Book Dragon Banter: Elatsoe by Darcy Little Badger - A YA Fantasy Murder Mystery Review

Join us for this exciting book club episode where we dive into 'Elatsoe' by Darcy Little Badger. If you love young adult books with strong protagonists, magical elements, and mystery, this is a must-watch! We discuss the book's mythology, handling of themes like representation and diversity, and how it masterfully combines folklore with a modern setting. Listen in to our thoughts on the plot twists, character arcs, and why we think this debut novel received such high praise. Don't miss our conversation on what makes this book a unique and compelling read!

BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd

Book Club: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Author Site: https://darcielittlebadger.com/books-and-stories/#elatsoe

February’s Book: How to Find a Nameless Fae by A.J. Lancaster

Author Site: https://ajlancaster.com/books/other-projects/how-to-find-a-nameless-fae/

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

00:00 Introduction to the Book Club

00:07 Why You'll Love Elatsoe

01:00 Representation and Romance in Elatsoe

01:35 Personal Reading Experiences

02:36 Meet the Hosts

03:10 Book Club Logistics

03:39 Pronunciation and Symbolism of Elatsoe

04:36 Why We Chose Elatsoe

05:28 Accolades and Initial Impressions

06:27 Unique Elements of Elatsoe's World

11:54 Positive Representation and Family Dynamics

22:58 Support and Grief: Navigating Loss

25:08 Healthy Relationships and Character Arcs

26:39 Cultural Beliefs and Ghosts

28:37 Foreshadowing and Plot Twists

32:48 Power Dynamics and Racism

40:48 Empathy Through Storytelling

46:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Book Dragon Banter: Podcast Behind the Scenes & Future Writing Goals

In this episode of Book Dragon Banter, Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine talk about their experiences and goals for the future of the podcast. We discuss the upcoming end of our first season, initial trials, and plans for season two, including a new fantasy series deep dive, book club accessibility on Fable, potential guests, and possible format changes. We also share personal writing goals, favorite reads, and insights into our unique writing processes. Join us as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to an exciting future!

Find the Downloadable Reading Challenges here:

Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/

BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd

Book Club: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Author Site: https://darcielittlebadger.com/books-and-stories/#elatsoe

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Write With Me, Zinzi Bree, Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Books Mentioned:

Hellbent by Leigh Bardugo

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

The Dreamer Trilogy By Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Theme

01:33 Podcast Goals and Future Plans

02:10 Book Club and Series Deep Dive

04:02 Guest Appearances and Episode Frequency

06:34 Writing Inspirations and Favorite Books

15:34 Writing Goals and Challenges

19:20 Writing Goals and Obsessions

20:09 Postponing the Book and New Inspirations

22:59 Writing Process and Self-Criticism

28:24 Book Challenges for 2026

34:16 Fable Book Club and Writing Retreats

36:28 Bloopers and Fun Moments

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Reflecting on the Past Year & Setting New Reading Goals

With this New Year's episode of Book Dragon Banter, we dive into reflections on the past year, discuss our favorite fantasy reads, and set new reading goals for 2026. Join us as we explore personal traditions, like picking a 'word of the year,' and share how these practices have impacted our lives and writing journeys. We'll also reveal our exciting book challenges for 2026, chat about books that have deeply moved us, and provide some great reading recommendations. Stay tuned for more interactive opportunities with our book club on Fable. Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026!

Find the Downloadable Reading Challenges here:

Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/

BDB Fable Diverse Fantasy Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd

Book Club: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Write With Me, Zinzi Bree, Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Books Mentioned:

The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang

Hazelthorn by C. G. Drews

A Study in Charlotte Series by Brittnay Cavallaro

Jackaby Series by William Ritter

Don’t Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews

Morning Glory Milking Farm by C. M. Nascosta

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Beware of Chicken by Causualfarmer

Mother of Learning Series by Domagoj Kurmaić

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

The Leveling Up Series by K. F. Breene

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Change

00:32 Welcome to Book Dragon Banter

01:04 New Year's Traditions and Reflections

02:09 Choosing a Word for the Year

03:27 Empowerment and Momentum

07:11 Books That Made an Impact

10:07 Favorite Reads and Recommendations

22:16 The Joy of Book Clubs

24:36 Discovering New Reads and Balancing Genres

25:26 Reading Goals and Achievements

26:03 The Struggle with DNF (Did Not Finish)

28:04 Setting New Reading Goals for 2026

29:07 Tracking Reading Progress and Reviews

38:59 Book Challenges and Personal Goals

48:47 Upcoming Book Club Reads and Community Engagement

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A Christmas Carol Unwrapped: Themes, Adaptations, and Traditions | Book Dragon Banter

In this special Christmas episode of Book Dragon Banter, hosts Sage, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree dive into the timeless classic 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. We discuss Dickens' storytelling techniques, the book's impact on modern Christmas traditions, and share personal experiences and adaptations of the story. Alongside, we embrace cozy holiday reading traditions like jolabokaflod and share some other festive reads. Join us for a Christmas literary journey and some light-hearted holiday banter.

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Write With Me, Zinzi Bree, email: bookdragonbanterpod@gmail.com

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Recommended Holiday Reads list:

Topher’s Library: Holiday Reads You’ll Love https://youtu.be/mPaM9HPMyKw?si=eI12HGGzDN2hr_ga

Other Books Mentioned:

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

A Hunt so Wild and Cruel: A Fae Christmas Carol Retelling by Rebecca F. Kenney

00:00 Introduction to Book Dragon Banter

00:32 Christmas Episode Vibes

01:09 Discussing 'A Christmas Carol'

04:46 Personal Reflections on Christmas

10:41 Favorite Adaptations of 'A Christmas Carol'

16:54 Surprises and Insights

28:43 Scrooge's Transformation

29:40 The Timelessness of A Christmas Carol

31:06 Religious and Moral Themes

34:16 Dickens' Writing Process

36:16 The Narrator's Voice

39:29 Scrooge's Character Development

49:38 The Spirit of Generosity

51:49 Cozy Christmas Traditions

54:17 Book Recommendations for the Holidays

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Hidden Strengths: A Deep Dive into 'The Sword of Kaigen' | Book Dragon Banter

In this emotional episode of the Book Dragon Banter podcast, hosts Zinzi Bree, Sage Moreaux, and Katherine Suzette dive into 'The Sword of Kaigen' by M.L. Wang. Join us as we discuss how M.L. Wang expertly crafted this heart-wrenching, Japanese-influenced fantasy that tore at our hearts. We explore the richly detailed world-building, compelling character arcs, and intense scenes that made this book unforgettable. From the touching mother-son relationship to the deep female friendships, we break down every aspect that makes this a must-read. Was there a moment when you needed tissues? We certainly did. Let's talk about it!

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

https://mlwangbooks.com/

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

For Write with me— Zinzi Bree, email: bookdragonbanterpod@gmail.com

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:09 Book of the Month: The Sword of Kaigen

01:08 Cultural and Publishing Insights

01:57 Author Background: M. L. Wang

02:48 Audiobook vs. Ebook Differences

05:16 Spoiler-Free Recommendations

08:11 Content Warnings and Explicit Themes

09:18 Spoiler Discussion Begins

10:38 Character Arcs and Development

16:00 Narrative Structure and Cultural Context

25:20 Character Arc Critique

25:53 Empathy for Maki's Struggle

27:47 Misaki's Love Interests

29:35 Friendships and Female Bonds

30:53 Hyori's Heartbreaking Story

32:55 Mamoru's Disillusionment

36:24 Misaki's Realization and Growth

52:57 World Building and Magic System

58:41 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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Male Main Characters in Fantasy: From Aragorn to Shadow Daddies

Welcome back to Book Dragon Banter! Join us, Zinzi Bree, Sage Moreaux, and Katherine Suzette as we dive into our favorite male main characters in fantasy. This episode focuses heavily on archetypes such as heroes, shadow daddies, and cinnamon rolls in Romantasy and more. Join us for an in-depth discussion on the hero's journey, character development, the feminine gaze and our top book recommendations. Be prepared for an explicit conversation with a sprinkle of pop culture references and some spoilers. Don't forget to check our show notes for books you might not want to hear spoilers about. Enjoy!

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Upcoming Bookclub: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

https://mlwangbooks.com/

Fated Mated Podcast Episode Mentioned:

https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2019/9/17/s022-the-alpha-in-romance-novels-interstitial

Books Mentioned:

LOTR - J.R. R. Tolkien

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The Expanse by James S. A. Corey

Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice

The Cradle Series by Will Wight

The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR Series) by Sarah J. Maas

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Magical Midlife Madness by K. F. Breene

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb

Recommended Books:

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

00:00 Welcome to Book Dragon Banter

00:58 Favorite Male Main Characters

03:02 Defining Male Main Characters

09:07 Hated Male Characters

14:49 Romantic Tropes and Male Characters

24:26 Male Character Archetypes

31:54 Exploring the Byronic Hero Archetype

33:04 Book Review: Quicksilver

33:33 Romantic Tropes and Character Archetypes

35:53 Midlife Madness and Mature Characters

40:48 The Hero's Journey: Female Protagonists

45:29

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Monstrous Origin Stories: Analyzing Dracula, Frankenstein, and Werewolves | Book Dragon Banter Podcast

Welcome to the Book Dragon Banter podcast's spooky special! In this episode, hosts Zinzi Bree, Sage Moreaux, and Katherine Suzette dive into the monstrous origin stories of Dracula, Frankenstein, and werewolves. Discover surprising details about these classic monsters, their portrayal in literature, and how they've evolved in pop culture. Sage explores the allure of vampires, including Dracula, while Zinzi delves into the tragic tale of Frankenstein's creature. Katherine examines werewolf lore and its dark connections to human desires. Tune in for a thrilling discussion, plus book recommendations for readers interested in these iconic horror figures. Happy Halloween!

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

For Write with me— Zinzi Bree, email: bookdragonbanterpod@gmail.com

Book Dragon Ink Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Upcoming Bookclub: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

https://mlwangbooks.com/

Books Featured:

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Man Wolf by Leitch Ritchie

The Werewolf of Paris by Guy Endore

The Howling by Gary Brandner

Books Mentioned:

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs

Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

Recommended Books:

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

The Coldest Girl in Cold Town by Holly Black

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

FranKisStien by Jeanette Winterson

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:57 Diving into Dracula

17:35 Exploring Frankenstein

35:39 Female Empathy in Classic Horror

35:50 Frankenstein vs. Dracula: A Comparative Analysis

36:24 The Unsexy Nature of Frankenstein

38:13 Frankenstein and Beauty and the Beast: A Cozy Fantasy

39:22 Penny Dreadful's Take on Frankenstein

40:49 Exploring Werewolf Literature

42:28 The Dark Side of Werewolf Stories

50:39 Modern Werewolf and Vampire Fantasies

53:24 Book Recommendations for Monster Retellings

56:58 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Book Club

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Welcome back to Book Dragon Banter! Join hosts Sage Moreaux, Katherine, and Zinzi Bree as we dive into the fascinating topic of female main characters (FMCs) in fantasy novels and beyond. While we focus primarily on fantasy, we also touch on other genres and pop culture references to better explain our points. Get ready for an engaging discussion on beloved and controversial FMCs, where we share our favorites, explore the hero's journey versus the heroine's journey, and even mention some FMCs that didn't quite meet our expectations. Don't miss out on our book recommendations and upcoming book club read - The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. Grab your headphones, settle in, and let's get started on this journey into the world of compelling female characters!

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Upcoming Bookclub: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

https://mlwangbooks.com/

Books Mentioned:

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Recommended Books:

The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger

Malice by Heather Walter

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Gilded by Marissa Meyer

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:58 Defining Female Main Characters (FMCs)

02:56 Favorite FMCs in Fantasy

04:25 The Bechdel Test and FMCs

07:30 Nostalgic FMCs

13:20 Least Favorite FMCs

26:13 The Mary Sue Trope

27:38 Exploring Self-Inserts in Fan Fiction

28:33 Twilight's Bella: A Mary Sue?

30:18 Compelling vs. Commercial Characters

33:49 The Appeal of Self-Sacrificing Heroines

45:12 The Hero's Journey vs. The Heroine's Journey

51:58 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

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