Spooky season is officially here! In this episode, we’re celebrating both our favorite time of the year and Hispanic Heritage Month with A CRUEL THIRST by Angela Montoya—a YA fantasy full of vampires, forbidden romance, and Mexican folklore.

Join us as we explore how the book draws on Latin American culture to make vampires feel fresh, why this tale about bloodsucking monsters gives off cozy vibes, and what we think of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Zorro” comparison. Plus, find out how A Series of Unfortunate Events helped Bella with the Spanish vocabulary in this book!

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• The Final Six by Alexandra Monir
• The Life Below by Alexandra Monir
• Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
• Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen
• Blood Moon by Jillian Graves
• Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance by Jillian Graves
• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
• Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
• The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier
• To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu

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In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon. Join us as we explore this steamy romantasy set “in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, [where] a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner.”

Along the way, Bella reveals which co-hosts are the most (and least) fabulous, Jason makes a connection to The Mummy (1999), and Emma explains how the book suffers from what she calls the Fourth Wing Phenomenon.

Listen now to discover why this book left the hosts so divided!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
• Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
• Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
• Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson
• The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper
• Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies
• A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang, a queer, Asian-inspired fantasy novella about a renowned dragon slayer who never takes their armor off in public. Joining us for this discussion of identity, duty, and the power of love is multi-hyphenate guest host Fictional Tiff—musician, queer activist, and leader of the Sacramento Silent Book Club.

Listen as we celebrate the queer-normative worldbuilding and how it allows for exploration of personal identity, Laura draws parallels between the book and blind religious devotion, and Tiff shares why sometimes friendship means saying, “I love you, but you suck.” Plus, find out which of us is hoping for a sequel full of dragon smut.

Guest Host:
Fictional Tiff is a book blogger turned many things over the years. From heading up the Sacramento Silent Book Club to being a musician, gogo dancer, queer activist, weightlifter, and writer. She keeps her mind busy and shines bright and loud for her community. Reading books is what set Tiff on the course to being passionate about so many things, and she owes them her life. So ask her what she’s currently reading and be prepared for nonstop chatter.

You can find her on Instagram @fictionaltiff and listen to her music on Spotify here.

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
• You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
• Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise
• Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
• The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
• The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
• Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
• Death’s Country