38: Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame (w/ Fictional Tiff) episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 30, 2025 · 1H 3M

38: Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame (w/ Fictional Tiff)

from Shit We've Read · host Laura Benson, Jason Rico, Brittney Wong, Bella Romero, and Emma Skies

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang, a queer, Asian-inspired fantasy novella about a renowned dragon slayer who never takes their armor off in public. Joining us for this discussion of identity, duty, and the power of love is multi-hyphenate guest host Fictional Tiff—musician, queer activist, and leader of the Sacramento Silent Book Club. Listen as we celebrate the queer-normative worldbuilding and how it allows for exploration of personal identity, Laura draws parallels between the book and blind religious devotion, and Tiff shares why sometimes friendship means saying, “I love you, but you suck.” Plus, find out which of us is hoping for a sequel full of dragon smut.   Guest Host:Fictional Tiff is a book blogger turned many things over the years. From heading up the Sacramento Silent Book Club to being a musician, gogo dancer, queer activist, weightlifter, and writer. She keeps her mind busy and shines bright and loud for her community. Reading books is what set Tiff on the course to being passionate about so many things, and she owes them her life. So ask her what she’s currently reading and be prepared for nonstop chatter. You can find her on Instagram @fictionaltiff and listen to her music on Spotify here.   Buy the Book!Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise Outdrawn by Deanna Grey We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid Death’s Country

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38: Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame (w/ Fictional Tiff)

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