Episode 151 - Terciel and Elinor by Garth Nix

We take our first step outside the Abhorsen trilogy to learn more about Terciel and Elinor, aka Papa and Mama Sabriel! Beautifully streamlined storytelling adds series background - the basics of Charter magic at Wyverly, historical Ancelstierre/Old Kingdom relations, an exceptional gender-swapped playwright named Charlotte Breakspear - while bringing Tercial and Elinor together and giving their lives true purpose. A perfect prequel!

Our other Old Kingdom episodes:

• Sabriel / Sabriel Redux

• Lirael

• Abhorsen

Episode 150 - The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

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!

Episode 149 - Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

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!

EPISODE MEDIA

Full cover painting by Sarah Jones:

Other episodes mentioned -

• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

• Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Episode 148 - The Reality Bug by D.J. MacHale

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:

Episode 147 - The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner

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!

First edition cover: