Spells From The Shelf

Grab your favorite beverage and cozy up, because Ammie and Paul are back on Spells From the Shelf to tackle the absolute powerhouse conclusion that is Sabaa Tahir’s Empire ! From heart pounding betrayals to emotional, game changing climaxes, we are breaking down every breathtaking moment of this epic finale. Need to dodge the big reveals? You're in luck, because the entire first half of the e...

Welcome to Spells From the Shelf with your hosts, Paul and Ammie! In this episode, we are wrapping up our Spooky Season Trail with a deep dive into Joe Abercrombie's dark and thrilling fantasy, The Devils. After kicking off our autumn readathon with Ninth House , we are bringing our seasonal journey to a deliciously dark close with Abercrombie’s signature grimdark style, vibrant characters, a...

In this episode of Spells From the Shelf , hosts Ammie and Paul dive into Leigh Bardugo’s spellbinding adult debut, Ninth House . Join them for a spoiler free discussion in the first half as they introduce the dark, secret societies of Yale, the enigmatic protagonist Alex Stern, and the haunting atmosphere that makes this urban fantasy so captivating. Whether you’ve already read the book or are wo...

Welcome back to Spells From the Shelf ! In this episode, your hosts Ammie and Paul dive into Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout—the author who helped Ammie fall back in love with reading after taking a break for a few years—to explore a high stakes world of gods, hematoi, and dangerous romance. The first half of the episode stays entirely spoiler free as Ammie and Paul break down the premise, di...

In Spells From the Shelf , hosts Ammie and Paul open up the pages of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s enchanting dark fairy tale, Gods of Jade and Shadow . Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Jazz Age, this episode dives into the opening journey of Casiopea Tun as she accidentally frees a trapped Mayan death god and finds herself bound to his high stakes quest. Ammie and Paul unpack the richly detailed...

Pull up a chair as Ammie and Paul dive into Marie Lu’s electrifying fantasy, Red City . In this spoiler free first half, the hosts unpack the novel's lush world building, high stakes political intrigue, and unforgettable lead characters—all without ruining a single plot twist. Whether it’s already sitting on your nightstand or you’re just searching for your next great read, Ammie and Paul bre...

Welcome to Spells From the Shelf , the podcast where magic meets the page! In this episode, hosts Paul and Ammie sit down with acclaimed author D.B. Jackson to dive deep into his gripping Thieftaker Chronicles . Join the trio as they discuss blending historical fiction with gritty urban fantasy, the art of crafting magical mysteries in pre-Revolutionary Boston, and what it takes to bring compellin...

Grab your bookmarks and settle in! This week on Spells From the Shelf , hosts Ammie and Paul dive into Fonda Lee’s The Last Contract of Isako . Is this high-stakes story another hit, or does it hit a few speedbumps along the way? Rest easy knowing this discussion remains completely spoiler free for the entire first half of the episode, making it safe to listen to even if you are just starting out...

Welcome back to Spells From the Shelf with your hosts, Ammie and Paul! In this episode, we are diving into the rich, enchanting world of Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty. If you haven’t read the book yet, don't worry—the first half of our discussion is completely spoiler free. We’ll cover our initial impressions, talk about the world building, and discuss what makes Chakraborty's...

Welcome back to Spells From the Shelf, recorded live from the bustling floor of the frontpaigemedia book fair with your hosts, Ammie and Paul. In this quick mini episode, we are sharing a rapid fire look at our absolute favorite reads of 2026. We are thrilled to be joined on stage by special guest Becky, the mastermind behind bookclubjourneys, who specializes in transforming your favorite pages in...

Get ready to talk all things BookCon! In this episode of Spells from the Shelf , your favorite hosts, Ammie and Paul, are pulling up a few extra chairs to the table. Joining them are two special guests to break down the biggest highlights, exclusive panels, and most exciting bookish reveals from the convention floor. But it wasn't all glitter and signed ARCs. From chaotic lines and packed pan...

Welcome to Spells From the Shelf , the literary podcast where your hosts, Ammie and Paul, dust off the covers and dive deep into the pages. In this episode, they are stepping into the chaotic, televised universe of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Things get explosive on the couch as our hosts find themselves completely divided. One of them fell head over heels for the high octane, stats hea...

In this episode of Spells From the Shelf , hosts Ammie and Paul open the cover on Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup , diving deep into its eccentric, high stakes fantasy murder mystery. They break down the book's unique biopunk world, where genetically modified investigators must solve an impossible crime before an empire crumbles. With their signature blend of analytical insight and c...

In this episode of Spells From the Shelf , hosts Ammie and Paul dive into the shadows of dark fantasy as they sit down with author V.L. Bovalino. Together, they explore the eerie atmosphere and intricate lore of Bovalino's novel, The Second Death of Locke . The conversation dives into the book's haunting themes, the mechanics of its supernatural world, and the creative process behind cra...

In this episode of Spells from the Shelf , your hosts Paul and Ammie pull Andy Weir’s sci-fi sensation Project Hail Mary down from the stacks to dissect its blend of high-stakes survival and hard science. They dive deep into Ryland Grace’s desperate mission to save Earth, exploring the mystery of his amnesia and the fascinating physics behind his interstellar journey. Even with the feature film al...

Dust off your grimoires and prepare for a little salt with your sugar as Ammie and Paul return for another episode of Spells from the Shelf . This week, we are tackling Callie Hart’s Brimstone . We kick things off with a spoiler free look at the vibes, giving you the "honest bestie" perspective on whether this hyped up journey is actually worth your precious shelf space. In the second ha...

In this special crossover event, we’re joined by Ammie and Paul from Spells from the Shelf and Kyla and Sarah from Paperback. Ponderings for an in-depth dive into the foundation of Robin Hobb’s beloved world. We explore the journey of Fitz in Assassin’s Apprentice , beginning with a spoiler free discussion on the atmospheric world building, Hobb's exquisite prose, and why this story of a roya...

In this week's episode of Spells From the Shelf , we sit down with Jessica Leigh, the imaginative author behind the burning fantasy hit, Daughter Forged in Fire . We explore the intense elemental magic and high stakes politics that define her world. Jessica shares how she developed a protagonist who must survive to claim her power. We discuss the themes of rebirth, the burden of ancestral mag...

Welcome back to Spells From the Shelf with your hosts, Ammie and Paul! Today’s deep dive is into a modern classic that effectively redefined what "heroic" fantasy looks like. If the typical tropes of shiny knights and clear-cut battles between good and evil feel a bit stale, Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself is the perfect shot of adrenaline for the bookshelf. It is a story where the li...

Ammie and Paul are soaring into the lush, high stakes world of Sarah A. Parker’s When the Moon Hatched. This episode is perfectly partitioned for every listener: the first half is a spoiler free review of the vibes, prose, and dragon lore for those still on the fence. The second half shifts into a full spoiler filled recap to get you completely caught up on Raeve and Kaan’s journey before the high...

Get ready to unleash your inner Manifestor! Join the high energy trio of Paul, Ammie, and Gracie Daisy as they crack open the pages of Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by the amazing Angie Thomas. The gang is diving headfirst into a world where magic is real, and a twelve-year-old girl is about to turn everything upside down. From debating which Remarkable powers they’d want...

Join hosts Ammie and Paul as they pull a new adventure from the library stacks in Spells From the Shelf . In this episode, they dive into the brutal and beautiful world of Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent. From Tisaanah’s harrowing journey for freedom to the grumpy sunshine mentorship of Maxantarius, Ammie and Paul break down the magic systems, the slow-burn romance, and the high stakes...

This week on Spells From the Shelf, Ammie and Paul travel to the ash covered world of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire. While this book is a beloved staple for many fantasy fans, we found that our journey through Scadrial was a little more complicated than we expected. While it wasn't our favorite read of the year, we absolutely love that so many of you adore this story. Join us...

Happy New Year from Spells From the Shelf! To kick off 2026, Ammie and Paul are looking back at a spectacular year of stories and spells. We’re revisiting our absolute favorite books from 2025 and diving into some fun year end stats. With thanks to all you who listen!  Support the show Instagram: @spellsfromtheshelf YouTube: @spellsfromtheshelf www. SpellsFromTheShelf.com

Ammie and Paul are kicking off a new series discussion by reviewing Callie Hart's Quicksilver . Join the hosts as they break down the book's magical system, the intense character dynamics, and their favorite moments from this must read romantasy. Warning: The hosts may get distracted discussing the shocking twists! Grab your relics and prepare to dive in! Support the show Instagram: @spe...