Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast

Set sail with us in this Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast episode as we dive deep into Scott Lynch’s Red Seas Under Red Skies, book two of the Gentleman Bastard series. ⚔️

Charles (first-time reader) and Dylan (returning with fresh eyes) unpack Lynch’s brilliant storytelling, Locke & Jean’s evolving friendship, and the themes of trust, betrayal, and sacrifice.

Charles returns from paternity leave and rejoins Dylan for a jam-packed episode of the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast! 

In this catch-up session, The Friends discuss:  • Charles’ first months as a new parent and how audiobooks fueled his reading (12+ books in 3 months!)   • Their thoughts on Legends & Lattes and how cozy fantasy surprised them both   • Reactions to Red Seas Under Red Skies and why Locke & Jean finally cli...

Hey friends, quick announcement! We just dropped a special YouTube-exclusive episode of Friends Talking Fantasy where we reveal the cover of Whalesong by Miles Cameron to not just to the world, but to Miles (Christian) himself! That's right, we had the honor of showing the author his brand-new cover for the first time and capture his live reaction.

This was such a big event that Charles made a return for this one! We got him to s...

I (Dylan) had the pleasure of welcoming Spencer from The Fantasy Files Podcast to the show. Spencer came prepared with a treasure trove of hidden gem fantasy recommendations, digging deep into the genre’s overlooked corners to spotlight books and authors that deserve more attention.

Spencer left me excited to read some books that I had never even heard of before, and I’m sure you’ll be feeling the same way after this episode! We’r...

In this special episode, Dylan is joined by Stephen from the Fantology Podcast for an epic deep dive into his favorite fantasy books and authors! Stephen shares his personal tier list, walking us through the writers who have shaped his love for the genre—from all-time legends to underrated gems.

Whether you're new to fantasy or a longtime fan looking for your next great read, you’ll come away with a list of compelling recommenda...

With Charles out on paternity leave (congrats, Charles!), Dylan takes a crack at doing a full solo episode of Friends Talking Fantasy.

Dylan provides some early thoughts on Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils (spoiler: it’s really good), reflects on what it's like to reread Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, and talks to himself about how The Will of the Many helped him break out of a reading slump.

Dylan also talks through some rec...

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. 

Support Adam Bassett

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. 

Support Christ...