Intentionally Blank Why Haven't They Made This Yet? — Intentionally Blank Ep. 244
Playful banter about adaptations and which stories deserve new life. Wild real-world tales about prison drone deliveries and food heists lighten the chat. Deep dives into unfinished franchises, forgotten middle-grade reads, and underrated classics like Dragonflight. Bold predictions on which video games and YA works will be next to hit screens.
33:41
Tolkien's Voice Is Hard To Emulate
- Brandon argues Tolkien's voice is uniquely hard to match without sounding fake or overwritten.
- He warns that over-trying to imitate Tolkien easily produces awkward, pseudo-philosophical prose.
Missed Middle-Grade Classics As A Kid
- Brandon admits he never read many classic middle-grade fantasies like Prydain or The Hobbit during childhood.
- He explains he stopped reading in elementary and returned to books in eighth grade, missing that middle-grade era.
Anne McCaffrey Deserves A Big Adaptation
- Brandon recommends Anne McCaffrey's Dragonflight as an under-read classic that blends romance and sci-fi fantasy.
- He believes it could work as adult live-action or animated series and deserves more cultural attention.
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Intro
00:00 • 16sec
Food Heist Statistics and Trends
00:16 • 3min
Prison Drone Deliveries and Notorious Finds
02:48 • 3min
Brandon's Abandoned Phantom Menace Rewrite
05:21 • 2min
Which Properties Would You Rewrite?
06:54 • 4min
Games and Unfinished Franchises Fans Want
10:29 • 2min
Brandon's Missing Middle-Grade Reads
12:40 • 2min
Underrated Classics: Anne McCaffrey & Dragonflight
14:42 • 4min
Greenbone Saga and Other Adaptation Picks
19:11 • 45sec
Which Current YA Will Become Canon?
19:56 • 1min
YA Dystopia Era and Adaptation Challenges
21:21 • 6min
Games as the Next Wave of Adaptations
27:46 • 3min
Predictions: Which Video Games Will Be Adapted Next
31:08 • 2min
Outro
33:34 • 2sec
#95165
Matched
Ally Condie
#46494
Rangers Apprentice series
John Flanagan
#2880
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
A Wizard of Earthsea
Ursula K. Le Guin
The novel is a bildungsroman that explores Ged's process of learning to cope with power and come to terms with death.
It is set in the fictional archipelago of Earthsea, where magic is based on a delicate balance maintained by wizards.
Ged's story involves his education at a school of wizardry, his struggles with a shadow he inadvertently summons, and his journey to confront and merge with this shadow.
The book is renowned for its philosophical themes, including the power of names and the balance of the universe, and is part of the six-volume Earthsea Cycle.
#6122
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Set in the city of Ketterdam, loosely inspired by Dutch Republic–era Amsterdam, 'Six of Crows' follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, and his diverse crew as they undertake a dangerous mission to rescue Bo Yul-Bayur, the inventor of the potent drug 'jurda parem'.
The story is told through multiple viewpoints and features a complex plot with suspense, twists, and character development.
The novel is part of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse and is the first in the 'Six of Crows' duology, followed by 'Crooked Kingdom'.
#20754
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Maze Runner
James Dashner
The story follows Thomas, a teenager who wakes up in a place called the Glade with no memory except his name.
He finds himself among a group of boys who have also lost their memories and are trapped in the Glade, surrounded by a massive stone maze.
The maze is inhabited by deadly creatures called Grievers, and the doors to the maze close every night.
Thomas and the other boys, known as Gladers, must navigate the maze and uncover its secrets to find a way out.
The arrival of a girl named Teresa complicates their situation and sets off a chain of events that changes everything.
The novel is a fast-paced adventure filled with action, mystery, and themes of survival, friendship, and the human instinct to escape captivity.
#2662
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
The Left Hand of Darkness
Ursula K. Le Guin
In this groundbreaking novel, Ursula K. Le Guin delves into the society of Gethen, a planet where the inhabitants are androgynous and only enter a state of sexual arousal once a month.
The story follows Genly Ai, an envoy from the Ekumen, as he navigates the complexities of Gethenian culture and politics.
The novel is a profound exploration of gender, identity, and the human condition, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.
#26763
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Greenbone Saga
Fonda Lee
#237
• Mentioned in 101 episodes
The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis
#25125
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Fablehaven
Brandon Mull
Fablehaven is a 2006 fantasy novel written by Brandon Mull.
The story centers on two siblings, Kendra and Seth Sorenson, who visit their grandfather's mansion, which is a reserve for mystical creatures.
When their grandfather and the caretakers are kidnapped by goblins, the siblings must find and rescue them while facing a witch named Muriel who plans to unleash a powerful demon named Bahumat.
The book is the first in a five-book series and has been praised for its imaginative world and engaging storyline.
#28849
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
#6565
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Percy Jackson
Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson, a young boy with dyslexia and ADHD, finds out he is a demigod and the son of Poseidon.
Accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt, Percy must navigate the world of Greek mythology, attend Camp Half-Blood, and go on a perilous journey with his friends Annabeth and Grover to clear his name and save the world from another war between the gods.
Along the way, he faces various mythological monsters and gods, ultimately discovering the true thief and the plot to revive Kronos, the Lord of the Titans.
#122
• Mentioned in 155 episodes
The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.
During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible.
The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.
#29443
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Wings of Fire
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
This autobiography tells the story of Dr. Kalam's life, from his childhood in Rameswaram to his career as a scientist and later as the President of India.
It highlights his perseverance and contributions to India's space and missile programs, offering valuable insights into leadership and personal growth.
#5203
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey
The Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, follows the adventures of two fourth-grade pranksters, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who live in Piqua, Ohio.
The boys create a comic book character named Captain Underpants, who becomes real when they hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp.
The series is known for its silly humor, outrageous plots, and the friendship and loyalty between George and Harold.
The books have been translated into more than 25 languages and have sold over 80 million copies worldwide.
The series includes 12 main books, two activity books, colored versions, and several spin-offs.
#33846
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Warrior Cats
Erin Hunter
#29852
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Dragonflight
Anne McCaffrey
In 'Dragonflight', Anne McCaffrey introduces the world of Pern, where humans and dragons form telepathic bonds to protect their planet from a deadly threat called Thread.
The story centers on Lessa, a young woman who becomes the leader of the dragonriders and plays a crucial role in Pern's survival.
The dragons of Pern are genetically engineered creatures capable of teleportation and fire-breathing, making them the planet's primary defense.
Lessa's connection with her dragon, Ruth, is central to the narrative, highlighting themes of partnership and responsibility.
The book explores the challenges of leadership, the importance of tradition, and the resilience of a society facing extinction.
'Dragonflight' is celebrated for its imaginative world-building and compelling characters.
Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells discuss all things adaptation. From works in the past they wish they could have done themselves, to the future of book adaptations. They also lock in their predictions for the next video game adaptations to be announced.
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