Best mandktalkya Podcasts (2026)

1
Season Five Recap 27:09

Play Pause

4y ago27:09

27:09

We’re back, bookworms! M+K have been MIA for most of 2021, but still managed to rally for a recap of their (abridged) season five. Plus, A Very Good Reason for Our Radio Silence; Reviewing Lightbringer in One Sentence; The Hardest Game of Would You Rather; and How We’re Giving Back This Holiday Season.…

1
Kingsbane (The Empirium Trilogy) 50:05

4+ y ago50:05

50:05

A shifting timeline throws M+K for a loop, leaving them questioning some of the characters’ actions. Plus, Corien Just Keeps Getting Creepier; The Burgeoning Bromance We’re Totally Here For; Helpful Tips to Survive Time Traveling; And A Day in the Life of a Short Sleeper.By mandktalkya

1
Furyborn (The Empirium Trilogy) 1:00:13

4+ y ago1:00:13

1:00:13

M+K team up with a pair of prophesied queens—one destined to save the world, and one destined to destroy it. Plus, POV Chapters, One Thousand and Twenty Years Apart; Team Rielle vs. Team Eliana; How to Know if Your Guardian Angel is Reading Your Mind; and Ancient Contraceptive Methods We Wholeheartedly Do Not Recommend.…

1
Gold Wings Rising (Skybound Saga) 53:18

4+ y ago53:18

53:18

A fresh concept, a diverse cast of characters, and a soaring conclusion leads to M+K assigning one of their highest ratings ever to the Skybound Saga. Plus, A Ghost Eagle Origin Story; Don’t Hatch Eggs Under Water!; The Terrifying Truth About Owl Eyes; and How a Book Saved the American Bald Eagle.By mandktalkya

1
Red Skies Falling (Skybound Saga) 58:30

5y ago58:30

58:30

M+K get a change of scenery when they visit the Sky Castle and meet some (sneaky) secondary characters. Plus, More Platonic Friendships, Please; A REEEEEEally Shocking Ghost Eagle Twist; How to (Sort of) Train Your Falcon; And a History of Human-Lifting Kites.By mandktalkya

1
Black Wings Beating (Skybound Saga) 51:26

5y ago51:26

51:26

M+K soar into a brand new series and discover a unique world built entirely around birds of prey. Plus, A Long-Standing Feud Over Falconry; A Complicated Twin Relationship; Our MC Deserves a Better Love Interest!; and Intricate Aviary Mating Rituals.By mandktalkya

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A Thief Among the Trees (An Ember in the Ashes Series) 28:10

5y ago28:10

28:10

In this special bonus episode, M+K slow down and attempt to become better graphic novel readers. Plus, How to Survive Being a Fiver at Blackcliff; A Sort of Pointless Poison Mission; Treating Rabies with Raw Veal and Badger Dung; and The Origin Story of Our Podcast Theme SongBy mandktalkya

1
A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes Series) 55:32

5y ago55:32

55:32

M+K finish the first epic series of season four and bond over the power of storytelling. Plus, That Indescribable Book Feeling; Death Claims Everyone Before Helene; K Tries to Quit Her Job to Become a Full-Time Bard; and Our Predictions for the Next Wave of Storytelling Technology.By mandktalkya

1
A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes Series) 59:29

5y ago59:29

59:29

M+K go on a wild goose chase with Laia, watch Elias suck at soul catching, help out at a birth with Helene, and try and answer the burning question: Who is the reaper at the gates? Plus, A New Nightbringer POV; The Shocking Truth About Cook’s Backstory; K Teaches M Everything About Midwifery; and The Great World Library Road Trip Adventure.…

1
A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes Series) 53:27

5y ago53:27

53:27

M+K travel deep into the depths of Kauf Prison to rescue their MC’s big brother. Plus, Two Shocking Revelations Surrounding Our Secondary Characters; Elias Makes a Really Bad Deal With a Jinn; Our Most Terrifying Recurring Nightmares; and The Innumerable Fraudulent Lives of Frank Abagnale Jr.By mandktalkya

1
An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes Series) 58:04

5y ago58:04

58:04

M+K kick off season five with a series that they’ve wanted to read since the very start of the show. Plus, Team Helene vs. Team Keenan; The Vilest, Cruelest Character We’ve Ever Encountered; K Learns the Three H’s of Operating a Forge; and Why We Won’t be The First Ever Women Navy Seals.By mandktalkya

1
Season Four Bloopers Reel 16:47

5y ago16:47

16:47

M+K put their pride to the side to share all of the mistakes and mishaps from one of their toughest years in history. Plus, Husbands, Dogs, and Other Loud Things; Really Bad Memory Lapses; The Time We Didn't Even Understand Our Own Research; and Whose Turn is it to Forget a Dad Joke?By mandktalkya

1
Season Four Recap 48:39

5y ago48:39

48:39

M+K say good riddance to 2020 with a rundown of their fourth season. Plus, Our Favorite Fantastical Worlds; The Very Best Villains of The Year; An Easy Game of “Would You Rather?”; and Unusual Reading Habits and Book Phobias.By mandktalkya

1
A Crown Of Wishes-Part 2 (The Star-Touched Queen Series) 47:44

5y ago47:44

47:44

M+K finish their final series of the year and weigh in on their MC’s wishes. Plus, Beautiful Words and Confusing Plot Lines; A Sort of One-Sided Sacrifice; Telling the Future with Oracular Animal Bones; and The Abridged Epic Story of the Naga Kaliya.By mandktalkya

1
A Crown of Wishes-Part 1 (The Star-Touched Queen Series) 53:46

5y ago53:46

53:46

M+K stay in a familiar realm, but embark on a brand new story with a completely different cast of characters. Plus, The Enemies to Lovers Trope We’re Totally Here For; The Legend of King Vikram and the Vetala; Vishakanyas vs. Yakshinis; And Everything We’d Wish for In The Tournament of Wishes.By mandktalkya

1
The Star Touched Queen-Part 2 57:51

5y ago57:51

57:51

M+K tie up the loose ends from their rendezvous with the King of the Dead and wonder what’s in store for book two. Plus, Slightly Confused by Reincarnation; A Flesh-Eating Talking Demon Horse Who Wants to Eat Everyone; Multiple Myths Surrounding Hell-Hounds; and The Uncomfortable History of Trial By Fire.…

1
The Star-Touched Queen-Part 1 54:25

5y ago54:25

54:25

In their final series of the season, M+K visit the magical world of Akaran, where they discover a room full of stars, a tree bearing memories, and a prince hiding many secrets. Plus, A Collection of Morally-Ambiguous Characters; A Tapestry that Controls Fate; K Learns She Was a Pirate Prince in a Past Life; and A Short History of the Most Famous Sw…

1
Unravel the Dusk-Part 2 (The Blood of Stars Duology) 53:30

5y ago53:30

53:30

M+K mourn the demise of Maia’s dresses and discuss how the story unravels in an expected way. Plus, We’re Done with Demons for Awhile; A Satisfyingly Simple Happy Ending; Famous People Who Turned Down Royal Honors; and The Pirate Queen of the Persian Army.By mandktalkya

1
Unravel the Dusk-Part 1 (The Blood of Stars Duology) 49:36

5y ago49:36

49:36

M+K learn how magic can corrupt as they watch their MC slowly turn into a demon before their very eyes. Plus, We’re Still Holding Out Hope for Lady Sarnai; Don’t Bring a Knife to a Demon Fight; Unraveling the Myth of the Magic Carpet; and Astounding Secrets People Have Kept From Their Spouses.By mandktalkya

1
Spin the Dawn-Part 2 (The Blood of Stars Duology) 54:02

5y ago54:02

54:02

M+K join Maia on mission to gather materials for three magical dresses made from the sun, moon, and stars. Plus, The Enigma of Edan Finally Starts to Unravel; Fireproof Gloves, Waterproof Shoes, and a Slightly-Faulty Magic Carpet; K Uncovers the Mythology Behind Making Wishes; and The Most Expensive Dresses Ever Made.…

1
Spin the Dawn-Part 1 (The Blood of Stars Duology) 56:08

5y ago56:08

56:08

M+K take a spin to Imperial China for their latest series, which promises to be a mashup of Project Runway and the Legend of Mulan. Plus, Some Major “Make It Work” Moments in the Tailors’ Studio; M Declares War on the Magic Scissors; K Researches the Real Legend of Mulan; and Fabrics Made From Spoiled Milk, Audio Cassettes, and Cannibalistic Spider…

1
Super Fan Sunday with James and Chad 28:08

5y ago28:08

28:08

In this super-special Super Fan Sunday episode, M+K invite their husbands into the recording studio to try and guess the plots of some well-known YA series. Plus, J+C Judge a Book by its Cover; The Butterfly Informant by Laini Taylor; The War of Young People Against Old People; and Some Very Interesting Chimera Creations.…

1
Night of the Dragon-Part 2 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 58:03

5+ y ago58:03

58:03

After a never-ending battle against evil, M+K get a happy ending with a dash of heartache in this thrilling conclusion to the Shadow of the Fox Trilogy. Plus, A Detour Around a Pit of Swarming Demons; Seigetsu Doesn’t Give a Crap About Anyone; A Very Deadly Leaf-Viewing Party; and The Equally-Important but Often Overlooked Warrior Class (Who Weren’…

1
Night of the Dragon-Part 1 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 49:24

5+ y ago49:24

49:24

M+K embark on the final book in the series and come to realize that they are finally, fully unfazed by all the evil demons. Plus, Mask-Wearing, Scissor-Wielding Walking Dead, M Writes a Haiku on Podcasting; Some Sake Recipes Okame Would Love; and How to Grow Your Own Army with Dragon Teeth.By mandktalkya

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Soul of the Sword-Part 2 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 49:45

5+ y ago49:45

49:45

M+K finally find their way to the Steel Feather Temple where they witness an unexpected alliance. Plus, Should We Trust Seigetsu?; The Upside and Downside of Kitsune Magic; Graveyards Inspired by the Winter Witch’s Garden; and K Shines a Spotlight on Kabuki Theater.By mandktalkya

1
Soul of the Sword-Part 1 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 51:58

5+ y ago51:58

51:58

M+K start the second book in the series, get some advice from a silver fox, and learn the origin story of the sword Kamigoroshi. Plus, An Unexpected Love Story Between an Honorable Prince and a Self-Loathing Ronan Dog; Who’s the Biggest Baddest Demon of them All?; The Cattiest Cat in Japanese Folklore; and The Forest of a Thousand Eyes vs. The Isla…

1
Shadow of the Fox-Part 2 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 52:44

5+ y ago52:44

52:44

M+K collect some new characters on the way to the Steel Feather Temple when they meet a demon prince with a penchant for dueling and a shrine maiden with magical powers. Plus, Wendigos vs. Gaki; A Plethora of Parallels to The Wizard of Oz; The Curse of the Muramasa Blades; and An Unexpected Addition to William Wallace’s Massive Sword.…

1
Shadow of the Fox-Part 1 (Shadow of the Fox Trilogy) 50:03

5+ y ago50:03

50:03

For their newest series, M+K become immersed in a fantasy version of feudal Japan, where they meet a whole host of supernatural creatures. Plus, The Struggle of Being Half Human and Half Kitsune; Sacred Scrolls and Possessed Swords; Demon-Fighting Ninjas vs. Disgraced Samurais; and How to Tell if a Fox Spirit is Trying to Steal Your Soul.…

1
Bonus Episode! 5:43

5+ y ago5:43

5:43

SURPRISE! We are posting a quick message on our off week to let you know of some changes to our lineup.By mandktalkya

1
Deathless Divide-Part 2 (The Dread Nation Duology) 59:23

5+ y ago59:23

59:23

M+K finally reach Haven with little time to spare, and reflect on the similarities between Jane and Gideon. Plus, In Which Jane Leaves Her Best Friend to Die; M Misses the Most Important Part of the Book; Domino Harvey, the Bad-Ass Woman Bounty Hunter; And Clever Lab Animals Who Escaped From Their Cages…

1
Deathless Divide-Part 1 (The Dread Nation Duology) 51:33

5+ y ago51:33

51:33

In the second book of the series, M+K meet up again with their MC on the road to Nicodemus, where they are rocked by an unexpected ambush and an untimely death. Plus, New Perspectives, New Enemies, and New Shamblers; Marie Laveau, The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans; Horribly Botched Clinical Trials That Rival Gideon's; and Really Bad Zombie Jokes.…

1
Dread Nation-Part 2 (The Dread Nation Duology) 56:39

5+ y ago56:39

56:39

In this second half of Dread Nation, M+K uncover the truth about Summerland, and meet a host of new enemies, both dead and alive. Plus, Eye-Opening Loopholes in the 13th Amendment; You Can't Fight Zombies with Gardening Equipment; Our Book Recos for How to Be a Better Ally; and The Tragic History of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.…

1
Dread Nation-Part 1 (The Dread Nation Duology) 54:17

5+ y ago54:17

54:17

In their newest series, M+K travel back in time for an alternative-history post-Civil War retelling, where the dead suddenly begin to rise from the battlefield. Plus, A Fantastically Fierce Zombie-Killing MC; Zombie Pandemic vs. Covid Pandemic; Shocking Stories Of Real Zombies in Nature; and M+K Both Research the Same Terrifying Syndrome.…

1
The Winter of the Witch-Part 2 (Winternight Trilogy) 50:46

5+ y ago50:46

50:46

M+K reflect on the importance of faith as peace is established between the Chyerti world and the Christian world. Plus, Konstantin Finally Gets the Death he Deserves; M Sums Up an Epic Poem in 10 Minutes; Magic Hats, Extra-Strong Birds, and Disembodied Talking Heads; And Various Ways to Kill Incredibly Bloodthirsty Vampires.…

1
The Winter of the Witch-Part 1 (Winternight Trilogy) 55:20

5+ y ago55:20

55:20

As they venture into the last book in the Winternight Trilogy, M+K mourn one of their favorite characters and wonder how much more heartache their poor MC can take. Plus, We Finally Meet Baba Yaga; All the Ways We Want Konstantin to Die; A Surprisingly Feminist Fairy Tale; and The Best Places to Celebrate the Winter Solstice.…

1
Girl in the Tower-Part 2 (Winternight Trilogy) 53:48

5+ y ago53:48

53:48

While in Moscow, a myriad of secret identities are revealed and M+K realize nobody is who they say they are. Plus, An Extremely Horrible Horserace; The Legend of Solovei The Robber; K Goes Behind the Walls of a Terem; and M Uncovers the Most Famous Warrior Monks in History.By mandktalkya

1
The Girl in the Tower-Part 1 (Winternight Trilogy) 56:05

5+ y ago56:05

56:05

M+K make their way to Moscow where they reunite with some of their favorite (and not so favorite) characters. Plus, The Freedom and Fallbacks of Disguising as a Boy; The Mystery of Morozko...The Snow Maiden?; The Malicious M.O. of Lady Midnight and Lady Midday; and All the Delicious Details of Pancake Week.…

1
The Bear and the Nightingale-Part 2 (Winternight Trilogy) 51:11

5+ y ago51:11

51:11

At the end of book one, M+K are left mystified by the magic system and wonder if they’ll ever meet Morozko again. Plus, a Horse Who May Actually be a Nightingale; How to Stay on the Good Side of a Mischievous Domovoy; Russian Recipes for Baked Milk; And Diane Crump, Hero Of Horse Girls.By mandktalkya

1
The Bear and the Nightingale-Part 1 (Winternight Trilogy) 46:26

5+ y ago46:26

46:26

M+K get whisked away to Russia for a brand new fantasy series. Plus, Picking Macadamia Nuts in Hawaii; Why the World Needs Fairy Tales; Vasilisa the Wise, Vasilisa the Beautiful, and Vasilisa the Frog; And Deciphering the World's Most Complicated Family Tree.By mandktalkya

1
The Kingdom of Back-Part 2 55:52

5+ y ago55:52

55:52

In the final movement of Marie Lu’s latest masterpiece, M uncovers some opera Easter eggs, K questions the characters’ poor immune systems, and both girls agree that one book wasn’t nearly enough. Plus, Our First Guest Appearance on Another Podcast; Crowdsourcing Our Friends’ Imaginary Friends; The Princess, The Superhero, and Crazy Pa; and Three F…

1
The Kingdom of Back-Part 1 54:58

5+ y ago54:58

54:58

For their first ever standalone book, M+K step into the musical, mystical world of The Kingdom of Back and learn some little-known secrets about the Mozart family. Plus, Entertaining Zoom Calls with Famous Authors; Nannerl, the Other Child Prodigy; Nobody Trusts a Teenage Faerie; and Barley Water is Not Best for Baby.…

1
Ember Queen-Part 2 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 47:35

5+ y ago47:35

47:35

Several suspenseful scenes later, M+K come to the epic finale of the Ash Princess trilogy. Plus, Uncomfortable Former Friend Reunions; Blaise Finally Berzerks Out in a Blaze of Glory; A Tree That Owns More Property Than Most People; And The Surgeon Who Performed Surgery on Himself.By mandktalkya

1
Ember Queen-Part 1 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 59:32

5+ y ago59:32

59:32

M+K emerge from the Fire Mine with the MC and try to come to terms with a whole new magic system. Plus, Mind Bridges, Missing Mothers, and Maile the Wet Blanket; Royal Ladies Who Changed Herstory; How to Hide a Secret Message in a Banana; and The Amazing Healing Powers of Lynx Urine Gemstones.By mandktalkya

1
Lady Smoke-Part 2 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 55:08

5+ y ago55:08

55:08

M+K realize that a hopeful, happy ending is not in the cards when Theo’s Bachelor love story takes a sinister turn. Plus, The Cress/Kaiser Showdown Everyone Really Needed; Soren Ends up in Prison Yet Again; K Debunks the Myth of Truth Serums; and A Brief History of Cyanide L-Pills.By mandktalkya

1
Lady Smoke-Part 1 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 54:48

6y ago54:48

54:48

M and K reconvene two days after the events of Ash Princess and berserk out over the high-tech world of Sta'Crivero. Plus, Phoenixes, Phirens, and Firebirds; Theo Becomes a Contestant on The Bachelor; How to Parley with Modern Day Pirates; and The Punniest Ship Names on the High Seas.By mandktalkya

1
Ash Princess-Part 2 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 53:06

6y ago53:06

53:06

In a sudden, shocking shift, M and K watch as two of their favorite characters go from best friends to mortal enemies in less than 200 pages. Plus, How to Obtain Books (and Beer) in the Age of Quarantine; Don't Use Children to Do Your Dirty Work; M Shares Some Scandalous Love Letters; and K Tries to Build the Fastest Ship in the World.…

1
Ash Princess-Part 1 (Ash Princess Trilogy) 53:03

6y ago53:03

53:03

M and K are back in business with a brand new series featuring a captured princess seeking to reclaim her throne. Plus, Our Favorite Major Character Who Almost Wasn't a Major Character; Team Blaise Versus Team Soren; Drawing Inspiration From the Baddest Betch in Byzantium; and The Six Second Synopsis Game.…