In this special episode, Dylan is joined by Stephen from the Fantology Podcast for an epic deep dive into his favorite fantasy books and authors! Stephen shares his personal tier list, walking us through the writers who have shaped his love for the genre—from all-time legends to underrated gems.

Whether you're new to fantasy or a longtime fan looking for your next great read, you’ll come away with a list of compelling recommendations. Expect some hot takes, thoughtful insights, and plenty of titles to add to your TBR! Check out Stephen and the rest of the crew at Fantology: https://www.youtube.com/@FantologyPodcast

Let us know in the comments: Who are YOUR top-tier fantasy authors?

With Charles out on paternity leave (congrats, Charles!), Dylan takes a crack at doing a full solo episode of Friends Talking Fantasy.

Dylan provides some early thoughts on Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils (spoiler: it’s really good), reflects on what it's like to reread Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, and talks to himself about how The Will of the Many helped him break out of a reading slump.

Dylan also talks through some recent fantasy-world news, including the reported cancellation of The Wheel of Time and a very human but somewhat disgruntled blog post from George R.R. Martin about Winds of Winter (sort of)

The Friends journey into the brutal heart of Christopher Buehlman’s The Daughter’s War, the grimdark prequel to The Blacktongue Thief. They unpack the stark tonal shift between the two novels—where Buehlman trades snark for sorrow, and swagger for survival. The spotlight falls on Galva, whose stoic presence in The Blacktongue Thief is given heartbreaking depth as her backstory unfolds through war, trauma, and fractured family loyalties. From hive-minded goblins to the emotional cost of legacy, the hosts explore what makes The Daughter’s War such a powerful, if punishing, read—and why some readers might not be ready for just how dark this prequel gets.

Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@friendstalkingfantasy