Dragons & Spaceships

Nervous Rocket

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

    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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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! 🚀🐉

  4. 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! 🚀🐉

  5. 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!

  6. Jun 17

    Judge Stone | The Heavy Weight of Justice & The First-Ever Lord of the Flies TV Show

    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 extremist threats to deep-seated personal trauma, Mary is forced to confront her past while deciding what justice truly means. This isn't just a courtroom drama—it’s a deeply personal, relevant look at systemic inequality and the immense courage it takes to stand by your convictions. 🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: A literary classic is getting a massive modern twist! We are spotlighting the brand-new, first-ever television adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies. This 4-part series shifts the focus from basic island survival to a gritty, psychological look at boyhood masculinity, power struggles, and the descent into chaos. Whether you read it in school or have been avoiding it for years, this is your sign to tune in. 💬 Join the conversation: Do you think justice should always strictly follow the law, or is there a point where it has to go beyond it?Will you be watching the new Lord of the Flies series?Subscribe for your weekly dose of intense plot breakdowns and adaptation news! 🚀🐉

  7. Apr 29

    It’s Not Her | Double Twists, Corrupt Cops, and the Abby Jimenez Adaptation News

    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 home life and the one social media post that turned a grieving father into a kidnapper—and a killer. But the real shocker? That final reveal about the detective. We’re dissecting how trauma distorts reality and why, in this book, nobody sees the truth until it’s too late. 🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: Huge news for the romance community! Abby Jimenez’s beloved Part of Your World series is officially headed to the big screen. We’ve got the latest on the development with Balboa Productions and Sophia Stallone. Is it a movie? Is it a series? Let’s talk about it! 💬 Join the conversation: - Did you suspect the detective, or did that final twist catch you off guard? - How do you want to see Abby Jimenez’s books adapted—movies or a streaming series? Subscribe for your weekly dose of bookish theories and industry news! 🚀🐉 Until next time, keep reading, stay curious, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

  8. Apr 22

    The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros | Letters, Lies, and the Heartbreak That Changed Everything

    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. This isn't just a romance; it’s a devastating exploration of grief, vulnerability, and the weight of the secrets we keep to protect the ones we love. We unpack the journey of Ella and Beckett—two people bonded by letters and broken by life. We discuss the gut-wrenching reality of Colt’s accident and why this story shifts from a romance into a masterclass on surviving the unimaginable. 🐉 Dragon’s Roar Spotlight: One of history’s most iconic detectives is back! We’re talking about Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley, releasing September 22nd, 2026. It’s a brand-new Miss Marple mystery set in a snowed-in luxury hotel. 💬 Join the conversation: - Did the twist with Colt emotionally destroy you, or did you see it coming? - At what point does a "protective lie" become a betrayal of trust? - Are you excited to see Lucy Foley take on an Agatha Christie legend? Subscribe for weekly deep dives into books, fandom news, and stories that stay with you long after the final page.

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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
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dragons & Spaceships
  • Show Website
    Dragons & Spaceships