Dragons & Spaceships

Nervous Rocket
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Welcome to Dragons & Spaceships, your ultimate guide to the best books in sci-fi and fantasy! Whether you're into the latest releases or timeless classics, we've got you covered. Our mission is to promote reading and the exploration of new imaginary worlds, diving into all sub-genres from action and suspense to mystery and romance. Join our host Brandi Nelsen as we authentically share our love for these genres, have fun, and share the hottest books out. Whether you're a hardcore D&D fan or just love a good space opera, let your nerdy side shine with us. Tune in and embark on an epic adventure with Dragons & Spaceships!

  1. 1d ago

    The Thursday Murder Club: Murder, Friendship & What Justice Really Means

    Send us Fan Mail Would you join a murder club in retirement? Because after spending time with the residents of Coopers Chase, it starts to sound surprisingly tempting. In this episode of Dragons & Spaceships, Brandi dives into The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, a cozy mystery that is funny and charming on the surface but asks much bigger questions underneath. What begins as a murder investigation becomes a story about justice, revenge, grief, friendship, aging, and what happens when people the world tends to underestimate decide they are far from finished. Brandi also gets into spoiler territory to unpack the secrets behind Tony, Ian, Penny, John, and Bogdan, and why the ending makes the mystery much more morally complicated than a simple question of who committed the crime. In this episode:  Why The Thursday Murder Club works as more than a cozy mystery  The friendship and purpose at the heart of the club  What the ending says about justice, revenge, and mercy  Why its older characters are such a big part of the book’s appeal  Brandi’s thoughts on the major reveals  Whether the Netflix adaptation is worth watching  A Dragon’s Roar featuring Charles Spencer’s upcoming book about Princess Diana If you’ve read The Thursday Murder Club, who was your favorite member of the club? Did the ending work for you, and would you move into Coopers Chase if you had the chance? Subscribe to Dragons & Spaceships for more book reviews, literary conversations, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and the latest news from the book world.

  2. Aug 19

    The Wolf King Review + HUGE ACOTAR News From Sarah J. Maas

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons & Spaceships, Brandi dives into The Wolf King, a dark, dramatic romantasy filled with power struggles, dangerous attraction, shifting loyalties, and plenty of reasons to have very strong opinions about the men involved. At the center of the story is a princess fighting to reclaim her agency, a wolf Alpha struggling against the darker parts of himself, and a rival who knows exactly how to manipulate the people around him. Brandi breaks down the romance, the tension, the characters, and the messy intersection of love, power, and survival. Then, in Dragon’s Roar, we have major Sarah J. Maas news. After a very suspicious Instagram reset sent ACOTAR fans into detective mode, new details were announced about the next chapter of the A Court of Thorns and Roses world, including two upcoming books and a new arc being called the Valkyrie Cycle. In this episode: Brandi’s overall thoughts on The Wolf KingAurora’s fight for agencyCalum, Blake, and the book’s complicated relationship dynamicsWhy the story’s mix of romance, power, and survival worksThe ending and Aurora’s wolf revealMajor Sarah J. Maas and ACOTAR newsWhat the Valkyrie Cycle could mean for Nesta, Gwyn, Emerie, and the Night CourtWhy ACOTAR fans may want to start their rereads nowHave you read The Wolf King? Are you Team Calum, or did Blake win you over? And what do you think the newest ACOTAR announcements could mean for the series? Subscribe to Dragons & Spaceships for more fantasy, romantasy, sci-fi, book news, reviews, and conversations about the stories taking over our TBRs. #TheWolfKing #SarahJMaas #ACOTAR #Romantasy #FantasyBooks #BookTok #BookPodcast #DragonsAndSpaceships

  3. Aug 13

    Are We Actually Communicating? | The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

    Send us Fan Mail What if the person who writes constantly is also the person avoiding the things that matter most? In this episode of Dragons & Spaceships, Brandi dives into The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, a quiet but deeply emotional novel about grief, aging, family, regret, and the complicated ways we choose to communicate. Through Sybil Van Antwerp’s letters, emails, and unsent confessions, the book explores a bigger question: Do our words actually bring us closer to people, or can they become another way to keep them at a safe distance? Brandi breaks down why Sybil is such a compelling character, how the letter format shapes the story, the tension between independence and isolation, and why the novel’s emotional payoff works so well. Plus, today’s Trending Book Tease features Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, and Dragon’s Roar brings an update for fans of Rebecca Yarros and the Empyrean series. In this episode: - Why Sybil is difficult, flawed, and incredibly human - How grief can become part of someone’s identity - Whether letters create connection or distance - Aging, independence, and the fear of needing other people - Why the quieter emotional moments hit hardest - Full spoiler discussion of the ending If you’ve read The Correspondent, do you think Sybil finally learned how to let people truly know her?

  4. Aug 5

    Our Perfect Storm | Friends to Lovers, Second Chances, and Finding Your Way Home

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune, an emotional friends-to-lovers romance that explores longing, self-discovery, and the courage to choose the life that truly fits. Set against a beautifully atmospheric coastal backdrop, the novel follows Frankie as she confronts old relationships, unresolved family wounds, and the realization that the future she thought she wanted may never have been right for her. Through heartfelt romance, handwritten letters, and years of unspoken feelings, Our Perfect Storm becomes a story about finding your way back—not just to another person, but to yourself. We also discuss why Carley Fortune's signature blend of romance, nostalgia, and richly immersive settings continues to resonate with readers. 🌟 Episode Highlights - Why Frankie’s journey is as much about self-discovery as romance - The emotional complexity of the friends-to-lovers relationship between Frankie and George - How Nate represents the life Frankie almost chose—and why that matters - Rebecca's role in reshaping Frankie's understanding of family and forgiveness - Carley Fortune's atmospheric writing style and sensory storytelling - Why miscommunication becomes both the novel's greatest strength and biggest frustration - Who this book is perfect for—and who may struggle with its slow-burn romance 💭 Questions We Explore - Did Frankie and George's relationship work for you? - Were the handwritten letters romantic or frustrating? - Did the slow-burn romance pay off? - Where does Our Perfect Storm rank among your favorite Carley Fortune novels? 🐉 Dragon's Roar This week's Dragon's Roar brings exciting news for Emily Henry fans. During an appearance on the Open Book with Jenna podcast, Emily Henry revealed that she is currently writing her next novel, inspired by the holiday rom-com genre and currently planned for a summer 2027 release. She also shared that the book following it will return to the more emotionally layered tone of The Great Big Life, giving readers both a cozy romantic comedy and another deeply emotional story to look forward to. If you're an Emily Henry fan, the next few years are shaping up to be exciting. 📚 Closing Thoughts Our Perfect Storm is heartfelt, atmospheric, and deeply romantic. Beneath its friends-to-lovers story is a thoughtful exploration of identity, family, and the realization that heartbreak isn't always the end of the story—it can also be the beginning of finding yourself. Whether you come for the coastal setting, the emotional romance, or the beautifully written longing, this is a novel that lingers long after the final page. Until next time, keep reading, keep exploring, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

  5. Jul 29

    The Bright Years | Generational Trauma, Heartbreak, and Dark Romance News

    Send us Fan Mail What does it truly take to break generational cycles and forgive the people who broke your heart? On Episode 87 of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi reviews The Bright Years by Sarah Demuth—a devastating, deeply human family saga that explores addiction, grief, motherhood, and the messy ways we love each other. We unpack the complex lives of Ryland, Lillian, and their daughter Jett across several decades. We discuss the balance between unconditional love and personal boundaries, why late redemption matters, and how the novel handles heavy themes of grief, loss, and recovery with immense compassion.   📚 Trending Book Tease: We highlight Noelle Wylie’s intense survival thriller Such Quiet Girls, inspired by true events following a captive group of children fighting to outsmart their captors before time runs out!   🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: Romantasy and romance lovers, rejoice! We share exciting release dates and major acquisition news:   - Kearstin Dunn's Harbinger (Soulbound #2) dropping December 1st, 2026!  - Sourcebooks acquiring Sarah Kate's Good Brothers series (starting with The Anti-Hero on December 1st, 2026)!  💬 Join the conversation: Did Ryland earn your forgiveness by the end of The Bright Years? Which character broke your heart the most? Let us know in the comments below!   Subscribe for your weekly dose of emotional book reviews, thriller teases, and publishing news!

  6. Jul 22

    The Divorce | Changing Locks, Stolen Identities, and Dark Romantasy News

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the person who knows your whole life uses that knowledge to completely erase you? On Episode 86 of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi dives into Freida McFadden’s heart-pounding domestic thriller, The Divorce. We break down the nightmare opening where Naomi Roth arrives home to find her locks changed, her husband calm, and her life stripped away. From weaponized gaslighting and financial manipulation to kidnapping, cellar confrontations, and a house set ablaze, we dissect the dark theme of possessive parenting and explore who the most dangerous person in this marriage really is.   📚Trending Book Tease: We spotlight The Deal by Elle Kennedy—a beloved college hockey romance filled with fake-dating, razor-sharp banter, and high emotional stakes!   🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: Romantasy readers, take note! We break down major publishing news for author Annie Davenport, including her upcoming 2027 dark romance standalone and her newly acquired dark romantasy duology, Immortal Empire, arriving in 2028 from Harper Voyager!  💬 Join the conversation: Did you trust Naomi, or did you suspect Veronica early on? Where did you land on Jeremy's terrifying final reveal? Let us know in the comments!  Subscribe for your weekly dose of twisty book reviews, spicy teasers, and breaking publishing news! 🚀🐉

  7. Jul 15

    Yesteryear | Cult-Like Curated Content, Media Hunger, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

    Send us Fan Mail Christopher Nolan tackling Homer’s The Odyssey?! 🌊👁️ In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we break down the massive news shaking the cinematic world: Nolan is officially directing a giant, mythic, star-studded IMAX adaptation of The Odyssey arriving on July 17th! We discuss whether he’ll lean into the ancient, strange mythology of Cyclopes and sirens, or give it that grounded, mind-bending psychological Nolan twist. Then, we transition from ancient epics to a very modern horror story with our review of Yesteryear. This brilliant, unsettling satire takes a sharp knife to influencer culture, media image, and audience hunger. We explore how a woman turns her marriage, her children, her faith, and her trauma into a beautifully curated brand—until the product becomes real enough to destroy everyone trapped inside it. 💬 Join the conversation: Will Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey be an ancient mythic epic or a grounded psychological thriller? For those who read Yesteryear, where do you land on Natalie? Is she a villain, a victim, both, or something worse? Subscribe for your weekly breakdown of major book-to-screen news and dark literary reviews! 🚀🐉

  8. Jun 24

    King of Ashes | Family Loyalties, Moral Rot, and the Final Book in the Shield of Sparrows Trilogy

    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 home by his father's suspicious coma, Roman tries to pull his siblings out of a deadly debt to a violent gang—only to find himself justifying things he never thought he would. It's an uncomfortable, masterfully written study of generational trauma, environmental conditioning, and the erosion of morality. 📚 TBR Quick Pick: We also spotlight The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers, a deeply emotional, twisty cold case thriller following two women united by the hauntingly similar disappearances of their sisters. 🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: Romantasy readers, rejoice! We have the official release details for the highly anticipated third and final book in Devney Perry’s smash-hit Shield of Sparrows trilogy. Mark your calendars for March 9th, 2027! 💬 Join the conversation: - If you’ve read King of Ashes, did you find yourself rooting for Roman or completely questioning his choices? - Are you caught up on the Shield of Sparrows series ahead of the finale? Subscribe for your weekly dose of gritty plot breakdowns, fantasy updates, and honest book reviews!

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About

Welcome to Dragons & Spaceships, your ultimate guide to the best books in sci-fi and fantasy! Whether you're into the latest releases or timeless classics, we've got you covered. Our mission is to promote reading and the exploration of new imaginary worlds, diving into all sub-genres from action and suspense to mystery and romance. Join our host Brandi Nelsen as we authentically share our love for these genres, have fun, and share the hottest books out. Whether you're a hardcore D&D fan or just love a good space opera, let your nerdy side shine with us. Tune in and embark on an epic adventure with Dragons & Spaceships!

Information

  • Creator
    Nervous Rocket
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dragons & Spaceships
  • Show Website
    Dragons & Spaceships