Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we chat about Sable Sorensen's addictive fantasy novel Dire Bound, and how the explosion of the romantasy genre has - in our opinion, anyway - been fuelled by our favourite young adult fantasy books and tropes of the 2010s. We also reveal our OG book boyfriends, why wolves are the new dragons when it comes to bonded creatures, whether love triangles are making a comeback, and we chart the Three Waves of Romantasy (trademark pending). Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Dire Bound in our After Dark section, from 28.33 - 38.23. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episodes guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Isabelle Werro.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Chosen One author interview, we talk to Lily Crozier about her debut romantasy novel, Vow of Eternal Night. We discuss the appeal of monstrous men and the morally grey love interest for female readers, and we uncover how the real history of vampires, Dracula and Howl's Moving Castle inspired the book. We also delve into Lily's career in books and her journey from BookToker to author. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Lily Crozier. Produced by Liz Burnett. Recording and Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we talk all things dark academia and well-crafted magic systems in M.L. Wang's standalone fantasy Blood Over Bright Haven. Join us to hear hot takes on how all fantasy is political and reflects real-world issues, why school settings work so well in the fantasy and dark academia genres, and also how we've never fully moved on from the formative fantasy books we read as teenagers (Vampire Academy, Hush Hush and more). Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Blood Over Bright Haven in our After Dark section, from 36:00 to 46:15.Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Talia Moodley and Shané Oosthuizen. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we discuss the internationally bestselling fantasy debut Alchemised by SenLinYu, and how gothic fantasy is the perfect vehicle for exploring dark themes in nuanced way. We also discuss our favourite fantasy tropes (enemies to lovers, the chosen one and bonded creatures) and we debate whether morally grey characters can ever be fully redeemed. Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Alchemised in our After Dark section, from timecode 38.00 - 49.00.Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Lily Crozier and Vishali Seshadri.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.00:00 Introductions03:23 SenLinYu's fan fiction to traditional publishing journey06:30 The dark and confronting themes of the book09:10 Tackling a 1000 page epic 10:35 The world-building of Alchemised and understanding the magic system13:09 The exploration of trauma in the book14:46 The binary of good and evil in wartimes18:30 The class divide of Alchemised 21:19 The characters and reclaiming the chosen one through a feminist lens25:36 The ethical dilemmas of the magic system29:23 Helena as an unreliable narrator31:08 Kaine as the ultimate morally grey male character33:15 The tropes of Alchemised38:12 AFTER DARK (SPOILERS FOR ALCHEMISED ENDING!) 42:05 The role of redemption and our favourite moments48:58 The unconventional structure of the book49:09 Final fantasy battle game and sign off

On today's Chosen One author interview, we talk to fantasy author and content creator Bronte-Marie Wesson about her traditional publishing debut, The Ascension of Souls - the first book in a new high fantasy series that she describes as her 'dark, queer Zelda book'. Join us as we discuss what shaped Bronte-Marie's love of fantasy, why Tywin Lannister is her favourite fantasy character and how she created an immersive fantasy world inspired by her Irish, anti-colonial heritage. This is a spoiler-free conversation. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode features author Bronte-Marie Wesson.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.0:00 Introduction and Bronte-Marie's introduction to fantasy04:50 The Ascension of Souls and how it came to be 'The Legend of Zelda but dark, gay and for adults'07:00 The world-building of an empire and a country at war09:07 The magic tree and Irish cultural influence on the book15:16 Fairies and changelings vs fae and sexy elves16:35 Building the prophecy in The Ascension of Souls20:46 The characterisation of Luminara and the chosen family trope23:31 Rianthran and the antidote to brooding dark love interests27:00 Side characters and the gaming influence on Ascension 28:38 Queer representation in fantasy32:13 Bronte-Marie's advice for queer writers36:16 Role play and writing with a partner40:20 Categorising the Broken Cycle trilogy, tropes and building on The Brass Wyvern47:17 Final fantasy game and sign off

Join the Lit Witches as they open the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, take a seat at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite fantasy genres, with a rotating cast of special guests who share an undying passion for all things fantasy. And meet the Chosen Ones, fantasy authors from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. Video and audio episodes out every Tuesday. Powered by Penguin.