It’s a new author tackling Fighting Fantasy in this episode as we play Gates of Death by experienced kids author and Fast Show alumni Charlie Higson with art by Vlado Krizan. It’s another familiar tale of demonic monsters trying to conquer the world but will it tickle my fancy? Listen along to find out.
Bonus Episode - Nintendo Adventure Book 1: Double Trouble
It’s bonus episode time again and we’re taking a look at a book based on the IP of the notoriously litigious Nintendo corporation, Double Trouble featuring the Super Mario Bros. It’s aimed at the under 10s but surely our gallant hero HJDoom will find a way to screw it up. Apologies for the sound quality in this one - I’m wrangling some new tech and still working out the kinks.
Episode 70 - The Port of Peril
We’re back in extremely familiar Fighting Fantasy territory as Ian Livingstone takes us on a tour of some of Allansia’s most recognisable settings in The Port of Peril. With art by Vlados Krizan we journey through Chalice to the Moonstone Hills and on to Darkwood Forest and Port Blacksand in search of the means to vanquish an old enemy.
Don’t forget that the Lindenbaum Prize is currently taking submissions. Find more information here: https://www.lloydofgamebooks.com/2026/02/voting-is-now-open-for-2026-lindenbaum.html
Bonus Episode - Conan the Outlaw
“Conan! What is best in life?”
“Why, it’s listening to a middle aged man play an adventure gamebook based on my many adventures of course.”
In this episode HJDoom, a man who isn’t even sure he has thews, never mind mighty ones, takes on Conan the Outlaw by Roger E Moore and art by Ron Randall. Will this meet with his favour? Listen along to find out.
Episode 69 - Blood of the Zombies
Staples to mark this milestone. It’s a big departure for the later series as it takes place in modern day and there’s also an entirely new combat system. Otherwise there’s more than a hint of the familiar about proceeding as you explore a zombie infested castle looking for the twenty to thirty different items you’ll need to escape. It might be a fresh approach but is it any good? Listen along to find.
Also I have a new gamebook out today. It’s called Mr Blobby and the Propaganda of the Deed and it’s available over at patreon.com/hjdoom for all my lovely patrons. It really is extremely silly.
Bonus Episode - The Ghosts of Craven Manor
It’s time for another bonus episode this time featuring The Ghosts of Craven Manor by Joseph Daniels. This horror gamebook reads like a mash up between Day of the Tentacle and Quantum Leap. Is that a good thing? Listen along to find out.
Episode 68 - Night of the Necromancer
It’s a bittersweet episode of Fantastic Fights as we bid farewell to Jonathan Green whose series of late Fighting Fantasy books have been a real high point for the series as a whole. Can he bow out strong with Night of the Necromancer? Listen along to find out.
Episode 67 - Stormslayer
We round off a trilogy of Jonathan Green Fighting Fantasy books with Stormslayer, which follows Bloodbones and Howl of the Werewolf. Is it a case of the third time’s the charm or is this book falling at the final hurdle? With art from experienced illustrator Stephen Player this takes more of a classic fantasy approach than the more horror themed Howl of the Werewolf. Eagle eyed fans will notice a few neat Easter Eggs for those familiar with his previous work, as well as long standing fans of Fighting Fantasy and the Sorcery series. There’s also a small announcement about the first ever patron only bonus episode. Don’t worry, it won’t become a habit.
Bonus Episode - Frankenstein
It’s bonus episode time again and we’re playing Dave Morris’s unique take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This is a digital gamebook (played on iOS) which always make for an interesting departure from the classic formula. How will Morris’s take on a classic stand up to the original? Listen along to find out.
Episode 64: The Eye of the Dragon
Ian Livingstone is back! Eye of the Dragon written in 2005 is the first new Fighting Fantasy book since 1995 and Livingstone’s first book since 1992. We’re in proper old school mode for this extended dungeon crawl which has the added bonus of Martin McKenna’s always exceptional artwork. Will it be able to recapture the magic of the series for a new generation? Listen along to find out.
The review portion of the episode starts at 46m22s.
Bonus Episode - Falcon 2: Mechanon
It’s another thrilling bonus episode of the podcast and this time out we’re meddling in space and time as we take on the role of special time agent Falcon in Mechanon, the second book in the science fiction gamebook series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson with art by Nic Weeks and Geoff Senior. Can this be the entry to show me exactly how you write a good science fiction gamebook? Listen along to find out.
Episode 63 - Sorcery 4: The Crown of Kings
We’ve reached the end of another journey as we play and critically examine The Crown of Kings, book four in the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson with art by the wonderful John Blanche. It’s been an epic quest but now only the fortress of Mampang and its vile archmage stand between us and ultimate success. How does the adventure go? Listen along to find out.
Bonus Episode - Deathtrap Dungeon 3
We’re playing something a little different this episode and we take a look at Deathtrap Dungeon 3, a fan written sequel to Deathtrap Dungeon and Trial of Champions. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill and with multiple authors there’s a lot that could go wrong. How does it land? Listen along to find out. Deathtrap Dungeon 3 was written by Ken Beuden, Daniel Flander, Jared Milne, Brett Schofield, and Andrew Wright and the book was suggested by patron Kim Jenson.
Episode 62 - Sorcery 3: The Seven Serpents
The third book of the Sorcery series is in some ways a retread of the first book in that the mission is simply to cross a wilderness. This time however there’s a problem, seven problems in fact, in the shape of seven magic snakes that are carrying news of the mission to the evil arch-mage of Mampang. How does our gallant hero fare in the Baklands and the dark forest of Snatta? Listen along to find out.
Episode 61 - Sorcery 2: Kharé - Cityport of Traps
Having survived a walking holiday in the Shamutanti Hills we now get to enjoy a citybreak in Kharé, a cityport known for having the most violent and paranoid locals anywhere in the known world. All that needs to happen is to walk from one side of the city to the other. What could possibly go wrong? Listen along to find out. Kharé - Cityport of Traps was written by Steve Jackson and illustrated by John Blanche.
Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure: Prisoner of the Ant People Vs Outlaws of Sherwood Forest
We’re on the old school track this episode as we tackle two classic Choose Your Own Adventure books from the mid 1980s, Prisoner of the Ant People by R. A. Montgomery, and Outlaws of Sherwood Forest by Ellen Kushner. But which will be better, the one that sounds like a 50s B-movie or the one that sounds like a 30s swashbuckler? Listen along to find out.
Episode 60 - Sorcery 1: The Shamutanti Hills
We’re taking a break from the mainline Fighting Fantasy books to work through the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson which are Fighting Fantasy books in all but name honestly. We’re starting at the beginning with The Shamutanti Hills. With a fancy new magic system and art by legendary UK illustrator and artist John Blanche this has all the ingredients to be a classic but will it land? Listen along to find out.
Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Redeemer!
It’s a bittersweet bonus episode as we bid a fond farewell to the Way of the Tiger series of ninja themed gamebooks. The final volume Redeemer is by David Walters, Mark Smith, and Jamie Thomson with art by a variety of different talents. Can this series bow out strong with a book more than twenty five years in the making? Listen along to find out. Also I’ve relaunched my other podcast Popular Antiquarian. That’s exciting. You can also find it over on https://www.hauntedphonograph.com/popular-antiquarian/
Episode 59 - Curse of the Mummy
We’ve made it to the end of the original run of Fighting Fantasy books but are we ending on a high note? With Jonathan Green and Martin McKenna involved the talent is certainly there for a classic but you’ll have to listen along to find out whether they manage to land this final outing.
Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Inferno!
In a change from the advertised episode we’re playing the penultimate Way of the Tiger gamebook (actually the last one to be released during the original run in the 80s). Our tireless hero has tried their hand at diplomacy, statecraft, and commanding armies in the field. What’s left? Why only a descent into the fabled Rift, also known as The Bowels of Orb. How will our fearless hero do? Listen along to find out.