Episode 119 - The Snow-Walker's Son, by Catherine Fisher

We’re getting into our frigid sailboat and exploring The Snow-Walker’s Son, by Catherine Fisher! Jessa and Thorkil are banished to a forgotten hall in the far North when their fathers attempt to overthrow the current jarl, a pretender to the throne. The false jarl happens to be married to Gudrun, a terrifying ice sorceress who previously sent her own son to the same dark fate. Her son Kari is said to be a twisted monster, but Jessa and Thorkil discover that he’s much more complex - and get swept up in a plot to right Gudrun’s many wrongs. Grace and Madeleine delve deep into Grendel parallels, the potential alignment of a snake that encircles the world, and continue to love a cold witch. Join us!

Note - This is the first book in what is now packaged as a single volume titled Snow-Walker.

EPISODE MEDIA

Grendel by John Gardner

Babetreon Episode - Hogfather (2006)

We’re overwhelmed with holiday spirit and we’re releasing this Babetreon episode on the main feed! The sibling squabbling is at an all-time high as Grace tries to force Madeleine to enjoy a Christmas film. Happy Hogswatch!

*Please note, unlike our main feed, this episode is explicit.

If you’d like to hear more of our exclusive episodes, join the Babetreon for $3/mo at https://www.patreon.com/dragonbabies.

EPISODE NOTES

Watch Hogfather on Tubi - https://tubitv.com/series/3852/hogfather

The Nightmare Before Christmas - "The fuck?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guutj5BwtNM&ab_channel=DaisyMarieCruse

Episode 118 - The Seven Songs of Merlin, by T.A. Barron

We’re continuing to explore the Lost Years with The Seven Songs of Merlin, by T.A. Barron! Our wee Merlin advances to his Emo Protagonist era as he shirks the main quest in favor of finding/saving his mama. Grace and Madeleine discuss the plot’s video game structure, the joys of a melancholy bard (Bumblewy forever), and why we’re more sympathetic to Merlin’s weight of responsibility as adults. Plus the mysterious wonders of BREAD TOWN + THE GOLDEN STARTER FOUNTAIN. Join us!

(Alternate title for current edition: Merlin Book 2: The Seven Songs).

Our last episode on the series - The Lost Years of Merlin

Episode 117 - Cart and Cwidder, by Diana Wynne Jones

Strum your cwidder and make the mountains walk 🎵 We’re reading Cart and Cwidder by Diana Wynne Jones! Murderers, spies, magical instruments, and vengeance driven by the love of a horse - would you expect anything less from DWJ? This opener to the Dalemark Quartet introduces Moril, Brid and their family of wandering troubadours. In a nation plagued by civil war, the songs of old can serve as battle cries - and the kids are quickly in over their heads. Join us in pondering approaches to memory, Fully Realized Horses and magical storytelling.

EPISODE MEDIA

If you’re craving another troubadours in peril story - Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (not YA).

Our Book of Enchantments episode mentioned is actually on our Babetreon - just $3/month to join and get access to all our past episodes!

Episode 116 - The Boggart, by Susan Cooper

Be an ageless entity, do crimes - we’re discussing The Boggart, by Susan Cooper! This wonderfully weird book has it all and is the perfect playful Halloween read for all ages. Cooper pulls off the ultimate middle grade fantasy bait and switch - leading readers to think we’re in for a spooky Scottish castle stay and then immediately heading to Toronto (the Boggart accidentally in tow). Grace and Madeleine ponder why this book brings up such specific, forgotten childhood memories and wonder how far they’d go for a handful of peanut butter or hot fudge. Happy Halloween!

EPISODE MEDIA

Incredible Susan Cooper fansite

First edition cover by Trina Schart Hyman (she also did the first Ronia cover!)

A nice new friend for you to meet: