In depth reviews and discussions of fantasy, sci fi and other nerdy books. We aim to feature books with BIPOC and Queer authors and protagonists.
We talk empires, dragon slayers, dragons, finding your place, and going home again in this lovely novella.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram.Support bookstores and acquire this book at Bookshop.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're talking about Emily Tesh's new book, The Incandescent, which is out today. Set in a British magical school, it gives us the overworked administrative point-of-view of running a magical school, to what felt like, to us, a very millennial-coded story that was fun to discuss.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We discuss food Gideon has never had before, Magnus's dad vibes, mayonnaise uncle, and 9th House Zoom calls. We also speak on podcast amnesia, magic as science, the fantasy equivalent of Like A Dragon, and deus ex machinas as the plot thickens.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're back with more of Tamsyn Muir's The Locked Tomb as we discuss Gideon and Harrow's arrival at Canaan House and the members of the other houses. Are you Team Skeleton or Team Ghost?Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April Fool's! We love boat books; well, specifically, we love Alexandra Rowland's Running Close to the Wind. A perfect combination of our running bit of disliking boat books and this being one of the funniest books we've ever read, we thought it perfect for the day.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's March, so by the rules of podcasting, we must do a draft. On this episode, each host drafted eight characters to come to a new world as its new protectors (or rulers, depending on their disposition). You can decide via the poll below whose eight would be the best protectors or make the best stories. The poll will be open for one month.https://forms.gle/PJGc9m5cVHQYjBMW6Here are each host's eight:Joshua:1. Thurvishar D'Lorus (A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons2. Kaul Shaelinsan “Shae” (Green Bone Sage by Fonda Lee)3. Richa Langyun (Book of the Usurper by Erin M. Evans)4. Adolin Kholin (The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson)5. Kihrin D'Mon (A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons)6. Peralon (The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons)7. Caul Shivers (The Age of Madness by Joe Abercrombie)8. Bayaz, First of the Magi (The Age of Madness by Joe Abercrombie)Steph:1. Queen Neveranimas (The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons)2. Gideon Nav (The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir)3. Arasgon, the Fireblood (A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons)4. Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien5. Captain Teveri az-Ḥaffār (Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland)6. Senera (A Chorus of Dragon by Jenn Lyons)7. Kaladin Stormblessed (The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson)8. Nynaeve al'Meara (The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan)Christina:1. Dr. Ayda Mensah (The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells)2. Brother Qown (A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons)3. Asshole Research Transport (ART) (The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells)4. Anahrod (The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons)5. Abigail Pent (The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir)6. Tyensto (A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons)7. Digger-of-Unnecessarily-Convoluted-Tunnels (Digger by Ursula Vernon)8. Avra Helvaçi (Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At the start of a new season and series, we begin our deep dive into Tamsyn Muir's The Locked Tomb series with Gideon the Ninth. We discuss why we like and chose the series and what makes it unique. This episode focuses a lot on Gideon herself.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our Cosmerenauts Steph and Josh talk full spoilers about the fifth book in the Stormlight Archive, Wind and Truth. We talked about what we loved, what didn't work, our character MVPs of the book, and the future of the characters and the series.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. We are no longer on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the end of our journey with A Chorus of Dragons. We want to thank @jennlyons.bsky.social for the series, the catalyst for this podcast's start. We talk about the final battle, the ending, and the series overall.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our penultimate episode on Jenn Lyons' The Discord of Gods / A Chorus of Dragons episode. We talk about new guardians, Relos Var's point of view, the final battle starts, and Teraeth doing a Kamehameha.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Essentially our book of the year, here is a reread (a rerun) of our Bookling episode on Jenn Lyon's The Sky on Fire. We hope everyone had a good holiday and here is to more reading in 2025.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We come together to tell you about what we each thought were the five best books we read in 2024. We've included a special section for Jenn Lyon's The Sky on Fire, which was on everyone's list. This year, we're not just limiting it to books published in 2024. Plus, a few books we're anticipating for 2025.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode we discuss chapters 71-80 of The Discord of Gods, the fifth book in Jenn Lyon's A Chorus of Dragons. We're close to the very end now, and events get near apocalyptic levels of crazy.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this Off the Books, we are interviewing Sung-il Kim, author of Blood of the Old Kings, and Anton Hur (Toward Eternity, transl. Blood of the Old Kings, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-Hee) to discuss Kim's book, falling empires, publishing, translations, technofeudalism, and what's next for The Bleeding Empire series.Your hosts are Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In these chapters of Jenn Lyon's The Discord of Gods (61-70), we discuss the return of a former final boss who is now a mini-boss, the opposite of Keanu Reeves, and their quick demise. Always remember: no vengeance, do okay.Your hosts are Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this Bookling, we're reading Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum, just in time for Halloween, a tale of intimacy, body horror, poverty, diseases, possession, infidelity, and identity. Your hosts are Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this Bookling, we discuss Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-Il Kim, translated by Anton Hur. Multi-eyed dragons, fiery swords, mech-like war machines, and a curmudgeon sorcerer trapped in a mindscape are just some of the details of this great book.Your hosts are Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this Bookling, we're continuing to read Martha Wells's The Murderbot Diaries with the third and fourth novellas, Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy. Our little Murderbot is growing up to an approximation of a being with feelings, to its chagrin.Your hosts are Joshua MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston), and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is our sixth episode covering Jenn Lyon's The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 60 and nurse a Warmonger hangover.Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is our fifth episode covering Jenn Lyon's The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 50 and determine that Khaemezra is a total boomer.Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is our fourth episode covering Jenn Lyon's The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 40 and drop truth bombs about Clippy.Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the second half of our interview with Jenn Lyons and we are talking full spoilers for The Sky on Fire (and some for A Chorus of Dragons). Jenn drops juicy lore steaks on the starving dogs that are the podcast hosts and we love every second of it. Be sure to check out The Sky on Fire, out now!Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Of course we were going to do a full episode on The Sky on Fire! We dive into gay dragons, nerd legacy, heists and so much more. The Sky on Fire is out now so be sure to check out this excellent standalone novel from Jenn Lyons!Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Steph and Josh talk about Erin M Evan's Empire of Exiles. In this book changlings and intrigue haunt a small country of refugees, and magic users must resist the allure of spiraling and letting their element completely take them over.Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We are joined once again by our favourite author Jenn Lyons to discuss her new upcoming book The Sky on Fire. This is a spoiler free conversation so settle in, get hyped and be sure to preorder The Sky on Fire!Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky @NoPageUnturned and Instagram @NoPagePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is our third episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 30 and grieve the Uncle Bavrin hole. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. …
This is our second episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 11 and determine that the rules don’t say a horse can’t be a spy. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and …
This is our first episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The Discord of Gods in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 10 and determine that Khaeriel is really in her flop era. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find …
For this bookling we began the excellent Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee with it’s first book: Jade City. This kung fu inspired urban fantasy has great worldbuilding, characters (loveable and hateable) and an extremely cool magic system.
This is our final episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 60 and yell “What?” in three harmonies. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. …
This is our eighth episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 50 and determine that ancient gods of spite don’t really play fair. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can …
We read the first two novellas in Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red and Artificial Condition. In this episode we gush about how much we love Murderbot almost as much as it secretly loves it’s humans. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us …
This is our seventh episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 36 and discuss hazing juice. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art …
This is our sixth episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 36 and determine that Vol Karoth is a real sex cop. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find …
This is our fifth episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 30 and determine that House D’Mon is at it again. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us …
We’ve made it to another year of No Page Unturned and we’re talking our top 5 books of 2023. Apologies to the nation of Belgium in advance. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt) …
Gather round gentle listeners as we do our annual check in with Brandon Sanderson’s latest (sort of) books. This time Josh and Steph read Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter. These excellent novels were part of Sanderson’s Secret Projects but are now available to all. We dug in, had a …
This is our fourth episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 30 and finally pick a sign-off that isn’t just yelling. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us …
This is our third episode covering Jenn Lyon’s The House of Always in her A Chorus of Dragons Series. In this episode we read up to chapter 4 and determine that Josh was right, again. Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all on …
It’s Halloween so here’s a spoOoOoOky bookling: Red River Seven by AJ Ryan! This tense horror thriller is a fantastic quick and creepy read. Check out the episode for more discussion (remember there will be spoilers!) Your hosts are Josh MacDougall (FourofFiveWits), Christina Ladd (christinaladd), and Steph Kingston (StephOKingston) and you can find us all …
Lev AC Rosen joins us to talk about his new book (which you should absolutely preorder right now, go do it!) coming out on October 10th: The Bell in the Fog. This is a sequel to last year’s Lavender House which you’ll recall was one of our top books of the year and happy to …
This episode Steph talks to author Paul Vanhoutteghem about his debut novel The Chao Portal (available now!). They discuss what it’s like to hybrid publish, collaborating in the book process, and building a world inspired by D&D.