The fellas wrap up their spooky month with the last halloween special, washing the taste of the Woman in Black out of their brains with an amazing collection of ghost stories, written by the creator of The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims. They reflect on the impressive change in mediums, as well as its somewhat heavy handed (yet nonetheless true) themes on capitalism, the environment and killing billionaires with steak knives.Hear about their favourite stories in the anthology. For Geordie, its a tech-bro being menaced by a haunted Hal-9000, and for Duncan, a shame filled executive trying to purge the rot from within himself and his home. You might think that this is some Freudian insight into Duncan's psyche, but I think its just because he had a radiator leak recently.
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1:36:56
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1:36:56
Berserk: Falconia
Some traditions never get old. Once again Duncan and Geordie return to the dark world of Berserk to wrap up its incredibly named Millenium Falcon Arc with Falconia. Its one of Geordie's favourite and least favourite parts of the series, containing some of the best action ever depicted in fiction, some astonishing world-building, a drastic change to the series' status quo... but it also spent three years of publication just following Griffith, which is basically a crime. The fellas discuss the many surprises in this arc. From Farnese's character arc the introduction of the surprisingly cool Roderick, and Gut's incredible journey to letting go of hatred. Duncan loved this section so much, he even said it beat out the Golden Age. Please put the gun down.Don't forget to check out all our previous episodes on Berserk and let us know what you think about this arc in the comments or on our social media.
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1:35:46
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1:35:46
The Woman in Black
In the first part of their (somewhat delayed) Halloween Booooook Club, the fellas dive in to what is supposed to be one of the most iconic and scariest books in British horror: The Woman in Black.... and find it to be a massive disapointment. A dry, laughably unscary drag completely upstaged by both of its famous adaptations. Tune in to hear Geordie unleash the frustrations of a difficult day on a deserving punching bag, and hear Duncan realise he'd really rather talk about the Magnus Archives. They also cover Duncan accidentally reading a censored children's version of the Force Awakens, and end the episode with undoubtably the most unexpected book choice in the entire podcast.But before we get to the next book, its time to return to the world of Berserk.
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1:07:53
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1:07:53
Paladin's Grace
Slather yourself in gingerbread and fail to solve a mystery, its time for Duncan and Geordie to cover 'Paladin's Grace' by T. Kingfisher. They discuss an excellent love story, and a real pallete cleanser from the hormonal teenage romantasies they've experienced up till now. Even if the political intrigue and mysteries promised by the blurb fails to materialise. This episode Geordie learns a surprising amount of Ancient Greek, Duncan tries to weird out Geordie by describing a video game, only to discover that its pretty de rigeour by anime standards, whilst Geordie forces Duncan to exactingly describe the book's steamiest scenes.Next time.... things are getting spooky with the return of the annual October boooook club.
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1:41:20
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1:41:20
Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: Ill Met in Lanhkmar
For the final time (and this time we mean it) the fellas are embarking on another sword and sorcery adventure with the introduction to Fritz Leiber's classic dynamic duo Fafhrd and Grey Mouser in 'Ill Met in Lankhmar.' The fellas rave about the story's humour and excitement and beautifully morbid setting, and appreciate the irony of a classic 'fridging' scene appearing right after they covered Gail Simone.We at the Is This Just Fantasy Studio™ cannot condone the Fafhrd and Grey Mouser drinking game where you drink every time we mention Conan and Elric. Not without an ambulance.Dear audience, we are aware that for the first time in the history of the podcast, Duncan has been able to pick the book three times in a row. We are also afraid that it may have driven him mad with power. He will be put back in his place again soon.
The book club where we review all things fantasy! Join Duncan and Geordie as they embark on a quest to track the breadth and history of the fantasy genre, one epic at the time.
Whether you're a fan of book-stopper tomes like Duncan, or lighter YA fantasy like Geordie, we want you to read-along with us. Episodes are released every two weeks, giving you enough to read the book (or skim the synopsis if you're just here for the banter.)
Ireland