Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Yes, Jurassic Park was a book first! On today's Roundtable episode, we revisit the blockbuster dinosaur franchise and the Michael Crichton book that inspired it. We break down the biggest differences between the book and the film, and we discuss how the themes of human ambition and scientific responsibility are still frighteningly relevant today. We also think back to our earliest dinosaur obs...

On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald, the first book in a brand-new dark fantasy series set in a world where technology meets magic. We chat about the unique worldbuilding, whether the enemies to lovers arc is a true slow burn, and how this epic debut dances on the line between fantasy and dystopian fiction. Our book recommendations this week:...

A bookbinder and an immortal warrior forced to work together? Sign us up! On today's Chosen One episode, we speak to Australian author Helen Scheuerer about Kiss of the Black Flame, the first book in her brand-new romantasy trilogy. Helen tells us about her timely pivot from literary fiction to romantasy and why she chooses to write main characters who are no longer coming of age. We also bond...

Lit Witches goes abroad! On today's episode, we travel to the UK to speak to two publishers who are at the forefront of the fantasy boom. We chat about how the fantasy genre has grown and changed, and the role social media and BookTok has played in connecting readers with books they'll love. They also reveal their favourite fantasy reads, what books perfectly execute their favourite tropes...

Grab your orange shirts and beaded necklaces - we're going back to Camp Half-Blood! On today's Roundtable episode, we revisit one of our favourite, most nostalgic fantasy reads: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We chat about our first experiences with the Percy Jackson world and why it truly stands the test of time thanks to the characters, the humour, and the iconic...

On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for another Fantasy Classics Book Club, this time to discuss Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We break down the book's timely themes, the enduring appeal of the monster and how it's influenced the genres of fantasy and sci-fi today. We also chat about the recent film adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and our VERY different reactions to it. Our quickf...

On today's Roundtable episode, we're celebrating the release of Turncloak with a full spoiler review of Silvercloak, the first book in L.K. Steven's brutally dark fantasy series. We reveal the biggest plot twists, our favourite romantic - and gruesome - scenes, and we break down that WILD ending. We also chat about why we're joing the L.K. Steven fan club, plus, we give our predictions for Turnclo...

On today's Roundtable episode, we're gearing up for a revolution as we talk all things Silver Elite by Dani Francis, a dystopian fantasy that combines the best of both genres. We revisit our dystopian fiction origin stories and the genre's explosion in the 2010s with classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Then we look at how Silver Elite combines spicy romance with dystopian the...

On today's Roundtable episode, we're heading to the carriwitchet stadium and cheering on our favourite characters in The Winged Game by Sophie Kim, a brand-new sports romance set in a colourful fantasy world. 'Sports romantasy' may be the next big genre, and this book proves why: true slow-burn enemies to lovers (they really hate each other, and it's exquisite), found family, h...

On this week’s Roundtable episode, we’re opening the filing cabinet on Office Romantasy and diving into all four books in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series. It’s grumpy/sunshine on speed, complete with found family, dragons, castles, sorcery, office memos and, naturally, “light paperwork and occasional casual beheading.” We’re talking openly and with spoilers about Books 1–3,...

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to Shara Curlett about the first book in her brand-new fantasy series, Protector of Beyond, that's full of mythical creatures, perilous trials and kids with mysterious powers. She tells us how she came up with the 'spark' for this magical world after a winding professional journey from DJ to author (tune in to hear the surprising thing th...

Release the kraken! On today's Roundtable episode, we're chatting about our latest epic fantasy romance obsession, Steelborn by Taylor J LaRue. From well-crafted magic systems and expansive worlds to underground networks of thieves and spies, we dive into everything we loved about this fantasy debut. We also ask the hardhitting questions: What do we do when fae aren't the love interest...

Read Shadow Reaper yet? Good. Let's spoil everything! In this full spoiler review, we're diving deep into Lynette Noni's latest fantasy novel, breaking down the biggest plot twists, shocking reveals, unforgettable character moments, and that ending. From our favourite scenes and emotional moments to the questions we're still asking, nothing is off limits. Whether you're looking...

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to one of the Romance Queens of Australian writing, Lauren Jackson, about her vampire romance trilogy, The Red Thorne series. Lauren tells us about the classic vampire content that inspired the series - Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, of course - and gives us a sneak peek of what to expect from the recently released final book, Fight For Us. We also ch...

On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into the bonkers world of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. We chat about the utterly unique chaos of this series and how it weaves together themes of AI, colonisation and reality TV against a backdrop of an alien invasion, a deadly progression game and a talking cat. We also discuss the rise of the Lit RPG genre and the crossover appeal that pulls...

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to husband-and-wife author duo, Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld about their new book, The Mortons, a gothic thriller with The Secret History meets Succession vibes. We discuss why fantasy fans will be drawn to the dark academia atmosphere underpinning the first book in this new series focusing on a murderous crime family. We also chat about wha...

On today's Roundtable Fantasy Classic Book Club episode, we're discussing all things The Odyssey, from our first experiences of the epic poem to our brutally honest thoughts on Christopher Nolan's new film adaptation. We chat about our love for Greek mythology (hello, Disney Hercules) and how each translation and retelling brings something new to these ancient myths. We also share our review of No...

On today's Chosen One episode we speak with the brilliant Kate Forsyth, author of The Changeling. We dive into Kate's long-lasting interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, faeries and witchcraft, and how she has incorporated all into her latest novel. We discuss the trend of retelling fairytales and their impact on modern storytelling. We also talk Greek mythology, Scottish folklore and Kate'...

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we're diving into Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, the thrilling sequel to Dire Bound and second book in 'The Wolves of Ruin' series. In this fantasy book review, we unpack the unhinged predictions we made in our Dire Bound Roundtable episode and whether or not they came true, and how contemporary themes like propaganda and fake news are reflec...

On today's Chosen One episode, we share an episode from our sister podcast, Ask Penguin. This interview with legendary fantasy author Philip Pullman takes us through forty years of storytelling, through Northern Lights, His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust. We discuss in detail the final installment of The Book Of Dust: Vol 3 The Rose Fields, and how to say goodbye to a beloved character fo...

On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for our first Fantasy Classics Book Club, discussing one of the original vampire stories, Dracula by Bram Stoker. We get into Dracula's impact on modern day vampire literature, the lore of vampires and how it's changed over time - from horror to romance. We talk vampire tropes, our favourite vampire books, shows and movies; including The Lost Boys...

On today's Chosen One episode we speak to Sophie Clark about Cruel Is the Light , her debut romantasy full of demon-hunting exorcists, forbidden love and tangled webs of power. We discuss the gothic elements of the Vatican-inspired world and how the setting became a character in and of itself. We also delve into our love of the grumpy x sunshine trope, especially when it's flipped on its h...

On today's Roundtable episode, the 2010s are back as we revisit the paranormal romance books that shaped our love of fantasy. From Fallen to Vampire Academy and City of Bones , we delve into all the reasons why we adored these books as angsty teenagers. We give our hot takes about the best angel fiction and the worst classics, and we recall the struggle of keeping track of all our book boyfrie...

On today's Roundtable episode, join us for another trip down memory lane as we reveal the fantasy books that shaped our undying love for the genre. From Percy Jackson to Inkheart , The Starless Sea and many more, we discuss the stories that turned us into readers and the ones that reshaped our reading as adults. We also reveal the lifelong obsessions sparked by these books, including how one of us...

On today's Roundtable episode, we get sentimental as we look back at the formative books that made us fall in love with fantasy. From Eragon to Northern Lights , Six of Crows and many more, we chat about the stories that feel like coming home, whether they still hold up today and how they have influenced our reading tastes as adults. We also discuss how reading unlocks memory, identity and empathy...