Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast
Lit Witches opens the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Join our book club chats at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite genres from epic fantasy to romantasy, with a rotating cast of special guests. We’ll introduce you to the Chosen Ones, with author interviews from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. New video and audio episodes every Tuesday, with book recommendations, tips on writing fantasy fiction, trope discussions and much more. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, Powered by Penguin.
Episodes
A bookbinder and an immortal warrior forced to work together? Sign us up! On today's Chosen One episode, we speak to Australian author Helen Scheuerer about Kiss of the Black Flame, the first book in her brand-new romantasy trilogy. Helen tells us about her timely pivot from literary fiction to romantasy and why she chooses to write main characters who are no longer coming of age. We also bond over our shared love of Tamora Pierce,...
Lit Witches goes abroad! On today's episode, we travel to the UK to speak to two publishers who are at the forefront of the fantasy boom. We chat about how the fantasy genre has grown and changed, and the role social media and BookTok has played in connecting readers with books they'll love. They also reveal their favourite fantasy reads, what books perfectly execute their favourite tropes and the exciting new releases you're going...
Grab your orange shirts and beaded necklaces - we're going back to Camp Half-Blood! On today's Roundtable episode, we revisit one of our favourite, most nostalgic fantasy reads: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We chat about our first experiences with the Percy Jackson world and why it truly stands the test of time thanks to the characters, the humour, and the iconic modern twist on Greek mythology. And, of co...
On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for another Fantasy Classics Book Club, this time to discuss Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We break down the book's timely themes, the enduring appeal of the monster and how it's influenced the genres of fantasy and sci-fi today. We also chat about the recent film adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and our VERY different reactions to it.
Our quickfire book recommendations this week:
First classi...
On today's Roundtable episode, we're celebrating the release of Turncloak with a full spoiler review of Silvercloak, the first book in L.K. Steven's brutally dark fantasy series. We reveal the biggest plot twists, our favourite romantic - and gruesome - scenes, and we break down that WILD ending. We also chat about why we're joing the L.K. Steven fan club, plus, we give our predictions for Turncloak and a mini preview of what you c...
On today's Roundtable episode, we're gearing up for a revolution as we talk all things Silver Elite by Dani Francis, a dystopian fantasy that combines the best of both genres. We revisit our dystopian fiction origin stories and the genre's explosion in the 2010s with classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Then we look at how Silver Elite combines spicy romance with dystopian themes of revolution and oppression, and a dash of...
On today's Roundtable episode, we're heading to the carriwitchet stadium and cheering on our favourite characters in The Winged Game by Sophie Kim, a brand-new sports romance set in a colourful fantasy world. 'Sports romantasy' may be the next big genre, and this book proves why: true slow-burn enemies to lovers (they really hate each other, and it's exquisite), found family, high-stakes matches, a surprise quest, and countless lau...
On this week’s Roundtable episode, we’re opening the filing cabinet on Office Romantasy and diving into all four books in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series. It’s grumpy/sunshine on speed, complete with found family, dragons, castles, sorcery, office memos and, naturally, “light paperwork and occasional casual beheading.”
We’re talking openly and with spoilers about Book...
On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to Shara Curlett about the first book in her brand-new fantasy series, Protector of Beyond, that's full of mythical creatures, perilous trials and kids with mysterious powers. She tells us how she came up with the 'spark' for this magical world after a winding professional journey from DJ to author (tune in to hear the surprising thing those two jobs have in common!). We also talk about a...
Release the kraken! On today's Roundtable episode, we're chatting about our latest epic fantasy romance obsession, Steelborn by Taylor J LaRue. From well-crafted magic systems and expansive worlds to underground networks of thieves and spies, we dive into everything we loved about this fantasy debut. We also ask the hardhitting questions: What do we do when fae aren't the love interests? Why aren't there more krakens and pirates in...
Read Shadow Reaper yet? Good. Let's spoil everything!
In this full spoiler review, we're diving deep into Lynette Noni's latest fantasy novel, breaking down the biggest plot twists, shocking reveals, unforgettable character moments, and that ending. From our favourite scenes and emotional moments to the questions we're still asking, nothing is off limits. Whether you're looking for a Shadow Reaper review, an ending explained, or si...
On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to one of the Romance Queens of Australian writing, Lauren Jackson, about her vampire romance trilogy, The Red Thorne series. Lauren tells us about the classic vampire content that inspired the series - Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, of course - and gives us a sneak peek of what to expect from the recently released final book, Fight For Us. We also chat about her bestselling sports rom...
On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into the bonkers world of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. We chat about the utterly unique chaos of this series and how it weaves together themes of AI, colonisation and reality TV against a backdrop of an alien invasion, a deadly progression game and a talking cat. We also discuss the rise of the Lit RPG genre and the crossover appeal that pulls in gamers, non-gamers and fantasy f...
On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to husband-and-wife author duo, Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld about their new book, The Mortons, a gothic thriller with The Secret History meets Succession vibes. We discuss why fantasy fans will be drawn to the dark academia atmosphere underpinning the first book in this new series focusing on a murderous crime family. We also chat about what it's like to have your significan...
On today's Roundtable Fantasy Classic Book Club episode, we're discussing all things The Odyssey, from our first experiences of the epic poem to our brutally honest thoughts on Christopher Nolan's new film adaptation. We chat about our love for Greek mythology (hello, Disney Hercules) and how each translation and retelling brings something new to these ancient myths. We also share our review of Nolan's The Odyssey: what we thought ...
On today's Chosen One episode we speak with the brilliant Kate Forsyth, author of The Changeling. We dive into Kate's long-lasting interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, faeries and witchcraft, and how she has incorporated all into her latest novel. We discuss the trend of retelling fairytales and their impact on modern storytelling. We also talk Greek mythology, Scottish folklore and Kate's lifelong quest to find the truth of the femal...
On today's Roundtable book club episode, we're diving into Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, the thrilling sequel to Dire Bound and second book in 'The Wolves of Ruin' series. In this fantasy book review, we unpack the unhinged predictions we made in our Dire Bound Roundtable episode and whether or not they came true, and how contemporary themes like propaganda and fake news are reflected in Fury Bound. We also get into the romantasy t...
On today's Chosen One episode, we share an episode from our sister podcast, Ask Penguin. This interview with legendary fantasy author Philip Pullman takes us through forty years of storytelling, through Northern Lights, His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust. We discuss in detail the final installment of The Book Of Dust: Vol 3 The Rose Fields, and how to say goodbye to a beloved character for the final time.
Lit Witches is hosted...
On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for our first Fantasy Classics Book Club, discussing one of the original vampire stories, Dracula by Bram Stoker. We get into Dracula's impact on modern day vampire literature, the lore of vampires and how it's changed over time - from horror to romance. We talk vampire tropes, our favourite vampire books, shows and movies; including The Lost Boys, Sinners and The Vampire Diaries.
Lit Witches ...
On today's Chosen One episode we speak to Sophie Clark about Cruel Is the Light, her debut romantasy full of demon-hunting exorcists, forbidden love and tangled webs of power. We discuss the gothic elements of the Vatican-inspired world and how the setting became a character in and of itself. We also delve into our love of the grumpy x sunshine trope, especially when it's flipped on its head, and we talk about attitudes towards tro...
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