Escapists Anonymous

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...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

Sam and Dan review Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett.

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

Join us as we venture into the world of cosy fantasy, discussing what makes the genre so appealing and whether this feline-filled magical adventure delivers the charm readers are looking for. We explore the balance between comfort and predictability, asking whether a familiar story can still be a satisfying one.

We dive into the characters of Agnes, Havelock, and the wider supporting cast, examining their relationships, personal...

Sam and Dan review Dream of the Jet Black City by Pablo Valcarcel Castro.

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

Join us as we explore Dream of the Jet Black City, a fantasy novel packed with ambitious ideas, unique world-building, and a fascinating blend of dream magic, song-based powers, and divine influence. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of its interconnected magic systems, and how they help shape a world that feels both imaginative and mysterious.

We also dive into the journeys of Geil, Ash...

Sam and Dan review Nevernight by Jay Kristoff.

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

Join us as we dive into one of modern fantasy’s most divisive titles. While Nevernight shows flashes of brilliance through its rich world-building and vividly realised setting, we found ourselves increasingly frustrated by a series of creative choices that undermine the novel’s potential.

We discuss the book’s extensive use of footnotes as a world-building device, and whether they add depth or simply disrupt the narrative flow (particularly in the au...

Sam and Dan review books 3–5 in the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch:Whispers Underground, Broken Homes, and Foxglove Summer.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading these books before listening.

Join us as we continue our journey through the series, with Sam reading these entries for the first time and Dan revisiting one of his all-time favourite worlds. We explore how the overarching plot surrounding The Faceless Man begins to take shape, alongside the steady and compelling development of Nightingale as a character.

We also dive in...

Sam and Dan discuss Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. If you’re planning to read this book, we’d recommend doing so before listening.

In this episode, we take on the first entry in Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson — though not in the way we usually do. Dan didn’t finish the book, and we'll find out exactly why!

We explore what makes Gardens of the Moon such a divisive read, from its lack of clarity and fragmented structure to a magic system t...

Sam and Dan review Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman.

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

Join us as we delve into Matt Dineman's latest offering, Operation Bounce House, exploring its mix of action, humour, and thought-provoking themes. We unpack how this sci-fi novel comments on contemporary issues like dehumanisation, militarisation, and AI ethics, all while delivering high-octane battles and relatable characters.

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Sam and Dan review Godstorm, by Solitaire Townsend.

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

Join us as we explore Solitaire Townsend’s debut novel, Godstorm, a fresh take on alternate history fantasy grounded in climate science. We unpack the world-building, character development, themes of agency and environmentalism, and the narrative choices that shape this compelling story.

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Sam and Dan review Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee, book 3 in the Green Bone Saga.

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

Join us as we dissect the sprawling "Jade Legacy" by Fonda Lee, exploring the highs, lows, and missed opportunities across this ambitious final instalment of the trilogy. We discuss the storytelling choices, character development, world-building, and how the series ultimately lands (or doesn't!) with its conclusion.

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Sam and Dan review Jade War by Fonda Lee, book 2 in the Green Bone Saga.

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

In episode 2 of our three-episode exploration of the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee we dive into the sequel, Jade War. We examine the widening of the world as the clan conflict requires political and economic moves to be made outside of Kekon. We re-join all of the main characters to see how the twists and turns of the plot have impacted them. We discuss the...

Sam and Dan review Jade City by Fonda Lee.

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

This is the first episode in our three-episode exploration of the Greenbone Saga by Fonda Lee. We explore the intricate world-building, the unique magic system involving Jade, and the complex dynamics of the clans in the fictional city of Kekon. We discuss the characters' development, the cultural and political themes, and the narrative's balance between action and character-driven storytelling. We also touch on the book's exploration of power, honour, and modernisation within...

Sam and Dan review A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna.

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

In this episode, Dan and Sam delve into the world of cosy fantasy with Sangu Mandana's "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping." They discuss the book's unique charm, its exploration of themes like chosen family, inclusivity, and the balance between magic and personal growth. The conversation highlights the book's whimsical writing style, its engaging characters, and the gentle yet impactful social commentary woven throughout the narrative.

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In this episode, Sam and Dan delve into two books, "Alice with a Why: Return to Wonderland" by Anna James and "Hecate: The Witch" by Nikita Gill. 

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading these books before listening.

We explore the themes of reimagining classic stories and mythology, discussing how these modern retellings bring new perspectives to well-known narratives. The conversation touches on the challenges and creativity involved in continuing beloved tales, the use of verse in storytelling, and the impact of historical context on these narratives. We also reflect on the b...

Sam and Dan review the Dissolution by Nicholas Binge.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading these books before listening.

In this episode, Dan and Sam dive into the sci-fi techno thriller, Dissolution, by Nicholas Binge. They discuss the characters, the presentation of the relationships, the somewhat shallow and convenient introduction of both technology and magic, and some issues with the writing. Prepare for strong opinions!

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In this episode, Dan and Sam host the second annual Escapists Anonymous End of Year Awards for 2025. They reflect on the books they've read throughout the year, discussing categories such as Best Character, Best World Building, Biggest Flop, Biggest Surprise, and Best Book. They share their personal favourites and disappointments, highlighting standout moments and characters from various books. The episode also includes a look ahead to 2026, with goals and ideas for the upcoming year, including exploring classic fantasy series.

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Sam and Dan review the first two instalments of Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London Series.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading these books before listening.

In this episode, Dan and Sam dive into the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, discussing the first two books: 'Rivers of London' and 'Moon Over Soho'. They explore the unique blend of magic and police procedural elements, the vivid depiction of London, and the character development, particularly focusing on Peter Grant and Thomas Nightingale. The conversation also touches on the series' humour, its cultural...

Sam and Dan share their thoughts on Alchemised by SenLinYu.

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

In this episode, Dan and Sam discuss their experience with 'Alchemised' by SenLinYu, which they both decided not to finish. They explore the reasons behind their decision, including the book's pacing, character development, and the challenges of adapting fan fiction into a novel. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of publishing fan fiction and the expectations set by social media hype. They conclude with a look forward to their...

Sam and Dan review Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid.

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

In this episode, Sam and Dan delve into Ava Reid's reimagining of Lady Macbeth, exploring the cultural impact and reinterpretation of Shakespeare's iconic character. They discuss the themes of power, femininity, and survival, as well as the book's fantasy elements, including dragons and magic. The conversation also touches on the portrayal of Lady Macbeth's character, her struggles with agency, and the societal expectations placed upon her.

Join...

am and Dan review The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig.

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

We dive into the world of 'The Night and the Moth' by Rachel Gillig, exploring its themes, characters, and the genre of romantasy. We discuss the book's pacing, the portrayal of romance, and the unique setting of the Stonewater Kingdom. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of the book's themes, including societal structures and personal identity. And Sam has some wild theories about where the sequel will...

Sam and Dan review Katabasis by R.F. Kuang.

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

Dan and Sam discuss the new fantasy release 'Katabasis' by R.F. Kuang. They delve into the book's themes, characters, and the unique setting of an academic journey through hell. The conversation explores the challenges of PhD life, the dynamics between the main characters Alice and Peter, and the book's reception in the fantasy community.

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Dan challenged Sam to read one of his favourite books, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, and now we get to find out what he thought.

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

We dive into the intricate world of Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn." In this episode, they explore the unique magic systems, character arcs, and the rich world-building that makes this series a standout in modern fantasy. The allure of Sanderson's rules-based magic systems and their impact on the plot. Vin's journey from mistrust to empowerment and Kelsey's complex role...

Sam and Dan review Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab.

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

Join Sam and Dan as they dive into the intricate world of V.E. Schwab's latest novel, "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." This episode unravels the layers of vampire mythology, exploring themes of power, identity, and the human condition. From the unique mechanics of vampirism to the rich character arcs, Sam and Dan offer a thoughtful analysis of this compelling narrative.

Join...

Sam and Dan review Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

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

In this episode, Dan and Sam delve into the world of sci-fi with a discussion on Adrian Tchaikovsky's 2025 novel, Shroud. They explore the novel's themes of human experience through a sci-fi lens, focusing on the biology of alien life and the societal structures of humanity in space. The conversation touches on the book's portrayal of corporate-driven human civilization, the challenges of survival on an alien moon, and the philosophical questions raised by the...

Sam and Dan review The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman.

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

We explore Christopher Buehlman's Dungeons and Dragons inspired world through this first-person retrospective epic adventure containing, thieves, assassins, giants and goblins. We deep dive into our narrator's character development, his perspective and wonderful use of humour. We talk about our favourite parts of the world-building, including the amazing cultural development of different nations within this world. And we talk about the quality of the writing, before giving our conclusions.

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Sam and Dan review Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner, the final instalment in The Fallen Gods Trilogy.

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

Having felt a bit let down by book 2 in this trilogy, Sunbringer, we are tempted back to Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner's amazing world-building and her enjoyable characters. We work our way through each character's conclusions and how we felt about the plot, relationships and character growth. We share our conclusions on whether we felt Hannah Kaner stuck the landing with Faithbreaker, and how it makes...

Sam and Dan review The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence, the final instalment in The Library Trilogy.

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

Having enjoyed the first two books in the series, we have high hopes for the finale. We discuss our feelings on some of the decisions Mark Lawrence made when landing the plane. We talk plot, characters, world, and themes, before coming onto how we felt about the trilogy as a whole and whether we would be recommending this.

Join...

Sam and Dan review The Familiar, by Leigh Bardugo.

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

Leigh Bardugo is hugely successful in the Young Adult Fantast world, but how will her work in the adult fiction sphere hold up. We discuss the price of being a woman with ambition, and magical powers, in 16th century Spain during the inquisition. We debate whether this is more of a fantasy, historical fiction, or even romance novel. And finally we give our conclusions on the story and the writing.

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Sam and Dan review The Book of Doors, by Gareth Brown.

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

We've heard lots of good things about this 2024 release and so we're excited to review yet another fantasy book about books. We discuss some things we like, and several elements that we struggled with. 

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Sam and Dan review The Devils, by Joe Abercrombie.

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

We deep-dive into one of the year's hottest releases. The Devils, by Lord Grim-Dark himself, Joe Abercrombie. We compare this to Abercrombie's First Law world, before exploring this diverse cast of characters and perspectives. We evaluate the plot, which might be built for the big screen. And as always, we nit-pick at the things we didn't like as much, before giving our overall conclusions.

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Sam and Dan review Pagans, by James Alistair Henry.

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

We delve into this crime-thriller set in an alternative version of modern-day England, where 1066 never happened and Pagan religion and culture dominate. We struggle to figure out whether this is a fantasy book or an alternative history, before discussing the world-building, plot and characters.

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Sam and Dan review The Book That Broke the World, by Mark Lawrence: book 2 in the Library Trilogy.

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

Having given the prestigious Escapists Anonymous 'Book of the Year 2024' award to The Book That Wouldn't Burn, there were high expectations for the sequel to deliver on this great promise. We delve into the introduction of new characters and new perspectives. We discuss the broad range of dangers that our cast face, from newly discovered species to power-hungry humans. We enjoy the...

Sam challenges Dan to read his first two Discworld novel, and in this episode, we discuss both Pyramids and Guards Guards and compare views.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers. We strongly recommend reading both books before listening.

Pyramids and Guards Guards are books 7 and 8 in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. We discuss why Sam felt these were a good starting point for Dan to enter the world and how Dan found both books, before delving into conversations on Pratchett's writing style, his relative strengths and weaknesses, and his considerable legacy and influence on the genre.<...

Sam and Dan review The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, by Shauna Lawless.

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

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the first novel in Shauna Lawless's Gael Song trilogy. We delve into our first historical fantasy. We explore the key themes, the historically accurate plot and how the history drives the plot, and our two main characters, one who experiences a journey of enlightenment and the other who is firmly set in her ways.

Join in the...

Sam and Dan review The Great When, by legendary writer, Alan Moore.

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

The Great When is the first novel in Alan Moore's planned series titled 'The London Quintet'. We get into the various plot strands that are introduced and tied off throughout. We discuss our main protagonist, Dennis Knuckleyard, along with some of the prominent side characters. And we discuss Alan Moore's incredibly abstract world-building and his depiction of a post World War Two London.

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Sam and Dan are joined on the podcast by self-published author, Dan Hanly, to discuss his debut novel, The Great Leap (book 1 in the Children of Innauron series).

SPOILER ALERT: While we try to avoid spoilers, the interview inevitably refers to events that occur throughout the book.

We ask Dan all about his thinking behind the world, characters and plot in The Great Leap, along with trying to tease out some of his thinking on the rest of the series. We also cover Dan's writing philosophy and the experience of being a self-published fantasy author.<...