Episode 146 - The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The second book in the Oz series, The Land of Oz begins introducing us to its stranger inhabitants and endless opportunities for adventure. Protagonist Tip escapes his cruel captor Mombi and brings a pumpkin man and a sawhorse to life as he journeys in search of purpose. We encounter our old friends the Scarecrow and Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman as Tip helps them thwart General Jinjur and her girl army, and finally set the rightful Queen of Oz upon the throne. We discuss homunculi and their internal lives, the endless misery of a road trip with the Wogglebug, and Tip’s failings as a new dad. Join us!

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You know, I was going to put a picture of a Wheeler from Return to Oz here, but I don’t want to curse our domain with that kind of energy. They’re out there if you’d like to seek them out…

Episode 145 - Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

We’re back in Earthsea and we’re BEGGING to unleash our draconic rage. Following Ursula’s instructions, we’re covering her short story collection before wrapping up the Earthsea Cycle with The Other Wind. Stories include The Finder, Darkrose and Diamond, The Bones of the Earth, On the High Marsh, and Dragonfly. This is a particularly hefty episode so dig on in!

Episode 144 - The Magicians of Caprona, by Diana Wynne Jones

We’re bravely continuing to cover the Chrestomanci series in whatever order we please. It’s time to revisit The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones! The Montanas and the Petrocchis have a generations-deep family feud, but are forced to work together when their children Tonino and Angelica go missing. Their Italian hometown of Caprona is beset by a mysterious enchanter who manages to throw off the families’ magic and confuse them at every turn. Featuring the most frightening puppet scene, the grossest cursed kitchen, and the biggest cat, this small stakes story still offers delightful maximalism. Grab your Punch and Judy collection and join us!

Our other Chrestomanci episodes:

• Charmed Life

• Witch Week

• The Lives of Christopher Chant

Episode 143 - The Changeling, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Our Zilpha Keatley Snyder hyperfixation continues with The Changeling. If you’ve been looking for a way to connect with your child self, this book is it. Ivy and Martha access magical worlds, set pork chop traps for cryptids, and attempt righteous horse theft and the rest of Rosewood Manor can’t handle it. We discuss the pain of aging out of make believe, suburban class tensions, and the healing power of the stage. We’re all changelings and we’ll never grow up - join us!

Other ZKS episodes:

• The Witches of Worm

• The Egypt Game

• The Headless Cupid

My school library edition:

Episode 142 - The Never War, by D.J. MacHale

We’re returning to D.J. MacHale’s Pendragon series with The Never War! This ridiculous (complimentary) alternate reality historical fiction sees Bobby heading to New York City, 1937. He’s supposed to stop the Hindenburg from exploding and save the passengers aboard - OR IS HE??? We meet the wonderful Gunny, watch Spader go full Inigo Montoya and wonder how the heck Courtney and Mark are doing. Enjoy butterfly effect fury, concerns about parallel worlds sharing the same timeline, why Bobby can’t just go kill Hitler and whether he’s trapped in a cycle of grief avoidance. Ya know, regular middle grade SFF stuff!

*Note - in spite of a promise to talk at length about season 2 of The Rehearsal, my favorite piece of media from 2025 so far, we had so much to say that there wasn’t a chance to get to it. If you would like to discuss the intersection between The Rehearsal and The Never War, I beg you - get in touch.

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Other Pendragon episodes:

• The Merchant of Death

• The Lost City of Faar

Adventure Time Islands miniseries episode - Imaginary Resources