Our talk with Nicholas Keating Casbarro discussing his breakout novel Vitalerium.

Nearly six centuries have passed since humanity discovered vitalerium, which ushered in a golden age of space exploration and colonization. Planet Deorum’s society is centered around this illustrious, gravity-bending blue crystal. The year is 2701.

Following a near-fatal disaster, roughneck freelancer Roman Matthews becomes unwittingly trapped at the center of a harrowing conspiracy. Hunted by Deorum’s government, the Coalition for Prosperity, Roman must use his deadly skillset to survive against all odds.

Roman and his band of unlikely allies will discover that the Coalition’s indiscretions threaten the delicate balance of advanced civilization. As a sect of the Coalition prepares to implement its Machiavellian vision of utopia, the proverbial pendulum begins to swing toward chaos

Vitalerium World:
Website: https://vitaleriumseries.com/
Nick’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/InsideVitalerium
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkGe5mgjNnAl2VJ3E5TBmAg
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/vitaleriumseries
Twitter: https://x.com/vitalerium
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vitaleriumseries

-Publicist - Eve Bailey / Flo Agency: https://flo.agency/
-Cosplayer 1 Shanice Foster: Luxsteez Cosplay - https://www.instagram.com/luxsteezcosplay/
-Cosplayer 2 Matthew Harden: MH Cosplay Design - https://www.instagram.com/mhcosplaydesign/
-Comic Illustrator - Francisco A. Hnilo: https://www.behance.net/fahilustracion
-Comic Colorist - Chandran Ponnusamy: https://www.facebook.com/ponnusamychandran & https://www.deviantart.com/ponnusamychandran/gallery
-Graphic Designer - Ahmed Geatar: https://www.behance.net/ahmedgad

ABOUT THE SIDE QUEST BOOK CLUB PODCAST
Reading is the ultimate side quest.

Side Quest is a casual book club podcast full of literary adventures. Join Slava and Jonathan as they discuss the books they are reading, life, history, belief systems, and much more. Explore world-building, characters, and story development—and share some laughs along the way.

New episodes drop every TUES.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
This is a video version of our audio podcast. Want to listen on the go?
Find *Side Quest Book Club* on your favorite podcast app.

🎧 **Subscribe on Any Platform https://linktr.ee/asidequest

JOIN THE GUILD
🌐 Official Website / Quest Log:
https://www.thesidequestpodcast.com/

💬 Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesidequestpodcast
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sidequestpodcast

CREDITS
Hosts: Slava and Jonathan
Podcast Hosting & Distribution by Transistor.fm https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=slava
Intro/Outro Music: HoliznaCC0v
Editing by: CharacterNorth6081
- Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/u/CharacterNorth6081/s/k3mFE9aGqh
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/parasss.__

The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Jess and Abby join the guys to continue their descent into hell to find out what Alice and Peter are up to.

Katabsis plot: Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing misfire? We debate character arcs, logic paradoxes, and that wild revenge twist.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to the Book and Author
(02:47) Diverse Opinions on the Book
(05:43) Character Analysis and Development
(08:57) Themes of Academia and Relationships
(11:50) Romantic Elements and Their Reception
(14:46) Exploring the Ending and Character Dynamics
(17:47) Cultural References and Symbolism
(31:08) Character Analysis: Understanding Peter's Role
(34:32) Favorite Moments and Character Dynamics
(39:10) Exploring Themes of Revenge and Transformation
(43:39) Comparative Analysis: Dante's Inferno vs. Modern Hell
(48:06) Cultural References and Mythological Connections
(57:52) Exploring Recurring Dreams and Nightmares
(01:03:20) Literary Discussions: R.F. Kuang's Works
(01:08:22) Book Recommendations and Personal Favorites
(01:15:27) Thematic Elements in Fiction: Weird Girl Fiction

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing misfire? We debate character arcs, logic paradoxes, and that wild revenge twist.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Epic Plot Summary (Full Spoilers!)
01:31 – R.F. Kuang Bio & Awards
06:04 – Descent Begins: Chapters 1-6
31:41 – Chapters 7-11: Desire, Trauma & Lethe River
44:55 – Chapters 12-18: Greed, Wrath & Betrayal
58:05 – Chapters 20-35: Peter’s Sacrifice, City of Dis & Final Showdown

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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Happy holidays to you all, Adventures. Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, Slava and Jonathan (joined by Josh, our intern) discuss A Christmas Carol, a classic novella by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy miser, as he is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, leading to his moral redemption and transformation.

00:00 Introduction to A Christmas Carol
04:12 Dickens, Context, and Victorian England
08:45 Scrooge as Antihero
13:30 Poverty, Class, and Social Responsibility
18:40 The Ghost of Christmas Past
26:10 Memory, Trauma, and Isolation
33:45 The Ghost of Christmas Present
41:20 Ignorance and Want
47:55 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
55:30 Scrooge’s Reckoning
01:01:45 Redemption and Moral Transformation
01:07:30 Why A Christmas Carol Still MattersJOIN THE GUILD
🌐 Official Website / Quest Log:
https://www.thesidequestpodcast.com/

💬 Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesidequestpodcast
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sidequestpodcast

CREDITS
Hosts: Slava and Jonathan
Podcast Hosting & Distribution by Transistor.fm https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=slava
Intro/Outro Music: HoliznaCC0v
Editing by: CharacterNorth6081
- Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/u/CharacterNorth6081/s/k3mFE9aGqh
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/parasss.__

In this episode of The SideQuest Book Club Podcast, Slava and Jonathan—joined by Casey, JT, and Spenser— continued to break down Wintersteel from Will Wight’s Cradle series. The guys explore character dynamics, relationships, and major themes of identity, growth, and progression fantasy. The conversation highlights foreshadowing, power dynamics, hubris, and how literacy, wealth, and opportunity shape advancement in the Cradle universe. We also examine key characters, such as Daiji and Eithan, discussing their motivations and the narrative choices that drive the story.

(00:00) Introduction to The SideQuest Book Club Podcast (feel free to skip to the next chapter, as we talk about costumes that can't be seen on screen)
(09:32) Further Exploring Wintersteel
(17:54) Character Dynamics & Relationships
(29:47) Themes of Identity & Growth
(34:28) Foreshadowing & Key Revelations
(35:22) Character Dynamics & Plot Devices
(40:44) Defining Progression Fantasy
(44:01) Character Growth & Power Dynamics
(45:44) The Role of Hubris in Fantasy
(56:57) Literacy & Character Development
(01:02:58) Wealth, Power & Opportunity
(01:14:18) Final Thoughts & Future Expectations

Our website: www.thesidequestpodcast.com

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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In Part 2 of Will Wight’s Wintersteel. The SideQuest Book Club Podcast hosts, Slava and Jonathan, dive deeper into breaking down major themes of character development, including Aethon’s unique sight, Mercy’s public humiliation, and Yerin’s intense training and evolving bond with her Blood Shadow. The discussion builds toward the final battle, where Yerin undergoes a powerful transformation that opens a conversation about archetypal icons and the deeper character truths they represent.

(00:00) Introduction and Technical Glitches
(01:05) Aethon’s Revelation and Abilities
(08:14) Mercy and Malice: Public Humiliation
(12:07) Yerin’s Training & Blood Shadow Dynamics
(20:04) Linden’s Point System & Character Dynamics
(27:03) Team Dynamics & Character Development
(30:35) Lyndon’s Strategic Growth
(32:54) Character Development & Team Dynamics
(35:59) Yerin’s Internal and External Struggles
(39:12) The Final Battle & Its Consequences
(48:49) Archetypal Truths & Character Icons

Our website: www.thesidequestpodcast.com

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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Hey Adventurers! Back to the Cradle we go. In this episode, we delve into the eighth book of the Cradle series, Wintersteel, exploring the intricacies of the Uncrowned King Tournament and its implications for power dynamics among factions. Slava and Jonathan discuss character developments, particularly focusing on Linden, Yeren, and Aethon, while also addressing the emotional stakes and romantic elements that add depth to the narrative.

(00:00) Introduction to Cradle and Recap of Uncrowned
(02:50) Wintersteel Overview and Key Events
(05:58) Prologue Insights and Yerin’s Backstory
(09:06) The Script Circle and Its Implications
(12:02) Linden’s Encounter with Northstrider
(14:55) Tournament Stakes and Monarch Dilemmas
(18:03) Character Dynamics and Relationships
(20:43) Eithan’s Rise and Tournament Highlights
(23:41) Tournament Structure and Character Development
(26:53) Linden’s Struggles and Growth
(29:59) Conclusion and Reflections on the Journey
(32:05) Planet Fitness and First Impressions
(32:27) The Date Between Linden and Yerin
(37:05) Awkward Moments and Growing Connections
(39:04) The Importance of Reading in a Dangerous World
(44:30) The Role of Education in Survival
(48:35) Eithan’s Hidden Depths and Future Adventures

Our website: www.thesidequestpodcast.com

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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In this episode of The Side Quest Book Club Podcast, hosts Slava and Jonathan (again) dive into Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. This conversation delves into themes, character development, and the implications of hubris and chaos theory. The hosts discuss the narrative structure that keeps readers engaged. They analyze the illusion of control and the importance of subplots, ultimately reflecting on the storytelling techniques that make the novel a classic.

(00:00) Introduction Return to Jurassic Park’s Chaos
(05:51) The Unfolding Disaster
(12:16) The T-Rex Encounter
(21:26) Nedry’s Downfall
(29:14) The Search for Nedry
(35:01) The T-Rex Rampage
(39:40) Deus Ex Machina in Jurassic Park?
(42:00) Chaos Theory & Nature’s Unpredictability
(45:04) Control vs. Collapse in Jurassic Park
(48:51) Hammond’s Denial & Hubris
(52:50) Final Showdown: Nature vs. Human Ambition
(57:04) Aftermath: Responsibility & Consequences
(01:01:06) The End of the Park: A New Beginning?
(01:03:59) Thriller vs. Horror: Understanding the Genres

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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