Episodes

  • Episode 150 - The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
    Dec 22 2025

    We loved this introduction to the Bartimaeus Trilogy! It’s taken us far too long to discover Jonathan Stroud’s work, and we’re now absolute Bartimaeus heads. We break down the appeal of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus’ alternating angry/gleeful perspectives, the burgeoning anticapitalist themes, and why history continues to repeat itself (spoiler humans are the worst). Grab your sassiest djinni footnotes and join us!

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Episode 149 - Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
    Nov 24 2025

    We continue Tomi Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha series! Children of Virtue and Vengeance sees protagonists Zélie and Amari at odds as they attempt to overthrow the monarchy led by Amari’s mother and brother Inan (who is, surprise, still alive). Except the nobility has magic now - and they’re really violent about it! Leading a group of rebel maji, Zélie works to bring balance back to Orïsha as Amari flounders (and massacres???).

    Coming off the high of the first book, we were disappointed by the pacing, character choices and general magical confusion of the sequel. Join us as we break it all down!

    Other episodes mentioned -

    Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

    Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Episode 148 - The Reality Bug by D.J. MacHale
    Nov 16 2025

    BOBBY IS IN THE MATRIX. We continue the Pendragon series with this journey into the mind, and the ensuing fever dream of a computer virus come to life. We have a wide-ranging conversation touching on AI psychosis, Bobby’s inability to self-censor, copaganda, and whatever gloid is. This is a wild one so get into your Lifeflight tube and don’t forget your nutrition / excretion skin pads!!

    EPISODE MEDIA

    Our other Pendragon episodes (we will not rest until we’ve covered the one about the cat people):

    The Merchant of Death

    The Lost City of Faar

    The Never War

    Eddy Burback’s ChatGPT video

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • Episode 147 - The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner
    Oct 13 2025

    Dwarves, gargantuan evil and much too tiny tunnels - we’re covering The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner! Cheshire visitors Susan and Colin have come to stay with farmers Gowther and Bess and tromp around Alderley Edge. Said tromping unearths a centuries-long battle between good and evil - all connected to the mysterious teardrop gem in Susan’s family heirloom bracelet. Tolkien inspiration is on full display but Garner creates a world utterly his own, replete with a heady brew of Norse, Welsh, Celtic and Arthurian mythology plus a little Lovecraftian unspeakable horror. Join us!

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Episode 146 - The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum
    Sep 15 2025

    The second book in the Oz series, The Land of Oz begins introducing us to its stranger inhabitants and endless opportunities for adventure. Protagonist Tip escapes his cruel captor Mombi and brings a pumpkin man and a sawhorse to life as he journeys in search of purpose. We encounter our old friends the Scarecrow and Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman as Tip helps them thwart General Jinjur and her girl army, and finally set the rightful Queen of Oz upon the throne. We discuss homunculi and their internal lives, the endless misery of a road trip with the Wogglebug, and Tip’s failings as a new dad. Join us!

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Episode 145 - Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
    Aug 25 2025

    We’re back in Earthsea and we’re BEGGING to unleash our draconic rage. Following Ursula’s instructions, we’re covering her short story collection before wrapping up the Earthsea Cycle with The Other Wind. Stories include The Finder, Darkrose and Diamond, The Bones of the Earth, On the High Marsh, and Dragonfly. This is a particularly hefty episode so dig on in!

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • Episode 144 - The Magicians of Caprona, by Diana Wynne Jones
    Aug 4 2025

    We’re bravely continuing to cover the Chrestomanci series in whatever order we please. It’s time to revisit The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones! The Montanas and the Petrocchis have a generations-deep family feud, but are forced to work together when their children Tonino and Angelica go missing. Their Italian hometown of Caprona is beset by a mysterious enchanter who manages to throw off the families’ magic and confuse them at every turn. Featuring the most frightening puppet scene, the grossest cursed kitchen, and the biggest cat, this small stakes story still offers delightful maximalism. Grab your Punch and Judy collection and join us!

    Our other Chrestomanci episodes:

    Charmed Life

    Witch Week

    The Lives of Christopher Chant

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Episode 143 - The Changeling, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
    Jun 30 2025

    Our Zilpha Keatley Snyder hyperfixation continues with The Changeling. If you’ve been looking for a way to connect with your child self, this book is it. Ivy and Martha access magical worlds, set pork chop traps for cryptids, and attempt righteous horse theft and the rest of Rosewood Manor can’t handle it. We discuss the pain of aging out of make believe, suburban class tensions, and the healing power of the stage. We’re all changelings and we’ll never grow up - join us!

    Other ZKS episodes:

    The Witches of Worm

    The Egypt Game

    The Headless Cupid

    MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    1 hr and 38 mins