• Home
  • About
  • All Episodes
  • Contact
  • The Silmarillion 4: Arda Marred

    The Silmarillion 4: Arda Marred

    Jan 31, 2025

    This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Days Before Days, time and space (and calendars and maps), and the paradox of free will.

  • The Silmarillion Pop Quiz: The Valaquenta

    The Silmarillion Pop Quiz: The Valaquenta

    Jan 26, 2025

    In this special bonus episode, test your knowledge of the Valar and the Maiar, the relationships between them, and a few other things besides!

  • The Silmarillion 3: Acquainted With Grief

    The Silmarillion 3: Acquainted With Grief

    Jan 24, 2025

    This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Valaquenta, spheres of authority, intertexting already and The Diagram.

  • The Silmarillion 2: Void And Flame

    The Silmarillion 2: Void And Flame

    Jan 18, 2025

    This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Ainulindalë, aesthetics and philosophy, the subcreative process and the Secret Origins of Melkor.

  • The Silmarillion 1: From The Shores Of Faery

    The Silmarillion 1: From The Shores Of Faery

    Jan 11, 2025

    This week, we begin our unit on J.R.R. Tolkien’s posthumous work of mythology and history, and discuss reading strategies, layers of narrative and the creative impulse.

  • Prince Caspian 3: Making Good On Macbeth

    Prince Caspian 3: Making Good On Macbeth

    Jan 2, 2025

    This week, we overcome treachery to win the war in chapters ten to fifteen of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian and discuss the Narnian timeline, fear as an alienating force, and the worst of Susan.

  • Prince Caspian 2: The Return of the King(s and Queens)

    Prince Caspian 2: The Return of the King(s and Queens)

    Dec 28, 2024

    This week, we assemble our forces and call for help in chapters five to ten of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian and discuss the medieval perspective on past and future, the oracular power of centaurs, and the difference between beasts.

  • Prince Caspian 1: Do You Remember?

    Prince Caspian 1: Do You Remember?

    Dec 20, 2024

    This week, we return to Narnia with the first five chapters of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian and discuss politics and persecution, fairytale and fantasy, and Edmund’s 2024 slang.

  • Dracula 8: And Also With Blood

    Dracula 8: And Also With Blood

    Dec 12, 2024

    This week, we conclude our horror unit and our discussion of Bram Stoker’s Dracula with logical fallacies and the limits of rationality, Dracula as a feminist text and Bram Stoker’s Best Joke.

  • Dracula 7: The Bloofer Lady

    Dracula 7: The Bloofer Lady

    Dec 6, 2024

    This week, we continue our unit on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula and discuss the overlooked Van Helsing, the second death of Lucy Westenra, and the compilation of the novel by the characters in the novel.

  • Dracula 6: All The Devils At Once

    Dracula 6: All The Devils At Once

    Nov 26, 2024

    This week, we continue our unit on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula and discuss Dracula’s character sheet, how much wolves are better than dogs, and the fate of Lucy Westenra.

  • Dracula 5: The Master Is At Hand

    Dracula 5: The Master Is At Hand

    Nov 22, 2024

    This week, we continue our unit on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula and discuss the wreck of the Demeter, the limits of Dracula’s power, and the insidious assault on Lucy Westenra.

←Previous Page Next Page→
Stars and Swords

Stars and Swords is a weekly, listener-supported, ad-free podcast dedicated to the exploration, analysis and celebration of genre fiction.

Stars and Swords is a production of the Next Word podcast network.

  • Patreon
  • YouTube
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed