Episode 84: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (and the end of Season 5!)
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…
Episode 83: A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
In this penultimate (!) episode of season 5, we’re discussing A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin. The novel tells the story of Ning, a young girl who is headed to the capital to compete to become the empire’s new master in the magic and art of tea making. Ning has an ulterior motive, hoping to gain the princess’s favorite to potentially save Ning’s older (and currently poisoned) sister. There are lovely gardens and amazing sensory descriptions that captivated both of us. Not to mention it has one of the most BEAUTIFUL covers! Please consider supporting this work on Patreon for early episodes and a direct line to J…
Episode 82: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Episode 82 is dedicated to Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, which follows Tarisai, a half-ehru half-human, girl who is bound by choices her mysterious and mostly absent mother has made. We discuss empire and the imperative to assimilate, fantasy parenting fails, and ofc we have thoughts about magical travel technologies! We LOVE a duology (yay brevity!), and the sequel, Redemptor, is already out. Have you read it? Should we read it in a future season? let us know! Drop us a line in the comments or reach out to us onInstagram (@thelibrarycoven) or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). Please consider supporting this work on Patreon for early episodes and a direct line to J &…
Episode 80: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
It’s episode 80!! That means we’ve done 80 of these long-form book reviews and discussions over the past 5+ years. Whether you’re just finding the show or have been here since the early days, we’re glad to be in your orbit. In this episode, we discuss Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray. Koffi, an indentured beastkeeper with hidden powers, and Ekon, a warrior-in-training with an empathetic side, decide to work together to find the shetani, a dangerous and powerful beast living in the jungle. Of course, what they’ve been told by society is complete BS, and the two teens have to choose between old dreams and their new understandings/relationships. Recommend if…
Episode 75: Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
It’s finally here, y’all! Our discussion of Bloodmarked by Tracey Deonn, the eagerly anticipated and long awaited sequel to Legendborn. This book picks up right where we left off in Legendborn. There are lots of weird politics, tons of racism, and so much tension between Sel and Bree that it made J’s cold, dead heart very happy. So let’s get into it! A note on scheduling: we’re taking a wee winter break! That means after our year-in-review episode, you can expect new, fortnightly shows beginning on February 7th. Content Warning for anti-Black racism. Recommend if you like… The Kaz/Inej tension of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo** Arthurian…
Episode 74: The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
Our conversation today is about The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta, a transportive fantasy novel that weaves together two perspectives – Indir and Saya – both powerful Dreamers who can access the Dreaming dimension and gain knowledge there. Change is coming to the city of Alcanzeh following the death of an elderly king and the ascent of his violent heir. Indir has a pivotal role to play, while Saya travels and keeps her gifts hidden. There is a whole LOT of talk about chaos in this book, and my notes are a bit chaotic tbh, so let’s do this! Recommend if you like… Chosen one stories: Black Sun by Rebecca…
Episode 73: Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland
Today we’ll be discussing Sia Martinez and the Moonlit beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, which follows Sia on a wild adventure as she deals with the murder of her mother, friendship woes, and falling in love. Oh and aliens! Chaos does indeed ensure, and there is so much to talk about (though very few show notes) Content warning before we get into this book: the book makes mention and so our conversation will touch on topics of sexual assault, child abuse, ICE, police, racism, bullying, PTSD, and Harry Potter Recommend if you like… Unidentified Suburban Object by Mike Jung for a middle grade rec Dear America by Jose…
ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
In honor of Bloodmarked‘s publication day, The Library Coven re-presents you with this episode from our archive! Originally aired in June 2021, here is our take on Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Content warning for discussions of racism, slavery, and parental death interested in reading along with us? Check out the upcoming books for Season 5 on our future episodes page. behold, (the original) show notes! Shoutout to our new patron, Veronica! we <3 u Recommend if you like (RIYL): Arthurian legend stuff; any of L.L. McKinney’s Nightmare-verse books (A Blade so Black, A Dream so Dark, A Crown so Cursed) J mentions the John Oliver episode about the confederacy (and why we have white…
Episode 72: The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros
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…
Episode 69: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
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…
Episode 68: Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
It’s our final episode of season 4 of the podcast, y’all! We read Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas, a Peter Pan redux with plenty of twists. We’ll be back with more episodes in summer of 2022. If you want to pick one of the books we read for next season, join our Patreon! It’s a pay-what-you-can model starting at $1/month. content warning for discussions of child death Recommend if you like… Peter Pan, any iteration Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas* Folk of the Air series by Holly Black* Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova* also, if you appreciate YA that is light on the romance aspect, then this book…
Episode 67: A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown
Welcome back, coven! In this episode we are discussing A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown, the sequel to A Song of Wraths and Ruin which we talked about all the way back in episode 39! This book picks up right were the last one left off with Karina on the run and Malik living in the palace with Hanan who was brought back from the dead, and Fareed basically in control of everything. Chaos does indeed ensue! Content warning for discussions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and miscarriage. Take care of yourself folks, and if you don’t feel up to listening to this episode at the moment,…
Episode 65: Oculta by Maya Motayne
We’re finally going back to Castellan and reuniting with Finn and Alfie! In this episode we discuss Oculta by Maya Motayne, the second installment of the A Forgery of Magic series. This book is the sequel to Nocturna, which we discussed in episode 41, so go check that out if you haven’t yet! In Oculta, we’re back in San Cristobal, with Finn and Alfie trying to figure out a murderous plot at the center of a v dramatic peace summit. Of course, chaos ensues! onto the short and sweet show notes… Recommend if you like… Six of Crows and/or Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo – there’s a heist-y feeling with all of the shenanigans and plotting.…
Episode 64: Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy
Ahoy there, coven! Today we’re discussing Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy, a book about a nerdy suburban teen who can fly. After Faith’s all-time favorite show The Grove moves filming to her small town, a spate of human and other-than-human disappearances starts, and Faith is determined to get to the bottom of things. Chaos does indeed ensue! This book was recommended to us by someone on Instagram a while back. So if that was you, let us know so we can give you credit 🙂 If memory serves, this person mentioned wanting to see more books with fat representation. Just so you know, around 27:30 we talk briefly about…
Episode 62: Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Greetings, coven! In this episode we’re discussing Fireborne by Rosaria Munda, Book 1 of the Aurelian Cycle. Kelly calls this book Game of Thrones meets How to Train Your Dragon (there are some GOT spoilers ahead, but it’s an old show at this point so….) Please excuse our faulty memories on this one — there’s a lot going on in the world and we read the book a few weeks ago. And with that rousing captatio benavolentae, on to the show notes! Thank you to the person on social media who suggested that we read Fireborne. We don’t remember you’re name, so if this was you, get in touch 🙂 And let it never be said that we…
Episode 58: Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
In this episode, we’re transported to a magical Brooklyn in Daniel José Older’s novel Shadowshaper, the first in the Shadowshaper Cypher series. Congratulations to Daniel, who has the esteemed honor of being the first (and so far only) cis-dude we’ve read for the show. In Shadowshaper, we follow Sierra, a Black Puerto Rican Brooklyn-ite, who discovers she has powers to suffuse her art with spirits who then become corporeal. Sierra teams up with Robbie, a young Haitian guy who teaches her about shadowshaping, and the two must stop a bad white guy from messing up the whole world! Recommend if you like… Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova (episode 38) A…
Episode 57: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
hey, coven! we’re excited to bring you this discussion of Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. J & K both loved this book and are gonna recommend it widely going forward. *ALERTA* Darcie has a new book coming out November 9th, A Snake Falls to Earth. We’re definitely pre-ordering and/or requesting from the library!! Please take our survey if you haven’t already! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d love to know what else you’re looking for in the show. Recommend if you like… RL Stine, Goosebumps, etc. Paranormal investigator/mystery stuff (X-files, Fringe, Lovecraft Country) DOGGOS What We Do in the Shadows (tv show or movie) Reservation Dogs (tv series, FX on Hulu)…
Episode 56: A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Welcome back! In this episode, we chat about A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer. We share thoughts on such topics as special editions, disability as a disguise, the trope of naming dudes “Hawk,” and whether “Iisak” is pronounced “eye-sack.” And be ye warned, there are some ACOTAR and Star Wars spoilers ahead. Check out our episode on the first book, A Curse So Dark and Lonely! a warm “hello <3” to our newest patron, Emily! 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 love to know what else you’re looking for in the show!…
Episode 55: Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho
Hello, beautiful ones! This fortnight we’re discussing Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho, the second book in the Gumiho series. Join us to find out how Somin, Junu, Miyoung and Jihoon deal with grief and magical/inter-dimensional disruption. There’s romance. There’s banter. What’s not to love? Check out Episode 40 for our discussion of Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1) Stay magical, bbs! 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 love to know what else you’re looking for in the show! Recommend if you like… Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Almost American Girl: An…
Episode 54: We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
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…
Episode 53: Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
This fortnight, the amazing debut novel streak continues! We’re discussing Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart. Tune in for a deep dive into a nuanced magical system and some close reading of Smart’s excellent wordsmithing. Also, we have a good time trolling each other in the “Real Talk” segment. Content warning for brief discussions of rape, sexual assault and child death. Survey link is still live!! Help shape the direction of the podcast, por favor. Recommend if you like… …rebellions: Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series (which we’ve discussed in episodes 4, 7, 10, and 50) and Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series …epic characterization and chemistry: Killing Eve (Hulu) …other amazing YA books from writers of the…
Episode 52: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
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…
Episode 51: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Hey, everyone! We’re so incredibly excited to share this episode about Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. It’s a captivating, innovative and insightful riff on Arthurian legend set in contemporary North Carolina. Jessie and Cynthia’s (of @cynthiasreadinglist) campaign to get everyone to read this book continues! Content warning for discussions of racism, slavery, and parental death A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! It only takes 5-7 minutes, so please consider taking it. interested in reading along with us? Check out the rest of the books in the upcoming season on our future episodes page. behold, show notes! Shoutout to…
Episode 50: A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
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…
Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country
We’re thrilled to bring you this interview with author Ashaye Brown (she/her) whose debut novel, Dream Country,will be released on April 27, 2021. Aka next week (!!) for those of you listening when the episode drops. This will be the first in a mini-series of three author interviews we will be releasing in the lead up to our next season of the podcast. You can order Dream Country directly from Onwe — do it soon to get a limited edition, signed version!! I mean, behold the beautiful bookplates. Follow Ashaye on twitter @AshayeBrown for amazing content. Really, tho, follow her! (listen to the episode to hear why Jessie and Kelly rave about…
Episode 47: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
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…
Episode 44: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
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…
Episode 42: Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
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…
Episode 41: Nocturna by Maya Motayne
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…
Episode 40: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
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! Transcript below or…
Episode 39: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
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.…
Episode 38: Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
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…
Episode 37: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Greetings to all you magical beings out there! This fortnight, we’re discussing A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. We immensely enjoyed Kemmerer’s spin on the whole Beauty and the Beast tradition, and we found Harper to be one of the most relatable and badass protagonists! There’s so much about this novel that we found relevant to our pandemic times– especially re: disability, medical debt, . Also, J & K happen to be on different ships this time! Hope you enjoy and learn things and teach us things! Content warning: terminal illness and parental death, rape and sexual assault (mins 20-22). Call to action: This week we’re encouraging y’all to “crip”…
Episode 35: Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
hello, everyone! We’re excited to bring you this episode about The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black, the final installment of the Folk of the Air series (after The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King– which we discuss in episode 8 and episode 16, respectively). In the novel, we finally get to find out what happens to Jude and Cardan, and we see everything that unfolds after Jude was banished to the mortal world. In the episode, J & K somehow both forget that Cardan turns into a giant snake. hope you enjoy (and add to) the conversation! *Call to action* J and K have feelings about our podcast name and the common association with she-who-shall-not-be-named…
Episode 34: Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
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…
Episode 32: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Hello, magical ppl! In this episode we dive into We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, which J & K both enjoyed immensely. Join us for a conversation about how much we <3 enemies-to-lovers ships, badass protags like Zafira and Kifah, Faizal’s impressive world-building, and much more. Content Warning for discussions of child abuse. ChildHelp – Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance And now, links! The sequel, We Free the Stars, is scheduled for release on January 19, 2021. If you have some time, professor Edward Said teaches about Orientalism in this interview (appx. 40 minutes). If you are short on time, this video is a good primer about Orientalism and Said’s work on the…
Episode 31: A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney
Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing A Dream so Dark by L.L. McKinney, the second book in the Nightmare-verse series! In this episode we’re making predictions about the future books in the series, talking about “urban” fantasy, and coming at you with some major Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker spoilers (you’ve been warned!). For a refresher for what happened in the last book, check out our episode on A Blade So Black. Here are all the things mentioned in this week’s episode! Let’s start with a question! What are you wearing when you feel your most powerful? We mentioned The Neverending Story Dr. Martens – the badass shoe of choice! Ship It…
Episode 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…
Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
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…
Episode 24: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Hello, dear listeners! This fortnight we’re reading Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim, a new retelling of Mulan. We found some pretty problematic areas in the book, but found the story quite captivating overall. As a note, we did receive this book as an ARC, but our feelings and reactions to the story are honest. Content Warning: This book deals with some heavy violence issues. It comes up briefly in the episode. First, we would like to point out that we talked about there being a “miracle cure” for a disability in the book. Apparently, this was changed in the final book, but there are still issues of ableism and…
Episode 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…
Episode 18: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
This fortnight we’re discussing Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, one of the most intersectional books we’ve read yet! We talked about the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and colonialism. We chatted about shipping, impostor syndrome, and many many other things. We adored this book, and we can’t wait to see what Justina Ireland has in store for us next! As always, we had a bunch of things we talked about, and you can find that information in the show notes below (these may be our longest show notes yet!). Justina Ireland also provided a list of book resources, and those are also listed below. Let’s start with the resources Justina…
Episode 17: Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
This week we’re discussing Descendant of the Crane by Joan He. We received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review (which we promise to always provide). We discussed monarchies, constitutions, colorism, and magic this week, as well as many other topics. Below are links to all the resources and things we had to look up, some of which included looking things up while we were recording, I left it in, because I think it’s cool to see the process. And J is back to calling everything interesting… Cranes were mentioned in the title, but they are often mentioned throughout the story. Turns out, they’re pretty…
Episode 16: The Wicked King by Holly Black
Happy Spring, listeners! In Episode 16 we discuss The Wicked King by Holly Black, the much-awaited sequel to The Cruel Prince. Content warning: emotional and physical child abuse. ChildHelp – Child Abuse Assistance – Call 1-800-422-4453 if you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse Below you can find links to all of the topics and references that came up in our conversation. And 10 points to Gryffindor if you can count the number of times K say the word “fascinating”. Is it the shiny, new replacement for “interesting”?? Only time will tell. If, like us, you’ve ever had a hard time distinguishing between an anti hero…
Episode 13: A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
This fortnight we’re discussing A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney, and there were a ton of Alice in Wonderland puns from K, as this is a modern retelling of the story. Don’t expect to get any hints about this story because you read the original. This is a whole new take! As always, there were a ton of outside sources mentioned, and hopefully we caught them all to add to the show notes. If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! Sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? Which do you prefer? For many African Americans sweet potato pie wins every time, but where did…
Episode 12: A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Hello esteemed listeners! We adored A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee*!! What a delightful romp of a book*. Below you’ll find plenty of links and resources to complement our discussion. **We want to recognize that Mackenzi Lee has been pretty problematic as a person and author, and we while we did enjoy this book at the time, we will not be reading or podcasting about her books in the future. Content Warning: In this episode we discuss emotional and physical abuse as well as addiction. If you or someone you know are the victim of sexual assault and would like assistance, please call RAINN (Call 800-856-4619 or…
Episode 11: Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Happy New Year, Listeners! We are excited to read and discuss new (and old) book with this year. Any suggestions for books you’d like to read with us? This fortnight we’re discussing Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan . J & K have some mixed feeling about this book. We loved the elaborate back story and well fleshed out setting, but had some difficulty with the pacing. And obvi, we were excited to have many different kinds of representation in this book. What were your thoughts about this story? Content Warning: In this episode we discuss sexual assault and rape If you or someone you know are the victim of sexual…
Episode 10 (!): A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
Listeners, we made it to Episode 10! A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir made J & K fear for the fate of our favorite characters and ships in upcoming 4th book of the Ember in the Ashes Series. At one point we discuss the possible importance of the Nightbringer’s true name and wonder if true names “are a thing” with fae. Further research confirms that true names are indeed “a thing”. Episode notes are short this time because it’s New Year’s Eve, and I (K) am about to go make a hazelnut and chocolate crepe cake. Happy New Year! We can’t wait to read more wonderful books in 2019 and keep sharing…
Episode 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…
Episode 8: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
J & K thoroughly enjoyed the dark and twisty world of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. Episode 8 features not one but TWO of K’s now infamous research rabbit holes. #RavenclawFTW. Content Warning: physical, mental, and emotional abuse If you or someone you know has been the victim of child abuse, please call ChildHelp 1-800-422-4453 for assistance The first is about all the different kinds of faeries. If you want to know more about sprites, dryads, nymphs, selkies, kelpies, banshees, elves, gnomes, goblins, pixies, etc. etc. etc., you can find an encyclopedic list here (complete with illustrations!). And while we’re at it, have another resource. The second research rabbit hole is decidedly…
Episode 7: A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Reading A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir led to discussions of the prison system, mythology, and accountability. We loved how exciting a prison break can be. And this book had surprises around every corner, which had K reading the book immediately after finishing the first. Question: Are Avitas and Elias full or half siblings? Below are some articles and information about topics discussed in this fortnight’s episode: There are lots of different types of mythology out there, not just Greek mythology, but we talked specifically about Persephone and Hades in this episode. If you aren’t already, we highly recommend following Rachel Cargle on Instagram. She does a lot of work…
Episode 6: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
In episode 6 J & K are discussing City of Bones by Cassandra Clare which K is reading for the first time! As always, we found many things interesting, because apparently that’s what we do. Content warning: In this episode we discuss child abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources for you. Please consider contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or ChildHelp 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Around 4-5 minutes, you may hear a cat in the background, because Lainey, the podcat, wanted some attention. There is also a season 1 spoiler of Riverdale in this episode (not that big of a spoiler since it’s about Hermione and Hiram).…
Episode 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…
Episode 4: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
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…
Episode 2: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
We loved Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi so very much. This book is powerful and poignant and we couldn’t recommend it more. Hope you enjoy! Content Warning: in this episode, we discuss a lot of really difficult topics including racialized violence, torture, and abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse, please contact ChildHelp 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Here’s a list of the resources we mention throughout the episode. There are more that we did not talk about and so many that we probably don’t know exist. But we commit to keep learning. Please contact us with other resource recommendations. Legacies of slavery…
Episode 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!”:…
