The Sword and Laser
The Sword and Laser is a book club podcast focused on science fiction and fantasy literature. Hosts Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont lead discussions on classic and contemporary genre fiction, including author interviews and news about new releases. Listeners are invited to read along with the selected books each month. The show covers a wide range of topics within the sci-fi and fantasy world.
Episodes
#542B - Luminous Wrap-Up
Welcome to the wrap-up of last month’s book pick! Luminous by Silvia Park Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#542 - It's a Guy-Fi Thing
Attack of the clowns, cheese on cheese, brain teeth. We click with Jisoo and learn how to sing Diggy Diggy Hole. We speculate on what Guy-Fi is, and we kick off Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#541B - This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews Wrap Up
Welcome to the wrapup of last month's book pick! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#541A - Bot Stuff
We have a new format to tell you about, and we also kick off our September book pick, Luminous by Silvia Park. And a lot about bots and their stuff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#540 - A Court of Coif and Sushi
Sword and Laser is having a meetup at LaCon! Plus, Fable gets popular, ACoTaR has new titles and our non-spoilery thoughts on This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#539 - Floss, Floss, Floss!
Cucamelons, short lists, long lists, Tom sings Le Sserafim, and we talk about books that changed our view of the world. Plus, what book would you want to portal into? Our first non-spoilery first impressions of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#538 - It's The Words, Tom!
What's the best SciFi/Fantasy book title. Are there too many Bobs? What about Murderbots? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#537 - Roman Fantasy is Romantasy?
Starlog is back! The Le Guin shortlist is out. Why Tom is naked. We kick off our July read and struggle to understand why some people think Red Rising is Romantasy. Now we know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#536 - That's So Ender's Game
We check in on our June reading of Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Why do romantasy people like this? Veronica is making a tincture. And we have fun coming up with a Sci-Fi/Fantasy equivalent of the EGOT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#535 - Slow Wings
Tom and Veronica remember when they read a book. It was called Slow Gods by Claire North. And they're definitely not just reading the latest Dungeon Crawler Carl book instead of that one or the next one, Red Rising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#534 - No Noox, Just Boox
Jan has taken over the show and is exhibiting the personality of the AI from Dungeon Crawler Carl. Veronica hates awards. Tom puts the butt before the horse in deference to Veronica's theory of good things happening. And we don't wrap up Slow Gods, but we still have non-spoilery thoughts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#533 – Octavia Butler's Ghost
The Hugo voting is open! The Guild is coming back! Is "best and most popular" actually fair? Is it right to defy a dead author's wishes? Tom risks Octavia Butler's ghost to explain. Plus, we share our opening thoughts on Slow Gods by Claire North. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#532 - Chekhov's Dead Body
Eat zucchini! And Bleu cheese. Also, we didn’t get nominated for a Hugo, but loads of our favorite authors did. We kick off our May read (a little early) and wrap up our spoiler thoughts on The Raven Scholar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#531 - Interesting Nacho
We have a hurt Veronica, Cadbury eggs, Nebula Award winners, and Tom Bombadil-lo! Plus, we kick off The Raven Scholar and wrap up Automatic Noodle. Which, of course, leads to Veronica's new business plan for a nacho bar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#530 – You’re Pulling My Noodle
Veronica's sick but she soldiers on and we review the final four of the March tournament. Plus our non-spoiler check in on Automatic Noodle. Also, we talk about our favorite noodles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#529 - Fuzzy Edges
A voter's guide to our March Madness tournament. How to define genres. Your favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy quotes. And we wrap up our thoughts on Someplace to Be Flying by Charles de Lint. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#528 - Dazed and Crowfused
It's time for our March book tournament! Nominations are open. Also, Veronica and Tom have shocking revelations about books they have NOT read. Also, why is Tom having a hard time with this month's pick? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#527 - I'm Starting to Worry This Book Isn't Sci-Fi
Andrew Heaton from the Political Orphanage stops by to talk about "I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom" by Jason Pargin. Also, Veronica drinks in reverse. You'll understand if you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#526 - Halfway Happy
LACon V(eronica) registration is open, the Philip K. Dick Award nominees are out, and we discuss why we're "halfway happy." Plus, we kick off I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom and wrap up The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S&L Podcast - #525 - The Beans That Wouldn't Burn
It’s all about the beans on this Sword and Laser. Chili, chowder, and more. We also find time to talk about books, specifically Mark Lawrence’s book that wouldn’t burn. But we don’t want to burn the beans either. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#524 - 4 Stars: Clean, Not Cozy!
The Floating Hotel was a great deal, and we really enjoyed it when we checked in. During our stay we met some really interesting folks, and the staff was fabulous. There was some murder, but in the end we were more concerned with the identity of the Lamplighter. And the cocktails were quite delicious. We enjoyed the continental breakfast, because it included so many continents. Hosted on Acast. Se
#523 - Ship Happens
Should the Floating Hotel be called a “space cruise ship”? Why Veronica can't make change. Tom tries not to insult Stephen's intelligence. And hoorah for N. K. Jemisin! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#522 - Punchin' Shrimp and Grits
Robert Jackson Bennett deserves more kudos. We clarify it's a tapas bar, not a topless bar. And our thoughts on the new book, Floating Hotel, and the wrap-up of Interview with the Vampire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#521 - The Portions Are Too Big!
We revel in the Lammy Awards, follow the tale of root beer, and discuss our first, or most recent, impressions of Interview with the Vampire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#520 - Alternate Batman
Tom reports from the Matt Dinniman book event in LA, we kick off our Interview with the Vampire read, and share our last spoilery thoughts on The Hexologists and why we think the writing doorway is the strongest one for this book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#519 - No Stomach for Old Salad
#519 - No Stomach for Old Salad by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#518 - Hugo Bump Yourself
#518 - Hugo Bump Yourself by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#517 - She Who Became Herstory
We get a history listen and revisit accents. And the clean blade battle is confirmed for WorldCon 2029. Plus our non-spoilery first impressions of She Who Became the Sun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#516 - I Know What You Did Last Book Briefing
Why taste in books is like taste in food. Plus, our final thoughts on Joe Abercrombie's The Devils. And the Ruth-Veronica feud heats up. Also, Tom likes fish sticks. Literally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#515 - The Details in the Devils
We cast The Devils, try to apologize to Ruth, and recall other food-related romantasy. Plus, Veronica has a shameful tequila revelation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#514 - The Rebirths of Wesley Chu
Wesley Chu joins us to talk about The Lives of Tao and Jan is back, so we have loads of news including Locus Award Winners and the British Fantasy Society shortlist. Plus Tom sings. We're all sorry about that. Also, we almost named this episode The Lives of Wesley Chu until we realized we had already done that in 2014. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#513 - A Civil War-burton
Everything is out of context. But we do have interesting thoughts about The Lives of Tao and lots of congrats for the winners and nominees of the Nebulas and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#512 - Deep Dish is SciPie
We speculate on how James Cameron will make The Devils and whether Frankenstein will be too scary for Veronica. And we further kick off The Lives of Tao. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#511 - Throw Me in the Corpse Hole
We discuss the return of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Frank Herbert’s posthumous SFWA Infinity Award, Audible’s AI narration plans and Amazon’s cancellation of The Wheel of Time—while nominating hamburg steak and vegan enchiladas and sharing listener stories from Matt Dinniman’s event. We round out the show with in-depth discussions of The Lives of Tao and Mickey 7. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c
#510 - A New Theseus
From Hugo admins resigning over AI panel vetting to the latest award winners and a fresh Murderbot clip—to set the stage for our book club pick. Then we dig into Mickey 7’s Ship of Theseus dilemma, sharing listener takes (yes, even foot‑fetishting AIs) and the questions that keep us up at night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#509 - New Achievement!
We wrap up Dungeon Crawler Carl, including our horrible imitations of Jeff Hays. Plus, we announce the next pick for May and ponder data-driven determinations of the best SFF books of Tom’s life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#508 - Sexy, Sexy, Mind Palace
We have Murderbot trailer! And we like it! Plus, the Hugo nominees are out and we wrap up our thoughts on The City and the City and begin our April dungeon crawl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#507 - Book Goblin
Tom forgot to write the intro to the show this week, so you’re stuck with the Veronica Edition. March is still full of madness, which makes sense because it’s a full moon eclipse coming up and Venus is in retrograde. Or something! We check in on The City and The City by China Miéville, and we see and unsee your perspectives on the book thus far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info
#506 - SECs Unit
March Madness has begun, so get your votes in now. Plus do we like Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot? And our final thoughts on Will of the Many and non-spoiler intro to The City and the City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#505 - The Roman Empire is My Roman Empire
The nominations have begun for our March Tournament! Why do we care if eBooks and print books are the same? And our first thoughts on The Will of the Many. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#504 - The Miéville Effect
We have the best 25 books coming out in the next six months and the best 25 books of the last 25 years. Goodbye to the Science Fiction Book Club, our final thoughts on The Ministry of Time, and we kick off our read of The Will of the Many. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#503 - Tapeworms and Time Travel
Tom is safe. Stephen has had three New Years, and we all love Graham Gore. But the best part of the show is Veronica's parade of diseases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#502 - Rhubarb Abercrumble
We kick off our January read, wrap up Akata Witch, and welcome in new public domain characters. There's a new Lord of the Rings movie this year. Yay! Plus, Veronica had a rhubarb cider, and Joe Abercrombie looks great for 50! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#501 - One Missed S-Call-Zi
It's end-of-year book list time! And we have a list of our favorite end-of-year lists. Plus, our initial thoughts on Akata Witch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#500 - 500 Gargle Blasters!
We celebrate our 500th episode in the best way we know how—by asking ChatGPT to get our stats wrong. PLUS, announcing the book pick for December and sharing our final thoughts on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#499 - Hugs for Your Ears
We decided to take a break from the usual format and recommend some BIPOC and LGBTQIA authors. Plus, we kick off The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in case you need some comic relief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#498 - Weird Things With Burritos
We wrap up our thoughts on A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. Tom lays down some very obscure hints about the next pick. And why we’re glad Andy Weir got fired. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#497 - Some Desperate Sniffles
We learn a lot about nunchucks and old best SciFi lists, but we spend the majority of our time mulling over Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh. We also kick off a cozy October horrorish read. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#496 - Leminal Space
Sad news followed by recommendations from Parade Magazine! And The Booker Short List. Plus, do you hate it when a series isn't continuing the story directly? And we check in on our September read of Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#495 - All The News That's Fit to Squee
We have Dragon Awards and Hugo Awards, we kick off Some Desperate Glory, and wrap up our final thoughts on The Spear That Cuts Through Water. Also, we determine we might need to squee more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#494 - Wheel of Thyme
This is not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles podcast but it sure does end like one. But before it comes to that we boggle at all the awesome award winners, and talk about our good first impressions of The Spear That Cuts Through Water. Oh, and we have an idea for a cafe filled with Brandon Sanderson puns. Oh the puns! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#493 - Bunny Lamps and Bad Decisions
Oh, Hugos. Also, the best Sci-Fi books of all time, and will AI kill the planet? We kick off our August book The Spear that Cuts Through Water, and wrap up our last thoughts on Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#492 - Smokey and the Narrator
We debate whether we want dead celebrities to read our audiobooks. How long is too long for a series? And our non-spoilery takes on Cursed Bunny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#491 - Next Month, Trauma!
It's awards season and we cover them all, including a Martha Wells sweep! We wrap up our thoughts on Sword of Kaigen and get excited (read: trigger warnings) for Cursed Bunny, our July pick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#490 - Cosy Adjacent
Are we living in a Maas society? Veronica has recommendations in joining on the Sarah J. Maas train. Independent bookstores are on the rise. We kick off The Sword of Kaigen and give our spoilery thoughts on Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#489 - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Veronicas
We have Locus Award and Arthur C. Clarke award nominees. We share our non-spoilery thoughts on Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. And Tom discovers Birria Ramen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#488 - Barrayar Your Sword
Some great books in the Seiun Awards in Japan, why Sword and Laser is good for your heart, we kick off the May pick, and finally wrap up our thoughts on the surprising complexity and depth of the awesome Cordelia's Honor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#487 - Have We Reached Critical Maas?
OMG all of the top bestsellers are romantasy! What order should you read series in? Does it matter? Also why is Veronica telling Tom to suck it? Or did we misunderstand. Tune in and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#486 - Pre-re-read
Will Veronica and Tom make it to Glasgow? Not after that embarrassing German pronunciation. And after talking some baseball, they dig into non-spoilery discussion of Cordelia's Honor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#485 - Triangles Are Stronger
The Nebula Award nominees are out! Should we re-read Neuromancer? Veronica explains Type I, II, and III fun. The truth behind Cordelia's Honor. And our final thoughts on Iron Widow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#484 - It's Giving "Mad"
We check in on who's winning the tournament. A vikings kids book! Where it's stabbing time! We talk a little bit about Iron Widow, and wrap up Shadow of the Gods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#483 - C is for Chestburster
A few more thoughts on the Hugos, who would win in a fight between Maas and Yarros, and we preview our March Madness brackets! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#482 - Let's Talk About Seax, Baby
We've opened nominations for Mad Marchness!, our March tournament of book picks. Plus, the failure of the Hugos and the rise of Romantasy. And we begin our first impressions of Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#481 - Big Trouble in Little Worldcon
Surprise, there's a problem with hosting the Hugos in China. Plus: Keanu Reeves is co-writing with China Mieville, we kick off our February read, The Shadow of the Gods. And our spoilery thoughts on The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#480 - What You Can Do With Mickey Mouse
Alternatives to Goodreads, and one of them is Amazon. Which owns Goodreads. What you can and can't do with Mickey Mouse. The "Who should play Murderbot" discussion continues. Typical human and augmented human stuff! Plus why Veronica should read this month's book pick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#479 - Where Have All The Beef Suits Gone?
Are there too many Nat 20s in Kings of the Wyld, our stance on Skarsgard as Murderbot, and we introduce the January pick (which has a lot of triggers). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#478 - Without A Lick of Condensation
All the end of year book picks are out with lots of great titles to add to your own list! Did Vonnegut think he was a genre writer? And our non-spoilery thoughts about Kings of the Wyld. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#477 - I Said What I Said, She Said
Veronica now knows how to catch up on Old Man's War. Should good books not be SciFi? Is "they said" saying too much? He “sucked his teeth” is not enough! We kick off Kings of the Wyld and wrap up Mimicking of Known Successes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#476 - Don't Get Your Atmoscarf In A Bunch
We're huge fans of mushrooms! Fourth Wing is EVERYWHERE. And remember, the very aspects of a novel you might not fancy could be the same ones that captivate someone else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#475 - Father Knows Best
Awards season is here! We're celebrating deserving winners and discussing potential TV and movie adaptations of our favorite books. This November, we're diving into a novel about trains on Jupiter and concluding our October discussion on Father’s “5D chess.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#474 - The Vibe-rary at Mt. Char
Best books of the year? Already? How Veronica got her k-wires out. And our non-spoilery thoughts on Library at Mount Char. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#473 - Dewey Decimated
Veronica's state of K-wires, the most highly-rated books in the world, we kick off our read of The Library of Mount Char, and wrap up China Mountain Zhang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#472 - Felicia Day Opens Her Third Eye
We talk to Felicia Day about her new Audible Original Third Eye, and how her own struggles led to her story about a chosen one who fails. Plus, we talk about the importance of doing what you love and learning to leave your past behind (and why she's eating ground turkey a lot). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#471 - PSL: Pumpkin Sword and Laser
Guess what? The new Bobiverse is coming, and we would love to have your emails! Plus, we've got some super cool thoughts (no spoilers, promise) on China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh. But you don't have to take my blurb for it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#470 - Hammfisted
The last new Terry Pratchett stories, the rise of nonsense literature, a brief intro to our September pick China Mountain Zhang, and final thoughts on Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#469 - Venomous Breaded Hairtail Sucker
Veronica has been in Canada for a year, and the best book in Canada is about Marie Antoinette. Tom ate some breaded hairtail and is excited about Gail Carriger's K-pop post. Plus, we announce the September book and give a few non-spoilery thoughts about Ninth House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#468 - Go Tweed Lions!
Veronica curses the Lions and eats SO many blackberries. Also, our non-spoilery thoughts on Ninth House and Ivy League schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#467 - It Was Good Filk
We get to the bottom of why it's called Fahrenheit 4-5-1 and which songs get stuck in our heads when we hear “Aes Sedai.” We finish up our thoughts on Planetfall by Emma Newman and kick off Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#446 - Spoon & Ladle
The Hugos are out! The Hugos are out! Huge cookies are out! TRIKE READS READER'S DIGEST? Plus, the varied emotions caused by Planetfall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#465 - Skirting on the Edge of Danger
Some of our favorite authors are giving away free short stories and winning Locus Awards. What the best book club pick we ever made was. Why books that make you uncomfortable are important to read. And our last thoughts on Fourth Wing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recommended
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Infinite Health with Dr. Arasi Maran
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
The Joe Rogan Experience
English Vocabulary Help
TED Talks Daily
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills
English with Olivia | Slow Conversations & Vocabulary
Stand In The Circle
