bdsongbird8 's review for:

Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge
4.0
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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: Yes

Narrated by Safiyya Ingar
⏱️ 11 hrs 17 mins

Of Flame and Fury is a fast-paced, tension-filled fantasy that immediately grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the final chapter. At the heart of the story is Kel, the fiercely determined FMC leading a scrappy underdog team of phoenix racers 🐦‍🔥. When her team is left short a rider, she’s forced to partner with “Coup”—the cocky, frustratingly talented MMC. Their reluctant alliance fuels an excellent enemies-to-lovers arc that simmers with tension but never quite boils over. No spice here, but the slow-burn buildup makes every moment between them count ❤️‍🔥.

The world of phoenix racing is creative and vivid, and the story acts as a powerful reminder: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. It also hits a strong emotional chord about loyalty and protecting the people you care about at all costs 🤍🛡️.

The audiobook narration by Safiyya Ingar is phenomenal. Dynamic, emotionally grounded, and packed with personality, she brings Kel to life in a way that adds layers of strength and vulnerability. 

While I would have loved a bit more resolution in the romance and a touch more depth in some character arcs, this was still a very solid, entertaining listen that left me excited for whatever comes next in this world.

Great pick for fans of slow-burn tension, fierce heroines, and high-stakes fantasy competitions🔥.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.