We’re celebrating spooky season with THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw—a fantasy horror about a group of magical students who seek refuge in the school’s library when the faculty go on a ravenous rampage.

Listen as Laura and Emma try to keep track of the many characters and their unique abilities, discuss the idea of monstrosity—specifically how women are made monstrous by monstrous men—and… Jason is there, too! Plus, Emma wonders whether this book is truly part of the dark academia genre.

Happy Halloween!

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Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
• The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
• Katabasis by RF Kuang
• The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier
• Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
• The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
• Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break by Cassandra Khaw
• The Poppy War by RF Kuang
• A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
• A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
• To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu
• Sing Me to Sleep by R.M. Virtues

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Spooky season is officially here! In this episode, we’re celebrating both our favorite time of the year and Hispanic Heritage Month with A CRUEL THIRST by Angela Montoya—a YA fantasy full of vampires, forbidden romance, and Mexican folklore.

Join us as we explore how the book draws on Latin American culture to make vampires feel fresh, why this tale about bloodsucking monsters gives off cozy vibes, and what we think of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Zorro” comparison. Plus, find out how A Series of Unfortunate Events helped Bella with the Spanish vocabulary in this book!

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• The Final Six by Alexandra Monir
• The Life Below by Alexandra Monir
• Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
• Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen
• Blood Moon by Jillian Graves
• Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance by Jillian Graves
• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
• Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
• The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier
• To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu

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PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch

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In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon. Join us as we explore this steamy romantasy set “in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, [where] a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner.”

Along the way, Bella reveals which co-hosts are the most (and least) fabulous, Jason makes a connection to The Mummy (1999), and Emma explains how the book suffers from what she calls the Fourth Wing Phenomenon.

Listen now to discover why this book left the hosts so divided!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
• Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
• Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
• Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson
• The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper
• Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies
• A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya