Witches’ Meeting, Shadow Mirror Lorn, and Blondie’s Debut

Between by L.L. Starling Read-Along (Spoiler-Free)

Book Dragon Banter (Zinzi Bree, Katherine, and Sage) continues a spoiler-free buddy read of Between by L.L. Starling, discussing a chapter section packed with revelations and humor. They unpack the witches’ coven meeting, Sasha and Lyla “potioning” the witches, and new information about dreamers, portals, and why Sasha’s sleep opens multiple gateways. The hosts debate the High King’s authority, Lorn’s power and marks, and the suspicious “Mirror Lorn,” nicknamed “Shadow Daddy Lorn,” after Sasha makes a magically binding promise. They highlight Lyla’s research, Between as a sentient land with an agenda, the three types of marriage (joining, promising, bonding), and the escalating threats from knights and dark wizards. Favorite moments include the sketchbook/abs jokes and Blondie/Ash’s comedic kidnapping attempt, plus predictions about Halloween and hidden betrayals. Homework is Part 1: Chapters 18 through the Epilogue.

Get Between here: https://www.llstarling.com/books

(book of faces) The Sleazy Weasel: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betweenbuddyread

Fan Made Buddy Read Options by Bronte Alexandra: https://substack.com/home/post/p-220478871

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/

00:00 Welcome to Old Middleton

01:35 Witches Meeting Reveals

04:06 Between Politics Explained

06:21 Mirror Lorn Suspicions

08:24 Potioning the Coven

10:25 Lorn Abs and Banter

12:54 Marriage Types in Between

16:12 Halloween Countdown Stakes

20:02 Hero Refuses the Call

23:17 Blondie Knight Chaos

25:46 Ash and Lorn Banter

26:48 Stormy Magic Hints

27:48 Between the Sentient Land

29:56 Swamp Tour and Crotch Jokes

30:54 Humor Meets High Stakes

34:37 Witches Past and Portal Rules

36:22 Marks and Magic Theories

38:49 Lyla as Sasha’s Backbone

43:32 High Queen and Traitor Suspects

47:59 Dreamers Lore and Sasha Arc

54:17 Timeline Homework and Farewell

55:41 Quotes, Sponsor, and Bloopers

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Introducing Our next Buddy Read: Between by L.L. Starling!

Get Between here: https://www.llstarling.com/books

(book of faces) The Sleazy Weasel: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betweenbuddyread

Fan Made Buddy Read Options by Bronte Alexandra: https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/p/between-buddy-read

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/

Get in touch with us!

Between by L.L. Starling Read-Along (Prologue & Ch. 1–9) | Old Middleton Witches, Dream Magic & First Theories

Book Dragon Banter introduces a spoiler-free buddy read of L.L. Starling’s Between, with Zinzi rereading and Sage and Katherine reading blind. They explain the read-along format, discuss formats (ebook vs dual-narration audiobook with Emily Ellett and Steve West), and note alternate October “tandem read” options. Covering chapters 1–9, they share first impressions of Sasha and her best friend Lyla, the quirky, suspicious town of Old Middleton, and early guesses about which residents are witches based on shared wrist tattoos. They unpack the prologue’s purpose, Sasha’s truth-potion oversharing, and the dream-world encounters with Hillman, debating his role, motives, and “shadow daddy” potential. The episode ends with homework: chapters 10–17, plus where to find the podcast and related writing resources.

Get Between here: https://www.llstarling.com/books

(book of faces) The Sleazy Weasel: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betweenbuddyread

Fan Made Buddy Read Options by Bronte Alexandra: https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/p/between-buddy-read

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/

00:00 Welcome to Old Middleton

00:16 Podcast Intro and Sponsor

01:19 How the Read Along Works

02:41 Formats Audio Ebook Tandem

07:12 First Impressions Sasha and Lyla

11:06 Meet Old Middleton Locals

14:01 Who Are the Witches

17:18 Hillman Dream Magic and Prologue

19:23 Seduction Fantasy and Humor

24:27 Dream Injuries Turn Real

25:17 Who Stole Her Dreams

26:59 Trust No One

28:19 Chosen One Duo Theory

30:19 Protective Spell Predictions

31:50 Drawing Magic Motif

35:10 Dream Premonitions Talk

37:56 Pajamas In Dreamscape

40:32 Hill Man Deep Dive

46:38 Wrap Up Homework

47:42 Quotes And Bloopers

Get in touch with us!