343. Jeannette Ng (a.k.a. Lady of the Moths) — Under the Pendulum Sun (An Interview)
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode343InterviewWithJeannetteNg/Sandf–Episode343–InterviewWithJeannetteNg.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSShelley, trifles, and rap, oh my! Shaun and Jen have a talk with Jeannette Ng about her debut novel, Under the Pendulum Sun! Jeannette shares what inspired her to write a Gothic romance fantasy novel about Missionaries — specifically one that tackles such heavy theological subjects such as the soul and sin — why she constructed Arcadia as a purposeful, artificial thing, and how the narrative structure hints at the biblical story it contains. We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
Reading Rangers #4: The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/ReadingRangers4VorGameByLoisMcMasterBujold/ReadingRangers4–VorGameByLoisMcmasterBujold.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSHello, Rangers! In this installment of Reading Rangers, Paul, Trish, Kate and special guest, Anne Lyle, tackle the fourth book (internal chronology) of the Vorkosigan Saga — The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold. Kate’s the only new one this time, so the old hats do their best not to spoil anything for her! They discuss Gregor’s responsibilities and the concept of noblesse oblige, the disappointment of the two dimensional femme fatale character, and why the original novella, Weatherman (otherwise known as the first six chapters of The Vor Game), is so good compared to the novel as a whole. They also ponder the very real possibility that George R.R. Martin found quite a bit of inspiration in Miles. Next time, we’ll be discussing Cetaganda. Miles has defeated them once, but will he be able to navigate their world? Find out next time! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
340. Ken Liu (a.k.a. The Imperial Paper-Pusher) — The Legends of Luke Skywalker (An Interview)
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode340AnInterviewWithKenLiu/Sandf–Episode340–AnInterviewWithKenLiu.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSMonomyths, naval logistics, and porgs, oh my! Julia and Paul sit down with Ken Liu to talk about his new book, The Legends of Luke Skywalker! Ken shares how he first became a Star Wars fan as a child in China (bonus stories from Julia and Paul and how they became fans), somehow manages to make regulations and bureaucracy sound interesting, and talks about the differences between his work in the Dandelion Dynasty, his short stories, and the Star Wars Universe. We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
#PollMondays: Which media franchise do you enjoy reading the most?
Another week, another poll! This week, we’re curious about your reading habits. So get that clicker finger ready and vote!
Book Review: Valhalla by Ari Bach
Valhalla, written by Ari Bach, is dark, gritty, dangerous, and subtly representative. Bach unpacks his new world, layering loud violence, subtle queer identities, and a disturbing dystopian premise that promises an interesting alternative. Valhalla pushes the boundaries of science fiction to make you question the lines drawn between dystopian governments, outside companies, and the people who make up the world those entities control, and sets up the foundation for a strong trilogy that centers around a queer female protagonist. Violet MacRae is our wonderfully violent narrator, living in the year 2230, when war is obsolete and most everyone knows their place. With her propensity for violence and her less than spectacular intelligence, Violet doesn’t fit in, and doesn’t want to. Faced with uncertainty about her immediate future, and ostracized from the only place in polite society that she had even a slight chance of fitting into, Violet returns to an empty home and is subsequently snatched up by Valhalla. That is a secret military-esque organization that keeps the outer world in line with their unique methods, and there, Violet finds a real home. But Valhalla and her new friends are in danger, and Violet finds her new skills are stretched to the limit as she defends her safe haven from genetically enhanced criminals.
337. Ann Leckie (a.k.a. Singularitrix) — Provenance (An Interview)
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode337InterviewWithAnnLeckie/Sandf–Episode337–InterviewWithAnnLeckie.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSSpace Opera, heritage, and alien ambassadors, oh my! Shaun is joined by guest host Feliza Casano of Girlsincapes.com to interview Ann Leckie about the stand-alone novel in her Radch universe, Provenance. Ann shares some of her Space Opera influences, talks about how her love of archeology led her to an exploration of the role museums play in the myth of heritage, the nature of identity, naming, language, and so very much more. Don’t miss this one everyone! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
