Episode 31 - Lirael, by Garth Nix

Content Warning: Suicide

We're celebrating the two year anniversary of Dragon Babies with a return to the series that started it all! While those who have been listening since our first episode will note our marked improvement in podcasting quality, they will be delighted to learn that our fervor for Garth Nix's Abhorsen books remains the same. Naturally, we want to spend every waking moment with Lirael in the The Great Library of the Clayr, but as adults we have much more compassion for Sameth and his chapters than we expected. Whether you're secretly an Abhorsen-in-training or just a dude who has seriously put off doing his homework, we think you'll enjoy this one. Rereading it brought back so many of the sentiments that inspired us to start this podcast in the first place, and give YA fantasy the respect and attention it deserves. Thanks so much for listening!

Note - the vocal fry is outta control in this one but Seattle also currently has some of the lowest quality air on the planet, so. Doing our best.

Episode 30 - Spindle's End, by Robin McKinely

It's official: Robin McKinley is a master of fantasy and we didn't appreciate her nearly enough when we read her books as kids. Today, we're ready to gush over Spindle's End. This perfect inversion of the Sleeping Beauty story offers a princess who saves herself (and really doesn't sleep much at all), as well as her motley crew of loyal animals and a very grumpy fairy. Faithful listeners may be disappointed by the briefer than usual Pretend Food, but will enjoy the new addition of "Just, like, Animals... Animals in This Book." Celebrate beautiful (and safe!) spindles, kind foxes, and one of the most poignant birds in literature. Katriona, Aunt, Rosie, Peony and countless other excellent female characters are here to whisk you away to a land of a little too much magic.

Robin McKinley fans should be sure to check out our episode on The Hero and the Crown!

Episode 29 - Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith

Head into battle with the ragtag Dragon Babies crew! We're discussing Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, and loving on Meliara in all her furious, revolutionary glory. Join in as we slog through the mud, sleep underneath ferns, and throw wine in corrupt barons' faces, all with a seriously messed up ankle and a raging fever. Plus: fantasy tea appreciation. When you're not quite ready for your Flower Day. And: can court decorations ever be trusted?

This episode is a listener request - thanks, Erin!

Past episodes of ours mentioned during our Crown Duel discussion:

• Episode 19 - The Hero and the Crown

• Episode 13 - The Wee Free Men

• Episode 16 - Redwall

Episode 28 - Tempests and Slaughter, by Tamora Pierce

This is a Very Special Episode about Tamora Pierce's newest gift to us all - Tempests and Slaughter, aka Baby Arram's Book! We just had to depart from our usual fantasy nostalgia approach because this is too exciting to miss. This marks our fourth Tamora Pierce episode - if you're a new listener interested in checking out our others, choose your favorite heroine below!

• Episode 2 - Alanna: The First Adventure
• Episode 6 - Emperor Mage
• Episode 26 - First Test

SPOILER ALERT AHEAD for anyone who hasn't finished reading Tempests and Slaughter - check this out after you're done! Happy reading!

Episode 27 - The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

We're celebrating the glorious arrival of spring with a look back at the The Wind in the Willows! Hop into your tiny canoe and watch Toad be a complete sociopath, revel in the many miniature English teas, and wonder where the heck the female inhabitants of the river and wood have disappeared to. Plus: how Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne and Kenneth Grahame created the anthropomorphism mold; Disney's take on Toad, Mole and Rat and how it scarred us; celebrating Ernest H. Shepard's perfection. This episode was a listener request - thanks, Joe!

EPISODE MEDIA

The Ichabod Crane song Madeleine can't get out of her head, even 20 years later (warning: extremely catchy)

Mr. Toad sees a car for the first time

Two intriguing takes on Wind in the Willows:

Wild Wood by Jan Needle - Class flip

The River Bank: A sequel to Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows by Kij Johnson - Gender flip