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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
As soon as I saw phoenix racing I knew I had to read this book. And we start right away into action with a race that helped me get into the story from chapter one. We meet Kel, a phoenix tamer who is part of a racing team called the Howlers alongside her friend Dira and others. After a loss they are in search of a new rider and they must join forcers with Coup, who Kel despises and his brother. As the howlers get noticed and gain popularity they are recruited by a popular company in the city that's responsible for a lot of the important technology used with phoenixes. There they are face with secrets and strange happenings.
What I liked about this story is that it was fast paced and the races we very well written out, they were my favorite part. Along with Kel's phoenix Savita, she's so sassy. Kel is a strong character that despite being so young had a lot of responsibilities and managed to deal with them very well. Her back and fort with Coup was fun and the found family aspect made me care about every character. I get why it was compared to Fourth Wing in the blurb due to the racing but to me it is nothing like it. The main characters here are 17 and act their age in a good way, they go through different things, romance is slow burn so not a main theme. And has nothing to do with a war college so I don't thing the comparison is fair. The are two main plots interconnected here, the phoenix racing and a blight. A strange illness that despite not being contagious can attack anyone and has no cure so a lot revolves around that also. The one thing I found it was bit lacking was in the world building, I feel like something was missing but it didn't deter me from enjoying the story. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
What I liked about this story is that it was fast paced and the races we very well written out, they were my favorite part. Along with Kel's phoenix Savita, she's so sassy. Kel is a strong character that despite being so young had a lot of responsibilities and managed to deal with them very well. Her back and fort with Coup was fun and the found family aspect made me care about every character. I get why it was compared to Fourth Wing in the blurb due to the racing but to me it is nothing like it. The main characters here are 17 and act their age in a good way, they go through different things, romance is slow burn so not a main theme. And has nothing to do with a war college so I don't thing the comparison is fair. The are two main plots interconnected here, the phoenix racing and a blight. A strange illness that despite not being contagious can attack anyone and has no cure so a lot revolves around that also. The one thing I found it was bit lacking was in the world building, I feel like something was missing but it didn't deter me from enjoying the story. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fourth Wing but with Phoenix riders, in a modern world, and written for a YA audience? Yes please!
In all seriousness, this was a fun and easy listen! Mikayla Bridge’s Of Flame and Fury is a captivating debut filled with action, suspense, found family, and a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance that kept me turning the (metaphorical) pages. This story is fast-paced and emotionally resonant, perfect for YA fans looking for something fresh yet familiar.
Although the characters are teens, the writing felt mature without losing the authentic voice of its age group. As an adult reader, I know I would’ve devoured this as a teen, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it now.
If I had one critique, it’s that I wanted more time in this world. A bit more development in both the setting and the character relationships would have made the story even stronger. Still, the plot lays the groundwork for a sequel with even higher stakes, and I’m definitely along for the ride in Of Venom and Vengeance.
Narrator Safiyya Ingar brought the audiobook to life with an engaging performance. Her range of accents and distinct voices for each character made the listening experience seamless and immersive.
Overall, this is a strong start to what promises to be a compelling series. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC!
In all seriousness, this was a fun and easy listen! Mikayla Bridge’s Of Flame and Fury is a captivating debut filled with action, suspense, found family, and a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance that kept me turning the (metaphorical) pages. This story is fast-paced and emotionally resonant, perfect for YA fans looking for something fresh yet familiar.
Although the characters are teens, the writing felt mature without losing the authentic voice of its age group. As an adult reader, I know I would’ve devoured this as a teen, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it now.
If I had one critique, it’s that I wanted more time in this world. A bit more development in both the setting and the character relationships would have made the story even stronger. Still, the plot lays the groundwork for a sequel with even higher stakes, and I’m definitely along for the ride in Of Venom and Vengeance.
Narrator Safiyya Ingar brought the audiobook to life with an engaging performance. Her range of accents and distinct voices for each character made the listening experience seamless and immersive.
Overall, this is a strong start to what promises to be a compelling series. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC!
I’m still pretty new to the fantasy genre so the beginning is always a little difficult for me. I found this book to be the complete opposite- I was hooked within the first 2 chapters. It was giving elements of Fourth Wing (with much less spice), so I think that’s why I was so intrigued. Regardless, there is no doubt that Of Flame and Fury will be in my top 10 books of 2025.
We love a good enemies to lovers book, and that’s exactly what this was, while also being so, so much more. Some other tropes I picked up on were forced proximity and found family. I think this book could have also done very well as a dual-POV, especially with the initial animosity and slow change between Kel and Coup’s dynamic.
The characters were all honestly very likable, the banter between all characters was great, and I loved how as the book progressed, the characters began to notice similarities they all shared. The bond Kel shared with her phoenix was also truly beautiful.
The epilogue wasn’t included in the ARC I received, but I must know what happened, so you bet I’ll be buying this book right now to find out!!
This was an incredible debut for this author and I look forward to reading more from her (and hopefully a sequel!!!) in the future :)
Thank you to NetGalley, Mikayla Bridge, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux (BYR) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
We love a good enemies to lovers book, and that’s exactly what this was, while also being so, so much more. Some other tropes I picked up on were forced proximity and found family. I think this book could have also done very well as a dual-POV, especially with the initial animosity and slow change between Kel and Coup’s dynamic.
The characters were all honestly very likable, the banter between all characters was great, and I loved how as the book progressed, the characters began to notice similarities they all shared. The bond Kel shared with her phoenix was also truly beautiful.
The epilogue wasn’t included in the ARC I received, but I must know what happened, so you bet I’ll be buying this book right now to find out!!
This was an incredible debut for this author and I look forward to reading more from her (and hopefully a sequel!!!) in the future :)
Thank you to NetGalley, Mikayla Bridge, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux (BYR) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When Kel’s racing team, the Howlers, find themselves in need of a new phoenix rider, she isn’t thrilled that her rival, Warren Coupers, is the only option. Tensions are high, but the media soaks up their partnership both on and off the track. After a tragic fire at Kel’s farm, the team is forced to work for a major tech corporation.
In this gripping political fantasy, follow the Howlers in their efforts to build success as a phoenix racing team as they learn to work together against all odds. This book doesn’t wait to jump right into the thick of it, hitting you with raw emotion and trauma immediately. Mikayla Bridge spares nothing, with quick pacing that drew me deep into Kel’s world.
It’s clear the author had a vision - every word was strategic and meaningful. Her whimsical writing style, with many descriptive references to themes of fire, smoke, etc. brought the book to life, painting the picture of phoenix racing like an art.
The artistic tone really helped ground the fast-paced nature of the story. Despite a quickened plot, high stakes kept me glued to each chapter. The pacing felt appropriate as I built a list of things to learn and uncover. The conspiracies start early - and I was eager to decipher them!
Inversely to the action-packed, fast-paced plot line, we were eased into the romantic elements, sensing only the slightest hint of romantic tension between the MCs. I learned about the MMC and grew to like him alongside Kel, a very natural progression. This format helped prioritize the emotional bond with the team first, emphasizing the found family element before introducing the complexities of romance.
The pacing slowed down considerably through the middle of the book. My main criticism would be to tease more for readers to conspire about, and spread out the action toward the middle - between about 50 to 70% - so we could start to guess what was happening. So much happened in the beginning, and the end is packed, so it felt like a minor lull. Still, the author kept me hooked with the wonderful relationships between the characters and world building.
The narrator did a fantastic job of contributing to that, bringing not only the characters to life, but the artistry of Bridge’s writing. I revelled in feeling every emotion the characters experienced, as if I was inside Kel’s head - despite not agreeing with her character at all times, I somehow always felt connected to her, and I think this was largely due to the incredible narration from Safiyya Ingar.
Around 70%, the plot really started to take off - every stake was raised, and I was genuinely stressed (in a good way). At 90%, the suspense tripled, and it was full speed ahead to the end. There was no way I could stop listening at that point, no way to put it down. The twists, the shock, the anger and the fear… I was reeling. Not only was this book an artistic vision brought to life, but an important, thought provoking political statement.
Thank you to the author, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
In this gripping political fantasy, follow the Howlers in their efforts to build success as a phoenix racing team as they learn to work together against all odds. This book doesn’t wait to jump right into the thick of it, hitting you with raw emotion and trauma immediately. Mikayla Bridge spares nothing, with quick pacing that drew me deep into Kel’s world.
It’s clear the author had a vision - every word was strategic and meaningful. Her whimsical writing style, with many descriptive references to themes of fire, smoke, etc. brought the book to life, painting the picture of phoenix racing like an art.
The artistic tone really helped ground the fast-paced nature of the story. Despite a quickened plot, high stakes kept me glued to each chapter. The pacing felt appropriate as I built a list of things to learn and uncover. The conspiracies start early - and I was eager to decipher them!
Inversely to the action-packed, fast-paced plot line, we were eased into the romantic elements, sensing only the slightest hint of romantic tension between the MCs. I learned about the MMC and grew to like him alongside Kel, a very natural progression. This format helped prioritize the emotional bond with the team first, emphasizing the found family element before introducing the complexities of romance.
The pacing slowed down considerably through the middle of the book. My main criticism would be to tease more for readers to conspire about, and spread out the action toward the middle - between about 50 to 70% - so we could start to guess what was happening. So much happened in the beginning, and the end is packed, so it felt like a minor lull. Still, the author kept me hooked with the wonderful relationships between the characters and world building.
The narrator did a fantastic job of contributing to that, bringing not only the characters to life, but the artistry of Bridge’s writing. I revelled in feeling every emotion the characters experienced, as if I was inside Kel’s head - despite not agreeing with her character at all times, I somehow always felt connected to her, and I think this was largely due to the incredible narration from Safiyya Ingar.
Around 70%, the plot really started to take off - every stake was raised, and I was genuinely stressed (in a good way). At 90%, the suspense tripled, and it was full speed ahead to the end. There was no way I could stop listening at that point, no way to put it down. The twists, the shock, the anger and the fear… I was reeling. Not only was this book an artistic vision brought to life, but an important, thought provoking political statement.
Thank you to the author, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
I’m struggling with this one. For a romantic fantasy ya, it’s good. But it’s also lacking in a lot of things that are hard for me to overlook even with it being young adult. The negatives I highlight may be a little spoiler-y, so read at your own risk.
The good: The world building is fantastic. The phoenix races, the phoenixes themselves, and the landscapes are all wonderfully constructed. The characters had depth and acted appropriately for their age. The tension between the love interests was fun. The twists toward the end were absolutely insane!
The bad: I can’t overlook the holes in the world building. Yes, it’s fantasy and not real, but good grief that much heat and certain unfortunate events would not take a minuscule amount of time to heal. Tech isn’t incredibly advanced in the world (no cars), so the idea that one guy can suddenly heal people from near death in weeks is a stretch. The endings of chapters tended to be really melodramatic. Some transitions within chapters were choppy or didn’t make sense. Where did a certain character go when they were saying goodbye? The character was just not there anymore.
BUT, with all that said, I did enjoy the book. It’s fun and fast paced. I would suggest it to anyone who loves YA and would like to dip their toes into fantasy.
Thank you Macmillan for the gifted eARC!
The good: The world building is fantastic. The phoenix races, the phoenixes themselves, and the landscapes are all wonderfully constructed. The characters had depth and acted appropriately for their age. The tension between the love interests was fun. The twists toward the end were absolutely insane!
The bad: I can’t overlook the holes in the world building. Yes, it’s fantasy and not real, but good grief that much heat and certain unfortunate events would not take a minuscule amount of time to heal. Tech isn’t incredibly advanced in the world (no cars), so the idea that one guy can suddenly heal people from near death in weeks is a stretch. The endings of chapters tended to be really melodramatic. Some transitions within chapters were choppy or didn’t make sense. Where did a certain character go when they were saying goodbye? The character was just not there anymore.
BUT, with all that said, I did enjoy the book. It’s fun and fast paced. I would suggest it to anyone who loves YA and would like to dip their toes into fantasy.
Thank you Macmillan for the gifted eARC!
adventurous
4⭐️ this was so good!! if you like the podracing scenes from star wars but want a fantasy version of that with phoenixes, this one is for you!! I thought this had excellent characterization - getting a personality nailed for a mythical creature can be a doozy sometimes but it worked perfectly here. I wish we could’ve had a bit more world building, but the plot and characters were excellent. this did read more adult than YA to me (characters seemed much more mature than 17 years old), but there’s minimal spice. I had a great time reading this although it is a bit long. Recommend!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this one a lot. The author created amazing descriptions of riders on a phoenix with the danger that they overheat and there's fire everywhere, and they push as hard as possible to win a race, even if it means sacrificing all. A team where each character has a role, she wants to protect her Phoenix more than anything. He wants to win all races and enemies to Lovers, with a few sad plot twists. Light romantic scenes.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
*ARC courtesy of netgalley