Modern Magic

Spilled entrails, foul language, sexual assault—has it all become too much? Where do we draw the line? In this episode, we'll explore whether authors are using gratuity and the “grimdark” label as a crutch for boring stories.

Out with the old, in with the new. The medieval European melting pot that fantasy once was is dead. Young authors are drawing influence from across the world and from their own lives. What tensions arise?

Fantasy without magic is like unsalted butter. Magic is the flavour, the oomph—but what's with this new kind of magic with all those rules and boundaries? Has magic lost its wonder?

Modern Magic is an exploration of fantasy literature. Join me as I speak to esteemed authors such as Michael J Sullivan, Fonda Lee, Michelle Sagara, and more about how the genre is changing and whether those changes are for better or worse.