Episode 13.1: ‘Bound’ by Ali Hazelwood
Welcome to Season 13!
We’re kicking off with an audio-only novella from one of our very favourite authors, Ali Hazelwood, as she tackles dark academia and paranormal romance in ‘Bound’.
A reluctant con artist and a professor with too many secrets are bound by an arcane text-in more ways than one.
Veronica "Vero" Mercer grew up with grifters for parents, and she knows her way around a con. When grad school bills pile up and her friends are in trouble, she turns her art history skills into a forgery side hustle.
It's supposed to be a short-term deal, but her work draws the attention of Dr. Viktor Ashworth, a reserved, very British professor. Instead of turning her in, Ashworth kidnaps her-politely-and makes an unusual offer: forge a mysterious ancient manuscript for him.
Soon Vero finds herself spending long nights with Viktor, bent over rare vellum samples and obscure inks. But as the con grows riskier, Vero has to wonder: what does Viktor really want, and why can't she stay away?
How will Ali Hazelwood tackle dark academia?
In this episode we discuss:
We grapple with listening to spicy romance via audiobook…
How does dark academia integrate with paranormal romance?
The way that the atmosphere draws on so many paranormal and supernatural classics
You can listen to it here:
TEXTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
‘Bound’ by Ali Hazelwood
‘Bride’ by Ali Hazelwood
‘Mate’ by Ali Hazelwood
‘The Vampire Chronicles’ by Ann Rice
OTHER MEDIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009-2017)
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997-2003)
Interview with the Vampire’ (2022-2025)
The Vampire Lestat’ (2026-)
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