Fictional Hangover

“Just because I can't explain it doesn't mean there isn't an answer.”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about podcasting, ghost bothering and DIABETES!!!! (and then the screaming starts) in their discussion of The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh.

“Vampires were fairy tales and magic.”  In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about Escape from New York but with vampires, needing a liberal application of a tire iron, rooting for vampire vampire hunters, and enjoying distilled vampirism of their favorite reads in their discussion of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black.

“You cannot kill what is already dead.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about numbered lists trumping morality, not using a ground knife, throwing people into the sea, and gift wrapping murder because there's always time for a bow in their discussion of One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake.

In this unedited New and Indie Spotlight episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire chat with their favorite Jackson Ford about making the dead inside feel something, replacing Shakespeare on the curriculum, lizards getting hiccups, how imaginary friends have autonomy and an EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT 😈. Jackson's newest book, Sisters of the Lizard, comes out May 5.  

“This lifetime is yours to make what you will of it.”  In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about TBKIOS (Two Boys Kissing Inside Outside Space), pressing factory reset on upspeak, spending a long ass time in space, and telling a psychopathic robot's story in their discussion of The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer.

"You know what? We're not dead. That's tonight's win."   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about the 1930s of it all, being a dirty bag, teeth, lipstick, and fucking windchimes, and how this book is the Saved by the Bell murder mystery episode in their discussion of Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson.

“You need to be reminded that sometimes it just sucks to suck.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how the interdimensional postal service is better than what we have in the real world, describing the most boring waiting room, shoving important stuff into the junk drawer, and waiting, waiting and still waiting for the stories they want in their discussion of Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire.

“The loser table has its perks.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how humanity is cursed and people can be garbage, not trusting the strange disembodied voices coming from the bathroom, and googooing the moomoo in their discussion of Witch For Hire by Ted Naifeh. 

In this bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and author Kendare Blake talk about getting rotisserie chickens for their raptors, wearing updos with their black mambas, having a moment of silence then bitching then revenge, and always choosing the bear in their chat about Three Dark Crowns.

“No one really wishes to be queen.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about eating seductive cheese, enjoying creative murder, wearing blood aesthetically, and always choosing the bear in their discussion of Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, featuring the author for Would You Rather.

In this unedited New and Indie Spotlight episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire chat with Shawn Hainsworth about how Woodstake is an historically accurate vampire record, getting the munchies and the munchies are people, enjoying horror with an injection of humor all the while Bad Moon Rising is playing in the background. Woodstake comes out April 14, 2026.

“The dead don’t walk. Except, sometimes, when they do.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about poking mushrooms with a stick, encouraging the house to fall down because it's had enough of your shenanigans, unrepentantly loving grammar, and rewriting The Fall of the House of Usher Fictional Hangover-style in their discussion of What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher.

“The future is soup.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about having an irrational fear of toilets in the night, learning to swim if you grow gills, sloughing off your skin to join a goopy amalgamation, paying a tithe of fingernails and teeth, and being inspired by an octopus in their discussion of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran.

“Sweet fancy midnight!”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how the Cullens should have had a donut lifestyle, that vampires really should not be messy eaters, and the science of vampire diets in their discussion of Dracula’s Brunch Club by Brian Gonsar and illustrated by Keenan Gaybba.

“I am not sad… I am angry.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about what chaos, a hotdog truck, bees and a friendly beekeeper can inspire, trying not to spoil what will come, and screaming butterflies … neat! in their discussion of The Young Queens by Kendare Blake.

“Did the rideshare do this to me? Send me back in MOTHERFUCKING TIME?” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how you’re a time traveler, and you’re a time traveler, and you’re time traveler, trying not to make Marty McFly cry, playing Zelda, and flashdancing at every opportunity in their discussion of Throwback by Maurene Goo.

“There are days when everything changes, and this was one of those days.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how you should not punch random dudes or put ass paper in a library book but you should write great grown-up characters in books and buy once in a lifetime carpet in their discussion of When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

“... one thing I've learned is that you don't have to understand things for them to be.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about using sheet ghosts for an authentic haunted house look, being given the gift of cabin fever, how creepy children really are, and making ants kiss in their discussion of A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

“I do not want normal. I want greatness.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how boys will be boys (vomit), giving many, many pointed looks, developing new forms of torture, and working on their hate scale throughout the series in their discussion of The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake.

 "I'm nobody's idea of a hero ... But at least I'm still in the game.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about potatoes - boil ‘em, mash ‘em, make ‘em into a light, living in the days of future past, slow clapping being rebellious behavior, and a PSA: having a milk moustache is dangerous in their discussion of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

"Don't undervalue good instincts."   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about not wearing a business suit to a basketball game, tightening your shoelaces, popping your collar and getting on with it, and using library resources to battle monsters in their discussion of Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse.

In this unedited New and Indie Spotlight episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire chat with Rebekah Faubion about not starting with eating people but not discounting it, being lied to about quicksand, cannibalism and overhead lights in cars, having hard edge loner vibes with a doggo, and stroking the book. Rebekah's newest book, Lost Girls of Hollow Lake, comes out January 27, 2026.  

“I hope it's not too difficult, I'm feeling snacky.”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about finding both their favorite and least favorite characters of the year so far, magical side-questing through life, Waffle House sponsoring their magical food dreams, and reminiscing about their uni/college days in their discussion of Pizza Witch by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins.

“Apparently, the idea of holiday celebrations cheered up everyone, even werewolves.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and SuperFan Annie talk about kittens and pink slurps, playing spot the wicker chicken, shipping Byall, the perfect amount of pining, a hairy American pickle, and the correct placement of a ponytail in their discussion of Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger.

“You can be impressed with me, you know.”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about whiskey, guilt and the skin of a killer, tomfoolery in a graveyard, caroling with Mari Lwyd, and how Death is the ultimate cockblock in their discussion of Holly by Adalyn Grace.

In this bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and author Jackson Ford talk about citing the literal book, the weather forecast predicting screaming tornadoes of blades, blowing their minds with crazy ideas, and that it always comes back to tiger pee in their chat about Jackson’s latest book The Bone Raiders.

“The age of men has come to an end. Now is the age of the lizard!”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how raiders got raid, cinematic violence, and buckets in their discussion of The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford, featuring the author for Would You Rather.

In this bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and author Kat Ellis play Would You Rather and talk about sharing toothpaste with moths, revealing the easter eggs, devious twists for devious minds, validating the fear of quicksand, renovations stirring things up, and writing a very niche horror book in their chat about Kat’s book The Devouring Light.

“Let the light in.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how the book is gross and needs to stop but they love it and want more, that being clean and hydrated means you can rule the world, having a crisp refreshing glass of water, and “Don't forget to like and subscribe!” in their discussion of The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis, featuring the author for Would You Rather.

“I think I'm doing something!” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about mashing buttons, enjoying snacks like popcorn and cheese, not yucking on someone’s yum, and bestowing the potato of friendship in their discussion of Pocket Peaches: Game On by Dora Wang.

“Never change, Beau.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about when the math ain't mathing, making questionable fashion changes with aesthetic ennui, having total disregard for treaties or oaths, and long eyes and throbbing circulatory systems *BOING!* in their discussion of Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer.

“I am what you made me. Now you're going to regret it.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how you shouldn’t eat other people, just dudebros, how too much money in science forms tentacles, and that the mighty crevasse requires many creams in their discussion of Queen of Teeth by Hailey Piper.

“Weirdos have to stick together!” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about Mothmanta-Ray being an UNO card shark, flaming Phoegulls stealing the scene, and having fun in classic gaming arcades in their discussion of Moby Duck by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess.

“Only a vampire can crush on you ... forever.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how it's a bad idea to bungee jump in shackles, not needing the bathroom because you live a lumberjack, how poot has poo and fart has art, that Moonlight and Twilight are sacred texts, and that Whitney Gardner is their BFF but she just doesn’t know it yet in their discussion of Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner.

"If I were being honest with myself, I'd pretty much turned into a huge vampire nerd."   In this LIVE episode of Fictional Hangover, we’re talking about The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer. 🎶 hoa hoa hoa🎶We discuss the failing vampire education system, dangling disco balls v giant disco balls, and wigs having a life of their own.

In this mostly unedited bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and author Kendare Blake talk about making weird faces sitting between two fangirls, how Buffy would never pass health and safety inspections, providing 100% ethics training for a Slayer, starting a letter writing campaign to get Kendare's books in the new TV series library, how time is a flat circle, and announcing the Fictional Hangover 2026 Book Club read.

"It's kindergarten magic, you doofus. And courage.”     In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about laughing out loud by yourself, squeeing over a yellow crayon, reliving 1998's greatest hits, and fangirling over Kendare in their discussion of One Girl in All the World by Kendare Blake, featuring Kendare for Would You Rather.

“A rabbit … is cute to look at, but is generally useless, especially as a companion to dogs.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about how fandoms and cults are very similar, learning the difference between steak and stake, talking Carpathian to bunnies, and using fiction as a how-to guide to becoming a vampire hunter in their discussion of Bunnicula by Deborah Howe and James Howe.

"After all, it is probable that the humans are unaware how prevalent a threat vampires and werewolves have become in modern space travel." In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about a werewolf, a mummy, a Frankenstein, an AI doctor and a ghost ship flying off into space to kill Dracula by way of a fish cult in their discussion of Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove.

“HECK YEAH! EMOTIONAL VULNERABILITY!” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about a suitcase of kitchen utensils and no clean underwear, the power of teenage angst, not being a BAT!, and ♩♫♩HOA HOA HOA HOA♩♫♩ in their discussion of Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim.

In this mostly unedited New and Indie Spotlight episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire chat with author Brian Asman about avoiding the obvious shit (in the outhouse), being utterly ridiculous and rational at the same time, how basements are just like being buried alive, the fact that trashy movies then are better than trashy movies now and Sweaty Ralph™® the next great horror icon. Brian’s book, Man, F*ck This House (And Other Disasters), comes out October 7.

“I'm perfectly able to read, Major! It's amazing what you can find in bookstores these days.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about keeping shame in a box, how ladies love libraries and wearing all top hats all the time in their discussion of How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger.

In this New and Indie Spotlight episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire chat with Laura Venita Green, whose debut book, Sister Creatures, comes out October 7. We discuss pressing pause to find out secrets, theorizing about who the audiobook narrator is, being given a possessed doll as a child, making sensible life choices not to investigate haunted houses, finding the underworld in Germany, creating the horror not living the horror, and ending with hope, redemption and sexy potatoes.

In this bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and audiobook producer Elece Green talk about telling your hero your hair is in your butt crack [offline], having pockets, downloading characters and spending 4 minutes crying out for shrimp, listening for the weekend, and carving your ‘nips in their chat about The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon.

“You must remember, my dear, that I am operating on pure instinct, and I've been told that my instincts are bad.”   In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about undergirding your pupeels, being the weirdo, the etiquette of pizza, and the mad science™ of audiobooks in their discussion of The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon, featuring audiobook producer Elece Green for Would You Rather.

“I'm armed and goddamn dangerous.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about enjoying a cozy horror, breaking the tension with hippopotamus tooting, having a framed oil painting of a cell phone, getting Halloween decor ideas, and kicking people into a revenge campfire in their discussion of Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning.

“I can't believe you think ghosts are real.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about their rage meter going off, both being able to reach for ukuleles they can't play, and signs lying to everyone (it's not haunted, read the sign) in their discussion of Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner.

“I should like to be corrupted! What else are vampires good for?” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about a wicker chicken full of lesbians, rodgering with a side of gertruding, and solving for the missing X in their discussion of Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger.  

In this bonus episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda, Claire and Thrash Force author Raj Sidhu talk about a tornado of chaos, a circle of potatoes, handpuppet NPCs, how magic is a creep that ignores personal space, and tediously side-questing through life. 

“Oh, butts.” In this episode of Fictional Hangover, Amanda and Claire talk about an inspirational evil overlord, getting heavy metal life lessons, and wanting to play THRASH FORCE! the RPG or video game (insert heavy metal guitar sound) in their discussion of Thrash Force by Raj Sidhu.