Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Penguin Books Australia
  • 4.3 (4)
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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. 3d ago

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

    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. 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. Oct 26

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

    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. 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. Oct 19

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

    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. 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. Oct 12

    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.

  5. Oct 5

    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.

  6. Sep 28

    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.

  7. Sep 21

    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.

  8. Sep 14

    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.

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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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