Badass Literature Society

Badass Literature Society

Simply a book review podcast. We read the books, then we talk about them. Each review is in two parts: a spoiler-free summary and review, and then a spoiler-heavy in-depth discussion and review. Logo designed by Justin Miller @justinmiller.design read less
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Episodes

More Than Life: A YA Historical Fantasy
Feb 29 2024
More Than Life: A YA Historical Fantasy
This month we read and review More Than Life: A YA Historical Fantasy by Bethanie Finger. Like all of our reviews, the first part is spoiler free.Here's a little about More Than Life: A YA Historical Fantasy:A gripping story of overcoming grief, self-realization, and embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. As the daughter of a high-ranking sea captain, nineteen-year-old Cordelia Kimbal lives a life of luxury in the sea faring kingdom of Mikiria. But when her father dies unexpectedly, she is stripped of her title and home, and forced to join the working class in order to survive. Determined to rise above her losses, Cordelia is eager to prove her worth and stand on her own. But four months after her father's passing, a mysterious letter arrives, revealing the secret location of the mythical island of Qualaris. Known for concealing the secrets of magic and eternal life, Qualaris is often dismissed as mere legend, but Jaspar, Cordelia's father's enigmatic apprentice, is convinced of its existence and is harboring its secretsā€”secrets that the dark enchanter, Janus would stop at nothing to obtain. For generations, Jaspar and his ancestors have pursued the discovery and rescue of Qualaris while battling a curse of nonexistence, and he believes that Cordelia is the island's true protector, the one who can save it and its people from Janus's impending threat. Faced with the daunting task of defending Qualaris and its people, Cordelia embarks on a quest to locate the island, embrace her birthright, and take on the darkest enchanter in history. If she doesnā€™t, the island and its people wonā€™t be the only casualties of Janusā€™s war. Join Cordelia on her journey as she navigates a world of magic, mystery, and danger, discovering her true self and the strength within her. P.S. More Than Life is the first book in the More Than Life trilogy, and ends on a cliffhanger.We hope you enjoy the episode!Do you have a book you'd like us to review on this show? Send us an email at badassliteraturesociety@gmail.comIf you don't already, follow us on Instagram and FacebookArt by Justin Miller DesignCheck us out here!
None of This is True
Sep 30 2023
None of This is True
This month we read and review None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. Like all of our reviews, the first part is spoiler free.Here's a little about None of This is True:Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alixā€™s childrenā€™s school. Josie has been listening to Alixā€™s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.Josieā€™s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she canā€™t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alixā€™s lifeā€”and into her home.But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her familyā€™s lives under mortal threat.Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?We hope you enjoy this episode!Do you have a book you'd like us to review on this show? Send us an email at badassliteraturesociety@gmail.comIf you don't already, follow us on Instagram and FacebookArt by Justin Miller DesignCheck us out here!
These Violent Delights
Jun 1 2023
These Violent Delights
šŸŽ™ļø This month on Badass Literature Society, we dive into the mesmerizing world of These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. Join us as we review this captivating novel that intertwines romance, rival gangs, and a mysterious presence lurking in the shadows. As always, the first part of our review is spoiler-free!šŸ“š Set in the vibrant backdrop of 1926 Shanghai, the city pulses with debauchery while two rival gangs spill blood on the streets, plunging Shanghai into a state of chaos. At the center of it all is Juliette Cai, an eighteen-year-old former flapper who returns to claim her place as the formidable heir of the Scarlet Gangā€”a network of criminals who operate above the law. Their ultimate rivals, the White Flowers, have fought against the Scarlets for generations. And caught in the tangled web of power dynamics is Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love and betrayer.šŸ’” But when both gangs start succumbing to a mysterious madness, tearing at their own throats, whispers of a contagion and a hidden monster grow louder. As the death toll rises, Juliette and Roma must set aside their guns and grudges, joining forces to confront the growing menace. If they fail, Shanghai will be consumed by the ruthless mayhem, leaving nothing but ruins for either gang to claim.šŸŒƒ Drawing inspiration from the enchanting allure of 1920s Shanghai, These Violent Delights delivers a heart-stopping debut. Fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane will be swept away by this imaginative retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Prepare to be captivated by the rival gangs, the atmospheric setting, and the lurking darkness beneath the surface of the Huangpu River.šŸŽ§ Tune in to our latest episode and join us on this thrilling literary journey through the streets of Shanghai. Discover whether These Violent Delights will leave you breathless and yearning for more!We can't wait for you to enjoy this episode!Do you have a book you'd like us to review on this show? Send us an email at badassliteraturesociety@gmail.comIf you don't already, follow us on Instagram and FacebookArt by Justin Miller DesignCheck us out here!
Anxious People
Apr 30 2023
Anxious People
This month we read and review Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Like all of our reviews, the first part is spoiler free.Here's a little about Anxious People:Viewing an apartment normally doesnā€™t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers begin slowly opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths.First is Zara, a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else until tragedy changed her life. Now, sheā€™s obsessed with visiting open houses to see how ordinary people liveā€”and, perhaps, to set an old wrong to right. Then thereā€™s Roger and Anna-Lena, an Ikea-addicted retired couple who are on a never-ending hunt for fixer-uppers to hide the fact that they donā€™t know how to fix their own failing marriage. Julia and Ro are a young lesbian couple and soon-to-be parents who are nervous about their chances for a successful life together since they canā€™t agree on anything. And thereā€™s Estelle, an eighty-year-old woman who has lived long enough to be unimpressed by a masked bank robber waving a gun in her face. And despite the story she tells them all, Estelle hasnā€™t really come to the apartment to view it for her daughter, and her husband really isnā€™t outside parking the car.As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police, or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people.Rich with Fredrik Backmanā€™s ā€œpitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human natureā€ (Shelf Awareness), Anxious Peopleā€™s whimsical plot serves up unforgettable insights into the human condition and a gentle reminder to be compassionate to all the anxious people we encounter every day.We hope you enjoy this episode!Do you have a book you'd like us to review on this show? Send us an email at badassliteraturesociety@gmail.comIf you don't already, follow us on Instagram and FacebookArt by Justin Miller DesignCheck us out here!