PODCAST · arts
Is This Just Fantasy?
by Is This Just Fantasy?
The book club where we review all things fantasy! Join Duncan and Geordie as they embark on a quest to track the breadth and history of the fantasy genre, one epic at the time.Whether you're a fan of book-stopper tomes like Duncan, or lighter YA fantasy like Geordie, we want you to read-along with us. Episodes are released every two weeks, giving you enough to read the book (or skim the synopsis if you're just here for the banter.)
Episodes
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Blood Over Brighthaven
Just when the world they thought they were dead, they returned!! After some.... let's call them extenuating circumstances... the review of Blood Over Brighthaven will at last see the light of day. And what a review! You've got analysis of social commentary, you've got debate around excellent…
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The Well of Ascension
After a brief break, Duncan and Geordie are back to continue their journey into deciding that this Sanderson guy is actually pretty good at writing books. Huh? The Well of Ascension carries on the plot begun in Mistborn: The Final Empire, plunging it from the world of revolution into one of...
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Malazan: Gardens of the Moon
Geordie has been banished to Spain for being mean to Steven Erikson. Whilst Duncan defends one of the most seminal, if controversial, modern additions to epic fantasy: 'Gardens of the Moon' the first book in Malazan: Book of the Fallen. Like the show? Follow us on Insta…
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The Odyssey - (Emily Wilson)
For this year's annual Troy book (only slightly too late for the release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation) the fellas get together to read The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson, a woman who hates Nolan's film more than Duncan hates 'The Sheepfarmer's Daughter,' or more than Geordie hates...
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Arthur High King of Britain
Finally Duncan gets to tell the story of King Arthur and his knights in the way he remembers it, in a classic, mostly faithful retelling by beloved children's author and horse terrorizer Michael Morpurgo. This time there's less bigotry and more lengthy explanations by Geordie about his favourite...
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Ranking our Top 100 Books!
Pop the champagne, its time for the long awaited Top 100 Is This Just Fantasy Top 100 ranking spectacular, where Geordie and Duncan revisit and review all 100 novels they've read over the past four years, and finally determine the definitive greatest fantasy novel of all time. Some times the...
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Peter Pan
To celebrate their 100th(ish) book covered on the podcast, Geordie has selected one of the all time greats. A story which defines fantasy in many ways: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. Listen as Duncan and Geordie make a bet, Duncan explains his radical Moorcockian theories of the Hook-Pan cycle…
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The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
This time the fellas embark on a contraversial journey as they reckon with one of the most acclaimed modern Sci-Fi and Fantasy novelists, N.K. Jemison, but not about how seminal work: The Broken Earth trilogy. Instead they take a look at her debut and examine where she first showed promise, and…
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Legendborn
As their 100-book special looms ever closer, Geordie takes them back to a book which he meant to bring on the podcast about five years ago, a book which some weirdly personal connections. Its like if the Shadowhunter books were really good! And about King Arthur! And set at Geordie's Alma Mater!...
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Throne of Glass
After enduring some completely preventable recording issues, Duncan and Geordie are back, counting down the last couple of books before their 100th! This time they are joined by Bookstagrammer Kellie Greene (@theportsmouth_pageturner) to return to the world of sexy fae with Sarah J. Maas' debut,...
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The Lies of Locke Lamora
This episode Duncan and Geordie take a look a darling of the type of nerds who, if you say your favourite books are Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, and Ice Breaker, will tell you to read The Blade Itself - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Duncan takes Geordie through the Gentlemen Bastards...
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From Blood and Ash
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if Edward Cullen wasn't Mormon, or Xaden Riarson didn't have #believewomen in his Tinder profile? Then this is the episode for you, as Duncan and Geordie cover From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout. They discuss a parade of bizarre and…
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Mistborn: The Final Empire
A divisive episode. Duncan declares victory as Geordie is forced to hand in his membership to the 'pretencious nerd who doesn't like Brandon Sanderson books' club, because this one is a corker. They cover Mistborn: The Final Empire, covering its excellent twists and implemenation of magic, its...
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Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World
At long last, the fellas cover one of the big daddies of epic fantasy. For Duncan its a return to an old-favourite, whilst Geordie experiences it for the first time. They discuss the start of Robert Jordan's saga: 'The Eye of the World.' Geordie wrestles with explaining how a book can be boring...
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Legend of the Condor Heroes: A Hero Born
Consumer warning: this episode contains no Condors. But it does contain an in-depth review of one of the most influencial yet unknown books the fellas have covered on the podcast, the first part of Jin Yong's Legend of the Condor Heroes - "the Chinese Lord of the Rings." They cover the…
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A Look Back at 2025: Our Best and Worst Books of the Year
Ah, 2025. An impossibly long and packed year which just flew by. In their annual tradition, Duncan and Geordie take a look back at a year full of ambitious pulls, many surprises, and a couple of truly dire low-points (in terms of books, the podcast is obviously better than ever)! They take a look...
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Krampus: The Yule Lord
Merry Christmas and Good Yule! You must've been good this year because Santa Claus is delivering you the annual Is This Just Fantasy Christmas episode (and if you haven't, lock your doors. Krampus is coming.) This year the fellas cover Krampus: The Yule Lord by writer/artist Brom. This episode:...
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Bonus: Which Fantasy Badass Can Help Us Survive a Horror Movie?
Don't ask: 'who's the biggest badass in fantasy?' Only fools ask that question. The real question is: 'how do you measure badassitude?' For years, nobody could answer this enigma. But finally, after months of tireless study and experimentation, Geordie has found it: an empiral, scientific system...
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Empire of the Dawn
Its over at last. One of the most anticipated conclusions in history of the podcast. The fellas read and review Empire of the Dawn, the conclusion of Jay Kristoff's Empire of the Vampire trilogy. There's so much to discuss as they cover: the controversial change in illustrators, the exciting...
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Fourth Wing
At long last. The fellas set out to explore the hottest title in the world of fantasy right now. Their most anticipated read since their Top 50 Books review, their most Dragon Riders of Perny book since Dragonriders of Pern, and their horniest by far since The Eye of Argon. They cover: the steamy...
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Thirteen Storeys
The fellas wrap up their spooky month with the last halloween special, washing the taste of the Woman in Black out of their brains with an amazing collection of ghost stories, written by the creator of The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims. They reflect on the impressive change in mediums, as well…
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Berserk: Falconia
Some traditions never get old. Once again Duncan and Geordie return to the dark world of Berserk to wrap up its incredibly named Millenium Falcon Arc with Falconia. Its one of Geordie's favourite and least favourite parts of the series, containing some of the best action ever depicted in fiction,...
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The Woman in Black
In the first part of their (somewhat delayed) Halloween Booooook Club, the fellas dive in to what is supposed to be one of the most iconic and scariest books in British horror: The Woman in Black.... and find it to be a massive disapointment. A dry, laughably unscary drag completely upstaged by...
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Paladin's Grace
Slather yourself in gingerbread and fail to solve a mystery, its time for Duncan and Geordie to cover 'Paladin's Grace' by T. Kingfisher. They discuss an excellent love story, and a real pallete cleanser from the hormonal teenage romantasies they've experienced up till now. Even if the political...
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Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: Ill Met in Lanhkmar
For the final time (and this time we mean it) the fellas are embarking on another sword and sorcery adventure with the introduction to Fritz Leiber's classic dynamic duo Fafhrd and Grey Mouser in 'Ill Met in Lankhmar.' The fellas rave about the story's humour and excitement and beautifully morbid...
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Red Sonja: Consumed
Can you ever really escape your fate? Not if Duncan has trapped you in a never ending cycle of sword and sorcery. Once again the fellas are going back to the Red Sonja well. Its the same author. Its the same character. Its... quite a few of the same plot beats as well, actually, but dumber this...
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Red Sonja: Queen of the Plagues
Is it Halloween already? No? Then how come the fellas are reading a comic book?! That's because this time, as preperation for the release of the new Red Sonja movie, Duncan has taken the fellas back to the Hyborian Age, with Red Sonja, written by comic book legend Gail Simone. Duncan leads the...
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Lord of the Silver Bow
Because for no obvious reason this has become tradition, its time for the annual Troy adaptation! (Which will they run out of first? Troy books, or fantasy novels set at Christmas?) Up till now those adaptations have mostly hinged on feminst reimaginings of the Illiad, and the commodification of...
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Dragonriders of Pern: Dragonflight
From Eragon to Book-Tok sensations about mormon super-soldiers, This is the book which started it all. Dragonflight brought readers to the Planet Pern for the first time in the 60s, and brought Geordie and Duncan to one of the earliest depictions of dragon riding in fantasy. And... it is not at…
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The Legend of Drizzt: Homeland
I promise, the guys do like this book! They just have a lot to say about it which sounds like complaining. This week Geordie returns to familiar hunting grounds, whilst Duncan sets of on a sojourn to parts unknown as they read the first (chronological) book in the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A....
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The Moomins: Finn Family Moomintroll
Its been a dark year and a series of serious, moody novels. So Duncan has gone and turned it around with the softest, fluffiest thing he could think of: The Moomins. Since all Geordie knows about these strange white hippo people is that weirdos on Twitter got really into them during the pandemic,...
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The Sheepfarmer's Daughter: The Deed of Paksenarrion
It was a gruelling forced march through this monster of a book. Geordie may have brought Elizabeth Moon's 1980s fantasy epic to the table, but can they stomach it? The fellas unpack an early depiction of a female fantasy heroine, in a faithful (perhaps too faithful) depiction of soldierly life by…
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John Carter: A Princess of Mars
The fellas are going way back for this one, all the way back to 1912. A bad year to be a cruise ship, but maybe a good year to be a fan of science fantasy adventures? They're reviewing perhaps one of the most influential books they've ever seen on the podcast. Before Howard, before Lovecraft and...
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The Last Graduate
We're back in the Scholomance! At long last Geordie ran out of patience waiting for Duncan to choose the sequel to Naomi Novik's Deadly Education and has forced his hand with a destiny token! They pick up their school supplies and see what on earth they can remember about a book series they began...
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Daughter of Smoke and Bone
In their second episode ever, the fellas reviewed Geordie's favourite book: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Now, years later, they are finally returning to see her most famous work: Daughter of Smoke and Bone. They discuss the transition between paranormal romances and modern romantasy,...
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The Riftwar Saga: Magician
Hoooo boy but was this a long one. The fellas set out to read Magician's Apprentice by Raymon E. Feist, but Geordie decided to go for extra-credit and read the entire book, including the second part Magician's Master. The fellas cover as much of the epic as they can, from its various strengths…
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Watership Down
After reading some pretty dark and gothic stuff at the start of the year, Geordie decided that they should take a comforting break and just read a book about nice fluffy bunnies. What could go wrong as they discuss Richard Adams' Watership Down. The fellas cover the surprising depth of language,...
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Bonesmith
Just how many times is the word 'Bone' said in this episode? Mathematicians are still trying to calculate. Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto might be the most YA book the two have ever read. But is it good? There's a lot of heady discussion in this one. The fellas cover: predictable plot threads, whip...
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The Black Company
It's the grandfather of the Grimdark genre, where Vietnam vets meet flying carpets, the Black Company. Duncan has already enjoyed the entire series, and is understandably nervous after Geordie's round rejection of The Straight Razor Cure that Geordie will lay into this classic as well. He should...
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Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure
For years Duncan has been biding his time. After The Gutter's Prayer threatened to tear the podcast apart from Geordie's vitriol, Duncan has once again summoned the courage to make him read a Noir Urban Fantasy Mystery novel in The Straight Razor Cure (also known as Low Town) by Daniel Polanski....
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The Witcher: The Last Wish
The fellas kick off their 3rd year of the podcast with a long awaited story. The Witcher: The Last Wish, by Andrzej Sapkowski. They cover its dark take on familiar fairy tales, how it compares to its many adaptations, misogyny, and accucastions of plagarism.
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A Look Back at 2024 - Our Top Books!
What a year, and what a closer. The fellas gather together to celebrate the year that has been and look forward to the one coming. As with every year, they're examining the highs and lows of all the books they've covered in 2024, and awarding books the following categories: The Biggest Surprise,...
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The Dallergut Dream Department Store
In their final episode of 2024, the fellas tackle their third, and perhaps final, tangentially-related Christmas book with Miye Lee's Dallergut Dream Department store. And despite the winter weather, things are heating up. With Duncan praising the book's easy, fluffy tone, and Geordie savaging…
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Priory of the Orange Tree
The long awaited and long delayed episode on Priory of the Orange Tree. Duncan and Geordie come together to discuss this modern fantasy classic by Samantha Shannon. But Duncan has a secret to share. This time he has fallen short on finishing this novel and Geordie is left to take him through the...
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Red Country
And so, as the year's end approaches, Duncan and Geordie put the wrap on Joe Abercrombie's second trilogy within his First Law series with Red Country. Its the fellas' first encounter with the Fantasy0-Western subgenre, But there are no wizards with sombreros here. Its a little Fist Full of...
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The story lost for a century - Bram Stoker's Gibbet Hill
Lost in a Dublin archive for 150 years, the fellas are excited to be among the first to read, rate and review it. Geordie recounts the amazing story of its discovery, as well as some of its.... slightly overenthusiastic scholarly appraisal. Duncan gives a slightly scathing takedown of both Gibbet...
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Even the Worm Will Turn
At long last, it's time for Duncan and Geordie to visit the book series from one of their favourite episodes, the sequel to The Worm and His Kings: Even the Worm Will Turn. Things gets quantum-ey and timey-wimeyesque as the fellas follow on from a book Geordie was astounded to discover has a...
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Berserk: Holy Evil War - Troll Arc
Following tradition, its time to kick off spooky season with our annual Berserk episode. Following on from The Conviction Arc the fellas head into the first part of The Millenium Falcon Arc: Holy Evil War Chapter, (vol. 22-27). Geordie introduces Duncan to new characters in what is probably the...
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The Heroes
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie was one of the fellas' all time favourite novels for the pod. Can its sequel, The Heroes, live up to its successes? Well to no one's surprise, it did. They discuss how much of the book can be enjoyed even with Geordie's limited knowledge of the series and...
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The Last Unicorn
By the advice of our lawyers and other sensible people, we do not endorse the "Is This Just Fantasy Last Unicorn Drinking Game," wherein players take a shot every time Duncan and Geordie describe this novel as "beautiful." You have been warned. Yes, in this episode the fellas visit a classic of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The book club where we review all things fantasy! Join Duncan and Geordie as they embark on a quest to track the breadth and history of the fantasy genre, one epic at the time.Whether you're a fan of book-stopper tomes like Duncan, or lighter YA fantasy like Geordie, we want you to read-along with us. Episodes are released every two weeks, giving you enough to read the book (or skim the synopsis if you're just here for the banter.)
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Is This Just Fantasy?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Is This Just Fantasy? have?
Is This Just Fantasy? currently has 125 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Is This Just Fantasy? about?
The book club where we review all things fantasy! Join Duncan and Geordie as they embark on a quest to track the breadth and history of the fantasy genre, one epic at the time.Whether you're a fan of book-stopper tomes like Duncan, or lighter YA fantasy like Geordie, we want you to read-along with...
How often does Is This Just Fantasy? release new episodes?
Is This Just Fantasy? publishes regularly with 125 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Is This Just Fantasy??
You can listen to Is This Just Fantasy? on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Is This Just Fantasy??
Is This Just Fantasy? is created and hosted by Is This Just Fantasy?.
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