The Sword and Laser

Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

Read along with the Sword and Laser book club! From classic science fiction to the latest gritty fantasy, we cover it. Subscribe for book discussions, author interviews, hot releases, and news from the genre fiction world!

  • 47 minutes 37 seconds
    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.

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    19 December 2025, 7:24 pm
  • 48 minutes 55 seconds
    #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.

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    5 December 2025, 4:21 pm
  • 33 minutes 9 seconds
    #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!

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    21 November 2025, 3:26 am
  • 48 minutes 23 seconds
    #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.

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    7 November 2025, 1:23 am
  • 35 minutes 1 second
    #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.

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    10 October 2025, 3:46 am
  • 52 minutes 40 seconds
    #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.

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    25 September 2025, 6:19 pm
  • 31 minutes 2 seconds
    #519 - No Stomach for Old Salad
    #519 - No Stomach for Old Salad by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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    11 September 2025, 11:08 pm
  • 55 minutes
    #518 - Hugo Bump Yourself
    #518 - Hugo Bump Yourself by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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    5 September 2025, 2:19 am
  • 36 minutes 45 seconds
    #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.

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    15 August 2025, 3:29 am
  • 53 minutes 26 seconds
    #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.

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    3 August 2025, 12:00 am
  • 39 minutes 51 seconds
    #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.

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    17 July 2025, 4:08 pm
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