Dragons & Spaceships

Send us Fan Mail How far would you go to protect your family, and what happens when saving them turns you into a monster? In Episode 84 of Dragons and Spaceships, we are digging into the raw, brutal, and utterly gripping Southern crime epic King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. We break down Roman Carruthers' slow, agonizing descent into the criminal underworld of Jefferson Run, Virginia. Summoned hom...

Send us Fan Mail When the law and morality collide, who gets to decide what's right? ⚖️ Conflict is brewing in today's episode of Dragons and Spaceships as we break down the high-stakes legal thriller Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson. We dive deep into the world of Judge Mary Stone as she faces a trial that fractures her entire community. From political pressure and extremi...

Send us Fan Mail ⚠️ MAJOR SPOILER WARNING: We are breaking down the ending of It’s Not Her, and trust us, you don't want the double-twist ruined before you read it! In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we’re diving into a thriller that left us questioning our own eyes. It's Not Her is a masterclass in shifting perspectives and unreliable reality. We explore Reece’s dysfunctional ho...

Send us Fan Mail ⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: We are diving deep into the plot of The Last Letter, including the major third-act tragedy. If you haven't finished the book, bookmark this episode and come back once you’ve dried your eyes! In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we are discussing a book that comes with a heavy "emotional damage" warning: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. Th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we are dissecting the messy, morally gray world of Dear Debbie by the queen of twists, Frieda McFadden. This isn't just a thriller about a suburban mom losing control—it’s a deep dive into what happens when decades of unspoken trauma finally explode into vigilante justice. We explore the uncomfortable dynamic of rooting for a protago...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we venture into the chilling, atmospheric world of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. This isn't your typical fast-paced thriller; it’s a quiet, unsettling literary mystery set in the heart of the Adirondack wilderness, where secrets are buried as deep as the roots of the trees. We explore the multi-generational drama of the Van Leer...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we explore Happy Place by Emily Henry — a deeply emotional, character-driven novel about love, identity, and the quiet pressure to build a life that looks right from the outside. This story goes beyond romance. It dives into the fear of disappointing others, the grief of outgrowing your past self, and the uncomfortable realization that ha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships , we dive into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir , a science fiction phenomenon that blends high-stakes survival, emotional storytelling, and one of the most unforgettable friendships in modern sci-fi. With Ryan Gosling set to star as Ryland Grace in the upcoming film adaptation, anticipation is soaring. We explore why this story resonates so...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, the monumental opening to The Stormlight Archive — a fantasy saga defined not just by scale, but by emotional depth and moral complexity. This is not spectacle for spectacle’s sake. Sanderson builds a world shaped by trauma, survivor’s guilt, political corruption, and the fragile meaning...

Send us Fan Mail In this reflective episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we explore Dream Count, a contemplative literary novel that examines identity, ambition, and the narratives we construct about our lives. Rather than focusing on dramatic twists, the novel looks inward, exploring themes like cultural displacement, privilege, independence, intimacy, and the quiet pressure to live up to invisible...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we revisit A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, the book that helped define modern romantasy. With cinematic pacing, immersive romance, lush world building, and a final act that raises the stakes dramatically, ACOTAR launched a cultural phenomenon. Whether you adore it or critique it, there’s no denying its impact on the fantasy...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, a deeply emotional story about redemption, forgiveness, and the fragile rebuilding of trust. If you watched the film adaptation first, the novel offers deeper access to Kenna’s inner world. Her remorse. Her grief. Her slow and uncertain path toward reconnection. This is not a story that ask...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi dives into Remain, a haunting, atmospheric novel that blends mystery, grief, and romance against the windswept isolation of Cape Cod. With a ticking clock, unanswered questions, and a truth that must be uncovered before time runs out, Remain leans heavily into mood and setting. The history of a secluded bed and breakfast, the polit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores If Only I Had Told Her, a deeply emotional novel that examines the heartbreak of unspoken words and the consequences of silence in love and relationships. The story focuses on a woman who has spent years keeping her feelings hidden, only to be left wondering what could have been. Brandi dives into the quiet but powerful th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi dives into The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a powerful historical mystery that asks hard questions about truth, justice, and whose voices are allowed to matter. Set in 1789 Maine, the novel follows Martha Ballard, a midwife whose meticulous diary places her at the center of a murder investigation when a man is found frozen in the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships , Brandi explores The Wedding People, a quietly devastating and deeply compassionate novel about grief, invisibility, and the unexpected ways connection can keep us alive. Set against the backdrop of luxury weddings, oceanfront mansions, and carefully curated celebrations, the story follows Phoebe, a woman unraveling in plain sight. While...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores The Widow, a slow burning psychological mystery that lingers long after the final page. Rather than relying on shock twists or flashy reveals, this novel builds unease through silence, omission, and the devastating consequences of choosing not to see the truth. At the center of the story is Jean Taylor, a character who is...

Send us Fan Mail In this special holiday episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi leans into the cozy, playful spirit of the season with reader questions, festive book recommendations, and a Dragon’s Roar full of upcoming releases to add to your winter TBR. The episode kicks off with a fun listener prompt about favorite holiday reads. Romance, mystery, fantasy, or a little bit of everything are a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi unpacks Riley Sager’s gothic thriller The Only One Left, a story dripping with atmosphere and tension. Set inside Hope’s End, a crumbling mansion perched on a cliff, the book creates an eerie cinematic experience where every shadow feels alive and every typed confession reveals another piece of a long-buried truth. Brandi explores...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi returns to the world of Devney Perry’s Shield of Sparrows and explores why this fantasy romance has captured the hearts of readers. Brandi breaks down the emotional layers, the monster mythology, and the complicated line between love, loyalty, and bravery. She also spotlights the highly anticipated sequel, Rites of the Starling, ar...

Send us Fan Mail Atmosphere is a story about courage, ambition, and the quiet strength it takes to live authentically when the world tells you not to. Brandi explores how Taylor Jenkins Reid blends heart, history, and humanity to create a story that feels both intimate and expansive. If you love emotional character arcs and stories that reach for the stars, this one is for you. This week’s Dragon’...

Send us Fan Mail Love and Other Words is the kind of slow burn that sneaks up on you. Every chapter adds another clue, another emotional layer, and the alternating timeline gives it a nostalgic, bittersweet rhythm.  It is technically a romance, but it is also a story about self-discovery. It is about reopening your heart after years of keeping it closed. It asks the questions that linger long afte...

Send us Fan Mail The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig cuts deep. It is raw, poetic, and unforgettable. In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores Gillig’s breathtaking writing style and the emotional themes that make her work both painful and healing. Rachel Gillig’s prose feels alive: sharp, mythic, and deeply human. If The Knight and The Moth shows us how to survive pain, The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah — a raw, emotional story of survival, love, and the strength it takes to endure both wilderness and heartbreak. Set in the rugged beauty of Alaska, this novel asks what happens when isolation becomes both a sanctuary and a prison. Brandi breaks down the book’s unforgettable themes, its com...

Send us Fan Mail In this chilling and deeply introspective episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi sits down once again with acclaimed horror author Tatiana Schlote (also known as The Buff Writer) to discuss her latest psychological folk horror novel, The Mean Ones. The story follows Sadie, a 29-year-old woman haunted by the trauma of witnessing her best friend’s brutal death at a summer ca...