The Library Coven

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

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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
    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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    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
    Cover art of RUIN AND RISING

    Episode 9: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

    December 17, 2018
    A light brown hand holds Zahrah the Windseeker in front of a lush forest

    Episode 71: Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor

    October 4, 2022
  • A light brown hand holds Zahrah the Windseeker in front of a lush forest
    Episodes

    Episode 71: Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor

    October 4, 2022 /

    This week we’re discussing Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor. This story follows Zahrah, a 13 year old girl who is born with special hair called dadalocks. When her best friend falls into a coma after a snake bite, Zahrah, who is scared of pretty much everything, has to take a journey through the jungle to find a cure. This is Okorafor’s debut from back in 2005 if you can believe it. The world building is NEXT LEVEL, our MC is feisty and relatable, and there’s a beautiful friendship at the core of the story. What’s not to love? This was the book choice of our wonderful Patreon patron Grey from@grey_reads.…

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    Novel A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT with grass and fallen leaves

    Episode 7: A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

    November 18, 2018
    Novel CITY OF BRASS on multicolored fabric

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

    July 4, 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
  • Witchlings on a white cloth surrounded by blue and orange skeins of yarn
    Episodes

    Episode 70: Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

    September 20, 2022 /

    You aren’t ready for the cute puns and shenanigans of the Spare Coven! In Episode 70 we discuss Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega, a middle grade novel full of friendship, magic, and toads. Jessie and kelly reveal the shape their familiars would take and think about what their names might be prophecies for. Recommend if you like… Pet* by Akwaeke Emezi – which deals with some more overt societal issues, but I think they both have strong young girls at their core who are fighting for a more just society The Halloweentown movies New Kid by Jerry Craft Brooklyn Brujas* These books all skew towards younger readers and are overflowing with…

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    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
    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, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    Episode 51: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    June 15, 2021
  • Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn
    Episodes

    Episode 69: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022 /

    AND WE’RE BACK! Season 5 begins with our discussion of The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, the first book in the Burning Kingdoms series. This book is a multi-POV tale that mostly follows Priya, a young adult with magical powers who’s entire adopted family has been killed, and Malini, an exiled princess who is trying to steal the throne from her evil brother.  The books for this first series of episodes were will be releasing were all chosen by our wonderful patrons! If you need some bookish camaraderie, join our Patreon! It’s a pay-what-you-can model starting at $1/month. In other news: Dr k uses they/them/their pronouns and has for a…

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    Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter

    Episode 34: Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020
    Paperback copies of The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky and The Obelisk Gate stacked on blue fabric

    Episode 46: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

    January 26, 2021
    book, A Snake Falls to Earth, on a white scarf surrounded by 4 skeins of yarn

    Episode 77: A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

    February 21, 2023

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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