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PODCAST

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Penguin Books Australia

Lit Witches opens the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Join our book club chats at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite genres from epic fantasy to romantasy, with a rotating cast of special guests. We’ll introduce you to the Chosen Ones, with author interviews from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. New video and audio episodes every Tuesday, with book recommendations, tips on writing fantasy fiction, trope

arts books

All Episodes

00:48:58

Monsters and melodramatic men: Mary Shelley's...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/10/05

On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for another Fantasy Classics Book Club, this time to discuss Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We break down the book's timely themes, the enduring appeal of the monster and how it's influenced the genres of fantasy and sci-fi today. We also chat about the recent film adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and our VERY different reactions to it. Our quickfire book recommendations this week:First classic: Little Women / The Secret Garden / NarniaFavourite

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00:44:27

Magic, romance and wolves - we review Silvercloak by...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/09/28

On today's Roundtable episode, we're celebrating the release of Turncloak with a full spoiler review of Silvercloak, the first book in L.K. Steven's brutally dark fantasy series. We reveal the biggest plot twists, our favourite romantic - and gruesome - scenes, and we break down that WILD ending. We also chat about why we're joing the L.K. Steven fan club, plus, we give our predictions for Turncloak and a mini preview of what you can expect in book 2. Our book recommendations this week:Eragon by

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00:44:45

Hunger Games, with more romance: our full review of...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/09/21

On today's Roundtable episode, we're gearing up for a revolution as we talk all things Silver Elite by Dani Francis, a dystopian fantasy that combines the best of both genres. We revisit our dystopian fiction origin stories and the genre's explosion in the 2010s with classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Then we look at how Silver Elite combines spicy romance with dystopian themes of revolution and oppression, and a dash of some top tier tropes (only one bed, with a twist!). Our

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00:35:17

Sports Romantasy - Heated Rivalry meets Fourth Wing...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/09/14

On today's Roundtable episode, we're heading to the carriwitchet stadium and cheering on our favourite characters in The Winged Game by Sophie Kim, a brand-new sports romance set in a colourful fantasy world. 'Sports romantasy' may be the next big genre, and this book proves why: true slow-burn enemies to lovers (they really hate each other, and it's exquisite), found family, high-stakes matches, a surprise quest, and countless laugh-out-loud shenanigans. If you read one book

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00:35:33

Office romance, but make it evil: our full Assistant...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/09/07

On this week’s Roundtable episode, we’re opening the filing cabinet on Office Romantasy and diving into all four books in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series. It’s grumpy/sunshine on speed, complete with found family, dragons, castles, sorcery, office memos and, naturally, “light paperwork and occasional casual beheading.”We’re talking openly and with spoilers about Books 1–3, from the workplace romance and ridiculous fantasy bureaucracy to the found-family dynamics that make

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00:42:30

Magical creatures and finding your spark - author...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/08/31

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to Shara Curlett about the first book in her brand-new fantasy series, Protector of Beyond, that's full of mythical creatures, perilous trials and kids with mysterious powers. She tells us how she came up with the 'spark' for this magical world after a winding professional journey from DJ to author (tune in to hear the surprising thing those two jobs have in common!). We also talk about about the power of fantasy to capture children's

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00:42:47

Pirates, tyrants and thieves: talking 'Steelborn' by...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/08/24

Release the kraken! On today's Roundtable episode, we're chatting about our latest epic fantasy romance obsession, Steelborn by Taylor J LaRue. From well-crafted magic systems and expansive worlds to underground networks of thieves and spies, we dive into everything we loved about this fantasy debut. We also ask the hardhitting questions: What do we do when fae aren't the love interests? Why aren't there more krakens and pirates in our books? And, most important of all, should the

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00:21:58

Who Dies? Talking Twists and All the Spoilers -...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/08/17

Read Shadow Reaper yet? Good. Let's spoil everything! In this full spoiler review, we're diving deep into Lynette Noni's latest fantasy novel, breaking down the biggest plot twists, shocking reveals, unforgettable character moments, and that ending. From our favourite scenes and emotional moments to the questions we're still asking, nothing is off limits. Whether you're looking for a Shadow Reaper review, an ending explained, or simply want to hear fellow fans obsess over every

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00:36:38

Spicy, supernatural, second chance romance -...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/08/10

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to one of the Romance Queens of Australian writing, Lauren Jackson, about her vampire romance trilogy, The Red Thorne series. Lauren tells us about the classic vampire content that inspired the series - Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, of course - and gives us a sneak peek of what to expect from the recently released final book, Fight For Us. We also chat about her bestselling sports romance series and her upcoming foray into the masked man romance

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00:44:10

Creepy AI, a Magical Cat and a Sadistic Game Show -...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/08/03

On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into the bonkers world of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. We chat about the utterly unique chaos of this series and how it weaves together themes of AI, colonisation and reality TV against a backdrop of an alien invasion, a deadly progression game and a talking cat. We also discuss the rise of the Lit RPG genre and the crossover appeal that pulls in gamers, non-gamers and fantasy fans alike. And, most important of all, we reveal our favourite

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00:45:25

Darkly funny and slightly unhinged - we talk gothic...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/07/27

On this week's Chosen One episode, we speak to husband-and-wife author duo, Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld about their new book, The Mortons, a gothic thriller with The Secret History meets Succession vibes. We discuss why fantasy fans will be drawn to the dark academia atmosphere underpinning the first book in this new series focusing on a murderous crime family. We also chat about what it's like to have your significant other as your writing and critique partner, and why hyper-specifc

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00:49:32

Is Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey a hit or a flop?...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/07/20

On today's Roundtable Fantasy Classic Book Club episode, we're discussing all things The Odyssey, from our first experiences of the epic poem to our brutally honest thoughts on Christopher Nolan's new film adaptation. We chat about our love for Greek mythology (hello, Disney Hercules) and how each translation and retelling brings something new to these ancient myths. We also share our review of Nolan's The Odyssey: what we thought of the performances and the cinematography, whether

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00:35:15

Witchcraft, forbidden love & Mary, Queen of Scots:...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/07/13

On today's Chosen One episode we speak with the brilliant Kate Forsyth, author of The Changeling. We dive into Kate's long-lasting interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, faeries and witchcraft, and how she has incorporated all into her latest novel. We discuss the trend of retelling fairytales and their impact on modern storytelling. We also talk Greek mythology, Scottish folklore and Kate's lifelong quest to find the truth of the female characters in these classic stories. Lit Witches is

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00:44:15

What are our biggest romantasy red flags? We talk...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/07/06

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we're diving into Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, the thrilling sequel to Dire Bound and second book in 'The Wolves of Ruin' series. In this fantasy book review, we unpack the unhinged predictions we made in our Dire Bound Roundtable episode and whether or not they came true, and how contemporary themes like propaganda and fake news are reflected in Fury Bound. We also get into the romantasy tropes we adore (we don't care if they're

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00:47:25

Philip Pullman on 40 years of storytelling, and...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/06/29

On today's Chosen One episode, we share an episode from our sister podcast, Ask Penguin. This interview with legendary fantasy author Philip Pullman takes us through forty years of storytelling, through Northern Lights, His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust. We discuss in detail the final installment of The Book Of Dust: Vol 3 The Rose Fields, and how to say goodbye to a beloved character for the final time. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen. This episode is hosted by Rhianna Dillon,

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00:40:14

Fantasy Classics Book Club: Dracula and its impact on...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/06/22

On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for our first Fantasy Classics Book Club, discussing one of the original vampire stories, Dracula by Bram Stoker. We get into Dracula's impact on modern day vampire literature, the lore of vampires and how it's changed over time - from horror to romance. We talk vampire tropes, our favourite vampire books, shows and movies; including The Lost Boys, Sinners and The Vampire Diaries. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's

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00:34:04

Only one bed, with a twist? Sophie Clark on...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/06/15

On today's Chosen One episode we speak to Sophie Clark about Cruel Is the Light, her debut romantasy full of demon-hunting exorcists, forbidden love and tangled webs of power. We discuss the gothic elements of the Vatican-inspired world and how the setting became a character in and of itself. We also delve into our love of the grumpy x sunshine trope, especially when it's flipped on its head, and we talk about attitudes towards trope culture in romance and how the same criticisms are never

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00:23:37

Angels, vampires and the battle of the book...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/06/08

On today's Roundtable episode, the 2010s are back as we revisit the paranormal romance books that shaped our love of fantasy. From Fallen to Vampire Academy and City of Bones, we delve into all the reasons why we adored these books as angsty teenagers. We give our hot takes about the best angel fiction and the worst classics, and we recall the struggle of keeping track of all our book boyfriends. We also reveal our contentious opinions about book adaptations (#NotMyJace) and which fantasy books

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00:19:53

Book-inspired tattoos and a roadtrip to Forks: How...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/06/01

On today's Roundtable episode, join us for another trip down memory lane as we reveal the fantasy books that shaped our undying love for the genre. From Percy Jackson to Inkheart, The Starless Sea and many more, we discuss the stories that turned us into readers and the ones that reshaped our reading as adults. We also reveal the lifelong obsessions sparked by these books, including how one of us planned an entire holiday around visiting the filming locations for Twilight. Lit Witches is hosted by

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00:25:06

Peak nostalgia and pure magic: The fantasy books that...

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast ·

2026/05/24

On today's Roundtable episode, we get sentimental as we look back at the formative books that made us fall in love with fantasy. From Eragon to Northern Lights, Six of Crows and many more, we chat about the stories that feel like coming home, whether they still hold up today and how they have influenced our reading tastes as adults. We also discuss how reading unlocks memory, identity and empathy, and we reveal the fantasy new releases we can't wait to get our hands on. Lit Witches is hosted by

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