Mythic Mirror

Join Mary and Carolina with special guest Eleanor the herbalist for cozy kitchen witchcraft! 🥒✨ Learn fermented pickle-making basics while we dive deep into fantasy romance, astrology, and autumnal rituals. From Romantasy spice levels to moon phases and seasonal magic, this episode blends culinary craftsmanship with fantasy book talk in our real, lived-in kitchen.   What to Expect: This epi...

Join Mary and Carolina as they explore witches across fantasy, history, and reality. From beloved fictional witches to ancient magic practices, we explore what defines a "good" or "bad" witch—and examine the dark truth behind witch hunt persecution of women.   In this episode: Favorite witches in fantasy literature • Ancient history of magic practices and witchcraft • What makes a witch "good...

Get ready for an epic fantasy adventure! In this spoiler-free episode, we're introducing our October book club read: Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan, the first book in the Riyria Revelations trilogy.  Join us as we dive into what makes this classic fantasy novel a beloved favorite among fans—from its compelling characters and intricate world-building to the mysteries that unfold throug...

Not into horror? This episode is for you. Join Mary and Carolina as we explore ancient autumn practices, modern ways to reconnect with fall, and the deeper mythology behind spooky season—without the jump scares or plastic skeletons.   What we chat about in This Episode:  Ancient Practices — Protective rituals and seasonal traditions from two ancient cultures  Modern Keys to Reconnec...

Join Mary and Carolina for a FULL SPOILER deep dive into Katherine Arden's THE UNICORN HUNTERS! This stunning new fantasy is a masterpiece painted in light and shadow, power and honor, love and sacrifice. We break down: ✨ Arden's breathtaking magic system and how it shapes the story ✨ The book's most compelling characters—and the one that drove us up the wall ✨ The deeper themes woven throughou...

Have a favorite fantasy religion? Mary and Carolina dive deep into how authors handle faith in fantasy books. They explore compelling questions: What does it mean to be a god when characters themselves are immortal? Can you truly have faith when your god is tangible and present? What separates an immersive religion from mere worldbuilding window dressing? Join the conversation as they philosophize...

In this episode, Mary and Carolina discuss The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden—exploring the book's beginning and then dipping into the rich mythology of unicorns across world cultures.   From Greek, and Roman histories to Native American legends, from Vedic references to the Chinese Auspicious Beasts, discover the unicorn lore across cultures and continents. What does Arden draw from thes...

In this episode we celebrate the thriving community of fantasy readers and indie fantasy authors. What do we gain from having a more direct connection between reader and author? What does it take to decide to "go indie?" There's magic in human connection and transformative power to story. When those two are unite, it can create life changing experiences.   Whether you're a reader looking...

Carolina takes the lead in today's episode, interviewing Mary C Kehoe about her upcoming fantasy novel, Breaking Inlands. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 📖 Exclusive interview with Mary C Kehoe about Breaking Inlands  🎯 The Kickstarter campaign that got fully funded in ONE HOUR 🌍 Writing inspiration ✨ Fantasy worldbuilding, magic systems & lore 🔮 What makes this debut fantasy a must-read for fan...

Have you read The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang? Join us for a FULL SPOILER book club discussion about this epic fantasy masterpiece. We're diving deep into everything: heroes' choices, redemption arcs, heartbreaking deaths, moments of hope, love, sacrifice, and an unforgettable ice dragon. In this episode we discuss: Character redemption arcs & the moral complexit...

Join us for an intimate author chat with Kate Stradling, exploring how fantasy became her refuge and started her on the journey of publishing her own fantasy books. From fairytale retellings and time travel adventures to the search for belonging and power structures both corrupt and holy, Kate shares the creative journeys behind her work. In this episode, we dive deep into: ✨ How fantasy served a...

In this episode, we dive into the opening of M.L. Wang's The Sword of Kaigen —a stunning epic fantasy. We explore Wang's poetic prose style, the intricate worldbuilding woven through context rather than exposition and how that's challenging and satisfying.  Explore with us the deeply layered emotional character arcs that unfold from the very first pages. We discuss how Wang handles the collis...

Join us for a magical chat with L Darby Gibbs, Fantasy author with 30 books written and so much more to come! If you love stories about dragons you're in the right place! If you want a free fantasy short story about Family bonds, sacrifice and hidden magic, check out Mary's story Rueful But Unruled. If you want a new epic fantasy about a society that thinks water will make you go mad and a young w...

Finished reading Two Twisted Crowns? We Chat about pain, sacrifice, love, the Spirit of the Wood, the cost of power and how we'll forgive just about anything if the character is witty.  Join our Mythic Mirror book club and chat with us on Fable: fable.co/club/mythic-mirror-fantasy-reads Check out the Launch of Breaking Inlands, a fantasy about a society that thinks touching water will make yo...

Explore the types of Myth and Fairytale retellings with us! Tired of hearing about the new Odyssey movie? We go beyond it real quick! We chat about symbolism, history, villains, and lots more!  Explore Mary's upcoming fantasy novel about lost gods, deadly secrets and water magic at kickstarter.com/projects/maryckehoe/breaking-inlands Interested in the books we mention? Head over to bookshop.o...

Read this dark fantasy along with us. We dive into the first half of Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig. We chat about consent, blood sport, best ways to incorporate your shadow and other light hearted topics.  Join Mary's newsletter and receive a free fantasy story (human written by Mary) at https://mary-c-kehoe.kit.com/e18855812b  Be a part of Mary's upcoming launch of her debut fanta...

Join a quick look at what makes fantasy festivals powerful. If you could jump into a book, what festival would you attend? From the real world World Cup to fantasy feast, join us for an Independence Day weekend celebration of festival! Check out Mary's upcoming book launch Here! Want a free short story about magic, family, and love? Get it here! Buy the Narnia Code by Michael Ward and support inde...

Many have wondered what is the meaning behind the Narnia series and what ties all the books together. What sis CS Lewis write into these books that you didn't notice? Want a free short story about magic, family, and love? Get it here! Check out Mary's upcoming book launch Here! Buy the Narnia Code by Michael Ward and support independent bookstores (and the show) at bookshop.org/shop/mary-c-kehoe

Finished One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig? Then come chat with us! Which theories were right which were wrong? How can the monster slowly taking over your mind be a good guy? Want a free short story? Get it here! Check out Mary's upcoming book launch Here! Buy books and support independent bookstores (and the show) at https://bookshop.org/shop/mary-c-kehoe

What makes a magic system truly unforgettable? Is it the rigid, rule-bound logic of a hard magic system — or the mysterious, awe-inspiring chaos of a soft one? From divine power and elemental forces to the intricate mechanics that make you feel like you’re learning alongside the hero, magic systems are the heartbeat of fantasy worldbuilding.  In this episode, we dive deep into what separates...

Time for a Book Chat! Explore One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig with Mary and Carolina. This dark fantasy has the folkloric tone of Uprooted and the familiar feel of an old favorite. Have any theories, reactions or deep and wondrous thoughts? Share them in the comments! Watch the video for werewolf and kitty cat sightings!  To read along with us you can buy the book at bookshop.org/shop/mary-c...

Join Mary and Carolina as they chat with Eleanor, an expert herbalist who has been foraging wild herbs for decades and loving fantasy books her whole life. Enrich your life with simple ways to bring Herb Lore into your every day. And find out what fantasy stories get herbalism right and who's dine it wrong! Get Mary's Free Fantasy Short Story and interactive visitors guide to her fantasy world at...

Explore the absolute gold that is the second half of Terry Pratchett's book Thud! Plumb the depths of evil, goodness, and well the depths. This is a book about dwarfs after all. Terry Pratchett is a master of weaving humor, human nature, and philosophic conundrums all together into a story that grabs your heart and doesn't let go. Find Mary's upcoming Book Launch Here What do warrior parents do to...

Is yearning an aspect of the soul? What is it we yearn for? How does fantasy connect to this sense of longing? Explore this theme of heart and soul with Mary and Carolina. Can we attain connection and moments of sublime yearning in our everyday rushing about lives?  Check out Mary's book launch if you love character driven epic fantasy kickstarter.com/projects/maryckehoe/breaking-inlands Get...

Jump in to the first half of Terry Pratchett's amazing murder mystery, fantasy extravaganza, Thud ! If you love humor and depth you'll love this book.  Join us for the this Mythic Read! You can buy Thud at   bookshop.org/shop/mary-c-kehoe Get Mary's free short story and Seafarer's guide to her upcoming fantasy world at mary-c-kehoe.kit.com/e18855812b Don't miss out on the Launch! Follow...