Spells From The Shelf

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...

Spells From the Shelf is ready for battle! Ammie and Paul dive into the sci-fi fantasy world of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. This week, the hosts discuss the exhilarating epic story where giant mecha clash, pilots are sacrificed, and one young woman blazes a path of fiery vengeance. Tune in to hear their spoiler free thoughts on the unforgettable protagonist, the stunning world-building, and why...

Join Ammie and Paul as they pull the next book off the shelf! In this episode of Spells From the Shelf, plunge into the compelling world of Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief . In this discussion, they go beyond the plot to explore the nuanced character of Kinch, to the terrifying, well-fleshed-out creatures like the barrow geists and the blind, talking cat. Ammie and Paul dissect t...

Get ready for some literary enchantment! In this episode of Spells From the Shelf , Ammie and Paul sit down with the brilliant mind behind the Shattered Crowns series, author Gretchen Powell Fox. Gretchen shares her insights into deconstructing classic fantasy archetypes. They'll explore the power of reversed literary archetypes—from heroes turned villains to a strong immortal fae FMC saves t...

Get ready for Spells From The Shelf's first author interview! Hosts Ammie and Paul welcome Gretchen Powell Fox, author of the thrilling romantasy novel, Smoke and Scar . Dive with them into the world of Arcanis, where a haunted fae warrior and a vengeful human knight must put aside centuries of hatred to survive the deadly trials of the Arcane Crucible. Gretchen joins us to talk about craftin...

Ammie and Paul crack open a spine chilling classic in this episode of Spells From the Shelf The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers. Join them as they delve into the eerie world of this interconnected collection of short stories, exploring the terrifying, reality bending power of the play "The King in Yellow," the cursed symbols of the Yellow Sign, and the foundational influence Chamber...

It's a descent into darkness this week on Spells From The Shelf ! Ammie and Paul unpack the unsettling world of Brom's Slewfoot , discussing the author's signature blend of macabre art and gripping horror. Find out what they thought about the intersection of historical dread, folklore, and the true nature of evil in this stunningly illustrated novel. Support the show Instagram: @spe...

Welcome to the epic world of Blackcliff Military Academy! On this episode of Spells From The Shelf, we're cracking open Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes . Join us as we explore Laia's dangerous infiltration, Elias's agonizing trials, and the dark, magical forces lurking beneath the surface of the Empire. Support the show Instagram: @spellsfromtheshelf YouTube: @spellsfromthe...

This week on Spells From the Shelf, Ammie and Paul dive into the magical world of Fonda Lee's Jade City . Join them as they explore the cunning political maneuverings, the breathtaking action, and the rich family drama of the Kaul clan. They'll be discussing the fascinating magic system of jade, the moral complexities of power, and why this book is more than just a fantasy epic; it'...

In this haunting episode of Spells From the Shelf, your hosts Ammie and Paul dive into the dark world of V.E. Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil . They'll unravel the intricate tapestry of grief, memory, and the supernatural atmosphere that permeates this eerie tale. Join them as they discuss Schwab's signature character work, the chilling mysteries of the Midnight Soil, a...