#67 Temi Oh: Not With a Bang

Sam and Dan review Not With a Bang by Temi Oh.**SPOILER ALERT:** This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we explore Not With a Bang, an apocalyptic science fiction novel that surprisingly has very little to do with the science fiction itself. Instead, we dive into a story that focuses on how ordinary people respond when the world falls apart and the idea that humanity can often be a greater threat to itself than whatever catastrophe it faces.We discuss the novel's believable characters, compelling relationship development, and the complex family dynamics at the heart of the story. Along the way, we debate what Temi Oh is really trying to say about family, loyalty, and survival. Is this ultimately a story about putting family above everything else, or a more nuanced exploration of the complicated bonds that connect us, even when those relationships are far from perfect?From its grounded portrayal of human behaviour in extraordinary circumstances to its surprisingly restrained approach to science fiction, we unpack what makes Not With a Bang an engaging and thought-provoking examination of humanity at the end of the world.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan.SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we dive into Harbour of Hungry Ghosts, an action-packed historical fantasy adventure set in colonial Hong Kong. With its monster-hunting heroine, supernatural threats, and relentless action, we explore why the novel feels reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while bringing something fresh and exciting to the genre through its rich cultural setting.We discuss the journey of Kiamling, a young woman struggling under the weight of family expectations, and the excellent character development and relationships involving Jingling, Archie, and Hoi gor. We also dive into the novel's imaginative magic system and world-building, particularly the fascinating way British colonialism brings different cultures, mythologies, and supernatural traditions into conflict. It's an approach we thoroughly enjoyed, opening up some exciting possibilities for future instalments to explore folklore from around the world.From its brilliantly entertaining action sequences and engaging characters to the occasional side quest that threatens to overshadow the central plot, we unpack what makes Harbour of Hungry Ghosts such an enjoyable read. Despite some reservations about the clarity of its overarching story, we found plenty to love in this exciting start to a new fantasy series.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig, the second book in the Stonewater Kingdom duology.SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we return to the Stonewater Kingdom to explore whether The Knave and the Moon delivers a satisfying conclusion to the story begun in The Knight and the Moth. We discuss the novel's pacing, world-building, and narrative structure, questioning whether its ambitious stakes are supported by a fantasy world that often feels surprisingly small and underdeveloped.We dive into the journeys of Sybil, Rory, and the wider cast, exploring their emotional development and the frustrating decisions that repeatedly drive the plot forward. Along the way, we examine Benji's effectiveness as an antagonist, the convenient use of ox eye and prophecy, and whether the sprites' growing significance feels like a natural development or a device to steer the story towards its conclusion.From questionable fantasy logic and missed opportunities to genuinely moving character moments, we unpack why this sequel left us feeling frustrated despite flashes of the charm and emotional depth that made the first book enjoyable. Ultimately, we ask whether The Knave and the Moon earns its dramatic conclusion or simply bends its characters and world to make it happen.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review Moss'd in Space by Rebecca Thorne.SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we venture into cosy sci-fi with Moss'd in Space, a warm, low-stakes story that puts relationships, banter, and emotional comfort ahead of dramatic twists and high-stakes jeopardy. We discuss what defines a successful cosy read and whether a book designed to relax rather than challenge its audience needs to leave a lasting impression.We dive into the developing relationship between Torian and Moss, exploring Moss's experiences of trauma and abandonment and the emotional growth at the heart of the story. We also discuss the absence of a traditional antagonist, the surprisingly small and local feel of its space setting, and why even potentially catastrophic events rarely create a genuine sense of danger.From a cover and blurb that perhaps promise a different story to the one we actually get, to questions about stakes, sacrifice, and emotional depth, we explore why Moss'd in Space may not have the lasting impact of our favourite cosy reads—but still succeeds at being charming, comforting, and an extremely easy book to spend time with.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang.**SPOILER ALERT:** This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we explore this dark folkloric family saga, following three generations whose lives are shaped by colonial legacy, generational trauma, and the ways pain, memory, and silence echo through families. We discuss the novel's historical backdrop, from the Japanese occupation of China to the Cultural Revolution, and how it sits somewhere between historical fiction, fantasy, and folkloric realism.We dive into the experiences of Wei Hong, Ming, and Qianze, exploring how food, illness, childbirth, family conflict, and inherited trauma weave their way through each generation. We also unpack the book's deliberately ambiguous approach to magic and prophecy, and why its refusal to clearly separate folklore, metaphor, and reality makes the story all the more powerful.From its beautifully atmospheric writing and complex family relationships to an ending that offers hope and repair without pretending that generations of trauma can simply be undone, we discuss why this heavy but deeply affecting debut left such a lasting impression on both of us.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review The Mistral by Felix Mosse.**SPOILER ALERT:** This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we dive into The Mistral, an ambitious debut epic fantasy that takes us back into the sprawling worlds, magic, politics, and religion of high fantasy. We explore its huge cast of characters, shifting perspectives, and expansive magic system, as a dying mystical force known as the Mistral connects seemingly separate stories across the world.We discuss the journeys of Swan and Fenne, the refreshing friendship between Fenne and Tom, and a collection of antagonists whose belief that they're acting for the greater good adds some welcome moral complexity. Along the way, we unpack the mysterious relationship between the Mistral, Zephyr, roots, prophecy, and the Bengen, as well as the novel's potential commentary on environmental collapse, technology, religion, and the ways societies respond to dwindling resources.From comparisons with Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn to an explosive ending that refuses to neatly resolve the story, we discuss what worked, what didn't, and why the huge questions left unanswered have us intrigued to see where Felix Mosse takes the series next.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

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.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

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.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

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.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok

Sam and Dan review I Hear a New World, the second book in the Long London series by Alan Moore.SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading this book before listening.Join us as we return to the strange and surreal world of Long London to discuss whether I Hear a New World lives up to the promise of The Great When. We explore the novel's shifting structure, dense prose, and dreamlike narrative, as the boundaries between Long London and short London become increasingly blurred.We also dive into the book's central themes of change, gentrification, and cultural transformation in post-war London, asking what Alan Moore is really trying to say about history, progress, and the city itself. Along the way, we debate the relationship between Dennis and Grace, the role of sex and desire in the story, and whether some of the novel's characters and plot developments feel fully realised or are laying the groundwork for future instalments.From its rich symbolism and real-world cultural references to its atmospheric storytelling and unconventional approach to plot, we unpack what worked, what didn't, and where we think the Long London series is heading next.Join in the conversation by following us on social media:InstagramTikTok