Tortall Tea

Wow! It’s been a while. This episode starts with Emily and Caroline talking about some depressingly out-of-date Kansas City sports news. Then we talk about friendship, feelings, and fencing… oh my!  This week’s tea: Mental health matters, especially for LGBTQIA+ youth (and yikes at the CDC’s website). Book recs: Emily: So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens Caroline: The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw...

Emily and Caroline are in the same room! Special guest appearances by Captain and Lucy, Caroline’s feline familiars. We talk about birthdays, how Chappell Roan makes the perfect Alanna, and critique the Tortallan medical establishment. This week’s tea: Diseases kill; vaccines help . Get your flu shots and read John Green’s book “Everything is Tuberculosis.”  Book recs: Emily: The Demon King by Cin...

Better late than never, right?! Apologies for the delay - episode 3 is here! Emily and Caroline almost got lost in the Tamora Pierce Wiki, and speculate on Alanna’s astrological sign before diving into this chapter, which is all about standing up to bullies and solidifying friendships. This week’s tea: Stand up to the bullies in power. Caroline suggests the 5calls app to help you contact your elec...

Like Alanna, we are not quitters and we are BACK for episode 2! Caroline and Emily recap the chapter and discuss loneliness, friendship, and all the new characters introduced in the second chapter, including the bully Ralon, Prince Jon, Gary, Coram, Myles, and everyone’s favorite King of Thieves, George Cooper (😍). This week’s tea: tips for how to keep kids reading after the age of 9. Plus, Emily...

Emily and Caroline explore the journey this book took in order to be published, explore some cover art through the years (look at that horse, look at that horse, look at that horse...) , and dive into the first chapter of Alanna: The First Adventure . This week's tea: girls' education around the world. The Malala Fund Camfed Book recs: Emily: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen Caroline: The True Conf...

Welcome to Tortall Tea, where we read through Tamora Pierce's classic YA fantasy novels! We are starting our journey with Alanna: The First Adventure ! Our first full episode will cover chapter 1: Twins. Grab your books, get reading, and meet us back here soon!