The Library Coven

A bi-weekly podcast in which two bookish besties, Jessie and Kelly, read (mostly) young adult fantasy through a critical lens

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

    Episode 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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    Hardcover copy of Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    Episode 22: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019
    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
    Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers

    Episode 44: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020
  • Book Pet on a teal background with dog paws coming in from the right side of the frame
    Episodes

    Episode 47: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

    February 9, 2021 /

    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 Greetings, coven! In this episode we discuss Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, their debut young adult novel. It’s a pretty quick read that deals with some heavy issues in ways that are accessible to younger audiences (i.e., middle grade) as well as teen and adult readers. Pet was a finalist for the 2019 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature  – after reading it, we understand why!  Content warning for discussions child physical and sexual abuse.  On to some (brief) notes! Kelly highly…

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

    Episode 36: Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020
    Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background

    Episode 29: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020
  • Paperback copies of The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky and The Obelisk Gate stacked on blue fabric
    Episodes

    Episode 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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    Highlighted section of text (Descendant of the Crane by Joan He) on a black kindle. A sunflower sits on top of the kindle

    Episode 17: Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

    April 8, 2019
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
    Light-skinned brown hand holds novel A DREAM SO DARK. Shelves of library books in the background.

    Episode 31: A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney

    June 30, 2020
  • Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers
    Episodes

    Episode 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. 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 As always, we’d love…

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    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
    Novel CITY OF BRASS on multicolored fabric

    Episode 23: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

    July 4, 2019
    Paperback version of Rena Barron's KINGDOM OF SOULS lies on bright green grass

    Episode 27: Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron

    December 3, 2019
  • Hardcover of The Dragon Republic lays on top of decorative paper with anatomical heart drawings
    Episodes

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

    December 15, 2020 /

    Hello everyone, and most especially to Saidah, who emailed us in December 2019 asking about when we were going to record an episode about R.F. Kuang’s The Dragon Republic. Saidah, we’re only a year late, but that time is now! If y’all need to recap the first book in the series, you can check out Episode 15 of the podcast in which we discussThe Poppy War.  Full disclosure: this series is not YA and Kelly uses verbal air quotes an embarrassing number of times in the episode. You’ve been warned. Enjoy! Content Warning for discussions of genocide, sexual assault, drug use and other instances of extreme violence.  This isn’t the first time…

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    Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it

    Episode 42: Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

    December 1, 2020
    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    Episode 32: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
    Jessie holding a mug of butterbeer

    Episode 19: Interview with Jessie

    May 5, 2019
  • Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it
    Episodes

    Episode 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? 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 As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet…

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    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    Episode 32: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
    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
    A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background

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

    October 20, 2020
  • Hardcover of Wicked Fox on a maroon background
    Episodes

    Episode 40: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

    November 3, 2020 /

    Hello, Coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of Wicked Fox by Kat Cho. We really enjoyed reading some urban fantasy that took place in South Korea. What are your thoughts about this book? We’re a bit light on notes, because we actually stuck to the book more than usual! Call to action: It’s November 3, and if you haven’t already, be sure to go vote! K watched Itaewon Class to get ready to talk about this book and get more familiar with K-dramas J recommends Explained episode on K-pop Healthcare in South Korea The sequel, Viscous Spirits, is out now, and we can’t wait to read it! As always, we’d…

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    Hardcover of Justina Ireland's novel Dread Nation on a wooden desk

    Episode 18: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

    April 21, 2019
    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
    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    Episode 32: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
  • A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background
    Episodes

    Episode 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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    book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls

    Episode 38: Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020
    A paperback copy of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer sits on top of a brown wood desk. A small succulent in a tiny navy teacup/saucer with gold trim sits to the left. To the right, a half-finished sock on double-pointed knitting needles rests by a ball of yarn (variegated blues and purples)

    Episode 37: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

    September 22, 2020
    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
  • book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls
    Episodes

    Episode 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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    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
    Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers

    Episode 44: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
  • Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter
    Episodes

    Episode 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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    A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas in front of the snowy CO front range

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

    February 25, 2019
    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
    Crier's War audiobook pulled up on an iphone screen with sunflowers draped across the phone, and headphones surrounding the phone and flowers

    Episode 36: Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020
  • Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background
    Episodes

    Episode 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 Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    Episode 22: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019
    hardcover of the Queen of Nothing on a black marble background

    Episode 35: Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

    August 25, 2020
    Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket

    Episode 1 (!!!) Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    August 26, 2018
  • Paperback copy of The Marrow Thieves held in J's left hand. A natural landscape of greens and browns is in the background.
    Episodes

    Episode 30: The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

    June 17, 2020 /

    Hey, magical folx! This fortnight we discuss The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline, a prolific author who is a member of the Georgian Bay Metis Community. Hope you enjoy and learn something(s). BLACK LIVES MATTER. Content warning for discussions of sexual violence and addiction. RAINN – Anti-sex violence assistance. Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance.  Calls to Action Follow, support, and learn from Indigenous peoples now and always! In the words of Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang, “Decolonization is not a metaphor,” but rather requires return of stolen lands. If you have the resources to make financial contributions, here are some places to contribute: Indigenous Environmental Network‘s Mutual Aid fund…

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    A paperback copy of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer sits on top of a brown wood desk. A small succulent in a tiny navy teacup/saucer with gold trim sits to the left. To the right, a half-finished sock on double-pointed knitting needles rests by a ball of yarn (variegated blues and purples)

    Episode 37: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

    September 22, 2020
    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
    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
  • Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background
    Episodes

    Episode 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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    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
    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

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

    January 28, 2019
    book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls

    Episode 38: Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020
  • Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
    Episodes

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019 /

    Hello, magical listeners! We’re coming at you this week with a discussion of Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova, the first in the Brooklyn Brujas series. J & K discuss the failed system of incarceration and the implications of those systems on brown people, beautiful world building, and Latin American folklore. There may also be a few tangents along the way… And there are some spoilers for the movie Coco. There aren’t a ton of show notes this week. See you in a fortnight! Full transcript included below. Or access the pdf version.  We talked a bit about diversity in YA, but here are the stats from 2018, which includes children’s…

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    Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background

    Episode 33: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020
    book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls

    Episode 38: Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020
    Light-skinned brown hand holds novel A DREAM SO DARK. Shelves of library books in the background.

    Episode 31: A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney

    June 30, 2020
  • Novel CITY OF BRASS on multicolored fabric
    Episodes

    Episode 23: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

    July 4, 2019 /

    Magical listeners! We’re taking a break from YA this fortnight to bring you an episode about the incredible fantasy novel The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty. The show notes happen to be long this time — why not Ravenclaw-it-up and check out the links to learn some stuff? About magic, fiction, history, religion, language: The author has curated a reading list of narrative sources, primary sources, and folktales about the “early Islamic world” (a very broad term) for those who are interested in learning more. Book 2 of the Daevabad trilogy, The Kingdom of Copper, came out in January 2019 (we can’t wait to read it!). The Empire of…

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

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

    June 5, 2019 /

    Finally, the ACOMAF episode is here! J & K both adore ACOMAF, and in the spirit of that affection, we don’t shy away from dredging up the novel’s problematic aspects. Generous and loving critique is, after all, what our podcast is all about. If you need a refresher, catch up on our discussion of A Court of Thorns and Roses And now, copious show notes and links: “O I forbid you, maidens a’,That wear gowd on your hair,To come or gae by Carterhaugh,For young Tam Lin is there.” –– “The Ballad of Tam Lin” is a faerie legend from Scottish lands and it tells the story of a mortal woman…

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    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
    Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background

    Episode 33: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020
    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
  • The Poppy War by RF Kuang against the backdrop of a snowy landscape
    Episodes

    Episode 15: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

    March 11, 2019 /

    This fortnight J & K are discussing The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. We’re diverting a bit from our usual YA Fantasy books. This book is definitely for adults, and not for the faint of heart! The characters are complicated, the story is complex and violent, and there is a ton of action. Content Warning: In this episode we discuss drug use, rape, genocide, and other instances of extreme violence.  ChildHelp – Child Abuse – Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance We apologize ahead of time for any mispronounced words, names, and/or places. As is usual, we referenced quite a few things, and you can find more information below! Shamanism Drug traditions from around the world and hallucinogenic drugs The history of The War on Drugs in the US K…

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    Hardcover copy of Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    Episode 22: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019
    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
    Book Pet on a teal background with dog paws coming in from the right side of the frame

    Episode 47: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

    February 9, 2021
  • An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir surround by red maple leaves
    Episodes

    Episode 4: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

    October 7, 2018 /

    Episode 4 already!?! We can’t believe it either! This week we’re talking subverting your government, assassin schools, terrible mothers, and rape culture in Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes. An Ember in the Ashes was fact paced, violent, and exceptionally amazing! Content Warning for discussions of rape and child death.  Full transcript below or access the PDF version of the episode transcript As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments…

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    Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers

    Episode 44: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020
    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    Episode 32: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
    Hardcover copy of Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    Episode 22: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019

Recent Posts

  • Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
  • Episode 47: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
  • Episode 46: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
  • Episode 45: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
  • 2020 Year in Review

Recent Comments

  • Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland – The Library Coven on Episode 18: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
  • Episode 43: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang – The Library Coven on Episode 15: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
  • Episode 42: Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova – The Library Coven on Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
  • Episode 39: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown – The Library Coven on Episode 11: Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
  • Episode 35: Queen of Nothing by Holly Black – The Library Coven on Episode 16: The Wicked King by Holly Black

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