
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
35 episodes
Exploring Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Time, Memory & Surrealism
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into the novel Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, exploring its unique narrative style that blends reality with surrealism. The discussion highlights the book's themes of time,...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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8:14

Inside The Murderbot Diaries: Sci-Fi's Smartest Antihero
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into the trending sci-fi series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, exploring its unique character, themes of identity and autonomy, and the upcoming Apple TV Plus adaptation. The...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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9:32

Inside the Mind Games: Exploring "The Housemaid" and Psychological Thrillers
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into the world of psychological thrillers, focusing on 'The Housemaid' by Freida McFadden. The discussion covers the book's gripping plot, character dynamics, and themes of trust and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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7:03

Book Trends & Bold Turns: A Fresh Direction for Dragons in Spaceships
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi introduces a new direction for the podcast, focusing on trending books from various genres. The episode highlights 'Funny Story' by Emily Henry, exploring its themes, character dynamics, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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9:31

Unearthing the Past: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
In this episode, host Brandi takes a deep dive into Fiona Davis’s The Stolen Queen, a historical fiction novel that weaves together the stories of two women from different time periods. The novel touches on themes of female empowerment...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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7:15

The Brothers Hawthorne: Secrets, Stakes, and Sibling Rivalry
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into 'The Brothers Hawthorne' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, a thrilling spinoff from the Inheritance Game series. The discussion covers the intricate character dynamics of the Hawthorne b...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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6:07

Why Once Upon a Broken Heart Lives Rent-Free in Our Heads
In this magical episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi dives into the enchanting world of Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber — the BookTok fantasy romance that’s captured the hearts of readers everywhere. From epic love st...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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6:27

Exploring the Dark Fantasy of Quicksilver by Callie Hart
In this episode of Dragons & Spaceships, host Brandy dives into the dark and captivating world of Quicksilver by Callie Hart. This fantasy romance brings together the tension of enemies-to-lovers dynamics, the allure of th...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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9:18

Exploring 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandy delves into the literary depths of 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey, a unique sci-fi novel that explores existential themes through the lives of six astronauts aboard the International Space St...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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6:23

Is "Jade City" the Next Must-Read Fantasy Epic?
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into Fonda Lee's "Jade City," the first book in the Green Bone Saga. She provides an overview of its setting, characters, and unique magic system, emphasizing its morally complex c...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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7:48

The Best Fantasy Adventure You Didn’t Know You Needed: "The Wren in the Holly Library
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into the fantasy novel "The Wren in the Holly Library" by K.A. Linde, discussing its plot, characters, and themes. She highlights the protagonist, Wren Briarwood, a librarian with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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8:11

Upcoming Fantasy Releases You Can’t Miss: Sanderson, Elizabeth, and More!
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into R.F. Kuang's debut novel, "The Poppy War," a blend of military history and fantasy that explores the brutal realities of war through the journey of its protagonist, Rin. Brand...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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7:31

Is "A Study in Drowning" the Gothic Fantasy You’ve Been Waiting For?
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into the gothic fantasy novel "A Study in Drowning" by Ava Reid. She explores the plot, themes, and characters, focusing on Effie, a young architecture student uncovering dark secr...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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6:38

What Makes "Shadow of the King" a Must-Read for Fantasy Lovers?
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into the world of sci-fi and fantasy literature, spotlighting "Shadow of the King" by Darrell J. Pursiful. Brandi explores the book's themes, characters, and world-building, and sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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36:24

Unlocking the Magic: Exploring the Living Library of “The Book That Wouldn’t Burn”
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into Mark Lawrence's "The Book That Wouldn't Burn," the first in an epic library trilogy. She explores the imaginative setting of a living library and the adventures of characters ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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5:33

From Betrayal to Redemption: The Complex World of "Dragonfall" and Its Characters
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into "Dragonfall" by L.R. Lam, a fantasy novel reimagining dragon lore with morally complex characters and rich world-building. She outlines the plot, focusing on Arkady, a thief, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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6:10

Exploring Dark Omega Emergence: A Virtual Reality Adventure
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandy discusses the first book in Eric Vanderburg's Dark Omega series, exploring its themes of adaptation, resilience, and the immersive world of virtual reality. The conversation delves into Van...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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48:02

From TikTok Skits to Page-Turner: The Villainous Journey of Evie Sage
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into Hannah Nicole Maehrer's debut novel, "Assistant to the Villain," which originated from popular TikTok skits. Brandi discusses the book's unique blend of humor, romance, and fa...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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7:52

Exploring the Dark Magic and Romance in "When the Moon Hatched" by Sarah Parker
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into the new fantasy novel "When the Moon Hatched" by Sarah Parker, exploring its themes, characters, and unique world-building. She highlights the intriguing concept of dragons tu...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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7:30

Discover the Best Debut Fantasy of the Year: "Spark of the Everflame
In this episode of "Dragons and Spaceships," host Brandi delves into Penn Cole's debut fantasy novel "Spark of the Everflame," highlighting its captivating plot, rich characters, and intricate world-building. She discusses the book's themes of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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8:15

Unraveling The Atlas Six: A Dark Academia Journey
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into The Atlas Six by Olive Blake, a dark academia fantasy that has gained immense popularity. The discussion covers the book's unique magic system, morally complex characters, and th...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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10:14

The Intersection of Horror and Gaming
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandy interviews Tatiana Schlote Bonne about her YA horror novel, Such Lovely Skin. The conversation delves into the book's exploration of psychological horror, guilt, grief, and redemption, as w...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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47:24

Exploring the Depths of 'Such Lovely Skin'
In this engaging conversation, Tatiana Schlote-Bonne discusses her debut YA horror novel 'Such Lovely Skin,' exploring the intricate blend of psychological horror with real-life emotional struggles. She shares insights into her character develo...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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37:32

Power Dynamics in Heartless Hunter
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into Kristen Ciccarelli's 'Heartless Hunter', exploring its captivating characters, intricate themes, and the romantic tension between the protagonists. The discussion also touches o...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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8:14

A Deep Dive Into The Widowing
In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi discusses the new release, The Widowing by Melanie Bacon, the second installment in the Detectivist series. The conversation explores the unique blend of historical crime fiction, the intri...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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32:21
