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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 novel follows Martha Ballard, a midwife whose meticulous diary places her at the center of a murder investigation when a man is found frozen in the river. As Martha uncovers darker truths about power, violence, and credibility, the story reveals how often truth is treated as disruption and how courage, especially in women, is rarely rewarded in its own time.

This conversation explores how justice evolves, or fails to, and how history is shaped not only by those in power, but by women who documented, remembered, and refused to look away.

Episode Highlights

• How The Frozen River reframes justice through the lens of historical silence and gendered power
• The cost of telling the truth when it threatens social order and reputation
• Why courage is often punished rather than rewarded, especially for women
• Martha Ballard as both witness and disruptor in a world built to dismiss her
• The question of whether justice has truly changed or simply adopted new language
• Why historical fiction can illuminate modern conversations about belief and accountability

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who loves historical fiction that asks hard questions and does not flinch from the answers.

Until next time, keep reading, keep dreaming, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

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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 backdrop of luxury weddings, oceanfront mansions, and carefully curated celebrations, the story follows Phoebe, a woman unraveling in plain sight. While everything around her looks beautiful and complete, Phoebe is struggling to stay afloat emotionally. This episode unpacks how the novel challenges our expectations of happiness, success, and emotional composure during life’s most public moments.

Rather than offering easy resolutions, The Wedding People asks gentler questions about survival, presence, and what it means to truly see and be seen. Sometimes staying alive is not about hope for the future, but about one conversation, one kindness, or one reason to stay for breakfast, then lunch, then one more day.

🌟 Episode Highlights

• How The Wedding People portrays quiet grief and emotional invisibility in celebratory spaces
• The contrast between luxury and internal emptiness, and why beauty does not heal pain
• Weddings and milestones as environments where people are expected to perform happiness
• Survival framed through small moments of connection rather than dramatic turning points
• Why being witnessed can matter more than being fixed
• The permission we rarely give ourselves to fall apart when life does not follow the plan
• How imperfect connection can still be life saving

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This week’s Dragon’s Roar spotlights a bold new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell.

Starring Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, with original music by Charli XCX, this reimagining leans fully into obsession, class tension, and emotional extremity. The film arrives in theaters on February 13 and promises a modern, feral take on one of literature’s most destructive love stories.

If this conversation spoke to you, consider sharing it with someone who might need the reminder that they are not alone, even when they feel out of place. Stories like The Wedding People remind us that survival often begins quietly, and compassion does not need answers to matter.

Thanks for spending time with Dragons and Spaceships.

Until next time, keep reading, keep dreaming, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

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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, omission, and the devastating consequences of choosing not to see the truth.

At the center of the story is Jean Taylor, a character who is difficult to love but impossible to forget. As Brandi unpacks the moral complexity of Jean’s choices, she asks the big questions this book leaves behind. How responsible are we for the things we ignore? Where is the line between manipulation and self preservation? And when does silence become unforgivable?

This episode is a spoiler free deep dive into themes of marriage, complicity, and moral ambiguity, and why The Widow feels less like a thriller and more like a psychological reckoning.

In this week’s Dragon’s Roar, Brandi also shares exciting crossover news for book and TV fans. Tell Me Lies is getting an official companion podcast ahead of season three. Hosted by Stacey Schroeder, the podcast will feature cast members, creator Megan Oppenheimer, and behind the scenes creatives as they unpack the emotional chaos episode by episode.

If you love thoughtful psychological fiction, morally complex characters, and stories that spark serious book club debate, this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share this episode, and send us your thoughts. This one is absolutely a book club discussion waiting to happen.

Until next time, keep reading, stay curious, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

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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

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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

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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 realism
• How Debbie Perry weaves intimacy into sprawling fantasy stakes
• Character-driven world building that will appeal to fans of Fourth Wing and The Bridge Kingdom
• Big questions about morality, loyalty, and what makes a monster
• Dragon’s Roar: Film adaptation news for Emily Henry’s Funny Story
• Why this series has become a standout in the romantasy genre
• Thoughts and questions for readers about key character decisions

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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.

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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.

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