Hunter Blain and Luke Daniels Interview on Epic Realms: Urban Fantasy, LitRPG, and Audiobooks

Nick Sampson | February 10th 2026

Hunter Blain and Luke Daniels Interview

Hunter Blain and Luke Daniels Return to Epic Realms for a Laughter-Filled Deep Dive into Fantasy, Audiobooks, and Creative Collaboration

The latest episode of Epic Realms marks the return of two fan-favorite guests: urban fantasy author Hunter Blain and Hall of Fame audiobook narrator Luke Daniels. While both have appeared on the show before, this joint episode brings a new level of energy, insight, and chemistry, reflecting not only their professional partnership but also their long-running creative friendship with host Nick and fellow author Justin Leslie.

Over the course of the Hunter Blain and Luke Daniels Interview, the trio dive deep into storytelling craft, genre evolution, time travel mechanics, audiobook performance, and the collaborative magic that happens when author and narrator truly understand one another. And throughout it all, the laughter is constant. The conversation is packed with quick wit, running jokes, and spontaneous humor that feels less like a formal interview and more like creators hanging out after hours.

The World of The Preternatural Chronicles

Hunter Blain is best known for The Preternatural Chronicles, his long-running urban fantasy series featuring vampire antihero John Cook. The books blend irreverent humor, pop culture awareness, supernatural action, and emotional stakes in a way that has earned the series a dedicated following. Over time, Blain has expanded his universe while maintaining continuity and consequences that reward longtime readers.

During the episode, Blain discusses the evolution of the series and how he balances absurd humor with meaningful character arcs. He emphasizes internal logic, even in fantastical scenarios. Whether dealing with centuries-old vampires or intricate time travel paradoxes, Blain insists that rules matter. That philosophy carries into projects like Chronos Paradox, where high-concept science fiction meets character-driven storytelling.

The conversation also touches on Blain’s broader body of work and future collaborations, including projects with fellow author Justin Leslie. Leslie, who has also appeared on Epic Realms, shares a creative history with Blain that extends beyond publishing. Together with Luke Daniels and host Nick, they have previously streamed tabletop and video game sessions, giving fans a glimpse of their off-page camaraderie. That shared history makes the podcast’s relaxed, joke-heavy atmosphere feel authentic and earned.

The Voice Behind the Stories

Luke Daniels brings Blain’s worlds to life in audio form. A Hall of Fame audiobook narrator, Daniels has recorded hundreds of titles across fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction. He is widely recognized in the audiobook industry, having earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, Audie Award nominations, and Audible accolades throughout his career. His expansive catalog and dynamic performances have made him one of the most respected voices in modern genre fiction.

On the podcast, Daniels speaks about the art of narration and the responsibility of translating an author’s vision into performance. He explains how pacing, vocal tone, and character differentiation shape the listener’s experience. In long-running series like The Preternatural Chronicles, consistency becomes critical. Listeners build strong attachments to specific voices, and maintaining that continuity strengthens the immersive quality of the story.

Daniels also discusses narrating in genres such as litRPG, and progression fantasy, which have seen significant growth in recent years. These genres often rely on structured power systems and incremental character advancement, which require narrators to carefully track tone and energy across evolving story arcs.

Time Travel, LitRPG, and Creative Chaos

One of the most engaging segments of the episode centers on time travel storytelling. Blain describes how he constructs timelines that are both entertaining and logically sound. Rather than using time travel as a convenient narrative shortcut, he approaches it as a structural puzzle. That technical discussion quickly evolves into playful banter, as theoretical physics meets off-the-cuff humor.

The episode also explores litRPG as a genre. Blain shares insights into his upcoming crossover work with Justin Leslie, blending detective elements with game-based progression systems. Daniels offers perspective from the narrator’s side, explaining why litRPG has developed such a devoted listener base and how performance style adapts to stat-driven storytelling.

Throughout these discussions, the tone remains lively. Jokes land frequently. There are callbacks to past projects, jokes, and friendly ribbing that reflects years of creative interaction. The amount of laughter during the episode is notable, reinforcing that while these creators take storytelling seriously, they do not take themselves too seriously.

A Shared History with Epic Realms

Both Blain and Daniels have appeared on Epic Realms before, and their return feels like a reunion rather than a debut. The familiarity between host and guests creates space for deeper conversations and more candid moments. References to past livestream gaming sessions and collaborations with Justin Leslie further highlight the interconnected creative community that has grown around the show.

That ongoing relationship adds another layer to the episode. Listeners are not just hearing about books and audiobooks; they are witnessing an evolving creative network that spans writing, narration, gaming, and live digital engagement.

This Episode...

At its core, this episode is about partnership. It showcases how an author’s words and a narrator’s performance combine to create something greater than either alone. It highlights the growth of audiobooks as a dominant format in fantasy and science fiction. And it celebrates the role humor plays in sustaining long creative careers.

For fans of urban fantasy, sci-fi, litRPG, and audiobook culture, this episode of Epic Realms delivers both insight and entertainment. It captures the craft behind the stories, the collaboration behind the performance, and the camaraderie that keeps audiences coming back.

The Hunter Blain and Luke Daniels episode is available now on EpicRealmsMedia.com, all podcast platforms, and on the Epic Realms YouTube channel. To support Luke and Hunter check out some of their projects below. Sign Up For Audible - Here - Check Out Luke Daniels Audiobooks - Here - Check Out Hunter Blain Books - Here -