Fiction Fans

<p>“We read books – and other words, too.” Two cousins read and discuss a wide variety of books from self pub to indie to trad pub. Episodes are divided into a “Spoiler Free” conversation and then a clearly delineated “Spoiler-y” discussion, so listeners can enjoy every episode regardless of whether they’ve read the book or not. Most of the books covered on the podcast are Fantasy, Science Fiction, or some middle ground between the two, but they also read Literary Fiction, Poetry, and Non Fiction, and Fan Fiction. </p><p> </p><p>Fiction Fans recently finished a readthrough of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett.</p>

Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater

Your hosts read Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater, a book with airships and goblins and faerie politics that somehow did not click with Lilly. They discuss complex characters, thoughtful themes, and Goblin Court. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4....

11-19
49:50

Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston

Your hosts read Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston. They discuss platonic relationship progressions, the variety of alien societies, and sentient ships. Oh, and how they are woefully underqualified to discuss Indian mythology. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution ...

11-12
33:35

Run with the Hunted 2: Ctr Alt Delete by Jennifer R. Donohue

Your hosts return to the Run with the Hunted series by Jennifer Donohue for book two: Ctrl Alt Delete. They discuss fun heists (but this time... it's personal!), evolving relationships between the three main characters, and the joy of unreliable narrators. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Co...

11-05
34:27

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

For their final Spooky Month episode, your hosts read Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. They discuss cosmic horror vs social horror, magic cults, and ill advised heists. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” - Kevin MacLeod for the use of "Darkest Child" Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

10-29
59:44

Author Interview: Shitshow by Chris Panatier

Your hosts talk with Chris Panatier about his latest novel Shitshow and its impeccable fall horror vibes. They discuss the (lack of) poop jokes, the human element at the heart of the book, and cheese grater inspired fair rides. Find more from Chris: https://chrispanatier.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/scribeofhades.bsky.social Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” - Kevin MacLe...

10-22
52:08

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

Your hosts continue their Spooky Month reading with Zomromcom, Olivia Dade’s delightful new zombie apocalypse vampire romcom. They talk about reasonable heroines, excellent romantic banter, and speed-running a relationship. They also discuss the practicalities of a burrito as a weapon against zombies. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” - Kevin MacLeod for the use of "Darke...

10-15
45:49

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Your hosts celebrate Banned Books Week 2025 by reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, a book Lilly has (somehow) been able to avoid until now. They they talk about dystopian presents, sympathy for antagonists, and the double-edged sword of hope. Content includes on-page sexual assault and coercion, and discussion of self harm and suicide. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre ...

10-08
51:41

Bonus: The Traveling SFF Book Festival feat. Yume Kitasei and Mia Tsai

Your hosts are joined by authors Yume Kitasei and Mia Tsai to discuss The Traveling SFF Book Festival coming up in October 2025. They talk about the inspiration behind the event, some behind the scenes of planning it, and what attendees can expect from each stop on the tour. Find out more about the Festival here. More from Yume: https://www.yumekitasei.com/ More from Mia: https://www.miatsai.com/ Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for th...

10-03
40:09

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Your hosts are finally entering Spooky Month and reading the psychological supernatural horror classic, The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson. Sara has complaints that (for once) don’t boil down to “it’s horror and I don’t like horror”. Lilly agrees?! They talk about unfulfilling explanations, female agency, and relationship roller coasters. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à N...

10-01
51:57

Author Interview: Terms of Service by Ciel Pierlot

Your hosts are joined by Ciel Pierlot to talk about her latest novel, Terms of Service. They discuss tech fae, the presumption of space in scifi, visions of a competent future government, and the twisting of fae tropes you may be familiar with from mythology (but you can admit that you know them from romantasy it's okay). Find more from Ciel: https://bsky.app/profile/cielpierlot.bsky.social https://cielpierlot.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cielpierlot/ Find us on Discord / Support us on ...

09-24
58:47

The Feather and the Lamp by L.N. Hunter

Your hosts read The Feather and the Lamp, a young adult novel by L.N. Hunter. They consider the comparison to Discworld, and talk about twists on mythology, both age-appropriate and compelling romance plotlines, and framing devices. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4....

09-17
35:39

Author Interview: Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

Your hosts are joined by Gabriella Buba to talk about Filipino fantasy, not shying away from religious atrocities committed by missionaries, and (extremely satisfying) corruption arcs in Saints of Storm and Sorrow, book one in The Stormbringer Saga (her now-complete duology). Find more from Gabriella: https://gabriellabuba.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriella.buba.books https://bsky.app/profile/gabriellabuba.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/gabriellabuba/ Fi...

09-10
42:09

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North

Your hosts see Odysseus back on Ithaca in The Last Song of Penelope, the final book in the Songs of Penelope Trilogy by Claire North. They talk about impossible love triangles, poorly thought out revenge strategies, and how badly Athena needs a hug. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons...

09-03
51:00

Author Interview: Dot Slash Magic by Liz Shipton

Your hosts speak with Liz Shipton, author of Dot Slash Magic, about technology based magic, writing storylines just to be contrary, and creating both spicy and sanitized versions of a story. Also, dick magic. Find more from Liz: https://lizshipton.com/ https://instagram.com/lizshiptonauthor https://www.tiktok.com/@lizshiptonauthor https://bsky.app/profile/lizshiptonauthor.bsky.social Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Ama...

08-27
54:16

The House On Utopia Way by Stefan Mohamed

Your hosts discuss The House on Utopia Way, Stefan Mohamed’s surreal, genre-blending detective noir novel. They talk about (not) getting lost in the weirdness of the setting, metaphors that feel natural, and how important it is to have sympathetic characters who bring it all together. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunris...

08-20
39:41

Starstruck by Aimee Ogden

Your hosts read Starstruck by Aimee Ogden, a bittersweet, whimsical novella. They talk about fantastical settings, interpersonal conflict, and sympathetic characters (who they still sometimes want to shake and yell “just talk to each other already!!”) Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons...

08-13
36:43

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald feat. Krystle Matar

Your hosts are joined by Krystle Matar to discuss The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They wonder why no one talks about Gatsby being a crime lord, throw around wild F. Scott conspiracy theories, and rank the characters from least shitty to most shitty. (It's all of them. They're all the most shitty) Find more from Krystle: https://bsky.app/profile/krystlematar.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/drippingbucket.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/krystlematar/ Find us on Dis...

08-06
02:27:55

Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell

Your hosts read Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell. They talk about post-apocalyptic near futures, love triangles where no one is wrong, and stories that might work better as movies. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

07-30
44:23

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin

Your hosts don’t do justice to The Tombs of Atuan, the second of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels, but they DO discuss standalone sequels, the differences in coming of age stories between genders, claustrophobic settings, and classic fantasy. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

07-23
33:21

Author Interview: Like a Bullet by Andrew Cartmel

Your hosts are joined by Andrew Cartmel to discuss Like a Bullet, the latest addition to his nefarious Paperback Sleuth mystery novels. They talk about wartime novels, the allure of ill-begotten Nazi good, and Cordelia’s “go get ‘em, but have a backup plan just in case" approach to encounters. Find more from Andrew: https://reclaimedradio.com/shows/andrew-cartmel/ https://www.instagram.com/vinyldetectivelondon/ https://twitter.com/andrewcartmel?lang=en Find us on Discord / Support us on P...

07-09
45:03

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