The Library Coven

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

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  • Book, We Free the Stars on a bluish grey background with a beige sweater under the book on the left and a pair of decorative scissors in the upper right
    Episodes

    54. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

    July 27, 2021 /

    Hello, wonderful Coven! This week we’re bringing you a discussion of We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, the second and final (maybe?) book in the Sands of Arawiya series (Check out episode 32, where we discuss the first book, We Hunt the Flame). We had a great time reading this one, and we will read anything Hafsah writes in the future (really looking forward to her new upcoming book, Tempest of Tea). Stay magical, friends! Content warning for discussions of child abuse at 49 minutes – 51:14  We still have a survey going on, and we’d really appreciate if you took it! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d…

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    White hand holds A REAPER AT THE GATES with lush forest in the background

    10. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

    December 31, 2018
    A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas in front of the snowy CO front range

    14. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

    February 25, 2019
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds aloft the hardcover of A Psalm of Storms and Silence. Trees with bright red autumn leaves and a cloudy sky form the background

    67. A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown

    March 29, 2022
  • book, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on a blueish grey background
    Episodes

    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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    That Self-Same Metal held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish in front of a tree with blazing red autumn foliage.

    92. That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

    March 12, 2024
    Library copy of The City Beautiful on a white cloth, three skeins of yarn surround it and a red sweater lays to the left

    72. The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

    October 18, 2022
    Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn

    69. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022
  • Book, A Sky Beyond the Storm on a blue and grey marble background with a red sweater underneath the book on the left, and a pair of vintage scissors on the right
    Episodes

    50. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 2021 /

    Hello, beautiful coven! We’re back for season 4 with all new episodes, and we’re starting out strong with A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir, the final book in An Ember in the Ashes series. If you want to check out the other books’ discussions you can find them here: An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, & A Reaper at the Gates. A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! Please take it if you have a chance. You can also support the show by becoming a member on Patreon, tipping us on Ko-Fi, or purchasing…

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    Book The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen in a pile of brown and reddish leaves and green grass

    26. The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen

    November 5, 2019
    Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter

    34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020
    Hardcover copy of A Court of Mist and Fury with bus seats in the background

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

    June 5, 2019
  • Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right
    Episodes

    48. Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021 /

    Hello, Coven! How is your winter going? We’re excited to bring you a new episode discussing Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland and finishing up the Dread Nation series. If you need a recap of what in the first book, you can check out our episode about Dread Nation! Please consider taking our supporter survey! It should require only 5-10 minutes and it will help us get to know our audience and get your feedback about the content we create. http://bit.ly/LibraryCovenSurvey This episode features some animals trying to make themselves heard in the episode. Sorry not sorry. Now on to the notes! Racist history of gynecology from Wear Your Voice  Anti-Blackness in…

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    book, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on a blueish grey background

    52. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

    June 29, 2021
    Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn

    69. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022
    White hand holds A REAPER AT THE GATES with lush forest in the background

    10. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

    December 31, 2018
  • Paperback copies of The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky and The Obelisk Gate stacked on blue fabric
    Episodes

    46. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

    January 26, 2021 /

    Hold on to your hats, folks! This fortnight we’re reading The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, the first book in The Broken Earth Trilogy. And no matter how many people talk about their love for this book, it was not our cup of tea! We spent a lot of time being confused, and maybe had more questions than answers in this episode. What are your thoughts on this book? Content Warning for discussions of murder, torture, child abuse, and cannibalism On to the notes, which are quite short this week! The Witcher season 1 – slight spoilers about the timeline in that show K brings up Avatar: The Last Airbender (as she is…

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    Library copy of The City Beautiful on a white cloth, three skeins of yarn surround it and a red sweater lays to the left

    72. The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

    October 18, 2022
    Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background

    62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021
    The Poppy War by RF Kuang against the backdrop of a snowy landscape

    15. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

    March 11, 2019
  • Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers
    Episodes

    44. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! And welcome to one of the last episodes of the shit show that has been 2020! This week we’re discussing Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them). Let’s talk about some swans! What is magical realism? We talked a bit about being Latinx and white. There have been lots of great discussions about this, and here are 2 videos that explain it better than K or I did What is White Latinx and White Passing Privilege? Can Latinos Benefit from White Privilege? K mentioned Arrested Development TV show J recommended the movie Practical Magic for people who want stories about sisters, magic, and curses Transcript below or access the…

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    A pink metallic hardcover copy of Foul Lady Fortune rests on yellow and orange fallen leaves.

    90. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

    February 13, 2024
    Book Pet on a teal background with dog paws coming in from the right side of the frame

    47. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

    February 9, 2021
    Lost in the Never Woods rests on a blue marble background between four skeins of variegated blue and purple yarn

    68. Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

    April 19, 2022
  • Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it
    Episodes

    42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

    December 1, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! This week we’re discussing Wayward Witch, the third and final (?) book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. You can check out our episodes about Labyrinth Lost and Bruja Born if you need a refresher about what happened in the earlier books! Which was your favorite of the series? What would be your sinmago power be? Full episode transcript below or access the transcript PDF And now, onward to the notes (of which there are very few this week)! The audiobook was narrated by Almarie Guerra “When people show you who they are” quote is from Dr. Maya Angelou The Body Keeps the Score [gif of Thor looking intense and…

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    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

    25. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (slash an entire year of the show!!)

    August 7, 2019
    A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background

    39. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

    October 20, 2020
    Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers

    44. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020
  • Hardcover version of Nocturna sit on a bright red background
    Episodes

    41. Nocturna by Maya Motayne

    November 17, 2020 /

    hiya, coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of Nocturna by Maya Motayne. We both loved this book and didn’t realize how complex the world building and magical system were until we came together in conversation (aka we’re both a little befuddled, and that’s fine!). Motayne’s debut novel is full of relatable characters and exquisite writing. Oh, and there’s magical texting and pining. Have we convinced you to put this on your TBR yet?! Content Warning: this book deals with some heavy topics like emotional and physical abuse, which we discuss at length (although in general terms). Please take this into account when deciding whether to dive into this episode. Call…

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    Faith Taking Flight by Julie Murphy on dark blue marbled background

    64. Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy

    February 8, 2022
    Skin of the Sea on a white cloth surrounded by orange, yellow, green, and light blue skeins of yarn.

    84. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (and the end of Season 5!)

    July 11, 2023
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    28. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
  • A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background
    Episodes

    39. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

    October 20, 2020 /

    hey, magical beings! This fortnight we’re bringing you a conversation about A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, the first in a planned duology. The second/final installment, A Psalm of Storms and Silence is due out in early 2021. Content Warning for discussions of parent death, panic attacks, and child abuse. ChildHelp  Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Call to Action: take care of yourselves! The interactive “you feel like shit self care guide flowchart” is a good resource. here is the source K used when researching the meaning of different day names. Various fact-based news sources have documented widespread evidence that the United States’s carceral immigration system (including deportation flights) is spreading COVID-19.…

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    son of a trickster held up by a light brown hand in front of a white/snowy background

    66. Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson

    March 8, 2022
    Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background

    29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

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

    November 15, 2022
  • book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls
    Episodes

    38. Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! This is one of the last few episodes where we refer to ourselves as JK, It’s Magic. We hope you like our new name, and that you feel like you’re part of the coven. This week we’re talking about Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova, were we get to know a lot more about Lula! If you need a recap about what happened in the last book, check out our Labyrinth Lost episode. Call to Action: This week, we’re asking that people learn more about ways they can lend a hand to those experiencing homelessness. One place you can start is The National Alliance to End Homelessness. Full Transcript Below (or…

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    paperback copy of Queen of the Conquered on top of a purple and white decorative paper

    45. Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

    January 12, 2021
    A light brown hand holds A Crown So Cursed in front of a blazing red tree.

    88. A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney

    January 16, 2024
    Novel GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE surrounded by three candles

    11. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

    January 14, 2019
  • Crier's War audiobook pulled up on an iphone screen with sunflowers draped across the phone, and headphones surrounding the phone and flowers
    Episodes

    36. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020 /

    Hello, magical folx! This fortnight we’re discussing Crier’s War by Nina Varela! This book is fantasy adjacent, and leans a bit more toward science fiction, but we have lots of world building and robot things to talk about! Call to action: This week we’re educating ourselves on how the various technologies we use impact BIPOC and disabled people. Here are two books that can help with our collective education: Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble This is just the start of our education. Please let us know any other sources you found helpful!…

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    book, A Snake Falls to Earth, on a white scarf surrounded by 4 skeins of yarn

    77. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

    February 21, 2023
    A Heart So Fierce and Broken on a blue and white background

    56. A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

    August 24, 2021
    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022
  • Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter
    Episodes

    34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020 /

    Hello, magical friends! This fortnight we’re coming at you with a discussion of Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, the second book in the Legacy of Orïsha series. If you need a recap of the story or what we talked about in the first book, check out episode 2 (so long ago!!!) about Children of Blood and Bone. First up, let me say there is a bit of a sound issue on my part (J), that I apologize for. I accidentally recorded from my webcam instead of my microphone, but hopefully, I wont let that happen again in the future! Call to action: this week we asked that you take…

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    Paperback copies of The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky and The Obelisk Gate stacked on blue fabric

    46. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

    January 26, 2021
    A Heart So Fierce and Broken on a blue and white background

    56. A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

    August 24, 2021
    Book The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen in a pile of brown and reddish leaves and green grass

    26. The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen

    November 5, 2019
  • Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background
    Episodes

    33. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020 /

    Hey, magical folx! In this episode we discuss Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, which is *NOT* YA. We gotta say this at the top because its some sexist bs that women/femme adult fantasy writers get miscategorized as YA (read about how sexism impacts genre categorization). *Call to action* This fortnight, we’re urging our magical community to learn more about abolishing borders, abolishing ICE and migrant justice as well as to support organizations doing this work. Watch/listen to the final plenary from this year’s Allied Media Conference, “From Dreams to Practice: Abolition in Our Lifetimes”. The panel features a TON of rad ppl doing abolitionist work, including Miski Noor, Tawana “Honeycomb” Petty,…

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    Hardcover copy of Mackenzi Lee's A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue sits on a dark wood desk next to a white mug with a "k" on it. Bookshelves in the backgroud

    12. A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

    January 28, 2019
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds The Girl from the Sea in front of a small lake with fall foliage

    91. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

    February 27, 2024
    A Magic Steeped in Poison surrounded by 4 skeins of warm colored yarn in reds and oranges. A white cloth and blue marbled surface make up the background.

    83. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

    June 27, 2023
  • Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background
    Episodes

    29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020 /

    Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, the second book in the Six of Crows series. Check out our Six of Crows episode for a refresher on what happened in the last book! Side Note & Content Warning: We know we’ve been gone for a bit, and we appreciate you patience as we get back in the swing of things. We recorded this episode in November, and a lot has changed in the world since then. This could be a difficult episode to listen to if the current pandemic is taking a toll on your mental health. Obviously, we had no idea where the world would be…

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    Faith Taking Flight by Julie Murphy on dark blue marbled background

    64. Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy

    February 8, 2022
    Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it

    42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

    December 1, 2020
    A light brown hand holds To Shape a Dragon's Breath in front of a light blue marble background

    94. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

    April 9, 2024

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