Tar Valon Or Bust

In this extra-long episode, Preeti and Jenn dig into the language, atmosphere, and voice of The Crystal Cage: Prologue - Book I: The Dove. (We will fight you for baby Merlin!!!!!)Hild and Menewood, Nicola GriffithThe story of Dinas Emrys and the two dragons (Help Jenn find the audio cassette she used to listen to! The opening lines included something like 'Storm clouds marched along the sky. Rain beat against the gray castle walls. Inside, a young boy woke.' It had a male narrator.)Next section: Book II: The FalconGet more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.comMore from Heeral Chhibber at heeral.orgGet merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As they prepare to dive into their next reread, Preeti and Jenn talk about Mary Stewart as a writer, their personal history with her Arthurian Saga, and what they're expecting, excited for, and nervous about.Next episode: Prologue - Book 1: The DoveNicola Griffith, Hild / MenewoodGet more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.comMore from Heeral Chhibber at heeral.org Get merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn recorded live with Patrons for a special retrospective, WoT readalikes, and Q&A!Read-Alikes:Dandelion Dynasty by Ken LiuBetween Earth and Sky series by Rebecca RoanhorseInheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin (and then everything else)The Expanse series by James S.A. CoreyDead Djinn Universe series by P. Djeli ClarkBeverly Jenkins, Vivid (for Romanda)The Kushiel series (incl the Joscelin book) by Jacqueline CareyThe Thief / Megan Whalen Turner The Emily Wilde trilogy Babel by RF Kuang Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel anything Kit Rocha (Jenn loves Mercenary Librarians)It's Not Me, It's You by Stephanie Kate Strohm THE FLOATING WORLD by Axie OhDiviners by Libba BrayCirce by Madeline MillerHild / Menewood by Nicola GriffithPayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com [new designs available!] Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very special bonus episode! Jenn and musician Bryan Dunn reunite to nerd out over music in fantasy adaptations, from The Hills of Tanchico and Sing of Manetheren to songs from the Witcher, Game of Thrones, and Lord of the Rings; Bryan has two very excellent theories, involving Beyoncé and Ishamael respectively; and Jenn learns a bunch of things about vowel sounds.Nikhil Koparkar - Reddit AMA about The Hills of Tanchico (https://www.reddit.com/r/WoTshow/comments/1k5d09u/im_nikhil_koparkar_composer_for_the_wheel_of/?rdt=47060)Playlist (Apple Music or Spotify)https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/tar-valon-or-bust/pl.u-3GRWUW73ozhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4SnmhD31ndrJiJeQAqFgBz?si=fzoGGQ1YTqayw3YvL6Li4ABryanDunnMusic.net Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the end?!!! Well, an end. Join Preeti and Jenn for a very extended discussion on their feelings about how things get wrapped up, what they were very wrong about just one episode ago, and for what comes next for Tar Valon or Bust. Spoiler alert: There is more!Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com [new designs available!] Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Preeti and Jenn as they discuss this absolute JAW-DROPPER of a finale (also can someone please let us know when Season 4 is confirmed, and can that be AS SOON AS POSSIBLE). Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FEELINGS. JUST NONSTOP FEELINGS, Y'ALL.Next episode: Chapters 38 - Epilogue, airing (probably) next week.Bryan Dunn's album Zapgun! [Bandcamp]Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com [new designs available!] Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn have SO MANY FEELINGS about Perrin and his greatly accelerated, wildly changing (!?) storyline, plus some speculation about character changes for Dain and Galad, Lord Luc, and Loial. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn theorize about Liandrin's plot arc, are extremely creeped out by Moghedien, can't get enough of Mat and Thom, still love Rand, and are mildly confused by Sammael. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hits keep on coming! Jenn and Preeti talk about how delighted they are with Lan and Moiraine, Egwene and the Wise Ones, Perrin and Faile ... basically everything except the White Tower shenanigans. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti talks about ugly crying multiple times, Jenn confesses some feelings about wizard battles, Tragic Flaws are examined, and somehow that's only half of this chapter.Next episode: The second half-ish of Chapter 37Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn are VERY INTO this episode, and also have so many feelings about how intense it is. Rhuidean, y'all!!! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenn and Preeti talk about how refreshing it is to have real motivations for villains and Perrin actually getting to develop as a character, disagree about Elaida (in more than one way), are concerned about Min, and more. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2 continues with the shockers; Jenn feels like this is a much darker Morgase, everyone gets to be an Accepted, who needs Tear when you can have the Waste and Two Rivers already, and both Jenn and Preeti are SO EXCITED for Egwene to meet Bair. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This new season starts off with a bang (litrully!), and Preeti and Jenn talk about some big changes to plot, some great character work, some dubious wigs, and more. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a ride -- Preeti and Jenn suddenly care about Olver (!!?!?!), are very frustrated about Perrin, have their heart broken by Ituralde and Galad, and Rand is fighting The Nothing.Next section, airing next week: Chapter 37, up through the line which includes "Through a gateway, off the battlefield." In Preeti's edition (https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-memory-of-light-book-fourteen-of-the-wheel-of-time-robert-jordan/15554228?ean=9780765337856&next=t), it's at the top of page 709, about halfway through this mega-chapter.Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Battles! Reveals! More battles! Sanderson makes it weird! Preeti and Jenn have, as per usual, talk about what falls flat (not the same for them, actually) and what works well in this uneven banger of a section.Next section (airing in 1 week): Chapters 31 - 36Our updated recording plan:Book episodes will be weeklyShow episodes for WOT S3 will go up the weekend after the episodes airPayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comNEOCITIES Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn give an update about episode drops for both book and show in the next month, talk about closing open loops, hate on Gawyn as usual, and have ALL THE FEELINGS about certain reunion/parting moments.Next episode: Chapters 25 - 30Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comNEOCITIES Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this humdinger of a section, Preeti and Jenn talk pay-offs (Androl!), character moments (Rand!!), frustrations (Mat and Tuon!!! Battle scenes!!!!) and more.Next section: Chapters 17 - 24 inclusivePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Love Y'All Fest Atlanta Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comNEOCITIES Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn talk (again) about pacing, some very good POV choices, character arcs, and still love Pevara and Androl but have some frustrations with their escapades.Next section: Chapters 10 - 16 inclusivePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comNEOCITIES Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn are shipping Pevara and Androl and also continue to have structural questions and issues but what else is new.Next episode: A Memory of Light, Chapters 4 - 9 inclusivePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comNEOCITIES Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn are not sold on some structural choices (SURPRISE), are very stressed out for Rand, and have a new favorite POV character even though this is the second to last book, what even!!!Next episode: A Memory of Light, Prologue - Chapter 3 inclusivePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Jenn and Preeti have fewer pacing problems because SO MUCH IS HAPPENINGGGGGG! They still have questions, though (as always).Next section: Chapters 52 - end of the book (!)Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Season 3 teaser is here, and Jenn and Preeti talk their way through (and around, and over, and under, and maybe somewhat to the side on an entirely different road) it. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this rollercoaster of a section, Jenn and Preeti talk about pacing, big pay-offs, anti-climaxes, secret plans, and how wrong they were about certain things.Next section: Chapters 44-51Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which we REALLY love some things (and not-so-much others), Jenn eats her words about Perrin's trial, and Mat is freaking epic.Next episode: Chapters 35-43Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Preeti and Jenn discuss continued pacing issues with Perrin, whether or not Rand has become a Disney princess, and, above all else, the Trakands making Very Bad Choices.Next episode: Chapters 28 - 34Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the pacing is still herky-jerky, Jenn could not be happier about the character moments we get in this section. Preeti has some Questions. Both agree: Nynaeve 5Ever. PS Jenn is traveling, so the sound's a little wonky this episode! Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now!Spider-Man: Stories from the Spider-Verse is also out now!House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Jenn and Preeti have issues with pacing, talk about all the loose ends that need tying up, and DESPERATELY want to know what is in these letters from Verin! Next section: Chapters 16-21Preorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot (out September 24) and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereCome to the Atlanta Launch! House of HarknessMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this TVOB After Dark, Preeti and Jenn are a little frustrated with pacing, find parallels EVERYWHERE, and are pretty excited about some character developments.Next episode: Towers of Midnight, Chapters 6 - 15 inclusivePreorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot (out September 24) and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereCome to the Atlanta Launch! Merch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which it takes Preeti and Jenn two recording sessions to get through all of this INTENSE material, from Egwene's epicness to the parallels between Egwene and Rand to Rand's dark night of the soul and then some. NOTE: Apologies for Preeti's audio in the second half of the episode. She did not check that the computer was using her podcast mic as a sound source and so it recorded the entire thing via the computer mic instead. Next episode: Towers of Midnight, Prologue - Chapter 5Preorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn dig into character-author affinities, POV choices, Mat and Egwene parallels, and OMG VERIN in this episode.Next episode: Chapter 40 - EpiloguePreorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The horror! The characterizations! The repeated shout-outs to Moiraine! Jenn and Preeti talk about this banger of a section and are once again tempted to just keep reading. Next section: Chapters 33-39Preeti's Work:X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in June (out now!)Preorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WHAT A SECTION, Y'ALL!!! WHAT A SECTION. Seriously. Join Jenn and Preeti as they freak the hell out about Rand. (But Gawyn continues to be the worst.)Next section: Chapters 27-32Preeti's Work:X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in June (out now!)Preorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot and get awesome swag! Preorder Info HereMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn get Very Excited about Egwene's storyline, noodle on character resets and character parallels, and are annoyed by Gawyn (again). Next section: Chapters 19-26Preeti's Work:X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in June (out now!)Preorder Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot and get awesome swag! bit.ly/PayalPreorderMerch:tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products  and northingtron.redbubble.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn revel in some really great (and really deliberate?) character work, as well as a faster pace, and talk about what they hope to see sooner than later.Next episode: Chapters 12-18Merch: https://tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products  and northingtron.redbubble.com Preeti's Work:X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in June (out now!)Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot (preorder) Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which we finally start on the Sanderson books and talk a lot about voice, POV choices, resetting of stages, and how Rand is basically Batman now.Next section: Chapters 5-11 inclusivePreorder Preeti's work!X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in JunePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot (save your receipt for goodies)Merch available here: https://tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While this last section is undeniably action-packed (yay!) and has some great writing (double yay!), Jenn and Preeti think about how it stands up to other books' endings, talk about some more closing of open loops, and get excited for what's coming next.Next episode: The Gathering Storm, Prologue - Chapter 4Printify shop https://tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products (shirt & sweater coming, will announce on Patreon when available)Preeti's upcoming publications:X-Men: Blood Hunt: Jubilee one-shot in JunePayal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Approximately a thousand years ago, when we were early in the days of this project, I made a doc of things I thought I remembered. It's been updated sporadically, but at 2am the other morning I found myself thinking about it, and decided to do a thing. And here is that thing! Background noises by new co-host Fizz. Patrons will get to see a behind-the-scenes photo of us recording, via Patreon.NOTE: Here be spoilers! If you're current with the TVOB book episodes, you're good until minute 12:50. After that, proceed at your own risk.I finish up with some things I think I remember that we either haven't gotten to yet, or that I fully made up. I'll have to do another revisit when we're fully done with the series, I guess! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was the best of sections, it was the worst of sections ... or was it? Tune in to find out everything we had feelings about (as usual), especially Rand (OMG RAND). Next section: Chapters 32 - epilogue Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the best section yet, hands down!!! While we (inevitably) have quibbles, we are also over the moon -- especially about this Egwene chapter, y'all.Next section: Chapters 27-31 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenn and Preeti continue to disagree on which of these recent sections are better, but are in full agreement about competence, Nynaeve (!!!!), and the effectiveness of Jordan's horror and action sequences.Next episode: Chapters 23-26 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While their opinions about specifics differ, both Jenn and Preeti continue to enjoy this book for the most part. More secrets are revealed! Things (almost) start to happen!Next section: Chapters 16-22Please note: These episodes were recorded in advance of Preeti's vacation. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brace yourselves -- while the pacing is definitely better, we have a looooooootttttt of problems with this section. (Jenn is grateful for the info-dumps, though!) Next section: Chapters 10-15 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More happens in almost the first 10 pages of Knife of Dreams than in the entirety of Crossroads of Twilight, and Preeti and Jenn are pretty psyched about it! Action check, weird character choices also check. Apologies in advance for the less-than-perfect audio -- we were recording whilst in a cabin in the woods and did our best, but the closing section in particular is much louder than the rest of the episode, so y'all are forewarned! Next section: Chapters 3-9 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeti and Jenn made it to the end, and they are VERY MAD ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS. But also there are some amazing character moments in here, so that's nice? Regardless, we made it!Next episode: Knife of Dreams, Prologue - Chapter 2 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which a couple things finally happen, and Jenn and Preeti talk about Darkfriend motivation, ghosts (??), and (as always) pacing. Next section: Chapters 27-EpilogueCome join us at Loyalty Bookstore's virtual event with Lex Croucher on January 20th! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you prepared for not much else to happen? Jenn and Preeti do get super annoyed about character assassination for the first time in a while, so there's that.Next episode: Chapters 21-26 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This has to be a record for most chapters discussed in the shortest amount of time, right? Not very much happens, except Jenn and Preeti disagreeing about which POV worked best for them.Next: Chapters 16-19 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which Jenn and Preeti both have rants, one about stakes and one about numbers, find themselves unexpectedly pro-Faile, and come up with at least three new t-shirt ideas.Next section: Chapters 11-15 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surprising no one, not that much happens, but we have lots of opinions and questions anyway! At least we get a decent amount of Mat.Next episode: Chapters 7-10 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.