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

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