The Fantastic Books Podcast: Fantasy and Sci-Fi Book Reviews

The stakes are rising higher and higher for our zodiac recruits as they begin their group training, which entails some extreme elemental fighting. Kaeli makes a recovery and a major discovery, and Trent does some training of his own, as the two siblings are fated to go head-to-head.  Please support Alyssa Markins by purchasing her book here. Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠⁠@fantasti...

Kaeli takes it all in as she experiences her first few days in the Celestial Realm, seeing breathtaking landscapes, meeting magical creatures, and participating an otherworldly food fight. She also begins her training, meets the other recruits, and, most ominously, confronts another shadow snake. We also chat about the logistics of teleportation, love triangles, magical music, and wonder what'...

We're back in the Western Zodiac Trilogy and again joined by Atlas to discuss all things astrology. This week we follow Kaeli as she makes her first foray into the Celestial Realm, meeting a host of new and intriguing characters as well as brushing up against unforeseen dangers. She and Lukka become fast friends while Leo and Aries struggle to gain allies in their efforts against Ophiuchus, wh...

We are joined by Elliot and Jackie this week for a full wrap-up and debrief session of The Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear. As always, we discuss fan theories, predictions for Doors of Stone, favorite characters, favorite scenes, and all things Kingkiller Chronicles.  Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠⁠@fantasticbookspod⁠⁠  and our website  ⁠⁠Fantastic Books and How to Read Th...

Ana is joined by her sister Atlas this week to introduce you all to the first book in Alyssa Markins' Western Zodiac Trilogy, a story where Zodiacs are real beings and our main hero, Kaeli, is on her way to becoming one herself. We discuss the zodiac signs and their personality traits (skip ahead if you're into astrology), meet Kaeli and another zodiac recruit, Lukka, as the two encounter...

The long wait is over! We are covering the history of Temerant,  the world of the Kingkiller Chronicles. We discuss major historical events as well as our usual myriad of theories that go along with Kvothe's story.  Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠⁠@fantasticbookspod⁠⁠  and our website  ⁠⁠Fantastic Books and How to Read Them Podcast (fantasticbookspod.com)⁠⁠  which has more book...

Two episodes feels like too few as we say goodbye to the wonderfully written world of The Headsman this week. We cover the final chapters and meet the remaining characters (who we may have met already) and uncover all their debauchery, duplicity, and deceit. We also loved the ending and have a lot to say about the epilogue, so grab a blanket or a fancy old smoking jacket and settle in for these si...

This week we enter spooky season with a dive into the first half of Cristina Mîrzoi's collection of short stories, The Headsman. We are introduced to a small, rural, gothic-esque town where everybody is more than they seem and there are murders afoot. We take a look at all the characters and potential suspects as well as give you a few examples of her excellent writing style. Please support Cr...

We've reached the conclusion of The Treasure of Lor-Rev and it packs a punch! We get into the final boss battle and the epic demise of Damon at the hands of our heroes; we also get sidetracked by other nerdy book/fantasy stuff, including Pillars of the Earth, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, South Park, Fast and Furious, Blood of Zeus, and Harry Potter, so it may be our biggest fantasy fan episode...

We have reached the final chapters covering The Wise Man's Fear. There's no better way to finish such an amazing story than with more deep dive analyses, predictions for Doors of Stone, and an outpour of love for one of our favorite stories of all time. Come join us in a proper send off to the Kingkiller Chronicles book two!  Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠@fantasticbookspod...

Our heroes are falling behind in this cybernetic scavenger hunt as they try to turn the tide in the battle against Daemon. Unfortunately for them, Daemon gets to Danikan, steals the encryptor key, and almost pushes Kanna off a 3-level highway. Fortunately for our heroes, Nathan has a dramatic confrontation with his father that we predict will cause a change of heart, Gerald gives them an essential...

It's our PENULTIMATE episode! (We're sad about it, too). In these chapters, Kvothe tries to change his karma by going back to Tarbean, making his rounds and visiting some old haunts to repay kindnesses he received as a boy. We also get a lovely display of naming as Kvothe speaks his 7 beautiful words to Denna. Unfortunately, not all is well for Kvothe and he also experiences both failures...

We're halfway through and we've got the chase scene to prove it! In this episode, our heroes travel to an amazing floating pyramid and recover the first Merge, the next piece of the puzzle that will lead them to the diffusor sphere. As always, Nathan and his crony (or meat shield, as Sam called him) are hot on their tails and the characters enter into an action-packed and gravity-defying c...

It's the THIRD TO LAST, or as Ana calls it, penultimate-ultimate episode of the Wise Man's Fear. We join Kvothe on his triumphant journey home as he reunites with his friends, cashes in on some big payouts, and finally gains some of Elodin's respect. He also re-enrolls in the University, much to Hemme's displeasure, learns what it is to be a real artificier, and what home feels lik...

The treasure hunt is afoot for both our heroes and villains this week! Kanna, Gillman and Jared have formed a tentative alliance to locate the Merge, leading them to a man named Sanzo, who Sam and Ana wholeheartedly do not trust. Meanwhile, Daemon is growing his collective through coercion and force and has his lackey, Nathan, hot on their trail. We also discuss the casting of the Lor-Rev movie, m...

Welcome to another installment in the Intercontinent series! As part of our first foray into the futuristic world or Lor-rev we discuss the characters, world building and tech with the author himself, Bryan Asher. We get a great idea of how lawless of a land it is as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the inspirations that Bryan drew upon to create the world. By the end, Ana is a sci-fi convert,...

Kvothe makes his way back to Severen. We get some questions and mysteries surrounding the Amyr and Lackless box. Kvothe also has some revelations of his own with his Edema Ruh blood as well as his subsequent departure back to the university.  Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠@fantasticbookspod⁠  and our website  ⁠Fantastic Books and How to Read Them Podcast (fantasticbookspod.com)⁠  w...

Kvothe helps return Krin and Ellie to their rightful homes in Levenshir, only to have to explain himself over and over to the townsfolk and break someone's arm over the whole affair. We also have some excellent listener mail, regale some of our own horrible travel stories, discuss the nature of Folly, and dissect the line: "I almost forgot who I was for a second there."  We leave you...

Kvothe turns dark as he encounters his first people after leaving Ademre: the false Edema Ruh troupe. We call him judge, jury, and executioner as he takes matters into his own hands (earlier than you might realize) and plays Amyr for the night to bring justice to his slain family. We also do a deep dive into the names of the Chandrian and their signs since he hears the story of the Rhinta before h...

Kvothe, who is now a full member of the shcool, is almost out of Ademre. In this episode we discuss how he gains an old sword, his new name, and his stone ranking, but deepens his rift with Carceret. He also gets closer and closer to finding out new answers about the Chandrian...or should we say Rhinta? Other topics include the location of the final boss battle, the sex lives of the Adem, and who...

Kvothe is in hot water this week as he faces public shaming from Vashet because his fighting skills are progressing slowly and his understanding of the Lethani and the purpose of his lessons is progressing even slower. He tries to take matters into his own hands by doing at least two taboo things: playing music in Adem and making a mommet. His back is against the wall but by the end of the episode...

We're back! We rejoin Kvothe in his adventures in Haert as he learns he has to train his way to freedom to help Tempi, return to the Maer, and save his precious fingers. He also hears two Adem stories, which may or may not have nuggets of truth in them, fights a child, gets romantic with Vashet, and compliments Shehyn's little hat. Other topics include "barbaric," the origins of...

It's the grand finale of the Assassin of Malcoze and, as promised, all was revealed. All our characters meet in the ansepole arena and chaos ensues as Scoria's assassination plot begins. Taurong is forced to use his powers to save an unexpected member of the party, Analia comes through with some stellar enchanting at the eleventh hour, and a surprise character is revealed!  Be on the looko...

It's the penultimate episode of the Assassin of Malcoze and it is JAM PACKED! We get so many amazing battles and action sequences with our characters this week as we race towards the conclusion. Analia is continuing to struggle with her future, Taurong and Matthew are thrown into an unexpected battle, and Scoria edges closer and closer towards his goal of destabilizing Malcoze. Please support...

We're in the thick of things for our characters this week. Both Taurong and Analia, our younger characters, face decisions about sharing their secrets with their families, Auros and Barret hit rock bottom but also find a tantalizing clue, and Scoria's master plans are revealed! As usual, we're joined by the Author himself, Bryan Asher. Please support Bryan Asher at his website: ⁠Interc...