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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I normally wouldn't tag something LGBTQ if the main character isn't, but this book is SO diverse that it deserves the tag. And it also deserves the four stars!
The concept of this book was so creative and original, and a really fun twist on dragon lore. It's a fantasy book set in our world, with magic and witches and dragons, but at the heart is a very contemporary theme: culture. And our connection with our culture, especially when we don't live in the same country we were born in. I loved that.
I'm definitely intruiged and excited to see what Amparo Ortiz writes next!
The concept of this book was so creative and original, and a really fun twist on dragon lore. It's a fantasy book set in our world, with magic and witches and dragons, but at the heart is a very contemporary theme: culture. And our connection with our culture, especially when we don't live in the same country we were born in. I loved that.
I'm definitely intruiged and excited to see what Amparo Ortiz writes next!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This ended up being a lot different than what I thought it would be. That said, it was still very enjoyable and I was invested in seeing it through to the end. The reveals that happen in the story didn't make my jaw drop in shock per say, but they made sense for the story. Andrew deserves better. I also really liked some of the quotes that were said, especially the one that Marisol said to Lana about not letting her inner fire burn her up too. That really resonated with me because of my own life, but also because I was really made on Lana's behalf about how people were treating her. I understand and do sympathize with Lana, but especially towards the last half of the book, just found myself so irritated with her and her wishy-washiness and overall actions. I'm not sure if that was just a personal me not vibing with a character thing or what, but I was more invested with other characters than Lana in the latter half.
All that said, this was a really enjoyable book though, and I'm interested in what the sequel is going to tackle and just seeing more of Amparo Ortiz's writing.
After reading only three chapters, I already felt so invested in this book and it felt like such a fresh, original story. I couldn't predict where it was going at all. And this rings true for the rest of the book as well - it's such a refreshing read in that sense. Because while I love YA fantasy, I feel like it gets predictable and formulaic at times, and this wasn't at all.
Another reason why it was a breath of fresh air is that this book didn't have a main romance. While I love reading romance, it's a shame to see that almost all YA books focus on romance, and it's delightful to read a book that focuses on dragons instead. I feel like, even though the book doesn't have aspec rep, it will appeal to people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums for that reason! As well as just everyone who sometimes isn't in the mood to read about romance.
But let's get into the book itself. Honestly, it was so full of unexpected twists and turns, backed up by amazing world building and a super interesting magic system, that I feel like you should preferably go in without knowing too much about it. It's about a Puerto Rican-American girl who's always been a massive fan of Blazewrath, a dragon sport, and she wants to compete in the world cup. I loved how international this book was and how much diversity it had: there's so many nationalities and ethnicities featured, and there are several LGBTQ+ side characters as well as a disabled character who's in a wheelchair. I don't really want to tell you anymore about the story, because you should really experience it for yourself, but I can't recommend this book enough!
Another reason why it was a breath of fresh air is that this book didn't have a main romance. While I love reading romance, it's a shame to see that almost all YA books focus on romance, and it's delightful to read a book that focuses on dragons instead. I feel like, even though the book doesn't have aspec rep, it will appeal to people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums for that reason! As well as just everyone who sometimes isn't in the mood to read about romance.
But let's get into the book itself. Honestly, it was so full of unexpected twists and turns, backed up by amazing world building and a super interesting magic system, that I feel like you should preferably go in without knowing too much about it. It's about a Puerto Rican-American girl who's always been a massive fan of Blazewrath, a dragon sport, and she wants to compete in the world cup. I loved how international this book was and how much diversity it had: there's so many nationalities and ethnicities featured, and there are several LGBTQ+ side characters as well as a disabled character who's in a wheelchair. I don't really want to tell you anymore about the story, because you should really experience it for yourself, but I can't recommend this book enough!
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dragons, magic, & sports? I’m in.
A young Puerto Rican girl enters the high stakes world of international terroism and magical sports.
This book not only mixes “regulars” (non magic folk) like Lana Torres with witches and wizards, dragons, and magic but she also includes trans characters, LGBTQ+ characters, people of color, and people with disabilities. It was so lovely to see these things included and written in a way that had no fanfare or sensationalism. I really enjoyed the imperfect relationships between characters. This made them feel real, vulnerable, and relatable. Ortiz did a wonderful job explaining the action scenes within this book and my only complaint is that I wish there were more! This was a lovely sporty latinx girl fantasy adventure. Give it a read.
P.S. How about that title?! BLAZEWRATH
A young Puerto Rican girl enters the high stakes world of international terroism and magical sports.
This book not only mixes “regulars” (non magic folk) like Lana Torres with witches and wizards, dragons, and magic but she also includes trans characters, LGBTQ+ characters, people of color, and people with disabilities. It was so lovely to see these things included and written in a way that had no fanfare or sensationalism. I really enjoyed the imperfect relationships between characters. This made them feel real, vulnerable, and relatable. Ortiz did a wonderful job explaining the action scenes within this book and my only complaint is that I wish there were more! This was a lovely sporty latinx girl fantasy adventure. Give it a read.
P.S. How about that title?! BLAZEWRATH
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ortiz’s debut is brilliantly written, with complex characters, epic dragons, and high stakes. I loved Lana and Team Puerto Rico, and their friendships with each other and other players. I loved the idea of Blazewrath, and the matches were so much fun to read. While I would’ve liked to see Lana in a romantic relationship with someone, I respect that she wasn’t. My only issue with this book was that, though the story captured my attention, it didn’t consistently hold my attention until the last third of the book. Nonetheless, I’ll definitely be reading the sequel. I want more of Team Puerto Rico and their dragons. Highly recommended.
Representation
Representation
- biracial Puerto Rican-American protagonist
- Black side character
- Afro-Latinx side character
- Puerto Rican bisexual side character
- gay Puerto Rican side character
- Japanese side character
- multiple queer side characters
- side character in a wheelchair
- other side characters of color
CW: death, child death, murder, violence, ableism, racism, sexism, child abuse, cancer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Murder
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Child abuse, Racism, Sexism
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's been two or three days since I finished this book and I'm still awe of it. I'm in awe of how good and addictive it was. I'm in awe of how queer it is in an effortless way. I'm in awe of just how well done it truly is. I wish I had a longer review where I list all the reasons why this is amazing but I'm still processing my love for it. I'm not a fantasy lover especially YA fantasy but this is a new all time fave. Everything about this book is perfection and I can't wait for what's to come.