iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

In this extra special book club episode, we chat with author @weckerh about her book, The Golem and the Jinni. Helene shares many behind-the-scenes aspects of the book and larger trilogy along with amusing anecdotes. You'll laugh and learn a few new things in this episode! #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

For this month's book club, we dive into the highly acclaimed novel Circe by Madeline Miller. It's arguably the *best* mythology retelling. We had so much fun chatting about this iconic witch, and it's perfect timing with the new Odyssey movie. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. #booksky

060

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Anyone else only discover what Sanderlanche means...today? Clip from the Favorite High Fantasy Books episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast with special guest @cozywritingdragon . . . #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Some fantasy books require you to let go and enjoy the ride. Are there any where you were completely confused in the beginning but ended up becoming a favorite? 👀 Clip of @cozywritingdragon from the Favorite High Fantasy Books episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . . . #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Fantasy books provide a special form of escapism. Love this take by @cozywritingdragon on hope in fantasy. What books have given you the most hope? Clip from the Favorite High Fantasy Books episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . . . #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

What do you think: are complex, high fantasy books more fun the second time around once you're used to the magic system? Clip from the Favorite High Fantasy Books episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . . . #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Do you start unfinished series? Marianne argues that Brandon Sanderson is safe, even though the full series isn't complete. 👀 What do you think: does Brandon Sanderson have a backup plan in place? Clip from the High Fantasy Books episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . #booksky

100

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

If you've read the Broken Earth trilogy: are the remaining two books darker than the first? 👀 I've placed a hold on the second book and am tentatively hopeful for the rest of the series. Full discussion of The Fifth Season on the latest episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

What do you think: is The Fifth Season dark fantasy, grimdark, or something else? Full discussion on the More Magic Book Club podcast. . . . #bookclub #grimdark #darkfantasy #booklovers #fantasyreaders #fantasybooks #fantasybookclub #thefifthseason #brokenearthtrilogy #fantasybooks #booksky

080

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

The Fifth Season is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the read! Full discussion on the latest episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. . . . #thefifthseason #darkfantasy #bookclub #fantasybookclub #fantasybookpodcast #fantasybooks #nkjemisin #bookdiscussion #booktok #booksky

270

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The Fifth Season has so many parallels to our world. We could spend days discussing themes alone. Do you think fear of orogenes made the world more dangerous? Full episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast available on your favorite podcast platform (and YouTube). 💙 📚 🪐 #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

This month's book is the Hugo award-winning The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. We dive into the themes, the characters, the unique writing style and more. There's a reason this book won the award--it's complex with many elements to discuss. Listen on your favorite podcast platform. #booksky

090

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Dragons are one of those mythological creatures that seem to be everywhere. In the latest episode of the More Magic podcast, Marianne and I discuss dragons, their history, and their varied representations across fantasy books. It's the perfect episode if you love dragons and want to read more!

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

From gold-loving villains to soulmate level partners, dragons have filled many roles in fantasy. But they don't exist solely in the pages of a fantasy novel. Dragons have been part of human culture for centuries, across continents. The latest episode of More Magic is all about the mythical beasts!

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

What do you think: is nature magical? If dragons were here, would we find them magical? Clip from the More Magic Book Club podcast (A Natural History of Dragons episode). #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Clip from A Natural History of Dragons episode of the More Magic podcast. #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🚨 SPOILERS!🚨 What are your thoughts on Isabella and Jacob's relationship in A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan? Is she responsible for his death? 👀 Clip from the More Magic Book Club podcast. #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan is the first "light academia" fantasy novel I've read. What else is out there? Please send all of your recs! Clip from the most recent book club episode of the More Magic podcast. #booksky 💙 📚 🪐

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

In the latest episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast, we discuss A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan. It's perfect if you love scientific expeditions, ambitious female characters, and dragons. Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform. #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan touched on key themes we love to explore: feminism, naturalism, imperialism, classism, and more. Slip on your tweed, elbow-patched jacket, pour a cup of tea, and settle in for this episode. #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

In the Historical Fantasy episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast, we chat about the subgenre, why it's important, and our favorite books. Historical fantasy has an extra bit of magic because history itself already feels fantastical in many ways. What time periods are most magical to you?

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

I love unicorns, but if you showed me a picture of an octopus and said it was a creature from a fantasy novel, I'd believe you. What real life animal seems fantastical to you? #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Aside from the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, I haven't read any historical fantasy set in Australia, which is crazy! If you know of any historical fantasy books in Australia, please share! Our list is woefully empty. Clip from the More Magic Book Club podcast. #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Historical fantasy is one of my favorite subgenres. In the latest episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast, we discuss why historical fantasy is so important, a few of our favorites, and the books we can't wait to read. Listen on your favorite podcast platform. #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is one of my absolute favorite books. Why I love it: 🚃 Travel throughout Europe from Oxford and Belgium to Romania, Bulgaria, and more 📅 Immersive Cold War setting 🧛‍♂️ A continuation of the Dracula story (and so good) #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Historical fantasy may be my favorite fantasy subgenre. Discover life in a past time period? Yes, please. Magic? Absolutely. In this episode, Marianne and I chat about our favorite historical fantasy books and the ones we want to read next--all grouped by time period and place. #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter had us thinking about magical pets. What would you choose if you could charm your pet with magical abilities? Clip from the More Magic Book Club podcast. #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

After reading Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, we concluded there truly is a cat for everyone. Do you think villains deserve cats? OR do you think cats can be villains? 🤔 #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

The characters in Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter were all interesting, Agnes in particular. She's smart, compassionate, and persistent. The type of protagonist we love to see. Listen to the episode of the More Magic podcast for the full discussion (warning: spoilers!). #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

We knew Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter would have cats, and somehow it exceeded those expectations. From the unique personalities to the special quirks and their surprising role in the plot, this book was truly a love letter to cats. Have you read it? #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

We loved Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, especially Agnes! Not only did she love cats, but she genuinely loves people too. Her worldview was refreshing, and it was so much fun to read. Clip from the More Magic Book Club podcast (warning: this episode has spoilers!). #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Multiple people from our most recent book club mistakenly thought Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter was set in France when listening to the audiobook---but it's actually Montreal! Listen to the full discussion on the More Magic Book Club podcast. Warning: Tons of spoilers! #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

We turned cozy for March's book club read. With 1920s Montreal, magical cats, and an inspiring protagonist, Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett was the perfect escape. If you've read the book, head to your favorite podcast platform to check out the episode. #booksky

061

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

If you're in the mood for classic fantasy (we're talking pre-Tolkien) with lovable characters, an immersive setting, and an unputdownable plot, Greenteeth is the book for you! And once you read it, check out our interview with Molly O'Neill (with spoilers!). #booksky

050

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Marianne cannot recommend the Stormlight Archive enough. We chat about it in more detail and share more of our favorite books in the Fantasy Books for Adults episode of the More Magic podcast. Listen and let us know: what adult fantasy books do you recommend? #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Chatting about the very *light* themes of Circe in the latest episode of the More Magic podcast. We'll be discussing the book in detail for our June book club. If you haven't read it, join us! And if you have read it, subscribe to the podcast and listen in when the episode releases. ☺️ #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

For December's book club, I'll finally be reading Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, and, honestly, I wish it was already December. #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

@whichwaytorome can we always pronounce Circe your Italian way? 🤣 🇮🇹 ✨️ . #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

For our latest themed episode, Marianne and I share our favorite adult fantasy books. This episode is perfect if you want to expand your fantasy reading list but aren't sure how to find books you'll love. Find the More Magic podcast on your favorite platform to listen to this episode! #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

We loved the fresh perspective in Emily Tesh's latest book, The Incandescent. If you're in the mood for dark academia with a TEACHER as the protagonist, this is the book for you! Give it a read and then check out the latest episode of the More Magic podcast for a full discussion (warning: spoilers)

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

This month's book club was a light, fun read...until we started thinking about real world parallels. 😳 For the full discussion, check out The Incandescent episode of the More Magic podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts (and YouTube!). #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

We love complex characters that don't fit in a box. Clip discussing February's book club read, The Incandescent by Emily Tesh. Warning: lots of spoilers! #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Here I try to summarize the vibes of The Incandescent by Emily Tesh without spoilers. If you haven't read it and this speaks to you, give it a read! For the full episode, find the More Magic podcast on your favorite platform. Warning: since it's a book club, it's full of spoilers. 💙 📚 🪐 #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

For this month's book club, we read The Incandescent by Emily Tesh. It brings dark academia, demons, and a refreshing POV (a teacher!). Listen to the latest episode of the More Magic podcast for more. Warning: since this is a book club episode, there are a ton of spoilers! #booksky

020

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I love any book where gods get involved. Author A.J. Peterson @cozywritingdragon shares a bit about the gods in Oblivion's Hymn. If you love gods causing trouble, high fantasy, and need a bit of hope, then check out the book! 💙 📚 🪐 #booksky

010

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Author A.J. Peterson @cozywritingdragon shares why reading fantasy is important--especially in difficult moments. Clip from the More Magic podcast, Fantasy Books for Hope: Live at Wintercon episode. #booksky

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Author A.J. Peterson @cozywritingdragon shares what went into her latest novel, Oblivion's Hymn. It's full of heart, magic, and questionable decisions. If you're in need of hope, this is your sign to pick up Oblivion's Hymn and escape to another world. #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

We offer very specific types of fantasy books for hope in the latest (live!) episode of the More Magic Book Club podcast. In this clip, author A.J. Peterson @cozywritingdragon discusses Priestess by Kara Reynolds, a great book for healing from religious trauma with Outlander vibes. #booksky

030

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

This month's magic delves into belief, magical escapes, and books to read if the weight of the world is turning you into a defeated cynic (just me?). Read at demiutley.substack.com/p/if-you-nee...

000

Demi Utley ✨ @demiutley.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

It's easy to feel despair right now, and we'd argue that one of the best forms of self care is to escape into a good fantasy novel. For more on fantasy books for hope check out the latest episode of the More Magic podcast on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube. 💙 📚 🪐 #booksky

020