A Meal of Thorns
Episodes
A Meal of Thorns 45- THE DEEP SEA DIVER’S SYNDROME with Alexander Dickow
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this science fiction novel, translated from the French, dreamers “dive” into their own subconscious and return with mysterious & va...
A Meal of Thorns 44- PALADIN OF SOULS with Liz Bourke
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Reviewer and historian Liz Bourke joins to discuss religion, historical overlaps, and examinations of gender in Paladin of Souls and fantasy more gene...
A Meal of Thorns 43- DIASPORA with Eden Kupermintz
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Greg Egan’s work exemplifies a certain kind of “hard” science fiction: not that it’s obsessed with big manly space battles, bu...
A Meal of Thorns 42- IMARO with Jon Tattrie
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Charles Saunders’ sword and soul narratives, pulp-fantasy-inspired tales of Black and African heroes, helped blaze a trail for the genre—b...
A Meal of Thorns 41- THE BEETLE with Marisa Mercurio
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you read Dracula and thought: “I like the ancient shapeshifting nemesis and the homoerotic subtext, but I don’t like how subtle the sex...
A Meal of Thorns 41- THE BEETLE with Marisa Mercurio
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you read Dracula and thought: “I like the ancient shapeshifting nemesis and the homoerotic subtext, but I don’t like how subtle the sex...
A Meal of Thorns 40- 2025 Wrap-Up with Dan Hartland
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re closing out this strange year with a “big-picture” episode: editor & critic Dan Hartland is on to talk about trends and di...
A Meal of Thorns 40- 2025 Wrap-Up with Dan Hartland
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re closing out this strange year with a “big-picture” episode: editor & critic Dan Hartland is on to talk about trends and di...
A Meal of Thorns 39- THE SECRET HISTORY with Roseanna Pendlebury
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re tracking down the wellspring of “dark academia” in Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, and plucking on threads that stretc...
A Meal of Thorns 39- THE SECRET HISTORY with Roseanna Pendlebury
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re tracking down the wellspring of “dark academia” in Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, and plucking on threads that stretc...
A Meal of Thorns 38- VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER with Cameron Kunzelman
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Academic, critic, and prolific podcaster Cameron Kunzelman joins for a far-ranging discussion about how climate fiction, science fiction, and personal...
A Meal of Thorns 38- VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER with Cameron Kunzelman
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Academic, critic, and prolific podcaster Cameron Kunzelman joins for a far-ranging discussion about how climate fiction, science fiction, and personal...
A Meal of Thorns 37 – THE HISTORIAN with Sean Guynes
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vampire scholar, science fiction studies editor, and ARB co-founder Sean Guynes joins to discuss Kostova’s 2005 historical vampire thriller. We both...
A Meal of Thorns 37 – THE HISTORIAN with Sean Guynes
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vampire scholar, science fiction studies editor, and ARB co-founder Sean Guynes joins to discuss Kostova’s 2005 historical vampire thriller. We both...
A Meal of Thorns 36 – UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD with Eleanor McAdam
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Eleanor McAdamTitle...
A Meal of Thorns 36 – UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD with Eleanor McAdam
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Eleanor McAdamTitle...
A Meal of Thorns 35 – 60 Stories with Timothy Moore
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Timothy MooreTitle:...
A Meal of Thorns 35 – 60 Stories with Timothy Moore
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Timothy MooreTitle:...
A Meal of Thorns 34 – BURNING BRIGHT with Ursula Whitcher
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Ursula WhitcherTitl...
A Meal of Thorns 34 – BURNING BRIGHT with Ursula Whitcher
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Ursula WhitcherTitl...
A Meal of Thorns 33 – THE FIFTH SEASON with Joy Sanchez-Taylor
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Joy Sanchez-TaylorT...
A Meal of Thorns 33 – THE FIFTH SEASON with Joy Sanchez-Taylor
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Joy Sanchez-TaylorT...
A Meal of Thorns 32 – AUTHORITY with Zachary Gillan
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Zachary GillanTitle...
A Meal of Thorns 32 – AUTHORITY with Zachary Gillan
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Zachary GillanTitle...
A Meal of Thorns 31 – Seattle Worldcon
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host: Jake Casella BrookinsMusic by Giselle Gabrielle GarciaArtwork by Rob PattersonOpening poem by Bhartṛhari, translated by John BroughTranscriber...
A Meal of Thorns 31 – Seattle Worldcon
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host: Jake Casella BrookinsMusic by Giselle Gabrielle GarciaArtwork by Rob PattersonOpening poem by Bhartṛhari, translated by John BroughTranscriber...
A Meal of Thorns 30 – STONE OF FAREWELL with Karlo Yeager Rodríguez
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: Karlo Yeager RodríguezTitle: Stone of Farewell by Tad WilliamsHost: Jake Casella BrookinsMusic by Giselle Gabrielle GarciaArtwork by Rob Patte...
A Meal of Thorns 30 – STONE OF FAREWELL with Karlo Yeager Rodríguez
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: Karlo Yeager RodríguezTitle: Stone of Farewell by Tad WilliamsHost: Jake Casella BrookinsMusic by Giselle Gabrielle GarciaArtwork by Rob Patte...
A Meal of Thorns 29 – Readercon & Lovestruck
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Featuring intervie...
A Meal of Thorns 29 – Readercon & Lovestruck
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Featuring intervie...
A Meal of Thorns 28 – EXCESSION with Abigail Nussbaum
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Abigail Nus...
A Meal of Thorns 28 – EXCESSION with Abigail Nussbaum
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Abigail Nus...
A Meal of Thorns 27 – 40,000 IN GEHENNA with Arkady Martine (and a 4th Street Fantasy Report)
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Arkady Mart...
A Meal of Thorns 27 – 40,000 IN GEHENNA with Arkady Martine (and a 4th Street Fantasy Report)
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Arkady Mart...
A Meal of Thorns 26 – DEATH OF THE AUTHOR with andré m. carrington
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: andré m. c...
A Meal of Thorns 26 – DEATH OF THE AUTHOR with andré m. carrington
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: andré m. c...
A Meal of Thorns 25 – THE HUGO NOVELS & NOVELLAS with Roseanna Pendlebury
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Roseanna Pe...
A Meal of Thorns 25 – THE HUGO NOVELS & NOVELLAS with Roseanna Pendlebury
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Roseanna Pe...
A Meal of Thorns 24 – THE LOST BOOK OF ADANA MOREAU with Maia Gil′Adí
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Maia Gil′...
A Meal of Thorns 24 – THE LOST BOOK OF ADANA MOREAU with Maia Gil′Adí
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Maia Gil′...
A Meal of Thorns 23 – DREAMS OF AMPUTATION with Sean McTiernan
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Sean McTier...
A Meal of Thorns 23 – DREAMS OF AMPUTATION with Sean McTiernan
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Sean McTier...
A Meal of Thorns 22 – THE TERRA IS A FORMER MISTRESS with Christian P. Haines
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Christian P...
A Meal of Thorns 22 – THE TERRA IS A FORMER MISTRESS with Christian P. Haines
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Christian P...
A Meal of Thorns 21 – LUD-IN-THE-MIST with Marita Arvaniti
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Marita Arva...
A Meal of Thorns 21 – LUD-IN-THE-MIST with Marita Arvaniti
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Marita Arva...
A Meal of Thorns 20 – AMONG OTHERS with Archita Mittra
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Archita Mit...
A Meal of Thorns 20 – AMONG OTHERS with Archita Mittra
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Archita Mit...
A Meal of Thorns 19 – HEIR TO THE EMPIRE with Dan Hartland
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Dan Hartlan...
A Meal of Thorns 19 – HEIR TO THE EMPIRE with Dan Hartland
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Dan Hartlan...
A Meal of Thorns 18 – THE SILMARILLION with Eden Kupermintz
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Eden Kuperm...
A Meal of Thorns 18 – THE SILMARILLION with Eden Kupermintz
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Eden Kuperm...
A Meal of Thorns 17 – FIRE LOGIC with Benjamin Rosenbaum
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Benjamin Ro...
A Meal of Thorns 17 – FIRE LOGIC with Benjamin Rosenbaum
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Benjamin Ro...
A Meal of Thorns 16 – AURORA with Hilary Strang
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Hilary Stra...
A Meal of Thorns 16 – AURORA with Hilary Strang
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Hilary Stra...
A Meal of Thorns 15 – MISTRESS OF MISTRESSES with Jared Pechaček
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Jared Pecha...
A Meal of Thorns 15 – MISTRESS OF MISTRESSES with Jared Pechaček
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Jared Pecha...
A Meal of Thorns 14 – 2024 Wrap-Up with Roseanna Pendlebury
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Roseanna Pe...
A Meal of Thorns 14 – 2024 Wrap-Up with Roseanna Pendlebury
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Roseanna Pe...
A Meal of Thorns 13 – THE THIS with Anna McFarlane
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Anna McFarl...
A Meal of Thorns 13 – THE THIS with Anna McFarlane
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Anna McFarl...
A Meal of Thorns 12 – MELMOTH with Jon Greenaway
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Jon Greenaw...
A Meal of Thorns 12 – MELMOTH with Jon Greenaway
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Jon Greenaw...
A Meal of Thorns 11 – THE BALLAD OF BLACK TOM with Garrett Bridger Gilmore
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Garret...
A Meal of Thorns 11 – THE BALLAD OF BLACK TOM with Garrett Bridger Gilmore
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Garret...
A Meal of Thorns 10 – TAINARON with Shinjini Dey
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Shinji...
A Meal of Thorns 10 – TAINARON with Shinjini Dey
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Shinji...
A Meal of Thorns 09 – PATTERN RECOGNITION with Sunny Moraine
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Sunny ...
A Meal of Thorns 09 – PATTERN RECOGNITION with Sunny Moraine
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Sunny ...
A Meal of Thorns 08 – GILDED NEEDLES with Juan Martinez
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Juan M...
A Meal of Thorns 08 – GILDED NEEDLES with Juan Martinez
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Juan M...
A Meal of Thorns 07 – THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT with Amal El-Mohtar
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Amal E...
A Meal of Thorns 07 – THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT with Amal El-Mohtar
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Amal E...
A Meal of Thorns 06 – THE PASSION with Dan Hartland
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Host: Jake Ca...
A Meal of Thorns 06 – THE PASSION with Dan Hartland
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Host: Jake Ca...
A Meal of Thorns 05 – THE EMPLOYEES with A.V. Marraccini
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: A.V. M...
A Meal of Thorns 05 – THE EMPLOYEES with A.V. Marraccini
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: A.V. M...
A Meal of Thorns 04 – PERELANDRA with Taylor Driggers
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor Driggers joins us to talk about the second volume in C.S. Lewis's SPACE TRILOGY. A richly-described and philosophical science fiction story, PE...
A Meal of Thorns 04 – PERELANDRA with Taylor Driggers
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor Driggers joins us to talk about the second volume in C.S. Lewis's SPACE TRILOGY. A richly-described and philosophical science fiction story, PE...
A Meal of Thorns 03 – PIRANESI with Misha Grifka Wander
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ancillary Review editors Jake Casella Brookins and Misha Grifka Wander discuss Susanna Clarke's PIRANESI: epistolary realism and the novel, numinous p...
A Meal of Thorns 03 – PIRANESI with Misha Grifka Wander
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ancillary Review editors Jake Casella Brookins and Misha Grifka Wander discuss Susanna Clarke's PIRANESI: epistolary realism and the novel, numinous p...
A Meal of Thorns 02 – DEAD COLLECTIONS with Roseanna Pendlebury
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jake Casella Brookins talks to critic Roseanna Pendlebury about Isaac Fellman's DEAD COLLECTIONS (a novel about a trans vampire archivist) and ho...
A Meal of Thorns 02 – DEAD COLLECTIONS with Roseanna Pendlebury
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jake Casella Brookins talks to critic Roseanna Pendlebury about Isaac Fellman's DEAD COLLECTIONS (a novel about a trans vampire archivist) and ho...
A Meal of Thorns 01 – THE SCAR with Dan Hartland
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jake Casella Brookins talks to Dan Hartland, critic and reviewer, about China Miéville's novel THE SCAR, the genre of the New Weird, and many re...
A Meal of Thorns 01 – THE SCAR with Dan Hartland
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jake Casella Brookins talks to Dan Hartland, critic and reviewer, about China Miéville's novel THE SCAR, the genre of the New Weird, and many re...