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 gets a chance to fight for it.

The guys break down why this book is really three stories in one — a coming-of-age tale, a training montage, and a full-blown war story— and whether that structure works in its favor or costs it in the end. Expect a deep dive on the hard vs. soft magic system debate, character development that is top tier, and a disagreement about whether the ending sticks the landing.

Plus: three 1-star reviews that range from head-scratching to genuinely unhinged, a bold sequel announcement, and the ring light saga that delayed the episode by five minutes.

HTB Score: 8.3 — BUY 🛒

Spoiler-free for the first 15 minutes. Spoilers begin after the warning.