Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Penguin Books Australia
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

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 discussions and much more. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, Powered by Penguin.

  1. 2 days ago

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

    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. 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.

  2. 5 Oct

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

    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 / 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.

  3. 28 Sept

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

    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 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.

  4. 21 Sept

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

    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 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.

  5. 14 Sept

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

    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. 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.

  6. 7 Sept

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

    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 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.

  7. 31 Aug

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

    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. 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.

  8. 24 Aug

    Pirates, tyrants and thieves: talking 'Steelborn' by Taylor J LaRue

    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 name 'Gavin' be banned in fantasy? Our book recommendations this week: Adiba: The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson Issi: Mine After Midnight by Lauren Jackson (check out our interview with Lauren Jackson!) Adelaide: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman (don't miss our roundtable chat on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series) Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Steelborn in our After Dark section, from 30.42 to 39.30. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Adiba Oemar 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.

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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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 discussions and much more. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, Powered by Penguin.

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