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What happens when an algorithm assigns every person a purpose and decides when that purpose has been fulfilled?   Internationally bestselling author M.J. Kuhn returns to Friends Talking Fantasy to discuss Killswitch Protocol: her new cyberpunk thriller.   Among other topics, Dylan talks with MJ about moving from fantasy into cyberpunk, creating her new characters, and the messy morality of revolution. We also discuss her experience independently publishing Killswitch Protocol after the traditionally published her previous books. Pick up Killswitch Protocol and learn more about M.J. Kuhn: https://www.mjkuhn.com/books Follow M.J. Kuhn: Website: https://www.mjkuhn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjkuhnbooks/ Follow Friends Talking Fantasy: Website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theftfpodcast/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/TheFTFPodcast1

After a longer-than-usual break, Dylan drops in with a solo update episode. First, he shares a quick note about his doctoral dissertation study, Work and Well-Being Among Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers. If you’re a published science fiction, fantasy, and/or speculative fiction author (US, UK, Canada, or Australia) and might be interested in participating, he explains what’s involved and how to get in touch. Please reach out before March 15th, 2026 if you meet the criteria and would like to participate! Best place to reach Dylan is by email at [email protected] Then, he reflects on the Friends Talking Fantasy providing a brief but meandering update on FTF, life changes, and what the podcast has meant over the years. Finally, Dylan touches on what he’s read within recent months, including: The Tawny Man Trilogy and beyond in Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks The Ambassador Chronicles by James Voorhees The Devils by Joe Abercrombie If you’re interested in the dissertation study, reach out to me via email: [email protected] [email protected] Or DM me on Instagram or BlueSky at the account @theftfpodcast Or Twitter/X via the account @theftfpodcast1

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy    We are overjoyed to welcome Travis Baldree — #1 New York Times bestselling author of Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust — to Friends Talking Fantasy!   Follow Friends Talking Fantasy: Website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TheFTFPodcast1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theftfpodcast/     Travis joins us to discuss his highly anticipated new book, Brigands and Breadknives (out November 11, 2025). In this conversation, we explore: Why Fern takes center stage as the POV character How the story shifts from cozy “new shop” vibes into adventure The themes of identity, purpose, and listlessness that drive the book The true nature of “stakes” in cozy fantasy — and why they’re anything but small Travis’s career journey from game developer → audiobook narrator → bestselling novelist   📚 Brigands and Breadknives releases November 11, 2025 — preorder your copy today!

Set sail with us in this Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast episode as we dive deep into Scott Lynch’s Red Seas Under Red Skies, book two of the Gentleman Bastard series. ⚔️   Charles (first-time reader) and Dylan (returning with fresh eyes) unpack Lynch’s brilliant storytelling, Locke & Jean’s evolving friendship, and the themes of trust, betrayal, and sacrifice.   We also share personal reflections, highlight the incredible audiobook narration by Michael Page, and tease future projects on the horizon.   If you loved Lies of Locke Lamora, you won’t want to miss this one.   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy  Visit our website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/

Charles returns from paternity leave and rejoins Dylan for a jam-packed episode of the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast!  In this catch-up session, The Friends discuss:  • Charles’ first months as a new parent and how audiobooks fueled his reading (12+ books in 3 months!)   • Their thoughts on Legends & Lattes and how cozy fantasy surprised them both   • Reactions to Red Seas Under Red Skies and why Locke & Jean finally click as an all-time fantasy duo   • Hot takes on James Islington’s The Will of the Many and its “pyramid scheme” magic system   • Impressions of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros   • A dive into classic David Eddings pulp fantasy and the joy of retro covers   • Early reactions to Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth and the ever-expanding Cosmere  It’s a wide-ranging conversation full of laughs, book talk, and reflections on life as a fantasy fan (and new dad).   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy  Visit our website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/

This week I (Dylan) got to hang out with Hannah and Laura from On Wednesdays We Read Podcast (OWWR Pod) for a conversation all about our favorite characters in fantasy!   As always, Hannah and Laura brought a ton of insightful takes as well as a lot of laughs! And if you’re not already listening to OWWR Pod, definitely check them out too :)

I (Dylan) am joined by my lifelong friend Derek (of Roger Roger: A Star Wars Podcast fame) to talk about the 2025 Superman film! We covered what we liked, what didn’t land for us, and where the DC universe could be headed from here. We also revisited standout moments and talked about the actors' performances, all while enjoying the kind of back-and-forth we’ve been having about movies for decades!

Hey friends, quick announcement! We just dropped a special YouTube-exclusive episode of Friends Talking Fantasy where we reveal the cover of Whalesong by Miles Cameron to not just to the world, but to Miles (Christian) himself! That's right, we had the honor of showing the author his brand-new cover for the first time and capture his live reaction.   This was such a big event that Charles made a return for this one! We got him to stop by in the midst of his paternity leave. Head over to YouTube, check out the new cover, and hear Miles talk with us about Whalesong, the Arcana Imperii series, and what’s coming next.   Here's the link: https://youtu.be/yKC_ASIvmiU

I (Dylan) had the pleasure of welcoming Spencer from The Fantasy Files Podcast to the show. Spencer came prepared with a treasure trove of hidden gem fantasy recommendations, digging deep into the genre’s overlooked corners to spotlight books and authors that deserve more attention. Spencer left me excited to read some books that I had never even heard of before, and I’m sure you’ll be feeling the same way after this episode! We’re talking about: -Titles that deserve way more readers -Underrated authors who are doing brilliant, original work -Books that break the mold and breathe fresh life into fantasy tropes Spencer’s passion is infectious. If you’re feeling burned out on the same old fantasy recommendations, this episode is a must-listen. Check out more from Spencer on the excellent Fantasy Files YouTube channel: The Fantasy Files Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FantasyFiles

In this special episode, Dylan is joined by Stephen from the Fantology Podcast for an epic deep dive into his favorite fantasy books and authors! Stephen shares his personal tier list, walking us through the writers who have shaped his love for the genre—from all-time legends to underrated gems.   Whether you're new to fantasy or a longtime fan looking for your next great read, you’ll come away with a list of compelling recommendations. Expect some hot takes, thoughtful insights, and plenty of titles to add to your TBR! Check out Stephen and the rest of the crew at Fantology: https://www.youtube.com/@FantologyPodcast   Let us know in the comments: Who are YOUR top-tier fantasy authors?

With Charles out on paternity leave (congrats, Charles!), Dylan takes a crack at doing a full solo episode of Friends Talking Fantasy. Dylan provides some early thoughts on Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils (spoiler: it’s really good), reflects on what it's like to reread Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, and talks to himself about how The Will of the Many helped him break out of a reading slump. Dylan also talks through some recent fantasy-world news, including the reported cancellation of The Wheel of Time and a very human but somewhat disgruntled blog post from George R.R. Martin about Winds of Winter (sort of)

The Friends journey into the brutal heart of Christopher Buehlman’s The Daughter’s War, the grimdark prequel to The Blacktongue Thief. They unpack the stark tonal shift between the two novels—where Buehlman trades snark for sorrow, and swagger for survival. The spotlight falls on Galva, whose stoic presence in The Blacktongue Thief is given heartbreaking depth as her backstory unfolds through war, trauma, and fractured family loyalties. From hive-minded goblins to the emotional cost of legacy, the hosts explore what makes The Daughter’s War such a powerful, if punishing, read—and why some readers might not be ready for just how dark this prequel gets.   Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy

Sink your teeth into the wild world of revived dire wolves—yes, they were real—and the viral tweet that sparked “Dire Wolf Day.” From George R.R. Martin holding a genetically resurrected pup to speculation about military mammoths and Jurassic Park parallels, things get weird fast. The Friends also wade into the fandom frustration over The Winds of Winter and defend authors’ rights to, well, do other stuff. We round out the episode with thoughts on Patrick Rothfuss, a nod to Mark Lawrence’s latest projects, and a grateful look at your YouTube comments—coin flips, interruptions, and all.   Note from Charles: Audio is a bit rough from 2:06-5:20, sorry about that! Thank you for listening!   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy

Join The Friends as they dive into the 2025 r/Fantasy Book Bingo Card! In this episode, we walk through some of the most exciting (and challenging) categories, offering fantasy book recommendations for each square. Whether you’re hunting for a perfect “Knights and Paladins” read or struggling to find a book with “High Fashion,” we’ve got you covered.   Highlights include: ⚔️ Knights and Paladins – Buhlman, Sanderson, and Grossman 💎 Hidden Gems – Angry Robot standouts like The Last Shield 📜 Published in the 1980s – The Black Company and Alanna 📖 Epistolary reads – Piranesi, The Martian, Time War 👨‍👧 Parent Protagonists – The Witcher, Saga, The Fifth Season 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Leads, Self-Published Hits, Short Story Collections, and more!   We also share our thoughts on the “Last in a Series” square (spoiler-free!), the mysterious “Not a Book” category, and how Severance or playing Catan might just count. Let us help you fill your card with fantastic reads!  Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy  Visit our Website: https://www.theftfpodcast.com/

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/