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FANTASTIC FIGHTS

Episode 72 - Assassins of Allansia

May 30, 2026

Assassins of Allansia by Ian Livingstone with art by Robert Ball has a great premise - you are being hunted by assassins sent by Lord Azzur of Port Blacksand. Does the actual book live up to the hype? Listen along to find out.

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Episode 72 - Assassins of Allansia
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In podcast Tags fighting fantasy, ian livingston, Steve Jackson, fantastic fights, fantasy, rpg, gamebooks, game book, adventure gamebook, roleplaying, role playing, nostalgia, scholastic, puffin, port blacksand, lord azzur, zanbar bone, sukumvit, deathtrap dungeon, titan, retro, nerd, geek, deep dive, pop culture, gaming, interactive fiction, CYOA, FF
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Episode 69 - Blood of the Zombies

February 16, 2026
Episode 69 - Blood of the Zombies
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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.

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In podcast Tags horror, zombies, walking dead, gingrich yrr, ian livingstone, kevin crossley, greg stables, steve jackson, videogames, eidos, resident evil, zombie movies, unquiet dead, cannibal, chainsaw, castle, gamebook, game book, adventure, CYOA, choose your own adventure, Fighting fantasy, roleplaying, nostalgia, retro, pop culture, rpg, solo, role playing
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Episode 64: The Eye of the Dragon

September 26, 2025
Episode 64: The Eye of the Dragon
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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.

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In podcast Tags fighting fantasy, wizard books, darkwood forest, forest of doom, trail of champions, house of hell, ian livingston, steve jackson, allansia, fang, sukumvit, deathtrap dungeon, yaztromo, port blacksand, fantasy, rpg, gamebook, adventure gamebook, cyoa, choose your own adventure, interactive fiction, gaming, retro, nostalgia, pop culture, history, games workshop, dungeons and dragons, labyrinth, game book, advenure game book, adventure game book, adventure gamebooks, icon, roleplaying, role playing, nerd
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Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure: Prisoner of the Ant People Vs Outlaws of Sherwood Forest

June 14, 2025
Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure: Prisoner of the Ant People Vs Outlaws of Sherwood Forest
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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.

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In podcast Tags ellen kushner, R.A. Montgomery, jason millet, cyoa, choose your own adventure, gamebook, adventure game books, fantasy, time travel, robin hood, little john, will scarlet, merlin, nottinghamshire, nottingham, judith mitchell, retro, nostalgia, 28 different endings, bantam books, nerd, 1980s, pop culture, kids books
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