Fantology

March was a great month for bad news, but there were a few nuggets of good news in the fantasy community! Josh, Ryan & Stephen recap and discuss recent tv, movie & book news in this episode. Beware, moderate spoilers if you aren't already current! Plus, Covid-19 bets that have aged poorly and moments one Fantology member doesn't want his wife to hear!Topic tags: Stranger things 2:22, The Witcher 8:37, Wheel of Time 14:55, Poppy War 27:26, Dresden Files 29:51  Next up: The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan Followed by: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

The second book of His Dark Materials keeps the momentum that started The Golden Compass going strong. This series has strong, unique character voices, engaging action, and meaningful symbolism. Although it suffers a bit from the classic second "bridge" book phenomenon, that by no means takes away from the quality of the series. Plus, looking to say fantasy books aren't of literary note? Bring it on! Next up: March Fantasy News Episode Followed by: The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Ryan breaks down Michael J. Sullivan's first trilogy and does his best to convince Stephen to try reading it again. Sullivan pumps out a lot of content and is without a doubt the most prolific self-published fantasy author out there, but is the prose quality up to everyone's standards? Plus, comparisons to Wheel of Time, discussion on audiobooks vs physical books and several rash promises that one Fantology member may regret one day. Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

Blast from the past here! Artemis Fowl is going to be released as a movie soon so we thought we'd dust off our old copies and review it. This book (and series) was a huge hit in the early 2000's and still holds up well today. The characters are fun and the plot moves quickly. There's even some nicely executed twists at the end! If you never read this as a child, check it out now. Plus, look for Ben's new line of Mulch-inspired apparel coming soon! Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

A steampunk, young adult & alternative universe setting is not our usual cup of tea in a book. But here it works, and works well. The His Dark Materials series is as enticing as it is controversial, and we discuss the nature of that controversy and how it should be handled as you read. There is some deep symbolism here with meanings which may be unsettling to some readers. Plus, looking for the best way to get rich as a kid and fool your grandparents? Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

The Wheel of Time begins turning for us in our review of the first book of the series. These books are foundational in every sense of the word! Jordan built from Tolkien and then in turn has influenced the popular authors of today. Speaking of, how well does the series stand up when read 30 years after its initial publication? Plus, check out our Power Rankings of characters from the first book! Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

No sophomore slump for Golden Son, the second book in the Red Rising trilogy! The middle entry continues to astound us with its unique formula of unforgettable non-stop action intermixed with poignant character moments. We discuss our favorite characters & scenes and speculate how Pierce Brown was able to keep the plot twisting and turning so effectively. Plus, yet another spelling error shames Fantology! Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

In this episode we review the entirety of The Witcher saga - video games, books & TV show. After the release of the Netflix show the books have had a huge surge in popularity and fans have been calling for another video game. Why has this series been so successful and what's the best medium for this story to be told in anyway? Plus, we apologize for knowing nothing about the noble country of Poland. Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

If you like werewolves, you'll like the second book of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. This one is still a little slow with a simple plot, but it continues to build up towards the brilliance of the series that's manifest later on. Plus, some of us are unaware that werewolf is a real word with a canonized spelling. You learn something new every day! Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King

This new dark fantasy book is the best urban fantasy we've read since Dresden Files. And that's high praise coming from Josh! The setting, characters and prose combine to form the beginning of a promising series that captivates the reader's attention from beginning to end. Plus, how come we missed out on joining a secret society in college? Chat with us more! Tell us why we're wrong! Discord: https://discord.gg/9AMJqj2 Support the show on Patreon and access additional perks: https://www.patreon.com/fantology_books Check out our exclusive Merch in our Spreadshirt shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/fantology/ Music: "New Dawn" by Terry Devine-King