Notes

Ever wondered how book bans impact the genres we love, particularly romance and romantasy? This week on “Of Swords and Soulmates,” we begin with a light-hearted mix-up about Jonathan’s podcast persona, JP. Then, we’re thrilled to share the latest buzz from the romanticist book world, spotlighting Katie Roberts’ stunning opus collection for her “Deal with the Demon” series and Jennifer Armantrout’s special edition collaboration for her “Blood and Ash” series. As we segue into our main topic, get ready for an intriguing discussion on Carissa Broadbent’s “Six Scorched Roses,” a romanticist story you won’t want to miss.

The episode takes a more serious turn as we dive into the recent book bans in Utah. Hear our take on how these bans affect beloved authors like Sarah J. Maas, Judy Blume, and Margaret Atwood, and the broader implications this has on genres predominantly enjoyed by women. We also highlight the importance of Banned Book Week and share a thought-provoking Reddit post by author JD Evans that sheds light on cultural biases against romance literature. It’s a deep dive into why these genres matter and how they offer both comfort and progressive representation.

As we wrap up, the discussion shifts to a fascinating novella that combines elements of Beauty and the Beast with a unique vampire twist. We delve into themes of classism, neurodivergence, and the blend of magic and science within the story. Our hosts debate the novella’s brevity and its impact on the depth of the fantasy elements, with a lively rating discussion to boot. Finally, we invite you to connect with us across various platforms and share your thoughts and book recommendations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll review “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Mayer!