MJ Munoz

Fortress Fiction

Arts EN ↓ 156 episodes

MJ is an aspiring author. He loves stories of transformation and heroism, but the craft of stringing sentences together to make someone feel something they know isn't real has a charm all its own. Join him as he studies stories and chronicles his creative endeavors. Visit MJMunoz.com for more analysis, art and fiction.

Author

MJ Munoz

Episodes

The Book of Three Chapter 11: Taran Grows Up 27.03.2026 9:03

Chapter 11 of The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander isn’t the most exciting chapter in the book, but it may be one of the most important. After everything that’s happened, Taran finally has a moment to reflect. Gwydion is presumed dead, the companions are starving, and the journey forward feels hopeless. Then Gurgi breaks his leg. Taran is suddenly faced with a brutal choice. Killing Gurgi would ma...

How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps Book Chat 12.03.2026 11:57

I usually dislike first person narration in fantasy books. But Andrew Rowe’s How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps completely won me over. In this Fortress Fiction book chat, I talk about why this Zelda-style fantasy parody works so well, and what it taught me about two different styles of first person storytelling. It turns out not all first person narration is the same. Some books use a c...

The Book of Three Chapter 10 On Lore and Lineage 06.02.2026 23:49

Chapter 10 of The Book of Three is packed so densely with lore, lineage, and quiet setup that I had to listen to it three times—and I still found more to unpack. BONUS CONTENT - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/06/the-book-of-three-chapter-by-chapter-10/ In just one chapter, Lloyd Alexander weaves: -The legend of Dyrnwyn -The role of bards in Prydain -Fflewddur’s hidden past and truth-binding harp -Eil...

Is The Nixie's Song Off Key? - Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1 |FF 18 07.08.2025 16:33

The Nixie’s Song by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is the first book in the sequel series to The Spiderwick Chronicles. It brings back the magic, mystery, and fae creatures—but does it go too far with its tone? In this episode of Fortress Fiction, I explore what worked, what didn’t, and why one jarring insult nearly pulled the whole story apart for me. I also talk about how the book handles chara...

Kid-Lit Audit: 30+ Middle Grade Books Reviewed: What I Loved, Loathed, and Would Never Give to a Kid 22.07.2025 26:19

Looking for clean, powerful, age-appropriate books for your kids or students? Author and parent MJ Muñoz shares his personal audit of 30+ middle grade books—including classics, modern titles, and unexpected picks. Books that inspire. Books that disturb. Books that should come with a warning label. If you care about what kids are reading, this is for you. Featuring books by: – Louisa May Alcott – L...

The Hidden Peril of Wing of Fire - Wings of Fire Book 1 The Dragonet Prophecy |FF 16 25.04.2025 25:56

What did you think of Wings of Fire Book 1 The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #FOTRESSFICTION #Fantasy #WingsofFire SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/07/14/ff16/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 9 |CXC44 24.04.2025 9:15

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 9 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/04/24/cxc44/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 8 |CXC43 18.04.2025 8:08

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 8 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/04/18/cxc43/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden: Where Magic and Science Become One - Fortress Fiction 15 11.04.2025 40:10

Does Frances Hodgson Burnett hold a place of honor or scorn in the Fortress Fiction? What do you think and why? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/04/11/ff15/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 7 |CXC42 04.04.2025 13:13

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 7 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/04/04/cxc42/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 6 |CXC41 21.03.2025 14:36

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 6 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/03/21/cxc41/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 5 |CXC40 07.03.2025 10:31

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 5 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/03/07/cxc40/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 4 |CXC39 13.12.2024 22:53

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 4 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/12/13/cxc39/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 11 |CXC38 18.11.2024 7:16

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 10 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/18/cxc38/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 3 |CXC37 15.11.2024 11:54

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 3 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/15/cxc37/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 10 |CXC36 14.11.2024 9:13

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 10 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/14/cxc36/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 9 |CXC35 13.11.2024 13:59

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 9 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/13/cxc35/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 8 |CXC34 12.11.2024 10:04

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 8 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/12/cxc34/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 7 |CXC33 11.11.2024 7:44

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 7 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/11/cxc33/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 2 |cxc32 08.11.2024 10:32

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 2 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/08/cxc32/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 6 |CXC31 07.11.2024 5:57

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 6 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/07/cxc31/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 5 |CXC30 06.11.2024 5:02

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 4 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/06/cxc30/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 4 |CXC29 05.11.2024 11:51

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 4 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/05/cxc29/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Secret Garden Chapter by Chapter 3 |CXC28 04.11.2024 6:12

What did you think of The Secret Garden Chapter 3 by Frances Hodgson Burnett? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheSecretGarden #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/04/cxc28/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/

The Book of Three Chapter by Chapter 1 |cxc27 01.11.2024 10:09

What did you think of The Book of Three Chapter 1 by Lloyd Alexander? #amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #ChapterXChapter #TheBookof Three #FOTRESSFICTION SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/11/01/cxc27/ SOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/