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Dragons & Spaceships
Dragons & Spaceships
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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!
58 Episodes
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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? ...
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, 2...
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 rele...
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 e...
Send us a text 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 brutally murdered, revealing the morally gray complexities of their relationship. Jeneva Rose delivers shocking twists, layered characters, and an unforgettable ending that will leave readers questioning trust, ambition, and love. Brandi ...
Send us a text 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 women who risk everything to smuggle contraceptives and fight for bodily autonomy. Brandi explores the book’s themes of women’s rights, friendship, solidarity, and generational change, connecting their struggle to the ongoing global conve...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi takes listeners on a heartfelt journey through Emily Henry’s bestselling romance, People We Meet on Vacation. We dive deep into Poppy and Alex’s annual summer trips, their opposites-attract dynamic, and the slowburn tension that has made readers laugh, cry, and swoon. Through dual timelines of friendship, heartbreak, and rediscovery, Emily Henry delivers a love story that feels both escapist and deeply real. The episode a...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, the hosts dive into Ruth Ware’s gripping psychological thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10. Set aboard a luxurious cruise liner, the story follows journalist Lo Blacklock as she uncovers a chilling mystery, navigating deception, danger, and the frustration of a world that tries to silence her. The discussion explores the novel’s tense atmosphere, psychological suspense, and key themes of trust, perception, and resilience. The hosts also hi...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores the thrilling YA fantasy debut, Powerless by Lauren Roberts. Journey through the brutal kingdom of Aaliyah, where magic determines worth, as ordinary Paedyn Gray defies the odds in deadly competitions filled with sharp-witted heroines and enemies-to-lovers tension. Also featured: the trending BookTalk pick, The House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama, and a sneak peek at R. F. Kwong’s Catabasis. Fantasy, romance, and re...
Send us a text In this enchanting episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into Evie Woods’ The Lost Bookshop, a novel that beautifully blends historical fiction with magical realism. Through the intertwined lives of Opaline, Martha, and Henry, Woods explores themes of belonging, love, and the transformative power of literature. Brandi highlights how each character’s journey reflects the larger questions of identity and meaning, while also celebrating the role of books as vessels...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into Jenny Han’s beloved novel, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Known for capturing the magic and melancholy of adolescence, Han tells a story about love, family, and the bittersweet process of growing up. Host Brandi discusses the themes that resonate with readers—from the excitement and heartbreak of summer romance to the challenges of navigating family dynamics and personal growth. We also explore the book’s adaptation into a po...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive deep into the layered world of Rose in Chains. Rather than focusing solely on plot, we turn our attention to the characters who breathe life into the narrative. Host Brandi unpacks the motivations, conflicts, and relationships that shape the series’ intricate drama, highlighting the transformations that characters undergo and how their interactions ripple through the story’s unfolding events. This is a character study that reve...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi explores Jennette McCurdy's bestselling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. Known worldwide as Sam Puckett on iCarly and Sam & Cat, McCurdy steps beyond the spotlight to share a raw and honest account of her childhood stardom, her fraught relationship with her mother, and her long path toward healing and self-discovery. Brandi unpacks the memoir’s themes of emotional abuse, family expectations, and reclaiming persona...
Send us a text In this gripping episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into Carter Wilson’s chilling new thriller, Tell Me What You Did. The story follows Poe Webb, a true crime podcast host whose own past is darker than any confession she’s aired. When a mysterious guest claims to be her mother’s killer, Poe is forced to confront secrets she thought were buried forever. Brandi explores how Wilson masterfully weaves podcast recordings into the narrative, creating a layered and ...
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we explore two genre-defying novels that challenge how we perceive time, language, and identity. First, we dive into Alexander Boldizar’s The Man Who Saw Seconds, a pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller about Preble Jefferson, a man who can see five seconds into the future. This gift sets off a chain of events that forces him to confront government control, personal sacrifice, and the nature of reality itself2. Then, we shif...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into the tangled web of secrets and social pressure in One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus. Brandi explores the layered character dynamics of Bronwyn, Addie, Nate, and Cooper—each navigating the intense scrutiny of high school while hiding truths that could change everything. From the mystery surrounding Simon’s death to the emotional journeys of self-discovery, this episode offers a compelling analysis of identity, reputation,...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into the magical world of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. With a charming blend of spellcraft, family tension, and entrepreneurial spirit, this cozy fantasy explores what it means to forge your own path. We also spotlight Ali Hazelwood’s Problematic Summer Romance and share the latest buzz from Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR series. Whether you’re craving magical intrigue or romantic escapism, this episode has something for every ki...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi sits down with author Jeffrey Hops (writing as Marcia Twain) to explore Vesta and Her Children—a powerful historical novel set in the twilight of ancient Rome. From gender and legacy to religious identity and crumbling empires, this story offers a bold reimagining of the forces that shaped history. What we cover: The inspiration behind the Marcia Twain pseudonymVesta’s character, historical context, and personal journeyChal...
Send us a text In this special episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we trade dragons for drama as we dive into the glitzy, heartbreaking world of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. From old Hollywood glamour to raw emotional truths, we unpack Evelyn’s unapologetic ambition, her complex identity, and the love story that defined her life. Plus, we explore why Monique Grant was chosen to tell Evelyn’s story, and what this novel reveals about power, race, and reinvention. We ...
Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we unravel the chilling layers of Verity by Colleen Hoover—a psychological thriller that’s haunted BookTok and divided readers with its jaw-dropping twists. Is it genius or manipulative madness? We weigh in. Then, we shift gears into the magical realm of Wings of Starlight, a fantasy romance that’s capturing hearts and trending fast. Whether you're here for the mind games or the magic, this episode delivers a double dose of drama and e...



