The Library Coven

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

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

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

    July 11, 2023 /

    We’re finishing out Season 5 strong with this discussion of Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen. Simidele has been transformed into a Mami Wata (aka mer-person) by the orisa Yemoja, tasked with gathering souls of Africans who fall, jump, or are thrown into the sea from enslavers’ ships. Chaos ensues when Simidele strays from the brief and rescues Adekola (or Kola for short) from drowning. There’s a quest, a trickster figure, cool side characters, and the book is bursting with magic inspired by various African folklores, mythologies, and cultures.  We both loved this book, from the unique premise and character development to the expansive world building that completely immersed us (no water…

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    book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls

    Episode 38: Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020
    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

    Episode 50: A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 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
  • Library copy of The City Beautiful on a white cloth, three skeins of yarn surround it and a red sweater lays to the left
    Episodes

    Episode 72: The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

    October 18, 2022 /

    Today we’re discussing an historical fantasy novel, The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros. Set in Chicago in the late 1800s, Romanian Jewish immigrant Alter Rosen is swept up in a city-wide mystery after his bestie and crush Yakov is killed (spoiler! Sorry not sorry but if you didn’t guess it was queer then what show do you even think you’re listening to?!). There’s an anarchist side kick, some possession, and lots of chaos! This book was suggested by the wonderful roro_suri on instagram, who always has really strong book recs. Many thanks to them and our Patrons for these book recommendations to start us off for Season 5.  Content warning…

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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

    Episode 54: We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

    July 27, 2021
    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
    book, Vicious Spirits on a blueish gray background

    Episode 55: Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho

    August 10, 2021

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Recent Posts

  • Surprise! Interview with YA Author Rachael Lippincott
  • Episode 84: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (and the end of Season 5!)
  • Episode 83: A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
  • Episode 82: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
  • Episode 81: The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi