Book Dragon Banter

Book Dragon Ink
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🐉 Welcome to 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, 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! It's about to get nerdy. New episodes every other Tuesday!

  1. 3d ago

    New Favorite Cousin - Chapters 29-31 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-along

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along:  Maggie’s Adoption, Everard’s Schemes & the Fortress Attack In this Book Dragon Banter read-along episode, hosts Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree discuss This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, focusing on Maggie’s adoption into the Demar family, the subtext-laden banter between Solentine and Everard, and how Maggie’s new legitimacy shifts the political chessboard—especially as a potential strategic match for Everard. They unpack the characters’ mutual manipulation, and Everard’s tactical brilliance during the mercenary assault on the fortress. The hosts also cover Maggie confirming the Butcher’s death in the Shear’s morgue, speculate about fast-travel magic, and analyze Maggie’s clever move to recruit Tillmar as a spy, including the contrast between Hreban’s slave contract and Everard’s honor-bound oath.  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 Chaos 00:14 Podcast Intro 01:19 Adoption Reveal 05:52 Shipping Strategy Talk 07:26 Backstory Chessboard 09:55 Everard Marriage Subtext 15:17 Maggie Denial Triage 18:41 Fast Travel Mysteries 20:01 Butcher Morgue Closure 23:58 Cliffhanger Theories 25:56 Fortress Attack Swordplay 30:50 Tillmar Spy Oath 36:53 Wrap Up Next Reading Get in touch with us!

  2. Jul 22

    Magic D!ck Syndrome - Chapters 24-28 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read Along

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: Chapters 24-28 Book Dragon Banter hosts Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree continue their read-along of Ilona Andrews’ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. They discuss the aftermath of Everard’s reveal, Maggie’s practical coping and boundary-setting, and her dilemma over whether the “book” Everard matches the man in front of her. Maggie leverages Everard’s need to stay in her good graces to advance her plans, visits the Citadel to warn Eliarde and flirts with Earl Bellen, then visits Clan Harzi to trigger a power shift and obtain a Marduk. Silveren is revealed, Lute is stabbed, and Maggie is abducted by the Butcher. They praise pacing, worldbuilding, found-family moments with Clover and Kaiden, and end with a new body discovered and homework for the next episode: chapters 29–31. 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 Chaos 00:25 Podcast Intro and Setup 01:24 Chapter 24 Aftermath 04:26 Everard Betrayal Fallout 05:18 Is Everard a Villain 11:30 Slow Burn Predictions 15:10 Maggie Strikes Back 15:53 Citadel Flirt and Warning 16:11 Orsi Clan 20:13 Silveren Revealed 21:45 Ambush and Lute Stabbed 23:11 Craft and Pacing Talk 26:25 Butcher Torture  27:33 Death Count Theories 28:52 How Brutality Is Written 31:33 Butcher Motives and Hreban 32:09 Silveren Endgame Theories 33:18 Maggie Fights Back 37:20 Everard Aftermath Support 40:51 Found Family Comfort 43:17 New Body New Questions 46:35 Rooftop Truths And Trust 52:48 Slow Burn Debate 01:02:11 Predictions Homework Bloopers Get in touch with us!

  3. Jul 16

    The Everard in the Room - Chapter 23 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-along

    The Everard in the Room: Chapter 23 Shock & Betrayal | This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along In this Book Dragon Banter read-along episode for This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, Zinzi, Sage, and Katherine react to the Chapter 23 twist: a moment they praise as “unexpected but inevitable” due to carefully planted clues (coins, age, excessive knowledge, and character reactions) and effective red herrings like the. They discuss how the reveal reframes Maggie’s trust, attraction, and guilt, and debate whether the manipulation can be forgiven. The group also highlights the suspenseful fight scene’s introduction of multiple magics (purple, silver, green), Solentine’s sudden involvement and attitude, and the new questions raised about motives. *Solentine POV snippets that happened after chapter 23 were taken off the Ilona Andrews’ blog. I hope that means we’ll see those in a published form sooner rather than later. Subscribe to the authors blog so you don’t miss future snippets: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/ 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 Setup 01:10 Everard Reveal Reactions 03:00 Spoilers and Suspense 08:05 Clues and Red Herrings 16:12 Trust and Betrayal Fallout 21:18 Romance Stakes and Equality 27:24 Predictions and Motivations 32:47 Audiobook Voice Debate 36:59 Accent And Identity Shift 40:08 Fight Reveal And Trust 42:33 Magic Finally Unleashed 44:55 Why Solentine Appears 48:56 Room Confrontation Fallout 53:18 She's Mine Subtext 55:13 Slow Burn Stakes 59:34 Secrets And Betrayal 01:01:36 Bonus Scenes And Owlcrate 01:08:18 Wrap Up And Next Reading Get in touch with us!

  4. Jul 8

    Murderboard! - Chapters 18-22 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read Along

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: The Butcher Appears, Kaiden’s Family Tree, and an Almost Kiss (Ch. 18–22) In this episode of Book Dragon Banter Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree discuss chapters 18–22 of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, covering Maggie’s market outing with Reynald and Clover, the return of the mysterious “Goldeneyes from the Garden,” and the grim discovery of a staged murder that Maggie identifies as the work of a serial killer. They debate suspects, the timeline accelerating as the story “reasserts itself,” and Maggie’s murder-board-style warning about upcoming assassinations and Matheo’s foretold death. They celebrate solving the fish mystery, highlight Maggie’s compassionate handling of Kaiden’s stealing and her gift of a literal family tree burial site for his parents’ ashes, and analyze tense visits from Drugh and Earl Berengur, Shod’s information-selling, knightly honor, and the cemetery scene where Maggie and Reynald nearly kiss. From the House Andrews Blog: Cast of Characters: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/this-kingdoms-cast-of-characters/ How the Magic works (with book 2 snippet): https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/but-how-do-the-fancy-spells-work-cousin/ Order the TKWNKM Vellum inserts here: https://ilonaandrewsstore.com/ 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 Episode Hook and Setup 00:33 No Spoilers Readalong Rules 02:03 Kindle Spoiler Close Calls 04:19 Recap Starts Chapter 18 04:49 Market Clues and Goldeneyes 10:52 Romance Theories and Suspects 15:40 Maggie Origin Isekai Theory 18:02 Serial Killer and Timeline Shift 28:32 Fish Mystery and Kaiden Family Tree 32:43 Names vs Impressions 33:25 Fantasy Scale and Caretaking 34:32 Cemetery Trees and Rituals 35:24 Drugh Seeks Revenge 37:38 Earl Berengur and Trauma 40:15 Spycraft and Shod 40:54 Knighthood and Honor 44:27 Almost Kiss Debate 47:26 Writers as Gods 51:53 Magic Families Theories 58:07 Spoiler Teases and Merch 01:01:26 Homework and Signoff Get in touch with us!

  5. Jul 1 ·  Bonus

    Quick Pod Update and Plans for Next Season

    Quick check in from Zinzi. No new episode drop this week. In the meantime where should we put our chapter summaries, and what book or series would you like us to cover until Maggie the Undying 2 comes out? Let us know in the comments! See you next week! Get in touch with us!

  6. Jun 25

    Two Boots and a Sword - Chapters 15-17 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-along

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: Two Boots and a Sword (Ch. 15–17) In this Book Dragon Banter read-along episode, Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine discuss chapters 15–17 of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, shifting format to prioritize discussion over a detailed recap. They break down Maggie’s troupe’s tightly orchestrated gray iron barrel heist at the docks, including distractions, lighting, and Reynald’s strategic planning. The group unpacks Maggie’s reveal that Filderan intentionally set up 80 mercenaries to die, making the Magnars’ plan to kill him feel more justified, and they debate how fantasy makes protagonist violence palatable. The episode ends with predictions about upcoming plot turns and reading homework: chapters 18–22 only. Arvel Artwork Credit: Helena Elias Ilona Andrew's Blog Artwork Round Up here: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/art-print-roundup/ 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 00:18 Show Intro and Format 00:43 Sponsor and Spoiler Policy 01:31 Name Pronunciation Tangent 03:05 Key Moment The Heist 03:19 Heist Mechanics Breakdown 06:58 Lighting and Distraction Debate 09:32 Reynald the Strategist 11:03 Maggie Reveals Filderan Plot 12:51 Is Killing Filderan Justified 16:52 Yolenta Politics and Power 20:07 Trust Building and Payoff 25:19 Isekai Skills and Game Master 28:55 More Politics Hreban and Silverin 34:43 Notes and Secret Alliances 35:53 Reynald Jealousy Debate 38:29 Timeline and Striver Mystery 41:41 Authors Craft and Worldbuilding 44:52 Widower Flirting Theory 46:43 Rooftop Watch and Tea Talk 48:48 Sovaric Magic and Manipulation 54:20 Everard Coin and Predictions 58:07 Wrap Up and (BTS) Get in touch with us!

  7. Jun 17

    Is It Fresh? - Chapters 11-14 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along (Ch. 11–14)  Book Dragon Banter hosts Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine continue their read-along mini season for This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, covering chapters 11 through 14 with a spoiler-free discussion. The hosts discuss Maggie’s rapidly shifting attachments, found-family dynamics, heist-story structure, and romance possibilities among Reynald, Solentine, and the Duke, plus theories about the “author” and upcoming maps. Clover Bonus Scene from the Author's blog: https://ilona-andrews.com/is-she-a-lady/  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 Podcast Intro 00:36 Read Along Rules and Spoilers 00:46 Sage Is Under the Weather 01:00 Reading Ahead and Note Taking 03:13 Solentine Knows Her Name 04:08 Sponsor and Retreat Plug 04:29 Chapter 11 Summary 05:39 Chapter 12 Summary 07:56 Chapter 13 Summary 10:25 Chapter 14 Summary 12:22 Key Moment Shifting Feelings 14:55 Relationships and Fast Bonding 18:56 Romance Possibilities and Love Interests 24:22 Reynald Protectiveness and Age Gap 26:25 Gender Roles and Romance Expectations 28:42 Reynald Romance Doubts 30:16 Garden Stranger Theories 30:29 Who Is the Author 32:40 Heist Structure Explained 34:44 Found Family and Loneliness 37:47 Soap Making Side Hustle 43:00 Skills to Survive Rellas 46:02 Stelka Fish Mystery 47:44 Favorite Moments Spotlight 50:39 Predictions and Wrap Up Get in touch with us!

  8. Jun 9

    Good Teeth, Bad Plan - Chapters 6-10 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me - Read-along

    Book Dragon Banter continues a spoiler-free read-along of Ilona Andrews’ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, covering chapters 6–10. Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine discuss first impressions of the newly introduced Reynald, Clover, and Kaiden, praising how the book handles extreme violence and noting the realism of consequences like the heaviness of bodies and having to dispose of them. They talk about Maggie’s shifting agency, how being “undying” changes risk tolerance, and how found family raises stakes. They highlight character intelligence and trust-building, especially the mirrored “in or out” line and the boat conversation where Maggie and Reynald acknowledge mutual manipulation and reject “blind obedience,” contrasting this with romantasy tropes. They also debate how reliable Maggie’s book-based future knowledge is, offer theories (the author’s identity, KR/LM initials, the Stelka returning), discuss Mateo’s farseeing role, and admire Solentine’s intriguing window entrance and how he knows Maggie’s name, ending with reading homework and a request for spoiler-free listener predictions. 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 to Book Dragon Banter 00:32 Read Ahead Confessions 01:57 Podcast and Retreat Sponsor 02:34 Chapter Six Bodyguard Deal 04:08 Basement Rescue Setup 05:01 Chapter Eight Fight Breaks Out 06:38 Aftermath New Home 07:53 Chapter Ten Dark Prophecy 09:59 Solentine Window Visit 10:29 Key Moments New Characters 13:42 Reynald First Impressions 20:26 Clover Kaiden and Violence 27:14 Full Circle Callbacks 30:53 Character Trust Issues 31:26 Boat Confrontation Scene 34:27 Humor Amid Darkness 34:55 Future Knowledge Glitches 36:55 Salt Thread Revenge Plan 39:42 Solentine Window Entrance 43:03 Maggie the Undying Identity 43:56 Justice and Found Family 51:23 Predictions and Theories 01:01:05 Wrap Up and Homework Get in touch with us!

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About

🐉 Welcome to 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, 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! It's about to get nerdy. New episodes every other Tuesday!

Information

  • Creator
    Book Dragon Ink
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Book Dragon Banter
  • Show Website
    Book Dragon Banter

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