Book Dragon Banter

Finished This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me? What Ilona Andrews Series Should You Read Next (Spoiler-Free)

Book Dragon Banter hosts Zinzi Bree, Katherine, and Sage discuss what to read next after Ilona Andrews’ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, staying mostly spoiler-free while comparing series across the authors’ backlog. They highlight Ilona Andrews’ new app for tracking reading, taking a series quiz, and accessing snippets and bonus fiction. Sage shares reading Magic Bites (Kate Daniels) and liking the writing and worldbuilding but hesitating over the werewolf romance and unsettling vampires. The hosts pitch Kate Daniels for action and sword-fight energy, Hidden Legacy for house politics and bloodline magic, Innkeeper Chronicles for a fantasy/sci-fi inn with cozier problem-solving and a later vampire-focused installment, and the Kinsmen Universe novellas as quick, fun, spicy-leaning reads. They also discuss cover redesigns, suggest graphic audio editions, recommend The Inheritance, and advise skipping the darker one-off Alpha: Origins, then plan Sage’s reading order: Kinsmen now and Innkeeper starting in November.

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

Our Next Read-Along: https://www.llstarling.com/books 

(Zinzi and Katherine recommend the audiobook!)

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/

00:13 Podcast Intro Setup

00:58 Ilona Andrews App Quiz

03:42 Sage Reads Magic Bites

05:39 Innkeeper Versus Kate

08:55 Series Rundown Guide

11:25 Covers Marketing Talk

17:09 Hidden Legacy Politics

18:39 Kinsmen Novella Pitch

21:55 Reading Order Tips

23:33 Kate Daniels Relevance

24:23 Strong Heroines Debate

25:26 Worldbuilding And Commitment

26:18 Innkeeper Cozy Appeal

28:05 Holiday Reading Plan

32:24 Graphic Audio Pitch

34:13 The Edge Series Breakdown

36:56 Skip Alpha Origins

37:35 Inheritance New Series

41:02 Choosing By Tropes

45:05 Final Wrap And Next Reads

Get in touch with us!

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!

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!

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me: Quotes Quiz, “Most Likely To,” Real-World Jobs & Fan Casting | Book Dragon Banter

Book Dragon Banter hosts Zinzi Bree, Sage, and Katherine wrap up their season on Ilona Andrews’ This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me with a spoiler-filled games episode. They start with a “who said it” quote quiz featuring lines from characters, then play “most likely to” about Kair Toren characters in real-world scenarios (zombie apocalypse survival, worst texter, who cries at sad movies, best advice, late to their wedding, skinny-dipping, free birthday cake, Netflix bingeing, bathroom habits, losing phones, tripping, bringing home strays, and apologizing after fights). They also discuss what jobs characters might have on Earth and end with fan-casting ideas.

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 Games and Spoilers

01:25 Quote Quiz Rules

03:34 Rapid Quote Rounds

07:27 Names and Hair Vibes

08:48 Reading Tangent Dune

14:26 Bonus Quotes and Spa Prize

17:05 Zombie Apocalypse Picks

20:00 Trust and Texting Takes

22:06 Who Cries at Movies

23:15 Best Advice Givers

24:43 Wedding Latecomers

25:13 Skinny Dipping Dares

25:43 Free Cake Birthday Scam

26:42 Netflix Binge Weekend

27:58 Bathroom Time Debates

29:28 Clumsy Trip Moments

30:30 Stray Animal Adoption

31:23 Apologizing After Fights

32:29 Real World Jobs

37:33 Fan Casting Picks

44:45 Wrap Up And Thanks

Get in touch with us!

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!

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!

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!

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: The Temple in the Tangle, Isadau, and a Mage Battle

In this episode of Book Dragon Banter, Katherine, Sage, and Zinzi Bree discuss chapters 37–39 of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, from Clover negotiating for Maggie’s dress, to the eerie temple rescue of cursed mage Isadau, and questions about magic’s costs and rules. They break down the explosive mage battle as the crew races a closing time limit to loot a vault, Kaiden’s lockpicking win and Maggie’s stress aftermath, plus excitement that Isadau survives, returns, and immediately announces a two-week nap—leaving Maggie without her for the High Court. They also cover Maggie’s dance lessons with Arodel and discuss the book’s representation and world diversity, then predict ball drama, a kiss, and more political fallout in the coming chapters.

Author Blog TKWNKM Magic Breakdown: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/but-how-do-the-fancy-spells-work-cousin/

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

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: The Temple in the Tangle, Isadau, and a Mage Battle

01:06 Dress Deal Drama

03:10 House Colors Talk

04:50 Clover Overworked

05:56 Temple Rescue Magic

08:55 Lore and Plot Holes

12:51 Magic Rules Debate

16:19 Isadau Returns 

17:48 High Court Stakes

19:04 Dance Tutor Arodel

21:12 Gender Representation Talk

23:44 Pacing and Exposition

25:09 Representation Check In

26:56 Building a Diverse City

31:01 Arodel as Protector

34:05 Vault Raid and Mage Battle

38:34 Time Pressure and Kaiden

40:29 Next Reading Assignment

41:48 Ball Predictions and Romance

45:14 Wrap Up and Quotes

Get in touch with us!

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Read-Along: Maggie’s Magic, Digi’s Deal, and Bellen’s Red Flags 

In this episode of Book Dragon Banter its hosts, Katherine, Sage and Zinzi Bree, discuss chapters 32–36 of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, framing them as the setup before the climax. They recap Maggie meeting Galiene, exposing the leak to Hreban and learning Maggie can speak Sereso, then discuss expanding magic lore (mage tower, ancient Crimson Empire spells, and Maggie’s unusually strong magic). They cover Solentine and Everard’s fast travel via Drezmurs, Digi’s tense information visit tied to Everard’s past, and Maggie’s feelings as Everard departs. Maggie is “rescued” by flirtatious Lord Bellen, whom they distrust, while Will brings Maggie the butcher’s name. An invitation to the Joeduar ball sets up political drama, and they predict use of Digi’s stone, a coming mage-tower confrontation, and future Drezmur riding.

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 Recap and Setup

00:28 Podcast Intro and Rules

02:19 Chapter 32 Magic Reveals

04:43 Carriage Banter and Isadau

07:08 Damaes and Mage Tower Theories

11:50 Crimson Empire Lore

16:54 Digi Meeting Tensions

18:47 Everard Earns Trust Back

23:24 Home vs Kair Toren Identity

28:18 Mystery Notes and Fast Travel

30:57 Drezmurs and Ride Temptation

33:35 Everard Red Flags

35:46 Solentine Warns Maggie

37:46 Future Falling Out

39:42 Bellen Horse Rescue

47:05 Citadel Meteor Magic

48:10 Damaes Mage Theories

51:22 Will Names Butcher

52:31 Joedurar Ball Hype

55:37 Stone of Remembrance

57:58 Kiss Predictions

59:47 Wrap Up and Outro

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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!