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PODCAST

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast

Slava & Jonathan

If you’re a reader looking for something deeper or an indie author working on your book, The Side Quest Book Club is for you. We skip the usual book reviews and ratings. Each episode turns fun side quests into real lessons, so you’ll leave not just entertained, but with a better understanding of why storytelling matters.

arts books

All Episodes

49:20

Paper Roses - Author Interview with Debby Show

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/02/19

This time, we sit down with author Debby Show. We talk generational trauma and her debut novel, Paper Novels. Author Debby Show is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and School Psychologist based in California. With years of experience with individuals and families, she brings a deep understanding of human behavior, relationships, and generational dynamics to her fiction.00:00 Introduction to Debbie Show and 'Paper Roses.'10:10 The Role of the Scapegoat in Families17:47 Understanding

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81:53

Vitalerium: Descent into the Void Part 2- Nicholas...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/02/17

Hey Side Questers! We are back with part 2 of our discussion of Nicholas Keating Casbarro's Vitalerium: Descent into the Void.ABOUT THE BOOKNearly six centuries have passed since humanity discovered vitalerium, which ushered in a golden age of space exploration and colonization. Planet Deorum’s society is centered around this illustrious, gravity-bending blue crystal. The year is 2701.Following a near-fatal disaster, roughneck freelancer Roman Matthews becomes unwittingly trapped at the

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82:02

Vitalerium: Descent into the Void Part 1 - Nicholas...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/02/11

Hey Side Questers! Sorry about the late upload. Today, we dive into the first part of our discussion of Nicholas Keating Casbarro's Vitalerium: Descent into the Void.ABOUT THE BOOKNearly six centuries have passed since humanity discovered vitalerium, which ushered in a golden age of space exploration and colonization. Planet Deorum’s society is centered around this illustrious, gravity-bending blue crystal. The year is 2701.Following a near-fatal disaster, roughneck freelancer Roman

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112:54

She Had Glass Eyes Part 2 - Indie Author Interview...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/02/03

We sat down with author and musician Callie Sioux Schiavone. Her book, She Had Glass Eyes, really drew us in. It explores how humanity and technology connect, blurring the line between reality and the narrator’s imagination.Callie Sioux is a creative alchemist who uses multimedia to turn real-life adventures into fiction and entertainment. She is an author, musician, entrepreneur, podcaster, and music venue owner. Raised as a ranch kid in New Mexico, she writes stories, songs, films, and

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34:32

She Had Glass Eyes - C.S. Schiavone - Victorian...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Our discussion of She Had Glass Eyes, a book by C.S. Schiavone that explores how humanity and technology connect and blurs the line between reality and the narrator's imagination.00:00 Introduction to 'She Had Glass Eyes'10:04 Character Analysis: Dilly the Mortician20:00 Themes of Obsession and Madness30:02 Writing Style and Historical ContextSocials: @calliesioux @1232audioepic Audio Epic https://audio-epic.com/ & https://1232audioepic.bandcamp.com/album/season-one-1232Fundraising

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80:08

Author Interview - Nicholas Keating Casbarro -...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/01/20

Our talk with Nicholas Keating Casbarro discussing his breakout novel Vitalerium. Nearly six centuries have passed since humanity discovered vitalerium, which ushered in a golden age of space exploration and colonization. Planet Deorum’s society is centered around this illustrious, gravity-bending blue crystal. The year is 2701.Following a near-fatal disaster, roughneck freelancer Roman Matthews becomes unwittingly trapped at the center of a harrowing conspiracy. Hunted by Deorum’s

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82:42

Katabasis Part 2 - R F Kuang - Dark Fantasy Book -...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/01/13

The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Jess and Abby join the guys to continue their descent into hell to find out what Alice and Peter are up to.Katabsis plot: Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing

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89:53

Katabasis Part 1 - R F Kuang - Dark Fantasy Book -...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2026/01/06

The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing misfire? We debate character arcs, logic paradoxes, and that wild revenge twist.Timestamps:00:00 – Epic Plot Summary (Full

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84:58

Christmas Carol - Charle Dickens - Victorian...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Happy holidays to you all, Adventures. Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, Slava and Jonathan (joined by Josh, our intern) discuss A Christmas Carol, a classic novella by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy miser, as he is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, leading to his moral redemption and transformation.00:00 Introduction to A Christmas Carol04:12 Dickens,

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98:51

Wintersteel Part 3 - Will Wight - Progression Fantasy...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/12/23

In this episode of The SideQuest Book Club Podcast, Slava and Jonathan—joined by Casey, JT, and Spenser— continued to break down Wintersteel from Will Wight’s Cradle series. The guys explore character dynamics, relationships, and major themes of identity, growth, and progression fantasy. The conversation highlights foreshadowing, power dynamics, hubris, and how literacy, wealth, and opportunity shape advancement in the Cradle universe. We also examine key characters, such as Daiji and

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59:26

Wintersteel Part 2 - Will Wight - Progression Fantasy...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/12/16

In Part 2 of Will Wight’s Wintersteel. The SideQuest Book Club Podcast hosts, Slava and Jonathan, dive deeper into breaking down major themes of character development, including Aethon’s unique sight, Mercy’s public humiliation, and Yerin’s intense training and evolving bond with her Blood Shadow. The discussion builds toward the final battle, where Yerin undergoes a powerful transformation that opens a conversation about archetypal icons and the deeper character truths they represent

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51:30

Wintersteel Part 1 - Will Wight - Progression Fantasy...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/12/09

Hey Adventurers! Back to the Cradle we go. In this episode, we delve into the eighth book of the Cradle series, Wintersteel, exploring the intricacies of the Uncrowned King Tournament and its implications for power dynamics among factions. Slava and Jonathan discuss character developments, particularly focusing on Linden, Yeren, and Aethon, while also addressing the emotional stakes and romantic elements that add depth to the narrative. (00:00) Introduction to Cradle and Recap of

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71:26

Jurassic Park Part 2 - Michael Crichton - Thriller...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/12/02

In this episode of The Side Quest Book Club Podcast, hosts Slava and Jonathan (again) dive into Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. This conversation delves into themes, character development, and the implications of hubris and chaos theory. The hosts discuss the narrative structure that keeps readers engaged. They analyze the illusion of control and the importance of subplots, ultimately reflecting on the storytelling techniques that make the novel a classic.(00:00) Introduction Return to

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62:51

Jurassic Park Part 1 - Michael Crichton - Thriller...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of The Side Quest Book Club Podcast, hosts Slava and Jonathan dive into Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. They explore the novel’s core themes—hubris, chaos theory, and the illusion of control in science—while unpacking its character development and layered storytelling. The discussion also covers Crichton’s background, the lasting success of the Jurassic Park franchise, and the narrative techniques that make the book a defining classic of modern science fiction.Discover

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97:09

Red Seas Under Red Skies Part 5 - Scott Lynch - High...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/11/18

In this episode of The Side Quest Book Club Podcast, JT and Casey surprise Jonathan with their scheduled appearance. We finish our trek across Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch. Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequestPowered by TransistorOur IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Leave us a comment & connect with us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our TikTok Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Music by HoliznaCC0v00:00 – Side Quest Intro: Endless Library Spoiler Fest00:18 – Pirates Preamble: Red Seas Under

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50:04

Red Seas Under Red Skies Part 4 - Scott Lynch - High...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/11/11

In this episode of The Side Quest Book Club Podcast, we cover chapters 12–16 of Scott Lynch’s Red Seas Under Red Skies. We examine loyalty, love, and the consequences of choices, leading to a confrontation with Straggos. Jonathan and Slava discuss the impact of character deaths, heist planning, and the twists that drive the story, highlighting Lynch’s character development and storytelling.Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequestPowered by TransistorOur IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |

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53:23

Red Seas Under Red Skies Part 3 - Scott Lynch - High...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of the Side Quest Book Club Podcast, we delve into the chaotic world of 'Red Seas Under Red Skies,' exploring themes of loyalty, deception, and the complexities of pirate life. Covering up to chapter 11, we discuss the challenges faced by Locke and Jean as they navigate mutiny, the dynamics of Zamira's crew, and the moral dilemmas that arise in their quest for survival. The conversation highlights character development, the influence of the Crooked Warden, and the evolving

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51:30

Red Seas Under Red Skies Part 2 - Scott Lynch - High...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of the Side Quest Book Club Podcast, we dive into chapters 4–7 of Red Seas Under Red Skies and wrap up part one of the book. We break down Locke and Jean’s meeting with a poisoner, the brutal wasp spectacle, and their pirate training under the manipulative Drakos. Along the way, we recap key plot points and explore the role of the gods in the story and speculate on what’s ahead, including a possible clash with the Bonds Magi.Discover Side Quest:

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76:01

Red Seas Under Red Skies Part 1 - Scott Lynch - High...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/10/21

Season 5 is starting strong! We're off to Telvarar to hang with Locke and Jean. In this episode of the SideQuest Book Club, we delve into Scott Lynch's Red Seas Under Red Skies, the second book in the Gentlemen Bastard series. The discussion highlights the tension in the prologue, the introduction of the Bonds Magi as a new threat (again!), and the unique approach to magic and alchemy in Lynch's world. We explore the themes of loyalty, ambition, and the challenges faced by the protagonists

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69:31

Two Past Midnight: Secret Window, Secret Garden Part...

The Side Quest Book Club Podcast ·

2025/10/14

We are back for Season 5 of the Side Quest Book Club Podcast. Starting with the king of horror, Stephen King. Today, Jess joins us for the final episode covering "Secret Window, Secret Garden" from Stephen King's novella collection, Four Past Midnight. We compare the book and film, track Mort Rainey’s slide into madness, and weigh how isolation and the dark edge of creativity drive it. Then we zoom out: predictable plots, where inspiration ends and plagiarism begins, and how adaptations

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159 results

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