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 combative, and ultimately thoughtful breakdown of one of the most adrenaline-fueled fantasy reads we’ve covered. Coming off a collective Red Rising hangover, the question looms large: does The Rage of Dragons actually scratch that itch, or does it just poke the bruise?

We dig deep into:

• Tau’s obsessive, self-destructive drive for vengeance—and why it works

• A world that sparks debate: African-inspired setting, matriarchal power structures, dragons, demons, and a magic system tied to sacrifice

• Whether the book’s relentless pacing is its greatest strength or its biggest limitation

• Standout characters like Tau, Hadith, Uduak, Jayad, and the complicated shadow of Kellan Okar

• Brutal fight scenes, iconic one-liners, and moments that made us physically stop reading just to react

• A live score change on mic and what finally pushed the worldbuilding score up

We also read and react to some spicy one-star reviews, argue about what a “5” really means in our scoring system, complain (politely but firmly) about glossaries being in the back of books, and end with a clear verdict:

This isn’t a subtle book. It’s rage, sweat, steel, and obsession—all gas, very little brake—and for the right reader, it’s an absolute blast.

Final Score: 8/10 — Buy
Not for everyone. But if you want heart-pounding action, raw motivation, and a protagonist who will destroy himself to reach his goal, this one delivers.

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