75. Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
It’s finally here, y’all! Our discussion of Bloodmarked by Tracey Deonn, the eagerly anticipated and long awaited sequel to Legendborn. This book picks up right where we left off in Legendborn. There are lots of weird politics, tons of racism, and so much tension between Sel and Bree that it made J’s cold, dead heart very happy. So let’s get into it! A note on scheduling: we’re taking a wee winter break! That means after our year-in-review episode, you can expect new, fortnightly shows beginning on February 7th. Content Warning for anti-Black racism. Recommend if you like… The Kaz/Inej tension of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo** Arthurian…
74. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
Our conversation today is about The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta, a transportive fantasy novel that weaves together two perspectives – Indir and Saya – both powerful Dreamers who can access the Dreaming dimension and gain knowledge there. Change is coming to the city of Alcanzeh following the death of an elderly king and the ascent of his violent heir. Indir has a pivotal role to play, while Saya travels and keeps her gifts hidden. There is a whole LOT of talk about chaos in this book, and my notes are a bit chaotic tbh, so let’s do this! Recommend if you like… Chosen one stories: Black Sun by Rebecca…
68. Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
It’s our final episode of season 4 of the podcast, y’all! We read Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas, a Peter Pan redux with plenty of twists. We’ll be back with more episodes in summer of 2022. If you want to pick one of the books we read for next season, join our Patreon! It’s a pay-what-you-can model starting at $1/month. content warning for discussions of child death Recommend if you like… Peter Pan, any iteration Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas* Folk of the Air series by Holly Black* Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova* also, if you appreciate YA that is light on the romance aspect, then this book…
67. A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown
Welcome back, coven! In this episode we are discussing A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown, the sequel to A Song of Wraths and Ruin which we talked about all the way back in episode 39! This book picks up right were the last one left off with Karina on the run and Malik living in the palace with Hanan who was brought back from the dead, and Fareed basically in control of everything. Chaos does indeed ensue! Content warning for discussions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and miscarriage. Take care of yourself folks, and if you don’t feel up to listening to this episode at the moment,…
65. Oculta by Maya Motayne
We’re finally going back to Castellan and reuniting with Finn and Alfie! In this episode we discuss Oculta by Maya Motayne, the second installment of the A Forgery of Magic series. This book is the sequel to Nocturna, which we discussed in episode 41, so go check that out if you haven’t yet! In Oculta, we’re back in San Cristobal, with Finn and Alfie trying to figure out a murderous plot at the center of a v dramatic peace summit. Of course, chaos ensues! onto the short and sweet show notes… Recommend if you like… Six of Crows and/or Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo – there’s a heist-y feeling with all of the shenanigans and plotting.…
64. Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy
Ahoy there, coven! Today we’re discussing Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy, a book about a nerdy suburban teen who can fly. After Faith’s all-time favorite show The Grove moves filming to her small town, a spate of human and other-than-human disappearances starts, and Faith is determined to get to the bottom of things. Chaos does indeed ensue! This book was recommended to us by someone on Instagram a while back. So if that was you, let us know so we can give you credit 🙂 If memory serves, this person mentioned wanting to see more books with fat representation. Just so you know, around 27:30 we talk briefly about…
62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Greetings, coven! In this episode we’re discussing Fireborne by Rosaria Munda, Book 1 of the Aurelian Cycle. Kelly calls this book Game of Thrones meets How to Train Your Dragon (there are some GOT spoilers ahead, but it’s an old show at this point so….) Please excuse our faulty memories on this one — there’s a lot going on in the world and we read the book a few weeks ago. And with that rousing captatio benavolentae, on to the show notes! Thank you to the person on social media who suggested that we read Fireborne. We don’t remember you’re name, so if this was you, get in touch 🙂 And let it never be said that we…
57. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
hey, coven! we’re excited to bring you this discussion of Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. J & K both loved this book and are gonna recommend it widely going forward. *ALERTA* Darcie has a new book coming out November 9th, A Snake Falls to Earth. We’re definitely pre-ordering and/or requesting from the library!! Please take our survey if you haven’t already! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d love to know what else you’re looking for in the show. Recommend if you like… RL Stine, Goosebumps, etc. Paranormal investigator/mystery stuff (X-files, Fringe, Lovecraft Country) DOGGOS What We Do in the Shadows (tv show or movie) Reservation Dogs (tv series, FX on Hulu)…
55. Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho
Hello, beautiful ones! This fortnight we’re discussing Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho, the second book in the Gumiho series. Join us to find out how Somin, Junu, Miyoung and Jihoon deal with grief and magical/inter-dimensional disruption. There’s romance. There’s banter. What’s not to love? Check out Episode 40 for our discussion of Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1) Stay magical, bbs! We still have a survey going on, and we’d really appreciate if you took it! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d love to know what else you’re looking for in the show! Recommend if you like… Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Almost American Girl: An…
54. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
Hello, wonderful Coven! This week we’re bringing you a discussion of We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, the second and final (maybe?) book in the Sands of Arawiya series (Check out episode 32, where we discuss the first book, We Hunt the Flame). We had a great time reading this one, and we will read anything Hafsah writes in the future (really looking forward to her new upcoming book, Tempest of Tea). Stay magical, friends! Content warning for discussions of child abuse at 49 minutes – 51:14 We still have a survey going on, and we’d really appreciate if you took it! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d…
53. Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
This fortnight, the amazing debut novel streak continues! We’re discussing Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart. Tune in for a deep dive into a nuanced magical system and some close reading of Smart’s excellent wordsmithing. Also, we have a good time trolling each other in the “Real Talk” segment. Content warning for brief discussions of rape, sexual assault and child death. Survey link is still live!! Help shape the direction of the podcast, por favor. Recommend if you like… …rebellions: Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series (which we’ve discussed in episodes 4, 7, 10, and 50) and Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series …epic characterization and chemistry: Killing Eve (Hulu) …other amazing YA books from writers of the…
52. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Hello, Coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. We had such an amazing time reading this debut novel, and we can’t wait to see what happens with the future of the series! On to the notes! Content warning for discussions of rape, sexual assault, violence, parental death, and mentions of Harry Potter. Survey link if you want to help shape how the direction of the podcast Recommend if you like… Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (which we discussed in Episode 51) Derry Girls (Netflix) Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo (we interviewed Reni in this episode) Dream Country by Ashaye Brown (we interviewed Ashaye in…
51. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Hey, everyone! We’re so incredibly excited to share this episode about Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. It’s a captivating, innovative and insightful riff on Arthurian legend set in contemporary North Carolina. Jessie and Cynthia’s (of @cynthiasreadinglist) campaign to get everyone to read this book continues! Content warning for discussions of racism, slavery, and parental death A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! It only takes 5-7 minutes, so please consider taking it. interested in reading along with us? Check out the rest of the books in the upcoming season on our future episodes page. behold, show notes! Shoutout to…
50. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
Hello, beautiful coven! We’re back for season 4 with all new episodes, and we’re starting out strong with A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir, the final book in An Ember in the Ashes series. If you want to check out the other books’ discussions you can find them here: An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, & A Reaper at the Gates. A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! Please take it if you have a chance. You can also support the show by becoming a member on Patreon, tipping us on Ko-Fi, or purchasing…
Interview with Reni K. Amayo, author of Daughters of Nri
Final interview episode coming at you with Reni K. Amayo, author of The Return of the Earth Mother series and founder of Onwe! The first book in the series, Daughters of Nri is available now, and you can pre-order the forthcoming book in the series, Decedents of the First, which is available October 5th! You can find Reni on Instagram or Twitter, and we highly recommend checking out her books! Onto the notes! Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman Dorothy Koomson Take the character quiz mentioned in the episode! Check out Onwe’s podcast SUBTEXTing The Read podcast Reni is listening to Game of Thrones audiobook, watching Modern Family and WandaVision, and reading Dream Country…
Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country
We’re thrilled to bring you this interview with author Ashaye Brown (she/her) whose debut novel, Dream Country,will be released on April 27, 2021. Aka next week (!!) for those of you listening when the episode drops. This will be the first in a mini-series of three author interviews we will be releasing in the lead up to our next season of the podcast. You can order Dream Country directly from Onwe — do it soon to get a limited edition, signed version!! I mean, behold the beautiful bookplates. Follow Ashaye on twitter @AshayeBrown for amazing content. Really, tho, follow her! (listen to the episode to hear why Jessie and Kelly rave about…
48. Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
Hello, Coven! How is your winter going? We’re excited to bring you a new episode discussing Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland and finishing up the Dread Nation series. If you need a recap of what in the first book, you can check out our episode about Dread Nation! Please consider taking our supporter survey! It should require only 5-10 minutes and it will help us get to know our audience and get your feedback about the content we create. http://bit.ly/LibraryCovenSurvey This episode features some animals trying to make themselves heard in the episode. Sorry not sorry. Now on to the notes! Racist history of gynecology from Wear Your Voice Anti-Blackness in…
44. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
Hello, coven! And welcome to one of the last episodes of the shit show that has been 2020! This week we’re discussing Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them). Let’s talk about some swans! What is magical realism? We talked a bit about being Latinx and white. There have been lots of great discussions about this, and here are 2 videos that explain it better than K or I did What is White Latinx and White Passing Privilege? Can Latinos Benefit from White Privilege? K mentioned Arrested Development TV show J recommended the movie Practical Magic for people who want stories about sisters, magic, and curses Transcript below or access the…
42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
Hello, coven! This week we’re discussing Wayward Witch, the third and final (?) book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. You can check out our episodes about Labyrinth Lost and Bruja Born if you need a refresher about what happened in the earlier books! Which was your favorite of the series? What would be your sinmago power be? Full episode transcript below or access the transcript PDF And now, onward to the notes (of which there are very few this week)! The audiobook was narrated by Almarie Guerra “When people show you who they are” quote is from Dr. Maya Angelou The Body Keeps the Score [gif of Thor looking intense and…
41. Nocturna by Maya Motayne
hiya, coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of Nocturna by Maya Motayne. We both loved this book and didn’t realize how complex the world building and magical system were until we came together in conversation (aka we’re both a little befuddled, and that’s fine!). Motayne’s debut novel is full of relatable characters and exquisite writing. Oh, and there’s magical texting and pining. Have we convinced you to put this on your TBR yet?! Content Warning: this book deals with some heavy topics like emotional and physical abuse, which we discuss at length (although in general terms). Please take this into account when deciding whether to dive into this episode. Call…
40. Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Hello, Coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of Wicked Fox by Kat Cho. We really enjoyed reading some urban fantasy that took place in South Korea. What are your thoughts about this book? We’re a bit light on notes, because we actually stuck to the book more than usual! Call to action: It’s November 3, and if you haven’t already, be sure to go vote! K watched Itaewon Class to get ready to talk about this book and get more familiar with K-dramas J recommends Explained episode on K-pop Healthcare in South Korea The sequel, Viscous Spirits, is out now, and we can’t wait to read it! Transcript below or…
39. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
hey, magical beings! This fortnight we’re bringing you a conversation about A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, the first in a planned duology. The second/final installment, A Psalm of Storms and Silence is due out in early 2021. Content Warning for discussions of parent death, panic attacks, and child abuse. ChildHelp Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Call to Action: take care of yourselves! The interactive “you feel like shit self care guide flowchart” is a good resource. here is the source K used when researching the meaning of different day names. Various fact-based news sources have documented widespread evidence that the United States’s carceral immigration system (including deportation flights) is spreading COVID-19.…
38. Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
Hello, coven! This is one of the last few episodes where we refer to ourselves as JK, It’s Magic. We hope you like our new name, and that you feel like you’re part of the coven. This week we’re talking about Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova, were we get to know a lot more about Lula! If you need a recap about what happened in the last book, check out our Labyrinth Lost episode. Call to Action: This week, we’re asking that people learn more about ways they can lend a hand to those experiencing homelessness. One place you can start is The National Alliance to End Homelessness. Full Transcript Below (or…
37. A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Greetings to all you magical beings out there! This fortnight, we’re discussing A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. We immensely enjoyed Kemmerer’s spin on the whole Beauty and the Beast tradition, and we found Harper to be one of the most relatable and badass protagonists! There’s so much about this novel that we found relevant to our pandemic times– especially re: disability, medical debt, . Also, J & K happen to be on different ships this time! Hope you enjoy and learn things and teach us things! Content warning: terminal illness and parental death, rape and sexual assault (mins 20-22). Call to action: This week we’re encouraging y’all to “crip”…
36. Crier’s War by Nina Varela
Hello, magical folx! This fortnight we’re discussing Crier’s War by Nina Varela! This book is fantasy adjacent, and leans a bit more toward science fiction, but we have lots of world building and robot things to talk about! Call to action: This week we’re educating ourselves on how the various technologies we use impact BIPOC and disabled people. Here are two books that can help with our collective education: Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble This is just the start of our education. Please let us know any other sources you found helpful!…
34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
Hello, magical friends! This fortnight we’re coming at you with a discussion of Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, the second book in the Legacy of Orïsha series. If you need a recap of the story or what we talked about in the first book, check out episode 2 (so long ago!!!) about Children of Blood and Bone. First up, let me say there is a bit of a sound issue on my part (J), that I apologize for. I accidentally recorded from my webcam instead of my microphone, but hopefully, I wont let that happen again in the future! Call to action: this week we asked that you take…
32. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Hello, magical ppl! In this episode we dive into We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, which J & K both enjoyed immensely. Join us for a conversation about how much we <3 enemies-to-lovers ships, badass protags like Zafira and Kifah, Faizal’s impressive world-building, and much more. Content Warning for discussions of child abuse. ChildHelp – Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance And now, links! The sequel, We Free the Stars, is scheduled for release on January 19, 2021. If you have some time, professor Edward Said teaches about Orientalism in this interview (appx. 40 minutes). If you are short on time, this video is a good primer about Orientalism and Said’s work on the…
31. A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney
Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing A Dream so Dark by L.L. McKinney, the second book in the Nightmare-verse series! In this episode we’re making predictions about the future books in the series, talking about “urban” fantasy, and coming at you with some major Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker spoilers (you’ve been warned!). For a refresher for what happened in the last book, check out our episode on A Blade So Black. Here are all the things mentioned in this week’s episode! Let’s start with a question! What are you wearing when you feel your most powerful? We mentioned The Neverending Story Dr. Martens – the badass shoe of choice! Ship It…
30. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
Hey, magical folx! This fortnight we discuss The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline, a prolific author who is a member of the Georgian Bay Metis Community. Hope you enjoy and learn something(s). BLACK LIVES MATTER. Content warning for discussions of sexual violence and addiction. RAINN – Anti-sex violence assistance. Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance. Calls to Action Follow, support, and learn from Indigenous peoples now and always! In the words of Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang, “Decolonization is not a metaphor,” but rather requires return of stolen lands. If you have the resources to make financial contributions, here are some places to contribute: Indigenous Environmental Network‘s Mutual Aid fund…
29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, the second book in the Six of Crows series. Check out our Six of Crows episode for a refresher on what happened in the last book! Side Note & Content Warning: We know we’ve been gone for a bit, and we appreciate you patience as we get back in the swing of things. We recorded this episode in November, and a lot has changed in the world since then. This could be a difficult episode to listen to if the current pandemic is taking a toll on your mental health. Obviously, we had no idea where the world would be…
28. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Hello, magical listeners! We’re coming at you this week with a discussion of Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova, the first in the Brooklyn Brujas series. J & K discuss the failed system of incarceration and the implications of those systems on brown people, beautiful world building, and Latin American folklore. There may also be a few tangents along the way… And there are some spoilers for the movie Coco. There aren’t a ton of show notes this week. See you in a fortnight! Full transcript included below. Or access the pdf version. We talked a bit about diversity in YA, but here are the stats from 2018, which includes children’s…
27. Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Oh hello again, magical listeners! J had the pleasure of reading an ARC of Rena Barron’s Kingdom of Souls, and we’re finally bringing you our conversation about this expansive, thrilling novel. It has one of the the most complex magical systems of anything we’ve read for the podcast so far. Enjoy! Content warning: we briefly discuss sexual violence in this episode. Here is a resource for those who need help: RAINN – Anti-sex violence assistance. Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance. Take care, listeners. Please excuse the erratic release schedule lately – J & K are both in grad school and the struggle is real. And now…links! You…
26. The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
Hello, magical listeners, and welcome back! We are starting season 2 by reading The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen. We’re talking science fiction, mental health, and sexist school norms in this fortnight’s episode. *We received this book as an ARC form the author* We want to give a content warning for this episode as we discuss issues of depression and self harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact The Trevor Project . The Bright Sessions podcast Highly Sensitive People v Empaths The AM Archives podcast A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney is a book that is fantastic at describing the race of ALL characters Our…
24. Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Hello, dear listeners! This fortnight we’re reading Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim, a new retelling of Mulan. We found some pretty problematic areas in the book, but found the story quite captivating overall. As a note, we did receive this book as an ARC, but our feelings and reactions to the story are honest. Content Warning: This book deals with some heavy violence issues. It comes up briefly in the episode. First, we would like to point out that we talked about there being a “miracle cure” for a disability in the book. Apparently, this was changed in the final book, but there are still issues of ableism and…
22. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
This fortnight we’re discussing Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The first book in the Six of Crows duology and the fourth book in the Grishaverse series. We discussed a wide range of topics including slavery, sex work, and stereotypes of different cultures. Content warning: In this episode we discuss sexual harassment, sex slavery, and childhood trauma/violence We promised resources for those who might need them. Please get help if you need it: RAINN – Anti-sex violence assistance. Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance ChildHelp – Child Abuse – Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Safe Place or National Runaway Safeline – Assistance for young people experiencing homelessness with both…
18. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
This fortnight we’re discussing Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, one of the most intersectional books we’ve read yet! We talked about the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and colonialism. We chatted about shipping, impostor syndrome, and many many other things. We adored this book, and we can’t wait to see what Justina Ireland has in store for us next! As always, we had a bunch of things we talked about, and you can find that information in the show notes below (these may be our longest show notes yet!). Justina Ireland also provided a list of book resources, and those are also listed below. Let’s start with the resources Justina…
17. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
This week we’re discussing Descendant of the Crane by Joan He. We received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review (which we promise to always provide). We discussed monarchies, constitutions, colorism, and magic this week, as well as many other topics. Below are links to all the resources and things we had to look up, some of which included looking things up while we were recording, I left it in, because I think it’s cool to see the process. And J is back to calling everything interesting… Cranes were mentioned in the title, but they are often mentioned throughout the story. Turns out, they’re pretty…
16. The Wicked King by Holly Black
Happy Spring, listeners! In Episode 16 we discuss The Wicked King by Holly Black, the much-awaited sequel to The Cruel Prince. Content warning: emotional and physical child abuse. ChildHelp – Child Abuse Assistance – Call 1-800-422-4453 if you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse Below you can find links to all of the topics and references that came up in our conversation. And 10 points to Gryffindor if you can count the number of times K say the word “fascinating”. Is it the shiny, new replacement for “interesting”?? Only time will tell. If, like us, you’ve ever had a hard time distinguishing between an anti hero…
13. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
This fortnight we’re discussing A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney, and there were a ton of Alice in Wonderland puns from K, as this is a modern retelling of the story. Don’t expect to get any hints about this story because you read the original. This is a whole new take! As always, there were a ton of outside sources mentioned, and hopefully we caught them all to add to the show notes. If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! Sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? Which do you prefer? For many African Americans sweet potato pie wins every time, but where did…
8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
J & K thoroughly enjoyed the dark and twisty world of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. Episode 8 features not one but TWO of K’s now infamous research rabbit holes. #RavenclawFTW. Content Warning: physical, mental, and emotional abuse If you or someone you know has been the victim of child abuse, please call ChildHelp 1-800-422-4453 for assistance The first is about all the different kinds of faeries. If you want to know more about sprites, dryads, nymphs, selkies, kelpies, banshees, elves, gnomes, goblins, pixies, etc. etc. etc., you can find an encyclopedic list here (complete with illustrations!). And while we’re at it, have another resource. The second research rabbit hole is decidedly…
7. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Reading A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir led to discussions of the prison system, mythology, and accountability. We loved how exciting a prison break can be. And this book had surprises around every corner, which had K reading the book immediately after finishing the first. Question: Are Avitas and Elias full or half siblings? Below are some articles and information about topics discussed in this fortnight’s episode: There are lots of different types of mythology out there, not just Greek mythology, but we talked specifically about Persephone and Hades in this episode. If you aren’t already, we highly recommend following Rachel Cargle on Instagram. She does a lot of work…
