Page Chewing

Page Burners: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. - Chapters 4, 5 & Epilogue

In this episode of Page Burners, we wrap up our discussion of Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont, covering Chapters 4, 5, and the epilogue—and there’s a lot to unpack. From the mysterious Stormriders to the shadowy aftermath of Kellenved and Dancer’s ascension, we dive into what wasn’t shown just as much as what was. Does the book’s decision to keep major events off-page strengthen its mythic tone, or leave the story feeling incomplete? We spend time breaking down Kiska and Temper as our POV characters—whether their arcs land emotionally, and how they function within the larger Malazan Book of the Fallen universe. We also explore the shifting portrayal of characters like Tayschrenn, the lingering mystery of the Stormriders, and the role of ordinary people caught in world-changing events. Along the way, we debate expectations vs execution, the strengths and weaknesses of Esslemont’s storytelling, and whether Night of Knives truly works as a standalone—or feels more like a missing piece of a much larger puzzle. If you’ve ever wondered what really happened that night… you’re not alone. Next Episode: We begin The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson, reading through Chapter 2.

Page Burners: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. - Chapters 3 & 4

This week on Page Burners, the group continues their journey through Night of Knives with a deep dive into Chapters 3–5. The discussion explores the book’s slower, more atmospheric middle section, the confusion and chaos of Malaz Island during Shadow Moon, and the increasingly tangled loyalties surrounding Dancer, Kellanved, Surly, and the Claw. The crew debates whether Chapter 3 drags or intentionally leans into disorientation and tension, while also unpacking personal reading pet peeves, confusing timelines, and Esslemont’s descriptive style. Things heat up once the flashbacks begin, giving us our first real look at Dasem Ultor during the fall of Y’Ghatan — including his conflict with Hood, Surly’s growing influence, and the legendary reputation that made soldiers willing to follow him into hell. Along the way, the episode also touches on Stormriders, Hairlock memes, Shadow Cultists, Dancer’s intimidating presence, and the ongoing question at the heart of Night of Knives: who actually knows what’s happening tonight on Malaz Island?

Panel Chewing Pick of the Week: The Cost of Comics & This Week’s Picks | Episode 131

This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod dive into another round of weekly comic reads—with a candid conversation to kick things off about something most podcasts don’t always say out loud: we pay for every book we review. No review copies, no publisher influence—just honest takes from readers spending their own money each week. That reality shapes what we stick with, what we drop, and why our pull list leans heavily into indie books that actually earn their place. From there, it’s business as usual—breaking down this week’s comics, debating what’s worth your time (and your wallet), and crowning our Pick of the Week. We also wrap up our ongoing group read of Grant Morrison’s Batman and share final thoughts on the run—what worked, what didn’t, and whether it lives up to its reputation. 📚 Next Week’s Read Along: We’re starting Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1—available free on Libby and Hoopla. Grab it and read along with us! If you’re looking for real, unfiltered comic talk from readers just like you—this is it.

Page Burners: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. - Prologue & Chapters 1, 2

We’re back in the world of Malazan—this time stepping into new territory with Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. In this episode, the crew begins their first-ever discussion of Esslemont’s work, breaking down the prologue and first two chapters of this gothic, atmospheric entry into the Malazan universe. While we planned to go further, there’s already plenty to unpack—from eerie tone-setting to early character impressions and the shifting political landscape of Malaz City. We dig into: * First impressions of Esslemont’s writing style and how it compares to Steven Erikson * The edict against sorcery and what it reveals about Surly/Laseen’s rule * Whether Night of Knives is a good entry point—or a risky detour—for Malazan readers * The book’s dense, gothic atmosphere and how it shapes the reading experience * Early thoughts on key characters like Temper and Kiska * Why longtime fans might (or might not) want to explore the Novels of the Malazan Empire We also tackle a big question: Why read Esslemont at all? If you’re deep into Malazan or just curious about expanding your understanding of the world, this episode lays out the case. Whether you’re rereading alongside us or diving into Esslemont for the first time, this is your starting point for Night of Knives. Next episode: Chapters 3 & 4.

Panel Chewing Pick of the Week: Chaos, Cults & Capes | Episode 130

This week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week, we’re back with another stacked lineup of comics—from indie standouts to big publisher swings—as we break down everything we read this week and crown our top pick. We kick things off with a preview of our upcoming group read, diving into the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub—a classic manga rooted in Edo-period Japan, blending historical drama, political intrigue, and brutal samurai storytelling. If you’ve ever been curious about the series, now’s the perfect time to jump in with us. From there, we run through this week’s books, including: * American Caper #6 and its sharp satire and character-driven chaos  * Fury of the Firestorm #1 and a darker take on heroism  * Corpse Knight #1 and its medieval revenge setup  * The Hab #1 and a twisted post-apocalyptic bunker story  * Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #3—a wild, over-the-top ride that may divide readers  *  Plus more hits, misses, and everything in between  We also wrap up the Night City mini-series, revisit Spawn: The Dark Ages, and catch up on Hyde Street as it continues to impress with its character-driven storytelling. 🏆 Pick of the Week: *  Jared highlights Astro Quantum #3 for its pulpy sci-fi energy and expanding universe  *  Steve chooses The Peril of the Brutal Dark #3 for its smooth storytelling, layered mystery, and strong pacing  📚 Group Read Discussion: We continue our journey through Batman by Grant Morrison, covering issues #673–674. As we near the end, we break down themes of isolation, grief, and identity—while debating whether this run lives up to its legendary reputation. Send us a message (I'm not able to reply) [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1793148/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9E] Page Chewing Blog [https://pagechewing.com/] Page Chewing Forum [https://www.pagechewing.com/forum/] Film Chewing Podcast [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2235582/follow] Speculative Speculations Podcast [https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/speculative-speculations] Support the podcast via PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9E] Support the show by using our Amazon Affiliate link [https://amzn.to/4hBjXJT] Join Riverside.fm  [https://riverside.fm/?via=steve-l] Co-Hosts: Jarrod [https://www.youtube.com/@thefantasythinker] Varsha [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain]  Chris [https://www.youtube.com/@TheChronicleofChris] Jose [https://www.youtube.com/@JosesAmazingWorldsofFantasy] Carl D. Albert (author) [https://linktr.ee/carldalbert] Thomas J. Devens [https://linktr.ee/thomasjdevens] (author) Alex French (author) [https://linktr.ee/a_frog_in_time] Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher [https://michaelrfletcher.com/] (2024-Current)