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PODCAST

Is This Just Fantasy?

Is This Just Fantasy?

The book club where we review all things fantasy! Join Duncan and Geordie as they embark on a quest to track the breadth and history of the fantasy genre, one epic at the time. Whether you"re a fan of book-stopper tomes like Duncan, or lighter YA fantasy like Geordie, we want you to read-along with us. Episodes are released every two weeks, giving you enough to read the book (or skim the synopsis if you"re just here for the banter.)

arts books

All Episodes

76:14

Legends and Lattes

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/12/15

Ooooh, what a delight this one was. Duncan and Geordie put on their slippers, slip under a blanket, get their coffee mug (then Geordie puts his away because he doesn't actually like coffee) and discuss Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. They find it a wonderful and charming book with impeccable vibes. With dual fantasies of orcs, elves and running a successful business. The fellas discuss supporting local businesses, Duncan discovers what a coffee shop AU is then orders Geordie to write one,

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118:46

Sisters of Sword and Shadow

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/11/27

It's hot off the press. This week the fellas crack open feminist leader Laura Bates' fantasy debut Sisters of Sword and Shadow. They discuss this depiction of sorority, feminism, the deconstruction of Arthurian chivalry, as well as its high and lows. They cover the differences between feminist fiction writing and non-fiction writing, Duncan gives us an engineering crash-course in swords made of tin, Geordie spends entirely too much time weaving conspiracy theories about the number of number of

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51:35

An Interview with Hailey Piper (The Worm and His Kings)

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/11/23

Duncan and Geordie are eager to present their interview with author Hailey Piper, writer of one of their recent faves: The Worm and His Kings. They discuss her writing process, the orgins of her interest in horror, the bold end to the novel, and something about kaiju chickens?

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103:24

The Poppy War

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/11/12

TW: this episode contains discussions of depictions of sexual violence in the context of the Rape of Nanjing. Things get fiery in their longest episode to date, discussing R. F. Kuang's The Poppy War. The fellas have a lot to cover, discussing their mixed feelings regarding the acclaimed debut. Duncan is... exceedingly patient with Geordie this time as he goes on several rants about MMA, kung fu, the Cultural Revolution, and Operation Downfall. He just has a lot of feelings about Operation Downfall,

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83:53

The Worm and His Kings

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/10/31

In the grand finale of their Halloween collection, the fellas tackle a dark horse: The Worm and His Kings by Hallie Piper, and wouldn't you know it, its the best surprise of the year. They discuss its darkly profound ending, its amazing characters and relationships, and an example of positive nihilism.TW: this book contains themes of gender dysphoria and a botched sex change operation.

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63:11

Shadow Over Innsmouth

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/10/15

The fellas make their first foray into the maddening world of H. P. Lovecraft to discuss one of his most famous works. They discuss: how does Geordie's knowledge of local geography compare to a guy at a 1920s bus station? Will Duncan hide behind his partner when confronted by a serial killer? And is it easier for Geordie to pronounce miscegenation or ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn?Tune in for Geordie pitching his Shadow Over Innsmouth film adaptation, coming to cinemas as soon as

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92:09

Berserk: Tower of Conviction

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/10/06

Wrapping up their 2023 review of Berserk with the 'Binding Chain ' and the 'Rebirth Ceremony' chapters (but the fellas insist on calling in the Tower of Conviction arc.) The fellas are rapturous over the action and the new characters added to the Berserk canon, and go head to head debating whether Mozgus is a good villain or not. Episode highlights include: Duncan joining the Serpico fan-club, Geordie's rousing re-enactment of the titular conviction speak, the introduction of the Beast of Darkness,

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79:41

Berserk: Lost Children Arc

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/10/01

Trigger warnings for discussions of sexual violence. It's back! It's back and Geordie is excited! The fellas return to the horrible world of Guts and Puck. Following on from their last episode on the Eclipse and the end of the Golden Age Arc, they're back in Guts' sad boy era with the Lost Children Chapter of the Conviction Arc. Things get heated as Duncan and Geordie debate the merits of Puck, whether Guts was going to take out Jill, and Geordie really gives the business to r/berserk. But most

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82:23

The Weird of the White Wolf

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/09/16

The fellas return to the Moorcockiverse to experience the further adventures of Elric of Melnibone in his first published appreance in: The Dreaming City, While the Gods Laugh, and The Singing Citadel. They discuss magic, misogyny, and how its all made up for by amazing speeches, evil soul-stealing swords, and an anti-hero who is as cool as he is goth,

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68:06

The Silence of the Girls

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/09/04

In what's set to become an annual summer-time tradition, the boys are back in Troy. This time they're seeing the Iliad through the eyes of Briseis and into the silent suffering of slave women in Pat Barker's critique of the Iliad: The Silence of the Girls. In this episode the fellas argue over whether vikings could free-style rap, Duncan wonders whether anyone has ever seen the movie Troy (who can say for sure?), and Geordie wraps up the episode by delivering Duncan a devastating burn from which

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79:58

Jirel of Joiry (Red Sonja but worse)

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/08/20

We didn't think it would happen, but has a book finally come along to rival both Demon in Silver and The Eye of Argon for the worst fantasy novel the fellas have ever read for this podcast? Gasp in dread and horror at the novel which Geordie couldn't even finish, and which he had to beg Duncan to be permitted to only read three of the six stories. Marvel at the lengths they'll go to avoid talking about these novels, discussing the hot chocolate and Palatine's sponge baths in Star Wars, Gandalf

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82:06

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/08/06

Nothing good lasts forever. The fellas get together to discuss the disappointing follow-up to Tomi Adeyemi's hit Children of Blood and Bone. From messy plotting to unrecognisable character shifts, its hard to believe that these stories were written by the same author. The Legacy of Orisha is in big trouble. The fellas debate what the book's title actually is, Geordie teaches Duncan who Lyndon B Johnson is, whilst Duncan's revenge for last episode comes swift and brutal.

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76:40

Children of Blood and Bone

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/07/23

It's a hit! Duncan and Geordie get together to discuss Tomi Adayemi's Children of Blood and Bone, which they each had a blast reading. The topics range from an enthused discussion about allegory, heritage and social justice, to the logistics collapsible weapons and whether the X-Men should have rights.

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97:00

Warbreaker

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/07/09

Back from their holidays, Duncan and Geordie are rearing to go discussing Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker. It's Geordie's first Sanderson novel, so this could define his relationship to his works until the end of time... no pressure. The fellas discuss: the cosmere, fantasy Mormonism, and sub-standard talking swords.

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46:50

Bonus: A Study in Emerald

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/07/02

Whilst Geordie and Duncan are both off on holiday, nothing can stop the great podcasting engine. In between the Northern Lights and the Subtle Knife, the fellas read and reviewed Neil Gaiman's award winning short story: A Study in Emerald, a Sherlock Holmes pastiche which sets the great detective in a world besieged by beings straight from the mind of H.P. Lovecraft.Duncan and Geordie discuss the amazing novella as well as the original stories and their many many adaptations. If you want to hear

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81:58

The Black Tongue Thief

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/06/11

It's a heated episode as the fellas discuss the anticipated black comedy hit The Black Tongue Thief, triggering a discussion of goblin wars, prequels, and which animals Duncan is prepared to murder,

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109:50

The Amber Spyglass

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/05/31

The fellas complete their first trilogy with Phillip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass. In this episode they discuss a bit of angelology, the mulafa's strange body plans, what this book would be called if it wasn't named after a very minor and comparatively mundane object object, and did Will really walk 500 miles to be back with Lyra.Apologies for audio errors for the majority of the episode, they have been rectified.Trigger warning for the Catholic Church pedophilia scandal.

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76:12

The Subtle Knife

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/05/20

The fellas cross distant worlds in their discussion of the second in Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The discuss the strange change in perspective on the hero Lyra through the introduction of Will, the surprisingly naked biblical allegories, and the confusing timeline of Lord Asriel's war to whack God.

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83:07

Lore Dump: Dark Empire

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/05/18

In the premier of their new series, Duncan waterboards Geordie with Star Wars factoids. Hear Geordie suffer through an explanation of: the Dark Empire comic book run, an exhaustive list of Star Wars super weapons, the life and times of Boba Fett, and clone shenanigans galore.

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77:03

The Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)

Is This Just Fantasy? ·

2023/05/04

A.K.A The Golden Compass, the fellas set out on a long trek north is search of the truth. Truths like: is one of Geordie's favourite books as a child just as excellent as he remembers? Can Duncan translate all of the weird word-choices? What are each of the boys' daemons? And is the book more anti-catholic or more anti-terf? To find out the answer to these exciting questions, check our episode on His Dark Materials.

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