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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I really wanted to love Of Flame and Fury — the concept of phoenix racing, a scrappy underdog team, and a reluctant partnership between rivals had so much promise. But, despite an exciting premise and solid narration, I struggled to fully connect with the story.
Kel Varra is a strong FMC with a lot on the line, and her dynamic with the MMC and rival Coup (Warren Coupers) follows a familiar rivals-to-lovers and fake dating formula. While their angsty 17 year old banter had its moments, the pacing and world-building made it hard for me to stay invested. There are a LOT of moving parts — tech, magical creatures, a spreading disease, a shady corporation — but many of them felt under-explored. I kept waiting for the plot to really bring me in, but it never quite did. That said, the racing scenes are well done and the phoenixes are portrayed as truly wild and dangerous, which was majestical. There’s also a strong found-family element and an emotional undercurrent that I did enjoy.
The audiobook narration by Safiyya Ingar was fabulous, and definitely the main reason I stuck with it. Her performance was expressive and clear, and she brought a lot of personality to the characters. I'm a sucker for an accent.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Kel Varra is a strong FMC with a lot on the line, and her dynamic with the MMC and rival Coup (Warren Coupers) follows a familiar rivals-to-lovers and fake dating formula. While their angsty 17 year old banter had its moments, the pacing and world-building made it hard for me to stay invested. There are a LOT of moving parts — tech, magical creatures, a spreading disease, a shady corporation — but many of them felt under-explored. I kept waiting for the plot to really bring me in, but it never quite did. That said, the racing scenes are well done and the phoenixes are portrayed as truly wild and dangerous, which was majestical. There’s also a strong found-family element and an emotional undercurrent that I did enjoy.
The audiobook narration by Safiyya Ingar was fabulous, and definitely the main reason I stuck with it. Her performance was expressive and clear, and she brought a lot of personality to the characters. I'm a sucker for an accent.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge is a third person-POV YA Romantasy. Kel is a phoenix tamer who has been butting heads with Coup, a rider who recently joined her team, since they met. When they are given the chance to be sponsored by a tech mogul and keep their spot in the races (with a very tempting monetary prize), they take it. But something is wrong with Savita, their team’s phoenix, and the company they agreed to work with.
This is what I mean when I say ‘Romantasy.’ The romance plays a very significant part of the plot and has a romance voice and romance tropes and a romance structure, but the fantasy elements are not just present but are prominent. They are guiding a lot of the plot. There’s a lot of antagonism between Kel and Coup but there is that undercurrent of something else that the two are fighting. It’s not quite enemies-to-lovers because they aren’t really enemies but are more irritated because their views on Coup’s racing style are very different.
The tech mogul sponsorship aspects feel very modern and current. There are a lot of conversations these days around what tech companies do and do not own and how they are trying to buy artists or smaller businesses in order to take what they want and leave a husk behind. Given this and how many young people are interested in environmentalism and how this connects to the phoenixes, I think younger readers will see a lot of familiar themes and ideas in this book for them to engage with.
The worldbuilding is most strongly focused on what the phoenixes mean for the world at large. It’s stated clearly that phoenixes are the ones who created the world the characters inhabit and the book even opens with an explanation of the different species. What I thought was so interesting is how phoenixes are treated like gods by many people to the point that they shouldn't be collared and tamed but the races that do exactly that exist. Moreover, phoenixes are said to be very difficult to tame but Kel is capable of connecting with Savita in ways that are highly unusual. It’s sort of like Horse Girl trope but make it Phoenix Girl.
I would recommend this to fans of Romantasy that hone in on one or two worldbuilding elements and readers of YA fantasy who like a lot of tension between the romantic couple
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
emotional
tense
medium-paced
THIS IS A DEBUT?!
No way!
This book is addicting in the best/worst way.
I read half the book in one sitting, and I was so tense I wanted to pull my hair out! I had to keep reminding myself the MCs are 17 and that’s why they’re making all these dumb decisions 😂😂
I had to break at 60% or I would have thrown my kindle across the room!
The next day I woke up and finished it 🙄🤣
The ending is definitely worth the stress and the anticipation. But I NEED THAT EPILOGUE so I already preordered this bc how dare you end it like that?
If you want a new refreshing take on mythological creatures, bc all the dragons are getting old this book is for you.
If you like high stakes, enemies to lovers, this is for you.
If you like defying the odds and tense trials, this is for you.
Thank you Mikayla Bridge, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
No way!
This book is addicting in the best/worst way.
I read half the book in one sitting, and I was so tense I wanted to pull my hair out! I had to keep reminding myself the MCs are 17 and that’s why they’re making all these dumb decisions 😂😂
I had to break at 60% or I would have thrown my kindle across the room!
The next day I woke up and finished it 🙄🤣
The ending is definitely worth the stress and the anticipation. But I NEED THAT EPILOGUE so I already preordered this bc how dare you end it like that?
If you want a new refreshing take on mythological creatures, bc all the dragons are getting old this book is for you.
If you like high stakes, enemies to lovers, this is for you.
If you like defying the odds and tense trials, this is for you.
Thank you Mikayla Bridge, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Of Flame and Fury is a YA fantasy standalone featuring the fast and dangerous sport of phoenix racing. Kel is a phoenix tamer and needs a new phoenix rider who also happens to be her handsome dare devil rival. It’s all a recipe for forced proximity, fake dating, and tons of banter. I enjoyed their romance, but the phoenixes, and especially Savita are really the stars of the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the worldbuilding. While it is a standalone, I felt the epilogue could have been expanded upon more, and I would be interested in other connected books in the universe. I want to read about more the phoenixes! 🐦🔥
The narration by Safiyya Ingar was well done. The quality of their voice was very raspy, which I personally liked.
What to Expect:
- Rivals to Reluctant Allies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Fake Dating
- Phoenixes! 🐦🔥
- SLOW burn
Thank you to Mikayla Bridge and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
The narration by Safiyya Ingar was well done. The quality of their voice was very raspy, which I personally liked.
What to Expect:
- Rivals to Reluctant Allies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Fake Dating
- Phoenixes! 🐦🔥
- SLOW burn
Thank you to Mikayla Bridge and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to @mikayla_bridge and @macmillanusa for the #gifted e-book and @Macmillan.audio #MacAudio2025 for the #gifted audiobook.
This debut novel is nothing short of phenomenal, instantly captivating from the very first page.
It’s a relentless adventure filled with thrilling phoenix races, a compelling romance, and tantalizing secrets. The evolving relationship between Kel and Coup, from fierce adversaries to passionate lovers, added intriguing depth to the story. Their romance is beautifully sweet, providing a perfect balance to the exhilarating racing scenes that are packed with a heart-pounding pace sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The friendship among the teammates shines, highlighting themes of loyalty and unity.
The conspiracy involving the phoenixes is both fascinating and cleverly woven into the story, while the world-building is masterfully crafted, making it easy to vividly visualize every detail. The conclusion left room for a sequel, which I am absolutely eager to explore.
The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices, which enhanced the intensity that compelled me to keep turning the pages.
If you’re a fan of fast-paced fantasy that intertwines romance with gripping conspiracy, this book is a must-read. Mark your calendars for its release on July 15, 2025—you won’t want to miss it!
challenging
hopeful
medium-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
This book was a fast read and I enjoyed it. I really thought having Phoenix’s as the main fantasy creature was unique and just as thrilling as some of the main dragon books out today. Instead fighting in a war they have races which was a nice reprieve from characters constantly being one breath away from dying. Although, it’s still high stakes and just as deadly. It felt less jarring due to the fact only one team member races at a time only thing I can compare it to would be like nascar there’s the driver(flyer) and the pit cure essentially. Hoping there will be a continuation of the story. I wouldn’t categorize this as enemies to lovers but revivals to almost lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
tense
fast-paced
I was not expecting a book about F1 phoenix racing to have me sobbing, but here we are.
Despite (alright partially because of) the tears, I had such a good time with Of Flame and Fury. I was immediately hooked by Safiyya Ingar's narration! Opening the book with such a catastrophic loss sure was a choice, but it beautifully set up the high stakes tone for the rest of the novel.
Savita is truly the star of the book (and she and everyone in the story knows it), but her bond with Kel had me misty eyed at multiple turns.
And if you ever get an offer from a tech mogul that seems too good to be true, well, you know what they say.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free copy of the book!
Despite (alright partially because of) the tears, I had such a good time with Of Flame and Fury. I was immediately hooked by Safiyya Ingar's narration! Opening the book with such a catastrophic loss sure was a choice, but it beautifully set up the high stakes tone for the rest of the novel.
Savita is truly the star of the book (and she and everyone in the story knows it), but her bond with Kel had me misty eyed at multiple turns.
And if you ever get an offer from a tech mogul that seems too good to be true, well, you know what they say.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free copy of the book!
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
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:
Yes
I was lucky to listen to the audio of Of Flame and Fury by Makayla Bridge.
The reader Safiyya Ingar was easy to listen to. I was able to speed up the audio and follow along. Overall, I would listen to her again.
I didn't know what to expect of the story because I went in blind. I was excited to find out it was about Phoenixes. The author jumps right into the story and keeps you wanting to listen. There is romance but the plot is the main focus. There is a whole section in the beginning that explains the different Phoenixes, which got me excited. I was hoping to see that be more part of the plot. Overall, I enjoyed the story and hope to hear more of it in the future.
The reader Safiyya Ingar was easy to listen to. I was able to speed up the audio and follow along. Overall, I would listen to her again.
I didn't know what to expect of the story because I went in blind. I was excited to find out it was about Phoenixes. The author jumps right into the story and keeps you wanting to listen. There is romance but the plot is the main focus. There is a whole section in the beginning that explains the different Phoenixes, which got me excited. I was hoping to see that be more part of the plot. Overall, I enjoyed the story and hope to hear more of it in the future.