We’re friends and we talk about fantasy. Books, not sports.
Episodes
22 hours ago
22 hours ago
We’re back and diving deep into the pages! 📚 In this episode of Friends Talking Fantasy, The Friends break down the 25 books Charles read during the podcast hiatus—ranking them from S-tier gems to DNF disasters.
From Brandon Sanderson’s newest standalones to chaotic fun like Dungeon Crawler Carl, poetic necromancy in Sabriel, and the genre-bending brilliance of The Tainted Cup, we cover fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and everything in between. Expect bold takes, bookish banter, and tier list drama.
🔮 Which book made the top?
😤 Which ones did we DNF without remorse?
🎧 Which audiobooks took over our car rides?
Get ready for a whirlwind tour of recent reads, surprising favorites, and a whole lot of hot takes. Don’t forget to like, comment with your top reads, and subscribe for more episodes!
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy
Visit our Website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
After a four-month break, The Friends are back with a refreshed Friends Talking Fantasy—complete with a new video format! In this comeback episode, we catch up on life, talk future podcast goals (live episodes, maybe?), and kickoff a new Friends Pitching Fantasy.
Each host brings three fantasy books to the table, pitching them to determine the next reads for the show.
The six books discussed:
📚 The Daughters’ War by Christopher Buehlman
📚 Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
📚 The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter
📚 The Ending Fire by Saara El-Arifi
📚 The Will of the Many by James Islington
📚 Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
Tune in to hear our thoughts on each pick, the plans for upcoming episodes, and some light fantasy banter along the way.
🎥 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@FriendsTalkingFantasy
🌐 Visit our website: friendstalkingfantasy.com
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
I (Dylan) provided an update on what's been going on and why we haven't had any episodes in a while. We will be back in due time!
Email us at theftfpodcast@gmail.com to let us know what you'd like to see from the show moving forward!
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
The journey of the Liveship Traders trilogy reaches its breathtaking conclusion in Ship of Destiny, and we’re here to dive deep into Robin Hobb’s masterful storytelling. Join us as we explore the incredible character arcs, unravel the mysteries of the Liveships and dragons, and discuss the powerful themes of freedom, identity, and legacy. Whether you’re a die-hard Hobb fan or a first-time traveler of the Rain Wilds, this spoiler-filled discussion will chart the full course of this unforgettable finale.
Visit our website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
In this episode of the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast, we take a spoiler-free journey into the gripping world of Max Brooks’ World War Z. Join us as we explore the unique format of the book, presented as an oral history of the global zombie apocalypse, and discuss the major themes of survival, resilience, and global cooperation. We’ll share our impressions of how this realistic take on a zombie outbreak stands out within the genre and why it’s a must-read for fans of speculative fiction. Whether you’re a veteran zombie enthusiast or new to the apocalypse, this episode will have something for everyone—without spoiling the thrill of discovering World War Z for yourself!
Visit our website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
In this autumnal episode of Friends Talking Fantasy, Charles and Dylan dive into the perfect books to get you into those fall vibes. From spooky horrors to cozy fantasies, they explore the themes, settings, and characters that best capture the essence of the season. Whether you’re looking for eerie tales like Christopher Buehlman’s The Black Tongue Thief, a chilling Dracula retelling in A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson, or heartwarming reads like A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, this episode has a recommendation for every fall mood. Tune in for a celebration of all things fall, with fantasy books that pair perfectly with the crisp air and changing leaves.
Visit out website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
1. World War Z by Max Brooks
2. The Black Tongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
3. Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
4. A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
5. Evocation by S.T. Gibson
6. Fairytale by Stephen King
7. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
8. Monstrous by Marjorie Liu (illustrated by Sana Takeda)
9. The Bone Roots by Gabriela Houston
10. The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski
11. Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
12. The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
13. The Autumn Republic by Brian McClellan
14. The Fall of Dragons by Miles Cameron
15. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
16. Babel by R.F. Kuang
17. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
18. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
19. A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
20. Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
21. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
22. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
We chat with Adam Bassett, UX/UI designer for Campfire and author of the recently released cyberpunk short story collection, Digital Extremities. Adam shares his insights into crafting compelling maps for fantasy worlds, the art of writing cyberpunk stories set in vivid, small-town settings, and how Campfire’s suite of writing tools can enhance any writer’s creative process.
Support Adam Bassett
Read Digital Extremities: https://www.campfirewriting.com/explore/digital-extremities
Website: https://www.adamcbassett.com/
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
In this episode, author Christian (Miles) Cameron returns to the show to discuss his latest release, Deep Black, book two of Arcana Imperii. Join us as we delve into the world of his new book, exploring its intricate storytelling, gripping characters, and the dangers of caffeine withdrawal. We also get an inside look at Cameron’s writing process, his approach to worldbuilding, and the inspirations behind his work.
Support Christian Cameron:
Read Deep Black: https://geni.us/deep-black
Website: https://christiancameronauthor.com/
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
In the third episode of our deep dive into The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, we tackle chapters 11-15 with full spoilers for the entire Kingkiller Chronicle. Join us as we explore Kvothe’s journey from his time with the Edema Ruh to the devastating events that shape his future. We discuss key moments, character development, and the lore of Rothfuss' world. Whether you're a long-time fan or reading along with us, this episode is packed with insights and analysis!
Visit our website at https://www.theftfpodcast.com/ for more Friends Talking Fantasy content and to join the conversation about The Kingkiller Chronicles and other fantasy favorites.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Set sail with us as we dive deep into Mad Ship, the second book in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders trilogy. We explore the rich, character-driven storylines, from the mysterious liveships to the complex family dynamics and political intrigue. With spoilers throughout, we’ll discuss key moments, the evolving relationships, and the emotional highs and lows that make this epic fantasy one of Hobb's most beloved works. If you're ready to delve into the heart of the Vivacia, don’t miss this detailed exploration of Mad Ship!
Visit our website at https://www.theftfpodcast.com/