Hot Take Books

Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

🔥 We read Hot Books and give you Hotter Takes. 🔥 Welcome to the show where two friends—Rich and Ryan—dive into the best (and occasionally worst) of sci-fi and fantasy, one book at a time. Every title gets two episodes: a spoiler-free FastTake for the curious and a spoiler-filled deep dive for the chaos lovers. We skip the plot overviews and go straight for the good stuff: World Building & Lore, Characters, and Story—served with unfiltered opinions, spicy takes, and way too much banter. If you like book talk, laughs, passion, and the occasional nerdy meltdown, you're in the right place

  1. 5D AGO

    Mistborn: Flaring Metals and Overthrowing Governments

    Rich and Ryan go full spoilers on Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn and somehow still find time to argue about buffet etiquette and cast the movie nobody asked them to produce. They dig into Vin's transformation from street urchin to ball-attendee, Mistborn-fighting force of nature, debate whether Kelsier's wife subplot earned its page count, and geek out over a magic system that turned Rich from skeptic to superfan one pewter flare at a time. Plus: one-star Goodreads reviews get roasted, a $125 leatherbound sparks a philosophical debate about what a book has to score to deserve your wallet, and the Cosmere Corner returns with metal-to-fabrial breakdowns that'll make Stormlight fans feel very seen. An 8 out of 10, and they'll tell you exactly why that's a big deal.

    1h 11m

  2. 5D AGO

    FastTake: Mistborn

    Rich and Ryan tackle Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn a fantasy heist story where metal-burning outlaws plot to topple a thousand-year-old tyrant. They break down the magic system, debate whether "the bad guys already won" is the right pitch, argue about Star Wars power structures, and explain why an 8 out of 10 is basically a standing ovation from two hosts who've been called "too harsh" when it comes to Sanderson book ones. No spoilers just everything you need to know before deciding if this 541. page ride deserves a spot on your nightstand.

    17 min

  3. FEB 1

    Thorns, Feathers, and Bones: Crowns, Combat, and Chaos

    Rich and Ryan have a new obsession, and they're not being subtle about it. Thorns, Feathers, and Bones by Anderson W. Frost, affectionately known as "Snowman" by the boys, has officially entered the chat. This isn't just a recommendation. This is a declaration. Rich says if Frost drops new content, he's putting down whatever he's reading (Pierce Brown excluded). Ryan wants to personally convert five new readers. The energy is unhinged in the best way. They break down why this underrated epic fantasy hits different: tight pacing, deep world-building, compelling characters, and a story structure that uses one warrior's decade-long return home as a vehicle for something much, much bigger. First 15 minutes are spoiler-free. After that, the walls come down and the gushing gets specific. GO READ THIS BOOK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1h 23m

  4. FEB 1

    Riff Sesh: Thorns, Feathers, and Bones

    No notes. No structure. Just vibes. Welcome to the first-ever Hot Take Books Riff Sesh. Rich and Ryan just finished Thorns, Feathers, and Bones by Anderson W. Frost and they need to talk about it immediately—completely spoiler-free. This is the book they can't believe nobody's talking about. An indie debut that feels like the next Middle Earth: giants, elves, dwarves, humans, and a world where all of them intermingle—socially, politically, and yes, romantically. There's a disgraced warrior on a journey, a half-giant queen, political intrigue that sneaks up on you, and fight scenes that hit like a truck. Rich calls it sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Ryan says it feels like Anderson turned a legendary D&D campaign into a novel. Both agree: if you're a fantasy fan, this is a crime to miss. Solidly a Buy. Go read it.

    22 min

  5. JAN 18

    Fires of Vengeance: No Peace, Only War

    Rich and Ryan are back in the den to break down Fires of Vengeance, Evan Winter's explosive follow-up to Rage of Dragons, and yes, the Red Rising comparisons are still flying. The boys dig into Tau's never-ending rage spiral, debate whether this book delivers on the "responsibility of a book two," and ask the big question: can obsession-fueled strength ever lead to peace? Rich thinks it's a great book but an okay sequel. Ryan thinks the world building finally caught up. Both agree: if you're feeling that Red Rising withdrawal, this series scratches the itch.

    1h 11m

  6. JAN 5

    Rage of Dragons: The World Burns

    In this episode of Hot Take Books, Ryan and Rich go all-in on The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter—no shields up, full spoilers allowed. What starts as a candid confession about toxic traits (TikTok-induced overconfidence and hobby jumping included) quickly turns into a passionate, sometimes combative, and ultimately thoughtful breakdown of one of the most adrenaline-fueled fantasy reads we’ve covered. Coming off a collective Red Rising hangover, the question looms large: does The Rage of Dragons actually scratch that itch, or does it just poke the bruise? We dig deep into: Tau’s obsessive, self-destructive drive for vengeance—and why it works A world that sparks debate: African-inspired setting, matriarchal power structures, dragons, demons, and a magic system tied to sacrifice Whether the book’s relentless pacing is its greatest strength or its biggest limitation Standout characters like Tau, Hadith, Uduak, Jayad, and the complicated shadow of Kellan Okar Brutal fight scenes, iconic one-liners, and moments that made us physically stop reading just to react A live score change on mic and what finally pushed the worldbuilding score up We also read and react to some spicy one-star reviews, argue about what a “5” really means in our scoring system, complain (politely but firmly) about glossaries being in the back of books, and end with a clear verdict: This isn’t a subtle book. It’s rage, sweat, steel, and obsession—all gas, very little brake—and for the right reader, it’s an absolute blast. Final Score: 8/10 — BuyNot for everyone. But if you want heart-pounding action, raw motivation, and a protagonist who will destroy himself to reach his goal, this one delivers. #fantasybooks #spoilers #rageofdragons

    1h 7m

  7. JAN 5

    Fast Take: The Rage of Dragons

    In this Spoiler Free episode, Ryan and Rich dive into their thoughts on The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. This episode is designed for listeners who want to know exactly what kind of book this is before committing. They cover: Why The Rage of Dragons is one of the best recommendations for readers dealing with Red Rising withdrawal A clear, spoiler-free breakdown of the setting, caste system, and magic Tau as a protagonist—why he starts out unlikable, and why that’s intentional The book’s relentless pacing and action-heavy structure How vengeance, obsession, and rage drive the story forward The African-inspired worldbuilding and what makes it stand out in modern fantasy Who this book is perfect for—and who might bounce off it Ryan admits he started the book cold (and biased), while Rich comes in fully fired up—but by the end, both land on a strong recommendation. Final Score: 7.8/10 — BuyIf you love fast-paced, rage-fueled fantasy with a morally gray lead and nonstop momentum, this should be high on your TBR. Spoilers stay locked away for the full episode—this is your safe entry point before the deeper debate. #fantasybooks #rageofdragons #spoilerfree

    20 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    The Hotties 2025: Hot Take Books Year-End Awards

    The tuxedos are on (well, Rich's is.....Ryan didn't get the memo), and the awards are ready. Welcome to The Hotties, Hot Take Books' first-ever year-end awards show, where Rich and Ryan hand out accolades for the best lines, boldest characters, and hottest takes of their 2025 reading journey. Categories include Coldest Line of the Year, Goodie and Baddie of the Year, Story of the Year, World Building & Lore, Character of the Year, Book of the Year, and, of course, Hottest Take. The boys debate, argue, and occasionally agree on which books truly delivered. Some winners were unanimous. Others? Not so much. It's chaotic, nostalgic, and fully Hot Take Books energy. Plus, they look ahead to 2026 with some bold predictions and even bolder reading goals. ⚠️ Heads up: This episode includes discussion of books we haven't released full episodes for yet—consider it a preview of what's coming. Also, the first 8 minutes contain minor spoilers for Red Rising (specifically from the first 30% of book one). Skip to the 8-minute mark if you're avoiding those. TikTok: @hottakebks | Instagram: @hottakebooks

    1h 19m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🔥 We read Hot Books and give you Hotter Takes. 🔥 Welcome to the show where two friends—Rich and Ryan—dive into the best (and occasionally worst) of sci-fi and fantasy, one book at a time. Every title gets two episodes: a spoiler-free FastTake for the curious and a spoiler-filled deep dive for the chaos lovers. We skip the plot overviews and go straight for the good stuff: World Building & Lore, Characters, and Story—served with unfiltered opinions, spicy takes, and way too much banter. If you like book talk, laughs, passion, and the occasional nerdy meltdown, you're in the right place

Information

  • Creator
    Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan
  • Show Website
    Hot Take Books