Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction

We kick off Oathbringer with a brutal flashback, a chaotic present-day battle, and plenty of questions about where the story is headed next. From Dalinar’s mysterious past and the shocking events surrounding the Kholinar palace to the growing threat of the Everstorm, we dive into the first seven chapters and revisit the fallout from Words of Radiance. We also check in with Kaladin, Shallan, and the rest of the Knights Radiant as they begin to navigate their new roles in a rapidly changing world. Join us as we unpack the early revelations, speculate about what’s coming, and star...

After wrapping up Words of Radiance, we take a detour into Edgedancer, Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive novella. We follow Lift's unique adventure, revisit familiar faces from a new perspective, and explore the story's surprising character development, humor, and emotional moments. Along the way, we discuss how this seemingly smaller story expands the world of Roshar and sets the stage for what's to come in the main series. Join us as we dive into this unforgettable interlude.

In the epic finale of Words of Radiance, we unpack the explosive ending that changes Roshar forever. We discuss Kaladin’s showdown with Szeth, Shallan’s discovery of Urithiru, Dalinar’s transformation, and the flood of revelations about the Knights Radiant, Honorblades, and the wider Cosmere. Along the way, we share our reactions to major character moments, surprising twists, and where we think the story is headed next. Join us as we wrap up Brandon Sanderson’s second Stormlight Archive novel and look ahead to the next chapter of the journey.

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 71–78, where the countdown to the Everstorm begins. Shallan races to uncover the secrets of Urithiru, Kaladin faces impossible choices as his ideals are tested, and Dalinar prepares for a confrontation that could determine the fate of the Shattered Plains.

We discuss the growing threat of the listeners, the mysteries surrounding the Oathgates and the Knights Radiant, and some major character-defining moments for Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin. Plus, we share our latest theories as the tension builds and the Sanderlanche looms just over the horizon.

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 64 through the Fourth Interludes, and the tension keeps climbing as the Sanderlanche approaches. Kaladin wrestles with an impossible choice between honor and revenge, Shallan’s investigation into the Ghostbloods uncovers dangerous new secrets, and Adolin finds himself at the center of growing political and personal conflicts. 

We also dive into the fourth interludes, where new perspectives expand the world of Roshar and raise even more questions about the Knights Radiant, the listeners, and the forces moving behind the scenes. Plus, we share our latest theories, debat...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 54 through the Third Interludes, where the stakes and the action reach new heights. Shallan dives deeper into the Ghostbloods’ dangerous schemes, while Adolin’s duel turns into an unforgettable four-on-one showdown that ends with Kaladin delivering one of the most iconic moments in the series and paying the price for it.

We also discuss Wit’s return, the mysteries surrounding Renarin and the screaming Shardblades, and the revelations from the third interludes as Lift, Szeth, and Eshonai each hint at just how much larger Roshar’s story is...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 45–53, where secrets, storms, and Shardblades all collide.

Shallan dives deeper into her Lightweaving abilities, revisits painful memories from her past, and infiltrates Amaram’s manor in one of her boldest schemes yet. Along the way, she uncovers disturbing clues, discovers an unexpected connection to Heleran, and somehow manages to turn an awkward highstorm date with Adolin into something surprisingly charming.

Meanwhile, Kaladin struggles with Moash’s growing conspiracy, masters his newfound powers, and starts to realize just how quickly events on the Shattered Plains a...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 35-44, where Shallan finally arrives on the Shattered Plains and immediately finds herself balancing court politics, secret societies, and a growing collection of alternate identities.

We discuss Shallan’s introduction to Dalinar and Adolin, her unexpected role in Sebarial’s camp, and a tense meeting with the Ghostbloods that sends her on a dangerous mission involving Amaram. Along the way, her Lightweaving abilities continue to evolve, giving rise to a new persona with potentially far-reaching consequences.

Meanwhile, Kaladin experiments with his powers, joins Zahe...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 24 through the Second Interludes, and things escalate quickly. Shallan’s uneasy partnership with Tyn comes to a dramatic end, the mystery of the Ghostbloods deepens, and a chance encounter over a pair of boots may have larger implications than it first appears.

Meanwhile, Kaladin continues exploring his growing abilities, Adolin faces the social consequences of Dalinar’s reforms, and Renarin keeps getting stranger by the chapter. We also dive into one of the biggest moments of the book so far as Szeth finally returns to the...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 13–23, where Shallan starts assembling a surprisingly loyal following on the road to the Shattered Plains while Kaladin’s suspicions about Amaram finally boil over.

We dive into Shallan’s growing Lightweaver abilities, Pattern’s obsession with lies and truth, and the increasingly mysterious nature of the Knights Radiant. Meanwhile, Kaladin clashes with Adolin, Dalinar tries to hold together a kingdom full of political chaos, and Elhokar somehow becomes both more paranoid and more hilarious at the same time.

Also discussed: sleep deprivation as parents...

This week on Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Words of Radiance Chapters 6 through the First Interludes and the scope of Roshar expands fast. From the mysterious culture of the listeners and their dangerous “forms of power,” to giant island-sized greatshells and secret Surgebinders hiding across the world, Brandon Sanderson starts pulling back the curtain on just how strange this world really is. 

We break down the major reveals surrounding Eshonai and the Parshendi, debate the morality of the Ghostbloods, and react to one of the biggest shocks of the series so far aboard Shallan and Jasnah’s ship. P...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we begin Words of Radiance by covering the Prologue through Chapter 5. We return to the night of Gavilar’s assassination through Jasnah’s eyes and diving deeper into the mysteries of spren, Surgebinding, and Shadesmar. Shallan’s journey takes center stage as her strange abilities evolve, introducing Pattern and raising new questions about the nature of the Knights Radiant. 

Meanwhile, Kaladin and Dalinar settle into their new roles on the Shattered Plains, laying the groundwork for what’s to come. From Bridge Four’s next evolution to Dalinar’s bold political mov...

In the final episode of this season Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we wrap up The Way of Kings with Chapters 70 through the Epilogue bringing major reveals, satisfying character moments, and huge implications for what’s next. 

We break down Shallan’s biggest truth, the mystery of the Ghostbloods, and the shocking reveal involving Taravangian and Szeth. We also explore Dalinar’s visions, the truth of the Almighty and Odium, and Kaladin’s hard-earned rise plus our theories on the Knights Radiant and what’s coming in Words of Radiance.

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 59–69 of The Way of Kings as the climax of the book explodes into motion. Kaladin continues discovering the truth of his powers and pushes Bridge Four to new heights, while Dalinar’s visions are finally validated and his trust in Sadeas is put to the ultimate test. When betrayal strikes at the Tower, every major storyline collides in spectacular fashion. 

We break down Kaladin’s heroic turning point, the meaning behind the Immortal Words, Dalinar’s stunning act of honor, and the shifting power dynamics of the warcamps...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 52–58 of The Way of Kings as the story barrels toward its finale. Dalinar’s visions reveal more about the mysterious Knights Radiant and the Day of Recreance, while his uneasy alliance with Sadeas appears to strengthen through joint plateau assaults. As politics, paranoia, and old rivalries collide, we debate whether Sadeas can really be trusted, and what Wit may know about the dangers ahead.

Meanwhile, Kaladin’s storyline reaches another major turning point as Teft forces the truth into the open: Kaladin is doing something impossible with Storml...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapter 45 through the Third Interludes of The Way of Kings and the Sanderlanche is starting to build. Shallan’s story hits a major turning point as her experiments with Soulcasting spiral into something far more dangerous, leading to a surreal glimpse into what may be the Cognitive Realm, a shocking reveal about Capsal, and a complete breakdown in her relationship with Jasnah. Along the way, we’re left questioning Soulcasters, Shardblades, and what Shallan might really be hiding.

Meanwhile, Kaladin’s arc delivers one of the most devastating moment...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 36 - 44 of The Way of Kings and things are escalating fast. Shallan’s storyline takes a dark turn as Jasnah’s brutal demonstration of philosophy forces her to question everything, ultimately pushing her to make a bold and dangerous move with the Soulcaster. Meanwhile, her mysterious abilities continue to surface, raising new questions about her past—and what she may be capable of.

Kaladin’s arc delivers some of the biggest developments yet. Through haunting flashbacks, we finally see the path that led him to the battlefield revealin...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover the Second Interludes through Chapter 35 of The Way of Kings. The interludes expand the world in fascinating ways. From Rysn’s glimpse into Shinovar and the origins of Szeth’s Oathstone, to Axies the Collector’s hunt for spren, and Szeth’s increasingly dangerous new masters. Meanwhile, Shallan’s story deepens as her scholarship, secrets, and strange artistic abilities begin to hint at something far more unsettling—especially as Jasnah grows more suspicious and Kabsal’s intentions come into question. On the Shattered Plains, Kaladin’s leadership reaches a turning point. His bridg...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 22 - 28 of The Way of Kings. Kaladin takes meaningful steps toward leadership, using ingenuity and empathy to win over Bridge Four; gathering resources, outsmarting the apothecary, and turning chasm duty into a turning point for the crew. Meanwhile, flashbacks introduce a new citylord whose arrival casts a shadow over Kaladin’s past. On the Shattered Plains, Dalinar faces mounting pressure as political maneuvering by Sadeas weakens his influence, his visions continue to unsettle him, and a surprising decision puts Adolin’s future, and their house, on a new path. Alon...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 16 - 21 of The Way of Kings. Kaladin’s past continues to unfold, revealing the roots of his drive to protect others, while his present-day struggle with Bridge Four takes a turning point as he begins forming a plan to keep his men alive. Meanwhile, Dalinar pushes to unite the highprinces but faces resistance from Elhokar and his own increasingly intense visions during highstorms. We break down character development, emerging themes, and share our latest (and likely questionable) theories about what’s really going on in Roshar.

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover the first interludes through Chapter 15 of The Way of Kings. The story expands beyond our main characters as we explore the mysterious Purelake, meet Shallan’s troubled brother, and catch up with Szeth as his grim fate as Truthless continues. Then Part Two begins, introducing Dalinar, Adolin, and the Alethi war camps—complete with political intrigue, family dynamics, and an unforgettable chasmfiend hunt. We also dive into Cosmere connections, worldhoppers, and what these chapters might be setting up next.

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we cover Chapters 6 - 11 of The Way of Kings. Shallan continues her pursuit of Jasnah and finally earns a place as her ward—though not without some awkward encounters, questionable plans, and a little help from Yalb. Meanwhile, Kaladin’s story takes a darker turn as he’s forced into the brutal life of a bridgeman on the Shattered Plains. We unpack Bridge Four, the harsh reality of the war camps, and a pivotal moment that may change Kaladin’s path. Plus, we talk epigraphs, spren, worldbuilding, and share our latest predictions for what...

In this episode of Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction, we dive into the opening of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson—covering the Prelude, Prologue, and Chapters 1–5. Derrik experiences the world for the first time while Jon revisits the story (carefully avoiding spoilers). We unpack mysterious heralds, shardblades, strange spren, and the introduction of key characters like Kaladin and Shallan. Along the way we talk worldbuilding, early theories, and first impressions of Sanderson’s massive epic.

Two dads. One fantasy series. Plenty of questionable predictions.

Fathers, Fantasy, & Fiction is a book club podcast where we read through fantasy novels a few chapters at a time—recapping the story, sharing theories, and trying to figure out what’s actually going on.