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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 The Fem

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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: [email protected]

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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Exploring Vengeance and Redemption: For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga - Book Dragon Banter Book Club

Welcome back to the Book Dragon Banter podcast! In this book club episode, we delve into 'For She Is Wrath' by Emily Varga, a Pakistani-inspired young adult dark fantasy. Join hosts Katherine Suzette, Sage Moreaux, and Zinzi Bree as we discuss the intricate details of the plot, the cultural influences, and the compelling characters. We explore the revenge-driven narrative, the rich setting, and the unique magic system. Tune in for thoughtful discussions, favorite quotes, and an analysis of the book's conclusion. 

Bookclub: For She is Wrath by Emily Varga: 

https://emilyvargabooks.com/books/for-she-is-wrath-2/

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/

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Welcome

00:36 Book Overview: For She is Wrath

01:17 Author Background: Emily Varga

04:08 Spoiler-Free Recommendations

05:27 Spoiler Alert: Deep Dive into the Plot

07:58 Character Analysis and Themes

24:19 Thoughts and Critiques

30:28 Magic and Corruption

32:46 Plot Twists and Romance

33:25 Transformation and Recognition

41:22 Revenge and Forgiveness

51:27 Final Thoughts and Next Book Club

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Endless TBR, Reading Challenges & Book Burnout | Book Dragon Banter

Welcome back, Book Dragons! In this episode, we dive into the never-ending struggle of managing our endless TBR lists, tackling reading challenges, and dealing with book burnout. Join us, Zinzi Bree, Sage Moreaux, and Katherine Suzette as we share our insights, experiences, and tips. From discussing different types of reading challenges, such as the Hardest Reading Challenge You'll Ever Do, to sharing our personal book burnout stories, we cover it all. Plus, stay tuned for our book recommendations and a sneak peek into future episodes. Don't forget to check the show notes for all the mentioned book titles and reading challenges!

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: For She is Wrath by Emily Varga: https://emilyvargabooks.com/books/for-she-is-wrath-2/

Books Mentioned: 

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson

Dracula by Brom Stoker

A Year with Aslan edited by Julia L. Roller

A Year with C.S. Lewis edited by Patricia S. Klein

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes

Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan 

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susana Clarke 

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Dungeon Crawler Carl by 

The Ghost Who Series by Bobbi Holmes

Recommended books: 

Zinzi: East by Edith Pattou

Katherine: The Foxhole Court by Nora Sacavic 

Sage: The Murderbot Series by Martha Wells

Book Challenges links:

PBS Great American Read: https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/

Uncorked Librarian: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/uncorked-reading-challenge/

HRCYED Site: https://hrcyed.my.canva.site/ 

HRCYED YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzS1f5gbt60

Candid Cover Book Challenge list: https://candidcover.net/2025-reading-challenges-list/

52 Book Club Challenge: https://www.the52book.clu

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Welcome back to Book Dragon Banter, a podcast where hosts Zinzi Bree, Katherine, and Sage discuss all things books. In this episode, they delve into how marketing influences book choices, discussing their approaches to picking books, mood reading, and the effectiveness of marketing tactics. They also explore controversial marketing, book ratings and reviews, and the rise of graphic novels. Along the way, they share their perspectives on popular books like 'Silver Elite' and 'The Hunger Games,' and recommend a few of their favorite reads. Join the conversation and discover how marketing shapes our reading habits!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BookDragonBanterpodcast

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

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

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

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

Books Mentioned:

The Author’s Guide to Murder by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by Isthisselfcare

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

The Auction by Julie Soto

Alchemized by SenLinyu

Manacled by SenLinyu

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Heartless Hunter by  Kristen Ciccarelli

Rebel Witch by  Kristen Ciccarelli

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

00:00 Welcome to Book Dragon Banter

00:35 Did Marketing Make You Read It?

01:11 Choosing Books as a Mood Reader

04:40 The Influence of Book Covers

05:19 The Overwhelming TBR List

07:42 Graphic Novels and Changing Reading Habits

10:10 The Hype Around Silver Elite

13:15 Marketing Strategies and Their Impact

17:48 The Role of Tropes in Book Marketing

24:32 Blurbs, Social Media, and Book Promotion

28:43 Paid Reviews and Objectivity

29:43 Rating Books and Constructive Criticism

30:30 Exploring Different Genres

32:20 The Role of Marketing in Book Choices

35:16 Fan Fiction and Character Development

40:32 Enemies to Lovers: A Deep Dive

42:40 Book Recommendations and Wrap-Up

45:46 Bloopers and Fun Moments

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Book Dragon Banter: Exploring 'The Last Dragon of the East' by Katrina Kwan

The hosts welcome listeners and dive into 'The Last Dragon of the East' by Katrina Kwan. They introduce the Vancouver-based author, discuss the book's elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure, and touch on Kwan's extensive background as a romance ghostwriter. The episode includes spoiler-free recommendations, highlights about the book's darker themes, and a detailed analysis encompassing character development, plot twists, and world-building. The hosts also share their predictions, reactions to significant plot points, and thoughts on the romance and reincarnation aspects of the story.

The Author:

https://katrinakwan.com/

Our links:

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

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

Zinzi Bree: [email protected] 

https://bookdragonbanter.buzzsprout.com/

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BookDragonBanterpodcast

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

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

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter 

00:00 Introduction to Book Dragon Banter Podcast

00:15 Author Spotlight: Katrina Kwan

01:49 Spoiler-Free Recommendations

03:33 Diving into Spoilers: Detailed Analysis

04:47 World Building and Cultural Elements

16:54 Magic System and Reincarnation

27:17 Character Dynamics and Relationships

31:27 Plot Twists and Marketing Surprises

32:46 Fated Mates and Insta Love

34:10 Reincarnation and Choices

37:54 The Red Dragon Revelation

41:18 Character Development and Emotional Depth

45:13 Villain's Manipulation and Mythology

47:14 Timeline and Story Structure

54:47 Final Thoughts and Bloopers

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Welcome to the Book Dragon Banter Podcast! In this episode, our hosts dive into the complexities of romance within fantasy literature. Covering everything from the distinct definitions of romance, some-mance, and no-mance, they delve into how these elements influence storylines and reader engagement. From discussing mainstream hits like 'ACOTAR' and 'Fourth Wing' to exploring titles that balance fantasy and romantic elements, this episode offers insightful discussion for avid readers and writers alike. Get book recommendations, hear personal anecdotes, and understand the evolving perception of romance in literature. Don't miss this engaging and humorous dialogue on the Book Dragon Banter Podcast!

Links: 

YT:https://www.youtube.com/@BookDragonBanterpodcast

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

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

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

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

Books Mentioned:

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson 

The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson

When He was Wicked - Julia Quinn

The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks

365 Days - Blanka Lipinska

Bride - Ali Hazelwood

ACOTAR - Sarah J. Maas

Gilded Wings & Crimson Skies - Jaymin Eve

The Spellshop - Sarah Beth Durst

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon - Kimberly Lemming

The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien 

A Pslam for the Wild-built - Monk & Robot - Becky Chambers

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke

Magical Midlife Madness - K. F. Breene

The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiffvater 

00:00 Welcome to Book Dragon Banter

01:14 Defining Romance in Fantasy Books

02:42 Romance vs. Some-mance vs. No-mance

06:54 Romantasy: Romance in a Fantasy Setting

08:15 Book Examples: Twilight and Fourth Wing

15:37 Romantasy Preferences and Reader Opinions

21:08 Dragons, World-Building, and Romantasy

26:30 Book Recommendation: The Spellshop

26:41 The Challenges of Pleasing Every Reader

27:45 Is Romance Still Maligned?

29:06 The Evolution of Genre Acceptance

30:24 Speculative Fiction: A Broader Term

34:48 The Appeal of Young Adult Fantasy

35:45 The Struggle with Classic Fantasy

38:11 The Business of Romance Novels

39:07 Fantasy as Escapism and Reflection

40:55 Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy: Reader Preferences

41:53 Star Trek and the Human Condition

43:52 Book Recommendations: From No-mance to Some-mance

48:30 Social Media and Final Thoughts

50:38 Bloopers and Behind the Scenes

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Exploring Light, Dark, and Morally Gray Characters in Fantasy

In this episode of Book Dragon Banter, hosts Zinzi Bree, Katherine Suzette, and Sage Moreaux dive into the complexities of light, dark, and morally gray themes in fantasy literature. They discuss character archetypes, settings, and how these elements define the genre. The conversation covers popular books like 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black, 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas, and many more. The hosts share personal anecdotes and reflections on why they are drawn to particular types of fantasy and offer book recommendations spanning the spectrum from light and cozy to dark and morally complex.

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BookDragonBanterpodcast

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

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

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

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

Books Mentioned:

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black - Folk of the Air Series

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Mass - ACOTAR

1-3 The Zodiac Academy -  Caroline Beckham & Susanne Valenti

Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

 Throne in the dark - A. K. Caggiano - Villains and Virtues

Assistant to the Villain - Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Hellbent - Leigh Bardugo

Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice

Vampire Diaries - L.J. Smith

The Spellshop - Sarah Beth Durst

Dreadful - Caitlin Rozakis

Slewfloot - Brom

This Present Darkness - Frank E. Peretti

The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee

Loki: Where Mischief Lies -  Mackenzi Lee 

The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie - The First Law Trilogy 

A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman

The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo 

How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster) -  Marie Cardno

They Bloom at Night - Trang Thanh Tran

Throne of Glass Series - Sarah J. Mass 

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Blood of Elves - Andrzej Sapkowski (Translated by Danusia Stok) -The Witcher 

The Gilded Wolves - Roshani Chokshi 

00:00 Introduction to Book Dragon Banter

00:25 Exploring Light, Dark, and Morally Gray in Fantasy

01:57 Defining Morally Gray Characters

03:53 The Appeal of Morally Gray Characters in Romance

05:53 Personal Experiences with Morally Gray Characters

12:20 Dark Fantasy vs. Horror Fantasy

18:49 Cozy Fantasy and Light Fantasy

22:44 Spiritual and Morally Gray Elements in Fantasy

28:02 Mythologically Inspired Loki Books

28:52 Exploring Light, Dark, and Morally Gray Fantasy

29:24 Dark Fantasy and Its Complex Characters

32:55 The Appeal of Morally Gray Characters

35:52 Fantasy Horror vs. Dark Fantasy

39:33 Favorite Morally Gray Characters

47:45 Book Recommendations for Light, Dark, and Morally Gray Fantasy

49:29 Podcast Wrap-Up and Bloopers