DRAGONS DADDIES DEEP SPACE

It's DDDSpod's second and final episode about The Faith of Beasts by James S.A. Corey. After an exciting and promising beginning, the disparate humans of Anjin come back together and the results are...anticlimactic. Your hosts are let down, but they're still dying to know what will happen in the final installment of The Captive's War trilogy.But first, William obtains a poultice from a hedge witch, Jacob enjoys Apex on Netflix, and both hosts discuss the announcement of The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth.NEXT WEEK:Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

DDDSpod is back covering book two of James S.A. Corey's Captives War trilogy as Jacob and William discuss parts one and two of The Faith of Beasts. Dafyd is trying his best to hold it together as he's now the leader of the human moiety at the Carryx World Palace, and Jessyn makes an unexpected discovery while hoping to not run out of her antipscyhotic decoction. Your hosts couldn't be more thrilled to be back in this world, and the pages are breezing by like stars in asymmetrical space.But first...It's a huge week for the pod as William and Jacob experience their first online hate. They couldn't love their antagonist more, and they hope he continues to waste his time listening to them! All that plus impressions of the new hit movie Mother Mary and the video game PRAGMATA.

It's time for the epic conclusion of Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey! Phèdre no Delaunay's roadtrip through alternate Europe continues as she visists Tsinganos, Picts, Albans and a ticked-off sea deity. Will Phèdre no Delaunay be able to use her powers of spycraft, linguistics and sensuality to unite the kingdoms of Alba and Terre D'ange to eliminate the Skaldi threat? You'll find all that and more as both William and Jacob gush over this lush five-star novel.But first, a Winds of Winter rumor from a 'publishing assistant' on 4chan, and live reactions to the Sunrise on the Reaping movie trailer.

DDDSpod is back with the sultry angel descendents this week, as your hosts discuss chapaters 31-60 of Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey. The plot turns unexpectedly as the story ramps into gear, the stakes clarify, and the central romance develops. Despite the significant time investment required, your hosts are still loving every hour they're spending with this book.Before they get there, William encounters a chaotic twink at a touring production of Monty Python's Spamalot he wasn't at all prepared for, Jacob defies the critics and loves his time at the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and both hosts surface some disturbing trends in the popular book landscape.

Get ready to give your safe word, because DDDSpod is diving into Jacqueline Carey's 2001 BDSM historical fantasy masterpiece, Kushiel's Dart. The first thirty chapters of this precursor to modern (inferior) romantasy establish an evocative world of seduction and subterfuge—and your hosts can't get enough.But first–Taylor Frankie Paul eats up more oxygen and both hosts wonder how bookstagrammers can keep track of their expectations.NEXT WEEK: Chapters 21-60 of Kushiel's Dart

After a year of on-again/off-again journeying with Aelin Galathynius, FKA Celaena Sardothien, DDDSpod has finally finished the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. In this week’s episode, your hosts focus on Kingdom of Ash’s Part 2: Gods and Gates, but they’re ready to pass judgment on the mammoth final volume and the series as a whole. Was it time well spent? Honestly, they're not sure.But first, Jacob is underwhelmed by Project Hail Mary (movie) and overwhelmed by Crimson Desert (videogame), William is still at the beach, and they’re both very ready to move on with their literary lives as they head to the sensual world of Terre D’Ange in Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Dart. Their chat through Chapters 1-30 drops April 2nd.

At long last, DDDSPod is finishing it's year-long read of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. There are a lot of pages and characters in this book! Aelin is trapped in a box, Lysandra is cosplaying as the heir of fire without any of the fire magic, Dorian is trying to learn how to shape shift, Manon is uniting the witch tribes, and many, many other characters kill time as we await any meaningful resolution to come in part two.But first, Jacob and William celebrate genre movie wins at the Oscars and William mourns the Buffy reboot.

Things are getting FREAKY this week on DRAGONS DADDIES DEEP SPACE as William and Jacob discuss There Is No Antimemetics Department by qntm, a genuinely terrifying, sci-fi/horror phantasmagoria. This club has everything: unknowable entities that eat memories, ideas that kill you if you're aware of them, Lovecraftian monsters composed of dismembered body parts, and a LOT of giant spiders that are currently all around you–you just can't perceive them. It's trippy, it gave both of your beloved hosts nightmares, and it's quite possibly the scariest book either of them has ever read. But first...William gets back in the sack with Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, defies critics by loving The Bride!, and both hosts share their love for Netflix's How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.UPCOMING EPISODES:3/19: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas Part 1 (Chapters 1-67)3/26: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas Part 2 (Chapter 68-End)

This week, Jacob and William dive headfirst into the chaotic, neon-soaked world of Matt Dinniman’s latest sci-fi thriller, Operation Bounce House.Your hosts break down why Dinniman (of Dungeon Crawler Carl fame) remains a master of the "absurdly high-stakes" genre. They discuss the book's sharp, uncomfortable reflections of our current political climate and how Dinniman manages to make a story about murderous Twitch streamers and their unwitting victims feel like a biting commentary on modern surveillance and civil unrest.It's fun!: The pacing feels like a shot of adrenaline and the set pieces left them breathless.Political Resonance: A look at the eerie parallels between the book’s fictional collapse, today's news cycle, and ever-more-omnipresent AI. Is it satire, or is it a warning?The "Unmemorable" Paradox: Jacob and William grapple with a strange critique—how can a book be this well-made and polished, yet feel like it might slip through the cracks of their memory in a few months?Full Spoiler Breakdown: We’re talking the ending, the big reveals, and that one twist involving the synthetic atmosphere that we’re still processing.

Hot off the presses, Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, author of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, is bringing zany hijinks and serious sociopolitical commentary to DDDSpod this week. Oliver, a third-generation colonist on the faraway planet New Sonora, is living a simple life on a remote ranch with his sister Lulu, his rockband The Rhythm Mafia, and a small army of worker robots. That all changes when Apex Industries descends on the planet with a diabolical 5-day "eviction event" to eradicate a nonexistant terrorist threat, called Operation Bounce House, where gamers from Earth will livestream a real-life game where the enemies are the New Sonorans themselves. It's dark, it's quick, it's fun–it's extremely of the moment.But first, Jacob finishes Demon in White by Christopher Ruocchio, and William decides that jousting just isn't for him.

Warning: This episode contains 20% literary analysis and 80% Jacob and William thirsting over Ser Duncan the Tall [tv version].That's right, DDDSPod is in Westeros this week, as William and Jacob are talking all about The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin, the source material for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, currently airing on HBO. This buddy dramedy spin on Westeros has Jacob enthralled, and William completely confused as to who anybody is.But first...William journeys to a fantastical lesbian enclave with Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree and Jacob accidentailly overdoses on OTC stress-relief vitamin gummies.UPCOMING EPISODES:February 19: Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, Sections 1& 2February 26: Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, Full Spoiler Review

William and Jacob have made it to the end of The Blacktongue Thief and, after a wildly promising takeoff, they're not sure the plane landed in one piece. Before that, Jacob talks about his time with The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter which inspires a novel DDDSpod merch idea. William struggles with SwimP3 technology (look it up), and enjoys a return trip to the universe of Mercy of the Gods via the novella Livesuit by James SA Corey.

Kinch, the protagonist of Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief, is avoiding death by kraken and goblin in this week's episode, while Jacob and William are starting to see some of the seams in this inventive adventure novel. They're not sure about the love story, but they're excited to see how it all concludes in next week's episode.But first...Jacob still isn't sure about Demon in White by Christopher Ruocchio, William is Bob...uh reading We are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor, and both Jacob and William visit The Bone Temple and Predator: Badlands.

It's time for some high fantasy hijinks as William and Jacob dive in to their first of three episodes about The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. Kinch Na Shannack has luck on his side (sometimes) as he works to pay off his debt to the Taker's Guild by joining up with a mysterious and badass warrior on a quest to investigate the threat of invading giants in a land wartorn by goblins. There's a lot of world building, a fantastically original voice, and a driving plot–what's not to like?But first, your hosts provide dispatches from the realms of entertainment as Jacob recounts his latest forays into scifi and fantasy TV (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy), William visits the 28-o-verse in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and both hosts have a religious experience with The Testament of Ann Lee.

William and Jacob are diving back into What We Can Know by Ian McEwan, where a metatextual twist blows up all of 2119 scholar Thomas Metcalfe's assumptions about 2014 poet Francis Blundy and his wife, Vivien Blundy. The 'truth' is far juicier and melodramatic than Thomas ever imagined, and your hosts are strangely moved, even if they can't fully put their finger on the why.But first... a spoiler-free review of Pluribus season one, thoughts on The Traitors jumbo-sized season premiere, and William shares what came home with him from a reptile expo.

It's a new year and a new season for DRAGON'S DADDIES DEEP SPACE! William and Jacob are kicking off 2026 with a foray into literary fiction with a speculative twist, as they discuss Part One of What We Can Know by Ian McEwan. In the year 2119, human society has been utterly transformed by global warming, nuclear war, and the great Derangement. Narrator Thomas Metcalfe doggedly pursues one of mankind's great mysteries (at least in his own mind)–a long poem that was read aloud by its author in 2014 that was never read or heard again. It's literary, it's dense, it's kind of mind-blowing.But first...William just doesn't know how to quit The Wandering Inn, Jacob gives quick hit book reviews of what he read over the break (The Blade Itself, Flesh, The God of the Woods and Demon in White), all while your hosts linger in the upside down shadow of Conformity Gate (it's not real, folks).

It's the season finale of DRAGONS DADDIES DEEP SPACE as William and Jacob discuss the conclusion of Sara Raasch's The Nightmare Before Kissmas. Things are getting steamier and spicier than a Mexican hot chocolate (you've been warned) in the Christmas Palace as Christmas Prince Coal Claus and Halloween Prince Hex Hallows are finally ready to confront their feelings, and confront each other's bodies repeatedly, in the lead up to Coal's forced Christmas Eve wedding to his BFF Iris, Princess of Easter. Will Coal and Hex be able to leap the hurdles of family, holiday court and Santa himself in order to find their very own happily ever after? It's a romcom—what do you think?Stay tuned for your hosts Bests of 2025, or skip ahead to 44:00 for:Daddy of the YearAlien of the YearDragon of the YearCharacter of the YearQueer Romance of the YearBiggest LetdownSci Fi Novel of the YearFantasy Novel of the YearBest Book of 2025

It's time to deck your halls and trim your trees as Christmas comes to DDDSPod. Naughty Nicholas "Coal" Claus, the heir apparent to the not-so-nice King of Christmas, is lovesick for the Prince of Halloween, betrothed to the Princess of Easter, and all three are locked in a love quadrangle (Coal's brother Kris (also bisexual) is obviously in love with the Princess of Easter). It's a messy situation, made even messier by meddling parents and the omnipresent holiday kingdom tabloids, as your hosts discuss the first half of The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch.But first, Jacob reminds William to watch Spartacus: House of Ashur, William reveals a shocking false promise (he doesn't know how to quit The Wandering Inn), and both hosts share their reading plans for the holiday break.NEXT WEEK:The Nightmare Before Kissmas–the epic conclusion

William and Jacob are fresh back from Thanksgiving feasting, and they do believe they have been changed for the better by Wicked: For Good, though the ‘sequel’ doesn’t defy gravity quite like part 1. Then it’s time for the epic deconstructed/reconstructed Throne of Glass tandem read as they review Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas (spoiler alert, they didn’t tandem read, William just read them in the wrong order). They both loved one and loathed the other, and they’re boldly going against the grain with their MalaFirebringer-hot takes.NEXT WEEK:The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch (the first half or so)

It's time for the epic conclusion of The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey, as Dafyd and the other hostage humans of Anjiin make their play for the survival of the human race. Jacob and William loved this book (4.5 Stars!) and find a lot to discuss and giggle about along the way.But first...your hosts can't get enough of Rosalia's LUX, wish for a better IT: Welcome to Derry, Jacob begins a journey through The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, and William shares an update on Erin Soltice and friends from The Wandering Inn by pirateaba.Upcoming episodes:11/27: No episode, Happy Thanksgiving12/4: Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

In this week’s reading—The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey Parts 3 and 4—the rules of the alien overlords’ game are becoming more clear to the abducted humans of Anjiin. There are also monkey aliens, hexapods with a World Song, and a horny swarm of nanobots.But first…your hosts have been busy watching a lot of TV and movies. Jacob shares spoiler-free thoughts on the first two episodes of Pluribus on Apple TV (5 stars, run don’t walk!!!), and both William and Jacob have been allured by the truly bonkers All’s Fair on Hulu (5 very different stars, also run don’t walk!!!!).NEXT WEEK:The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey finale: Parts 5 & 6

William and Jacob are back after celebrating All Hallows together in the City of Angels. They dish on William's Halloween extravaganza, and flying CGI demon babies in IT: Welcome to Derry, while Jacob reads a non-scifi or fantasy book (Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte).Then they're *finally* back in deep space, kicking off their three-episode discussion of The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey, the first in a new space opera series by the author of The Expanse. While it kicks off to a slow and bureaucratic start, things pick up quickly when your hosts encounter their absolute favorite scifi staples: wild alien creatures.UPCOMING EPISODES:November 13: The Mercy of Gods Parts 3 and 4November 20: The Mercy of Gods Part 5

Your hosts have seen through The Eyes of the Dragon and...they might be kinda mad they read this one? After an intriguing start, Stephen King's foray into fantasy commits an egregious crime: it's cringe.Before they get there, William and Jacob bemoan the dearth of quality spooky content this Halloween season, and look forward to their upcoming reunion at the Q4 DDDSpod hosts summit (William's Halloween Party). NEXT WEEK: No episodeNovember 7: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (150 pagesish)

And just like that...your hosts are back in a fantasy world, discussing Stephen King's first break from horror into fairy tale with The Eyes of the Dragon. In the first half of this 1987 novel, Jacob has his lavender goggles on finding a queer reading that might not be there, and William is loving the journey but doesn't know where it's going.Before they get there, William stuns Jacob with a shocking Wandering Inn progress update, and Jacob is drunk. He also watched Wayward on Netflix.Next week: The conclusion of The Eyes of the Dragon.

William and Jacob are finally ready to divulge The Secret of Secrets as they share their thoughts on the second half of Dan Brown's latest Robert Langdon thriller. Was it good? Did they love it? The answer to that might surprise you (it probably won't), but there are lots of laughs along the way.Before they get there Jacob pushes back against the internet's knee-jerk reaction to Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl (a no-skip album), and William gets ready for Halloween with spooky movie programming.UPCOMING EPISODES: The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King: Chapters 1-60The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King: Chapter 61-End

Your hosts continue to test the limits of what can and can’t be the primary focus of this fantasy and science fiction podcast over the next two weeks as they discuss The Secret of Secrets, Dan Brown’s first Robert Langdon novel in eight years. That’s right, they’re running all over Prague with Robert Langdon (always both names) as he cracks head-scratching codes and uncovers the hidden mysteries of human consciousness in a thriller that may not be “scifi” but is definitely fiction that contains elements that can be described as science.Before they get there, they catch up on Jacob’s idyllic weekend in the Catskills, dish on William’s ungrateful pool party guests, and plot their return to fantasy and science fiction novels later in October.NEXT WEEK:The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown: Chapter 72-End

Your hosts have been to hell and back with Alice Law and Peter Murdoch and are ready to give their final thoughts on Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. Did they love it? Yes. Did they understand it all? Probably not!But first….Jacob updates William on his progress through the continually mid TV series Alien Earth. Then William admits that Jacob was right about 28 Years Later, and provides a shocking pronunciation of Puss In Boots 2.NEXT WEEK:The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown, Chapters 1-71

Jacob and William are back in hell, journeying with their dysfunctional duo Alice and Peter through the middle portion of R.F. Kuang's consistently-surprising Katabasis. But first Jacob shares a new Netflix anime rec (Frieren), and William questions what's going on with Pierce Brown's Hazard Bedlam scavenger hunt. Please note this episode also contains multiple Taylor Swift references.NEXT WEEK: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Chapter 21-End

Jacob and William are back from their one-week hiatus, refreshed and ready to revert to dividing books into multiple-week journeys. That's right, your hosts will be breaking each book into manageable weekly reading chunks again starting with Katabasis, the new dark academia fantasy novel by R.F. Kuang. But first, Jacob shares an update from bookworld, freshly returned from an author event with Dan Brown to celebrate the release of his new book The Secret of Secrets (soon to be discussed on a podcast near you). And then it's down into the depths of hell—which looks a hell of a lot like a college campus—with the antiheroes of Katabasis. Your hosts are loving it, check out the episode schedule below if you want to read along!UPCOMING EPISODES:9/18: Katabasis Chapters 11-209/25: Katabasis Chapters 21-End

It's William's birthday on this week's DRAGONS DADDIES DEEP SPACE! Our Leo-Virgo cusp king unboxes the gifts Jacob sent him, and shares that he voluntarily watched the Warcraft movie (29% on Rotten Tomatoes). Then it's time to discuss The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennet. Your hosts endeavor to spoil as little as possible while speaking for 40 minutes because–SPOILER ALERT for this DDDSpod ep–they LOVED this book, give it a resounding 5 stars, and want you to experience it for yourself.NEXT WEEK (9/4) DDDS pod will be on a brief hiatus, before returning on the following Thursday (11th of September) with their first episode covering roughly half of Katabasis by R.F. Kuang.

A fly appears, a fly is killed, and another fly emerges. Meanwhile... Jacob shares an important, and potentially live-saving public service announcement, which William one ups by sharing that he viewed a movie trailer. Next, your hosts share a programming update (spoiler alert: Infinite Silver is canonically unreadable). Then chests are bursting with extra terrestrials, eyes are bulging out of kitties, consciousnesses are transferring into hybrids, starships are crashing into buildings, and plots are getting riddled with holes as your hosts dive into the new FX on Hulu show ALIEN: EARTH. While they’re not sure how they feel about it–and aren’t getting that unique ALIEN feeling from it–they find plenty to chit and chat about.  NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Leaping lizards! William and Jacob are joined by Ryan Keely, co-host of D&D real-play podcast I Seduce the Dragon, to discuss Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block. This slim, punk-rock, found-family, manic-pixie L.A. fairytale is new to your hosts, but not to Ryan, who highlights her enduring love for the novel and Los Angeles, while reckoning with the cringe and elements of cultural appropriation. UPCOMING EPISODES:8/21: Alien Earth Episodes 1 & 28/28: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Jacob and William are back in the Classics Corner, discussing the "lost classic" The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, as well as the 1982 film adaptation. They loved it–they might not get it!But first, William shares an update on his progress through The Wandering Inn, and Jacob finds religion again. You won't want to miss the end of the episode, as Jacob sets the microphone on fire with his cover of the main theme from the hit film.

Jacob and William are bringing you their shortest episode ever, in honor of their shortest book yet: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor, a slim science-fiction novella that carries big themes in its tiny little package. But first, William confesses a very William-coded mistake he made from his fantasy coma sickbed, and outlines his pitch to Make Jurassic Park Great Again. Then, Jacob gives a spoiler-free update on his journey through The Name of All Things, book two of Jenn Lyons' A Chorus of Dragons, and tours his dad's library.UPCOMING EPISODES IN AUGUST:Next week: Classics Corner–The Last Unicorn by Peter S. BeagleMillennial Nostalgia–Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia BlockAlien EarthSilver Elite by Dani Francis

It's an exciting week on DDDSpod as Jacob and William unveil their new monthly episode series: Classics Corner (a working title, alternate crowd-sourced series names welcomed). This week, they're entering the Vault and discussing Foundation by Isaac Asimov. Before they get to Trantor and Terminus, however, William dives into Love Death + Robots, and Jacob discusses his latest video game adventures before taking a trip down memory lane with his saucy 8th grade English teacher who had the class play a "game" where they bent over and spelled words with their butts. You won't want to miss it.UPCOMING EPISODES:Binti by Nnedi OkoraforSilver Elite by Dani Francis

Your hosts are ready to sink their teeth into Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab with their full-spoiler, no tombstone left unturned review. Before they get there, William discusses his favorite movie of the year (if not all time), KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix, and Jacob shares spoiler-free thoughts on 28 Years Later. Then they're back in renaissance Europe, Victorian England, and (inexplicably and unforgivably) modern day Scotland to suck BOBITMS dry and leave no blood crumbs.NEXT WEEK: Foundation by Isaac Asimov

You're in for a special sweet treat this week as Jacob and William are joined by their dear friend Greg Rales, the owner and operator of NYC's Red Gate Bakery, to discuss his favorite science fiction film from childhood: The Fifth Element. But first, William bemoans M3GAN 2.0 and shares another riveting update on his ramble through The Wandering Inn. Then it's time to grab your multipass, put on your skintight neon tanktop, and buckle up in the back of a flying taxi cab as they discuss the whacky and wonderful Luc Besson film.

It's Halloween in July on DRAGONS DADDIES DEEP SPACE, as the lesbian vampires of V.E. Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil glamour Jacob and William's socks off. But first, William mourns the loss of his beloved Kindle Oasis (discontinued), while Jacob finally confronts William over his nefarious space/time monkey business. Then your hosts get knee-deep in the fecund loam with as they discuss the first 100-125ish pages of BOBITMS.

It’s time for the biggest news story of June, 2025–William and Jacob are unleashing their full-spoiler, no-holds-barred review of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. But first, William describes a harrowing experience at his first county fair and pines for hot milk, while Jacob says a prayer of thanks to Peirce Brown’s Red Rising audiobook for getting him through his apartment move. And just like that, they’re back in weird Europe, charting the highs, lows and mehs of The Devils. Be sure to stay tuned until things go off the rails as your hosts fancast the forthcoming James Cameron blockbuster adaptation of the novel.

William and Jacob are back in the land of page-to-screen, sharing their hot takes on the new How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake. But first, William belatedly realizes the pun inherent in The Wandering Inn, Jacob shares an update on his journey to The Well of Ascension (Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn 2, to the uninitiated), and then stuns William with an unexpected foray into Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse. Keep listening to the end for digressions into the Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland, and William's original Borrowers-style universe elevator pitch. UPCOMING EPISODES:June 27th: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, Full Spoilers ReviewJuly 3rd: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E.Schwab–The First Hundred Pages

William and Jacob are feeling digressive today. William gives a spoiler-free movie review of Bring Her Back, and then reveals his latest before-bed book obsession, The Wandering Inn, a series of fantasy LitRPG doorstops. Jacob and William live-react to the new trailer for Wicked: For Good before they finally get to the alleged point of the episode and discuss the first five episodes of Apple TV+’s Murderbot. But don’t think the digressions stop there–both Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Sally Lockhart trilogies get a spotlight.UPCOMING EPISODES:June 19: How to Train Your DragonJune 26:  The Devils by Joe Abercrombie Full Review

Jacob and William celebrate the beginning of pride month by retooling our podcast format (shorter episodes! Less recapping! Fun, exciting new things!). And then we’re onto the most anticipated fantasy book release of the summer as we discuss Part One of Joe Abercrombie’s THE DEVILS! It has a fantasy world x historically fictitious Greco-Roman Europe mashup, a gender-flipped Catholicism, and all the throwback early-2000s horror/fantasy/action/adventure summer blockbuster energy you didn’t know you missed. It’s gory, it’s horny, and it may or may not have evil cannibalistic Elves.

We’re thrilled to welcome our very first author guest, Jenn Lyons, to talk about her wildly inventive, thoroughly modern, and gloriously queer A CHORUS OF DRAGONS series. We dig into queering the epic fantasy genre, the joy of seeing ourselves in these kinds of stories for the first time, the many different kids of dragons across fantasy, and what exciting new Jenn Lyons projects we have to look forward to this year and next.JENN LYONS BOOKS:The Sky on FireA Chorus of DragonsGreen and Deadly Things (coming 2026!)UPCOMING EPISODE:June 5: Part 1 of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

William reels from the kill-a-palooza that was Final Destination: Bloodlines, we debate whether or not SFF books should have their own section at bookstores, and Jacob immediately dives head-first into the next book in the A CHORUS OF DRAGONS series. And then we’re onto the wonderful twisty final section of Jenn Lyon’s THE RUIN OF KINGS! We find out who Kihrin *really* is (we think), evil villains’ sinister plans are finally revealed, and we both become the math lady meme again and again as we find out who lived, who died, and who didn’t actually stay dead.UPCOMING EPISODES:May 29: Author Interview with Jenn LyonsJune 5: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, Part One

Jacob shares the scary sci-fi-ification of ChatGPT and gets carried away with an impression of the alien Pleiadadian language, before William discovers the writings of author Lois McMaster Bujold, and discusses how fantasy bro author Patrick Rothfuss ALLEGEDLY scammed his fans out of a million dollars. And then on to part two of Jenn Lyons' THE RUIN OF KINGS, where in one timeline, Kihrin is on island time having bb orgies and taking lessons from a bartender and on the other, he is discovers its all in the family as he meets abusive dads, kooky aunts, annoying little brothers, and horny body-swapping stepmoms.NEXT EPISODE:May 22: The Ruin of Kings Chapters 59–Epic Conclusion

William gives a glowing (and spoiler-free) review of SINNERS, Jacob shares his harrowing ordeal in the editing bay, and we read our first ever (!!!) fan letter. And then onto Jenn Lyons glorious epic fantasy debut, THE RUIN OF KINGS — a wildly inventive, deeply intricate, and incredibly bonkers book. It has multiple timelines, several enchanted necklaces, and a psychotic evil sexy lady demon that may be one of the most fun villains we’ve ever read!UPCOMING EPISODES:May 13: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 21–58May 20: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 59-End

Before we get into it, William updates us on some accolades and adaptations from our previous books and Jacob describes CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33, a whacko brilliant new video game from France. And then we’re talking both of our favorite book of 2025 thus far — Sarah J Maas’s QUEEN OF SHADOWS — it’s thrilling pacing, wonderful characterizations, Aelin’s ever-evolving hair color, the even better (and darker) witch plot, and the climax to end all climaxes, and last but not least, our trepidation about the much debated upcoming tandem read.UPCOMING EPISODES:May 6: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 1–20May 13: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 21–58May 20: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, Chapters 59-End

Jacob and William recount their joyous in-person reunion (the first since the pod began!) and the highs and highs of Coachella. And then they keep sipping the Booktok Kool-Aid as they go all in on Sarah J Maas’ THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE and HEIR OF FIRE, in which they discuss the controversial suggested reading order for the prequel novellas, the total badassery of the Ironteeth witches, the two hot new Fae muscle daddies on the scene (Aedion and Rowan obvz), the difference between wyverns and dragons, and so so much more.

Jacob and William chat about their hopes and fears for the LEGEND OF ZELDA film, unpack the truly bizarre choices made in THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, and gear up for their imminent reunion at COACHELLA. And then they're back in the Arena for the violent, epic, and heartbreaking final act of Suzanne Collins' SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. One of them loved it, one of them hated it, and both have a lot to say about what it all means, how we feel about the tragic fates of the beloved Tributes, and whether or not we think the prequel series should continue.

Jacob and William are recording in the wee hours of Jacob’s birthday, prompting a brief discussion of Hunger Games Astrology, before the pair revisit the film version of CATCHING FIRE. Then, it’s back to SUNRISE ON THE REAPING for Part 2: THE RASCAL, where Haymitch and the gang of Newcomers are in final preparation mode for the Fiftieth Annual Hunger Games.