On today's Roundtable book club episode, we talk all things dark academia and well-crafted magic systems in M.L. Wang's standalone fantasy Blood Over Bright Haven. Join us to hear hot takes on how all fantasy is political and reflects real-world issues, why school settings work so well in the fantasy and dark academia genres, and also how we've never fully moved on from the formative fantasy books we read as teenagers (Vampire Academy, Hush Hush and more).

Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Blood Over Bright Haven in our After Dark section, from 36:00 to 46:15.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Talia Moodley and Shané Oosthuizen.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable book club episode, we discuss the internationally bestselling fantasy debut Alchemised by SenLinYu, and how gothic fantasy is the perfect vehicle for exploring dark themes in nuanced way. We also discuss our favourite fantasy tropes (enemies to lovers, the chosen one and bonded creatures) and we debate whether morally grey characters can ever be fully redeemed.

Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Alchemised in our After Dark section, from timecode 38.00 - 49.00.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Lily Crozier and Vishali Seshadri.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.

00:00 Introductions

03:23 SenLinYu's fan fiction to traditional publishing journey

06:30 The dark and confronting themes of the book

09:10 Tackling a 1000 page epic

10:35 The world-building of Alchemised and understanding the magic system

13:09 The exploration of trauma in the book

14:46 The binary of good and evil in wartimes

18:30 The class divide of Alchemised

21:19 The characters and reclaiming the chosen one through a feminist lens

25:36 The ethical dilemmas of the magic system

29:23 Helena as an unreliable narrator

31:08 Kaine as the ultimate morally grey male character

33:15 The tropes of Alchemised

38:12 AFTER DARK (SPOILERS FOR ALCHEMISED ENDING!)

42:05 The role of redemption and our favourite moments

48:58 The unconventional structure of the book

49:09 Final fantasy battle game and sign off

On today's Chosen One author interview, we talk to fantasy author and content creator Bronte-Marie Wesson about her traditional publishing debut, The Ascension of Souls - the first book in a new high fantasy series that she describes as her 'dark, queer Zelda book'. Join us as we discuss what shaped Bronte-Marie's love of fantasy, why Tywin Lannister is her favourite fantasy character and how she created an immersive fantasy world inspired by her Irish, anti-colonial heritage. This is a spoiler-free conversation.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode features author Bronte-Marie Wesson.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.

0:00 Introduction and Bronte-Marie's introduction to fantasy

04:50 The Ascension of Souls and how it came to be 'The Legend of Zelda but dark, gay and for adults'

07:00 The world-building of an empire and a country at war

09:07 The magic tree and Irish cultural influence on the book

15:16 Fairies and changelings vs fae and sexy elves

16:35 Building the prophecy in The Ascension of Souls

20:46 The characterisation of Luminara and the chosen family trope

23:31 Rianthran and the antidote to brooding dark love interests

27:00 Side characters and the gaming influence on Ascension

28:38 Queer representation in fantasy

32:13 Bronte-Marie's advice for queer writers

36:16 Role play and writing with a partner

40:20 Categorising the Broken Cycle trilogy, tropes and building on The Brass Wyvern

47:17 Final fantasy game and sign off