Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

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1. Dark fantasy meets classic dystopia: We review Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald

   2 november 2026 · 38 min

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   On today's Roundtable episode, we're diving into Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald, the first book in a brand-new dark fantasy series set in a world where technology meets magic. We chat about the unique worldbuilding, whether the enemies to lovers arc is a true slow burn, and how this epic debut dances on the line between fantasy and dystopian fiction. Lees meer

   Our book recommendations this week:

   Made you fall in love with fantasy: Round the Twist & Unreal by Paul Jennings / Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

   Reading right now: Hollywood Ending by John Green / Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

   Can't recommend to your parents: Gild by Raven Kennedy / Sweetverse series by Kathryn Moon

   Favourite of 2026: The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo / Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (inspired by our YouTube series on East of Eden! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfdrJm1oTPs&t=4s)

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Belinda Conners and Lexi Stevens.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

2. Bookbinders and magical bargains: Helen Scheuerer on her fantasy romance Kiss of the Black Flame

   26 oktober 2026 · 45 min

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   A bookbinder and an immortal warrior forced to work together? Sign us up! On today's Chosen One episode, we speak to Australian author Helen Scheuerer about Kiss of the Black Flame, the first book in her brand-new romantasy trilogy. Helen tells us about her timely pivot from literary fiction to romantasy and why she chooses to write main characters who are no longer coming of age. We also bond over our shared love of Tamora Pierce, and Helen reveals what it's like being beta-read by her husband. Lees meer

   Helen's book recommendations:

   Book that shaped her: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce / Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

   Book that made her cry: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

   Book she wishes to read again for the first time: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

   Best book to screen adaptation: Lord of the Rings

   Best book of 2026: The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

   Next on the TBR: Daggermouth / The Washwoman at the River's End

   If you'd like to learn more about Kiss of the Black Flame, here's the link: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/kiss-of-the-black-flame-9781911760627

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Helen Scheuerer.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

3. What's the secret to a great fantasy story? Two UK publishers reveal their favourite and upcoming books

   19 oktober 2026 · 51 min

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   Lit Witches goes abroad! On today's episode, we travel to the UK to speak to two publishers who are at the forefront of the fantasy boom. We chat about how the fantasy genre has grown and changed, and the role social media and BookTok has played in connecting readers with books they'll love. They also reveal their favourite fantasy reads, what books perfectly execute their favourite tropes and the exciting new releases you're going to want on your bookshelf in 2027. Lees meer

   Our book recommendations this week:

   Formative fantasy book: Twilight / The Assassin's Apprentice

   Perfectly executes your favourite trope: The Cruel Prince / When the Moon Hatched

   Can't stop recommending: A Court of Thorns and Roses / Throne of Glass / Dire Bound

   Next on the TBR: There is No Antimemetics Division / The Knave and the Moon / One Dark Window

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Rachel Winterbottom and Lara Stevenson from Wayward TxF.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

4. The ultimate nostalgia trip - we revisit the world of Percy Jackson

   12 oktober 2026 · 46 min

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   Grab your orange shirts and beaded necklaces - we're going back to Camp Half-Blood! On today's Roundtable episode, we revisit one of our favourite, most nostalgic fantasy reads: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We chat about our first experiences with the Percy Jackson world and why it truly stands the test of time thanks to the characters, the humour, and the iconic modern twist on Greek mythology. And, of course, we debate who our Greek God parent would be. Lees meer

   Our book recommendations this week:

   Book you'd love to read again for the first time: The Silver Brumby / The Raven Scholar

   Favourite Greek myth retelling: The Song of Achilles / Psyche and Eros

   Deserves a TV adaption: Skulduggery Pleasant / The Will of the Many / The Starless Sea

   Series you wish would never end: The Shadowhunters universe by Cassandra Clare

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Isabella Francis and Shané Oosthuizen.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

5. Monsters and melodramatic men: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | Fantasy Classics Book Club

   5 oktober 2026 · 49 min

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   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. Lees meer

   Our quickfire book recommendations this week:

   First classic: Little Women / The Secret Garden / Narnia

   Favourite classic: The Secret History / Rebecca / Catcher in the Rye / One Hundred Years of Solitude

   Classic we couldn't finish: Anna Karenina / Dracula / The Great Gatsby

   Best classic adaptation: Alice in Wonderland / The Great Gatsby / Pride and Prejudice and Zombies / Little Women

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Ariana Khalidi and Vishali Seshadri.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

6. Magic, romance and wolves - we review Silvercloak by L.K. Steven (plus - a Turncloak preview!!)

   29 september 2026 · 44 min

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   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. Lees meer

   Our book recommendations this week:

   Eragon by Christopher Paolini / Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

   Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros / A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Maddie Taplin.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

7. Hunger Games, with more romance: our full review of dystopian fantasy Silver Elite

   21 september 2026 · 45 min

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   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!). Lees meer

   Our quickfire book recommendations this week:

   5 star reads: Female Fantasy by Iman Hariri-Kia / The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

   Childhood fantasy fave: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy / Graceling by Kristin Cashore

   Fantasy Newbie Rec: Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeires by Heather Fawcett /The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem / The Will of the Many by James Islington

   Book that Surprised You: The Winged Game by Sophie Kim / To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

   Next on the TBR: Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer / Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

   Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Silver Elite in our After Dark section from 32.45 to 41.32. Skip ahead to our fun fantasy game at the end of the episode if you're yet to read it.

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Isabelle Werro.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

8. Sports Romantasy - Heated Rivalry meets Fourth Wing in The Winged Game

   14 september 2026 · 35 min

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   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 this year, make it this one. Lees meer

   Our book recommendations this week:

   Jodie: Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald

   Hannah: Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

   Adelaide: Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer

   Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of The Winged Game in our After Dark section from 22.32 to . Skip ahead to our fun fantasy game at the end of the episode if you're yet to read it.

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Hannah Armstrong and Jodie Ramodien.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

9. Office romance, but make it evil: our full Assistant to the Villain series review

   7 september 2026 · 36 min

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   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.” Lees meer

   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 this unexpectedly delightful rom-com so much fun. We talk Book 4 spoilers run from 24:58–33:12, so skip ahead to our fun fantasy game if you're yet to read Adversary to the Villain.

   Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Lucy Dalziel and Sarah McDuling.

   Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

10. Magical creatures and finding your spark - author Shara Curlett on Protector of Beyond

    31 augustus 2026 · 42 min

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    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 imaginations, and how important it is to get kids reading books in today's online world. Lees meer

    Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Shara Curlett.

    Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

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