This book started off really strong. The beginning was fun, fast, unique, everything I look for in a book. The cast of characters is super diverse. I was just loving it right off the bat.

But then, about a third of the way through, my interest really started waning. The world building that had started off so great seemed to trickle off some. It was like a house being built, the frame was there, but the walls weren't up yet. I wanted more.

I also lost interest in the main character. I wanted to love her, and initially I did! But again, I got bored. I felt like her story was less interesting than the stories of some of those around her, and it seemed unfair. Her personality and motivations were there, but her story never quite reached the level I was hoping for.

The ending was good, and surprising in some ways, which is something I always appreciate. But the whole middle section just really didn't do it for me this time. I would definitely recommend this book for teens though, because it is a fun story overall, it's very diverse, and dragons are always a plus. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I would. It's a YA book, but it's so endearing and likeable! Lana is an amazing protagonist - she's ambitious and strong, but the author (thankfully) doesn't use the very overused 'special snowflake' trope. Lana is a normal girl who dreams of being a Runner in the games, and she isn't handed it on a silver plate - she actually has to work hard for it. She is a really well developed character - she is loyal and brave, but also has a complicated relationship with her mother and struggles with her Puerto Rican heritage. She just felt real, and that was something I found really refreshing, because I feel like so many YA books these days put their heroine on a pedestal, in a way that makes me feel so disconnected from them. But Blazewrath Games doesn't do that, and it felt organic and genuine. There was also no main romance, which I appreciated, because it meant that the plot and characters were front and centre to the story.

I also enjoyed the cast of side characters - many of whom were LGBT - and I adored the use of the found family trope. And I'm always excited to read about dragons, and Ortiz did not disappoint - I enjoyed reading about the different types of dragons, their powers, and their relationship with their keepers.

My only criticism of this book would be that I would've loved to see the author delve deeper into the world-building; I notice that there were excerpts from texts, which intrigued me, and I would've loved to see this aspect developed more. But this is only a minor quibble.

I would highly recommend this book - it has great representation, an excellent protagonist, and an exciting plot!

Has a good momentum and an intriguing alternate world. I love the diversity of the characters. I wanted to know more about how dangerous Blazewrath was and the details of some of the twists involving the Sire, but the story moved along so fast I just chose not to dwell onit.

If you enjoy fantasy novels with dragons and witches living in modern society alongside ordinary people like you and me, then Blazewrath Games is a must read. Lana has lived in America for more than half of her life, but her heart remains linked to Puerto Rico, her heritage and birth place.  So when she is chosen to audition for a position on Puerto Rico's Blazewrath team as a runner, she is beyond excited.  However, her mother does not support this magical and dangerous game with dragons, so Lana devises a plan with her best friend, a witch, to attend tryouts unbeknownst to her mother.  You know what they say about best laid plans, though.  Events beyond Lana's imagination cause her life to spiral out of control, and before she knows it, she is fighting to prove she belongs on the team and that she can run with the best.  Blazewrath Games addresses themes of belonging, being true to yourself, friendship, and sportsmanship in an action packed story.  It casts a spell on the reader in the first few pages that lasts beyond the completion of the book

I just want to scream to the world about how amazing this book is. Amparo Ortiz created a magical, intricate world in this book, and seeing a Puerto Rican character as the protagonist in this fantastical tale was something that made me tear up.
The thing I’d like to focus on this review is the writing style. I’ve already seen many reviews praising the world building, the characters, the plot, and everything else on this book, but I feel like the writing style is the best part of this book. Ortiz’s writing is addicting: I would sit down to read for a few minutes and would end up reading for an hour. If I was still able to pull all-nighters and act like a normal human being as I was when I was a teen, I have no doubts this would have been a one-sitting read. The descriptions and the dialogues flow naturally and make 100 pages feel like 20. Everything is so clear that, as I remember certain parts of the story, it feels like I watched a film instead of reading a book: I remember colors, expressions and places vividly. The action scenes have a life of their own, and that’s were the writing truly shines.
Overall I think Amparo Diaz wrote an amazing book full of magic, dragons, and diverse characters. This is only her debut, I can’t wait to see what she’ll write next!

In this alternate world, magic is real.  Regulars (known as Muggles in the Potterverse) discovered that there really are witches and wizards and even dragons in the world.  Dragons usually bond with a regular, but not all dragons bond.  There are many questions about how this all works.  One of the researchers of dragons and bonding is (Carlos Perez).  Carlos currently lives in Buenos Aires at a dragon sanctuary, while Lana (his daughter) lives in the US with her mom.  And even though Lana was born in Puerto Rico (where her dad is from) and considers herself Puerto Rican, not everyone feels that way.  Lana's dream is to be a part of the Puerto Rican Blazewrath team.  Blazewrath is a game played with dragons, their bonded riders, and runners.  The Puerto Rican team has been invited for the first time to the Blazewrath Games and their runner has just been fired, so this is Lana's chance to get on the team.  She has an appointment to try out and a plan to get there (without her mom's knowledge), but when things go awry, Lana feels her dream slip away.  

This was a fun read and different than usual fantasy.  I like that there a lot of diverse characters represented (nationalities, sexualities) and it doesn't feel forced.

Before Blazewrath Games, I had never read a dragon book. Even less, a Puerto Rican dragon book. So, even though of course I was excited, I still had my hesitations because I knew nothing (and still don’t) about dragons. But PHEW, this was an absolute ride, and an unforgettable one at that!

Amparo Ortiz has crafted such a special and one-of-a-kind world. From the actual sport of Blazewrath and the various species of dragons from all over the world to the magnificent magic system that will pull you in from the first page. The way that Ortiz seamlessly manages to weave in all these details and information about the history of the world of Blazewrath, its background characters, and how dragon and human bonds work is truly masterful. There is so much going on but in the best way! The way it is written genuinely makes it accessible to every reader, even those who lean more towards the contemporary genre. And I would even dare argue it is a fantastic book for readers of all ages as well!

Reading Blazewrath Games makes you wish it was a real sport. It is action-packed and the game sequences will keep you at the edge of your seat. It’s like being there, sitting in the actual stadium, watching dragons clash and riders bravely conquer the sky. You will have no choice but to root for your favorites in the game, feeling euphoric and full of adrenaline along with the characters experiencing the battle. 

It is incredibly difficult to pinpoint this novel’s most notable aspect, because it just does everything so WELL. 

Lana is headstrong and determined, and Blazewrath keeps her going. Because the truth of the matter is, without this game, she doesn’t know who she is. She doesn’t know her identity because her identity IS Blazewrath. She was a character I really related to, especially in regards to her feelings of self-doubt. Those moments where she felt like she wasn’t enough. That her passion wasn’t strong enough to keep her going. Those moments when she felt left out or that her teammates secretly didn’t like her and thought she was dragging them down. But throughout it all, through those emotional ups-and-downs, she kept going. She was focused on her destination and never lost sight of what mattered: her family and her love for Puerto Rico.

And this debut also does an immaculate job of describing the many feelings that diaspora Puerto Ricans go through. How they are often ostracized and pushed to the side by mainland Puerto Ricans for not being Puerto Rican enough. Lana’s biracial identity is explored and discussed with tact and care, with the text also diving into the racism and discrimination she faces for being dark-skinned.

There aren’t enough words to describe how awesome the cast of characters is, you’ll just have to see yourself. But this chaotic, bantering group of Puerto Rican teenagers burrowed themselves into my soul. Luis, with his stupid jokes (I wanna be his best friend so bad). Héctor and his deadpan humor (which I felt deep in my heart). Gabriela and her fabulous makeup in all her iconic, bisexual glory. My shy, queer baby Edwin, who blushes like a tomato (also me). Génesis and her stunning curls and caring self. And even though Victoria is highly unlikeable, you end up growing to love her, because at the end of the day, she is just a secretly soft 15-year old who puts up a strong front so she doesn’t get hurt again. This team, while fictional, still managed to make me feel proud of my island. (Because Puerto Ricans tend to be talented at almost everything. 😼)

And it doesn’t stop there! Not only is Blazewrath Games is a stunning celebration of the beauty of Puerto Rico and its people, it is also a celebration of diversity in all its shapes. It embraces multiple ethnicities and backgrounds and cultures in an effortless manner, while also showcasing queer characters, including badass trans woman! 

Even though this book doesn’t have a romance, this novel doesn’t fail to evoke the message of love. The love for family, including found family (one of my favorite aspects of the nobel as a whole!). The love for friends. The love for one’s country. The love for our roots. The love for where we came from and where we are today. It transmits fiery passion and shining hope. And it’s beautiful.

What is there left to say? Not much besides the fact that Amparo Ortiz has written one of the strongest and most solid debuts in recent years, and without a doubt, one of the best of 2020. With her descriptive writing, vivid setting, phenomenal and unique worldbuilding and magic system, a gripping storyline full of plot twists at every corner (global conspiracy! murder mystery!) that will make you turn pages non-stop, themes of identity, family, and friendship, and characters and dragons that shine so bright they jump out of the page, Blazewrath Games is a MUST-READ. It evokes that same emotion all the Puerto Rican fans expressed in the games, with their panderetas, güiros y tambores, screaming at the top of their lungs, PUERTO RICO! PUERTO RICO! (Just like Puerto Ricans make themselves seen and heard in real life at any and every sports event they attend around the world.)

This book makes me feel prouder than I already am of being Puerto Rican. It makes me wanna grab my flag and wave it wherever I go and step foot. And quite frankly, there’s no better feeling than that.

Rating: 5 stars ⭐️

Huge thank you to Amparo Ortiz and Page Street Publishing for providing me with a physical ARC of this book!

(This is in no way affected my review and all opinions are my own, as always. <3)

All Lana wants to do is represent her home country of Puerto Rico in the Blazewrath games as a runner. When the wand shop she is visiting with her cousin, mother, and best friend is attacked, the head of the games offers her the position. Meanwhile, the Sire, a crazy dragon cursed into the form of a man is attacking sanctuaries with Lana's favorite former Blazewrath player Takeshi Endo, and the games are his next target, or are they? What is the Sire's true goal? How far will he go to get it, and what part will Lana play in all of this?

I was sucked in by the first few scenes of this book but then felt as if the emotional connection with the MC started to waver--I didn't understand her motivations or intentions or sympathized with her enough to continue.

This was such a fun, fast-paced book with intrigue and great characters that really made the story come to life. Everything about it was just amazing.

I absolutely loved this book. It was quick pased but with great characters and an amazing plot. The writing was well done and I just couldn't stop reading it. Truly a recommendation.

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!

Lana Torres dreams of nothing more than competing in the Blazewrath World Cup as a Runner for her native country, Puerto Rico. So when the opportunity presents itself, she is incredibly eager to sign her name on the dotted line, but both her parents seem skeptical of the circumstances. Nevertheless, Lana is whisked away to Dubai to train so that she can bring home the trophy for her teammates, herself, and her country. But while she’s there, Lana is roped into a game far more dangerous to play, and she begins to think there is more at stake to lose than just gold. 

All I needed to know before going into this book was that it involved dragons, and it did not disappoint. Each represented country has its own species, equipped with their own capabilities to give them an edge in the games, and there are plenty more species that are un-bonded and kept in sanctuaries under the watchful eyes of people like Lana’s father. Before each chapter there are snippets from history books or interviews with characters to give more insight into the world, which added a lot to the story, in my opinion. I thought the concept of the game of Blazewrath was unique and interesting, and definitely wish we could’ve been better acquainted with all the positions (but since Lana’s perspective moved the story forward, it made logical sense to focus mainly on the Runner). Each player and coach (and even the Sol de Noche dragons) had their own unique personality and quirks that made their actions and responses believable, and it was great to see players who did not see eye to eye rise above their differences and reach an understanding towards the end of the novel. I appreciated how a romantic relationship did not develop between Lana and Andrew, as I thought their friendship made the climatic action even more heartbreaking. The twists revealed in the latter portion of the novel also took me by surprise (in a good way), and during a second read-through I was able to pick up on a few clues I had previously missed.

There were some aspects I would have liked to see more of, one in particular being the relationship between Lana and her mother, Leslie. At the beginning of the story, it’s understood that Leslie is not a fan of dragons, and Lana is convinced that she would not support her decision to tryout for the Runner position (which is confirmed when she eventually finds out about Lana’s plan). After she signs Lana’s contract, she asks to be transported away, and Lana does not see her mother or have a legitimate conversation with her until after the climatic action, when we see she’s had a change of heart. I wish we could have seen some of that growth on the page. I also didn’t fully understand the purpose of Todd as a character, and particularly his interview at the end of the book. He’s on a talk show, essentially calling for the highest wizard class (Gold Wands) to eradicate all dragons, bonded or otherwise, saying that people need to wake up and realize the truth. I mean, unless there’s going to be a sequel in which Todd becomes the villain (which I would read in a heartbeat, honestly), that scene really confused me. 

Overall, I thought the messages in Blazewrath Games were great – it touches on realizing your worth is more than just the weight of your accomplishments, what it feels like to have family members who may not support what you do, and what it means to be proud of your heritage. This contemporary fantasy, in all its dragon glory, stole a little piece of my heart, and I can’t wait to see what other people think when it’s released in October. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Page Street Kids, for the copy, all thoughts and feelings are my own.

Love the worldbuilding, the diverse characters, the wizards, and of course the dragons.  This is a very entertaining read that would appeal to younger teens.

Blazewrath is aptly named! The title of this book hints at the fiery dragons within and these awesome creatures are given pride of place in the story. The dragons hail from different regions and Bond with their riders for life. The protagonist Lana Torres, who hails from Puerto Rico, unexpectedly gains the honour of competing in the Blazewrath World Cup. Lana is full of heart and determination, which, together with her smarts, makes her an unstoppable force. Formidable antagonists add suspense and surprise. The plot did at times feel a bit convoluted, and the pall that hung over the tournament in the latter part of the book took a little away from my enjoyment of it. However, these were minor quibbles. With friendships, magic, plenty of world building and tons of dragons, Blazewrath is both an entertaining and absorbing read, one that should especially appeal to younger teens.

Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read Ortiz's Blazewrath Games, which I give a solid 4/5 stars. I knew I had to read this one as soon as I heard it combined dragons and wizards. Given the popularity of both, it surprises me  I can't think of another YA fantasy where both elements have played equally integral parts of the story. 

I did find the beginning of Blazewrath a little on the slow side, but with a book this original and inventive, it makes sense that a fair bit of worldbuilding has to be laid down first before things can kick into high gear.  But kick into high gear it does, once Lana becomes both the Runner for Team Puerto Rico as well as a target of the diabolical dragon-in-human-form Sire.

In the end, this was an entertaining read and I look forward to seeing where Lana's adventures take her. One request though, even more dragons next time, please!

Dragons, dragons, we got DRAGONS HERE. Oh, not only do we have dragons, we have Latinx protagonists and a contest and a betrayal and holy eff, I am winded. This book was filled to the brim with epic st that I actually went to bed early every night just so I could power on my kindle and continue.

Do you want to hear more?

Thank you Netgalley and Page Street for the e-arc.

Lana Torres has dreamed of competing in the Blazewrath World Cup since before she could speak. When her chance to interview for the Puerto-Rican team comes, a surprise accident rocks her world. But that doesn't mean her dreams have come to an end. Chance has it, she's invited to join the team and starts training for the epic games. She soon finds herself involved in a diabolical plan by the Sire, a dragon cursed into human form who broke its bond to its rider and plans to end the games by attacking dragon sanctuaries around the world.

Do you want to know what I loved most about this story? I loved that Lana is not one of the ones bonded to a dragon. She doesn't spend the book with a dragon by her side, she's not a special snowflake. She's just a regular girl who wants to be a Runner in the games. And she works darn hard for it. She's honest, flawed yet strong. Shes; cautious in her relationships and emotional when the time arises. She's a spectacular heroine if I ever saw one. The supporting characters were also really good. They were not flat and they stood out on their own, especially Lana's witch friend, Samira.

The plot is paced at lightning speed with enough plot twists to keep any reader engaged. The games themselves stood out like some old gameshow on Nickolodeon, which I loved and yes, I'm old and I remember when kids' television was good. You can't tell me you didn't like it when those kids tried to scale the Aggro Crag in GUTS. That part of the show was awesome.

I digress, it was so nice to be in a magical world like this. I haven't felt so engrossed in a world since Harry Potter and this book does give it a slight nod. That's okay. A nod toward one of my favorite series all you want and I will buy your books. JS.

Anyhow, I did wish there were more moments with the dragons. I liked that Lana was not a rider, but I did yearn for some tender moments since she does love dragons as a species. I'm thinking we might get a deeper glimpse into that if there's a book two.

In closing, this was the most fun I've had reading a book this year. Give it a go if you love dragons and magical stuff because this book has it.

Fin.

An absolutely incredible story! Fast-paced with detailed and amazing world-building, Ortiz presents a book that is perfect for YA readers looking for a story that doesn’t center on romance but still accurately portrays the struggles and emotions of the Target age. This title will also appeal to fans of other books which feature magical sports. Highly recommended!

Lana Torres has long loved the Blazewrath Games, an international tournament that involves, essentially, quidditch with dragons which is followed up by someone doing their best on the Global Guts Aggro Crag.  So, when she saves a store from a rogue Fire Drake and is recruited for the Puerto Rico team, she's ecstatic.  But she soon realizes that she's just a pawn for Sire, a human that was formerly a dragon who is not afraid to kill-torture-maim to get what he wants.

When I read that this book featured loads of representation and a tournament involving dragons, I was like SIGN ME UP!  And you know, those aspects were great.  The different types of dragons and their respective powers were quite creative.  The game, though it needed about 99% more dragon action - there is waaaaaaaaaaaay too much focus on this one random human running a toy up to the top of a mountain (hence the previous Aggro Crag comparison) - was pretty cool.  The representation was fantastic.  The tournament is international, so there are characters from all over the world, and there are many queer characters.   Unfortunately, the characters were very one-dimensional, the plot was saggy in the middle and extremely predictable, and the writing left something to be desired.   Ultimately, it wasn't my favorite.  

As it has some cool elements but is burdened by occasionally clunky writing and a predictable plot, this would be a better read for younger teens who just can't get enough of dragons, tournaments or both.  It wasn't for me, but I'll definitely recommend it to burgeoning YA fantasy readers.  2 stars - it was ok.  

Thanks to Page Street Kids and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.  Blazewrath Games will be available on 06 October.

Hello Gemmies! I have an exciting book review to share with you today. Please note: I received a digital ARC of this book (via NetGalley) from its publisher in exchange for an honest and fair review. 

Blazewrath Games is a new contemporary YA fantasy by Amparo Ortiz. This story is so creative and new, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Let me start with the dragons because they are incredible! I never knew I needed a Puerto Rican Dragon in my life, but now I want nothing more than my very own Sol de Noche. Amparo Ortiz has created a complex magical system complete with a vast array of witches and Dragons that have their own powers and magical abilities. But wait, there's more! This is also an extremely well written character driven story with a diverse cast of characters that I found to be complex, dynamic, and completely relatable. The world building is so vivid you find yourself immediately becoming immersed in the story. There are themes of friendship, betrayal, patriotism, sisterhood, competition, bravery, sacrifice, and the courage to live your truth. 

If you are a fan of magic and mayhem, fierce dragons, conspiracies, witchy BFF's, and a kick ass heroine then go read this book! This gem published by Page Street Kids is set to release on October 6, 2020 and is available for pre-order from all major booksellers. I give Blazewrath Games 4 out of 5 gems. I cannot wait for this story to be out in the world for all to read and hope to see more books set in this universe. Happy Reading!