Dragons & Spaceships
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!
Episodes
78 episodes
It’s Not Her | Double Twists, Corrupt Cops, and the Abby Jimenez Adaptation News
⚠️ 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 ques...
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros | Letters, Lies, and the Heartbreak That Changed Everything
⚠️ 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...
Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden | Secrets, Hidden Trauma, and the Danger of Vengeance
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...
The God of the Woods | Secrets, Privilege, and the Dangers of the Deep Wild
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 Adir...
Happy Place by Emily Henry | Love, Identity, and Letting Go of the Life You Planned
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...
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir + Hope, Science & Saving Humanity
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 mode...
Epic Fantasy, Honor, and the Weight of Power | The Way of Kings
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...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Love, Identity, and the Lives We Imagined
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 ...
Revisiting A Court of Thorns and Roses + What’s Next for the Series
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 ...
Redemption, Regret, and Second Chances | Reminders of Him
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 ...
Love, Loss, and What We Choose to Believe | Remain
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 tru...
If Only I Had Told Her | A Story of Quiet Love and Unspoken Regret
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 w...
Truth, Courage, and Who Gets Believed | The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
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 no...
Quiet Survival and Unexpected Connection | The Wedding People by Alison Espach
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 ...
Silence, Complicity, and the Cost of Truth | The Widow by Fiona Barton
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, ...
Holiday Reads, Cozy Mysteries, and a Little Festive Chaos
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 Only One Left | Haunted Houses, Twisted Confessions, and Riley Sager at His Best
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 ci...
Love, Loyalty, and Monsters | Shield of Sparrows Deep Dive
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...
Why Everyone's Talking About Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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 ...
Love and Other Words: A Slow Burn That Stays With You
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 r...
The Knight and The Moth: A Story That Bleeds and Heals
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 an...
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah + Adaptation Talk
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, thi...
The Mean Ones: Trauma, Horror, and Healing with Tatiana Schlote
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, Th...
Love, Lies, and Murder: Exploring The Perfect Marriage
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into Jeneva Rose’s dark, twisty psychological thriller, The Perfect Marriage. Sarah Morgan, a high-powered defense attorney, steps in to defend her husband Adam when his mistress is b...
Exploring The Women on Platform Two
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony — a powerful historical novel set in 1970s Dublin, when contraception was still illegal. The story follows Mara and Bernie, two brave w...