Book Two is Better

Send us Fan MailChapters: Whole book, it's short. The Fall is a novella best known as the prequel to Ryan Cahill's Of Blood and Flames and second-best known (by psychopaths) as the sequel to the exact same novel. We've chosen to be adherents to the Svidarya path, and hot damn is it paying off. This book is a genuine banger -- Four POVs, four tragedies, and zero farm boys preparing for a quaint harvest festival. We've got Auntie Alvira, a goon squad of Achyron Knights, a dragon egg rescue mission, and Eltuar, the most suggestible man in all of Epheria, who committed genocide for reasons he absolutely has not thought through. We can't wait to see what Cahill is cooking next. Follow along, and please send us any suggestions at [email protected]! 

Send us Fan MailCh. 20 - End. This is a handsome book -- and even more so after a few shots of wyrm blood. Our new dragon papa is fighting fades, traversing tunnels, and ready to risk it all for a dwarven queen. This book is cozy fantasy, and it absolutely ROCKS. Send us a note as we continue our Cahill journey at [email protected] or on Reddit/Discord @booktwoisbetter! Thanks for listening! 

Send us Fan MailNew series alert! We'll be spending the next few months covering The Bound and The Broken by Ryan Cahill, kicking off with the Fellensír path and Of Blood and Fire. This episode covers Chapters 1-19. Get ready for hot chocolate in book form, because Cahill's world of swords, dragons, chosen ones, and elemental magic is a soothing, cozy balm for our eyes. We open with three buddies in a happy little village who will undoubtedly remain there for the rest of their lives. Just kidding -- by the end of part one, we're already wanted by the empire, fighting blood demons, and hatching dragons. This book rips, and I hope you join us for our coverage of the full series! Please send us a note at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter with any thoughts, suggestions, or feedback. 

Send us Fan MailWe're shaking it up and covering a book AND a movie! Amaze! Please join us for a fun between-seasons special of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We're breaking down our favorite science experiments, passionately defending Carl and #1 Pokemon Rocky, and joshing around with an Astrophage load of bull-puckey. We'll be back soon with a brand new series, The Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill! In the meantime, please send us any ideas, feedback, or notes at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailSOTF Finale: Part 3, Ch. LVIII - LXXX. Islington heard our metal triangle-shaped prayers (but not our publicity emails) and answered them with some hot hot heat for the finale of Strength of the Few! Vis (Wis, Human) refuses to be limited by his single POV and covers some serious ground in this section. He scales pyramids, becomes a bionic man, and decides to run for political office to represent a new electorate: ZOMBIES. We end the story with some serious cliffhangers. What kind of man is Ka? How long can exoskeleton legs really last? Is anyone ever truly dead in these books? We can't wait to RAFO for Book 3. Thanks for joining us in this journey, and please tune in for our next series coming up soon! As always, reach out at [email protected] and on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. <3 

Send us Fan MailSOTF Part 2, Ch. XXXI-LVII: Of Daddies and Danger Pulses. Would you rather watch Vis train dogs, perform a crocodile dance, or learn to blacksmith? Well, lucky for you, we get all three in this section. Vis is getting exponentially better at using Will - he can now jump the exact height of a fence! He also gets to cosplay as an assassin and a iunctus to round out his farmer and charioteer side quests from last episode. Fun fact: Vis has never killed anyone on Res! It doesn't count as murder if you make your dog do it. We're close to the end of the Hierarchy series, so please let us know your thoughts and if you have any recommendations for what we read next! Reach out at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. 

Send us Fan MailSOTF Part One, Ch. I-XXX. SYNCHRONISM HAS BEEN GAINED! WE MUST KILL A GOD! Will a series of ironclad NDA Silencii prevent the next Catacylsm? Will Vis stop adopting before he sucks off a transvect? Did he really just stab a guy for two months straight? When will worthy will wizard weirdos willingly wield willy-nilly wagon wheels? This book is crazy, and we love it. Thanks for following along on this adventure, and please drop us a line at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailFINALE - Part 3, Ch. 52-74. Crikey, do these rotting gods have it out for Vis! Our favorite boy Diago (human) has a ripper of an aquatic romance with the baddie Emissa on his totally normal Spring Break visit to Suus -- but, before the book lets us enjoy our Fourth Wing schoolyard fling and learn the rules of Foundation, we're straight back to the Hunger Games. Vis and his phantom thieves are off to steal the Heart of Jovan! He takes a quick detour to run the labyrinth, clone himself into multiple dimensions, and visit his favorite puppy. It's time for a final showdown! Islington kills off most of the non-critical characters, gives Vis super powers, and leaves us wondering how Vis's tutors expertly prepared him to navigate synchronism in Book 2. Hit us up with your thoughts at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. 

Send us Fan MailPart 2, Ch. 25-51. Vek, it's hard being the smartest kid in class. Didn't everyone else have a team of elite tutors during their princely training? I bet that they don't even have a pet Alupi. I wish all of these hot upperclass girls would stop bothering me with their flirting -- I don't have time for dalliances. I'm on a mission. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I know that my fake mom will be really mad at me if I don't open the secret space-time portal before graduation! Hit us up with all of your hate mail and fan mail at [email protected] and on Reddit @booktwoisbetter!

Send us Fan MailWill of the Many Part One: Ch I - XXIV. WOTM discussion starts 7:31z Did you think we'd take another two-year break from the podcast? Well, screw you dad, because we're proving the haters wrong and we are SO BACK. After a full year of Hadrian, we needed even more glazing for the Roman Empire. We're jumping straight into the Hierarchy series and the tropeopolis of Islington. Follow along as the world's most overachieving 17-year-old, Vis, punches his way through the pyramid scheme of the Catenan Empire. Will he beat the colonizers with his chess skills? His oh-so-subtle social manipulation tactics? Or his ability to navigate the not-suspicious-at-all magic crystal labyrinth of the Academy? Vek, this is exciting! As always, send us a line at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter with any thoughts, questions, or suggestions! Thanks for listening! 

Send us Fan MailChapters 67-End. Dear listener, we have been on a journey together. From Delos to Vorgossos, from Jinan to Selene, and from Hadrian's POV to Hadrian's POV -- thank you for listening to us babble on for this entire year of Ruocchio. Despite our grumpiness at times, we've loved every minute of it -- and are so thankful for all of the notes and kind words!Welcome to the finale of the Sun Eater universe. Will Hadrian blow up the sun he promised us in Book 1? Yes. Is he a good man? Ehhhhhhhh? Was Orphan our favorite character, and was given a death just slightly more unfair than Gilliam Vas (RIP)? Absolutely. What a banger of an ending. We'll likely be taking a short break for the holidays, and then will be back with the Hierarchy series by James Islington. As always, reach out with thoughts, praise, and criticism to [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailChapter 46-67. In this episode of "Raising Darathama," Hadrian comes face-to-face with the products of his incredible ability to be unlikeable. After sending a warning shot (a.k.a. blowing up 36 people and a full planet), Had attempts some classic politicking - highmatter chopping a table in half, insulting the Chantry and their mothers, and prostyletizing Jewish doctors. Alexander (worst guy ever) springs a trap, and Hadrian hits full 5-star GTA status as the empire's #1 most wanted. We get an epic A.I. and knife missile battle, Hadrian relentlessly aura farming, and a "kiss the cancer ring" WWE smackdown from William himself. Finally, we have a beautiful wedding scene in the most romantic place in the galaxy -- the bunker where all of the Palatine magic happens. Good god, a lot happens in this book. We're on to the last episode of the Sun Eater series!! Let us know what you think of us and of the book at [email protected] and on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. Thanks for all of your support! 

Send us Fan MailChapters 23-46. I SHALL BECOME A GOD (remix). Hadrian and his merry band of misfits are off to nuke some Cielcin worldships, but they get sidetracked by 3,000 gingers. We get a preview of why you don't want to fight a Watcher in hand-to-hand combat, a whole ship-load of demonic possession, and a poignant and not gross birth scene. Come listen to us beclown ourselves as we count down to the death of the sun we've all been waiting for. Let us know what you want us to talk about at [email protected] and on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailCh 1-22. Book seven is always better, baby. Are you ready for the ultimate lore corner? Hadrian aura farming? Space Jesus jihad? 'Tis the finale of this series, and I shudder to think about what we are going to do without it. Join us on the conclusion of this epic adventure.We'll be covering SUT in 4 parts, releasing each in a pretty quick turnaround so that you can read along with us. Send us a note with anything you want us to cover at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailMEGA EPISODE - Ch. 28-End. Hadrian is dead. Hadrian meets God. Will Hadrian kill God? Hadrian is Space Jesus. Calen is Kharn and also naked and also there are a thousand of him. Valka's not dead! Valka's dead. Everyone is dead. Featuring: the new best character in the series, Orphan. We're about to embark on our read of Shadows Upon Time! New episodes will drop as the book is published. Please let us know what you want us to talk about at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. Thanks, everyone! 

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-27. Get ready for some Ruocchio glazing, because we actually like this book! Is paternal Hadrian the best Hadrian? Is his Jaddian rebound actually going to be a hot angel/demon/goddess? Will the bird boiz be jealous of Hadrian's Cielcin fan club? Come hang out with us as we grapple with these existential questions and navigate a lore corner that is quickly transitioning into a lore palace. Keep the comments and questions coming at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! They keep us happy and fulfilled. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 25 - End! A poet prince, an alien birth, a tragic death, and the slap heard around the world -- this section has it all. Hadrian is captured, escapes, gets thrown in jail again, escapes again, and -- wait, which book is this? Also, we got an ARC for Book 7! Tune in for more announcements about what's next in our Sun Eater journey. Thank you all for listening and supporting! Drop us a line at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-24. We're folding space like crazy to catch up to the Book 7 release date so that we can bring you our live reactions! In this section, we get some actual side character development, a very personal battle with PTSD (can someone please give Hadrian a hug?), and a budget iron rain on a secret MINOS space base. Also, join us for a very special LORE CORNER as we learn all of the dirty little secrets the Emperor has been hiding! Hit us up at [email protected], or please like Avery's memes when we post on Reddit @booktwoisbetter.

Send us Fan MailChapters 36-End! I hope you like our new bit -- Sun Eater Blunt Rotation. Thank you for putting up with our banter - and as a reward, you get to listen to us break down the tragic ending of the Tamerlane, the most metal side character deaths ever written, and Hadrian and Valka escaping by the skin of their teeth. Can one malnourished man defeat 1700 Cielcin clans with only one working arm and an ayahuasca vision? Yes. Thanks for listening and for all of your kind notes! Reach out to us anytime at [email protected] or @booktwoisbetter on Reddit. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 20-35. Choose one -- a) 100 pages of torture, or b) fantasy authors as modern rock bands. We kinda chose option B in this episode, since that seemed a whole lot more fun to talk about -- sorry to you plot-loving nerds out there! In any case, this pivotal section of Hadrian lore covers the rock bottom for Hadrian (and the action is finger lickin' good), arrival on the planet EWWWWWW, and some major reveals about Cielcin and MINOS culture. Keep your comments and suggestions coming! Hit us up at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-19. We're back, baby! Hadrian is back, too, with a lightsaber in one hand and the multiverse in the other. We're slashing Cielcin, shmoozing emperors, and ABSOLUTELY HATING COMMUNISTS. If you think the U.S.S.R. is old news and capitalism is king, you will love this section. As always, send us a note with your thoughts or suggestions at [email protected] or @booktwoisbetter on Reddit! Thanks for listening! 

Send us Fan MailChapter 58 - End. How could you possibly end a book that spans 500+ years of our dear Hadrian's life? With the space version of the battle of Helm's Deep, that's how. After meeting the future (good?) Gods of the Universe, the Quiet, Hadrian goes from Halfmortal to fully Immortal and whoops some Cielcin ass at the battle of Berenike. After a standoff with Dorayaica himself, Hadrian cements his status as both a living legend and a threat to the empire. Can't wait for Book 4. As always, hit us up at [email protected] or on Reddit @booktwoisbetter! 

Send us Fan MailChapters 30-57. Season Three of "Reincarnated as the Last Hope of Humanity, but Honestly I Just Wanted to Finish My Book," the anime returns with Hadrian expanding his harem once again. It's not cheating if you put your girlfriend on ice, right? Assassins abound, inquisitors inquire, and Hadrian Hadrians himself through an epic lightsaber battle in the Colosso. Finally, we get the library arc that we've all been asking for - and the epic return of GIBSOOOOOOON. As always, please shoot us a note at [email protected] or DM us on reddit @booktwoisbetter with anything that's on your mind! Thanks for listening! 

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-29. It's 300 years in the future, and everyone is HOT. Hadrian is a Knight of the Round Table now, and his Emperor gives him an impossible quest -- babysit his son. And rescue a missing ship, and go fight more Cielcin, and save the galaxy - blah blah blah. Can Hadrian, the Red Company, and a thousand warrior birds defeat the Cielcin General Greivous? Is this only part one of the book?! As always, reach out to us with any comments or suggestions on Reddit @BookTwoIsBetter or via email at [email protected]. Ring that bell. Send it to a friend. 

Send us Fan MailIn which: the kind of mice of Redwall fight a Portuguese searat, and Travis fights a 4.5 hour jam set from Goose at MSG. Goose review starts at 1:05:05.Connect with us on reddit @BookTwoisBetter and via snail mail at [email protected].

Send us Fan MailChapters 50 - End. Hobo arc > prison arc > Christ arc (?). Join us for the EXPLOSIVE finale to book 2 of Suneater, in which we learn that men are bad but tigers are worse. Reach us on Reddit @BookTwoIsBetter or via email at [email protected] with rapturous praise or damning criticism. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 24-49. Straight to space jail! That's the fate that awaits our fearless protagonist, Hadrian, as he manages to find his way into captivity at every point of his exploration of Vorgossos. This section is jam-packed with wild world-building, including the introduction of thousand-eyed Kharn Sagara, a cloning facility, creepy chimeras, and a primordial AI being. Ultimately, this section ends with BETRAYAL -- and the return of Hadrian's mortal enemy. As always, send us a note @BookTwoIsBetter on Reddit or [email protected] with any love, hate, or suggestions! Thanks, y'all!

Send us Fan MailWe made it to Book Two! We're covering Chapters 1-23 of Howling Dark, Book Two of the Sun Eater series. Time skip, baby! Hadrian and his harem are off on a space journey to find the fabled planet of Vorgossos. This section is full of new misadventures, from a painted man and his robot army to a lightsaber duel to a smuggler who eradicated the AIDS-3 epidemic. We also mourn the loss of WOT and play a little "who wrote it" game. As always, send us a note @BookTwoIsBetter on Reddit or [email protected] with any love, hate, or suggestions! Thanks, y'all!

Send us Fan MailChapters 61 to the end of Empire of Silence, Book One of the Sun Eater Series. Plus -- a bonus review of Season Three of Wheel of Time (RIP). In this thrill-a-minute section, Hadrian slays the Hunchback of Notre Dame (justice for Gill), refuses to marry Count Mataro's hot daughter and take over a planet, and meets a samurai with a lightsaber. Listen along as we figure out why an unarmed teenager is allowed to take over a military operation and whether Hadrian's unbelievable streak of luck will continue! Send us a DM on Reddit @BookTwoIsBetter or an email at [email protected] with any love, hate, or suggestions!

Send us Fan MailChapters 32-60 of Empire of Silence, Book One of the Sun Eater series. If you love pocket sand, a motley crew of misfit gladiators, and mysterious alien ruins, this is absolutely the book for you. Follow along as we try to figure out how old Hadrian is, how much a spaceship really costs, and why aliens are way cooler than humans. Check us out on Reddit and Twitter @BookTwoIsBetter, or send us a note of feedback at [email protected]. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-31 of Empire of Silence, Book One of the Sun Eater series. What happens when you combine teenage angst with a space opera? You get Hadrian, our protagonist and philosophizing teenager, rebelling against his family and the Chantry. Join us as we learn about Hadrian's big dumb younger brother, Crispin, some poorly executed escape attempts, and the Wong-Hopper Consortium.  Interact with us on Reddit and Twitter @BookTwoIsBetter 

Send us Fan MailSanderlanche? No. Gwynnestorm? Yes. Covering Chapter 70 through the end of Valor by John Gwynne. This ending has everything: slime domes, crow storms, cauldron time, and Nathair wondering if he might be the bad guy after all. 

Send us Fan MailChapters 32-69! We're back after an inexcusable hiatus. We meet Eremon, the creepiest king in the banished lands, Corban and Cywen get to flirting, and Maquin opens up the f*cking (fighting) pit. Find us on Twitter/Reddit: @BookTwoIsBetterEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailChapters 1-31 of Valor. Band on the run! Corban & Co. flee from a band of very persistent soldiers, Cywen racks up a handful of attempted murder charges and Maquin gets the call up to the Main Character Big Leagues. Interact with us on Reddit and Twitter @BookTwoIsBetter 

Send us Fan MailThe first episode of our "One From the Vault" series where we try to explain a forgotten fantasy novel to our ever-patient listeners. We're covering The Ice Schooner by Michael Moorcock (1969), a fantastical retelling of Moby Dick set in an ice age where the Andrew Tate-esque captain Konrad Arflane sails an "ice ship" to the mythical city of New York to uncover secrets that could save humanity. Land whales are killed, sex is had, and science is denounced as uncool and confusing. That's right: this is Vintage Moorcock. To be clear, you do not need to have read this book to listen to the episode.

Send us Fan MailChapters 49 through the end of Malice! Corban graduates from the Dun Carreg Preparatory Academy, Evnis reaches deep into his bag of tricks, Nathair starts to exhibit bad guy tendencies, and the boys discuss the distinctions between anti-war and anti-gun literature. 

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, we’re covering chapters 19-37 of Malice! Corban begins his quest to catch ‘em all, Nathair visits Not-Wakanda, and everyone of importance gathers to stare directly at an eclipse -- and it goes exactly how you'd expect. Next time, we’ll be discussing the end of Malice and our opinions on the book as a whole. 

Send us Fan MailThe journey begins! It’s the first episode of BTIB and we’re covering chapters 1-18 of Malice by John Gwynne. The boys discuss the book’s early chapter character dumps, horse fraud, sexy lady giants, and open a potentially series-long debate concerning wyrms and dragons. New episodes released every Monday! Our next installment will cover  chapters 19 - 37 of Malice.