Share
Realms Unknown
World Book Day special - part 2
Ep. 7
•
Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber. We offer extra shows, merch and warm fluffy feelings. Info: www.thebuglepodcast.com/donate
Hosts Alice Fraser and Chris Skinner bring you the second of two child-friendly World Book Day (UK) episodes of Realms Unknown this week, with today's focusing on children's fantasy and science fiction books for ages 12-17 years old. Part 1, which looked at books for 0-12 years old, is available in your podcast feed and on YouTube.
Before diving into the many great books in this episode, Chris and Alice recommend some music with a sci-fi/fantasy twist, with Janelle Monáe's 2010 album The ArchAndroid being enjoyed at the family dinner table for Chris, and Alice enjoying the storytelling of LayLow's TRINITY album, released in 2020.
In this episode’s Trope on a Rope, Alice brings the use of parental neglect to the table, preferring the loving and engaged parenting in books like The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik, while Chris bemoans beings magically being able to just learn a language at a speed unfamiliar to a Duolingo user like himself.
Chris and Alice then enthuse over a number of fantasy and sci-fi books that shaped them as teenagers, which you can find listed below and can buy in our Bookshop affiliate store, which supports your local bookshops.
Age 12-17 books
Loving and engaged parents
The Golden Enclaves - Naomi Novik
Sibling adventures
Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
The Dark is Rising - Susan Cooper
Narnia series - CS Lewis
Gillian Rubinstein - Space Demons
The Storm Keeper’s Island - Catherine Doyle
Why teenagers should read fantasy
Phillip Pullman - His Dark Materials
Phillip Pullman - The Ruby in the Smoke
Phillip Pullman - The Book of Dust
Sabriel series - Garth Nix
Lioness series - Tamora Pierce
Terry Pratchett - Mort
Terry Pratchett - Eric
Galax-Arena - Gillian Rubinstein
Short stories
Dangerous Women - George R R Martin & Gardner Dozois
More to explore
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Dune - Frank Herbert
🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment with your thoughts or recommendations! We’d love to hear from you!
Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Chris Skinner.
📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com
🌐 Visit thebuglepodcast.com to support us and find more!
More episodes
View all episodes
47. Exciting things in 2026 // The Odyssey // Disclosure Day
32:32||Ep. 47Alice Fraser is joined by Chris Skinner as they look ahead to 2026 and discuss the exciting forthcoming releases in the sci-fi and fantasy realms. 📕 'A Passion For Passion' is back on sale! https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/store/p/a-passion-for-passion-a-delirious-love-letter-to-romance❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida - Shehan KarunatilakaFire Boy - Sami ShahFILM The GrinchFILM Mary PoppinsTROPE ON A ROPEFILM Disclosure DayCOMING UP IN 2026A Trade of Blood - Robert Jackson BennettPlatform Decay - Martha WellsQueen Demon - Martha WellsDungeon Crawler Carl - Matt DinnimanOperation Bounce House - Matt DinnimanTV A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge KnightFILM TwinsTwelve Months - Jim ButcherTV SiloThe Tapestry of Fate - Shannon ChakrabortyWolf Worm - T. KingfisherFILM The OdysseyTV Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85TV Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com46. Christmas // Hogfather // It's A Wonderful Life
41:35||Ep. 46Rejoice! For Tom Neenan joins Alice Fraser for a special festive episode 46 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!📕 'A Passion For Passion' is back on sale! https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news ❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com45. Narnia // Stranger Things // Space Jesus
34:09||Ep. 45Dive into your nearest wardrobe and enjoy Eleanor Morton and Alice Fraser on episode 45 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcastEleanor Morton - Life Lessons From Historical Women🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Eleanor Morton📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com44. Unfiction // Dinotopia // Implausibly large ribcages
31:31||Ep. 44A very welcome return for SFF author Nate Crowley as he joins Alice Fraser for episode 44 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownThe Twice-Dead King: Omnibus - Nate CrowleyNotes from Small Planets - Nate CrowleyNEWSFILM The Magic Faraway TreeEnid Blyton - The Magic Faraway TreeWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?FILM BatmanTV Jurassic World: Chaos TheoryGumnut Babies - May GibbsWallet Babies - May GibbsSnugglepot and Cuddlepie - May GibbsKing’s Watch series - Mark HaydenTROPE ON A ROPEImplausibly large ribcagesGAME SubnauticaGAME BorderlandsFILM Star Wars: Episode IV - A New HopeFILM Godzilla vs KongPerdido Street Station - China MiévilleShadow of the Gods series - John GwynneLooming roar monstersSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - Unfiction / fictional non-fictionDinotopia series - James GurneyExpedition - Wayne BarlowePODCAST Revolutions - Mike DuncanThe World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island - Weta WorkshopFILM King KongGAME NeuorocracyNotes from Small Planets - Nate CrowleyMINES OF URRGHThe Years of Rice and Salt - Kim Stanley RobinsonTV Wolf Hall💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Nate Crowley.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com43. Choose Your Own Adventure // Fighting Fantasy // Spider-Man
45:28||Ep. 43The brilliant Joz Norris joins Alice Fraser this week for episode 43 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownNEWSTV StargateThe Will Of The Many - James IslingtonThe Strength Of The Few - James IslingtonWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?GAME Spirit IslandRaven Scholar - Antonia HodgsonAll Fours - Miranda JulyThe 13th Witch - Mark HaydenSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - Choose Your Own AdventureSHOW The Dark Room - John RobertsonFighting Fantasy series - Steve Jackson and Ian LivingstoneFILM Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt DinnimanFILM Groundhog DayVulcanverse - Dave Morris and Jamie ThomsonTo Be Or Not To Be - Ryan NorthRomeo And/Or Juliet - Ryan NorthGRAPHIC NOVEL: Star Trek: Lower Decks - Warp Your Own Way - Ryan NorthCOMIC SERIES The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl - Ryan NorthMINES OF URRGHSpider-ManConan series - Robert E. Howard💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Joz Norris.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com42. Iterations // The Running Man // King Kong
46:32||Ep. 42Alice Fraser is joined this week by Tom Neenan for episode 42 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownNEWSA Feast of Crows - George RR MartinGAME Zombies, RunWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?FILM The Running ManThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonThe Strength of the Few - James IslingtonAltered Carbon - Richard MorganTV Tumble LeafSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - IterationsFILM The Running ManFILM The Long WalkTV IT: Welcome To DerryFILM The FlyFILM AlienFILM AliensFILM NosferatuCirce - Madelline MillerSong of Achilles - Madelline MillerStone Blind - Natalie HaynesSpinning Silver - Naomi Novik FILM King KongMINES OF URRGHFILM King KongTV Doctor Who - The Power of Kroll💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com41. George AI Martin? Is it art?
35:27||Ep. 41Alice is joined by Kate Samas to discuss the latest in speculative fiction, including an accusation that the latest George RR Martin release has AI generated art.💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner, Laura Turner and Harry Gordon.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com40. Villains as heroes // Plur1bus // Improvised crampons
39:46||Ep. 40Tom Neenan joins Alice Fraser this week for episode 40 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?FILM Predator: BadlandsQueen Demon - Martha WellsThe Flashman Papers - George MacDonald FraserTV Plur1bus - Vince GilliganSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - Villains as heroesEnder’s Game - Orson Scott CardDune - Frank HerbertFILM Jurassic ParkFILM A Nightmare on Elm StreetFILM Child’s PlayFILM Full Metal JacketFILM Apocalypse NowFILM Saving Private RyanFILM Wolf CreekTV DexterHannibalMINES OF URRGHFILM WantedThe Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - Stephen R. DonaldsonFILM The Flintstones💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Tom Neenan.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com39. Ontologypunk // RimWorld // RoboCop
37:18||Ep. 39Writer and podcaster Nate Crowley joins Alice Fraser this week for episode 39 of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy podcast, Realms Unknown!❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownNEWSTV The WitcherWHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR BRAIN?GAME RimWorld - OdysseyQueen Demon - Martha WellsTV SeveranceTROPE ON A ROPEFILM Jurassic ParkTV Once Upon A TimeSUB GENRE DEEP DIVE - Dead POV characters/OntologypunkGhost Story - Jim ButcherRivers of London series - Ben AaronovitchShawn McGuireGideon the Ninth - Tamsyn MuirNona the Ninth - Tamsyn MuirTwice Dead King series - Nate CrowleyThe Death and Life of Schneider Wrack - Nate CrowleyFILM RoboCopMINES OF URRGHThe Amtrak Wars - Patrick LilleyTomorrow When the War Began - John MarsdenThe Once and Future King - T. H. White💰 Support Realms Unknown by becoming a Team Bugle subscriber https://thebuglepodcast.com/donate❤️🔥 Buy 'A Passion For Passion' audiobook https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/news/we-are-18-t6flf-5n9mc📚 Buy books featured in this and other episodes https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown📯 Subscribe to The Bugle YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BuglePodcast🔔 Subscribe, like, and comment!🦋 Follow us on Bluesky!🎚️ Produced by Chris Skinner and Ped Hunter. Hosted by Alice Fraser and Nate Crowley.📧 Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at realmsunknown@thebuglepodcast.com