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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.

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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