Uniquely Portable Magic

This week, your hosts discuss Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo, the first book in the King of Scars duology. War has come to Ravka’s borders and our heroes, Nikolai, Zoya and Nina have many hurdles to clear in order to win.  Join Alex and Ellen as they discuss the ravages of war, the prices we all pay in life and the fact that sometimes triumph doesn’t quite look like we imagined.   Join us next we...

This week, your hosts discuss King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, the first book in the King of Scars duology. Set a few years after the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and a year or so after the Six of Crows duology, this book primarily takes us back into Ravka, with many glimpses into the Fjerdan countryside. Join Alex and Ellen as they discuss the pain that was Nina’s first few chapters, their joy at havi...

This week, join us for our Series Wrap episode of the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo! Your hosts talk about the Six of Crows duology as a whole, mourn the end of the series, discuss their favorite book and character of the series, and decide if they would reread the series.   Join us next week as we discuss King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this epis...

This week, your hosts discuss Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, the second book in the Six of Crows duology. Join Alex and Ellen as they discuss their awe at the sheer number of contingencies that Kaz Brekker is able to keep track of, the joys of all of our favorites working together and the pure horror we felt at the end of this book.   Join us next week for our Series Wrap episode of the Six of...

This week, your hosts discuss Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, the first book in the Six of Crows duology. Set a few years after the Shadow and Bone trilogy, this book offers us a new perspective into the Grishaverse. Join Alex and Ellen as they discuss their love of the camaraderie and banter in the group, the genius that is Kaz’s strategizing, and the way a common goal can forge unbreakable bonds...

This week, join us for our Series Wrap episode of the Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo! Your hosts talk about the Shadow and Bone trilogy as a whole, mourning the end of the series, discuss their favorite book and character of the series, and decide if they would reread the series.   Join us next week as we discuss Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in t...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo, book three in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Join us as we talk about the joy of fellowship, that twist at the end that we did not see coming and the hope that good will triumph over evil.   Join us next week as we discuss Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this episode, so if you haven’t re...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, book two in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Join us as we talk about the seductive power of belonging, the frustration that comes from feeling unworthy and the shock that is the ending of this book.   Join us next week as we discuss Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this episode, so if you h...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, book one in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Join us as we talk about the power of friendship, the sting of betrayal and the improbable magic of the Grisha.   Join us next week as we discuss Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this episode, so if you haven’t read the book being discussed, feel...

In this bonus episode, join your hosts as they discuss the two bonus chapters at the end of A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas. In the Books-a-Million version of the book, we get a look at Azriel’s POV, for the first time, and we discuss how ready we are to learn more about the quietest member of the Inner Circle. In the Barnes and Noble version of the book, we get an extra chapter checking...

This week, your hosts discuss A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas, book 5 (?) in the ACOTAR series. In this book, we switch protagonists to the eldest Archeron sister, Nesta. It follows her journey through her trauma and PTSD and into healing. Join us as we talk about new insights into old characters, the validity of many different trauma responses, and the healing power of physical activity...

This week, join us for our Series Wrap episode of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas! We’re affectionately bookending these first four books and calling them “Feyre’s story” because there are more stories in this world to be told, read and discussed. In this episode, we will talk about the ACOTAR series as a whole, mourn the end of Feyre’s POV, discuss our favorite book and cha...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, book 3.1 (or 4, depending on who you ask) of the ACOTAR series. Join your hosts as they discuss tensions that are boiling over, happily ever afters and drunken Solstice decorating.   Join us next week for our Series Wrap episode of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. It’s the part of the series...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas, book three in the ACOTAR series. Join your hosts as they discuss the pros and cons of revenge, the beauty of one’s chosen family and how much we hate Tamlin (but are also ready for that redemption arc).   Join us next week as we discuss A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, a novella in the ACOTAR series.   Spo...

This week, join us for a discussion about A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, book two in the ACOTAR series. In this episode, Alex and Ellen talk about everything from Feyre’s healing process to the thrill of Fae magic.    Join us next week as we discuss A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas, book three in the ACOTAR series.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this episode, so i...

This week, Alex and Ellen discuss A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass, the first book in the series of the same name. Join as we talk about a woman risking her life for those she used to hate, the power of love and sacrifice, and ridiculously attractive magical Fae.    Join us next week as we discuss A Court of Mist and Fury, book two in the ACOTAR series, by Sarah J Maas.   Spoiler Alert...

We’re so excited to bring you our first ever author interview, with the amazing Sarah Kozloff, author of The Nine Realms series. Join your hosts, Alex and Ellen, as we discuss Sarah Kozloff’s amazing and unique writing process, her literary inspirations, and all of the details and references to look out for while reading her wonderful series.

This week, join us for our Series Wrap episode of The Nine Realms series! Your hosts talk about The Nine Realms series as a whole, mourn the end of the series, discuss their favorite book and character of the series, and decide if they would reread the series.   Join us next week as we discuss A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, the first book in the ACOTAR series.   Spoiler Alert: There...

This week your hosts discuss The Cerulean Queen by Sarah Kozloff, the final book in the Nine Realms series. Alex and Ellen talk about how frustrating it is that Cerulia and Thalen’s reunion is thwarted at every turn, how inspiring it is to see Cerulia come into her own as a ruler and about how badly they wanted the Raiders to reunite with Cerulia in Cascada.   Join us next week for our Series Wrap...

In this week’s episode, Alex and Ellen discuss A Broken Queen, by Sarah Kozloff, the third book in The Nine Realms series. Join us as we talk about the different ways people heal, beautiful and well deserved reunions, and how great dogs are.   Join us next week as we discuss the final book in the Nine Realms series, The Cerulean Queen, by Sarah Kozloff.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in t...

This week on the podcast, your hosts talk about The Queen of Raiders by Sarah Kozloff, book two in the Nine Realms series. Follow along as we talk about the characters, with some new faces thrown in, and the increasingly harrowing situations they get themselves into. Listen in as we discover that revenge isn’t worth the pain it causes and talk about how amazing it would be to receive the help of a...

In this episode, Alex and Ellen discuss A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff, the first book in the Nine Realms series. This book covers themes such as sacrifice, veiled racism, loyalty and love. In this episode, your hosts discuss all of the above, while also bemoaning the fact that epic fantasies with multiple storylines can be both great and terribly frustrating at the same time.   Join us next w...

This week on the podcast, Alex and Ellen talk about The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. Join your hosts as they delve into a fantastical Victorian England, filled with magical contests, dueling sorcerers and the sacrifices made in the name of true love.   Join us next week as we discuss A Queen in Hiding, by Sarah Kozloff, book one in the Nine Realms series.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoil...

This week Alex and Ellen discuss the book Fable, by Adrienne Young. Join your hosts as they talk about the harsh reality of life as a trader, the frustratingly slow romance simmering between the main characters and the uncharted magic of gem sages.   Join us next week as we discuss The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern.   Spoiler Alert: There will be spoilers in this episode, so if you haven’t rea...

In this episode, your hosts talk about Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan, the latest book in the Girls of Paper and Fire series. Alex and Ellen’s discussion follows the harrowing journey of Lei, Wren, and their band of rebels as they fight the injustices of the empire. The question remains, will their efforts be enough to build a more equal future?   Join us next week as we discuss Fable,...