Page Chewing

Some of the best fantasy books are the ones that don't get nearly enough attention.In this episode of Page Chewing, I'm sharing 10 underrated fantasy books, plus a bonus recommendation I couldn't leave out.I focused on books with fewer than 10,000 Goodreads reviews, including independent fantasy, grimdark, epic fantasy, cozy adventures, and mythology-inspired stories.We'll discuss Aching God by Mike Shel, The Truth of Crowns by Carl D. Albert, River of Thieves by Clayton W. Snyder, Weird Gods by Susana Imaginário, The Winter Road by Adrian Selby, Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell, and several more.Plus, I'm including The Scroungers by Thomas J. Devens as a bonus recommendation. It's a book that reminded me why I love reading.Whether you're looking for a brutal fantasy adventure, a challenging epic, or something completely different, I hope you discover your next favorite book.What underrated fantasy books would you recommend?Website: https://pagechewing.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/pagechewingPage Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

Is the explosive popularity of romantasy helping fantasy as a whole, or are publishers focusing too heavily on a handful of bestselling authors?This week, I discuss Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, BookTok, and the challenges facing lesser-known fantasy authors.I also share my first impressions of Gene Wolfe's Shadow & Claw, explain why I'm considering continuing The Book of the New Sun into December, and talk about finally picking up Glen Cook's The Black Company.After finishing R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought, I'm looking forward to returning to The Judging Eye. Plus, updates on my upcoming Tender Is the Flesh review, Top 10 Underrated Fantasy Books video, and our Lone Wolf and Cub discussions.I also share spoiler-free thoughts on Resident Evil and why I enjoyed it so much.Join the conversation and let me know which overlooked fantasy authors deserve more recognition.Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

The Slog continues with Chapters 13–15 of R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought!Steve, Shawn, and Shobz return to Eärwa as the Holy War reaches Shimeh and Kellhus finally confronts Moënghus.We discuss the revelation surrounding Simas, the Scarlet Spires in battle, Cnaiür's relationship with Achamian, and the unsettling possibility that even the Dûnyain cannot escape forces beyond their understanding.But the biggest question is whether Kellhus has ever truly controlled his own destiny. If his choices were anticipated by his father, and supernatural forces are now influencing events, what does free will actually mean?We also explore the Consult, the Outside, eternal damnation, Seswatha's memories, and the philosophical implications of Bakker's world.⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS for all seven published books.Next up: Chapters 16–17!Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

We're beginning our November read-along of Gene Wolfe's Shadow & Claw with Chapters 1–16 of The Shadow of the Torturer.In this first installment, we explore Severian's mysterious upbringing in the torturers' guild, his complicated relationship with Thecla, and the unsettling questions surrounding his banishment.Can Severian be trusted as our narrator? How much does he really understand about the world around him? And what are we supposed to make of the strange science fiction elements appearing beneath the novel's medieval atmosphere?Join us every Friday as we work through Shadow & Claw, share theories, and uncover the mysteries of Gene Wolfe's world.Next week's reading: Chapters 17–35.Please avoid spoilers beyond the chapters discussed!Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

It was a rough week for comics! Some promising series failed to deliver, a few books are getting dropped from the pull list, and we're left wondering how long you should stick with a comic before calling it quits.This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod work through another stack of new releases, including Absolute Green Arrow #6, Conan: Tides of the Tyrant King #2, Filthy Lambs #1, The Fury of the Firestorm #7, Black Star #4, The Forever Home #2, and more.Despite the disappointments, two comics manage to save the week!Our Picks of the Week:Steve: The Eye Collector #5 — A bizarre, unsettling cosmic horror series that continues to push boundaries with its unconventional artwork and storytelling.Jarrod: The Savage Sword of Conan Reforged #7 — Classic sword-and-sorcery featuring spectacular John Buscema artwork and a memorable Robert E. Howard adventure.We also continue our Lone Wolf and Cub read-along with Volume 22, where the conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu reaches new heights. With only six volumes remaining, the story is building toward its conclusion, delivering breathtaking artwork, unexpected developments, and compelling questions about honor, vengeance, and fatherhood.Join the conversation! What comics impressed or disappointed you this week? Have you dropped anything from your pull list recently? And what did you think of Lone Wolf and Cub, Volume 22?You can follow along with our Lone Wolf and Cub read-along through Libby or Hoopla, depending on your library's availability.Thanks for listening to Panel Chewing!Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

Why do we sometimes find ourselves rooting for the villains in fantasy stories?In this episode of Beyond the Page, Steve welcomes award-winning fantasy author Robert A. Walker to discuss his Legends of Baylon trilogy, a character-driven fantasy thriller blending revenge, mystery, romance, and darker elements of fantasy.Robert shares how his fascination with castles, Tolkien, Dune, and classic thrillers helped shape his approach to storytelling. We explore why his first attempt at writing a novel didn't work, how building an entirely new fantasy world transformed the series, and why he believes memorable characters matter more than even the most exciting plot.One of the highlights of our conversation is Robert's approach to writing morally ambiguous characters. He explains why his villains aren't simply evil for the sake of being evil, how he gives them recognizable human qualities, and why some readers have found themselves unexpectedly attached to characters they probably shouldn't like.We also discuss writing in third-person perspective, balancing outlining with discovery writing, creating vivid action sequences, and the emotional experience of completing a fantasy trilogy.Beyond the writing process, Robert opens up about the realities of independent publishing, marketing books in a crowded industry, the value of advance readers, and why even negative reviews can help authors improve their work.Plus, we talk about his favorite fantasy and thriller authors, tennis, unusual childhood sandwiches, and what observing human behavior has taught him about creating believable fictional characters.Join us for a conversation about fantasy, storytelling, memorable villains, and the challenges of bringing an ambitious series to life.Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

Are publishers taking enough chances on challenging and unconventional books? Or are readers becoming too comfortable with familiar stories?This week on Page Chewing, I explore whether major publishers are playing it too safe, why readers should support experimental fiction, and how social media and annual reading goals can turn a relaxing hobby into an unnecessary competition.I also share my final thoughts on Tender Is the Flesh and Pet Sematary, discuss my reread of R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought, and prepare for November's Shadow & Claw read-along by Gene Wolfe.Plus, I share some recent used bookstore discoveries, talk about the challenges of supporting local bookstores, and explain why I can't stand cracked book spines.Join the conversation! Are publishers playing it too safe? Do you enjoy challenging books? And how do you feel about annual reading goals?Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

The Slog continues with Chapters 9–12 of R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought!Steve, Shawn, and Shobz return to Eärwa to discuss Kellhus's increasingly ruthless decisions, Cnaiür's deteriorating mental state, and the terrifying implications of the Consult's motivations.Can cruelty be justified if it saves lives? Is Cnaiür's madness connected to something supernatural? And what does salvation actually mean in a world where damnation seems almost inevitable?We also explore Achamian's conversations with Kellhus, Esmenet's growing influence, the nature of sorcery, and connections to the later books in The Second Apocalypse.⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS: This discussion assumes you've finished all seven published books.Join us as the Slog continues!Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

What if Stephen King's Pet Sematary had ended completely differently?For this special Halloween episode of Page Chewing, I'm joined by Caroline Bicks, author of Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King, to explore the original manuscripts behind one of King's darkest and most unforgettable novels.Caroline shares her remarkable experience gaining access to Stephen King's archives, including an unexpected phone call from King himself and the discoveries she made while examining his early drafts.During our conversation, we discuss:The original ending: How an early version of Pet Sematary featured a surprising role for Steve Masterton.King's unpublished revisions: The disturbing differences involving Gage, Rachel, and Zelda."Sometimes dead is better": How changing a single word transformed one of the novel's most memorable lines.The real-life inspiration: How King's personal experiences influenced the story.A novel too disturbing to publish: Why King initially put Pet Sematary aside.Grief, guilt, and free will: The themes that make the novel so haunting.We also explore King's creative process, the decisions that shaped the published novel, and what these early manuscripts reveal about his approach to storytelling.This special episode concludes our October Pet Sematary read along, but whether you've followed the series or are joining us for the first time, there's plenty here for Stephen King fans and anyone interested in horror literature.Spoiler warning: This episode contains major spoilers for Pet Sematary, including its ending.Find more author interviews, book discussions, and read-alongs at https://pagechewing.com.Happy Halloween, and thanks for listening to Page Chewing!Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe

We've reached the conclusion of Stephen King's Pet Sematary!After spending October reading the novel for the first time, I'm sharing my reactions to the ending, revisiting my predictions, and discussing why this might be one of the most emotionally devastating Stephen King books I've read.In this final installment of the Page Chewing read-along, we explore the consequences of Louis Creed's decisions, the terrifying events surrounding the burial ground, and the unanswered questions about the Wendigo and the supernatural forces influencing the characters.I'm also revisiting some of my predictions from earlier episodes. I got a few things right, but the ending certainly didn't unfold the way I expected.Beyond the plot, I'm discussing what makes Pet Sematary so effective: its exploration of grief, mortality, desperation, and the human desire to reverse the irreversible.Despite some lingering questions about the mythology, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. Its pacing, atmosphere, and emotional weight make it one of my more memorable Stephen King reading experiences.Thank you to everyone who joined me throughout October!Coming up on Halloween: My special conversation with Stephen King scholar Caroline Bicks, author of A Year in the Archives.WARNING: This episode contains full spoilers for Pet Sematary.Page Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumSupport Page Chewing on PatreonAffiliate Links that support the show:Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKnsAudible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vaddKindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdDAmazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9Join Captivate.fmSend a message via SpeakPipe