Best The Fantasy Hot Read Podcasts (2024)

1
#491 - Next Month, Trauma! 56:37

11h ago56:37

56:37

It's awards season and we cover them all, including a Martha Wells sweep! We wrap up our thoughts on Sword of Kaigen and get excited (read: trigger warnings) for Cursed Bunny, our July pick.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

1
165 - A Game of Hearts and Heists by Ruby Roe 59:00

1d ago59:00

59:00

In book one of the Girl Games series, we meet Scarlett Grey, an assassin who is trying to reclaim her status in society and enemy/love interest, Quinn Adams, an alchemist with poisons that is putting Scarlett out of a job. When the Magician Queen secretly offers them an interesting deal, Scarlett and Quinn have to put aside their hatred/attraction …

1
Ep 17 Book of Azrael was overhyped? | BOOK TROPE PICK UPDATE for Ashley 1:18:59

3d ago1:18:59

1:18:59

Welcome back to the BATB Podcast, where your hosts Liz and Ashley pick books for each other to read based on our most liked and least liked tropes so that we can talk to you about them! Well… sometimes that’s what we do! Today is our first follow up episode to our favorite tropes / “non-icks,” where we report back on The Book of Azrael by Amber V. …

1
Lent: Chapter 17 1:09:42

7d ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Liam invokes a new editor in an attempt to finally get something cut from the show, Waweru speculates unprompted on the qualia of "orange goop", and on learning there are no human souls in hell we immediately posit human souls maybe don't exist. Due to circumstances outside our control, the following two weeks will consist of bonus content. Imprima…

1
Ep 16 Life-Changing BOOKS THAT MADE US ✨ High School Edition! 53:52

10d ago53:52

53:52

You all know that as proud Millennials, Ashley and Liz like to use this podcast as a way to take us all back. So picture it. It’s 2004. You’re reluctantly reading some book your English teacher assigned. Maybe it’s The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, or Brave New World. You want to like it, you sort of do, but between the New Found Glory concerts and…

1
The Death of Team Jonathan 1:48:05

11d ago1:48:05

1:48:05

Welcome to the Hot Nuance Book Club, where it is time for bodice unlacing! Aradia gets deep in their gender feels, Ali goes on a consent rant, and Bree defends the badassery of needlepoint. Thread about historical needlepoint in fantasy: https://x.com/O_Waite/status/1343325036376014848 Dingo ate my baby story: https://rottenindenmark.wordpress.com/…

1
Lent: Chapters 14-16 1:42:19

14d ago1:42:19

1:42:19

Martyr look into whether copyright applies to the Pope , Waweru assesrts that the Pope and Martin Luther would have just got along, and we speculate about which president is the antichrist Imprimatur withheld by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for the Following: Irresponsible accusations against the Pontiff Irresponsible discussions o…

1
164 - 10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall 57:13

16d ago57:13

57:13

Samwise (yup, that’s his name) and his boss, Jonathan, don’t see eye-to-eye about how Sam manages one of Jonathan’s stores. But things take a turn after Sam feigns amnesia after hitting his head on a bathroom display after Jonathan fires him after a disagreement. Not wanting to be sued, Jonathan invites Sam to stay with him until he is fully recove…

1
Ep 15 A Court of Mist and Fury (+ Book Bingeing & Blackouts) | BOOK 2 ACOTAR SERIES 1:19:24

17d ago1:19:24

1:19:24

Today we continue our ACOTAR Deep Dive Series into book two, A Court of Mist and Fury! Come along this journey with us as we hash out all the major plot points, meet the inner circle, and ask important questions like IS TAMLIN REDEEMABLE? Do you want to discuss these books with us in real time? Find us on Fable @bestiesandthebookclub for more in de…

1
Hunger Games Meets Pirates of the Caribbean - Romantasy Reads Interview with Author Liz Shipton 31:19

17d ago31:19

31:19

Ep #20: Romantasy Reads Podcast On this special edition of the Romantasy Reads Podcast, cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina interview author and TikTok sensation Liz Shipton! Liz is the author of the Thalassic series, a YA dystopian adventure with the tag line: What do you do with a …

1
Lent: Chapters 11-13 1:49:01

22d ago1:49:01

1:49:01

Waweru endorses burning books, Liam endorses burning art, and we theorize about the logistics of Giraffe Poaching Imprimatur withheld by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for the Following: Irresponsible accusations against the Pontiff Cruelty to animals Denigration of the Miracle of Stigmata Support the Show.…

1
Ep 14 "Fourth Wing was overhyped!" UNPOPULAR book OPINIONS! 54:16

24d ago54:16

54:16

We love unpopular *book* opinions, yes we do! We love unpopular *book* opinions, how about you?! On today’s episode Ashley and Liz delve into the world of unpopular bookish opinions sent in by you, our listeners and subscribers! Do we cringe when a popular book is being torn up in order to be rebound? Do books set unrealistic expectations for men? …

1
Another Night King? The Under King's Anticlimactic End - Romantasy Reads HOFAS Chapters 80-84 52:59

24d ago52:59

52:59

Ep #19: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 80-84 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - A final showdown between Ithan, Hypaxia and the Under King! - Anothe…

1
Pacing Tiger, Hidden Damsel 2:02:31

25d ago2:02:31

2:02:31

Welcome to the Hot Nuance Book Club, where it is time for a guest with relevant experience to the chapter topic! Roofmistress Leigha is a friend from the Wheel of Time fandom, crossing over to Tortall with us to discuss models of leadership, what not to do on sentry duty, and the different temperatures of anger. Leigha’s show Three Fold Talk: https…

1
Lent: Chapters 8-10 2:04:38

27d ago2:04:38

2:04:38

Waweru considers if, Liam compares religious orders to shell companies and we contemplate historical slashfic. Imprimatur withheld by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for the Following: Irresponsible accusations against the Pontiff Premature canonizations Simony Support the Show.By Liam Nolan, Waweru Kariuki

1
#490 - Cosy Adjacent 48:14

28d ago48:14

48:14

Are we living in a Maas society? Veronica has recommendations in joining on the Sarah J. Maas train. Independent bookstores are on the rise. We kick off The Sword of Kaigen and give our spoilery thoughts on Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

1
163 - Chasing Goldie by Holly Roberds 1:03:32

1M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

In book two of The Lost Girls series, we get Goldie’s story. Yes, she eats porridge all day long after inheriting a big old house with barrels and barrels of it, and she tries out different beds that just don’t seem right. At first. That is until she tries out her grumpy neighbor’s, Ted’s, bed and it’s just right. Yup - Ted. Who is a shape-shifting…

1
Ep 13 A Court of Thorns and Roses (and Teen Heartthrobs?) | BOOK 1 ACOTAR SERIES 1:14:55

1M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Today is all about the book that started it all: A Court of Thorns & Roses by mother herself, Sarah J. Maas. We take a deep (ish) dive into book one, and kick off our five-part ACOTAR series, because we couldn’t soldier on with this podcast and just skip over such an important part of our book journey! We also have a hilarious fave or fail of the w…

1
Another ACOTAR crossover!? HOFAS Chapters 75-79 Romantasy Reads Review 1:06:23

1M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Ep #18: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 75-79 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Messenger otters! (in jackets) -Tharion, or should we say Sathia, go…

1
Lent: Chapters 5-7 2:10:01

1M ago2:10:01

2:10:01

8Liam declares Savonorola to be Theravada, Waweru calls Venice an Armpit, and we wonder if we can forgive nothing Magic Mind can be found at https://www.magicmind.com/rashunadvised ! Imprimatur withheld by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for the Following: Irresponsible accusations against the Pontiff Promotion of Simony Promoting sel…

1
Ep 12 AM I THE A HOLE? Reddit Bookish Edition! 55:09

1M ago55:09

55:09

On today’s episode Ashley and Liz respond to AITA Reddit questions with bookish themes. Do we think you should kick the husbands out for a weekly book club night with the girls? Is loaning out your mom’s books and not getting them back okay? What about being on your phone reading during formal events? You heard all of our opinions here first! Inclu…

1
Ithan is WHAT!? Is This Another Game of Thrones Joke? Recapping Chapters 70-74 of HOFAS 1:09:13

1M ago1:09:13

1:09:13

Ep #17: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 70-74 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Hypaxia solves AND produces an antidote for a 15,000 year old proble…

1
A Day Can Change You 1:37:32

1M ago1:37:32

1:37:32

Welcome to the Hot Nuance Book Club, where it is time to discuss chapter 5 of In the Hand of the Goddess. Tamora Pierce deftly sidesteps a landmine, Big Thor shows up just long enough to break our hearts, and Death tells Alanna to take a nap. Neurodivergent Therapy Hour continues. How To ADHD by Jessica McCabe: https://howtoadhd.com/ Eclipse The Mo…

1
#489 - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Veronicas 33:37

1M ago33:37

33:37

We have Locus Award and Arthur C. Clarke award nominees. We share our non-spoilery thoughts on Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. And Tom discovers Birria Ramen!By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

1
Lent: Chapters 1-4 1:36:26

1M ago1:36:26

1:36:26

Liam becomes a hermit, Waweru confesses to a canonical crime, and we wonder if someone owes their employee or their child more. Magic Mind can be found at https://www.magicmind.com/rashunadvised ! Imprimatur withheld by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for the Following: Promoting the doctrine of Apocatastasis i.e. "Universal Salvation…

1
162 - Role Playing by Cathy Yardley 1:14:04

1M ago1:14:04

1:14:04

You guys - these forty-something-year-olds bone. Join us as we meet Maggie, a 48-year-old introverted, single mom who loves her son and is a gamer. While trying to set an example for her freshman in college son, Kit, she agrees to be more outgoing if he does the same on campus. So she joins a raid on an RPG and meets the leader of the guild, colleg…

1
Ep 11 "you NEED TO read When the Moon Hatched" + UPDATE! Books That Made Us "The Dark is Rising" Review 55:29

2M ago55:29

55:29

What happens when Ashley and Liz accidentally read different books for an episode?! We thought we were both reading The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper - the middle school nostalgia read we previously picked for this series. HOWEVER… we didn’t. Listen on to find out how that snaphoo occurred, and what we thought about the nostalgia books we DID read…

1
Crystals & Castles and Sexy Time In A Stable - Reviewing Chapters 65-69 of House of Flame & Shadow 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Ep #16: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 65-69 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Bryce FINALLY apologizes to Hunt...sort of. - Ithan and Hypaxia trav…

1
Gorgias 1:44:05

2M ago1:44:05

1:44:05

Waweru says it's impossible to translate, Liam proposes an anti-arguement conspiracy, and we empathize with Socrate's murderers Magic Mind can be found at https://www.magicmind.com/rashunadvised ! Restriction Until age 16 for the following: Music of the Aeolian and Lydian modes. Discussion of Restricted Texts Discussion of unplatonic modes of thoug…

1
Ep 10 Favorite BOOK TROPES That DON'T Give Us The ICK! 1:09:13

2M ago1:09:13

1:09:13

WHAT THINGS DO NOT GIVE US THE ICK?! There are so many! And we cannot wait to discuss them with you! If you’ve been following along, you know we did an entire series on “what DOES give us the ick.” So now, we’re flippin that on its head. First, Ashley and Liz delve into the world of book tropes, laying out our top five that we can’t live without. T…

1
Bryce, Ruhn and The Autumn King...A Family Drama Explodes! HOFAS Chapters 60-64 1:07:34

2M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

Ep #15: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 60-64 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Are we FINALLY going to get Ruhn and Lidia sexy time?? - Aidas drops…

1
Autistic Anger Intensifies 1:23:08

2M ago1:23:08

1:23:08

Welcome to the Hot Nuance Book Club, where it is time to discuss chapter 4 of In the Hand of the Goddess. Due to unfortunate word choices Ali is on a mission to cancel Bree, and Bree is in full support because hi, it’s her, she’s the problem it’s her. We get deep into gender identity, cultural attitudes towards an imagined past, and ask if Roger is…

1
#488 - Barrayar Your Sword 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

Some great books in the Seiun Awards in Japan, why Sword and Laser is good for your heart, we kick off the May pick, and finally wrap up our thoughts on the surprising complexity and depth of the awesome Cordelia's Honor.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

1
Essays 1:29:30

2M ago1:29:30

1:29:30

Waweru says that Santa is real because we want him to be real, Liam argues against apologies, We talk about the biggest number Restricted to Gold above age 50 for: Music of the Aeolian and Lydian modes. Discussion of sexual assault Foreign metaphysics Support the Show.By Liam Nolan, Waweru Kariuki

1
161 - King of Wrath by Ana Huang 1:15:02

2M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

Jewelry store heiress, Vivian, was always supposed to marry well. And in her parents eyes, well meant filthy rich. So when her father saw an opportunity to arrange an engagement for her with one of New York society’s richest bachelors, he couldn’t help pass it up, even if it was a blackmail scheme. Dante Russo is arrogant, dominating, sexy, and a b…

1
Ep 09 RANKING All The THRONE OF GLASS Books by Sarah J Maas!! 1:01:32

2M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

This week Ashley and Liz embark on a nearly impossible task! We rate all eight Throne of Glass books from least liked, to most liked! When we said this was a doozy, we meant it! Especially since all 8 books are easily 4 or 5 star reads for us. Is Tower of Dawn (“Chaol’s book) deserving of all the hate it gets? Is Kingdom of Ash as epic as everyone …

1
Bryce and Hunt's Journey through the Cave of Princes Lands Them in Another World! HOFAS Chapters 55-59 Review 1:16:07

2M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

Ep #14: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 55-59 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Bryce and Hunt's journey through the Cave of Princes lands them in a…

1
The 900 Theses: Pico has Hot takes 1:23:18

2M ago1:23:18

1:23:18

Waweru opines on inteligience, Liam invents a new way to view Communion, and we try to figure why exactly Pico got cancelled. Magic Mind can be found at https://www.magicmind.com/rashunadvised ! Support the Show.By Liam Nolan, Waweru Kariuki

1
Ep 08 “Book Memory Unlocked” BOOKS THAT MADE US ✨ Elementary & Middle School Edition 48:09

2M ago48:09

48:09

This week Ashley and Liz kick off the episode with some serious Millennial nostalgia. We’re talking American Eagle jeans, Warped Tour, and books from the 90’s! We take you on a journey back to your youth through the books that made us who we are today. What stories molded our easily pliable elementary and middle school brains? The Hobbit, Anne of G…

1
Intense Cave Drama and Bryce and Hunt Astral Project F$%^ing?? Romantasy Reads Unpacks HOFAS Chapters 50-54 1:09:48

2M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

Ep #13: Romantasy Reads Podcast Cousins, self-professed romantasy book nerds, and unapologetic romantasy fangirls, Charlie and Melina review Chapters 50-54 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (HOFAS) - Crescent City 3! (contains spoilers!) WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Bryce and Hunt having astral sex (yeah...you read that right) and ig…

1
What’s Wrong With Other Girls? 1:30:07

2M ago1:30:07

1:30:07

Welcome to the Hot Nuance Book Club, where it is time to discuss chapter 3 of In the Hand of the Goddess. We cover age gaps and age of consent, feminism and femininity, and generally level up all of Alanna's relationships. George is a problematic fave, Delia is a favorite problem, and Myles knows more than he lets on. Pre-order Queen of Dreams by K…

1
#487 - Have We Reached Critical Maas? 35:16

2M ago35:16

35:16

OMG all of the top bestsellers are romantasy! What order should you read series in? Does it matter? Also why is Veronica telling Tom to suck it? Or did we misunderstand. Tune in and find out!By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

1
160 - Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend by Molly Harper 58:39

2M ago58:39

58:39

Welcome back to Mystic Bayou, where a tiny town meets supernatural meets strong women and hot men. We are excited to get back into this series and review book three. Sonja is human and Dr. Hottie, I mean, Dr. Will, is a selkie shifter. The story continues as our main characters continue to manage and uncover the mystery of the magical rift that is …

1
2PierceHeaven: Gurren Lagaan Part 2Untitled Episode 2:31:41

2M ago2:31:41

2:31:41

In the grand tradition of 2R2U we try to tempt you join the Patreon using the second part of a series. Johnny invents a new kind of communism, Liam tries to make anime ideologically coherent, and does Waweru hate freedom or just winning? Magic Mind can be found at https://www.magicmind.com/rashunadvised ! You can also now support us on patreon! you…

1
Ep 07 “We Courted the Cowboys AND Gargoyles” BOOK ICK FOLLOW UP! 1:19:23

2M ago1:19:23

1:19:23

This week Ashley and Liz kick off the episode with some snow, a sword store, and a haunted Stanley Hotel (aka The Shining Hotel) fave and fail. In previous episodes we discussed our “icks” (our most disliked book tropes), picked books to read that we thought each other would be “Icked out” by, and today, we finally discuss those books! There’s smal…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Fantasy Hot Read Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide