Author Archives: vokadmin

VoK 46: The Princess and the Queen (by George R. R. Martin)

Posted on December 15, 2013 | 4 comments

Vikram (fortytwo) is joined by Bina (Bina007), Nadia, Michal (inkasrain), Thomas (FTWard), Leigh (LordManderBlee), and Duncan (Valkyrist) to review and discuss George R. R. Martin’s latest novella “The Princess and the Queen”.

Beware of Spoilers: This podcast discusses the novella in detail.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo

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Links:
King Stephen and Matilda of Boulogne

4 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, fortytwo, FTWard, inkasrain, LordManderBlee, Nadia, Valkyrist

Donate to Archive.org

Posted on December 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

Hey Guys,

It seems there was a fire at one of Archive.org’s scanning center. They are trying to rebuild and so are asking for Donations.

VOK, BOK and now even APOIAF rely heavily on archive.org to host and distribute our podcasts. I’m very grateful to them for this service.

The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library. Its purposes include offering permanent access for researchers, historians, scholars, people with disabilities, and the general public to historical collections that exist in digital format

They have a noble mission. So this holiday season, if your feeling charitable , think about donating to archive.org.

– Vikram aka Fortytwo, VoK curator

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Posted in Announcements

The Evenarian by Julia P. Dickinson

Posted on December 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Julia aka No True Lady a VoK Regular is running a Kickstarter to help get her original fantasy novel “Evenarian” published. Check it out:

Here’s the Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theevenarian/the-evenarian-part-deux

The book’s website: http://evenarian.blogspot.com/

And an excerpt: http://evenarian.blogspot.com/p/evenarian-excerpt.html

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Posted in Announcements

VoK 43: The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey [2012] (Review)

Posted on December 1, 2013 | 2 comments

Approached out of the blue by the wizard Eiffel the grey, fortytwo finds himself joining the company of forum dwellers LordManderblee, Shellfish, Easttexasdirewolf and Teddart to review Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit 1: An Unexpected Journey. Their journey will take them through treacherous spoiler filled territory of Hobbit the book, LoTR trilogy and other Tolkien Lore; lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs, Sorcerers and sexualized dwarves !!!

Beware of spoilers, the following podcast discusses the movie Hobbit 1, Hobbit the book and Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
The Misty Mountain by Howard Shore

Links:
Dwarf Cheat Sheet
Tolkien Professor
Peter Jackson’s Youtube Channel
Hobbit Contract

2 Comments

Posted in Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged easttexasdirewolf, Eiffel, fortytwo, LordManderBlee, Shellfish, Teddard

VoK 41: Temeraire (by Naomi Novik)

Posted on November 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

Fortytwo is joined by LordManderblee for an in-dept discussion on Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series of books.

Beware of spoilers, the following podcast discusses all published books of Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Image by http://straydogsbite.tumblr.com/

Links:
Podcast When Diplomacy Fails on Napoleon
Temeraire Fan Art @ Deviantart

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged fortytwo, LordManderBlee

VoK 40: The Terminator [1984] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on November 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

Join the Vassals for their second in a series of film fan commentary tracks. In this episode hosts Duncan (aka Valkyrist) and Glen (aka Dagos_Rivers) discuss and dissect James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi classic – The Terminator.

The audio commentary itself runs from 3:30 to 1:51:02, and the opening production logos will be played at full volume in order for the listener to sync up their copy of the movie correctly.

Warning: Contains explicit language and plot spoilers for The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by MGM Studios

Links:
The Terminator (1984): Original Deleted Scenes
Planet of the Apes (audio commentary)

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Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Dagos_Rivers, Valkyrist

VoK 39: BlizzCon 2013 Recap

Posted on November 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

Join Vikram (Fortytwo), Zach (Alias) and Bill (MrKorb) as they Recap BlizzCon 2013.
@ 7:05 mins They Discuss New WoW expansion Warlords of Draenor
@ 42 mins they compare who spend the most money of Hearthstone
@ 53 mins they discuss Heroes of Storm Blizz’s new MOBA
@ 59:50 mins they debate if its worth buying the new Diablo expansion Reaper of Souls
@ 66:30 mins they discuss the state of StarCraft 2

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Music:
Stormwind from WoW Soundtrack
Main Theme from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
Main Theme from Heroes of the Storm
Main Theme from Diablo 3 soundtrack
Terran from Starcraft 2 soundtrack

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
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[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Conan O’Brien takes over Arena casting at BlizzCon

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Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Video Games

Tagged Alias, fortytwo, mrkorb

VoK 38: Thor – The Dark World [2013] (Review)

Posted on November 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

It’s a super-sized Thor The Dark World review with easttexasdirewolf, Erinyes, fortytwo, inkasrain( Michal), No True Lady, Shellfish, Teddard and Tori. Prepare to hear about a movie that all the hosts claim they enjoyed…yet have massive issues with. Also, there will be fangirling.

Editing Credits: No True lady

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
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Links:
Skype Chatlog during the recording

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Posted in Comics, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged easttexasdirewolf, Erinyes, fortytwo, inkasrain, No True Lady, Shellfish, Teddard, Tori

VoK 36: Women in Geek Culture

Posted on November 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

Things get raucous as Bina007, No True Lady and Valkyrist navigate the murky waters of geek culture’s woman problem and attempt to slay the myth of the Fake Geek Girl. This episode also features a shocking lack of Tolkien knowledge, the secret behind Tom Hiddleston’s charm and the heartbreak of discovering that the creators of things you like are actually terrible people.

Credits:
Edited by No True Lady

Links:
Feminist Frequency YouTube Channel
Harassment Against Anita Sarkeesian
The “Fake Geek Girl” Has Got to Go
Tony Harris’ Facebook Rant
Tolkien’s Ladies: Is Geek Culture Female-Friendly?
Podcast Awards
Suits and Madness Podcast

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Posted in Fandom, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, No True Lady, Valkyrist

VoK 35: Anime Roundtable (Vol.1)

Posted on November 9, 2013 | 4 comments

In this Anime edition of VoK Roundtable, APOIAF’s Amin makes his first VoK appearance along with forum regular MrKorb.
@ 2mins Bill aka MrKorb introduces the crew to “Simoun” a steampunk yuri anime.
@ 14:30 mins Vikram aka Fortytwo talks about his favorite anime “Darker than Black”
@ 24mins Amin talks about some anime he liked, and his plan to do BoK on them.
@ 41:50 mins A Blizzcon distracted Vikram reminisces about world of Warcraft with Bill.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Music from:
Simoun Opening soundtrack
Howling by Abingdon Boys School and
Tsukiakari no Michishirube from Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini

Links:
Podcast Awards
Simoun DVD @ Amazon
Darker Than Black @ Hulu
Amin’s Anime BoK todo
MrKorb’s Tumblr
Amin’s Tumblr
Amin’s Twitter

4 Comments

Posted in Anime & Manga, Fandom, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Amin, fortytwo, mrkorb

VoK 33: Gravity [2013] (Review)

Posted on November 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Join Mission Cmdr Fortytwo and Mission Specilist Dr Bina007 as they discuss Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity. The crew begin by talking about the London Film Festival , flims that did well there and might do well at Oscars too.
@ 12:25 they begin the spoiler free discussion on Gravity, then
@ 23:12 switch to all spoiler discussion.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Pronunciation for Alfonso Cuarón
Audio Excerpt from Gravity Trailer

Links:
Podcast Awards
Astronaut Chris Hadfield
Jonás Cuarón filmed a short to tell the other half of a Gravity scene

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Bina007, fortytwo

VoK 32: The Last of Us (Naughty Dog)

Posted on October 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

Join the Vassals for their very first video game podcast! Hosts Duncan (aka Valkyrist), Zach (aka Alias), Katie (aka Lady Griffin), and Peter (aka Shellfish) unite for a critical discussion of The Last of Us, for PlayStation 3 And stay tuned for the Aftershow, where they delve into their top 5 games for this console cycle, and ask the question: “Can video games be considered art?”

0:00 – Introduction [lemon cake ratings; favourite moments in the game]
11:36 – Story and Characters [Joel and Ellie’s character arcs; interpreting the ending; narrative and thematic structure; writing quality]
41:59 – Gameplay and Design [combat and inventory mechanics; level design; enemy and ally AI; music and visual presentation; voice acting and character animations; online multiplayer]
1:08:11 – Conclusion [criticisms of the game; recommendations for similar works; DLC predictions]
1:17:13 – Aftershow [top 5 games of this gen; can video games be considered art?]

Warning: Contains explicit language, and plot spoilers for The Last of Us and Game of Thrones.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by Sony Computer Entertainment

Links:
The Last of Us: The Kotaku Review
The Last of Us – The Musical (with Orchestra)
Map of Joel’s Progress
The Rootwork Building: Interactive and Thematic Structure in The Last of Us
Two Best Friends Play The Last of Us

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Posted in Podcast, Science Fiction, Video Games

Tagged Alias, Lady Griffin, Shellfish, Valkyrist

VoK 31: Books Roundtable (Vol.1)

Posted on October 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

In our first ever VoK Roundtable Book Editions the Hosts each bring in and talk about their favorite books.

Vikram talks about His Majesty’s Dragon by Norvik @ 4:20mins
Glen discusses Fall of Giants by Ken Follett @ 16:50mins
Nadia talks about The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye @ 28:00
Shane talks about Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry @ 48:00mins

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Skyrim Soundtrack Dovakiin
Excerpt from Audiobook read by Simon Vance
Edwin Starr’s War (What Is It Good For?)
Coke Studio Pakistan’s LAILI JAAN
Lonesome Dove Soundtrack

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged Dagos_Rivers, easttexasdirewolf, fortytwo, Nadia

VoK 24: Breaking Bad (AMC series) – Season 5

Posted on October 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

Join our four guest hosts for a spoiler-filled discussion of AMC’s Breaking Bad. Fortytwo aka Vikram, Valkyrist aka Duncan, Alias aka Zach and Bina007 aka Bina take a critical look at the entire series.

Credits:
Edited by fortytwo
Music from Breaking Bad original soundtrack.

Episode 24:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org.
[Streaming] from grooveshark.com
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Podcast: Breaking Bad Insider
Podcast: AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Alias, Bina007, fortytwo, Valkyrist

VoK 23: Metanarrative in the Game of Thrones (audio essay)

Posted on October 6, 2013 | 6 comments

In this mini-episode, Valkyrist discusses postmodernism within George R. R. Martin’s fantasy series, and the various ways in which “metanarratives” are explored and challenged.

Contains spoilers for the first three books of A Song of Ice and Fire, and some minor spoilers regarding the emotional states of two characters in book 5.

Credits:
Written and Edited by Valkyrist
Closing music taken from Malukah’s YouTube channel

Episode 23:
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[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
The Postmodern Condition: A Report on the Understanding of Knowledge (by Jean-François Lyotard)

6 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Philosophy, Podcast

Tagged Valkyrist

VoK 19: Hannibal (NBC series) – Season 1

Posted on September 4, 2013 | 2 comments

Just a bunch of girls talking about murder. This episode’s topic is NBC’s cult hit “Hannibal.” Erinyes and Nadia are joined by Julia (No True Lady on the forums) and Tori (lastratstanding on Tumblr), the hosts of the Hannibal podcast Suits and Madness.

Check out Suits and Madness on iTunes and on Tumblr

Credits:
Edited by No True Lady

Episode 19:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org.
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Julia and Tori’s Podcast Suits and Madness
Suits and Madness on iTunes
Tori’s Tumblr

2 Comments

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Erinyes, Nadia, No True Lady, Tori

VoK 17: Deeper than Swords (Exhibition)

Posted on August 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

TravisoTraviso and ikswarum discuss about the Deeper than Swords exhibit at Texas A&M. Deeper Than Swords presents objects, editions, and manuscripts from the full scope of George R. R. Martin’s career, from early letters and stories to his most recent writings. Major sections of the gallery will be devoted to the writing and reception of A Song of Ice and Fire, the range of his other novels and collaborations, and the international impact of Martin’s work.

Credits:
Edited by TravisoTraviso

Episode 17:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
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[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Deeper than Swords exhibit at Texas A&M
Pictures on Traviso’s Tumblr 1
Pictures on Traviso’s Tumblr 2
Pictures on Traviso’s Tumblr 3
Pictures on Traviso’s Tumblr 4

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Fandom, Podcast

Tagged ikswarum, TravisoTraviso

VoK 15: FeastDance (Part 3) – All Roads Lead to Essos

Posted on August 18, 2013 | 5 comments

Beware of spoilers, the following podcast discusses all published books of A Song of Ice and Fire

In this 3rd installment of Feast Dance discussion, the theme is “All roads lead to Essos”. Fortytwo is joined by Bina007, Nadia, jesicka309 and LordManderblee to discuss the PoVs of Barristan Selmy (5:40), Quentyn Martell (30:38), Victarion Greyjoy (54:13) and Jon Connington (1:20:10). The Crew discuss “who the is Harpy ?”, “Is Quentyn still alive?”, “How dumb is Victarion?” and “If Griffon was gay”.

Credits:
Edited by fortytwo
Music from Game of Thrones soundtrack by Ramin Djawadi

Episode 15:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org.
[Streaming] from grooveshark.com
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
The Geekie awards Livestream
The Geekie awards
Podcast of Ice and Fire store page
APOIAF at deviant art
Martin’s interview
APOIAF forums

5 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, fortytwo, jesicka309, LordManderBlee, Nadia

VoK 13: The Wolverine [2013] (Review)

Posted on August 4, 2013 | 1 comment

Beware of spoilers, the following podcast discusses the movie Wolverine in detail. Plus there are tons of Game of thrones references.

Fortytwo is joined by Bina, LordManderblee, EastTexasDirewolf and Teddard to review Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine(2013).

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Music from Wolverine movie soundtrack.

Episode 13:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
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[Streaming] from grooveshark.com
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Bina’s 10min spoiler free review
Sean T. Collins’s Wolverine Through the Years

1 Comment

Posted in Comics, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, fortytwo, LordManderBlee, Teddard

VoK 12: Pacific Rim [2013] (Review)

Posted on July 28, 2013 | 6 comments

Fortytwo is joined by LordManderblee and Bina007 to jibber jabber about Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim. Discussion is mostly spoiler free. Beware, somehow they still end up talking about Songs of Ice and Fire.

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo
Music from Pacific Rim soundtrack by Ramin Djawadi

Episode 12:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org.
[Streaming] from grooveshark.com
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.

Links:
Opening Clip : Kaiju Remedies
Tumblr on Pacific Rim