Category Archives: Books & Novellas

VoK 491: The Last Bran Chapter aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 76)


sansastark

Join us for episode 76 of the Great Linear ASOIAF Re-Read ! Today we enjoy one of the few Sansa chapters (Alayne 1 from Feast), we learn again how great George is at writing horror stories with Brienne 4 from Feast, and we ponder over the passing of time in the last Bran chapter of the published books : Bran 3 from Dance. Your hosts are Sarah (Lady Weaver), Zach (Alias), Duncan (Valkyrist), Jock (munrojock2), Marie (Nymeria). These events take place between March 23rd and 27th 300 AL.

The podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works George R R Martin’s A Song Of Ice and Fire series but not for the HBO Show or TWOW Preview Chapters unless clearly marked.

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read will be hosted by Adam. It will cover Jon 5 and Tyrion 5 from Dance and Sam 3 from Feast.

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VoK 489: Neuromancer (by William Gibson)



The Vassals jack into cyberspace for a review of William Gibson’s Neuromancer. Join Duncan (Valkyrist) and Dana (Taindana) for an indepth discussion of cyberpunk fiction, artificial intelligence and the dark side of technology.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from Eurythmics and Valve Corporation

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Links:
BBC Radio Production (2-hours)

VoK 487: A Hymn for Spring (ASOIAF Essays) – Part 2



The Vassals return to the Tower of the Hand to address the state of the realm. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Sara (DrBlood) and Wilson (WanderingProphet) for a review of A Hymn for Spring, a collection of essays on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Essays covered in this podcast include:

09:08 – “Songs and Singers of Ice and Fire” by Amin Javadi
1:03:27 – “The Curse of Harren the Black” by Aziz and Ashaya
1:51:16 – “The Word Is Groleo” by Stefan Sasse
2:41:26 – Aftershow

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“The Bear and the Maiden Fair” by christocakes
“Rhaegar’s Harp” by feliciacano

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Links:
Tower of the Hand: A Hymn for Spring (Amazon)
VoK 374: A Hymn for Spring (ASOIAF Essays)

VoK 485: Pickle Rickard aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 74)


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Hey there, join us for episode 74 of our Great Linear Re-Read of A Song of Ice and Fire by G.R.R. Martin ! Today your hosts are Michael (Khal Wadege), Leigh (ChaoticNeutral1882), Matt (blu3arm0r), Varley, Jock (munrojock2) and Marie (Nymeria) and we cover the events of Cersei 4 from Feast, and Tyrion 4 and Bran 2 from Dance. We get to see an epic Small Council meeting, travel aboard the Shy Maid, and finally meet Bloodraven.  These chapters take place from March 16th to 20th of 300 AL.

As usual, spoilers for the entire published series but not for the show, nor for TWOW preview chapters. Come and listen to the guffawing of Pycelle by Varley, our troubles with Australian internet, and a great parody of Rick and Morty!

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read will cover Dany 4 from Dance, Cersei 5 from Feast, and Jaime 3 from Feast.

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VoK 482: The Buckethead Army aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 73)


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In this episode Bina007, Matt/Varley, Adam/Drownedsnow, Marie/Nymeria and Michael/Khal Wadege discuss Arya 2 from Feast (2m in) Jon 4 (24m in) and Davos 3 (at 56m in) from Dance. The events take place from March 7th to March 12th. We get Arya’s supercool training montage in Braavos, we get Stannis hearing some home truths from Jon, and Wylla Manderley being a badass.

The podcast contains spoilers for all published works in ASOIAF but not for Game of Thrones.

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read will cover Cersei 4 from Feast and Tyrion 4  and Bran 2 from Dance.

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VoK 481: Class of the Titans aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 72)


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Join Adam/DrownedSnow, DavidHHH, Hannah/Shadowbaby, James/QueenJames, Jock/MunroJock, Sarah/LadyWeaver and Zander/The Lord Baron, as they continue the epic reread. In this episode they discuss events of the 1st and 2nd March 300 AL.  They begin, at 2m in, with Arya 1 from Feast, wherein Arya enters the temple of the many-faced god. They continue at 37m with Tyrion 3 from Dance wherein Tyrion and Illyrio come across the Shy Maid. At 1hr 11m they move to Sam 2 from Feast, in which Aemon reveals Jon’s ruse.

The podcast contains spoilers for all published works in ASOIAF but not for TWOW preview chapters unless clearly signposted, and not for Game of Thrones.

For those following along at home the next reread will be hosted by Bina and will cover Arya 2 from Feast, Jon 4 from Dance and Davos 3 from Dance.

Episode edited by Bina007

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VoK 472: Chinchilla-Dick and the Scuttlebutts aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 71)


Dany bursts in to discovers the dragons are gone. Irri is dead

Join OG Vassals – Bina007, Brett/Whiteraven, Hashtag Greg/ClaudiusTheFool, Matt/Varley and Podcast Lurker Amberrocks – as well as the delightful new Podcast host QueenJames  – as they continue VOK’s epic linear re-read. In this episode we cover Dany 3 from A Dance With Dragons, wherein Ducksauce Declares War; Davos 2 from Dance, in which he reaches White Harbor; and Jaime 2 from Feast in which all the Tyrells have left. These events take place on the 25th and 27th of February 300 AL.  Also please be warned that this episode is smuttier than usual.

The podcast contains spoilers for all published works in ASOIAF but not for Game of Thrones.

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read is will be hosted by Sarah/LADY WEAVER and will cover Arya 1 (AFFC), Tyrion 3 (ADWD), and Sam 2 (AFFC).

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VoK 469: FakeCast aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 70)



In this episode we cover Theon 1, Jon 3, and Davos 1 from A Dance With Dragons. The events take place on the 20th and then 24th February 300.

Theon 1 – 07:40
Jon 3 – 29:05
Davos 1 – 1:08:25
Aftershow – 1:38:25

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Marie (Nymeria), Matt (Blu3arm0r), Leigh (ChaoticNeutral1882), Jock (Munrojock2), and Ty (enigmas).

Edited by Adam

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VoK 467: ChicagoCast aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 69)


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Join Bina007, Noah/Pops88, Paul/SerDinnerRoll, Zander/TheLordBaron, and Steven/SJLee as they cover Bran 1 from ADWD, Sam 1 from AFFC and Jon 2 from ADWD. These events take place on the 18th and then the 20th of February 300 AL. It’s also the first time we get what will often be the same events from two angles in the Jon and Sam chapters.

The podcast contains spoilers for all published works in ASOIAF but not for Game of Thrones.

For those following along at home the next episode of the re-read is will be hosted by Adam/DrownedSnow and will cover Reek 1 and Jon 3 from A Dance With Dragons and Davos 1 from A Feast For Crows.

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VoK 465: The Prick Trilogy aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 68)



Join us for episode 68 of the Vassals of Kingsgrave’s great linear re-read ! Your hosts today are Sarah/Lady Weaver, Michael/Khal wadege, Noah/Pops88, Jock/munrojock2, Tanja/Scilens, Dan/witless chum, and Marie/Nymeria and we cover Brienne 3 from Feast, Arianne 1 aka The Queenmaker from Feast, and Jon 1 from Dance. These events take place on Feb 17th 300 AL. We welcome Dan for his first reread episode, although he’s been around for a while!

Spoilers for the whole published series but not for the show.

Aftershow starts at 1hr54m and contains spoilers for the Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb (again !)

Music credits : Alpine Universe
Picture credits : Sacha Angel Diener
Hosted and edited by Nymeria

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VoK 461: ParanoiaCast! aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 67)


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Join some of the VOK Curators – Adam/DrownedSnow, Glen/Dagos_Rivers, Zach/Alias, Nadia and Ser Patrick The Tall – as they discuss Cersei 3 from A Feast For Crows, Tyrion 2 from A Dance With Dragons and Sansa 1 from Feast again. These events take place on the 15th and 16th Feb 300 AL.

Beware! This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series. It does not spoil the show.

Music – Alpine Universe
Artwork – HBO

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VoK 460: The Three-Headed Kitten aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 66)


varamyrridingkittens

Join us for episode 66 of the Vassals of Kingsgrave’s great linear re-read ! Your hosts today are Jock/munrojock2, Hannah/shadowbaby, Varley, Matt/blu3armor, Tanja/Scilens, Alix/Aiwendil and Marie/Nymeria and we cover the prologue from Dance, Tyrion 1 from Dance, and Jaime 1 from Dance. These events take place on Feb 13th and 14th 300 AL.

Spoilers for the whole published series but not for the show.

Aftershow starts at 1hr29m and contains spoilers for the Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb from 1hr30m to 1h31m30s.

Music credits : Alpine Universe
Hosted and edited by Nymeria

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VoK 458: The Worst Chapter in Feast aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 65)


pod-brienne

Join Bina007, Paul/SerDinnerRoll, Adam/DrownedSnow, Michal/Inkasrain, Matt/Varley, Leigh/ChaoticNeutral and podcast lurker Amberrocks as they discuss Brienne 2, Arys 1 or The Soiled Knight, and Cersei 2 from A Feast For Crows. These events take place on the 11th and 12th Feb 300 AL.

Beware! This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series. It does not spoil the show.

The after show begins at 1hr 22m.

Music – Alpine Universe
Artwork – HBO

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VoK 457: Storm Retrospective aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 64)


GeorgeRRMartin_AStormOfSwords_UK

It’s time to put all of you’re a Storm of Swords questions to rest, join your hosts Sarah (Lady Weaver), Jock (Munrojock2), Marie (Nymeria), Tanja (Scilens), Hannah (Shadowbaby), Scott (Shaggy Dog) and Matt (Varley) as they answer all of your burning questions.

This episode is full of spoilers from George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but not the Game of Thrones TV show.

Show Times:
Part 1 – Overall impressions on the book and the impact of reading it linearly.
Part 2 – 0:52:30 – The impact of character deaths and the new POVs – Sansa’s character arc.
Part 3 – 1:26:09 – All things House Tyrell.
After Show – 1:53:35

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VoK 456: Snow Day aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 63)


jon

The Vassals complete their reread of A Storm Of Swords, with four chapters –  Sam 4, Jon 11, Sam 5, and Jon 12 – that see the election of the new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. These events take place on the 9th and 10th February 300 AL.

Your hosts are Bina007; the OG VOK Curator Glen/Dagos Rivers; the legendary Hashtag Greg aka ClaudiusTheFool; Varley Mo Varley/Matt; Ser Patrick The Tall and Podcast Lurker, Amberrocks!

Beware! This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series including very briefly TWOW preview chapters. It does not spoil the show.

Music – Alpine Universe
Artwork – HBO

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[Devianart] J C Barquet’s amazing artwork

VoK 455: Varley’s is the Fury aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 62)


Sansa at the Eeyrie

Join hosts Nadia, Varley/Matt, Nymeria/Marie, shadowbaby/Hannah, Gaiden/Kevin and blu3arm0r/Matt as they continue the Great Linear Reread with Cersei 1 from A Feast for Crows, Quentyn 1 from A Dance with Dragons and Sansa 7 from A Storm of Swords.

The next reread will be hosted by Bina007 and will cover Sam 4, Jon 11, Sam 5 and Jon 12 from A Storm of Swords.

This podcast contains spoilers for all published works of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, but does not contain spoilers for HBO’s show, Game of Thrones.

Aftershow begins at 1 hr 30 mins.

Credits:
Edited by Nadia
Artwork: Sansa at the Eeyrie by Michael Komarck

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VoK 452: KrakenMoot! aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 61)


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In this episode Bina007 has an audio reunion with some of the Krakens she met during her recent trip to Australia for the Ashes. Michael/Khal Wadege covers the Prologue from A Feast For Crows; Duncan/Valkyrist covers Brienne 1 from A Feast For Crows; and podcast newbie Leigh/ChaoticNeutral1882 covers the final Tyrion chapter – Tyrion 11 – from A Storm Of Swords. The gang are also joined by the Western Australians Sarah/Lady Weaver and Dana/Taindana.

Beware! This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series including very briefly TWOW preview chapters. It does not spoil the show.

Music – Alpine Universe
Artwork – At The Gates by J C Barquet

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[Devianart] J C Barquet’s amazing artwork

VoK 451: Last Frey Standing aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 60)


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Join the Vassals as they tackle the hanging of Merrett in the epilogue of ASOS; the Kingsmoot in Aeron 2 from AFFC; and Arya leaving the Hound in Arya 13!  The events stretch from the 30th January to 6th February 300 AL.

Your hosts are Casey/Blue-Eyed Queen, Matt/blu3arm0r; Noah/Pops88, Nadia, and Tanja/Scilens.

The night is dark and full of spoilers for all published works in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series.  At 1hr 7m the team discuss a published spoiler from TWOW and at 1hr15m they discuss a transcript of a chapter read at a Con.  This is clearly labelled and those not reading TWOW spoilers should tune out at 1hr7m.

Picture credit: HBO’s Game Of Thrones
Music credits: Alpine Universe

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VoK 444: Best Media of 2017 Awards


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In this episode, various Vassals describe the music, books, TV shows and movies that they enjoyed last year. Listen in for recommendations of things to try that may be outside of your usual comfort zone!

Music (45s): Alix/Aiwendil opens up the show with her recommendation, “In the Passing Light of Day,” by Pain of Salvation.

TV shows (5m): Glen/Dagos_Rivers and Hannah/Shadowbaby recommend dystopian TV show Black Mirror; Adam/DrownedSnow recommends the Netflix Western Godless; Glen also recommends the British gameshow Armchair Detectives. Marie/Nymeria is joined by Alix and Glen to discuss the star-studded thriller Big Little Lies; Natalie/BranTheBeastling and Sarah/Lady Weaver recommend sci-fi drama Black; DavidHHH reviews the Syfy dystopian drama 12 Monkeys; Natalie and Sarah return to review the Korean drama Stranger; and DavidHHH returns to share his love for the DC Arroverse crossover.

Film (36m): Bina007 discusses the the AI documentary Alphago.

Books (40m): Paul/SerDinnerRoll reviews Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve; Bina007 returns to review Blitzed by Norman Ohler and Alix takes us home with a discussion of SPQR by Mary Beard.

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VoK 442: Stag Night aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 59)



Join Vassals Alix (Aiwendil), Adam (drownedsnow), David (davidhhh), Marie (Nymeria), and Patrick (Ser for Partick the Tall) for part 59 of our Great Linear Re-read of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.

Events take place from 25th January to 29th January 300 AL.

Asha 1 – AFFC – prep for Queensmoot
Jon 10 – ASOS – Stannis arrives (34:00)
Victarion 1 – The Iron Captain (1:10:00)
Aftershow – Winds of Winter Spoiler chapter discussion (1:51:00)

The next Linear Re-Read will be hosted by Casey and will cover the Epilogue (ASOS), Aeron 2 (AFFC), and Arya 13 (ASOS)

Edited by Adam

Music credits: Alpine Universe

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