The Library Coven

A bi-weekly podcast in which two besties read young adult fantasy through a critical lens

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  • Hardcover version of BoP surrounded by orange, green, and teal skeins of yarn, sits on top of a white cloth and blue marble background
    Episodes

    Episode 80: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

    May 9, 2023 /

    It’s episode 80!! That means we’ve done 80 of these long-form book reviews and discussions over the past 5+ years. Whether you’re just finding the show or have been here since the early days, we’re glad to be in your orbit.  In this episode, we discuss Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray. Koffi, an indentured beastkeeper with hidden powers, and Ekon, a warrior-in-training with an empathetic side, decide to work together to find the shetani, a dangerous and powerful beast living in the jungle. Of course, what they’ve been told by society is complete BS, and the two teens have to choose between old dreams and their new understandings/relationships. Recommend if…

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    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    Episode 73: Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
    Sea dragon on the cover of Siege and Storm

    Episode 5: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

    October 23, 2018
    cartoon characters in costumes and bright clothing (artwork from Ship It)

    Episode 3: Ship It by Britta Lundin

    September 25, 2018
  • Bitter on a while cloth surrounded by 4 skeins of teal, red, and multi-colored yarn.
    Episodes

    Episode 78: Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

    April 4, 2023 /

    Hey, book lovers! It’s been busy over here in our respective worlds – hence the episode delay 🙂 We hope you enjoy this conversation about Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi, one of our fav contemporary authors. Better late than never, right?! In the novel, we follow our MC, Bitter (who we know as Jam’s mother from the first book Pet), as she learns the various ways to be part of a social movement, falls in love, and tries to help the city of Lucille.  Both of us listened to the audiobook, which is narrated FABULOUSLY by Bahni Turpin. Recommend if you like…   Pet by Akwaeke Emezi  – it is the prequel after all (episode…

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    Hand holding hardcover edition of City of Bones against a backdrop of Pacific Northwest forest

    Episode 6: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

    November 5, 2018
    Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers

    Episode 44: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020
    Ereader with SPIN THE DAWN on top of a red book next to a cup of coffee

    Episode 24: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

    July 16, 2019
  • light streaks across a copy of Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn on top of a white cloth and blue marble background
    Episodes

    Episode 75: Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

    December 20, 2022 /

    It’s finally here, y’all! Our discussion of Bloodmarked by Tracey Deonn, the eagerly anticipated and long awaited sequel to Legendborn. This book picks up right where we left off in Legendborn. There are lots of weird politics, tons of racism, and so much tension between Sel and Bree that it made J’s cold, dead heart very happy. So let’s get into it! A note on scheduling: we’re taking a wee winter break! That means after our year-in-review episode, you can expect new, fortnightly shows beginning on February 7th. Content Warning for anti-Black racism. Recommend if you like… The Kaz/Inej tension of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo** Arthurian…

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    Two hardcover copies of the The WIcked King on top of a navy and green crocheted blanket

    Episode 16: The Wicked King by Holly Black

    March 26, 2019
    Bitter on a while cloth surrounded by 4 skeins of teal, red, and multi-colored yarn.

    Episode 78: Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

    April 4, 2023
    Elatsoe on a blue and white marble background

    Episode 57: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

    September 14, 2021
  • book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom
    Episodes

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022 /

    In honor of Bloodmarked‘s publication day, The Library Coven re-presents you with this episode from our archive! Originally aired in June 2021, here is our take on Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Content warning for discussions of racism, slavery, and parental death interested in reading along with us? Check out the upcoming books for Season 5 on our future episodes page. behold, (the original) show notes! Shoutout to our new patron, Veronica! we <3 u   Recommend if you like (RIYL): Arthurian legend stuff; any of L.L. McKinney’s Nightmare-verse books (A Blade so Black, A Dream so Dark, A Crown so Cursed) J mentions the John Oliver episode about the confederacy (and why we have white…

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    Hardcover of The Dragon Republic lays on top of decorative paper with anatomical heart drawings

    Episode 43: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

    December 15, 2020
    The Lost Dreamer surrounded by 4 skeins of grey, maroon, gold, and teal yarn on a white cloth and blue marble background.

    Episode 74: The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

    November 29, 2022
    Hardcover version of Nocturna sit on a bright red background

    Episode 41: Nocturna by Maya Motayne

    November 17, 2020
  • book Witches Steeped in Gold on a bluish grey background
    Episodes

    Episode 53: Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

    July 13, 2021 /

    This fortnight, the amazing debut novel streak continues! We’re discussing Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart. Tune in for a deep dive into a nuanced magical system and some close reading of Smart’s excellent wordsmithing. Also, we have a good time trolling each other in the “Real Talk” segment. Content warning for brief discussions of rape, sexual assault and child death. Survey link is still live!! Help shape the direction of the podcast, por favor. Recommend if you like… …rebellions: Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series (which we’ve discussed in episodes 4, 7, 10, and 50) and Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series …epic characterization and chemistry: Killing Eve (Hulu) …other amazing YA books from writers of the…

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    A Heart So Fierce and Broken on a blue and white background

    Episode 56: A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

    August 24, 2021
    Novel CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE on top of red journal next to "brave wizards" candle

    Episode 2: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

    September 10, 2018
    Hand holding hardcover edition of City of Bones against a backdrop of Pacific Northwest forest

    Episode 6: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

    November 5, 2018
  • book, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on a blueish grey background
    Episodes

    Episode 52: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

    June 29, 2021 /

    Hello, Coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. We had such an amazing time reading this debut novel, and we can’t wait to see what happens with the future of the series! On to the notes! Content warning for discussions of rape, sexual assault, violence,  parental death, and mentions of Harry Potter. Survey link if you want to help shape how the direction of the podcast Recommend if you like… Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (which we discussed in Episode 51) Derry Girls (Netflix) Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo (we interviewed Reni in this episode) Dream Country by Ashaye Brown (we interviewed Ashaye in…

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    Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background

    Episode 29: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020
    paperback copy of Queen of the Conquered on top of a purple and white decorative paper

    Episode 45: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

    January 12, 2021
    White hand holds A REAPER AT THE GATES with lush forest in the background

    Episode 10 (!): A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

    December 31, 2018
  • book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom
    Episodes

    Episode 51: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    June 15, 2021 /

    Hey, everyone! We’re so incredibly excited to share this episode about Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.  It’s a captivating, innovative and insightful riff on Arthurian legend set in contemporary North Carolina. Jessie and Cynthia’s (of @cynthiasreadinglist) campaign to get everyone to read this book continues! Content warning for discussions of racism, slavery, and parental death A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! It only takes 5-7 minutes, so please consider taking it. interested in reading along with us? Check out the rest of the books in the upcoming season on our future episodes page. behold, show notes! Shoutout to…

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    Hardcover copy of A Court of Mist and Fury with bus seats in the background

    Episode 21: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

    June 5, 2019
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
    cartoon characters in costumes and bright clothing (artwork from Ship It)

    Episode 3: Ship It by Britta Lundin

    September 25, 2018

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Recent Posts

  • Episode 81: The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
  • Episode 80: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
  • Episode 79: The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
  • Episode 78: Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
  • ARCHIVE: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi