Books and Mortar

SPOILERS: What happens when a criminal mastermind meets the world of fairies? In this episode, I unpack Artemis Fowl and why it’s an exciting, accessible read for younger audiences. With adventure, wit, and a touch of magic, it’s a brilliant introduction to fantasy. Especially for kids just discovering the joy of books.

A throwback favourite until my next episode

Justice fractures, monsters return, and the cost of protection becomes unbearable in A Heart Full of Hatred.

As Valkyrie faces Gestalt and the consequences of her past choices, Winter edges closer to a power she was never meant to hold.

Family, fairness, and fury collide on the island of Insadoom.

And when the dust settles, Valkyrie pays the ultimate price for love.

This episode is about an older fantasy book I picked up because someone recommended it in real life, for a change. It follows Ged, a boy wizard whose hunger for power unleashes a shadow that chases him across islands and into his own worst instincts. There’s rivalry, dragons, creepy shadow-things, and one very patient mentor trying to teach balance to a kid who refuses to slow down. Mostly, it’s about stepping outside the algorithm, finding older stories that still feel sharp, and following a young wizard who has to learn that the thing hunting him might just be himself.

A story of faith, humour, and survival, of a mother’s love and a son’s becoming. Born a Crime isn’t just Trevor Noah’s story—it’s the story of South Africa itself.

Some mild language warnings go with this one. Domestic violence, substance abuse triggers