PODCAST · tv
Tar Valon Or Bust
by Jenn Northington and Preeti Chhibber
Longtime fans Jenn and Preeti revisit the Wheel of Time series in preparation for the TV show’s launch, and dig into their personal connections with the books, how well they hold up, and what they think will make it to screen. Join them for two episodes a month, featuring recaps of the books and the show (eventually), interviews, recommendations, obsessing about Mat Cauthon, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections 6-8
In which Jenn is annoyed she can't remember what's going to happen next, Preeti has to be reminded of when we first met Ulfin, and there is much discussion of writing and misogyny. Next episode: The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections 9-11 inclusive Guinevere Trilogy by Persia Woolley...
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The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections 4-5
In which Preeti and Jenn talk about: how Merlin doth protest too much, about so many things; gender and Morgause; Jenn's deep need for more Mordred retellings; and more. Next episode: The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections 6-8 inclusive He's Just Some Guy (2027) - preorder now! Marvel...
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The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections 1-3
In which Jenn loses her mind over the first sentence of the book, Merlyn doesn't know how to handle achieving his goal, Preeti makes some very good points, and Mary Stewart takes us on a hell of a ride. DragonCon (this weekend!) He's Just Some Guy (2027) - preorder now! Marvel Unlimited: Realm...
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The Sword in the Stone
In which Jenn and Preeti "to and fro" from one thought to the next about Disney's 'The Sword in the Stone' and T.H. White's novel of the same name, and Jenn has her mind blown by the novel's publication history. Next episode, early September 2026: The Last Enchantment, Book 1: Dunpeldyr, Sections...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 3: The King, Sections 6 - Author's Note
In which Jenn and Preeti talk about martyr complexes vs. sidekick syndrome, Mary Stewart: Action Writer, how epic this last section is, and one hell of an Author's Note. For those reading the ebook version, which doesn't have the Author's Note, we've got a PDF for you complete with Preeti's…
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The Hollow Hills, Book 3: The King, Sections 1 - 5
In which Merlin realizes how bad he is at people, two times over, and we talk about pivotal moments in Arthurian lore, three generations of unacknowledged royal boys, and .... apples? Castiel (June) House of Harkness (July) DragonCon (September) Next episode: The King: Sections 6 - 11 inclusive…
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The Hollow Hills, Book 3: The Sword, Sections 5 - 9
In which Merlin is bad at people in several ways, we love Cador of Cornwall, and the atmospheric writing is off the chain. Castiel (June) House of Harkness (July) DragonCon (September) Next episode: The King: Sections 1 - 5 inclusive Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.com More…
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The Hollow Hills, Book 3: The Sword, Sections 1 - 4
In which there are several big discussions about Herms, class and its impact on publishing, anachronisms in historical fiction, and then the actual section -- which is very funny AND very foreboding all at once. Castiel (June) House of Harkness (July) DragonCon (September) Next episode: The…
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The Hollow Hills, Book 2: The Search, Sections 9 - 11
In which Preeti talks about ghosts, Jenn talks about layers, and they both cannot even with Stewart's linguistic stylings. In Your Spare Time - Ursula K. LeGuin, https://inyoursparetime.libsyn.com/ Castiel (June) House of Harkness (July) DragonCon (September) Next episode: The Sword: Sections 1-4...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 2: The Search, Sections 6 - 8
In which this very short section gives Jenn and Preeti so many feelings, especially about high fantasy and how Stewart does (and doesn't) write it. And horses! CASSIEL’S SERVANT by Jacqueline Carey Next episode: The Search: Sections 9-11 inclusive Get more of Brett Parnell's music at...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 2: The Search, Sections 1 - 5
In which Jenn and Preeti love this new, fancy-free Merlin, at least until things get EXTREMELY uncomfortable with Morgause. Next episode: The Search: Sections 6-8 inclusive Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.com More from Heeral Chhibber at heeral.org Get merch:...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 1: The Waiting, Sections 10 - 14
In between all the descriptions of trees and Arthur lustily wailing, there's some really interesting stuff -- song callbacks, Merlin's "gap year", Mary Stewart's version of known characters ... and then some real weird descriptions of women. Next episode: The Hollow Hills, Book 2: The Search,...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 1: The Waiting, Sections 5 - 9
In which not that much happens actually, despite a lot of build-up, and Jenn and Preeti talk about narrative and meta-narrative, anxiety and prophecy, and lots of interesting parallels. Next episode: The Hollow Hills, Book 1: The Waiting, Sections 10 - 14 Get more of Brett Parnell's music at...
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The Hollow Hills, Book 1: The Waiting, Sections 1 - 4
In which Preeti and Jenn return to the world of Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga, can't remember very much, are gob-smacked by how it starts, and have a lot of theories and questions. Also, big love for Ralf! Next episode: The Hollow Hills, Book 1: The Waiting, Sections 5 - 9 Get more of Brett...
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The Green Knight
In which Jenn and Preeti work their way through The Green Knight by David Lowery, starring Dev Patel, with sidebars into Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by The Gawain Poet! So many colors! So many vignettes! So many choices (or lack thereof!!!) Next episode, sometime in January 2026: The Hollow...
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King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
In which Preeti and Jenn revisit Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which is actually two different movies (one of which is actually a video game), and possibly the least "King Arthur" Arthurian movie ever created. Listen as they talk female characters, meta-narrative, folk songs in...
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The Crystal Cave, Book 5: The Coming of the Bear, Section 6 - The Legend of Merlin
In which Jenn and Preeti take back any nice things they ever said about Uther, have wildly different memories of this section, are gobsmacked by the fight but less enthused about the pages and pages of descriptions of wind, and talk a lot about word choice and authorial intent. Next episodes…
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The Crystal Cave, Book 5: The Coming of the Bear, Sections 1-5
In which Preeti and Jenn discuss Merlin's (lack of) interiority, Mary Stewart's stylistic and mythological choices, and the Absolute Unit that is Ygraine. Next episode: Book V, The Coming of the Bear, Section 6 - The Legend of Merlin Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.com More…
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The Crystal Cave, Book 4: The Red Dragon, Sections 6-10
In which Jenn and Preeti talk about emotional disconnection, historical infodumps, Big Feelings about Ambrosius and Merlin, and quests. Next episode: Book V, The Coming of the Bear: Sections 1-5 Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.com More from Heeral Chhibber at heeral.org Get...
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The Crystal Cave, Book 4: The Red Dragon, Sections 1-5
In which Preeti and Jenn discuss timeline wibbly-wobbliness, Merlin's misogyny, #JusticeForNiniane, and the only moment in which they sort of liked Uther. Next episode: Book IV, The Red Dragon: Sections 6-10 Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.com More from Heeral Chhibber at...
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The Crystal Cave, Book 3: The Wolf, Sections 7-12
In which the big question is, who is this scared Merlin and what happened to his assurance? Preeti and Jenn debate authorial intent vs. impact, possible theories, the Saxon perspective, and also wow what a banger of a section. Next episode: Book IV, The Red Dragon: Sections 1-5 The Shieldwall…
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The Crystal Cave, Book 3: The Wolf, Sections 1-6
In which Preeti and Jenn spend an hour talking about 35 pages of text, because that's how they roll. Unreliable narrators, historical timelines, Parks and Rec comparisons, the works! But hey, at least it was only one recording session. Next section: Book III: The Wolf, Sections 7-12 inclusive Get...
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The Crystal Cave, Book 2: The Falcon
Get ready, y'all! Three recording sessions later, Preeti and Jenn dive THE DEEPEST into The Falcon. Join them for parallel characters, big revelations, druids, and all the ugh to Uther. Next section: Book III: The Wolf, Sections 1-6 inclusive Dhonielle Clayton's The Belles British officers and...
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The Crystal Cave, Prologue through Book I: The Dove
In this extra-long episode, Preeti and Jenn dig into the language, atmosphere, and voice of The Crystal Cage: Prologue - Book I: The Dove. (We will fight you for baby Merlin!!!!!) Hild and Menewood, Nicola Griffith The story of Dinas Emrys and the two dragons (Help Jenn find the audio cassette…
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Preeti, Jenn, and Mary (Rainbow) Stewart's Arthurian Saga
As they prepare to dive into their next reread, Preeti and Jenn talk about Mary Stewart as a writer, their personal history with her Arthurian Saga, and what they're expecting, excited for, and nervous about. Next episode: Prologue - Book 1: The Dove Nicola Griffith, Hild / Menewood Get more of...
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The Wheel of Time Reread Wrap-Up
Preeti and Jenn recorded live with Patrons for a special retrospective, WoT readalikes, and Q&A! Read-Alikes: Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu Between Earth and Sky series by Rebecca Roanhorse Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin (and then everything else) The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey Dead…
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Music in the Wheel of Time, with Bryan Dunn
A very special bonus episode! Jenn and musician Bryan Dunn reunite to nerd out over music in fantasy adaptations, from The Hills of Tanchico and Sing of Manetheren to songs from the Witcher, Game of Thrones, and Lord of the Rings; Bryan has two very excellent theories, involving Beyoncé and...
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 38 - Epilogue
It's the end?!!! Well, an end. Join Preeti and Jenn for a very extended discussion on their feelings about how things get wrapped up, what they were very wrong about just one episode ago, and for what comes next for Tar Valon or Bust. Spoiler alert: There is more! Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge…
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The Wheel of Time S3 E8: He Who Comes with the Dawn
Join Preeti and Jenn as they discuss this absolute JAW-DROPPER of a finale (also can someone please let us know when Season 4 is confirmed, and can that be AS SOON AS POSSIBLE). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A Memory of Light, Chapter 37 (The Second Half-Ish)
FEELINGS. JUST NONSTOP FEELINGS, Y'ALL. Next episode: Chapters 38 - Epilogue, airing (probably) next week. Bryan Dunn's album Zapgun! [Bandcamp] Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! Merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.com [new designs available!]...
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The Wheel of Time S3 E7: Goldeneyes
In which Preeti and Jenn have SO MANY FEELINGS about Perrin and his greatly accelerated, wildly changing (!?) storyline, plus some speculation about character changes for Dain and Galad, Lord Luc, and Loial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Wheel of Time S3 E6: The Shadow in the Night
In which Preeti and Jenn theorize about Liandrin's plot arc, are extremely creeped out by Moghedien, can't get enough of Mat and Thom, still love Rand, and are mildly confused by Sammael. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Wheel of Time S3 E5: Tel'Aran'Rhiod
The hits keep on coming! Jenn and Preeti talk about how delighted they are with Lan and Moiraine, Egwene and the Wise Ones, Perrin and Faile ... basically everything except the White Tower shenanigans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A Memory of Light, Chapter 37 (The First Half-Ish)
In which Preeti talks about ugly crying multiple times, Jenn confesses some feelings about wizard battles, Tragic Flaws are examined, and somehow that's only half of this chapter. Next episode: The second half-ish of Chapter 37 Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! Merch:...
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The Wheel of Time S3 E4: The Road to the Spear
Preeti and Jenn are VERY INTO this episode, and also have so many feelings about how intense it is. Rhuidean, y'all!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Wheel of Time S3 E3: Seeds of Shadow
Jenn and Preeti talk about how refreshing it is to have real motivations for villains and Perrin actually getting to develop as a character, disagree about Elaida (in more than one way), are concerned about Min, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Wheel of Time S3 E2: A Question of Crimson
Episode 2 continues with the shockers; Jenn feels like this is a much darker Morgase, everyone gets to be an Accepted, who needs Tear when you can have the Waste and Two Rivers already, and both Jenn and Preeti are SO EXCITED for Egwene to meet Bair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…
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The Wheel of Time S3 E1: To Race the Shadow
This new season starts off with a bang (litrully!), and Preeti and Jenn talk about some big changes to plot, some great character work, some dubious wigs, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 31 - 36
What a ride -- Preeti and Jenn suddenly care about Olver (!!?!?!), are very frustrated about Perrin, have their heart broken by Ituralde and Galad, and Rand is fighting The Nothing. Next section, airing next week: Chapter 37, up through the line which includes "Through a gateway, off the...
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 25 - 30
Battles! Reveals! More battles! Sanderson makes it weird! Preeti and Jenn have, as per usual, talk about what falls flat (not the same for them, actually) and what works well in this uneven banger of a section. Next section (airing in 1 week): Chapters 31 - 36 Our updated recording plan: Book...
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 17 - 24
In which Preeti and Jenn give an update about episode drops for both book and show in the next month, talk about closing open loops, hate on Gawyn as usual, and have ALL THE FEELINGS about certain reunion/parting moments. Next episode: Chapters 25 - 30 Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out…
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 10 - 16
In this humdinger of a section, Preeti and Jenn talk pay-offs (Androl!), character moments (Rand!!), frustrations (Mat and Tuon!!! Battle scenes!!!!) and more. Next section: Chapters 17 - 24 inclusive Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! Love Y'All Fest Atlanta Merch:...
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A Memory of Light: Chapters 4 - 9
In which Preeti and Jenn talk (again) about pacing, some very good POV choices, character arcs, and still love Pevara and Androl but have some frustrations with their escapades. Next section: Chapters 10 - 16 inclusive Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch:...
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A Memory of Light: Prologue - Chapter 3
In which Preeti and Jenn are shipping Pevara and Androl and also continue to have structural questions and issues but what else is new. Next episode: A Memory of Light, Chapters 4 - 9 inclusive Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch:...
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Towers of Midnight: Chapters 52 - Epilogue
In which Preeti and Jenn are not sold on some structural choices (SURPRISE), are very stressed out for Rand, and have a new favorite POV character even though this is the second to last book, what even!!! Next episode: A Memory of Light, Prologue - Chapter 3 inclusive Payal Mehta's Romance…
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Towers of Midnight: Chapters 44 - 51
In which Jenn and Preeti have fewer pacing problems because SO MUCH IS HAPPENINGGGGGG! They still have questions, though (as always). Next section: Chapters 52 - end of the book (!) Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and...
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The Wheel of Time Season 3: Teaser
The Season 3 teaser is here, and Jenn and Preeti talk their way through (and around, and over, and under, and maybe somewhat to the side on an entirely different road) it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Towers of Midnight: Chapters 35-43
In this rollercoaster of a section, Jenn and Preeti talk about pacing, big pay-offs, anti-climaxes, secret plans, and how wrong they were about certain things. Next section: Chapters 44-51 Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch…
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The Towers of Midnight: Chapters 28-34
In which we REALLY love some things (and not-so-much others), Jenn eats her words about Perrin's trial, and Mat is freaking epic. Next episode: Chapters 35-43 Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and...
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Towers of Midnight: Chapters 22- 27
In which Preeti and Jenn discuss continued pacing issues with Perrin, whether or not Rand has become a Disney princess, and, above all else, the Trakands making Very Bad Choices. Next episode: Chapters 28 - 34 Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out now! House of Harkness Merch:...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Longtime fans Jenn and Preeti revisit the Wheel of Time series in preparation for the TV show’s launch, and dig into their personal connections with the books, how well they hold up, and what they think will make it to screen. Join them for two episodes a month, featuring recaps of the books and the show (eventually), interviews, recommendations, obsessing about Mat Cauthon, and more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Jenn Northington and Preeti Chhibber
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tar Valon Or Bust have?
Tar Valon Or Bust currently has 163 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Tar Valon Or Bust about?
Longtime fans Jenn and Preeti revisit the Wheel of Time series in preparation for the TV show’s launch, and dig into their personal connections with the books, how well they hold up, and what they think will make it to screen. Join them for two episodes a month, featuring recaps of the books and...
How often does Tar Valon Or Bust release new episodes?
Tar Valon Or Bust publishes regularly with 163 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Tar Valon Or Bust?
You can listen to Tar Valon Or Bust 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 Tar Valon Or Bust?
Tar Valon Or Bust is created and hosted by Jenn Northington and Preeti Chhibber.
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