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Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Penguin Books Australia 14 episodes Latest May 24, 2026

Lit Witches opens the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, take a seat at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite fantasy genres with a rotating cast of special guests. We’ll introduce you to the Chosen Ones, fantasy authors from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. New video and audio episodes every Tuesday. Powered by Penguin.

Episodes

Angels, vampires and the battle of the book boyfriend: The books that shaped our love of fantasy Jun 8, 2026 00:23:37 On today's Roundtable episode, the 2010s are back as we revisit the paranormal romance books that shaped our love of fantasy. From Fallen to Vampire Academy and City of Bones, we delve into all the reasons why we adored these books as angsty teenagers. We give our hot takes about the best angel fiction and the worst classics, and we recall the struggle of keeping track of all our book boyfrien
Book-inspired tattoos and a roadtrip to Forks: How fantasy books have shaped us as readers Jun 1, 2026 00:19:53 On today's Roundtable episode, join us for another trip down memory lane as we reveal the fantasy books that shaped our undying love for the genre. From Percy Jackson to Inkheart, The Starless Sea and many more, we discuss the stories that turned us into readers and the ones that reshaped our reading as adults. We also reveal the lifelong obsessions sparked by these books, including how one of us
Peak nostalgia and pure magic: The fantasy books that shaped us as readers May 24, 2026 00:25:06 On today's Roundtable episode, we get sentimental as we look back at the formative books that made us fall in love with fantasy. From Eragon to Northern Lights, Six of Crows and many more, we chat about the stories that feel like coming home, whether they still hold up today and how they have influenced our reading tastes as adults. We also discuss how reading unlocks memory, identity and empathy,
Dragons, magic and deep nerd stuff: Ryan Cahill on 'Of Blood and Fire’ May 18, 2026 00:41:56 On today's Chosen One episode we speak to internationally bestselling author Ryan Cahill about Of Blood and Fire, the first book in his high fantasy series 'The Bound and the Broken'. We chat about how he created an epic fantasy world spanning multiple cultures and a unique language (spoiler: it involves a cartography obsession and a professional linguist), and we uncover the real reason why reade
Soul-sucking reapers or death prisons? Fantasy queen Lynette Noni is back with 'Shadow Reaper' May 11, 2026 00:33:39 On today's Roundtable episode we discuss Shadow Reaper, the new book by Lynette Noni that Rebecca Yarros called the 'must-read YA fantasy' of the year. In this spoiler-free chat, we delve into our first impressions of Shadow Reaper – the intriguing magic system, our favourite characters, and what we thought of this new fantasy world. We debate whether Shadow Reaper is darker than The Prison Healer
Gladiator meets The Vampire Diaries: Author Stacia Stark on her new fantasy trilogy 'We Who Will Die' May 4, 2026 00:30:59 On today's Chosen One episode we speak to bestselling author Stacia Stark about We Who Will Die, an Ancient Rome–inspired romantasy filled with vampires, humans, magical creatures and more. We bond over our love of character art and our favourite tropes (forced proximity! only one bed!), and we uncover the unexpected parallels between writing fights and spicy scenes. We also discuss the book's the
Is this the perfect romantasy sequel? Unpacking 'Rites of the Starling' by Devney Perry Apr 27, 2026 00:44:33 On today's Roundtable episode we discuss Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry, the thrilling second installment in the bestselling romantasy series 'Shield of Sparrows', which delivers plot twists, romance and epic worldbuilding in spades. Join us for a deep dive into what makes a perfect fantasy sequel, how to avoid the dreaded second book slump and why writing a satisfying series is truly an ar
Yearning, angst and a Mr Darcy hand flex - Author Braidee Otto on her romantasy debut 'Songbird of the Sorrows' Apr 20, 2026 00:43:26 On today's Chosen One episode we speak to debut author Braidee Otto about Songbird of the Sorrows, the first in a brand-new romantasy trilogy that ticks all the boxes – assassins, secret princesses, heists, second chance romance, forbidden love, and, of course, dark and broody men. We discuss the Greek-inspired world, why we love trials as a fantasy plot device and how romantasy is the next in a l
Power dynamics, enemies to lovers, and . . . The Lion King? Queer fantasy and the 'Captive Prince' trilogy by C.S. Pacat Apr 13, 2026 00:42:10 In this Roundtable book club episode, we discuss C.S. Pacat’s groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, Captive Prince, and the importance of mitigating harm when portraying queer characters. We delve into why it’s the ultimate enemies-to-lovers story, full of slow burn, intense pining and complex power dynamics in a rich queer-normative fantasy world. We also trace our fan-fiction reading roots (shoutout t
The Roman Empire is back: Author James Islington on his high fantasy 'Hierarchy' series | EP06 Apr 6, 2026 00:42:52 On today's Chosen One episode we speak to bestselling author James Islington about The Will of the Many and The Strength of the Few, the first two books in his epic high fantasy Hierarchy series. We discuss the Roman-inspired fantasy world, the long-held tradition of writing very long fantasy books, and the rise and potential impact of AI for writers. We also find out which fantasy book turned Jam
Wolves or men with wings? 'Dire Bound' by Sable Sorensen and our addiction to romantasy Mar 30, 2026 00:41:02 On today's Roundtable book club episode, we chat about Sable Sorensen's addictive fantasy novel Dire Bound, and how the explosion of the romantasy genre has - in our opinion, anyway - been fuelled by our favourite young adult fantasy books and tropes of the 2010s. We also reveal our OG book boyfriends, why wolves are the new dragons when it comes to bonded creatures, whether love triangles are mak
'It's Beauty and the Beast, with vampires' - Author Lily Crozier on her romantasy novel 'Vow of Eternal Night' Mar 23, 2026 00:36:17 On today's Chosen One author interview, we talk to Lily Crozier about her debut romantasy novel, Vow of Eternal Night. We discuss the appeal of monstrous men and the morally grey love interest for female readers, and we uncover how the real history of vampires, Dracula and Howl's Moving Castle inspired the book. We also delve into Lily's career in books and her journey from BookToker to author. Li

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