Book Review: We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson
We Ride the Storm has author Devin Madson introduce us to the start of a fantasy epic where a tottering Empire’s spin toward disaster is seen through the eyes of a Princess, a warrior, and an assassin with a most unusual gift. Princess Miko of the Kisian Empire is an untenable position. Descended from the Otako family, she has an uneasy relationship with Emperor Kin Ts’ai, who usurped the throne and is attempting to cement his power. Formally she and her brother are of the Emperor’s family, but the Emperor is surely aware that there are many, even years later, who would flock to an Otako banner. Keeping her autonomy, keeping the chances for her brother alive, and avoiding a purge runs through Miko’s days. When a promise of marriage to try and cement a peace with the dangerous Chiltaens to the north might end Miko’s freedom forever, Or help destroy the empire should the marriage contract fail. In the meantime, Rah e’Torin, a Levanti exile from the steppe and grasslands his horse riders are from, has a problem, too. His exile, with a group of loyal men and women, have led them into a desolate land to the south, with few signs of Chiltae, their destination. There are stories of former Swords of the steppe coming south to act as mercenaries and riders for the Chiltae, but as the food and water dwindles, Rah and his followers might think they are making a mistake. And when they do meet the Chiltae, their status and role, and the fate of those who migrated before them becomes dangerously, painfully clear.
382. Black Lives Matter: Announcements, Octavia Butler, and Tochi Onyebuchi (Reading Rangers)
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/sand-f-382-black-lives-matter/SandF_382_BlackLivesMatter.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS #BlackLivesMatter, Black Lives Matter, BLACK LIVES MATTER, oh my! Jen and Shaun return (sorta) to the Reading Rangers format to discuss our latest announcement about the direction of the show for the remainder of 2020 AND to examine Octavia Butler’s “Bloodchild” and Tochi Onyebuchi’s Tor.com essay, “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.” This one is jam packed with content, from our views on what is going on around us to its connections to Onyebuchi’s essay to an in-depth discussion of the themes and social commentary in Butler’s story! You won’t want to miss this one. Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode!
380. 10th Anniversary Special!
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/sand-f-380-10th-anniversary-special/SandF_380_10th_Anniversary_Special.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS Anniversaries, cringe, and laughs, oh my! Jen and Shaun celebrate the 10th anniversary of this ridiculous podcast by jumping back in time to retread the wonders of our very first episode. Together, they share thoughts on 10 years of podcasting and some of our fans’ favorite episodes, dive into the content from our first episode to see how things have progressed, and offer some grown up opinions about a fan fiction controversy from 2010! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode!
376. Willow (1988) — Into the Wardrobe #7: Struggling with Destiny in the Lands of Wonder
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/sand-f-376-willow/SandF_376_Willow.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSEvil witches, quirky wizards, and Warwick Davis, oh my! Shaun and Jen go back in time for an honest and super nerdy discussion of 1988’s fantasy epic, Willow. Together, they explore the film’s production, it’s positivist approach to little people, the wonders of its world, and its exciting themes and impact. This is one of those truly open and honest conversations, so if you’ve got a lot of feelz™, this podcast is for you! We hope you enjoy the episode!
374. Wild Wild West (1999) — Torture Cinema #100 (Pandemic Special)
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/sandf374wildwildwest/SandF_374_Wild_Wild_West.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSGiant mechanical spiders, male boob grabbing, and nice trains, oh my! Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer, and Alex Acks join forces for this special Pandemic Edition of Torture Cinema. Together, they tackle the infamous 1990s blunder, Wild Wild West, explore through a drunken stupor the film’s approach to characterization, history, Western tropes, race, gender, and disability. This is a jam-packed show, y’all, because there’s just so much to say about this ridiculous VERY 90s movie. You’re welcome! We hope you enjoy the episode!
369. The VelociPastor (2018) — Torture Cinema #98
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/sandftorturecinema98velocipastor/SandF–Torture_Cinema_98–VelociPastor.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSChinese ninjas drug dealers, questionable costumes, and premed / law prostitutes, oh my! Shaun Duke, Jen Zink, and Paul Weimer are back on the Torture Cinema horse with a deliciously stupid Patreon-selected mashup: The VelociPastor. We tackle the film’s questionable production history, its various odd narrative decisions, what it means to film three different countries in the same location, the power of the clawth (heh), and so much more! We hope you enjoy the episode!
