Episode 130 - Bloodmarked, by Tracy Deonn

We’re continuing Bree’s fraught journey through the Legendborn world with Bloodmarked! Tracy Deonn’s followup to Legendborn takes Bree far from UNC and the Arthurian Order and into her ancestors’ other magical communities. There are so many hot magical boys and SO MUCH PLOT and by the end we need an aether shot at The Crossroads. We debate cambion morality, where we’d make edits and the dramatic change in narrative scope and setting from the first book. #justiceforselwyn

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Cover artist Hillary D. Wilson’s other gorgeous work

Other episodes mentioned:

• Tamsin, by Peter S. Beagle

• The Ragwitch, by Garth Nix

• Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik

Episode 129 - Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright

We’re spending the summer at Gone-Away Lake! Elizabeth Enright’s classic story of creating your own adventure is rich with wish-fulfillment fantasy. Enright brings cousins Portia, Julian and Foster to life as they tromp through swampland, evade the Gulper and befriend Min and Pin, kindly siblings living out of time. We discuss the decline of American aristocracy, summer’s sweet melancholy, and the complex memories Gone-Away evokes. Casual children’s adventure story stuff!

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Some of Beth and Joe Krush’s wonderful illustrations:

Episode 128 - The Lives of Christopher Chant, by Diana Wynne Jones

We’re continuing Diana Wynne Jones’ beloved Chestomanci series with The Lives of Christopher Chant! We follow Christopher as he journeys through the Anywheres, chafes under the controlling adults in his life, and dedicates himself to cricket and cricket alone. A romp, a revelation, the best time we’ve had in quite a while - you owe it to yourself to revisit Throgmorten’s charms. This episode has laughs and tears AND some very triggering salmon sandwiches. We’ll leave you with a resounding: “WONG!”

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Our other Chrestomanci episodes:

• Charmed Life

• Witch Week

• We somehow haven’t covered The Magicians of Caprona although I swore we had??? Guess we gotta! Also I’m losing my mind!

Plus our million other DWJ episodes, which we will continue producing indefinitely in our quest to become the Preeminent Diana Wynne Jones Podcast™️

Episode 127 - Magic's Promise, by Mercedes Lackey

We’re returning to Valdemar with Magic’s Promise, by Mercedes Lackey! In his second book, Vanyel is 12 years older but perhaps not wiser as he struggles to move past his lover Tylendel’s tragic death. While attempting to find some rest at his family’s home (and mostly just finding homophobia), Vanyel and his companion Yfandes are pulled into a mysterious royal murder in a neighboring kingdom. He is tasked with uncovering the truth from the terrified Tashir, one of the only survivors and the suspected (but unlikely) culprit. Vanyel mopes, gets very tired and hungry, and ultimately grows - and we cheer him on every step of the way.

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Cover artist Jody Lee - After a more thorough look at her body of work, I have realized that she in fact created THE MANY WATERS COVER we’ve been obsessed with since childhood as well as so many other absolute bangers. “This artist changed my life” - Madeleine Harnois

The Oathbreakers album - here’s a taste with Shadow Stalker. There’s also a separate musical interpretation of her work by Paul Espinoza, which I mention in the ep - and probably even more out there! Send us your bardic interpretations!!

Episode 126 - Abhorsen, by Garth Nix

We’re completing the Old Kingdom trilogy and becoming Abhorsens in our own right. We discuss Lirael’s interiority, forgive Sam for his book 2 failings, start a cult dedicated to Mogget worship, and consider how this series helped inspire the current YA fantasy horror boom. We went to the ninth gate and returned, what did you do this weekend? And remember: nothing says fell necromancy like a lightning farm.

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Our other Old Kingdom and Garth Nix episodes:

• Sabriel (very first episode of the podcast, listen at your own risk)

• Sabriel (Redux)

• Lirael

• The Ragwitch

• Mister Monday

Sabriel concept art by Josh Wong