Is This Just Fantasy?
Is This Just Fantasy? is a fantasy book club podcast hosted by Duncan and Geordie. The two hosts explore the breadth and history of the fantasy genre by reading one epic book at a time. They cover everything from massive, doorstop-sized novels to lighter young adult fantasy. New episodes are released every two weeks, so listeners can read along or just skim the synopsis for the banter.
Episodes
The Well of Ascension
After a brief break, Duncan and Geordie are back to continue their journey into deciding that this Sanderson guy is actually pretty good at writing books. Huh? The Well of Ascension carries on the plot begun in Mistborn: The Final Empire, plunging it from the world of revolution into one of politics, siegecraft, and eerie supernatural forces.Its full of badass action - sometimes a little too badas
Malazan: Gardens of the Moon
Geordie has been banished to Spain for being mean to Steven Erikson. Whilst Duncan defends one of the most seminal, if controversial, modern additions to epic fantasy: 'Gardens of the Moon' the first book in Malazan: Book of the Fallen.Like the show? Follow us on Insta: @IsThisJustFantasyPodcast, or ask us a question via isthisjustfantasypodcast@gmail.comFeaturing:Intro and Outro Music: Fantasy Ex
The Odyssey - (Emily Wilson)
For this year's annual Troy book (only slightly too late for the release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation) the fellas get together to read The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson, a woman who hates Nolan's film more than Duncan hates 'The Sheepfarmer's Daughter,' or more than Geordie hates admitting that he actually likes Brandon Sanderson now.Tune in to find out if Wilson's plain, accessible
Arthur High King of Britain
Finally Duncan gets to tell the story of King Arthur and his knights in the way he remembers it, in a classic, mostly faithful retelling by beloved children's author and horse terrorizer Michael Morpurgo. This time there's less bigotry and more lengthy explanations by Geordie about his favourite niche Arthurian myths.Tune in to learn the strange connection between Morgan le Fay, Charles the Great,
Ranking our Top 100 Books!
Pop the champagne, its time for the long awaited Top 100 Is This Just Fantasy Top 100 ranking spectacular, where Geordie and Duncan revisit and review all 100 novels they've read over the past four years, and finally determine the definitive greatest fantasy novel of all time.Some times the conversation is fraught. There are expected divisions - one day Geordie hopes he can forgive Duncan for his
Peter Pan
To celebrate their 100th(ish) book covered on the podcast, Geordie has selected one of the all time greats. A story which defines fantasy in many ways: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie.Listen as Duncan and Geordie make a bet, Duncan explains his radical Moorcockian theories of the Hook-Pan cycle, Geordie explains how a book-on-tape changed his relationship with music, and they both try to figure out whet
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
This time the fellas embark on a contraversial journey as they reckon with one of the most acclaimed modern Sci-Fi and Fantasy novelists, N.K. Jemison, but not about how seminal work: The Broken Earth trilogy. Instead they take a look at her debut and examine where she first showed promise, and in fact first dabbled in themes she would go on to examine again in the Fifth Season.Does she start her
Legendborn
As their 100-book special looms ever closer, Geordie takes them back to a book which he meant to bring on the podcast about five years ago, a book which some weirdly personal connections. Its like if the Shadowhunter books were really good! And about King Arthur! And set at Geordie's Alma Mater! Precision engineered to appeal to him. And it turns out that Duncan really doesn't like it...Join in on
Throne of Glass
After enduring some completely preventable recording issues, Duncan and Geordie are back, counting down the last couple of books before their 100th! This time they are joined by Bookstagrammer Kellie Greene (@theportsmouth_pageturner) to return to the world of sexy fae with Sarah J. Maas' debut, Throne of Glass.As Duncan discovers just how badass and beautiful and well-read and good at piano our h
The Lies of Locke Lamora
This episode Duncan and Geordie take a look a darling of the type of nerds who, if you say your favourite books are Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, and Ice Breaker, will tell you to read The Balde Itself - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch.Duncan takes Geordie through the Gentlemen Bastards series' surprising publication history, and Geordie slightly overestimates how many The Usual Suspects styl
From Blood and Ash
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if Edward Cullen wasn't Mormon, or Xaden Riarson didn't have #believewomen in his Tinder profile? Then this is the episode for you, as Duncan and Geordie cover From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout.They discuss a parade of bizarre and lazy worldbuilding, dangling plot threads, unusually basic wording errors, and possibly the shadiest love-
Mistborn: The Final Empire
A divisive episode. Duncan declares victory as Geordie is forced to hand in his membership to the 'pretencious nerd who doesn't like Brandon Sanderson books' club, because this one is a corker.They cover Mistborn: The Final Empire, covering its excellent twists and implemenation of magic, its surprising themematic coherence and nuance, and Geordie has no choice to admit that this time, maybe world
Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World
At long last, the fellas cover one of the big daddies of epic fantasy. For Duncan its a return to an old-favourite, whilst Geordie experiences it for the first time. They discuss the start of Robert Jordan's saga: 'The Eye of the World.'Geordie wrestles with explaining how a book can be boring 'but in a good way,' whilst Duncan keeps forgetting how much of what he thinks happens in this book, won'
Legend of the Condor Heroes: A Hero Born
Consumer warning: this episode contains no Condors. But it does contain an in-depth review of one of the most influencial yet unknown books the fellas have covered on the podcast, the first part of Jin Yong's Legend of the Condor Heroes - "the Chinese Lord of the Rings."They cover the unbelievable Kung Fu action, the surprising blend of fantasy and real history, and the best plot twist they've enc
A Look Back at 2025: Our Best and Worst Books of the Year
Ah, 2025. An impossibly long and packed year which just flew by. In their annual tradition, Duncan and Geordie take a look back at a year full of ambitious pulls, many surprises, and a couple of truly dire low-points (in terms of books, the podcast is obviously better than ever)!They take a look at everything they've reviewed to select their Most Surprising, Most Disapointing, Favourite, Worst, an
Krampus: The Yule Lord
Merry Christmas and Good Yule! You must've been good this year because Santa Claus is delivering you the annual Is This Just Fantasy Christmas episode (and if you haven't, lock your doors. Krampus is coming.) This year the fellas cover Krampus: The Yule Lord by writer/artist Brom.This episode: Geordie admits he's running out of Christmas episode ideas and has a little rant about depictions of val
Bonus: Which Fantasy Badass Can Help Us Survive a Horror Movie?
Don't ask: 'who's the biggest badass in fantasy?' Only fools ask that question. The real question is: 'how do you measure badassitude?' For years, nobody could answer this enigma. But finally, after months of tireless study and experimentation, Geordie has found it: an empiral, scientific system where we throw a list of the best fantasy heroes we've encountered on the podcast into a gauntlet of ho
Empire of the Dawn
Its over at last. One of the most anticipated conclusions in history of the podcast. The fellas read and review Empire of the Dawn, the conclusion of Jay Kristoff's Empire of the Vampire trilogy. There's so much to discuss as they cover: the controversial change in illustrators, the exciting action, and a potentially devisive ending. Does the series stick the landing?Duncan marvels that any book c
Fourth Wing
At long last. The fellas set out to explore the hottest title in the world of fantasy right now. Their most anticipated read since their Top 50 Books review, their most Dragon Riders of Perny book since Dragonriders of Pern, and their horniest by far since The Eye of Argon.They cover: the steamy romance, the exciting pace, and just how unbelievably super special the heroine is, in one their nitpic
Thirteen Storeys
The fellas wrap up their spooky month with the last halloween special, washing the taste of the Woman in Black out of their brains with an amazing collection of ghost stories, written by the creator of The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims. They reflect on the impressive change in mediums, as well as its somewhat heavy handed (yet nonetheless true) themes on capitalism, the environment and killing bi
Berserk: Falconia
Some traditions never get old. Once again Duncan and Geordie return to the dark world of Berserk to wrap up its incredibly named Millenium Falcon Arc with Falconia. Its one of Geordie's favourite and least favourite parts of the series, containing some of the best action ever depicted in fiction, some astonishing world-building, a drastic change to the series' status quo... but it also spent three
The Woman in Black
In the first part of their (somewhat delayed) Halloween Booooook Club, the fellas dive in to what is supposed to be one of the most iconic and scariest books in British horror: The Woman in Black.... and find it to be a massive disapointment. A dry, laughably unscary drag completely upstaged by both of its famous adaptations. Tune in to hear Geordie unleash the frustrations of a difficult day on a
Paladin's Grace
Slather yourself in gingerbread and fail to solve a mystery, its time for Duncan and Geordie to cover 'Paladin's Grace' by T. Kingfisher. They discuss an excellent love story, and a real pallete cleanser from the hormonal teenage romantasies they've experienced up till now. Even if the political intrigue and mysteries promised by the blurb fails to materialise. This episode Geordie learns a surpri
Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: Ill Met in Lanhkmar
For the final time (and this time we mean it) the fellas are embarking on another sword and sorcery adventure with the introduction to Fritz Leiber's classic dynamic duo Fafhrd and Grey Mouser in 'Ill Met in Lankhmar.' The fellas rave about the story's humour and excitement and beautifully morbid setting, and appreciate the irony of a classic 'fridging' scene appearing right after they covered Gai
Red Sonja: Consumed
Can you ever really escape your fate? Not if Duncan has trapped you in a never ending cycle of sword and sorcery. Once again the fellas are going back to the Red Sonja well. Its the same author. Its the same character. Its... quite a few of the same plot beats as well, actually, but dumber this time. Duncan chose Red Sonja: Consumed, Gail Simone's first ever novel, and her second take on Red Sonja
Red Sonja: Queen of the Plagues
Is it Halloween already? No? Then how come the fellas are reading a comic book?! That's because this time, as preperation for the release of the new Red Sonja movie, Duncan has taken the fellas back to the Hyborian Age, with Red Sonja, written by comic book legend Gail Simone.Duncan leads the episode through the complicated canon of Red Sonja (and her endless reboots), whilst Geordie tries to figu
Lord of the Silver Bow
Because for no obvious reason this has become tradition, its time for the annual Troy adaptation! (Which will they run out of first? Troy books, or fantasy novels set at Christmas?) Up till now those adaptations have mostly hinged on feminst reimaginings of the Illiad, and the commodification of women's bodies. But this time the fellas are gonna mix things up. They return to David Gemmel of Legend
Dragonriders of Pern: Dragonflight
From Eragon to Book-Tok sensations about mormon super-soldiers, This is the book which started it all. Dragonflight brought readers to the Planet Pern for the first time in the 60s, and brought Geordie and Duncan to one of the earliest depictions of dragon riding in fantasy. And... it is not at all what they expected. Duncan covers some of the dragons.... unexpected powers. whilst Geordie unpacks
The Legend of Drizzt: Homeland
I promise, the guys do like this book! They just have a lot to say about it which sounds like complaining. This week Geordie returns to familiar hunting grounds, whilst Duncan sets of on a sojourn to parts unknown as they read the first (chronological) book in the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore.Both the guys struggle with pronounciations this week, Duncan spends an unusually small amou
The Moomins: Finn Family Moomintroll
Its been a dark year and a series of serious, moody novels. So Duncan has gone and turned it around with the softest, fluffiest thing he could think of: The Moomins. Since all Geordie knows about these strange white hippo people is that weirdos on Twitter got really into them during the pandemic, Duncan takes the lead this time. He directs Geordie through the pastoral loveliness, as well as some s
The Sheepfarmer's Daughter: The Deed of Paksenarrion
It was a gruelling forced march through this monster of a book. Geordie may have brought Elizabeth Moon's 1980s fantasy epic to the table, but can they stomach it? The fellas unpack an early depiction of a female fantasy heroine, in a faithful (perhaps too faithful) depiction of soldierly life by a Marine Corps veteran. They unpack the strange mingling of the drudgery of soldierly life, with an un
John Carter: A Princess of Mars
The fellas are going way back for this one, all the way back to 1912. A bad year to be a cruise ship, but maybe a good year to be a fan of science fantasy adventures? They're reviewing perhaps one of the most influential books they've ever seen on the podcast. Before Howard, before Lovecraft and C.L. Moore. Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, the first appearance of John Carter.The fellas di
The Last Graduate
We're back in the Scholomance! At long last Geordie ran out of patience waiting for Duncan to choose the sequel to Naomi Novik's Deadly Education and has forced his hand with a destiny token! They pick up their school supplies and see what on earth they can remember about a book series they began two years ago.Here's a list of things they forgot: what the main character's full name was, her age an
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
In their second episode ever, the fellas reviewed Geordie's favourite book: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Now, years later, they are finally returning to see her most famous work: Daughter of Smoke and Bone. They discuss the transition between paranormal romances and modern romantasy, whether to read this book before or after Strange the Dreamer, its fascinating wish-based magic, and Duncan
The Riftwar Saga: Magician
Hoooo boy but was this a long one. The fellas set out to read Magician's Apprentice by Raymon E. Feist, but Geordie decided to go for extra-credit and read the entire book, including the second part Magician's Master.The fellas cover as much of the epic as they can, from its various strengths and weaknesses, its variance in power fantasies, where it lies in the chronology of works inspired by both
Watership Down
After reading some pretty dark and gothic stuff at the start of the year, Geordie decided that they should take a comforting break and just read a book about nice fluffy bunnies. What could go wrong as they discuss Richard Adams' Watership Down. The fellas cover the surprising depth of language, history and culture that rabbits share, their apparent aggressiveness, and how the film scarred Duncan
Bonesmith
Just how many times is the word 'Bone' said in this episode? Mathematicians are still trying to calculate. Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto might be the most YA book the two have ever read. But is it good? There's a lot of heady discussion in this one. The fellas cover: predictable plot threads, whip swords, worldbuilding, curing cancer with medical quackery, a digression on Bleach for some reason, an
The Black Company
It's the grandfather of the Grimdark genre, where Vietnam vets meet flying carpets, the Black Company. Duncan has already enjoyed the entire series, and is understandably nervous after Geordie's round rejection of The Straight Razor Cure that Geordie will lay into this classic as well. He should have no fear. They have an excellent (mostly) spoiler-free discussion of its savage tone, the influence
Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure
For years Duncan has been biding his time. After The Gutter's Prayer threatened to tear the podcast apart from Geordie's vitriol, Duncan has once again summoned the courage to make him read a Noir Urban Fantasy Mystery novel in The Straight Razor Cure (also known as Low Town) by Daniel Polanski.Have the years mellowed Geordie's anger? Or will this episode once again threaten to destroy them both t
The Witcher: The Last Wish
The fellas kick off their 3rd year of the podcast with a long awaited story. The Witcher: The Last Wish, by Andrzej Sapkowski. They cover its dark take on familiar fairy tales, how it compares to its many adaptations, misogyny, and accucastions of plagarism.
A Look Back at 2024 - Our Top Books!
What a year, and what a closer. The fellas gather together to celebrate the year that has been and look forward to the one coming. As with every year, they're examining the highs and lows of all the books they've covered in 2024, and awarding books the following categories:The Biggest Surprise, the Biggest Disappointment, their Favourite, the Worst, and the greatest reward of all: the Best book of
The Dallergut Dream Department Store
In their final episode of 2024, the fellas tackle their third, and perhaps final, tangentially-related Christmas book with Miye Lee's Dallergut Dream Department store. And despite the winter weather, things are heating up. With Duncan praising the book's easy, fluffy tone, and Geordie savaging the book's prose and glacial pacing. Who will triumph in the debate?
Priory of the Orange Tree
The long awaited and long delayed episode on Priory of the Orange Tree. Duncan and Geordie come together to discuss this modern fantasy classic by Samantha Shannon. But Duncan has a secret to share. This time he has fallen short on finishing this novel and Geordie is left to take him through the ending and give his opinions and insight. As Duncan is left to makes wild and inaccurate predictions on
Red Country
And so, as the year's end approaches, Duncan and Geordie put the wrap on Joe Abercrombie's second trilogy within his First Law series with Red Country. Its the fellas' first encounter with the Fantasy0-Western subgenre, But there are no wizards with sombreros here. Its a little Fist Full of Dollars, a little Deadwood, a lot of True Grit and The Searchers, but with some brooding, evil Northmen and
The story lost for a century - Bram Stoker's Gibbet Hill
Lost in a Dublin archive for 150 years, the fellas are excited to be among the first to read, rate and review it. Geordie recounts the amazing story of its discovery, as well as some of its.... slightly overenthusiastic scholarly appraisal. Duncan gives a slightly scathing takedown of both Gibbet Hill and Dracula, whilst Geordie tries to comprehend some truly archaic xenophobia.
Even the Worm Will Turn
At long last, it's time for Duncan and Geordie to visit the book series from one of their favourite episodes, the sequel to The Worm and His Kings: Even the Worm Will Turn. Things gets quantum-ey and timey-wimeyesque as the fellas follow on from a book Geordie was astounded to discover has a sequel. It's certainly the most audacious sequel to any book they've read so far. Will it stick the landing
Berserk: Holy Evil War - Troll Arc
Following tradition, its time to kick off spooky season with our annual Berserk episode. Following on from The Conviction Arc the fellas head into the first part of The Millenium Falcon Arc: Holy Evil War Chapter, (vol. 22-27).Geordie introduces Duncan to new characters in what is probably the biggest change to the status quo of Berserk outside of the Eclipse, Schierke, high fantasy magic, the ber
The Heroes
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie was one of the fellas' all time favourite novels for the pod. Can its sequel, The Heroes, live up to its successes? Well to no one's surprise, it did. They discuss how much of the book can be enjoyed even with Geordie's limited knowledge of the series and characters. Geordie tries to deduce who exactly "The Bloody Nine" is from context clues, whilst Duncan gives
The Last Unicorn
By the advice of our lawyers and other sensible people, we do not endorse the "Is This Just Fantasy Last Unicorn Drinking Game," wherein players take a shot every time Duncan and Geordie describe this novel as "beautiful." You have been warned.Yes, in this episode the fellas visit a classic of American fantasy, Peter S. Beagle's the Last Unicorn. A spell-binding fairy tale full of heart and humour
How Conan the Barbarian began a fanfic empire
Robert E. Howard was a poor writer who died in tragedy; unknown. His creations, especially Conan of Cimmeria, destined to be forgotten. Until the vultures began to circle. Duncan leads Geordie on the incredible almost 100 year long story of how Conan was either stolen or rescued from obscurity by L. Sprague de Camp, and continued to be a figurehead of fantasy until today.Duncan chronicles the many
Promise of Blood
The fellas get together to discuss Brennan McClellan's cordite drenched debut, The Promise of Blood, the first book in the Powder Mage trilogy. The discuss some awesome action, fun characters and a promising beginning, as well as some... less than awesome, and even baffling parts.This episode's release was delayed, so apologies. We won't say whose fault it was, but it wasn't Duncan's.
Circe
Song of Achilles was tied for the pod's best book in the history of the podcast, so what will the fellas make of its... prequel? Sequel? Midquel? Madeline Miller's crazy collage of Greek Mythology through the hawkish eyes of Circe. It's a beautiful tale covering millennia of isolation, sadness, love, and more sadness. They compare the it against Song of Achilles, they argue over the pronunciation
Star Wars: The Last Command
Before Geordie embarks on his trek through the wilds of Sweden, there to battle moose and attempt to order food using his very bad Swedish, the fellas settle in to wrap up their review of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy. They cover Palpatine's revenge check-list, get important villain names wrong, and cloning logistics. Also how great The Last Command is.
Children of Anguish and Anarchy
The fellas cover the much anticipated finale to the Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi which began with the smash Children of Blood and Bone, They discuss how it measures up the the successes of the first book and the misses of the second. They cover conspicuous character absences and dropped themes, and an in-depth analysis on the author's differing approach to each book; Geordie brings up t
Star Wars: Dark Force Rising
The fellas carry on their Star Wars Legends marathon with Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn. They discuss Leia actually being allowed to do things in this book, get annoyed at there being too many lightsaber colours, Geordie gets bent out of shape about the name: "Katana Fleet." Speaking of shapes, I hope you like nerds discussing the different alphabet themed Star Fighters, because they spend mor
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
Much to Geordie's horror he has been compelled to read another Star Wars book. And worse yet... he likes it. The fellas review Timothy Zahn's continuation of the original Star Wars trilogy. They have their first encounter with iconic characters like Thrawn and Mara Jade, discuss wife-guy Han Solo, the significance of lightsaber colours, the presence of hot chocolate in the series, and Geordie vent
The Gunslinger
The fellas journey across the desert to hunt a man in black and discuss the beginning of Stephen King's celebrated series: The Dark Tower. They cover their histories with King, uncover the surprising backstory behind the book's origin, discover a meta-twist neither of them saw coming, Geordie teaches Duncan about the Song of Roland, and they debate whether or not there was a goat-man in the book.
Dune
This is a fantasy novel, we promise, Duncan and Geordie gather round the northern hemisphere of Arrakis to discuss Frank Herbert's Science-Ficti,,, I mean Science-Fantasy epic, Dune. They discuss its astounding world building, its fascinating connection to real history, the intricacies of its world, spend an unusual amount of time talking about Brian Herbert, and discuss its incredible ending.
Empire of the Damned
In the much anticipated follow-up to Empire of the Vampire, Geordie and Duncan get stuck into everything they love about it, and its a long book with a lot to love. They talk sincerity, big anime swords, massive retcons, twists, awesome art, difficult to pronounce Scottish names, and perhaps the funniest blunder in the podcast's history as Duncan completely misreads the ending of the book.
Empire of the Vampire - the revisit
In a parallel world this ought to have been episode 3 of this podcast. In anticipation of reading Empire of the Damned, Geordie and Duncan,,, well, just Geordie actually, return to the dark world of Empire of the Vampire. Geordie catches Duncan back up on all the dramatic fights, the vampiric lore, the cool tattoos, and the slight overabundance of references to either Elric or the Last of Us.
Our Top 50 fantasy novels - two year anniversary special!
Over two years and (slightly over) 50 books under their belt, Duncan and Geordie revisit every fantasy novel fantasy novels they've read over the past two years, ranking them from the very lowest lows to the absolute bests of the genre. It gets contentious at times, tune in to hear Geordie call Duncan a heretic and find out what you should be reading this year.Thank you to everyone who's listened
Assassin's Apprentice
To commemorate their 50th fantasy novel, the fellas read and discuss a classic in the fantasy genre, the beginning to Robin Hobb's seminal Realm of the Elderlings series: Assassin's Apprentice. The fellas cover the book's influence, the strength of its characters, as well as some of slightly,,, slower moments. They also spend a lot of time discussing Game of Thrones and Green Rider.
Best Served Cold
Just how many times can Geordie say "roaring rampage of revenge" in just one episode? That's one of many questions the fellas ask as they delve into Joe Abercrombie's Best Served Cold. Duncan pulls a Murtagh, pulling Geordie into the fourth book in a series, Can they keep their bearings? Can Geordie figure out who the Bloody Nine is? And will Duncan ever discover what domming is? Only time will te
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
Things get philosophical as the fellas are compelled to cover the trolley problem, vegetarianism, and ethical consumption under capitalism, all because Geordie picked the Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. LeGuin. He also spends an unforgivable amount of time talking about his latest weird interest at the start, but he has since been suitably punished. The hotest debate in the whole episo
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
On the heels of the first season's finale, the fellas wrap up their review of a book which had a Vader-like (Vaderesque? Vaderonean?) chokehold on Geordie's childhood. Does it hold up? Of course it does. This episode is a major hit with them both. Episode highlights are Geordie teaching Duncan the correct pronunciation of Uranus, and Duncan making a... very interesting request of Geordie.Editing n
Murtagh
For one it's a return to an old favourite. For another, it's beginning a dense fantasy series at book 5 with very little context. The fellas leap into Murtagh the follow up to Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle, which Duncan has never read. Episode highlights are Duncan demanding to know what an Urgal is, an enthusiastic discussion of the book's magic system, and Geordie fulfilling his dream of beco
Shadow Kingdom
In a cracking start to the new year and their 3rd season the fellas have delivered what they agree is probably their best episode yet. And of course that had to happen when discussing a lesser known creation by an author writing in 1929. Kull of Atlantis, the original Conan. Duncan rocks Geordie's world by introducing Geordie to the world of queer readings of Kull and Conan, whilst Geordie shares
A look back at 2023
Look how far we've come this year. Geordie and Duncan look back at all the novels they've covered through 2023 and spare a moment of highlight some of the best surprises, their least favourites, and the very best they came across.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
For this year's holiday special the fellas review the only other Christmas fantasy book they could think of: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. They discuss the charming book's humble and adorable origins, the world's most impactful trip to the zoo, Geordie teaches Duncan Bible stories, whilst Duncan recounts the most hare-brained story of the creation of the iconic lampost. Most importantly b
Legends and Lattes
Ooooh, what a delight this one was. Duncan and Geordie put on their slippers, slip under a blanket, get their coffee mug (then Geordie puts his away because he doesn't actually like coffee) and discuss Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. They find it a wonderful and charming book with impeccable vibes. With dual fantasies of orcs, elves and running a successful business. The fellas discuss suppo
Sisters of Sword and Shadow
It's hot off the press. This week the fellas crack open feminist leader Laura Bates' fantasy debut Sisters of Sword and Shadow. They discuss this depiction of sorority, feminism, the deconstruction of Arthurian chivalry, as well as its high and lows. They cover the differences between feminist fiction writing and non-fiction writing, Duncan gives us an engineering crash-course in swords made of ti
An Interview with Hailey Piper (The Worm and His Kings)
Duncan and Geordie are eager to present their interview with author Hailey Piper, writer of one of their recent faves: The Worm and His Kings. They discuss her writing process, the origins of her interest in horror, the bold end to the novel, and something about kaiju chickens?
The Poppy War
Things get fiery in their longest episode to date, discussing R. F. Kuang's The Poppy War. The fellas have a lot to cover, discussing their mixed feelings regarding the acclaimed debut. Duncan is... exceedingly patient with Geordie this time as he goes on several rants about MMA, kung fu, the Cultural Revolution, and Operation Downfall. He just has a lot of feelings about Operation Downfall, okay?
The Worm and His Kings
In the grand finale of their Halloween collection, the fellas tackle a dark horse: The Worm and His Kings by Hallie Piper, and wouldn't you know it, its the best surprise of the year. They discuss its darkly profound ending, its amazing characters and relationships, and an example of positive nihilism.TW: this book contains themes of gender dysphoria and a botched sex change operation.
Shadow Over Innsmouth
The fellas make their first foray into the maddening world of H. P. Lovecraft to discuss one of his most famous works. They discuss: how does Geordie's knowledge of local geography compare to a guy at a 1920s bus station? Will Duncan hide behind his partner when confronted by a serial killer? And is it easier for Geordie to pronounce miscegenation or ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fht
Berserk: Tower of Conviction
Wrapping up their 2023 review of Berserk with the 'Binding Chain ' and the 'Rebirth Ceremony' chapters (but the fellas insist on calling it the Tower of Conviction arc.) The fellas are rapturous over the action and the new characters added to the Berserk canon, and go head to head debating whether Mozgus is a good villain or not. Episode highlights include: Duncan joining the Serpico fan-club, Geo
Berserk: Lost Children Arc
Trigger warnings for discussions of sexual violence. It's back! It's back and Geordie is excited! The fellas return to the horrible world of Guts and Puck. Following on from their last episode on the Eclipse and the end of the Golden Age Arc, they're back in Guts' sad boy era with the Lost Children Chapter of the Conviction Arc. Things get heated as Duncan and Geordie debate the merits of Puck, wh
The Weird of the White Wolf
The fellas return to the Moorcockiverse to experience the further adventures of Elric of Melnibone in his first published appreance in: The Dreaming City, While the Gods Laugh, and The Singing Citadel. They discuss magic, misogyny, and how its all made up for by amazing speeches, evil soul-stealing swords, and an anti-hero who is as cool as he is goth,
The Silence of the Girls
In what's set to become an annual summer-time tradition, the boys are back in Troy. This time they're seeing the Iliad through the eyes of Briseis and into the silent suffering of slave women in Pat Barker's critique of the Iliad: The Silence of the Girls. In this episode the fellas argue over whether vikings could free-style rap, Duncan wonders whether anyone has ever seen the movie Troy (who can
Jirel of Joiry (Red Sonja but worse)
We didn't think it would happen, but has a book finally come along to rival both Demon in Silver and The Eye of Argon for the worst fantasy novel the fellas have ever read for this podcast? Gasp in dread and horror at the novel which Geordie couldn't even finish, and which he had to beg Duncan to be permitted to only read three of the six stories. Marvel at the lengths they'll go to avoid talking
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