Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast

The Friends journey into the brutal heart of Christopher Buehlman’s The Daughter’s War, the grimdark prequel to The Blacktongue Thief. They unpack the stark tonal shift between the two novels—where Buehlman trades snark for sorrow, and swagger for survival. The spotlight falls on Galva, whose stoic presence in The Blacktongue Thief is given heartbreaking depth as her backstory unfolds through war, trauma, and fractured family loyal...

Sink your teeth into the wild world of revived dire wolves—yes, they were real—and the viral tweet that sparked “Dire Wolf Day.” From George R.R. Martin holding a genetically resurrected pup to speculation about military mammoths and Jurassic Park parallels, things get weird fast. The Friends also wade into the fandom frustration over The Winds of Winter and defend authors’ rights to, well, do other stuff. We round out the episode ...

Join The Friends as they dive into the 2025 r/Fantasy Book Bingo Card! In this episode, we walk through some of the most exciting (and challenging) categories, offering fantasy book recommendations for each square. Whether you’re hunting for a perfect “Knights and Paladins” read or struggling to find a book with “High Fashion,” we’ve got you covered.

Highlights include:

⚔️ Knights and Paladins – Buhlman, Sanderson, and Grossman

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We’re back and diving deep into the pages! 📚 In this episode of Friends Talking Fantasy, The Friends break down the 25 books Charles read during the podcast hiatus—ranking them from S-tier gems to DNF disasters.

From Brandon Sanderson’s newest standalones to chaotic fun like Dungeon Crawler Carl, poetic necromancy in Sabriel, and the genre-bending brilliance of The Tainted Cup, we cover ...

After a four-month break, The Friends are back with a refreshed Friends Talking Fantasy—complete with a new video format! In this comeback episode, we catch up on life, talk future podcast goals (live episodes, maybe?), and kickoff a new Friends Pitching Fantasy.

Each host brings three fantasy books to the table, pitching them to determine the next reads for the show.

The six books discussed:

📚 The Daughters’ War by Christopher Bu...

The journey of the Liveship Traders trilogy reaches its breathtaking conclusion in Ship of Destiny, and we’re here to dive deep into Robin Hobb’s masterful storytelling. Join us as we explore the incredible character arcs, unravel the mysteries of the Liveships and dragons, and discuss the powerful themes of freedom, identity, and legacy. Whether you’re a die-hard Hobb fan or a first-time traveler of the Rain Wilds, t...

In this episode of the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast, we take a spoiler-free journey into the gripping world of Max Brooks’ World War Z. Join us as we explore the unique format of the book, presented as an oral history of the global zombie apocalypse, and discuss the major themes of survival, resilience, and global cooperation. We’ll share our impressions of how this realistic take on a zombie outbreak stands out within the genre...

In this autumnal episode of Friends Talking Fantasy, Charles and Dylan dive into the perfect books to get you into those fall vibes. From spooky horrors to cozy fantasies, they explore the themes, settings, and characters that best capture the essence of the season. Whether you’re looking for eerie tales like Christopher Buehlman’s The Black Tongue Thief, a chilling Dracula retelling in A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson...

We chat with Adam Bassett, UX/UI designer for Campfire and author of the recently released cyberpunk short story collection, Digital Extremities. Adam shares his insights into crafting compelling maps for fantasy worlds, the art of writing cyberpunk stories set in vivid, small-town settings, and how Campfire’s suite of writing tools can enhance any writer’s creative process. 

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In this episode, author Christian (Miles) Cameron returns to the show to discuss his latest release, Deep Black, book two of Arcana Imperii. Join us as we delve into the world of his new book, exploring its intricate storytelling, gripping characters, and the dangers of caffeine withdrawal. We also get an inside look at Cameron’s writing process, his approach to worldbuilding, and the inspirations behind his work. 

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In the third episode of our deep dive into The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, we tackle chapters 11-15 with full spoilers for the entire Kingkiller Chronicle. Join us as we explore Kvothe’s journey from his time with the Edema Ruh to the devastating events that shape his future. We discuss key moments, character development, and the lore of Rothfuss' world. Whether you're a long-time fan or reading along with us, this episod...

Set sail with us as we dive deep into Mad Ship, the second book in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders trilogy. We explore the rich, character-driven storylines, from the mysterious liveships to the complex family dynamics and political intrigue. With spoilers throughout, we’ll discuss key moments, the evolving relationships, and the emotional highs and lows that make this epic fantasy one of Hobb's most beloved works. If you're ready to...

Between the two of us, we’ve managed to rack up 13 unspent Audible credits—time to fix that! In this episode, we dive into social media recommendations for top fantasy audiobooks to see how many credits we can spend. From epic sagas to immersive worlds, we’re on the hunt for the best listens. Tune in for some great recommendations and help us put these credits to good use!

Perfect for fantasy fans with credits to burn or anyone loo...

We're diving back into the world of "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss, with a full spoiler discussion on The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Join us as we explore Kvothe's early days on the road, his first encounters with Abenthy, and the pivotal moments that begin to shape his journey. We'll be unpacking every detail, from character motivations to world-building intricacies. Full spoilers for the entire Kingkiller Chronicle ...

Get ready to fill out your 2024 r/Fantasy Book Bingo card with our top fantasy book recommendations for each square! In this episode, we break down the categories and suggest the perfect reads to help you conquer this year's challenge. Whether you're looking for something new or want to revisit a classic, we've got you covered. Tune in, and don't forget to check out r/Fantasy for more details on the bingo challenge and to join the ...

We're diving deep into book 1 of The Kingkiller Chronicle - The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss with a spoiler-filled discussion covering the prologue through chapter 5. Join us as we explore the intricacies of Kvothe's early life, the rich world-building, and the narrative techniques that make this series a fantasy masterpiece. Be prepared for a detailed analysis as we connect the dots across the entire Kingkiller Chronicle!

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In this episode, the Friends go deep into the intricacies of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, discussing all the twists, turns, and secrets of this richly crafted novel. Charles and Dylan break down the most impactful moments, analyze character arcs, and explore the deeper themes that make this book a standout in Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. If you've read the book and are ready to join a thorough and spoiler-f...

In this episode, the Friends dive into the vibrant and imaginative world of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, all without giving away any spoilers. Charles and Dylan share their first impressions of this standalone novel, exploring its unique blend of magic, art, and character-driven storytelling. Whether you're a long-time fan of Sanderson or new to his work, this episode offers a thoughtful and spoiler-free loo...