

Realms Unknown
The Bugle
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.Expect 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2025 • 36min
Disguises // Superman // Quantum Leap
Come journey into Realms Unknown with Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan for a whole world of sci-fi and fantasy recommendations, tropes and news!We discuss the use of disguises in genre fiction, the hot commie summer, and ominous portents that have double meanings. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING?FILM Superman Buffalo Soldiers - Maurice Broaddus TROPE ON A ROPE - ominous portents that have double meaningsMacbeth - William ShakespeareLord of the Rings - J.R.R. TolkienStar Wars: The Last JediDeadly Education - Naomi NovikSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - disguisesFILM Snow WhiteFILM SupermanA Court of Thorn and Roses - Sarah J. MaasTV Quantum LeapTV FoundationFILM Smile FILM Smile 2TV Doctor Who - Terror of the Zygons TV Orphan BlackSherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Song of the Lioness series - Tamora PierceTV Secret InvasionFILM Mission: Impossible seriesTV Doctor Who - World Enough and TimeMINES OF URRGHFILM Johnny Mnemonic📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Help your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 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.

Jul 15, 2025 • 40min
Red Sonja // Medieval Fayres // Funny Fantasy
Come journey into Realms Unknown with Alice Fraser and podcasting legend Chris Skinner for a whole world of sci-fi and fantasy recommendations, tropes and news!We discuss medieval fayres (jousting, anyone?), K Pop Demon Hunters and A Court of Thorns and Roses.Our Trope On A Rope is characters who learn to fight way to easily, and then the one who can land the lucky punch with zero training.We also get the ick thinking about Red Sonja.Our genre deep dive is comedy in speculative:All Discworld BooksRick and MortyRed DwarfThe Hitchhikers Guide To The GalaxyAll My Friends Are SuperheroesGideon The Ninth📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Help your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Chris Skinner.📧 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.

Jul 8, 2025 • 41min
Redemption Arcs // Comics // Resident Alien
Come journey into Realms Unknown with Alice Fraser and US comedian and podcaster Jackie Kashian for a whole world of sci-fi and fantasy recommendations, tropes and news!NEWSIsles of the Emberdark - Brandon SandersonMistborn - Brandon SandersonElantris - Brandon SandersonThe Name of the Wind - Patrick RothfussWHAT ARE YOU INTO?GAME Clank!GAME Lords of WaterdeepSabriel - Garth NixLirael - Garth NixAbhorsen - Garth NixSinister Booksellers of Bath - Garth NixDragonsong - Anne McCaffreyDragonsinger - Anne McCaffreyDragondrums - Anne McCaffreyThe Dolphins of Pern - Anne McCaffreyA Forbidden Alchemy - Stacey McEwanCOMIC The Uncanny X-Men - Gail SimoneCOMIC Ironwood - Bill WillinghamCOMIC Jack of Fables - Bill WillinghamCOMIC Oglaf - Trudy Cooper and Doug BayneCOMIC Giant Days - John AllisonTROPE ON A ROPECOMIC ThunderboltsCOMIC LuciferCOMIC Secret SixCOMIC 100 BulletsCOMIC The BoysDEEP DIVE - redemption arcsThe Chronicles of Severian the Torturer - Gene WolfeThe Book of the New Sun - Gene WolfeIllusions - Richard Bach (Messiah story)Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A Heinlein (Messiah story)MOVIE Thunderbolts*MOVIE Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VersePrince of Thorns - Mark LawrenceCOMIC - LuciferTV LuciferGoing Postal - Terry PratchettHogfather - Terry PratchettTV Resident AlienCOMIC Irredeemable - Mark WaidCOMIC Incorruptible - Mark WaidMINES OF URRGHFILM You’ve Got MailFILM Pillow TalkFILM Casablanca📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Help your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!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.

Jul 1, 2025 • 42min
Flintlock fantasy // 28 Years Later // Culturepunk
Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan bring you episode 24 of Realms Unknown: your one-stop show for speculative fiction tropes, news and recommendations!Episode 24This week's news covers the Squid Game USA spinoff, Disney suing AI image generator Midjourney, and a mother suing Disney after a Stormtrooper scared her child, causing injury. Hear what Tom and Alice have been enjoying recently, men slaps and silly old women with health issues are the tropes on the rope this week and they venture into the 'mines of urrgh'. The sub genre deep dive is flintlock fantasy - combining gunpowder-era warfare with magic! And hear the EXCLUSIVE breaking news as Tom coins what may be a brand-new genre - culturepunk. You (possibly) heard it here first!Alice Fraser - A Passion for PassionNewsTV Squid Game USAWhat have you been into of late?FILM 28 Years LaterGods of Blood and Powder - Brian McClennanFILM M3GAN 2.0Sub genre deep dive - flintlock fictionTV SharpeSixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - K. J. ParkerThe Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne - Brian StaveleyGAME Dungeons & Dragons SpelljammerTV Shadow and BoneShadow and Bone - Leigh BardugoThe Cardinal’s Blades - Pierre PevelThe Phoenix Guards - Steven BrustFive Hundred Years After - Steven BrustGAME Assassin’s CreedMines of UrrghFILM 28 Years LaterFILM SeveranceFILM PredatorFILM Snow WhiteSubscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 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.

Jun 24, 2025 • 39min
Side characters as leads // Final Fantasy // Magician
Alice Fraser and James Nokise bring you episode 23 of Realms Unknown: your one-stop show for speculative fiction tropes, news and recommendations!Episode 23This week's news covers The Odyssey, Masters of the Universe and the Highlander remake, and James and Alice dive into all manner of good things sci fi and fantasy. The sub genre deep dive is all about side characters as leads!Alice Fraser - A Passion for PassionJames Nokise - PODCAST The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior NewsFILM The OdysseyFILM Masters of the UniverseFILM HighlanderAdsGAME Hero’s QuestGAME Police QuestGAME Space QuestWhat have you been enjoying?GAMES Final FantasyLirael - Garth NixSub genre deep dive - side characters as leadsPLAY Rosencratz and Guildenstein Are Dead - Tom StoppardTV Dollhouse - Joss WhedonThe Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster BujoldGAME Final Fantasy XIIPaladin of Souls - Lois McMaster BujoldFILM SoloThe Book of the New Sun - Gene WolfTV Star Trek: Lower DecksRedshirts - John ScalziAncillary Justice - Ann LeckieThe Wheel of Time - Robert JordanMagician - Raymond E. FeistMines of UrrghThe Belgariad - David EddingsFILM The Sword and the Sorcerer FILM Close Encounters of the Third KindFILM PopeyeFILM Masters of the UniverseSubscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and James Nokise.📧 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.

5 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 40min
Translated works // Under The Skin // Bikini armour
Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan bring you episode 22 of Realms Unknown: your one-stop show for speculative fiction tropes, news and recommendations!Episode 22This week's news respectfully looks at buff geek Henry Cavill's forthcoming Highlander movie, and Tom and Alice dive into all manner of good things sci fi and fantasy. This week's deep dive is all about translated works!Alice Fraser - A Passion for PassionAlice Fraser - Calm World: Introduction to MeditationTom Neenan - Zeroes - David ReedNewsFILM HighlanderAPP Zombies! Run!What have you been enjoying?FILM Under The SkinUnder The Skin - Michael FaberBehooved - M. StevensonTrope on a rope - bikini armour / warrior maiden vagina chokeholdJill Bearup - Just Stab Me NowSub genre deep dive - sci fi and fantasy in translationThe OdysseyThe IliadBeowulf - Maria Dahvana HeadleyBeowulf - Seamus HeanyAsterix & ObelixThe Cyberiad - Stanislaw LemThe Melting - Lize SpitANIME Neon Genesis EvangelionTV DarkThe Night Watch - Sergei LukyanenkoFILM The City of Lost ChildrenMines of UrrghFILM ElysiumFILM MountainheadMr Men - Roger HargreavesSubscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 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.

Jun 11, 2025 • 36min
Deep Dive: Tamora Pierce
Alice is joined by Chris Skinner to discuss the work of Tamora Pierce. They also chat about Murderbot and Sarah J Maas - is Romantasy sexy enough?Search for Chris’s show Mildly Informed in your pod feed now.Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Chris Skinner.📧 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.

Jun 3, 2025 • 46min
Neurodivergent heroes // Murderbot // Guillermo del Toro
Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan bring you episode 20 of Realms Unknown: your one-stop show for speculative fiction tropes, news and recommendations!This week, it's all about neurodivergent heroes in sci-fi and fantasy!Episode 20This week's news features Guillermo del Toro's new Frankenstein movie, the new Predator: Killer of Killers movie and is gravity proof that life on Earth is actually a simulation?Hear what Alice and Tom have been enjoying recently, which tropes they love or hate, then take a deep dive with them into early sci-fi and fantasy, and hear the things that they used to love but now make them feel a bit urrrgh.Alice Fraser - A Passion for PassionTom Neenan - The HaunteningTom Neenan Is Not All MenNewsFILM FrankensteinFILM Predator: Killer of KillersFILM MountainheadWhat have you been into?TV Rick and MortyBlood Song - Anthony RyanWitch King - Martha WellsSub-genre deep dive: neurodivergent heroesSherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan DoyleTV BonesTemperance Brennan series - Kathy ReichsA Drop of Corruption - Robert Jackson BennettTV Star TrekTV Red DwarfThe mines of urrrghFILM PassengersSubscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our shows https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 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.

May 27, 2025 • 44min
Gender // Scholomance // Honor Harrington
In this insightful discussion, Patrick Lenton, an author known for 'In Spite of You', joins host Alice Fraser to explore compelling themes in speculative fiction. They dive into the complexities of gender representation in sci-fi and fantasy, highlighting important works such as the Honor Harrington series and Mulan. The conversation also touches on the ethical dilemmas of using AI in creative writing and critiques the grimdark genre's reliance on violence. Alongside fun media recommendations, Patrick shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of storytelling.

4 snips
May 20, 2025 • 46min
Sinners // Experiments in Form // Guards! Guards!
Host Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan (The Mash Report, The Hauntening) bring you episode 18 of Realms Unknown: your one-stop show for speculative fiction tropes, news and recommendations!This week, we're looking at experiments in form!Episode 18This week's news features the Highlander remake moving to Amazon, Sinners continuing to tear up the box office, and the sad introduction of AI-narrated audiobooks.Hear what Alice and Tom have been enjoying recently, which tropes they love or hate, then take a deep dive with them into early sci-fi and fantasy, and hear the things that they used to love but now make them feel a bit urrrgh.Host bookAlice Fraser - A Passion for PassionNewsFILM Highlander remakeFILM SinnersWhat have you been into?FILM SinnersThe Blacktongue Thief - Christopher BuehlmanThe Murderbot Diaries - Martha WellsTrope on a ropeGuards! Guards! - Terry PratchettSub-genre deep dive: experiments in formThe Book of Good Times - Hank GreenThe Ship of Theseus - VM StrakaThis Is How You Lose The Time War - Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneSCP-3008Frankenstein - Mary ShelleySubcutanean - Aaron ReedPODCAST - The Last PostPODCAST - RevolutionsWEBCOMIC - xkcdWEBCOMIC - Saturday Morning Breakfast CerealPODCAST Beef and Dairy NetworkPODCAST Welcome to Night ValeConvince MeThe Rest of Us Just Live Here - Patrick NessRedshirts - John ScalziThe mines of urrrghFILM Indiana Jones and The Temple of DoomFILM Wall-ESubscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel for episodes of all of our showsSupport Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donateHelp your local bookshop by buying the books mentioned in the show in our Bookshop affiliate store🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 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.