Fiction Fans

No One to Hold the Distant Dead by K.L. Schroeder

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read No One to Hold the Distant Dead by K.L. Schroeder. They discuss the somber nature of the novella, the use of “likes animals” as a ...

Audition for the Fox by Martin Cahill

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Audition for the Fox, Martin Cahill's fable-esque novel from Tachyon Publications. They discuss what exactly left them with the f...

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley. Lilly realizes she grossly misinterpreted the back of the book, while Sa...

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar, chosen for this episode by their supporters on Patreon. They talk about ...

Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater, a book with airships and goblins and faerie politics that somehow did not click...

Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston. They discuss platonic relationship progressions, the variety of alien societies, and sentient ship...

Run with the Hunted 2: Ctr Alt Delete by Jennifer R. Donohue

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts return to the Run with the Hunted series by Jennifer Donohue for book two: Ctrl Alt Delete. They discuss fun heists (but this time... it&ap...

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For their final Spooky Month episode, your hosts read Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. They discuss cosmic horror vs social horror, magic cults, and il...

Author Interview: Shitshow by Chris Panatier

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts talk with Chris Panatier about his latest novel Shitshow and its impeccable fall horror vibes. They discuss the (lack of) poop jokes, the h...

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts continue their Spooky Month reading with Zomromcom, Olivia Dade’s delightful new zombie apocalypse vampire romcom. They talk about reason...

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts celebrate Banned Books Week 2025 by reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, a book Lilly has (somehow) been able to avoid until n...

Bonus: The Traveling SFF Book Festival feat. Yume Kitasei and Mia Tsai

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by authors Yume Kitasei and Mia Tsai to discuss The Traveling SFF Book Festival coming up in October 2025. They talk about the i...

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are finally entering Spooky Month and reading the psychological supernatural horror classic, The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson...

Author Interview: Terms of Service by Ciel Pierlot

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Ciel Pierlot to talk about her latest novel, Terms of Service. They discuss tech fae, the presumption of space in scifi, visi...

The Feather and the Lamp by L.N. Hunter

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read The Feather and the Lamp, a young adult novel by L.N. Hunter. They consider the comparison to Discworld, and talk about twists on myth...

Author Interview: Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Gabriella Buba to talk about Filipino fantasy, not shying away from religious atrocities committed by missionaries, and (extr...

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts see Odysseus back on Ithaca in The Last Song of Penelope, the final book in the Songs of Penelope Trilogy by Claire North. They talk about ...

Author Interview: Dot Slash Magic by Liz Shipton

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts speak with Liz Shipton, author of Dot Slash Magic, about technology based magic, writing storylines just to be contrary, and creating both ...

The House On Utopia Way by Stefan Mohamed

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss The House on Utopia Way, Stefan Mohamed’s surreal, genre-blending detective noir novel. They talk about (not) getting lost in the...

Starstruck by Aimee Ogden

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Starstruck by Aimee Ogden, a bittersweet, whimsical novella. They talk about fantastical settings, interpersonal conflict, and sympath...

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald feat. Krystle Matar

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Krystle Matar to discuss The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They wonder why no one talks about Gatsby being a crime lor...

Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell. They talk about post-apocalyptic near futures, love triangles where no one is wrong, and stori...

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts don’t do justice to The Tombs of Atuan, the second of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels, but they DO discuss standalone sequels, the ...

Author Interview: Like a Bullet by Andrew Cartmel

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Andrew Cartmel to discuss Like a Bullet, the latest addition to his nefarious Paperback Sleuth mystery novels. They talk abou...

Author Interview: No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by James Lloyd Dulin to talk about the first book in his recently-completed Malitu Trilogy, No Heart for a Thief. They discuss d...

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant. They talk about murder mystery tropes, new (to them) settings, and octogenarian characte...

Author Interview: Death on the Caldera by Emily Paxman

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Emily Paxman to talk about murder, mayhem, and magic in her debut novel, Death on the Caldera. The conversation ranges from A...

Author Interview: Awakened by Laura Elliott

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts welcome Laura Elliott to talk about her debut gothic horror novel, Awakened. They discuss unethical medical research, fraught family dynami...

Double-Edged Sword & Sorcery from Brackenbury Books

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read “Walls Of Shira Yulun” by Dariel R.A. Quiogue and “Waste Flowers” by Bryn Hammond, two novellas in Mongol-inspired fantasy set...

Saint Death's Herald by C.S.E. Cooney

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Saint Death's Herald, the second book in the Saint Death series. They discuss how much they remembered from book 1, and how that ...

Chai and Cat-tales by Lynn Strong

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Lilly's cats to discuss Chai and Cat-tales by Lynn Strong. They cover how much they love cats, the unexpected delight of...

Author Interview: The Fall is All There Is by C. M. Caplan

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts welcome C.M. Caplan on to the podcast to chat about The Fall Is All There Is, book one in his scifi/fantasy trilogy Four of Mercies. They t...

Down In the Sea of Angels by Khan Wong

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss San Francisco, intertwining narratives, and the optimism of seeing a community come together against discrimination in Down In the ...

Author Interview: The Judas Blossom by Stephen Aryan

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Stephen Aryan to discuss The Judas Blossom, the first book in his soon to be completed trilogy. They talk about the balance o...

Murderbot: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Artificial Condition, book two in the Murderbot series by Martha Wells. Lilly struggles with pronouns, but they still manage to talk a...

Author Interview: Underscore by Andrew Cartmel

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts welcome Andrew Cartmel back on to the podcast to chat about Underscore, the latest novel in his cozy crime series The Vinyl Detective. They...

House of Odysseus by Claire North

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts finally get to read House of Odysseus by Claire North, book two in her Songs of Penelope series. It has been a minute since they read book ...

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Murder on the Orient Express, a reread chosen for them by their Patreon supporters as part of the quarterly “Patron’s Choice”...

Space Brooms! by A.G. Rodriguez

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss how fun it is to see mundane space station jobs in Space Brooms! by A.G. Rodriguez. They talk about the main character’s toxic wo...

Nostalgia Book Club: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine with OWWR Pod

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Hannah and Laura from OWWR Pod to discuss Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, part of their Nostalgia Book Club series. The...

Shards of Shattered Darkness by Mark N. Drake

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss "Shards of Shattered Darkness," a collection of stories by Mark N. Drake. They debate where exactly they think the collec...

One Message Remains by Premee Mohamed

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Premee Mohamed's latest collection of stories, "One Message Remains," and praise its evocative writing and strong ch...

Author Interview: Fermi's Wake by Chris Farnell

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now with an update! The last ten minutes of this episode are a NEW conversation with Chris about the final novella, Overview Effect. New content start...

Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers edited by Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers, a new anthology edited by Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell. They talk about enjoying the mix of “...

Dracula by Bram Stoker

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Dracula by Bram Stoker, and almost start talking about various Dracula adaptations as well before they manage to rein themselves in...

Author Interview: The Ruptured Sky by Jessica A. McMinn

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts speak with Jessica A. McMinn about The Ruptured Sky, the first novel in her debut fantasy quartet. They talk about worldbuilding, asshole m...

Author Interview: The Way Up is Death by Dan Hanks

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Dan Hanks to discuss his scifi, thriller, adventure, every-genre-really novel, The Way Up is Death. They talk about large cas...

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, your hosts are covering The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, which turns out to be a delightful intersection of both of their interests...

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Excited for Mickey 17, the upcoming movie featuring Robert Pattinson, your hosts read Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. Despite their complaints about the nar...

2024: Year in Review

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts reflect upon 2024 and their podcasting experience, including some stats about the books they read in the last year. They also award some su...

The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts finally reach the end of their Discworld reread with The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett, and they're feeling all sorts of wa...

The Escher Man by T. R. Napper

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss The Escher Man by T. R. Napper. They consider what makes a story better fit for a movie format. They also talk about characters the...

Coup de Grace: Firefly tie-in by Una McCormack

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode your hosts discuss the TV show Firefly, and Lilly fundamentally misunderstands "tie-in" novels. They also talk about colonia...

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are baffled by Raising Steam, the penultimate Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. They debate which miniseries it ought to belong in, talk ...

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts indulge in some serious escapism with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. They talk about how terribly Basgaith War Academy is run, ask themselv...

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov (and get a little distracted argreeing [that's arguing and agreeing at the sa...

Snuff by Terry Pratchett

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts spend 17 minutes talking about some tropes they didn't love in Snuff by Terry Pratchett, and then roughly two hours (cut down to a rea...

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss witchcraft and religion in their conversation about The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson. They talk about familiar conflict...

The Call of Cthulhu & Other Works by H.P. Lovecraft

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts were thoroughly unimpressed by the selection of works they read from Great Tales of Horror by H.P. Lovecraft. They talk about trying to avo...

From These Dark Abodes by Lyndsie Manusos

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts talk about skeletons, mythology, and what makes a horror story in Lyndsie Mansusos’ debut novella, From These Dark Abodes. Yes, Lilly mad...

Editor Interview: Sinophagia edited and translated by Xueting Ni

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Xueting Ni to talk about her experience translating and editing Sinophagia, a collection of Chinese horror short stories. The...

Books of Blood vol 1 by Clive Barker

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lilly drags Sara into hell with their first Spooky Month book -- Books of Blood volume 1, by Clive Barker. They discuss the collection of short storie...

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts take another step on their Journey to the Ends of the Discworld with "I Shall Wear Midnight," by Terry Pratchett, the YA novel to...

Author Interview: Countess by Suzan Palumbo

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Suzan Palumbo to talk about food, colonialism, and more in her new novella, Countess. They also talk about the unique experie...

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. They talk about how eerie it is to read a dystopian future set in… pretty much indistingu...

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts pretend to know things about football in their discussion about Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett. They talk about character arcs, well...

City of Spores by Austin Shirey

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss City of Spores by Austin Shirey. They talk about detective/noir tropes and avoiding common pitfalls, as well as subtle worldbuildin...

Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike. They talk about fantasy maps, RPG tropes, and the genre that is “adventuring but make it a bureauc...

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read “Making Money” by Terry Pratchett. They discuss consistent love interests and disappointing villains. Sara tries not to be too dow...

Ninth Life by Stark Holborn

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Ninth Life by Stark Holborn, the third book in what may or may not be a trilogy, they actually have no idea. They talk about the diffi...

Bonus: Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Krystle Matar and Adrian M. Gibson for a spoiler-filled follow-up conversation about his debut novel, Mushroom Blues. They ta...

Cassiel's Servant by Jacqueline Carey

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Krystle Matar to talk about Cassiel's Servant by Jacqueline Carey, a book that covers the same events as Kushiel's ...

Bonus: Gods of Dust by Bryan S. Glosemeyer

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After our interview with Bryan about his Shattered Gates universe, we reconvened to talk about his short story Gods of Dust, and also bring up some of...

Learn to Howl by Jennifer R. Donohue

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts bring some cousin related chaos to their conversation about Learn to Howl by Jennifer R. Donohue. They talk about cousin main characters, w...

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts take a quick detour to discuss ebook formats (including footnotes) before diving in to Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett. They also talk about...

Author Interview: Ashram Assassin by Andrew Cartmel

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are once again joined by Andrew Cartmel, this time to discuss his novel Ashram Assassin, the second book in his Paperback Sleuth series. Th...

Author Interview: The Hunter's Gambit by Ciel Pierlot

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Ciel Pierlot to talk about her latest novel, The Hunter's Gambit. They discuss vampire lore, equality in fantasy setting...

Thud! by Terry Pratchett

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Thud! a City Watch book in Discworld that is probably not the best book in Discworld, but they genuinely liked it despite their compla...

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts try not to make anyone too mad with their opinions about The Final Empire, Brandon Sanderson's first Mistborn novel. Credit where cred...

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The people have spoken! Your hosts let their patreon subscribers choose the book for this episode, and they chose "A Wizard of Earthsea" by ...

Author Interview: Evocation by S.T. Gibson

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by S.T. Gibson to talk about her new novel, Evocation. They discuss religious characters from all over the spectrum, occult rese...

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, and they ask: Is this the best place to start in Discworld? 1 out of 2 Fiction Fans hosts agree. They...

Author Interview: Beyond the Gates Infernal by Bryan S. Glosemeyer

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Bryan S. Glosemeyer to talk about Beyond the Gates Infernal, volume 2 in his Shattered Gates series, but Sara and Lilly can’...

Author Interview: The Grimoire, the Gods, and the Girl by K.R.R. Lockhaven

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by KRR Lockhaven to talk about The Grimoire, the Gods, and the Girl, the final novel in his Azure Archipelago series. They discu...

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts read A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett. They talk about young witches, metaphors for puberty, and theoretical nostalgia. They also discu...

Bonus: Genre Bending Part 2, with Krystle & Taylor

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by author Krystle Matar and Taylor from Maed Between the Pages for a follow up conversation about genre and everyone's weir...

Author Interview: The Redemption of Morgan Bright by Chris Panatier

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Chris Panatier to cover his latest novel, "The Redemption of Morgan Bright." They talk about maintaining mystery in...

The Selected Works of Audre Lorde

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For national poetry month, your hosts discuss the Selected Works of Audre Lorde, edited by Roxane Gay. They talk about the autobiographical nature of ...

Author Interview: Noise Floor by Andrew Cartmel

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Andrew Cartmel to talk about "Noise Floor," the most recent addition to his Vinyl Detective series. They discuss ke...

Sidle Creek by Jolene McIlwain

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week your hosts discuss Sidle Creek, a very good but also extremely sad collection of short stories taking place in Appalachia. They talk about c...

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts continue their journey to center of the Discworld with Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. They discuss performative gender, unexpected ...

Interview: Translations with Nevena Andrić

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts had the opportunity to chat with Nevena Andrić, who works as a translator at one of the biggest Serbian publishing houses. They discuss th...

Author Interview: The Siege of Burning Grass and The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Premee Mohamed to talk about her novella The Butcher of the Forest and her novel The Siege of Burning Grass. They discuss mor...

Author Interview: Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts enter the Fungalverse as they speak with Adrian M. Gibson about his upcoming novel "Mushroom Blues." This episode gives a sneak p...

Author Interview: The Bone Roots by Gabriela Houston

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by Gabriela Houston to talk about her novel The Bone Roots. They discuss beauty bias in fantasy, older female protagonists, and ...

TBRCon 2024 Fiction Fans LIVE: Genre Bending with Krystle Matar

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This was originally streamed live during TBRCon 2024Your hosts were joined by author Krystle Matar to talk about genre conventions, definitions, and r...

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts discuss The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. They compare it and its main character to The Amazing Maurice, the first YA Discworld novel. T...

Author Interview: Big Demon Energy by Deborah Wilde

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts speak with author Deborah Wilde about her newest urban fantasy novel, Big Demon Energy. The conversation ranged from Jewish culture to vamp...

Author Interview: A Drowned Kingdom by P.L. Stuart

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your hosts are joined by P.L. Stuart to talk about A Drowned Kingdom, the first book in his epic fantasy The Drowned Kingdom series. They talk about t...

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett, feat. Kat Day

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Kat Day joins your hosts to talk about Night Watch by Terry Pratchett. They discuss where the novel fits into The City Watch subseries and Discworl...