The English Club Podcast The University of Saint Balasar English Club

It's YA Sci-Fi gone wild! Join the SBU English Club as they review what has to be one of the longest YA books ever--Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings!

Don't believe the author drama--this book is nowhere NEAR as bad as they say it is. But they also don't talk about what makes this book REALLY bad. Weird how that happens.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or just curious about the controversy, join us for a deep dive into what we will come to call the proto-Lightlark.

Somehow, J.A. Johnstone has returned. And she’s brought a new book that’s somehow more insane than the last. Join the SBU English Club as they tackle another ripped-from-the-headlines Johnstone thriller, and try in vain to figure out just what headlines this is supposed to be ripped from.

Just as a warning, this one gets kinda real, so listen at your discretion.

The worst author ever is back with a furry mountain-climbing fever dream! This one’s so much to deal with that our heroes need to call in the help of a friend. Throw yourself to the wolves and join the fun as the English Club tackles a book that may literally be ontologically evil.




Is it safe to climb a mountain in a fursuit? How much are you (not) supposed to spend on marketing your book? Is this guy serious? Find out on our newest episode!

Somehow, Lightlark has returned. Some call it the worst YA book ever made, others call it a victim of a chemical reaction between the publishing industry and the TikTok machine. Whatever led Lightlark and Nightbane to get published, they're full of common mistakes made by newbie fantasy writers and remain some of the most controversial books.

We don't care. We're hell-bent on saving it, anyways. Maybe it's something with the character introductions, the romance subplot, or even that this book needs a bit more Reylo--J and Andrew will do whatever it takes to make the world of Isla, Oro, and GRIMSHAW make sense.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers. Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself hungry for distraction, preferring to frequent Lightlark’s seductive haunts instead of embracing her duties as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms. Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned. As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.

ABOUT US:
English Club Podcast is a joint venture between two critique partners at "Saint Balasar University". The goal of each episode is to give internet famous fiction a fair critique, as if the authors were members of a writing group themselves.

CHOOSE YOUR MAGICAL CREATURES:
Antler Bear, Moss Wolf, Giant Spider:
https://www.instagram.com/sbu_englishclub

An actual panther like literally just a large cat with no other cool features:
https://twitter.com/sbu_englishclub

Apparently, the people who made the giant replica of Noah’s ark also wrote a pseudo-fantasy trilogy about Noah’s early life. Our intrepid heroes don’t expect much from the first book, but lo—fantasy writing tips, dinosaurs, and Renaissance-era poetry await!


Will Jay and Andrew let their differing beliefs stop them from working together to save this book? Can a work be true, even when it’s not factual? Will iron mining operations disrupt local pterodactyl habitats? Some of these questions will be answered!

Join the English Club for a deep dive into the controversial book that everyone on Twitter and TikTok has been lit up about. Journey across 18th century France, the god dimension, colonial America, another god dimension, Dinosaur Fairy hell, and probably some other places too during this whopper of a club meeting.

Plus: who is Lauren M. Davis? Is she a Cait Corrain sockpuppet, or an AI writer? Who is Nova, and is her playlist any good? CAN you copyright the sun? And what makes this book so interesting and controversial anyway?

Full book synopsis on our website: https://englishclubpodcast.com/2024/01/04/novas-playlist/

Review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6072707343

Follow Marve M Anson so something good comes out of this: https://www.instagram.com/justmarvewrites/

ABOUT US:
English Club Podcast is a joint venture between two critique partners at "Saint Balasar University". The goal of each episode is to give internet famous fiction a fair critique, as if the authors were members of a writing group themselves.