To commemorate their 50th fantasy novel, the fellas read and discuss a classic in the fantasy genre, the beginning to Robin Hobb's seminal Realm of the Elderlings series: Assassin's Apprentice. The fellas cover the book's influence, the strength of its characters, as well as some of slightly,,, slower moments. They also spend a lot of time discussing Game of Thrones and Green Rider.
Just how many times can Geordie say "roaring rampage of revenge" in just one episode? That's one of many questions the fellas ask as they delve into Joe Abercrombie's Best Served Cold. Duncan pulls a Murtagh, pulling Geordie into the fourth book in a series, Can they keep their bearings? Can Geordie figure out who the Bloody Nine is? And will Duncan ever discover what domming is? Only time will tell.
Things get philosophical as the fellas are compelled to cover the trolley problem, vegetarianism, and ethical consumption under capitalism, all because Geordie picked the Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. LeGuin. He also spends an unforgivable amount of time talking about his latest weird interest at the start, but he has since been suitably punished. The hotest debate in the whole episode though is right in the title: is this (just) fantasy.
On the heels of the first season's finale, the fellas wrap up their review of a book which had a Vader-like (Vaderesque? Vaderonean?) chokehold on Geordie's childhood. Does it hold up? Of course it does. This episode is a major hit with them both. Episode highlights are Geordie teaching Duncan the correct pronunciation of Uranus, and Duncan making a... very interesting request of Geordie. Editing note: there were some unfortunate recording issues with this episode which may carry over to the fol...
For one it's a return to an old favourite. For another, it's beginning a dense fantasy series at book 5 with very little context. The fellas leap into Murtagh the follow up to Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle, which Duncan has never read. Episode highlights are Duncan demanding to know what an Urgal is, an enthusiastic discussion of the book's magic system, and Geordie fulfilling his dream of becoming a game show host.
In a cracking start to the new year and their 3rd season the fellas have delivered what they agree is probably their best episode yet. And of course that had to happen when discussing a lesser known creation by an author writing in 1929. Kull of Atlantis, the original Conan. Duncan rocks Geordie's world by introducing Geordie to the world of queer readings of Kull and Conan, whilst Geordie shares the story of his most hysterical mistake in his history of playing RPGs.
Look how far we've come this year. Geordie and Duncan look back at all the novels they've covered through 2023 and spare a moment of highlight some of the best surprises, their least favourites, and the very best they came across.
For this year's holiday special the fellas review the only other Christmas fantasy book they could think of: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. They discuss the charming book's humble and adorable origins, the world's most impactful trip to the zoo, Geordie teaches Duncan Bible stories, whilst Duncan recounts the most hare-brained story of the creation of the iconic lampost. Most importantly both hosts discuss how their schools made them dress up as evacuated children and realise that their ...
Ooooh, what a delight this one was. Duncan and Geordie put on their slippers, slip under a blanket, get their coffee mug (then Geordie puts his away because he doesn't actually like coffee) and discuss Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. They find it a wonderful and charming book with impeccable vibes. With dual fantasies of orcs, elves and running a successful business. The fellas discuss supporting local businesses, Duncan discovers what a coffee shop AU is then orders Geordie to write one, ...
It's hot off the press. This week the fellas crack open feminist leader Laura Bates' fantasy debut Sisters of Sword and Shadow. They discuss this depiction of sorority, feminism, the deconstruction of Arthurian chivalry, as well as its high and lows. They cover the differences between feminist fiction writing and non-fiction writing, Duncan gives us an engineering crash-course in swords made of tin, Geordie spends entirely too much time weaving conspiracy theories about the number of number of E...
Duncan and Geordie are eager to present their interview with author Hailey Piper, writer of one of their recent faves: The Worm and His Kings. They discuss her writing process, the origins of her interest in horror, the bold end to the novel, and something about kaiju chickens?
Things get fiery in their longest episode to date, discussing R. F. Kuang's The Poppy War. The fellas have a lot to cover, discussing their mixed feelings regarding the acclaimed debut. Duncan is... exceedingly patient with Geordie this time as he goes on several rants about MMA, kung fu, the Cultural Revolution, and Operation Downfall. He just has a lot of feelings about Operation Downfall, okay? TW: this episode contains discussions of depictions of sexual violence in the context of the Rape o...
In the grand finale of their Halloween collection, the fellas tackle a dark horse: The Worm and His Kings by Hallie Piper, and wouldn't you know it, its the best surprise of the year. They discuss its darkly profound ending, its amazing characters and relationships, and an example of positive nihilism.TW: this book contains themes of gender dysphoria and a botched sex change operation.
The fellas make their first foray into the maddening world of H. P. Lovecraft to discuss one of his most famous works. They discuss: how does Geordie's knowledge of local geography compare to a guy at a 1920s bus station? Will Duncan hide behind his partner when confronted by a serial killer? And is it easier for Geordie to pronounce miscegenation or ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn? Tune in for Geordie pitching his Shadow Over Innsmouth film adaptation, coming to cinemas as so...
Wrapping up their 2023 review of Berserk with the 'Binding Chain ' and the 'Rebirth Ceremony' chapters (but the fellas insist on calling it the Tower of Conviction arc.) The fellas are rapturous over the action and the new characters added to the Berserk canon, and go head to head debating whether Mozgus is a good villain or not. Episode highlights include: Duncan joining the Serpico fan-club, Geordie's rousing re-enactment of the titular conviction speech, the introduction of the Beast of Darkn...
Trigger warnings for discussions of sexual violence. It's back! It's back and Geordie is excited! The fellas return to the horrible world of Guts and Puck. Following on from their last episode on the Eclipse and the end of the Golden Age Arc, they're back in Guts' sad boy era with the Lost Children Chapter of the Conviction Arc. Things get heated as Duncan and Geordie debate the merits of Puck, whether Guts was going to take out Jill, and Geordie really gives the business to r/berserk. But most ...
The fellas return to the Moorcockiverse to experience the further adventures of Elric of Melnibone in his first published appreance in: The Dreaming City, While the Gods Laugh, and The Singing Citadel. They discuss magic, misogyny, and how its all made up for by amazing speeches, evil soul-stealing swords, and an anti-hero who is as cool as he is goth,
In what's set to become an annual summer-time tradition, the boys are back in Troy. This time they're seeing the Iliad through the eyes of Briseis and into the silent suffering of slave women in Pat Barker's critique of the Iliad: The Silence of the Girls. In this episode the fellas argue over whether vikings could free-style rap, Duncan wonders whether anyone has ever seen the movie Troy (who can say for sure?), and Geordie wraps up the episode by delivering Duncan a devastating burn from which...
We didn't think it would happen, but has a book finally come along to rival both Demon in Silver and The Eye of Argon for the worst fantasy novel the fellas have ever read for this podcast? Gasp in dread and horror at the novel which Geordie couldn't even finish, and which he had to beg Duncan to be permitted to only read three of the six stories. Marvel at the lengths they'll go to avoid talking about these novels, discussing the hot chocolate and Palatine's sponge baths in Star Wars, Gandalf a...
Nothing good lasts forever. The fellas get together to discuss the disappointing follow-up to Tomi Adeyemi's hit Children of Blood and Bone. From messy plotting to unrecognisable character shifts, its hard to believe that these stories were written by the same author. The Legacy of Orisha is in big trouble. The fellas debate what the book's title actually is, Geordie teaches Duncan who Lyndon B Johnson is, whilst Duncan's revenge for last episode comes swift and brutal.
It's a hit! Duncan and Geordie get together to discuss Tomi Adayemi's Children of Blood and Bone, which they each had a blast reading. The topics range from an enthused discussion about allegory, heritage and social justice, to the logistics collapsible weapons and whether the X-Men should have rights.
Back from their holidays, Duncan and Geordie are rearing to go discussing Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker. It's Geordie's first Sanderson novel, so this could define his relationship to his works until the end of time... no pressure. The fellas discuss: the cosmere, fantasy Mormonism, and sub-standard talking swords.
Whilst Geordie and Duncan are both off on holiday, nothing can stop the great podcasting engine. In between the Northern Lights and the Subtle Knife, the fellas read and reviewed Neil Gaiman's award winning short story: A Study in Emerald, a Sherlock Holmes pastiche which sets the great detective in a world besieged by beings straight from the mind of H.P. Lovecraft. The fellas discuss the amazing novella as well as the original stories and their many many adaptations. If you want to hear Geordi...
It's a heated episode as the fellas discuss the anticipated black comedy hit The Black Tongue Thief, triggering a discussion of goblin wars, prequels, and which animals Duncan is prepared to murder,
The fellas complete their first trilogy with Phillip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass. In this episode they discuss a bit of angelology, the mulafa's strange body plans, what this book would be called if it wasn't named after a very minor and comparatively mundane object object, and did Will really walk 500 miles to be back with Lyra.Apologies for audio errors for the majority of the episode, they have been rectified.Trigger warning for the Catholic Church pedophilia scandal.
The fellas cross distant worlds in their discussion of the second in Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The discuss the strange change in perspective on the hero Lyra through the introduction of Will, the surprisingly naked biblical allegories, and the confusing timeline of Lord Asriel's war to whack God.
In the premier of their sporadic new series, Duncan waterboards Geordie with Star Wars factoids. Hear Geordie suffer through an explanation of: the Dark Empire comic book run, an exhaustive list of Star Wars super weapons, the life and times of Boba Fett, and clone shenanigans galore.
A.K.A The Golden Compass, the fellas set out on a long trek north is search of the truth. Truths like: is one of Geordie's favourite books as a child just as excellent as he remembers? Can Duncan translate all of the weird word-choices? What are each of the boys' daemons? And is the book more anti-catholic or more anti-terf? To find out the answer to these exciting questions, check our episode on His Dark Materials.
At long last, after fighting through Duncan's bout with covid (which was just as hard on Geordie) the fellas are back in action and reading Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses. They spend a little too long talking about War & Peace and Batman, before getting onto the important topics, like alpha-male faeries, extremely easy riddles and Duncan having to borrow smut from his sister.
The One Where Duncan had covid. Geordie embarks on his solo career, giving both his review of the new D&D movie and also giving a breakdown of his pitch for what a D&D movie ought to be.
