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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. 12/24/2025

    Holiday Reads, Cozy Mysteries, and a Little Festive Chaos

    Send us a text 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 all welcome here. Brandi also poses a playful holiday thought experiment. If you were planning a Christmas heist, what festive object would be worth stealing? A priceless ornament, Santa’s list, or the world’s biggest cookie are all on the table. In this week’s Dragon’s Roar, Brandi spotlights Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood, a spicy enemies to lovers novella originally released as an audio exclusive and now coming to print and e-book on February 10th, 2026. Set during a winter retreat, the story follows video game designer Viola Bullen and her longtime rival Jesse Andrews as forced proximity turns icy tension into sparks. Brandi also highlights The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, a cozy holiday mystery that delivers charm, humor, and festive vibes without the darkness. It is the perfect snow globe of a story to curl up with by the fire. The episode wraps with warm holiday wishes, cozy vibes, and encouragement to fill your reading list with stories that feel comforting, joyful, and just a little magical. Episode Highlights - Favorite holiday reading moods and genres - A playful Christmas heist question for listeners - Dragon’s Roar spotlight on Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood - Why enemies to lovers and winter settings work so well together - A cozy recommendation for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year - Holiday reading as comfort, joy, and escapism

    7 min

  2. 12/11/2025

    The Only One Left | Haunted Houses, Twisted Confessions, and Riley Sager at His Best

    Send us a text 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 what makes this novel so addictive, including the haunting tone, the masterful pacing, and the unsettling way Sager blurs the line between past and present. She also digs into the complex question at the heart of the story: can anyone ever escape the reputation the world decides for them This week’s Dragon’s Roar highlights the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards, where readers cast a record breaking 7.5 million votes across fifteen categories. From the historical fiction winner Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid to fantasy, romance, horror, and contemporary fiction, this year's roundup celebrates the wide range of stories that resonated with readers around the world. Brandi closes with her final thoughts on why The Only One Left stands out among modern thrillers. It is dark, emotional, twisty, and atmospheric in all the best ways. If you love gothic settings, unreliable narratives, and endings that leave you breathless, this one belongs on your shelf. Episode Highlights - The immersive atmospheric power of Hope’s End - Why the typed confession structure builds tension perfectly - Unreliable characters and the fear of being misunderstood - The central question of reputation, truth, and reinvention - Dragon’s Roar: 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards recap - A curated reading list inspired by this year’s biggest winners - Final thoughts on why Riley Sager is a standout in modern thrillers

    8 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    Love, Loyalty, and Monsters | Shield of Sparrows Deep Dive

    Send us a text 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, arriving April 7th, 2026, which promises even more magic, more monsters, and higher stakes. This episode also includes an exciting Dragon’s Roar announcement about the upcoming film adaptation of Emily Henry’s hit romcom Funny Story, with Henry herself confirmed as the screenwriter. Fans are already buzzing about potential casting, especially the internet favorite Dylan O’Brien for the role of Miles. Brandi closes by exploring the heart of Shield of Sparrows: a story about transformation, identity, and choosing who you want to become even when the people you love expect you to play a different role. Dark, emotional, and full of heart, it is a powerful reminder of why fantasy and romance are such a magnetic combination. Episode Highlights Why Shield of Sparrows blends brutality, beauty, and emotional realismHow Debbie Perry weaves intimacy into sprawling fantasy stakesCharacter-driven world building that will appeal to fans of Fourth Wing and The Bridge KingdomBig questions about morality, loyalty, and what makes a monsterDragon’s Roar: Film adaptation news for Emily Henry’s Funny StoryWhy this series has become a standout in the romantasy genreThoughts and questions for readers about key character decisions

    9 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    Why Everyone's Talking About Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    Send us a text 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’s Roar features Rites of the Starling by Debbie Perry, the much anticipated sequel to Shield of Sparrow, arriving April 7th, 2026. Expect magic, monsters, and a cursed realm that will draw readers into an even darker and more dangerous world. Brandi also reflects on a listener question about the choices John made in the story. Were they right? What would you have done in her position? Join the conversation in the comments.

    8 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    Love and Other Words: A Slow Burn That Stays With You

    Send us a text 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 after the final page:  Can people find their way back to each other after years apart?  Do first loves ever truly fade, or do they simply settle somewhere quiet inside us?  This week’s Dragon’s Roar also highlights Colleen Hoover’s upcoming thriller, Woman Down, arriving January 13, 2026. Get ready for twists, tension, and emotional chaos in true Hoover fashion.  If you love second chance romances that feel earned, heartfelt, and completely human, Love and Other Words belongs on your TBR.  #LoveAndOtherWords #ChristinaLauren #BookTok #RomanceBooks #SecondChanceRomance #DragonsAndSpaceships #ColleenHoover #WomanDown #BookReview

    8 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    The Knight and The Moth: A Story That Bleeds and Heals

    Send us a text 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 Time Hop Coffee Shop by Fader Patrick reminds us how to find joy again. ☕ Coming December 9th, 2025 — The Time Hop Coffee Shop blends romance, reflection, and a touch of time-bending magic. What do you think defines survival: endurance, transformation, or the ability to feel when the world goes numb? Comment below and share your thoughts. #TheKnightAndTheMoth #RachelGillig #BookTok #FantasyBooks #LiteraryFiction #BookReview #Podcast #DragonsAndSpaceships #TimeHopCoffeeShop #FaderPatrick

    6 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah + Adaptation Talk

    Send us a text 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 complex characters, and why The Great Alone continues to capture readers’ hearts years after its release. She also shares exciting news about The Nightingale movie adaptation finally coming to life — and gives her honest reaction to the new film version of The Woman in Cabin 10 (spoiler: Kiera Knightley brings the chaos perfectly). Whether you love atmospheric survival stories, emotional fiction, or discussions about book-to-film adaptations, this episode has something for every reader. 🎧 Tune in for heartfelt analysis, adaptation updates, and a reminder of why Kristin Hannah’s stories stay with us long after we’ve closed the book. #TheGreatAlone #KristinHannah #TheNightingale #TheWomanInCabin10 #BookAdaptations #BookTok #DragonsAndSpaceships #LiteraryFiction #ThrillerBooks #PodcastForReaders #EmotionalReads #BookLovers

    8 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    The Mean Ones: Trauma, Horror, and Healing with Tatiana Schlote

    Send us a text 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 camp years ago. As she retreats to a secluded cabin with her partner, the past resurfaces—bringing eerie voices, unsettling visions, and the ghosts of what was never laid to rest. Tatiana shares her creative process, the emotional roots of Sadie’s story, and how real-life experiences shaped the novel’s exploration of trauma, identity, and survival. From balancing horror and empathy to the symbolism behind the haunting cabin setting, this episode dives deep into the art of crafting fear that feels both intimate and universal. The conversation also teases Tatiana’s upcoming YA horror fantasy, What Feeds Below, promising another dark and immersive experience for readers.

    17 min
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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!

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  • Creator
    Nervous Rocket
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    63
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    Clean
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    © 2025 Dragons & Spaceships
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