Book Dragon Banter

We're three aspiring authors: Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree. Diving into the world of books, one chaotic conversation at a time. Expect bookish deep-dives, Read-alongs, trope talk, spicy opinions, and unfiltered banter. While fantasy is our first love, we’re not genre-exclusive, if it’s on a page, it’s on the table. Join the #BookDragonBanter crew and get comfy! Let's get into it!

Book Dragon Banter is a arts podcast hosted by Book Dragon Ink, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Book Dragon Ink hosts Book Dragon Banter, a arts show with 36 episodes published.

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  Episode #18

  This Kingdom's Hangover Remedies

  Oct 1, 202650 minS2

  Book Hangover Cures for This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me | Soft FMCs, Isekai, Magic Systems & Worldbuilding In this Book Dragon Banter episode, Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine share spoiler-free recommendations to cure a This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me hangover by focusing on similar elements rather than derivative substitutes. They plug Book Dragon Ink writing retreats and announce HearthCon (Oct 3–4) panels on cute companions, deleted scenes, and a readers-only discussion, plus invite comments and Substack discussion. The hosts define “soft, competent FMCs” as smart, protective, non-violence-first leads, then recommend titles across categories: soft FMCs, magic fights, portal/isekai, bloodline magic, and immersive worldbuilding. HearthCon Schedule: https://www.lazydragonbooks.com/hearthcon-2026 HearthCon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LazyDragonBooks Podcast links: Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/ Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/ BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd Other links: Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/ Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/ Book Dragon Ink: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Bookshop.org affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-kingdom-will-not-kill-me-ilona-andrews/f544c8f1dba95f55?ean=9781250377265&next=t&aid=124342&listref=book-dragon-book-club-reads Books Discussed: Non-fantasy: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Vol. 1-8, Vol. 9 comes out in Feb 2027! Soft/Competent FMC - Sage’s Recs: Gilded by Marissa Meyer (Gilded Duology) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy) The Book that Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence (The Library Trilogy) Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen (Dark Shores Series) Soft/Competent FMC - Zinzi’s Recs: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher (Swordheart series) Throne in the Dark by A. K. Caggiano (Villains and Virtues Series) The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley (Dearly Beloathed Series) Soft/Competent FMC - Katherine’s Recs: We Kept Her in the Cellar by W. R. Gorman Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson Series) Magic Fights/Action Sequences - Zinzi’s Recs: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent (War of Lost Hearts Series) Magical Midlife Madness By K.F. Breene (Leveling Up Series) Unsouled by Will Wight (The Cradle Series) He Who Fights With Monsters by Travis Deverell aka Shirtaloon (He Who Fights With Monsters Series) Magic Fights/Action Sequences - Sage’s Recs: Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas (Throne of Glass Series) Magic Fights/Action Sequences - Katherine’s Recs: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Legacy of Orisha Series) Portal Fantasy/Isakai - Zinzi’s Recs: Beware of Chicken by Casual Farmer (Beware of Chicken Series) Oathbound Healer by Selkie Myth (Beneath the Dragoneye Moons Series) The Mayor of Noobtown by Ryan Rimmel (Noobtown Series) Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennen (Long Live Evil Series) Forever Fantasy Online by Rachel Aaron/Travis Bach The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty Portal Fantasy/Isakai - Sage’s Recs: The Magicians by Lev Grossman The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (The Invisible Library Series) The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next Series) The Family Trade by Charles Stross (The Merchant Princes Series) Portal Fantasy/Isakai - Katherine’s Recs: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Bloodline Magic - Sage’s Recs: Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn Series) The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen Series) The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart (The Drowning Empire series) Bloodline Magic - Katherine’s Recs: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco (The Bone Witch Series) (Portal?) The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco (Never Tilting World Series) The Beasts We Bury by D.L. Taylor (The Broken Citadel Series) Worldbuilding - Zinzi’s Recs: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle l. Jensen (The Bridge Kingdom Series) The Poet Empress by Shen Tao Reign and Ruin by J.D. Evans (Mages of the Wheel series) The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick (Rook and Rose Trilogy) The Queen’s Thief by Megan Whelan Turner (The Queen’s Thief) Worldbuilding - Katherine’s Recs: The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher (The Cinder Spires Series) The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files Series) Worldbuilding - Sage’s Recs: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (City of Brass Series) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 00:00 Welcome and Teaser 00:14 Podcast Intro and Sponsor 00:57 HearthCon Panels Hype 02:21 Spoiler Policy and Notes 03:48 How These Recs Work 04:47 Defining Soft Competent FMCs 10:51 Sage Recs Cursed Gilded 13:24 More Sage Recs Witches Library 17:07 Host Recs Cozy and Spicy 20:33 Dark Twist and Paranormal Picks 22:17 Magic Fights Action Books 24:49 Intense Mythic Magic 25:36 Fight Scenes Favorites 27:01 Progression Fantasy Picks 29:53 Portal Fantasy Laughs 31:45 LitRPG Rapid Recs 33:58 Books Within Books 36:58 Katabasis Spotlight 37:49 Bloodline Magic Recs 41:29 Worldbuilding Deep Dives 46:32 Wrap Up And Bloopers Get in touch with us!

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  Episode #17

  Fall Reads: Cozy Vs Creepy

  Sep 24, 202647 minS2

  Cozy vs. Creepy Fall TBR: Witches, Vampires, Haunted Houses & Spicy Orc Romance Book Dragon Banter hosts Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine share fall TBR picks and discuss whether they read seasonally (cozy vs. creepy) based on mood or climate, plus announce HearthCon panels on Oct. 3–4. Zinzi recommends cozy fantasy titles including Tails, Tusks and Teacakes, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and upcoming Twig’s Traveling Tomes, and reacts to the spicy orc romantasy The Pumpkin Bride (including repeated “rosebud nipples” phrasing). The group also highlights creepier or atmospheric reads like Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House series, Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, The Historian, The Golem and the Jinni, The Night Circus, Fangs Divide Us, Don’t Let the Forest In, Mexican Gothic, Practical Magic, Garden Spells, One Dark Window, The Scorpio Races, Starling House, and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, and notes Banned Book Week in October. HearthCon Schedule: https://www.lazydragonbooks.com/hearthcon-2026 HearthCon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LazyDragonBooks Podcast links: Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/ BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd Other links: Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/ Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/ Book Dragon Ink: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ Cozy-ish Books: Tusk, Tails, and Teacakes by T.L. Stone The Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna Twig’s Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Fangs Divide Us by Katherine Crowe Bunnicula Series by James Howe Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co Series) by Jonathan Stroud Winnie-the-Pooh Series by A.A. Milne The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen Creepy-ish Books: The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice Ninth House Series by Leigh Bardugo Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches Series) by Anne Rice The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman Shadow Show Anthology Edited by Sam Weller and Mort Castle One Dark Window (Shepherd King Duology) by Rachel Gilig The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gilig Edgar & Allen: Rare Beasts by Charles Ogden The Weirdies by Michael Buckley The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab 00:00 Fall TBR Kickoff 01:24 Sponsor And Pod News 02:07 Cozy Vs Creepy Reading 05:34 Cozy Corner Picks 07:06 Pumpkin Bride Spicy Talk 12:01 Irregular Witches Rec 12:46 Ninth House Spooky Campus 16:08 Book Witch Cozy Release 17:08 Anne Rice Vampire Mood 21:33 Indie Vampires Adventure 23:18 Creepy Forest YA 24:52 Comfort Reads For Kids 25:48 Cozy Paranormal Classics 26:36 Twisted Fairy Tales 27:29 Witchy Fall Reads 28:37 Short Story Spookiness 29:27 Atmospheric YA Favorites 31:22 Creepy Houses Obsession 33:50 One Time Read Debate 35:15 Whimsical Comfort Books 37:07 Kikis Cozy Editions 38:41 Banned Books Week 40:14 Sentient House Buddy Read 43:57 Vampire Origins And Plans 46:10 Wrap Up And Where To Find Us Get in touch with us!

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  Episode #15

  Not A Read Along Episode?

  Sep 10, 202646 minS2

  Podcast Updates + What We’re Reading Next? | Book Dragon Banter The hosts of Book Dragon Banter (Zinzi, Sage, and Katherine) share podcast updates including a new Thursday release day, a meet-up opportunity at From Milwaukee With Love/Meet Me on North on September 12, and an endorsement of Ilona Andrews’ new app with name spellings, maps, and extras. They then debate what book to cover next after noticing another podcast is already doing their planned read-along, discussing comparison, audience time limits, staying unique, and whether to pivot or adjust their format to cover a duology faster and possibly align with a sequel release. They weigh covering trending new releases versus elevating backlist favorites, mention several possible options, and ultimately reveal the planned pick, asking listeners for recommendations and input. Podcast links: Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/ Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/ BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd Other links: Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/ Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/ Book Dragon Ink: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ Our Summer Read-Along: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Bookshop.org affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-kingdom-will-not-kill-me-ilona-andrews/f544c8f1dba95f55?ean=9781250377265&next=t&aid=124342&listref=book-dragon-book-club-reads 00:00 Podcast Intro and Sponsor 00:55 Schedule Change and Meetup 01:25 Ilona Andrews App 03:01 Comparisonitis and Read Along Plans 10:58 Pivot or Stick With It 18:46 Buzz vs Backlist Picks 26:46 Blind Reads and Future Formats 40:34 Decision Tools and Cozy Hint 42:42 Reveal 44:03 Homework and Wrap Up Get in touch with us!

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  Episode #14

  Pajama Wrap Party - This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read Along

  Sep 2, 20261h 12mS2

  This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Finale: Isekai Expectations, Bonus Scenes & Book Two Theories | Book Dragon Banter In this episode of Book Dragon Banter, Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree wrap their spoiler-filled discussion of Ilona Andrews’ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, reflecting on the experience of reading in sections versus binging, and sharing predictions for book two and beyond. They compare Maggie’s isekai expectations to what actually happens, discuss unresolved mysteries like why Maggie is in Kair Toren and the identity of author (noting it’s a “he” teased in book two but focused in book three), and recap an OwlCrate bonus scene from King Sauven and Silveren’s POVs involving Sauven’s worsening rages, the chalice, and Silveren’s renewed ambitions. They highlight favorite characters and moments (Everard’s fight scenes, Kaiden and Sushi, the adoption scene, the mage duel, the dance, and the family tree burial practice), talk snippets hinting at training and armor, and debate potential future villains including Silveren, Arvel, and the Crimson Empire. House Andrews Youtube Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfQKzVZTmoY&t=13s Reddit Snippets Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/IlonaAndrews/comments/1ui55u1/tkwnkm_book_2_snippets_compilation_part_2/ Podcast links: Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/ Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/ BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd Other links: Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/ Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/ Book Dragon Ink: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ Our Summer Read-Along: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Bookshop.org affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-kingdom-will-not-kill-me-ilona-andrews/f544c8f1dba95f55?ean=9781250377265&next=t&aid=124342&listref=book-dragon-book-club-reads 00:00 Welcome and Spoiler Warning 01:20 Reading in Sections 03:15 Future Read Along Format 07:37 Maggie Isekai Checklist 14:15 Unanswered Mysteries Ahead 17:08 Waiting for Book Two 19:24 Favorite Characters 25:27 Arvel Bonus Scene 31:39 OwlCrate Scene Summary 36:26 Silveren and Sauven Predictions 37:22 Who Takes the Throne 39:19 Maggie’s Origins Theory 40:32 Maggie’s Hidden Potential 42:50 Favorite Scenes Highlights 45:17 Magic Systems Explained 48:54 Snippets and Book Two Teases 52:34 Crimson Empire and Plague 55:58 Endgame Predictions 58:14 Next Villain Speculation 01:05:07 Wrap Up and Thanks 01:06:45 Podcast Anniversary Toast 01:10:13 Bloopers Get in touch with us!

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  Episode #13

  Made It This Time - Chapters 40-43 & Epilogue - This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read Along

  Aug 25, 202657 minS2

  This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: Chapters 40–43 & Epilogue In this Book Dragon Banter episode, Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree discuss chapter 40 through the end of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, noting Katherine’s mid-episode technical difficulties and saving full-series speculation for a wrap-up pajama party. They recap the Joedurar ball, including Maggie’s princess-gown entrance, Eliarde’s hostility, Matteo’s appearance as the note-sender, and major identity reveals. They analyze Arval as a controlling “girlfriend in a box” type, the subversion of a public Everard reunion, and the private kiss and engagement comb/hairpiece. They praise the tense assassination attempt sequence, the display of multiple magics, Maggie’s success in stopping Hreban, and debate pacing and the cliffhanger ending. Podcast links: Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/ Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/ BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd Other links: Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/ Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/ Book Dragon Ink: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ Our Summer Read-Along: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Bookshop.org affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-kingdom-will-not-kill-me-ilona-andrews/f544c8f1dba95f55?ean=9781250377265&next=t&aid=124342&listref=book-dragon-book-club-reads 00:00 Cold Open Recap 00:17 Podcast Intro And Sponsor 01:18 Ball Setup And Bellan Reveal 03:35 Arval Identity Twist 08:06 Mean Girl Eliarde Drama 14:19 Arval Vs Everard Foils 17:39 Isekai Tropes Checklist 19:40 Matteo Returns At The Ball 23:04 Cliffhanger And Ending Debate 24:48 Loose Ends And Book Two Stakes 28:13 Proposal By Post 29:39 Rushed Ending Pacing 32:09 Solentine Hurt Feelings 33:06 Future Timeline Speculation 36:17 Necklace Foreshadowing 37:03 Broken Heart Debate 44:03 Silveren Reveal Breakdown 46:01 Mirabor Backstory Clues 50:47 Comb Gift Meaning 53:44 Ball Battle Highlights 56:04 Wrap Up And Quotes Get in touch with us!

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