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What happens when grief meets magic? When a woman on the brink of death is whisked away to the dangerous Fae Court and given a bargain she can't refuse?

Monster romance often gets a bad reputation—dismissed as shallow fantasy or even harmful to readers. Our deep dive into Mallory Dunlan's "Captured by the Fae Beast" reveals why these criticisms miss the mark. This novel stands out by beginning with profound loss rather than the typical setup of a protagonist desperate to escape their mundane life. After witnessing her partner's death during a mountain climbing accident, our heroine finds herself captive to a feared Fae prince with a monstrous reputation and appearance to match.

The story brilliantly explores how being treated as a monster can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Prince Rhysand has accepted his reputation as "The Beast" after years of being feared and reviled, even by his own mother. What unfolds over the course of a year and a day isn't just romance but mutual healing—she processes her grief while he discovers someone who finally sees beyond his beastly exterior.

We examine the fantasy world-building that introduces fascinating concepts like magical soul connections that don't necessarily indicate romantic destiny, and humans rescued from their moment of death. These elements create moral complexity that elevates the story beyond simple fairytale retellings.

Join us for this passionate discussion that might just convince you these stories offer more psychological depth and emotional resonance than critics give them credit for.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Toxic Fandom - Ali Hazelwood bullied off social media, cancels Fabled Fantasy attendance
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  • TikTok Link
  • News Article
• Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon, a romance set in the world of Critical Role
  • Barnes and Noble
• Zomromcom by Olivia Dade, magic/paranormal/horror romance
  • Author will be doing a book tour, releases August 5th
  • News Site
• Bookcon is back! April 18 & 19, 2026 in NYC
  • Instagram Post
  • Website
• SJM has signed a multi-year worldwide licensing deal
  • Instagram Post
• The Porn-Brained Women Of Monster Smut
  • Facebook Post
  • Problematic conservative article calls monster smut bad because it causes 'porn brain' in women
  • CM Nascosta's (whose book cover Morning Glory Milking Farm) response was to make merchandise on her Etsy Store
  • Etsy Store

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What happens when a legendary dragon slayer is sent to kill a dragon in a kingdom where dragons are revered, not feared? And what if that dragon turns out to be connected to the kingdom's mysterious and captivating ruler? These questions lie at the heart of Neon Yang's "Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame," our Pride Month selection that sparked passionate debate among our hosts.

From the moment we dive into this 176-page fantasy novella, we're divided on whether Yang successfully delivers a complete story within such tight constraints. Some of us found the Asian-influenced fantasy world richly developed despite its brevity, praising the poetic writing style and creative approach to dragon lore. Others felt the worldbuilding resembled "a house of cards" – impressive at first glance but lacking the depth needed for true immersion.

The romance between Yeva, the armored guild knight who hasn't removed her mask since childhood, and Lady Suki, the enigmatic ruler of a dragon-worshipping kingdom, forms the emotional core of the story. While some hosts appreciated the subtle development of their relationship, others questioned whether the novella format allowed enough space for a convincing emotional journey. Our spirited discussion explores whether their connection feels earned or merely convenient to the plot, particularly as Yeva faces the ultimate choice between duty and desire.

Perhaps most fascinating is our exploration of Yang's were-dragon concept, which cleverly reimagines traditional monster tropes through a distinctly feminine lens. The revelation about Lady Suki's monthly "blood illness" proved to be one of the novella's most memorable and thought-provoking elements, demonstrating how fantasy can transform familiar experiences into something magical and unexpected.

Whether you enjoy compact fantasy tales or prefer more expansive worldbuilding, our balanced analysis will help you decide if this queer fantasy novella deserves a place on your Pride Month reading list. And don't miss our hosts' exciting mid-year reading recommendations as we look ahead to a second half of 2023 packed with highly anticipated fantasy romance releases!

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is getting the Owlcrate treatment
  • Instagram Link
• Fabled Fantasy Events has started doing Romantasy Retreats, first is Savannah GA
  • Website
• Paramount adapting Divine Rivals into a movie, Sofia Alvarez will be writing the script
  • Instagram Link
• Tor publishing is rereleasing T. Kingfisher’s Nine Goblins
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• The Graphic Audio for Laura Thalassa’s Pestilence is out now
  • Facebook Link
• Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles to be an animated film, Nov 3, 2028 release date
  • News Article
• June is LGBTQ+ Pride month

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Our hosts dive deep into this 1999 cult classic, examining how it blends Catholic doctrine with elements of Greek mythology and Jewish mysticism to create a uniquely irreverent yet thoughtful commentary on faith. Is there hints of romance sprinkled into this film?

The film follows two fallen angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) who discover a loophole that would allow them to return to heaven—with the unfortunate side effect of negating all existence. Standing in their way is a ragtag group including the last living descendant of Jesus (Linda Fiorentino), the 13th apostle (Chris Rock), a muse-turned-stripper (Salma Hayek), and everyone's favorite stoners, Jay and Silent Bob.

Twenty-plus years later, some aspects haven't aged well, but the film's willingness to question religious authority while respecting personal faith still resonates. Our hosts debate whether the movie holds up, with opinions ranging from "five stars, would watch again" to "not as impressive as I remembered." We also unpack the fascinating production stories, including how Kevin Smith famously joined Catholic protesters demonstrating against his own film and how the marketing team replaced Fiorentino's body with another actress's more curvaceous figure without her permission.

Whether you're revisiting this controversial classic or hearing about it for the first time, our conversation highlights why "Dogma" remains a significant cultural touchstone that's worth tracking down on DVD—at least until Smith's recently reclaimed rights finally bring it back to screens everywhere. Have you seen Dogma? Let us know what you thought about this religious satire that dared to ask the important questions, like whether God really is a skee-ball enthusiast.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Acrylipics is doing a special edition version of Abigail Owen’s Games Gods Play
  • Link (Instagram)
• Frankenstein is getting the Minalima treatment (Oct 28)
  • MinaLima Site
• Leigh Bardugo book teased
  • Unnamed Ninth House book 3 will likely publish in Fall 2026
  • Amazon Link
• Prologue snippet released for SenLinYu novel - Alchemised
  • Link (Instagram)
• Controversy over AI use by romantasy author
  • LA Times Story

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