Monstrosity in ”Night Shine” and ”Moon Dark Smile” by Tessa Gratton
February 05, 2024 10:00 - 15 minutes - 18.2 MBGreetings! Welcome to Books That Burn. I'm Robin, and this is the first essay I've specifically written for the podcast, to be made available first to Patrons, then to the main feed and on Reviews That Burn. Please feel free to send us suggestions for future essays. Before I get started, I'd like to thank our Patron who gets a monthly shoutout, Case Aiken. The support of our Patrons makes this podcast (and blog) possible, and we're grateful to all of you. *This essay spoils major elements o...
Sleep No More, The Innocent Sleep, and the Death of Personality
January 22, 2024 10:00 - 22 minutes - 31.7 MB*This essay contains moderate spoilers for the first sixteen October Daye books, major spoilers for SLEEP NO MORE and THE INNOCENT SLEEP, and minor spoilers for Babylon 5 (S3 E4 "Passing Through Gethsemane"). Link to the original essay. INTRO (00:36) When reading SLEEP NO MORE and THE INNOCENT SLEEP by Seanan McGuire (the newest October Daye books), I was struck by similarities in the ethical framework of these two books and certain aspects of the 1990's sci-fi show Babylon 5, particularl...
Additional Reflections on ”Feed Them Silence” by Lee Mandelo
December 18, 2023 10:00 - 13 minutes - 16.4 MBTo tide you over between regular episodes, Robin reads their blog post from April 2023. ----- This is a follow-up to my review of "Feed Them Silence" by Lee Mandelo, involving some thoughts that are too personal to make sense in the review as they swiftly veer away from the text specifically and instead into a broader meta-conversation of books like this which I have read previously, assumed correlations between emotional complexity and humanity, and how processing these thoughts has promp...
Reflections on ”Singularity” by William Sleator
November 20, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 6.06 MBTo tide you over between regular episodes, Robin reads their blog post from July 2022 with thoughts on the book "Singularity". You can find the original post here. The spoiler-free book review is here.
Ensemble Heist Stories in Fiction
October 16, 2023 09:00 - 8 minutes - 9.86 MBPlease enjoy Robin reading their blog post with some thoughts on ensemble heist stories in fiction. If you'd prefer to read it instead, you can find it here. Refer below for books of the types discussed. ----- Unplanned: THE ART OF SAVING THE WORLD by Corinne Duyvis - Parallel worlds subversion of the "big damn hero" Technically this group is unplanned and they don't already know each other, but on the other hand the group is the same person over and over from different parallel worlds. T...
Stand-Alone 29: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
August 28, 2023 09:00 - 50 minutes - 54.8 MBThis episode we’re discussing “The Ghost Bride” by Yangsze Choo, where a young woman is engaged to marry a ghost, and it turns out he's more of a meddler than she expected from the dead. PUBLISHER: HarperAudio YEAR: 2013 LENGTH: 368 pages (12 hours 7 minutes) AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Historical RECOMMENDED: Yes Topic 1: Murder. Begins at (1:35), CW for stalking, murder, death. Topic 2: Overdose. Begins at (11:18), CW for overdose, death. Topic 3: Stalking. Begins at (20:02), CW fo...
Highlight 29: “War Girls” by Tochi Onyebuchi
August 14, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBThis episode we’re discussing “War Girls” by Tochi Onyebuchi, a story of two sisters whose lives are ravaged by war. Topic 1: Dehumanization. Begins at (1:35), CW for ableism, colorism, colonization, child abuse, medical content, body horror, war, slavery, child death, death. Topic 2: Generational Trauma. Begins at (25:29), CW for PTSD, emotional abuse, physical abuse, child abuse, war, death. Promo for CPOV Circle of Friendship; Spoiler-free wrap-up and ratings: Begins at (45:08). Book ...
Stand-Alone 28, Part 2: Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
July 31, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MBThis episode we’re discussing BATTLE ROYALE by Koushun Takami. This is the second of two episodes, this one deals with two characters who were damaged in different ways before the story begins. PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster YEAR: 1999 LENGTH: 617 pages (19 hours 29 minutes) AGE: Adult GENRE: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Thriller RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Brain Damage. Begins at (1:35), CW for violence, car accident, medical trauma, child abuse, murder, child death, death. Topic 2: S...
Stand-Alone 28, Part 1: Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
July 10, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBThis episode we’re discussing BATTLE ROYALE by Koushun Takami. This is a two-part episode, in this first part we’re discussing students dealing with isolation and loss of control in the context of a deadly game. (Part Two will release on July 31st, 2023) PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster YEAR: 1999 LENGTH: 617 pages (19 hours 29 minutes) AGE: Adult GENRE: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Thriller RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Self-Isolation. Begins at (1:30), CW for isolation, child abuse, murd...
Highlight 28: A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
June 05, 2023 09:00 - 51 minutes - 58.5 MBThis episode we’re discussing “A Strange and Stubborn Endurance” by Foz Meadows. We originally recorded this under the impression that it's a stand-alone book, but the sequel (All The Hidden Paths) has been announced for late 2023. PUBLISHER: Tor Books YEAR: 2022 LENGTH: 544 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Social Isolation. Begins at (1:35), CW for homophobia, ableism, classism. Topic 2: Intimate Partner Violence. Begins at (18:06), CW for sexism, misogyn...
Highlight 27: Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud
May 01, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 92.2 MBThis episode we’re discussing “Ptolemy’s Gate” by Jonathan Stroud. Really, we end up in a thematic discussion of how the main trilogy develops concepts of colonization, classism, and torture across its entire run. PUBLISHER: Listening Library YEAR: 2005 LENGTH: 501 pages (15 hours 32 minutes) AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Colonization. Begins at (1:35), CW for colonization, slavery, war. Topic 2: Classism. Begins at (18:25), CW for classism, ableism. T...
Stand-Alone 27: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
April 17, 2023 09:00 - 55 minutes - 59.8 MBThis month we’re discussing “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. PUBLISHER: Del Rey YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 320 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Historical, Horror RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Torture. Begins at (1:35), CW for torture, confinement. Topic 2: Incest. Begins at (11:38), CW for coercion, cannibalism, incest, death. Topic 3: Eugenics. Begins at (22:45), CW for incest, racism, eugenics, colonization, miscarriage, child death, murder, death. Promo for CPOV Autographs; Spo...
Highlight 26: The Grace of Kings” by Ken Liu
April 03, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBThis month we’re discussing “The Grace of Kings” by Ken Liu, the first book of the Dandelion Dynasty. PUBLISHER: Saga Press YEAR: 2015 LENGTH: 640 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Intimidation/Murder. Begins at (1:35), CW for poison, injury detail, torture, suicide, murder, animal death. Topic 2: Sexism. Begins at (18:25), CW for sexism, rape. Topic 3: Slavery. Begins at (33:22), CW for slavery, murder. Promo for Another Pass; Spoiler-free wrap-up and ra...
Stand-Alone 26: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
March 06, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBThis episode we’re discussing “Hench” by Natalie Zina Walschots. It's a story of using spreadsheets to show that the destructive "heroes" are the real villains. PUBLISHER: William Morrow YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 416 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superheroes RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Murder. Begins at (1:30), CW for murder. Topic 2: Body Horror. Begins at (19:05), CW for gore, body horror. Topic 3: Medical Trauma. Begins at (29:41), CW for injury detail, medical cont...
Highlight 25: A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
January 30, 2023 10:00 - 49 minutes - 53.2 MBThis month we’re discussing “A Blade So Black” by L.L. McKinney, the first book in the NightmareVerse trilogy, retelling Alice in Wonderland with a Bi Black girl from Atlanta, Georgia. PUBLISHER: Imprint YEAR: 2018 LENGTH: 384 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: PTSD. Begins at (1:35), CW for racism, police brutality, murder, child death. Topic 2: “House” Arrest. Begins at (12:58), CW for confinement, death. Topic 3: Wounds. Begins at (26:07), CW for m...
Stand-Alone 25: The Storyteller’s Daughter by Cameron Dokey
December 26, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 66 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “The Storyteller’s Daughter” by Cameron Dokey, a retelling of the Arabian Nights. PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse YEAR: 1997 LENGTH: 221 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Yes Topic 1: Power Imbalance. Begins at (1:35), CW for death. Topic 2: Infidelity. Begins at (16:46), CW for illness, infidelity, murder, death. Topic 3: Misogyny. Begins at (29:12), CW for sexism, misogyny, infidelity, death. Promo for CPOV - Screen Snark; Spoiler-free wrap...
Highlight 24: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
December 12, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Queen of the Conquered” by Kacen Callender, the first book in the Islands of Blood and Storm duology. PUBLISHER: Orbit YEAR: 2019 LENGTH: 400 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Mystery RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Rape. Begins at (1:35), CW for rape, slavery. Topic 2: Torture. Begins at (13:56), CW for torture, slavery. Topic 3: Social Isolation. Begins at (25:26), CW for slavery, death. Promo for CPOV - RobCast; Spoiler-free wrap-up and ratings: Begins...
Stand-Alone 24: Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
November 28, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 93.3 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li, a thriller where five young Chinese Americans are hired to steal back Chinese art from Western museums. PUBLISHER: Tiny Reparations Books YEAR: 2022 LENGTH: 320 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller RECOMMENDED: Highly Topic 1: Financial Insecurity. Begins at (1:35), no major CWs. Topic 2: Betrayal. Begins at (20:33), CW for parental death (backstory). Topic 3: Diaspora Experience. Begins at (32:...
Highlight 23: Sassinak by Elizabeth Moon and Anne McCaffrey
November 14, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Sassinak” by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon. This covers several decades of the protagonists life as she's enslaved by planet pirates and then spends several decades getting the skills for stopping them. TITLE: Sassinak AUTHOR: Elizabeth Moon, Anne McCaffrey PUBLISHER: Baen YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 304 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for sexual content (brief mention), ableism (brief), grief (graphic), xenophobi...
Stand-Alone 23: Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
October 31, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Radiance” by Catherynne M. Valente. Set in an alternate version of the 1920's where the planets are as lush as as early sci-fi thought they'd be, and the moon makes a surprisingly good film set as long as you don't mind that the actors turn blue. TITLE: Radiance AUTHOR: Catherynne M. Valente PUBLISHER: Tor Books YEAR: 2015 LENGTH: 352 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for ableist language (brief), cursing, g...
Stand-Alone 22: Fledgling by Octavia Butler
October 17, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 53.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing the vampire novel, “Fledgling”, by Octavia Butler. TITLE: Fledgling AUTHOR: Octavia E. Butler PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing YEAR: 2005 LENGTH: 310 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for memory loss, animal death, ableism, racism, racial slurs, violence, gun violence, blood, major character death, death. Topic 1: Coercion. Begins at (1:35), CW for murder. Topic 2: Memory Loss. Begins at (9:35), ...
Stand-Alone 22: ”Fledgling” by Octavia Butler
October 17, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 53.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing the vampire novel, “Fledgling”, by Octavia Butler. TITLE: Fledgling AUTHOR: Octavia E. Butler PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing YEAR: 2005 LENGTH: 310 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for memory loss, animal death, ableism, racism, racial slurs, violence, gun violence, blood, major character death, death. Topic 1: Coercion. Begins at (1:35), CW for murder. Topic 2: Memory Loss. Begins at (9:35), ...
Highlight 22: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
September 26, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Gideon The Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, a book best described as "lesbian necromancers in space". We’re joined by special guest S.T. ("Saint") Gibson! You can find all their stuff at their website. TITLE: Gideon the Ninth AUTHOR: Tamsyn Muir PUBLISHER: Tor/Forge YEAR: 2019 LENGTH: 448 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for cursing, ableism (brief), grief, toxic friendship/relationship, vomit, blood (graphic), viole...
Highlight 21: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
September 12, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 48.5 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn. Unusually for us, we have just one main topic where we discuss how the deaths and absences of several characters’ mothers are handled. TITLE: Legendborn AUTHOR: Tracy Deonn PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 511 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for discussion of slavery, discussion of sexual assault, discussion of colonization, grief (graphic), racism, sexism, kidnapping, child ...
Stand-Alone 21: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
August 01, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “The Song of Achillles” by Madeline Miller, a retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. We're joined by special guest Taylor! TITLE: The Song of Achilles AUTHOR: Madeline Miller PUBLISHER: Ecco Press / Bloomsbury Publishing YEAR: 2011 LENGTH: 416 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Historical RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for sexism, homophobia, possible biphobia, grief (graphic), kidnapping, confinement, terminal illness, slavery, vomit, blood (graph...
Stand-Alone 21: “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
August 01, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “The Song of Achillles” by Madeline Miller, a retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. We're joined by special guest Taylor! TITLE: The Song of Achilles AUTHOR: Madeline Miller PUBLISHER: Ecco Press / Bloomsbury Publishing YEAR: 2011 LENGTH: 416 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Historical RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for sexism, homophobia, possible biphobia, grief (graphic), kidnapping, confinement, terminal illness, slavery, vomit, blood (graph...
Highlight 20: The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
July 04, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 52.8 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline. This is speculative fiction so good it made Robin rethink how they read the closely related but distinct genre of dystopian fiction. TITLE: The Marrow Thieves AUTHOR: Cherie Dimaline PUBLISHER: Dancing Cat Books YEAR: 2017 LENGTH: 240 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Speculative Fiction RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for sexual content (brief), cursing, ableist language (brief), alcohol (backstory), alcoholism (back...
Stand-Alone 20: “The Atrocities” by Jeremy C. Shipp
June 06, 2022 15:00 - 48 minutes - 52.9 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing the horror novella “The Atrocities” by Jeremy C. Shipp. Apologies for the odd episode schedule, the next two episodes will be a month apart, then we should be back to our usual fortnightly schedule after that. TITLE: The Atrocities AUTHOR: Jeremy C. Shipp PUBLISHER: St. Martins Press-3PL YEAR: 2018 LENGTH: 112 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Horror RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for child abuse (backstory), mental illness, medical content, medical trauma, chil...
Highlight 19: Scavenge The Stars by Tara Sim
May 02, 2022 09:00 - 39 minutes - 42.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Scavenge The Stars" by Tara Sim. This is the first half of a duology retelling "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas. TITLE: Scavenge The Stars AUTHOR: Tara Sim PUBLISHER: Disney-Hyperion YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 352 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Retelling RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for grief, ableist language (brief), kidnapping (graphic), alcohol (graphic), gambling addiction (graphic), drug use, child abuse, slavery, terminal illness, me...
Stand-Alone 19: The Forever War - Joe Haldeman
April 18, 2022 09:00 - 53 minutes - 56.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “The Forever War” by Joe Haldeman. TITLE: The Forever War AUTHOR: Joe Haldeman PUBLISHER: Gollancz YEAR: 1974 LENGTH: 238 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Science Fiction, War RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for cursing, grief, xenophobia, chemical control of sexual orientation (nonconsensual), homophobia, acephobia (ambiguous), ableism, mental illness, sexual content, sexual assault (not depicted), rape (brief), medical content (graphic), medical trauma (graphic), a...
Highlight 18: Jade City - Fonda Lee
April 04, 2022 09:00 - 59 minutes - 64.5 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Jade City” by Fonda Lee, the first book in the Green Bone Saga. TITLE: Jade City AUTHOR: Fonda Lee PUBLISHER: Orbit YEAR: 2017 LENGTH: 560 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, War RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for cursing, grief, sexual content (explicit), sexual abuse (brief mention), torture (brief mention), sexism, drug use, drug abuse, mental illness, self harm, body horror, massacre, excrement (brief), vomit, blood, violence (graphic), gun violence, t...
Stand-Alone 18: Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace
March 21, 2022 09:00 - 45 minutes - 50.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Firebreak” by Nicole Kornher-Stace. If you enjoyed this you should check out “Archivist Wasp” and “Latchkey” (in that order), since they’re part of the same universe. TITLE: Firebreak AUTHOR: Nicole Kornher-Stace PUBLISHER: Gallery / Saga Press (Imprint of Simon & Schuster) YEAR: 2021 LENGTH: 416 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Science Fiction, Dystopian RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for rationing, confinement, cursing, alcohol, excrement (brief), blood, gore,...
Highlight 17: Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
March 07, 2022 10:00 - 55 minutes - 63.8 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Batman: Nightwalker” by Marie Lu. This is part of the DC Icons series, where each book is written by a different author. We discussed this Batman novel as part of #DarkKnightFortnight from Certain POV. You can find all the Certain POV shows which participated on this page. TITLE: Batman: Nightwalker AUTHOR: Marie Lu PUBLISHER: Random House Books for Young Readers YEAR: 2018 LENGTH: 288 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW f...
Stand-Alone 17: Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas
February 21, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 55.4 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas. Yadriel gets a bit more than he was expecting when he summons the wrong ghost. TITLE: Cemetery Boys AUTHOR: Aiden Thomas PUBLISHER: Swoon Reads YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 344 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Romance RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for cursing, ableist language (brief), grief, racism (brief), transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, alcohol (brief), blood, self harm (brief, religious ritual), domestic abuse (ba...
Highlight 16: River of Teeth - Sarah Gailey
February 07, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 63.6 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “River of Teeth” by Sarah Gailey. If this sounds interesting then we recommend reading it in the omnibus collection “American Hippo” which includes this novella, its sequel (“Taste of Marrow”), plus some short stories in this setting. TITLE: River of Teeth AUTHOR: Sarah Gailey PUBLISHER: Tor/Forge Books YEAR: 2017 LENGTH: 192 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Alternate History RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for racism (minor), fatphobia, transphobia (mino...
Highlight 16: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
February 07, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 63.6 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “River of Teeth” by Sarah Gailey. If this sounds interesting then we recommend reading it in the omnibus collection “American Hippo” which includes this novella, its sequel (“Taste of Marrow”), plus some short stories in this setting. TITLE: River of Teeth AUTHOR: Sarah Gailey PUBLISHER: Tor/Forge Books YEAR: 2017 LENGTH: 192 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Alternate History RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for racism (minor), fatphobia, transphobia (mino...
Highlight 15: Assassin’s Apprentice - Robin Hobb
January 24, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 45.5 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Assassin's Apprentice” by Robin Hobb. This is the first book in "The Farseer Trilogy" which is itself part of the "Realm of the Elderlings", a connected set of several trilogies. TITLE: Assassin's Apprentice AUTHOR: Robin Hobb PUBLISHER: Voyager YEAR: 1995 LENGTH: 460 pages AGE: Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for cursing, pregnancy, ableism, sexism, misogyny, bullying (graphic), physical abuse (graphic), emotional abuse (graphic), a...
Highlight 14: Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao
January 10, 2022 10:00 - 51 minutes - 54.3 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “IRON WIDOW” by Xiran Jay Zhao. This is book one of a planned series. Wu Zetian wants to assassinate her sister's murderer, but finds herself in a string of mech battles working alongside Li Shimin, the strongest pilot in Huaxia. Told in Third Person with Single POV. TITLE: Iron Widow AUTHOR: Xiran Jay Zhao PUBLISHER: Penguin Teen YEAR: 2021 LENGTH: 400 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Science Fiction RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for grief, misogyny (gra...
Interview 8: Seanan McGuire, Part 1 of 2
January 07, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 34.5 MBPlease enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Seanan McGuire discussing several of her books, "Into The Drowning Deep", "Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day", "Middlegame", the Toby Daye series, and the Incryptid series. Other works mentioned include Newsflesh (series), Ghost Roads (series), "Rolling in the Deep", and Parasitology (series). Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. This interview was recorded several months prior to the 2021 Hugo Awards. Become a Patro...
Series 9, Episode 3: Wayward Witch - Zoraida Córdova
December 27, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Wayward Witch” by Zoraida Córdova. Heather joins us once again to wrap up the excellent Brooklyn Brujas trilogy. TITLE: Wayward Witch AUTHOR: Zoraida Córdova PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 239 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for kidnapping, confinement, emotional abuse, animal death (not depicted), excrement (brief), vomit, blood, gore, body horror, violence, major character death, death. Top...
Series 9, Episode 2: Bruja Born - Zoraida Córdova
December 13, 2021 10:00 - 57 minutes - 58.6 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Bruja Born” by Zoraida Córdova, the second book in the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy. Heather joins us again on this episode! TITLE: Bruja Born AUTHOR: Zoraida Córdova PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire YEAR: 2018 LENGTH: 352 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for ableist language, vomit (graphic), fire, blood (graphic), gore (graphic), violence (graphic), pregnancy (not depicted), medical content, medical trauma (graphic), cannibali...
Series 9, Episode 1: Labyrinth Lost - Zoraida Córdova
November 29, 2021 10:00 - 52 minutes - 53.3 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Labyrinth Lost” by Zoraida Córdova, book one of the Brooklyn Brujas series. TITLE: Labyrinth Lost AUTHOR: Zoraida Córdova PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire YEAR: 2016 LENGTH: 336 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for bullying, child abuse (backstory), blood, violence, panic attacks, missing parent, animal death, death. Topic 1: Kidnapping. Begins at (1:35), CW for mention of torture, betrayal Topic 2: Family Rejection. Beg...
Highlight 13: Graceling - Kristin Cashore
November 15, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 53.7 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “GRACELING” by Kristin Cashore. This is the first book of the YA fantasy series, Graceling Realm. TITLE: Graceling AUTHOR: Kristin Cashore PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin YEAR: 2008 LENGTH: 471 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Fantasy, Romance RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for sexism, misogyny, sexual content (brief), sexual assault (not depicted), kidnapping, child abuse, animal cruelty, medical content, blood, vomit, violence, torture, animal death, parental death, ch...
Stand-Alone 16: Thirsty - M.T. Anderson
November 01, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 48.8 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Thirsty” by M.T. Anderson. In THIRSTY, everyone sucks. Suddenly learning you're a vampire doomed to brief madness before death or (best case scenario) a long life of cannibalism will ruin anyone's day. Looks like it's going to ruin Chris's month. TITLE: Thirsty AUTHOR: M.T. Anderson PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press (MA) YEAR: 1997 LENGTH: 237 pages AGE: Young Adult, Middle Grade GENRE: Fantasy, Horror RECOMMENDED: Yes Book TW for queerphobia (brief), ab...
Highlight 12: Unwind - Neal Shusterman
October 18, 2021 09:00 - 59 minutes - 63.7 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman. This is book one of the Unwind Dystology. Robin has been reading Shusterman's work since they were a kid and this was a new one for them. UNWIND is a dystopian future where abortion is outlawed but teenagers can be "unwound", a state which is distinct from death in ways that are legalistic, technical, and horrifying. TITLE: Unwind AUTHOR: Neal Shusterman PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers YEAR: 2007 LENGTH: 3...
Interview 7: Kevin Klehr, Part 1 of 2
October 15, 2021 06:00 - 54 minutes - 61.5 MBPlease enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Kevin Klehr discussing three of his books, "Social Media Central", "Midnight Angel", and "Winter Masquerade". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. Become a Patron at any level to receive the spoiler-filled second half of the interview. Intro (0:00) Can you talk a little about the way trauma works in your writing? (0:55) Do you put more thought into the trauma itself or the aftermath when thinking about how it...
Stand-Alone 15: Early Departures - Justin A. Reynolds
October 04, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 56.7 MBThis fortnight we’re discussing “Early Departures” by Justin A Reynolds. We discuss a toxic relationship, abandonment, and death in this YA sci-fi novel about grief, loss, and second chances. Robin read this as an ARC last year and is pleased to report that their re-read of the final version held up. TITLE: Early Departures AUTHOR: Justin A. Reynolds PUBLISHER: Katherine Tegen Books YEAR: 2020 LENGTH: 480 pages AGE: Young Adult GENRE: Science Fiction RECOMMENDED: Highly Book TW for ableis...
Highlight 11: Shadow Rising - Robert Jordan
September 20, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 75.6 MBThis fortnight Nicole is discussing “Shadow Rising” by Robert Jordan, the fourth book in The Wheel of Time with our transcriptionist and fellow WOT fan, Heather. Book TW for physical assault, sexual harassment, combat wounds, PTSD, magical attack, horror monster attacks, identity crisis, depiction of mental illness caused by magic, depiction of auditory hallucinations, kidnapping and restraint, misandry, misogamy, betrayal, depiction of hanging, general physical violence and death, general...