Hot Take Books
Episodes
Hot Take Movies: Project Hail Mary
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Spoiler wall's up ā 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...
Throne of Glass: Is she even an assassin?
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Warbreaker: Great Book, Wrong Universe
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Spoilers hit around 15 minutes in ā the boys keep it clean up front if you haven't read it yet. (The rest of this description has spoilers ā c...
Hero of Ages: Mistborn Era One's Victory Lap
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and Ryan close out Mistborn Era 1 withĀ Hero of AgesĀ ā and their verdict lands somewhere between a standing ovation and a deeply loving compla...
Well of Ascension: Vin Be Built Different
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Full spoilers ahead ā if you haven't read Well of Ascension, Ryan will personally escort you to the nearest bookstore.The boys cover everything:...
FastTake: Well of Ascension
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ā Book 2 ...
Mistborn: Flaring Metals and Overthrowing Governments
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 nobo...
FastTake: Mistborn
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and Ryan tackle Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn a fantasy heist story where metal-burning outlaws plot to topple a thousand-year-old tyrant. The...
Thorns, Feathers, and Bones: Crowns, Combat, and Chaos
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Riff Sesh: Thorns, Feathers, and Bones
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ande...
Fires of Vengeance: No Peace, Only War
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rage of Dragons: The World Burns
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Hot Take Books, Ryan and Rich go all-in on The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winterāno shields up, full spoilers allowed.What starts as...
Fast Take: The Rage of Dragons
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Hotties 2025: Hot Take Books Year-End Awards
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Strength of the Few: Three Worlds, Too Many Problems, One Badass Alupi
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 replicate...
Royal Assassin: Duty, Desire, & Deep Frustration
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this spoiler-packed deep dive, Rich and Ryan dissect Royal Assassin with equal parts admiration, exasperation, and disbelief. This episode goes far...
Fast Take: Royal Assassin
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 aware...
Will of the Many Recap: Getting Ready for Strength of the Few
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Assassin's Apprentice: Bastards, Beatdowns, and Bad Decisions
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
FastTake: Assassin's Apprentice
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 for...
The Sword of Kaigen: The Last Ice Bender
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Rich return to break down The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang in this full-spoiler deep dive, and itās an emotional ride. From heart-shatterin...
Fast Take: The Sword of Kaigen
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Fast Take episode, Ryan and Rich dive into The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang ā a standalone military fantasy that blends elemental magic, fam...
Bonus: Red Rising x Stormlight Archives Crossover
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Wind and Truth: Oaths, Therapy, and Other Coping Mechanisms
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The spoiler walls are down, and the Radiants are on the couch. Rich and Ryan dig into Wind and Truth, Brandon Sandersonās emotional (and occasionall...
FastTake: Wind and Truth
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The six-star review madness has to stop. Rich and Ryan open this spoiler-free FastTake by calling out BookTokās chaotic scoring habits before diving...
Rhythm of War: The Roshar Science Fair
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up folks, this oneās for the diehards. In our spoiler filled coverage of Rhythm of War, we go full deep dive into Brandon Sandersonās fourt...
Fast Take: Rhythm of War (SPOILER FREE)
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Stormlight Archive journey continues! In this Fast Take, Ryan and Rich dive into Rhythm of WarāBrandon Sandersonās fourth entry in the saga. W...
Oathbringer: Three Shallan's Walk Into a Bar
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Three Shallans walk into a barā¦ and the hot takes start pouring. In this full-spoiler deep dive on Brandon Sandersonās Oathbringer, Rich tries to ...
FastTake: Oathbringer
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading? We kick things off with that spicy debate before diving into Brandon Sandersonās Oathbringer. From...
Words of Radiance: Iāll See What I Can Do
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
š§Ā SpoilerTake: Words of Radiance - Spoiler Warning!!!!!!The boys dive all the way into Words of Radiance, and itās nothing but hot takes, argume...
FastTake: Words of Radiance
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
š§ FastTake: Words of Radiance - Spoiler-free, full banter, and all the chaotic energy youāve come to expect.Rich has a villain origin story brewi...
FastTake: The Stormlight Archive (Full Series - NO SPOILERS)
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spoiler-free - The Stormlight Archive- Full series review.Trying to decide if you should go all in on this legendary series? Weāve got just the cont...
The Way of Kings: Surges, Shardblades, & Storms
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The boys go deep on how theyād improve The Way of Kings hint: it could be way shorter. But they also give plenty of praise for its originality and t...
FastTake: Way of Kings
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The boys clearly hold long books to a very high standardāand The Way of Kings is no exception. Theyāve got thoughts, theyāve got opinionsā¦ and...
FastTake: Empire of Silence
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Empire of Silence ā FastTakeThe boys break down Empire of Silence in this spoiler-free FastTakeāand for the first time ever, the combined score la...
Empire of Silence: Brooding in Space
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Empire of Silence: Brooding in Space ā SpoilerTakeHadrian Marlowe might be a legend, but we're not sold. In this spoiler-filled episode, the boy...
Project Hail Mary: Great Great Great!
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are back to break down Project Hail Mary and it's all spoilers, space friends, and score regrets. Rich realizes in real time that his rat...
FastTake: Project Hail Mary
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Rich and Ryan as they launch into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir in this spoiler-free FastTake. They talk science and space bromance while breaki...
Will of the Many: Stronger Together
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Strap in for the spoiler-filled chaos as Rich and Ryan dive deep into Will of the Many by ā James Islingtonā .Rich forces Ryan to talk about Red Ris...
FastTake: Will of the Many
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Rich and Ryan as they dive into Will of the Many by ā James Islingtonā in this spoiler-free FastTake!Does Rich shamelessly claim credit for a ...
Hot Take Books: The 411
28 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and Ryan give you the 411 on who they are, why they started Hot Take Books, and how the show works.Naturally, there's plenty of banterāRich...