PODCAST · arts
Hot Take Books
by Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan
🔥 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
Episodes
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Red Rising Movie News: Breaking Chains and Casting Golds
Breaking news: Red Rising is officially headed to the big screen. Paramount picked it up, Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games) is directing, and Pierce Brown is an executive producer. Rich is furious. Ryan is thrilled. Both of these things are true. In this bonus episode, Rich asks the question...
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Carl's Doomsday Scenario: Octopi With Twelve Arms
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman | Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 2 | LitRPG Is a sitcom ever the best show of all time? Rich doesn't think so. He still says this is the Office of books. Book two picks up the second book one ends, and the politics inside and outside the dungeon start…
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Author Interview: Anderson W. Frost
Indie author Anderson W. Frost joins Rich and Ryan to talk Thorns, Feathers & Bones, his latest gothic romance novella Montclair, and what's coming next in his world of giants, elves, gods, and men. In the spoiler-free first half, Anderson talks about growing up on Star Trek and Star Wars, the…
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Demon in White: Less is more
Demon in White by Christopher Ruocchio | Sun Eater, Book 3 | Sci-Fi Everyone says get through book three and you're in. The boys got through book three. Ryan is still annoyed he had to commit to three long-ass books to find out, and Rich isn't, he fell in love with the whole series right here.…
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Montclair: Romantasy, Hold the Spice
Montclair by Anderson W. Frost | Thorns, Feathers, and Bones Saga Anderson W. Frost doesn't hold your hand, he puts you in the cart and sends you flying down the mountain. Montclair, his 300-page side-quest novella, is the whole ride: new town, new cast, and a mystery you piece together click by...
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Dungeon Crawler Carl: Welcome to the Dungeon
NEW ACHIEVEMENT: Ryan and Rich (finally) entered the Dungeon, and it did not disappoint! Earth gets invaded, the survivors get shoved into an 18-floor alien reality show/dungeon crawl, and a disgruntled ex-Coast Guard guy named Carl and a foul-mouthed show cat named Princess Donut have to fight,...
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Howling Dark: Much More Sufferable
Howling Dark: Much More SufferableDescription Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio | Sun Eater, Book 2 | Sci-Fi Rich showed up sunburnt, drinking the Kool-Aid, and claiming he got bullied out of a 9....... Ryan stands on business. A year after the boys shrugged off Empire of Silence, the internet...
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The Lost Metal: The End of an Era
Wax and Wayne's story comes to an end — and Rich and Ryan are finally, officially, all the way through Mistborn. On this episode, the guys dig into Brandon Sanderson's The Lost Metal, the fourth and final book in the Wax and Wayne era. Inside: a new Shard, autonomy, throwing its weight around...
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The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn Era 2): Steris With Prep Time Beats Any Shard
The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson | Mistborn Era 2, Book 3 | Epic Fantasy First 15 minutes stay spoiler-free for anyone still deciding — after that, the whole book's on the table (which includes the rest of these notes). Give Steris prep time and she'll out-plan a Shard. The boys crown…
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Shadows of Self: Who's the Kandra This Time?
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson | Mistborn Era 2, Book 2 | Epic Fantasy The boys keep the first 15 spoiler-free for the undecided — after that, all bets are off. Rich swears he coined "Brandy Sandy" with zero evidence and full confidence. Ryan files it as fact anyway. Shadows of Self is the...
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The Alloy of Law: Cowboy Sherlock on Scadrial
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson | Mistborn Era 2, Book 1 | Fantasy | SpoilerTake The boys keep the first 15 minutes spoiler-free for the undecided, after that, all bets are off. Ryan swore this would be a short episode because it's a short book. It was not. Rich came in Cosmere-burnt and...
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Coldwind: Do Not Bend. Do Not Break.
Cold Wind by Andrew Givler is out — and Hot Take Books has thoughts. A lot of them. In this episode, Rich and Ryan dive deep into book two of the Ironbound series, just days after its release. Castor is back, the stakes are higher, and the world has gotten a whole lot bigger. The guys break down...
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Riff Sesh: Cold Wind - Book 2 Ironbound (Spoiler Free)
Cold Wind by Andrew Givler | Ironbound, Book 2 | Fantasy | FastTake Picture this: you're on the treadmill, just walking, minding your business — then chapter 10 cranks the speed and suddenly the whole gym is watching. That's Cold Wind. Rich is at 50% and already comparing Andrew Givler to...
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Ironbound: Oaths, Iron, & Vengeance
Rich and Ryan are back with a book that might just scratch that Red Rising itch — Andrew Givler's Ironbound. Set in a Roman-inspired world where mythical metals bind warriors to elemental symbols, this progression fantasy follows Castor, a young man whose world gets ripped apart before he ever…
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Hot Take Movies: Project Hail Mary
Spoiler wall's up — you've been warned. Hot Take Movies is officially a thing, and the boys are kicking it off with their Book of 2025 now on the big screen. Rich gives Ryan Gosling high marks for the Stratt scene but draws a line between playing Rylan Grace and playing Ryan…
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Throne of Glass: Is she even an assassin?
Celaena Sardothien is supposed to be the most feared assassin in the world. So why does it feel like the tournament, the romance, and the royal drama are all happening around her while she watches from the sidelines? Rich and Ryan dive into Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass — the BookTok darling…
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Warbreaker: Great Book, Wrong Universe
Spoilers hit around 15 minutes in — the boys keep it clean up front if you haven't read it yet. (The rest of this description has spoilers — come back once you've read it.) Rich makes the case for Lightsong the Bold. Ryan files a formal complaint about Vasher's page count. And somewhere in there,...
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Hero of Ages: Mistborn Era One's Victory Lap
Rich and Ryan close out Mistborn Era 1 with Hero of Ages — and their verdict lands somewhere between a standing ovation and a deeply loving complaint. Ryan went in riding the high of a book he couldn't put down, while Rich arrives with the hottest take of the series: Well of Ascension is the…
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Well of Ascension: Vin Be Built Different
Full spoilers ahead — if you haven't read Well of Ascension, Ryan will personally escort you to the nearest bookstore. The boys cover everything: Zane and Vin burning through 300 guards at Hastings Manor, the Tensoon reveal, Straff Venture's deeply satisfying exit via Coloss sword, and the Elland...
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FastTake: Well of Ascension
No cold open. No fluff. Just a straight shot of enthusiasm for a book the boys clearly had to talk themselves down from. Well of Ascension — Book 2 of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Era 1 — picks up after the revolution and immediately asks a harder question: now what? It's Sanderson at his most...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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....
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Strength of the Few: Three Worlds, Too Many Problems, One Badass Alupi
Rich and Ryan tackle James Islington's Strength of the Few. Spoiler warning at 12 minutes for those who haven't read it yet! Vis gets replicated across three worlds and somehow none of them are having a good time. Between Res, Obiteum, and Luceum, the boys debate whether juggling three storylines...
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Royal Assassin: Duty, Desire, & Deep Frustration
In this spoiler-packed deep dive, Rich and Ryan dissect Royal Assassin with equal parts admiration, exasperation, and disbelief. This episode goes far beyond the Fast Take: we dig into Fitz’s stalled growth, the baffling naïveté of Buckkeep’s leadership, the magic system’s flashes of brilliance,...
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Fast Take: Royal Assassin
In this Fast Take, Rich and Ryan break down Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb. This conversation is completely spoiler-free for Book 2, but with full awareness that you’ve already survived Assassin’s Apprentice. We revisit Fitz as he returns to Buckkeep battered, poisoned, and neck-deep in court...
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Will of the Many Recap: Getting Ready for Strength of the Few
Welcome back to Hot Take Books, folks! In this episode, Rich and Ryan dive back into the world of 'Will of the Many' as they set the stage for the highly anticipated sequel, 'Strength of the Few.' The boys break down James Islington's fresh take on magic with consequences, the cutthroat political...
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Assassin's Apprentice: Bastards, Beatdowns, and Bad Decisions
Join Rich and Ryan as they dive deep into the tangled web of 'Assassin's Apprentice.' Get ready for a spicy conversation where they weigh the burdens of book one versus the pressures of the trilogy’s finale. Expect Hot Takes on the heavy lifting that protagonists do, and find out why Ryan…
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FastTake: Assassin's Apprentice
Our dynamic duo tackle the magic system of Hobb's world, think of it like sprinkling a little fairy dust on a medieval drama. Fitz juggles his forbidden powers while navigating the shadows of the court, and the fun doesn't stop there! Rich and Ryan explore the nuances of personal growth,...
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The Sword of Kaigen: The Last Ice Bender
Ryan and Rich return to break down The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang in this full-spoiler deep dive, and it’s an emotional ride. From heart-shattering deaths to jaw-dropping battle sequences, they unpack why this standalone military fantasy has become one of the most talked-about books on BookTok....
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Fast Take: The Sword of Kaigen
In this Fast Take episode, Ryan and Rich dive into The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang — a standalone military fantasy that blends elemental magic, family bonds, and the brutal cost of war. This spoiler-free review covers what makes the book worth reading, and what might hold some readers back. From...
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Bonus: Red Rising x Stormlight Archives Crossover
What happens when the worlds of Red Rising and The Stormlight Archive collide? In this bonus crossover episode, Rich and Ryan fuse their two favorite series to answer the ultimate fan question: Which Orders of the Knights Radiant would Red Rising characters belong to? From Willshaper ideals to...
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Wind and Truth: Oaths, Therapy, and Other Coping Mechanisms
The spoiler walls are down, and the Radiants are on the couch. Rich and Ryan dig into Wind and Truth, Brandon Sanderson’s emotional (and occasionally chaotic) finale to Stormlight’s first arc. Rich thinks he spoiled himself halfway through the read—turns out he didn’t—and Ryan brings the…
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FastTake: Wind and Truth
The six-star review madness has to stop. Rich and Ryan open this spoiler-free FastTake by calling out BookTok’s chaotic scoring habits before diving headfirst into Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth, the long-awaited finale to Stormlight’s first arc. It’s part rant, part celebration, and fully…
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Rhythm of War: The Roshar Science Fair
Buckle up folks, this one’s for the diehards. In our spoiler filled coverage of Rhythm of War, we go full deep dive into Brandon Sanderson’s fourth Stormlight Archive book. No safety nets, no spoiler warnings after this point—just raw, unfiltered takes. We debate whether Rhythm deserves its…
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Fast Take: Rhythm of War (SPOILER FREE)
The Stormlight Archive journey continues! In this Fast Take, Ryan and Rich dive into Rhythm of War—Brandon Sanderson’s fourth entry in the saga. We’re talking pacing, worldbuilding, villains, and why this book might secretly be the best in the series (yes, we said it). From Navani finally…
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Oathbringer: Three Shallan's Walk Into a Bar
Three Shallans walk into a bar… and the hot takes start pouring. In this full-spoiler deep dive on Brandon Sanderson’s Oathbringer, Rich tries to hold the line as the resident Stormlight skeptic while Ryan fully embraces the mob mentality. From Dalinar’s “You cannot have my pain” moment to…
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FastTake: Oathbringer
Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading? We kick things off with that spicy debate before diving into Brandon Sanderson’s Oathbringer. From slow-burn stretches to avalanche payoffs, we talk Dalinar’s big spotlight, Radiant struggles, and why the flashbacks are back in a big way....
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Words of Radiance: I’ll See What I Can Do
🎧 SpoilerTake: Words of Radiance - Spoiler Warning!!!!!! The boys dive all the way into Words of Radiance, and it’s nothing but hot takes, arguments, and love for Sanderson’s epic. Rich struggles with his score, Ryan calls him out for Stormlight gaslighting, and both agree this book fixes nearly...
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FastTake: Words of Radiance
🎧 FastTake: Words of Radiance - Spoiler-free, full banter, and all the chaotic energy you’ve come to expect.Rich has a villain origin story brewing (his words, not ours). He also can’t help but call out Ryan for falling way too hard for Stormlight even though, somehow, their ratings end up…
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FastTake: The Stormlight Archive (Full Series - NO SPOILERS)
Spoiler-free - The Stormlight Archive- Full series review. Trying to decide if you should go all in on this legendary series? We’ve got just the content to help you figure that out. The boys talk about one of the greats writing one of the best fantasy series of all time—The Stormlight Archive.…
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The Way of Kings: Surges, Shardblades, & Storms
The boys go deep on how they’d improve The Way of Kings hint: it could be way shorter. But they also give plenty of praise for its originality and the overall impact of the story. Spoilers everywhere, hot takes guaranteed.
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FastTake: Way of Kings
The boys clearly hold long books to a very high standard—and The Way of Kings is no exception. They’ve got thoughts, they’ve got opinions… and yes, they’ve got “notes” on how it could be even better. But when this one hits the ending, it really delivers. All completely spoiler-free. FastTake is live
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FastTake: Empire of Silence
Empire of Silence – FastTake The boys break down Empire of Silence in this spoiler-free FastTake—and for the first time ever, the combined score lands below a 5. Even more surprising? Rich is actually higher on the book than Ryan. We talk Hadrian Marlowe: a main character you get to know like...
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Empire of Silence: Brooding in Space
Empire of Silence: Brooding in Space – SpoilerTake Hadrian Marlowe might be a legend, but we're not sold. In this spoiler-filled episode, the boys break down why the main character feels more like a dramatic space linguist than a sci-fi hero—and why all that brooding never really leads anywhere....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
🔥 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
HOSTED BY
Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Hot Take Books have?
Hot Take Books currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Hot Take Books 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...
How often does Hot Take Books release new episodes?
Hot Take Books has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Hot Take Books?
You can listen to Hot Take Books on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Hot Take Books?
Hot Take Books is created and hosted by Hot Take Books by Rich and Ryan.
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