
Realms Unknown
Fantasy, Sci Fi and speculative fiction, observed through the comedic lens of The Bugle. Become a Bugle subscriber to enjoy this show ad free and help us thrive.Please take our listener survey so we can do even better: http://bit.ly/realmsunknown-surveyExpect reviews and supernova level hot takes on literature, gaming, films, TV, board games, and anywhere else you can experience space ships, clones and beautiful elves with massive weapons.A podcast from The Bugle. Hosted by Alice Fraser and friends. Also available as a video podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 19, 2025 • 35min
Neuromancer // Cyberpunk // Basketful of Heads
In Episode 4 of Realms Unknown, hosts Alice Fraser and Jackie Kashian dive into the latest news in pop culture and fantasy! From Ian McKewan's new 'science fiction without the science' novel What We Can Know, to new seasons of Alice in Borderland and The Handmaid's Tale, to Natasha Lyonne producing and starring in the upcoming Basketful of Heads movie.They take a deep dive into this week's sub-genre of cyberpunk, discussing books like Neuromancer, Mindstar Rising, and Ten Low. They discuss the similarities and differences with steampunk and Jackie recommends When Gravity Falls by George Alec Effinger, while Alice suggests Market Forces by Richard Morgan.In this episode’s Trope on a Rope, Jackie bemoans the Marvel trope of a female character meeting their end off a cliff, while Alice recalls the scientists trying to save the world who panic and try to open the airlock. Meanwhile, listener Elyse makes the case for reading the Lost Omens: Divine Mysteries Pathfinder RPG book.Also, don’t miss our recommendations for what to do, watch, or read this week. Tune in for a packed episode full of insightful discussions, book and TV recommendations, and much more! Buy the books we cover in this episode in our affiliate store.🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment with your thoughts or recommendations! We’d love to hear from you!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Jackie Kashian.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com🌐 Visit thebuglepodcast.com to support us and find more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 2025 • 35min
Buffy’s Return, Grimdark Fiction & Redhead Tropes
In this episode of Realms Unknown, hosts Alice Fraser and Eleanor Morton dive into the latest news in pop culture and fantasy! Get the scoop on Buffy's return with Sarah Michelle Gellar, exciting Back to the Future updates, the new video game Atomfall, and a fascinating partnership between the Ministry of Defence and sci-fi writers.They also shine a spotlight on the gritty world of Grimdark fiction, discussing epic books like Prince of Thorns, The Black Company, and Legends & Lattes. Eleanor shares her thoughts on the game Hobbs Barrow, while Alice recommends the TV series Pantheon.In this episode’s Trope on a Rope, Eleanor breaks down the redhead trope in fantasy and sci-fi, touching on Gulliver’s Travels, Eddie Redmayne’s role in Jupiter Ascending, and Gimli from Lord of the Rings. Plus, Sandy convinces us to read Joe Abercrombie’s Best Served Cold in the Convince Me to Read This Book segment!Also, don’t miss our recommendations for what to do, watch, or read this week. Tune in for a packed episode full of insightful discussions, book and TV recommendations, and much more! Buy the books we cover in this episode in our affiliate store🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment with your thoughts or recommendations! We’d love to hear from you!Produced by Chris Skinner. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Eleanor Morton.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com🌐 Visit thebuglepodcast.com to support us and find more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 39min
Grimdark // Ursula K Le Guin // The Cube
Realms Unknown is your gateway to the strange, the dark, and the mind-bendingly brilliant worlds of sci-fi and fantasy. Hosted by the incomparable Alice Fraser, with guest co-host Tom Neenan, this podcast takes a deep (and hilarious) dive into some of the genre’s greatest works—whether it’s the brutal landscapes of Grimdark, the existential horror of The Cube, the radical utopias of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed, or the timey-wimey brilliance of Doctor Who.Our store, with links to books we recommend is here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownSupport us directly: http://thebuglepodcast.comExpect sharp insights, unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs as Alice and Tom unravel what makes these stories so enduring (and weird). Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner for The Bugle, Realms Unknown is your guide to the best and strangest corners of speculative fiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 40min
Severance // Rebecca Yarros // Astrobot - It's Realms Unknown!
Join comedian and writer Tom Neenan as he co-hosts an entertaining journey into the realms of sci-fi and fantasy. They discuss the adorable gaming adventure of Astrobot and delve into the trend of 'Romantasy' led by Rebecca Yarros. The conversation covers audience expectations in adaptations like Dune and explores the political implications of storytelling within the BookTok community. They also contemplate the whimsical nature of modern narratives and create a humorous take on storytelling challenges, blending creativity with audience engagement.

Jan 21, 2025 • 2min
Realms Unknown is coming
Alice Fraser presents the best (and occasionally worst) of Sci Fi and Fantasy, across TV & film, literature, gaming and anywhere you can get speculative.Released weekly Wednesdays, we want your thoughts and feedback - realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.comA podcast from The Bugle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.