• Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background
    Episodes

    29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    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…

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

    22. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    This fortnight we’re discussing Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The first book in the Six of Crows duology and the fourth book in the Grishaverse series. We discussed a wide range of topics including slavery, sex work, and stereotypes of different cultures. Content warning: In this episode we discuss sexual harassment, sex slavery, and childhood trauma/violence We promised resources for those who might need them. Please get help if you need it: RAINN – Anti-sex violence assistance. Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance ChildHelp – Child Abuse – Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Safe Place or National Runaway Safeline – Assistance for young people experiencing homelessness with both…

  • Cover art of RUIN AND RISING
    Episodes

    9. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

    In episode 9 we are discussing Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo For the first time, J & K have quite different feeling about the ships in this book, but we are both very excited about the upcoming King of Scars, which will be released on 29 January 2019. Content Warning: In this episode we discuss sexual assault and self harm If you or someone you know are the victim of sexual assault and would like assistance, please call RAINN (Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance) or if you are a member of the LGBTQIA community in crisis, and would like someone to talk to, please contact The Trevor Project. (1-866-488-7386, text 678678, or visit…

  • Sea dragon on the cover of Siege and Storm
    Episodes

    5. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

    J & K talk about book 2 of the Grisha Trilogy, Siege and Storm, by Leigh Bardugo. We forget Fyodor’s name and find many things “interesting” (should we find new descriptors? probably). Content warning: discussion of sexual assault If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact RAINN Call 800-856-4619 or visit their website for assistance Sorry for the late posting! K was finishing a dissertation chapter draft the muggle way….hence the delay. Thanks for your patience! Transcript to come Spring 2021 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…

  • Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket
    Episodes

    1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    Hey, listeners! We are so excited to share our first ever episode with you, where we discuss Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. We scrapped the original idea of an hour-long podcast because our conversation just kept going, and well, we do what we want. After banishing official podcat Lainey to the other room. we sat together for 3 hours to record this episode (probably too close to our microphones, but it’s our first one sooooo yeah, we’re kinda winging it). Growth mindset, amirite?! Episode breakdown for easier listening: 2:40 .      Through the Wardrobe: talking about worldbuilding, like Imperial Russia as the touchstone and Grisha Hogwarts 14:13 .    “Wands Out!”:…