The Library Coven

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

  • Home
  • Episodes
  • Support
  • Future Episodes
  • F.A.Q.
  • Home
  • Episodes
  • Support
  • Future Episodes
  • F.A.Q.
  • A light brown hand with black nail polish holds I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me in front of a large tree with orange and yellow leaves.
    Episodes

    96. I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea

    May 14, 2024 /

    Show announcement: several months ago we decided that it’s time for The Library Coven to come to an end, so this will be our final season. Over the past nearly 6 years we’ve loved making the show and forging connections with folks we never would have met otherwise. But it’s time for our HEAs*. Whether you’re a new listener or someone who’s been with us since early days, thank you for giving us your attention <3 Links for ways to keep in touch included below 🙂 *happily-ever-afters Onto the penultimate episode! We were both captivated by the debut horror novel I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    A pink metallic hardcover copy of Foul Lady Fortune rests on yellow and orange fallen leaves.

    90. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

    February 13, 2024
    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

    25. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (slash an entire year of the show!!)

    August 7, 2019
    Light-skinned brown hand holds novel A DREAM SO DARK. Shelves of library books in the background.

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

    June 30, 2020
  • A light brown hand with black nail polish holds up a library copy of House of Marionne in front of a blazing red tree
    Episodes

    95. House of Marionne by J. Elle

    April 30, 2024 /

    Today we’re talking about House of Marionne by J. Elle, which introduces us to 17-year-old Quell who has lived an itinerant life with her mother for *reasons* (namely, the forbidden power Quell wields), but is then forced to go directly into the belly of the beast…the magic boarding school at a lavish estate near New Orleans. Will Quell be able to fit into the debutante society and hide her secret from the hot mentor slash assassin Jordan and domineering Grandma slash Headmistress?! Y’all can probably surmise the answer is yes…until it’s no. Chaos ensues! Recommend if you like… Magical boarding school stories (e.g., the series that shall not be named,…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Witchlings on a white cloth surrounded by blue and orange skeins of yarn

    70. Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

    September 20, 2022
    Crier's War audiobook pulled up on an iphone screen with sunflowers draped across the phone, and headphones surrounding the phone and flowers

    36. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020
    The Final Strife lays on top of a white cloth and blue marble background, flanked by 2 skeins of blue yarn and one skein of orange yarn

    81. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

    May 23, 2023
  • A light brown hand holds To Shape a Dragon's Breath in front of a light blue marble background
    Episodes

    94. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

    April 9, 2024 /

    In this episode we discuss the first book in the Nampesheweisit series, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. We both listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlie Flyte. J starts the show giving it 4.5 stars but revises the rating up to 5 by the end –– this book rocks! Recommend if you like… How to Train Your Dragon ofc Magic school books generally Mythology stories. There’s a lot of mythology from Anequs’s people and Norse mythology Funny enough, I think if you like this book, you might also enjoy Jane Austen. Both authors are really funny and point out the differences between those from different societies, although it’s about…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Ereader with SPIN THE DAWN on top of a red book next to a cup of coffee

    24. Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

    July 16, 2019
    cartoon characters in costumes and bright clothing (artwork from Ship It)

    3. Ship It by Britta Lundin

    September 25, 2018
    Mexican gothic sits atop a pile of orange pumpkins with scrub brush in the background

    60. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarcĂ­a

    November 9, 2021
  • A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds The Wicked Bargain aloft in front of a blazing red maple tree
    Episodes

    93. The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa

    March 26, 2024 /

    Our season 6 winning streak continues with The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa. We both LOVED the audiobook narrated by the incomparable Vico Ortiz (Jim from Our Flag Means Death). The novel tells the story of Mar, a magical enby/genderqueer/trans-guy whose father made a deal with the literal devil that comes back to haunt everyone. It’s a book about chosen family, survivor’s guilt, alchemizing self loathing learned from the wider society, and picking your battles (against colonizers, obvi).  Recommend if you like… Our Flag Means Death (show on HBO) Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas for another latine trans guy magical protagonist Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callendar (adult series) for more revolutionary plots and complicated feels (Episode…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    73. Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
    Elatsoe on a blue and white marble background

    57. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

    September 14, 2021
    The Lost Dreamer surrounded by 4 skeins of grey, maroon, gold, and teal yarn on a white cloth and blue marble background.

    74. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

    November 29, 2022
  • That Self-Same Metal held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish in front of a tree with blazing red autumn foliage.
    Episodes

    92. That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

    March 12, 2024 /

    Y’all, we’re on a winning streak with the books this season! That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams is the first book in the Forage and Fracture Saga, and it’s set in 1600s England.. It’s got Fae, Orisha, Shakespeare, a cool magical system, and a gorgeous cover! Get thee to the library for a copy! Recommend if you like… Legendborn and Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn (Episode 51 and Episode 75, respectively) Folk of the Air series by Holly Black (Episode 8, Episode 16, and Episode 35) Shakespeare stuff, including adaptations Children of Blood and Bone by Toni Adeyemi (Episode 2) The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Farah Karim-Cooper “A…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Novel CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE on top of red journal next to "brave wizards" candle

    2. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

    September 10, 2018
    Hardcover copy of Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    22. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019
    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022
  • A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds The Girl from the Sea in front of a small lake with fall foliage
    Episodes

    91. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

    February 27, 2024 /

    We absolutely loved The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag! This graphic novel is a quick and cute read that digs into the nuances of coming out in various contexts and relationships, among other conflicts (*cough* rich people and their yachts *cough*). And the illustrations are beautiful!  Note: k’s audio is a bit weird on this one, but we tried to mitigate it. Sorry about that!! Recommend if you like… Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Heartstopper comics and show mermaids! As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical people. Reach out to us on Instagram (@thelibrarycoven) or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). Access complete show notes on…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

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

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

    June 30, 2020
    J & K in matching t-shirts in front of Hogwarts Castle

    2019: Year in Review

    December 31, 2019
    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022
  • A light brown hand holds A Crown So Cursed in front of a blazing red tree.
    Episodes

    88. A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney

    January 16, 2024 /

    In this episode about A Crown so Cursed, we’re back in the world of the Nightmare-verse in the final (we think?) installment of the series that we started reading all the way back in the show’s first season. Alice is facing a new types of nightmares, learning new histories about her family, and trying to protect both our world and wonderland. Chaos obviously ensues! Recommend if you like… Previous Nightmareverse books – A Blade So Black (Episode 13) and A Dream So Dark (Episode 31) Legendborn by Tracey Deonn (Episode 51) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea (coming later this season) House…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Book, Shadowshaper on a blue and grey background

    58. Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

    September 29, 2021
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    73. Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    28. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida CĂłrdova

    December 23, 2019
  • Skin of the Sea on a white cloth surrounded by orange, yellow, green, and light blue skeins of yarn.
    Episodes

    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…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Cover art of RUIN AND RISING

    9. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

    December 17, 2018
    The Final Strife lays on top of a white cloth and blue marble background, flanked by 2 skeins of blue yarn and one skein of orange yarn

    81. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

    May 23, 2023
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a paperback of Fit for the Gods in front of a blazing orange tree and blue sky.

    89. Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined edited by S. Zainab Williams and Jenn Northington

    January 30, 2024
  • A Magic Steeped in Poison surrounded by 4 skeins of warm colored yarn in reds and oranges. A white cloth and blue marbled surface make up the background.
    Episodes

    83. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

    June 27, 2023 /

    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…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background

    33. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020
    The Final Strife lays on top of a white cloth and blue marble background, flanked by 2 skeins of blue yarn and one skein of orange yarn

    81. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

    May 23, 2023
    Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it

    42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida CĂłrdova

    December 1, 2020
  • Hardcover copy of Raybearer on a white cloth, surrounded by 4 skeins of jewel-toned yarn on each corner
    Episodes

    82. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

    June 6, 2023 /

    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 &…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Novel CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE on top of red journal next to "brave wizards" candle

    2. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

    September 10, 2018
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds aloft the hardcover of A Psalm of Storms and Silence. Trees with bright red autumn leaves and a cloudy sky form the background

    67. A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown

    March 29, 2022
    Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket

    1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    August 26, 2018
  • The Witch King on a white cloth surrounded by 4 blue, purple, and cream colored yarn skeins
    Episodes

    79. The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

    April 25, 2023 /

    hiya, everyone! We’re discussing The Witch King by H E Edgmon in today’s episode. Both of us listened to (and enjoyed!) the audiobook, which is narrated by Dani Martineck.  Trans masc witch Wyatt has run away from his magical home and commitments, being taken in by Briar and becoming besties…but those of us who read fantasy know that it’s not that easy to get out of a faerie bargain. When Emyr, Wyatt’s super hot, capable, and royal fiancĂ©e shows up in the human world, running isn’t an option any more. CW transphobia and homophobia  Recommend if you like… all brought to you by Jessie today! The Sunbearer Trails by Aidan Thomas…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    73. Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
    Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn

    69. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022
    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

    54. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

    July 27, 2021
  • Bitter on a while cloth surrounded by 4 skeins of teal, red, and multi-colored yarn.
    Episodes

    78. Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

    April 4, 2023 /

    Hey, book lovers! It’s been busy over here in our respective worlds – hence the episode delay 🙂 We hope you enjoy this conversation about Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi, one of our fav contemporary authors. Better late than never, right?! In the novel, we follow our MC, Bitter (who we know as Jam’s mother from the first book Pet), as she learns the various ways to be part of a social movement, falls in love, and tries to help the city of Lucille.  Both of us listened to the audiobook, which is narrated FABULOUSLY by Bahni Turpin. Recommend if you like…   Pet by Akwaeke Emezi  – it is the prequel after all (episode…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Novel A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT with grass and fallen leaves

    7. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

    November 18, 2018
    Trail of Lightning held by a light brown hand with black nail polish. gold autumn leaves in the background

    61. Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

    November 30, 2021
    Hardcover version of Nocturna sit on a bright red background

    41. Nocturna by Maya Motayne

    November 17, 2020
  • Episodes

    ARCHIVE: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

    March 14, 2023 /

    In anticipation of our upcoming show about Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi, we’re re-releasing our 47th episode about Emezi’s earlier novel Pet. The following conversation originally aired in February 2021.  Stay magical, bbs!! 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 recommends Emezi’s…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background

    62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021
    book, A Tempest of Tea, held in a brown hand with a black mug in the background

    97. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

    May 28, 2024
    Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn

    69. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022
  • book, A Snake Falls to Earth, on a white scarf surrounded by 4 skeins of yarn
    Episodes

    77. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

    February 21, 2023 /

    Y’all, we’re excited to bring you this episode about A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger, a (relatively) newly minted Newberry Award honor winner!! Worlds collide when a group of animal spirits (including a cottonmouth snake, a pair of coyote twins, a Cooper’s hawk, and a magpie) crosses over to the human world in order to save their wee toad friend from death/extinction. Young human Nina and her family based in South Texas are inextricably tied up in this multi-species adventure.  No show notes, so go pick up this book from your library instead! As Jessie notes in the episode, since it’s a Newberry honor, many libraries will…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it

    42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida CĂłrdova

    December 1, 2020
    son of a trickster held up by a light brown hand in front of a white/snowy background

    66. Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson

    March 8, 2022
    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    32. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
  • Book, Shadowshaper on a blue and grey background
    Episodes

    58. Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

    September 29, 2021 /

    In this episode, we’re transported to a magical Brooklyn in Daniel JosĂ© 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 CĂłrdova (episode 38)  A…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Novel A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT with grass and fallen leaves

    7. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

    November 18, 2018
    Trail of Lightning held by a light brown hand with black nail polish. gold autumn leaves in the background

    61. Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

    November 30, 2021
    Hardcover of The Dragon Republic lays on top of decorative paper with anatomical heart drawings

    43. The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

    December 15, 2020
  • Highlighted section of text (Descendant of the Crane by Joan He) on a black kindle. A sunflower sits on top of the kindle
    Episodes

    17. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

    April 8, 2019 /

    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…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    A Heart So Fierce and Broken on a blue and white background

    56. A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

    August 24, 2021
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    73. Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
    A Magic Steeped in Poison surrounded by 4 skeins of warm colored yarn in reds and oranges. A white cloth and blue marbled surface make up the background.

    83. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

    June 27, 2023

Listen and Subscribe

Apple PodcastsSpotifyRSS

Recent Posts

  • 97. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
  • 96. I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
  • 95. House of Marionne by J. Elle
  • 94. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
  • 93. The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa