Bookstabber

Episode 44: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

It's the exciting draconic romance everyone is talking about! Action, murder, extreme horniness, and much more. Willow's anger burns with the heat of dragonfire, and Gene's love for books is more durable than dragon scale.

 

Another installment of the Year of Sword and Sorcery!

Episode 43: Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

All events can be seen from different perspectives. Gene sees a delightful novella. Willow sees a bog-standard science fiction premise. Does the truth lie somewhere in between? Why would a spacefaring civilization put horns on their heads?! Another installment of the Year of Sword and Sorcery!

Episode 42: The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Gene and Willow are transported to a mystical, magical place- a posh university. They learn about magic, addiction, and navigating difficult relationships. Willow feels a smug satisfaction in finding a book that she likes (and that Gene doesn't!). Another installment of the Year of Sword and Sorcery!

Episode 41: Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist

Gene and Willow must save the princess from vile monsters, but get derailed talking about The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Crystal, and Batman’s sexuality. It's another installment in THE YEAR OF SWORD AND SORCERY!

Episode 40: The High King by Lloyd Alexander

Gene fondly recalls his childhood in the lands of Prydain while Willow absolutely beefs her Gurgi impression. Once again these two can't agree on anything other than sounding tired! Another epic installment in the YEAR OF SWORD AND SORCERY. 

Episode 39: Four Sword and Sorcery Graphic Novels

Join Gene and Willow on a tour of graphic novels during the Year of Sword and Sorcery (TM). Rakish dragons, monstrous princesses, disembodied witches, and weird leg monsters abound in this exciting podcast! (Discalimer, the podcast is only as exciting as two nerds talking about books ever is.)

Books discussed:

Head Lopper Volume 1: The Island or a Plague of Beasts (2016)

Scales and Scoundrels Book 1 (Definitive Edition) (2021)

Darkly She Goes (2023)

Mirenda by Grim Wilkins (2018)

 

Episode 38: Chess with a Dragon by David Gerrold

Gene and Willow find themselves in debt to a hostile universe full of intelligent slugs, hungry dinosaurs, and horny insects. Can they escape an intergalactic MLM scheme or will they be "retired" into oblivion?

 

Trigger Warning: This book contains extremely weird and potentially upsetting ideas not limited to: slavery, sexual assault, gross insect stuff, racial slurs. 

Episode 37: The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson

Long ago, a cursed book was forged in the fires of hell, destined to slay its reader. Willow must take up this book against Gene and make war so great that all the elves, trolls and Aesir tremble in its shadow. Trigger warning: the book (and the podcast discussing it) contains sexual violence. 

Episode 36: Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy

Gene and Willow learn that it takes a lot to become San Francisco's top gumshoe. Move over Columbo, there's a new detective in town, and he's a giant black dragon! 

Episode 35: The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs

Long ago when wizards walked the earth, some of them had magnificent adventures with dragons, giants, and powers beyond comprehension. Willow and Gene read about some wizards who do none of that, and aren't really sure what they're supposed to be doing at all. Will the hero save the day? And does the day actually need saving??