Sam and Dan review Nonesuch by Francis Spufford.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.

Join us as we dive into Nonesuch, a richly written urban fantasy set against the backdrop of London in 1939. We explore Spufford’s wonderfully lived-in depiction of the city, the looming threat of war, and the novel’s exploration of class, fascism, power, and the social tensions of pre-war Britain.

We also discuss the book’s refreshingly understated approach to magic, its memorable supporting cast, and two excellent central characters in Iris and Jeff. We particularly dig into their relationship and why its grounded development feels so much more convincing than the familiar will-they-won’t-they romances of fantasy fiction.

From Iris’s practical approach to the extraordinary and Lal’s compelling role as an antagonist to comparisons with the magical Londons of Alan Moore and Ben Aaronovitch, there’s a huge amount here that impressed us. Unfortunately, we also have plenty to say about an ending that feels rushed, under-explained, and frustratingly focused on setting up the next book.

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Sam and Dan review Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.

Join us as we explore Green City Wars, a unique sci-fi adventure set in a world of genetically modified animals, ambitious world-building, and complex philosophical ideas. We discuss how Adrian Tchaikovsky blends science fiction with social commentary, creating a future society that is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.

We dive into the novel's unconventional narrative style, its sprawling cast of animal characters and the challenges of balancing expansive world-building with emotional connection. Along the way, we unpack the book's exploration of morality, environmentalism, technology, and the value of life, as well as its ideas around post-scarcity society, labour, and humanity's dependence on the mysterious drug, Plangent.

From the strengths of its imaginative setting to its pacing, plot reveals, and thought-provoking themes, we discuss what worked, what didn't, and whether Green City Wars lives up to the high expectations we've come to have for Adrian Tchaikovsky's work.

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Sam and Dan discuss Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.

Join us as we discuss why Songs of the Dead became a rare DNF (Did Not Finish) for both of us. We explore where the novel falls short, from its overly complex magic system and difficult-to-connect-with characters to a world that never quite feels as compelling as its ambitious premise suggests.

We also dive into the challenges of collaborative writing, questioning how much Brandon Sanderson's influence can be felt throughout the novel and whether the partnership ultimately works. Along the way, we discuss the integration of music and magic, the effectiveness of the world-building, the portrayal of London as a setting, and why the story struggles to establish meaningful stakes and relatable protagonists.

From fantasy tropes and genre conventions to the balance between originality and readability, we unpack why this was a book we couldn't bring ourselves to finish—and what we think other fantasy authors can learn from it.

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