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

Kvothe's previous conversation with Sheyn rewards him with an entrance into Haert, but he's not not even close to escaping danger. He has a rocky start meeting his teacher Vashet, but after some quick wits, nerves of steel, and a big gamble, things  smooth out with her. Now Kvothe training begins in earnest! He has to find out if he can prove himself to the rest of the Adem and earn their...

In this action-packed second episode we follow along with our four main characters as they face trials and tribulations. Auros and Barrett suffer a loss of plans after making it to Franco's manor just to see it burning; Analia comes to a crossroads after a secret new opportunity presents itself; Taurong has to look to the past to determine his future with his newfound Aura ability, and Scoria&...

Our second miniseries covers the first book in the Intercontinent Series by Bryan Asher, The Assassin of Malcoze. We are introduced to a series of amazing and unique characters, such as Auros, a mercenary, Analia, a princess who is talented at Enchanting, Taurong, who is training to become a member of the Rincoyle elite military but who also has special powers of Aura, and Scoria Kith, the assassi...

Kvothe makes his fabulous, triumphant return from the Fae only to start out on another journey to Haert with Tempi. On the way Kvothe gets put through the most intense training of his young life. We discuss his choice to take the Maer's coins, Shehyn's test of character, and Kvothe's wordiness.  Don't forget to buy a copy of The Assassin of Malcoze by Bryan Asher for our upcoming m...

With a bit of a shorter episode this week, Kvothe is in the crucible, aka he is in the presence of the Cthaeh. We cover his pivotal encounter and the end of his stint in the Fae, plus the finalization of his Shaed.  The previous episode (The Wise Man's Fear: Chapters 99-103) appears out of order but can be found here: ⁠https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/XiPfpZsTFzb⁠ Check out these links for...

We sit down and chat with the amazing author of Winterset Hollow, Jonathan Edward Durham, about character development, the best time to write, and making a movie out of his book, plus much more! Check out all his works at: https://www.jonathanedwarddurham.com/

We're back! Following the confrontation with the bandits, Kvothe and the crew start to head back to civilization but are waylaid by an encounter with Felurian. Kvothe is ensnared and enters the Fae realm, encountering magic and romance like he never has before. He does some epic naming, some so-so lute playing, and even gets called a poet (gasp!).  The next episode (The Wise Man's Fear: Ch...

The end of Winterset Hollow is here and it is fantastic! We discuss Eamon's return to Addington Isle, some absolutely shocking revelations, and epic action sequences. Join us in the final episode of our first miniseries to follow Eamon's journey of self-discovery and his reconciliation at all he discovers.  Please support the author by purchasing his book here: https://www.jonathanedwarddu...

It's the penultimate episode of Winterset Hollow and the action and intensity come to such a peak that we can't wait to see how the books wraps up! The hunt continues and the secrets of Addington Isle are revealing themselves to our heroes. Listen along to find out what becomes of Eamon, Mark, and Carloline as they fight their way through Barley Day and what they discover along the way.  P...

The energy, tension, and action are high this week as we find that dark side of Barley Day traditions are in full swing. Eamon and his friends find themselves the prey in an island-wide foxhunt, hunted by the very book characters they love so much.  Please support the author by purchasing his book here: https://www.jonathanedwarddurham.com/ *These episodes contain spoilers for the book* Be sure to...

We continue our miniseries covering the new novel, Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham! We follow Eamon and his friends as their dreams seemingly come true - they meet their favorite book characters and are treated to a delightful Barley Day feast. This idyllic dream sours into a nightmare as the Hollow's characters are not quite as peaceful and quaint as they expected and they decide t...

This week we explore some lore and the story of how Iax stole the moon. We also come to the dramatic conclusion of Kvothe's encounter with the bandits! This episode is so packed with adventure, need we say more? 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 revi...

Our debut miniseries features this new dark fantasy novel by Jonathan Edward Durham! This week we delve into part one of this fantastic, beautifully written story. We follow John Eamon, a young man with a big chip on his shoulder, on his seemingly-innocuous trip to visit the home of his favorite book's author. Things are pretty quickly turned upside down as Eamon and his two friends, Mark and...

In this set of chapters, our group of misfits embark on their mission, entering the Eld and starting their search for the bandits. Kvothe makes some minor breakthroughs with Tempi and the Ademic language, while Martin teaches the group about tracking. We also get some interesting campfire stories, including a particular favorite of Ana & Sam's, the boy with the golden bellybutton. We also...

Elliot joins us as a guest again this week as we discuss what we call "the beginning of the end," or Kvothe and Denna's fall out. Kvothe also begins his journey with his new crew looking for the bandits. Other topics include our favorite passages, a DnD cast, if Tinue is real, gossip about Ambrose's sister, grass rings, and Kvothe's transformation from boy to man. Be sure to...

In this set of chapters we cover the "idyllic time" Kvothe spends with Denna before their big fight. They enjoy each other's company exploring Severen, sneaking into the Maer's garden, and discussing music...when Denna is actually around. We also discuss her disappearance, the gram Kvothe makes for the Maer, who Denna's patron is, and the thrice locked box. Be sure to answer...

This is part two of a longer episode covering the tense time Kvothe has during his confrontation with Caudicus and the Maer's poisoning. In this second part we (again) discuss Kvothe's need for tact, the full outcome of the poisoning attempt, a few fan theories about Denna's patron, whether or not Stapes is good, and end with Kvothe's meeting Meluan Lackless. Note: This episode is...

This is part one of a longer episode (part two coming tomorrow!) covering the tense time Kvothe has during his confrontation with Caudicus and the Maer's poisoning. In this first part we discuss Kvothe's need for tact, his ongoing frustrations with Denna, and a few fan theories about Caudicus' motivations, plus how gross cod liver oil is!  Be sure to check out our social media pages  ⁠...

At last we are in Vintas! After losing almost all his possessions in a shipwreck, Kvothe is forced to make some tough decisions and use his cunning to make his way into Maer Alveron's grand estate. Once there, he enters an entirely new world with rules and customs that he must learn and adapt to quickly in order to stay the in Maer's good graces. Will the court politics prove to much for o...

Ana attempts a solo episode this week covering the last bit of Kvothe's time in Imre and Beleny (i.e. The University) before heading off to Vintas. She also covers two things that Kvothe himself doesn't want to talk about too much: his trial and his travels. Keep posted to see when the next episode will be  - we are getting married next week and will be on our honeymoon by the time the nex...

We're fondly calling this episode the classic 80's montage because Kvothe and his crew do so many awesome things in these chapters! He reveals his special artificery project, makes amends with an old friend, sees a classmate master a bit of Naming, meets a quirky old man, gets a letter from his lady love.....and goes to jail?! On second thought we might consider these chapters to be a dens...

Kvothe's good luck streak continues as this episode opens with him getting back Denna's ring and continues with him receiving a special gift from the hooded girl who has been lurking around the Fishery. He has many a good time with Will and Simmon to boot, including a drunken story session at a Greystone. The more answers and clues Kvothe seems to get in these chapters just open up more qu...

Heist! Heist! Heist! In this episode, two of Kvothe's masterful plans finally come to fruition and the taste of victory is oh so sweet! He successfully crafts his gram and, to the horror of his friends (especially Sim), makes them test out its strength by performing malfeasance against him. He also pulls of the greatest heist in history while breaking into Ambrose's rooms...again. This tim...

We're back, baby! This week, after a hiatus caused by us moving, we're back and ready for action! We follow Kvothe into his steepest decline of "tough times" as he continues to deal with malfeasance, the loss of his winning streak in Advanced Sympathy, and...the horrible loss of his lute. Thankfully, we go far enough into these chapters to witness the changing of his luck and the...

We psyched ourselves out this week thinking we could cover 6 chapters when in reality we went so deeply into the first two that we cut the episode there. Each chapter follows Kvothe on his "errands" - one with Sleat and one with Devi, and neither go particularly well, although one is significantly worse than the other. We're still in the thick of his tough times by the end of this ep...