Dragon Babies

An epistolary novel set during the Regency with an established magical society, you say? And it has a CHOCOLATE POT on the cover?? It will come as a surprise to none of our listeners that we are big fans of Sorcery and Cecelia, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. Join in as we discuss the joys of fictional letters, learn about gaslamp fantasy and revel in all the grumpy romance. Are you more of a Cecy or Kate? And can you tell which author wrote which character? Come on in, the chocolate is hot! This episode was a listener request - thanks, Dan! If you’d like to request a book for coverage, email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Officially our most-requested book, it’s easy to see why The Thief is beloved by so many dragon babies. Mystery, mythology and a charmingly deceptive narrative structure make this book smart and super enjoyable (no matter your age). This is our first introduction to Megan Whalen Turner and we couldn’t be more delighted. “A romp,” says Madeleine Harnois. Listen in for Newberry Medal resentment, a whole lot of olives, and the continued butchering of every proper noun in fantasy. This episode was a listener request - thank you so much, Madeline, Erin, and Donley! If you’d like to submit a request, send us an email at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We’re roaring into 2019 like teenage griffins thanks to Diana Wynne Jones’ Dark Lord of Derkholm! Revisit cruel capitalist overlord Mr. Chesney and learn whether you, too, are more affected by this book as an adult. Inspired by the trials and tribulations of the Pilgrim Party organizers (and the pilgrims themselves), Grace relives her worst job and Madeleine her worst camping experience. This one really took us back! Plus: decide whether Derk is initially a bit of a jerk, wonder at exactly what Lydda’s godlike snacks are, and reflect on just how incredible DWJ is (again and again). This episode was a listener request - thanks, Tim! If you’d like to request a book for us to cover, email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's a Hogswatch miracle! Our extra special Hogfather episode is here just in time for the holidays. Enjoy & thank you so much for listening! MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback, Thatched Villagers and Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In which Madeleine and Grace visit the land of Faerie - and struggle to return to Wall. Neil Gaiman's Stardust is high fantasy with fascinating twists, plus the signature wit and weirdness that have led us to officially label fall 2018 Gaiman Season. Listeners can look forward to an extended discussion of questing/camping food, detailing the ways Gaiman disproves John Donne’s misogynist epigraph, and Grace’s extremely questionable Robert de Niro impression. Now place your crystal snowdrop in your buttonhole and head for the gap in the wall! This episode was a listener request - thanks, Rachel! MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson is an injection of joy into a weary life. After opening on a wondrous island filled with adorable-beyond-belief mistmakers, we’re traveling to the most magical place of all - London! Join Madeleine and Grace as they fantasize about gigantic sundaes, shop for bladderwrack online and engage in some truly terrible British accents (apologies to our UK listeners). The gump is open and the rescue mission is on! This episode was a listener request - thanks, Isabel and Angela! MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It’s time for the Dragon Babies Election Day special featuring a discussion of racial prejudice and police biases in fantasy literature. Terry Pratchett and Thud! provide plenty of parallels to discuss between Sam Vimes’ approach to troll and dwarf tensions in the city of Ankh-Morpork and human rights violations and inequities in our own society. Listeners can also enjoy an argument about math, discussion of bacon as a lone food source, and a background on Madeleine’s love of vampires. This episode is a listener request - thanks, Julian! If you’re a Terry Pratchett fan, check out our other Discworld episodes: Episode 8 - Mort Episode 13 - The Wee Free Men MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We FINALLY managed to read our alethiometer correctly and were told it was high time we covered The Golden Compass! We joined Lyra, Pantalaimon, Iorek (Grace’s new Favorite Bear) and a couple of the worst parents we’ve encountered in fantasy to transcend this universe and eat a ton of raw seal meat along the way. Discussion ranges from the religious controversy surrounding His Dark Materials to how Lyra offers a fresh take on a child hero to our own analysis of why we weren’t huge Compass fans as children (and why that’s all changed). Grace has already started reading The Subtle Knife again and Madeleine is angry about Dust - and we’d love for you to join us. Enjoy! This episode was a listener request - thanks, Jenny! If you’d like to request a book, shoot us an email at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We’re rereading The Raven Ring, by Patricia C. Wrede! Travel with us to Lyra, where there’s a super engaging fantasy murder mystery afoot and endless D&D-esque quests popping up in your path. Have you ever attempted to leave a city again and again, only to be beset by thieves, sworn mortal enemies, and an annoyingly persistent lord? You’ll relate to Eleret as she applies careful logic to the chaos surrounding her, all while navigating the emotional fallout of her mother’s suspicious death. This episode has a whole lot to offer, from an in-depth discussion of being a woman warrior in fantasy (and why Patricia C. Wrede gets it right), to the timeless appeal of an impish rogue, to a noble’s breakfast that leaves Madeleine feeling nauseous and recalling memories of bad clams. Grab your raven’s feet and make sure nobody’s blocking your throwing lines - trouble’s afoot in Ciaron! MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This is a mini episode for your mini enjoyment! We rewatched the 2009 film adaptation of Coraline, directed by Henry Selick - and we chatted about it! Check out our Coraline book episode for an in-depth discussion of Neil Gaiman’s superbly creepy novella. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's time to take a trip through a bricked-up door, armed with only a rock to ward against unspeakable evil... that's right, we're rereading Coraline, by Neil Gaiman! Don't be tricked by the delicious roast chicken dinner - Other Mother is up to no good, and the souls trapped behind the mirror aren't the only clue. We discuss the importance of ordinary kids represented in children's literature, indulge in a mountain of eerie pretend food, and try to articulate why this story frightens us quite a bit more as adults. Join us, but don't forget your stone (or your cat), or you might not be able to find the way back. This episode is a listener request - thanks, Isabel! || MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Content Warning: Suicide We're celebrating the two year anniversary of Dragon Babies with a return to the series that started it all! While those who have been listening since our first episode will note our marked improvement in podcasting quality, they will be delighted to learn that our fervor for Garth Nix's Abhorsen books remains the same. Naturally, we want to spend every waking moment with Lirael in the The Great Library of the Clayr, but as adults we have much more compassion for Sameth and his chapters than we expected. Whether you're secretly an Abhorsen-in-training or just a dude who has seriously put off doing his homework, we think you'll enjoy this one. Rereading it brought back so many of the sentiments that inspired us to start this podcast in the first place, and give YA fantasy the respect and attention it deserves. Thanks so much for listening! MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's official: Robin McKinley is a master of fantasy and we didn't appreciate her nearly enough when we read her books as kids. Today, we're ready to gush over Spindle's End. This perfect inversion of the Sleeping Beauty story offers a princess who saves herself (and really doesn't sleep much at all), as well as her motley crew of loyal animals and a very grumpy fairy. Faithful listeners may be disappointed by the briefer than usual Pretend Food, but will enjoy the new addition of "Just, like, Animals... Animals in This Book." Celebrate beautiful (and safe!) spindles, kind foxes, and one of the most poignant birds in literature. Katriona, Aunt, Rosie, Peony and countless other excellent female characters are here to whisk you away to a land of a little too much magic. || MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Head into battle with the ragtag Dragon Babies crew! We're discussing Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, and loving on Meliara in all her furious, revolutionary glory. Join in as we slog through the mud, sleep underneath ferns, and throw wine in corrupt barons' faces, all with a seriously messed up ankle and a raging fever. Plus: fantasy tea appreciation. When you're not quite ready for your Flower Day. And: can court decorations ever be trusted? This episode is a listener request - thanks, Erin! If you'd like to request a book, please email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com. MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This is a Very Special Episode about Tamora Pierce's newest gift to us all - Tempests and Slaughter, aka Baby Arram's Book! We just had to depart from our usual fantasy nostalgia approach because this is too exciting to miss. This marks our fourth Tamora Pierce episode - if you're a new listener interested in checking out our others, try our episodes on Alanna: The First Adventure, Emperor Mage, and First Test! Here at Dragon Babies, two sisters reread their favorite YA fantasy classics and discuss why they're maybe even better for adults. Join Madeleine and Grace as they revisit awkward adolescent moments, remember how formative certain characters were in their own lives, and break down what makes these books so enduring.