Of Flame and Fury is a mix of science fiction and fantasy with phoenix racing as the main plot device. It is largely the reason I wanted to read the book. The phoenix races were some of the best parts of the book; they were riveting and kept me glued to the pages. Outside of the phoenix races, it was harder to maintain my attention

It is not a bad read. In fact, I liked the characters. Kel's love of her phoenix is an endearing part of the story. Coup and Kel have good chemistry both as enemies and potentially more than that. The world is interesting beyond the phoenix races. The general story is familiar, and one I usually enjoy. Unfortunately, this worked against Of Flame and Fury. I was not engaged enough in the storytelling and was constantly comparing it to similar novels instead. These other novels just seemed to do some things better.

interesting world building with phoenix instead of the usual dragon. Very fast paced. The phoenix racing instead of cars or horses.

Book did not draw me in like others. And I know I wont be reading any sequels. I thought i would like this book but it is just not me.

thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced reader copy.

This felt a bit like YA dystopia fantasy, in which the only hope for financial security is to become involved in deadly phoenix races (yes, teenagers race in these too and die). Dark at times but easy to read, this debut blends action, romance, and mystery with environmentalism and the dangers of medical experimentation. The characters and romance could have used a bit more build-up for me, but that's a common issue I have with YA novels. I did enjoy the MC Kel's distinctive voice, and Sav as Kel's beloved phoenix was perfect. I also wasn't expecting that revelation at the end!

As someone with past burn injuries, some of the action scenes made me VERY nervous, but it's a book about phoenixes. So expect lots of fire and heat and, yes, burn injuries and incineration deaths.

4.5 Stars
Of Flame and Fury is Mikayla Bridge’s debut novel, and she comes in hot. This is a fast paced, YA enemies to lovers romantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Kelyn Varra (Kel)  and her Phoenix racing team, The Howlers, are desperate for a winning season and the money that comes with it. In need of a new rider Kel is forced to team up with cocky Warren Coupers (Coup) and his brother Bekn. As the new grouping draws attention from a large tech company, Kel and Coup are forced into a world of conspiracies and deception. Will they be able to work together, or will their shot at a better life go up in flames?

I’ve always been a dragon girl, but Mikayla may have just convinced me to convert to the side of the Phoenix. Action packed with heart pounding excitement from the beginning, Kel and Coup’s story draws you in and leaves you wanting more. Kel is closed off and slow to trust. Coup is cocky, arrogant, and infuriatingly handsome. The tension between the two of them is off the charts. While Kel and Coup’s budding romance is central to the story, don't think that’s all this book has to offer. There’s suspense, betrayal, and twists galore that are sure to keep you guessing what will happen next. If you enjoy YA Fantasies, you’ll definitely want to pick up this book! I can’t wait to see what Mikayla has in store for us next!

Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group: Fierce Reads, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Phoenixes, racing, and betrayal, oh my.

Kel Varra is used to being an underdog, but she knows phoenix racing with the Howlers will eventually pay off. The Howlers are desperate to win, and have paid the consequences for being too eager for the fortunes that come with crossing the finish line first. Now, they need a new rider, and of course Coup Warrens is the best option they have. He is arrogant, reckless, and the current face of phoenix racing. He also happens to be someone Kel barely tolerates, but she's willing to put their differences aside for the team. When a tech mogul comes up to the new Howlers team and is willing to sponsor them to get closer to a win, the Howlers know it would be foolish to turn him down. But, not all is as it seems with this partnership, and Kel may have more than phoenix racing to deal with.

The blurb mentions this being similar to Fourth Wing, and I would like to give full disclosure that this comparison has more to do with the phoenixes and racing than it does with the romance. This book is very much YA, and I would hate to see it get negative reviews when people expect more from the romance vs the plot of this story, which is what mainly kept me hooked throughout. The pacing is fast and fun, and the racing adds a nice touch. The romance is there, but it seemed more like a sub plot to me vs the main plot.

There is a revelation that comes out around the 80-85 percent mark that I thought was genius and did not see coming. The ending is open too, and I hope that means we will eventually get a second book, since I'm not sure if this was meant to be a series or standalone. Regardless, this was a fun YA fantasy and I will be picking up more of Bridge's work in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 / 5 Stars
Let me pitch this super fun book concept to you: Imagine Formula 1 racing but with phoenixes and there are also knives falling out of the sky as they race. I don’t know what it says about me that I think deadly races are super fun but I really liked this book!

The synopsis in layperson terms: Kel and her racing team, the Crimson Howlers, are the underdogs among phoenix racers. Kel desperately needs the money she'd win from racing to take care of her family’s farm which she is now responsible for, at 17 years old, since her father passed away and her mother left. She has to team up with Coup, an arrogant, reckless but really skilled rider, who Kel has hated for years. Just as they are figuring out their team, Cristo Industries invites Kel and Coup to join them – Cristo will sponsor them and Kel and Coup will work for Cristo. What are Cristo’s motives? Are they as bad as everyone thinks? Kel and Coup have to sort out what Cristo’s is up to while sorting out their complicated feelings for each other while competing in more and more dangerous races.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🔥 Young Adult/New Adult Romantic Fantasy
🏆 Hate to love
🔥 Fake dating
🏆 Deadly trials
🔥 Twists galore!
🏆 Mental health rep
🔥 LGBTQ rep
🏆 So many villains to pick from but it’s complicated

This was really well done, especially for a debut author. The world itself was super interesting and unique but not complicated that it felt overwhelming. Because of the different races the team competes in, the pacing never felt slow and it was easy to get sucked in. There were a lot of twists (some that you can see coming and some that you don't) which was really fun. I liked that all of the characters were written with depth, but not overwritten (it’s a fine line and it was well balanced here). The discussions of mental health were also very expertly done.

It was fun to watch Kel and Coup’s relationship grow. The bickering lasted a hair too long for my liking BUT I had to remind myself that they are 17 years old so maturity might not be their forte yet. I liked learning more about their backstories and you could understand why they fell for each other.

I liked that there were multiple villain-esque organizations with complicated motives in the book. There were also complicated themes like whether the phoenixes should be collared to control them and it was written with enough nuance and treated with enough care that you could understand both sides of the argument (maybe not agree but at least understand).

I still don’t think I understand the logistics of when you should or should not touch a phoenix so don’t sign me up for any of these races. The ending was a tad repetitive but I am looking forward to the next one!

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for letting me read this arc for an honest review!

Of Flames and Fury held a really interesting premise in Phoenix racing and a plot that I really haven’t read before. I enjoyed reading about all things Phoenix and the racing was fun but there was some pacing issues for me that made it hard to want to keep reading. The last 25% of the book was very fast paced though and quite interesting.

The characters were fine and I enjoyed the romance subplot. This is very YA so if you are looking for a super fast paced, intense trials type book I would look somewhere else. But if you want an easy to read adventure then by all means give Kel and her team a go!

Of Flame and Fury is incredible! This book definitely ha me now obsessing over phoenix’s, I almost can’t believe this is the author’s debut book. It is and has everything! I found myself so absorbed in the plot, I felt the highs, the lows, and everything in between! I especially loved the racing scenes! And this world!!! Ugh, I could not get enough of this book and these characters. I will be buying this one when it comes out and I rarely buy books after I read them but this is a must own!!! I cannot wait, 5 stars and will be recommending this like it’s my job!

Of Flame And Fury is a good YA fantasy novel! This story brings to life a world where phoenix racing is the best sport, even when from the stands it’s still possible to die during it. Despite the dangers Kel is willing to do whatever it takes to earn enough money to keep her home safe for her own phoenix, Savita. While Kel may not race Savita herself, she’s on the Howler’s team as their tamer and closely monitors Savita’s health. Lost teammates and some unwanted media attention change Kel and Savita’s lives as they are given the chance to be part of more dangerous races. This story has so many twists with the bond between Kel and Savita as the story’s heart.

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. 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 Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the free copy of the book!

First a summary in my words:
Kal is a phoenix tamer and trainer, leading a ragtag group known as the Crimson Howlers. Together, they compete in high-stakes Phoenix races. After a tragic event shakes their team, they accept a sponsorship deal from a powerful corporation that offers them resources and support in exchange for their participation in the races. The group relocates to the corporation’s grounds, where they begin rigorous training, Races and carry out tasks assigned by the company’s enigmatic leader. This is the core plot that stood out most to me.

Of Flame and Fury presents a compelling premise with a lot of potential. The concept behind the global AB pandemic and the high-stakes Phoenix racing was immediately intriguing and had me hopeful for a gripping, immersive read.

However, I found the execution lacking. The world-building felt underdeveloped—while we’re given scattered glimpses of the pandemic's impact, there wasn't enough depth or clarity to fully understand the world or how it collapsed. A key group, "The Fume," is introduced quite late in the narrative with little prior context, which made their sudden importance feel jarring. And while the name "The Fume" may work for some readers, it didn’t quite land for me.

The corporate sponsorship subplot seemed too convenient, and the story often felt like it revolved entirely around the races, leaving little room for substantial character development or meaningful interactions. The romance, while predictable, lacked buildup and chemistry—it felt more like a plot checkbox than a natural progression between the characters.

Overall, this story just wasn’t for me. That said, I truly believe reading is subjective, and I encourage others to give it a try for themselves. I've seen many readers connect with this book in ways I didn’t, and it certainly has the foundation for something great.

We definitely got Fourth Wing vibes here: young people, high stakes, riding to your potential death. Is it a good book, yes, very much so. Would I call it the book of the year? No. But it is a fun ride. No pun intended.
The FMC is a phoenix rider who must race to make enough money to feed herself and pay her bills. Insert red tape political conflict here. She has essentially a team (or rather a pit crew of sorts) that becomes her found family. Throw in some beautiful world building and a MMC with some struggles of her own, and you have the makings of a hot romance in the backdrop of intense racing. It very much emulates Heavenbreaker to me as the story goes on. Oh, and the FMC and MMC have chemistry that is on fire (again, no pun intended). I love the strong female characters in the story and am happy that the male characters match this strength.
The intensity of this book reminds me so much of Days of Thunder and Formula 1 (the new movie with Brad Pitt), but also the race scenes in Star Wars: Phantom Menace. You are on the edge of your seat. (I can see how this one would be great in Graphic Audio.)
This one is perfect for fantasy fans and those who enjoy sports romances.

Goodness gracious. From the very beginning to the last page of this book… it feels like you’re shooting through the sky on the back of a phoenix. It’s not a tame experience. It’s a wild ride. You have no idea what’s coming next around every single turn but you’re trusting the one who is orchestrating it. Even though it feels like that’s a phoenix, in our case it’s actually Mikayla Bridge. And with Of Flame and Fury, she asks for and earns your trust. Spoiler alert: Mikayla absolutely sticks the landing.

I thought I had an idea what this story would look like but boy was I wrong. It was so much bigger and richer and more compelling than I could have imagined. Every character we got to know felt like a gift. Kel and Coup and Bekn and Dira. But Savita absolutely stole the show and is the character that made me burst into tears while reading. The ambiguous characters in the story had you unsure where they truly stood with each new page, which is just the way I like it. This book was simple enough to follow but not simple enough to have figured out before you were supposed to. What a clever storyline!!!!

Not only did we get an incredible book with such beautiful characters but you’re telling me there is a literary soundtrack for the book on Spotify?!? What. A. Treat. I can’t recommend listening to it enough during/after reading the book.

I loved how unique all the names were spelled. I also really enjoyed that so many of the girls had traditionally masculine sounding names spun to look entirely different. (Rahn/Ron and Oska/Oscar) Just added another layer of cool and unique to this book.

The end of this book made me want SO MUCH MORE and I really hope this is part of a series and not a standalone. But either way, thank you for this story, Mikayla. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced copies of this story.

3.5⭐️ Perilous phoenix competitions and rivals-to-lovers

Seventeen-year-old Kel Varra competes in the very dangerous races as a mean to keep food on her plate and a roof over her head. When following a tragic event she has to reluctantly join her insufferable nemesis and work for the company that embodies everything that she hates in the world.

One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the setting. It gave the book this sweet spot between fantasy and sci-fi, reminiscent of Iron Widow. I loved the combination between fantasy and high tech. I also liked the working against the clock element of it. The main character had this ticking bomb of her phoenix being reborn at any moment, which kept me attached to the book and wanting to know what was going to happen next. But what I enjoyed the most about this book was the plot twist at the end. It was very well done, there were some hints of it here and there but while reading, I disregarded them.

There were also some areas that could've been improved. I feel like the author focused on creating these detailed, atmospherics scenes while overlooking other worldbuilding elements, like the illness, which then became a very important part of the story, but I feel was lacking significance and value when it was first touched.

This book is being marketed as full of steaming romance, tension and angst, but that wouldn't be the way I would necessarily describe the romance in this book. The romance is definitely more mild. I think I would have enjoyed the book better if I wasn't misled to expect something that was not in the book.

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan for granting me access to an e-ARC of this book.

I really wanted to love this book. The first 1/4 hooked me instantly. The racing, phoenixes, and magical world were extremely fascinating. U fortunately the next 50% seemed to drag on. I found it hard to emotionally connect to the characters and there seemed to be too many plot points shallowly explored. The final quarter of the book did pick back up! Overall, this was a good introduction to a unique world, but the character and plot points did not get deep enough.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.75/5 stars

Of Flame and Fury weaves an exciting and gripping story full of phoenixes, corruption, and strong bonds between our characters. Watching Coup and Kel start to trust each other and work together was a really rewarding experience, even if I did feel like shaking them both from time to time. Sav was a great example of writing an animal without a voice yet still being able to convey emotion and make the reader connect with them.

Overall, I love the way this story went and how much phoenix lore and history we got!

This was an amazing debut book! I enjoyed it much more than I thought it was going to. I have a few problems with it though.

First: some of the scenes were a bit hard for me to imagine, but that is easier to overlook considering the rest of the story. There were some genuinely funny moments that I laughed at, and the plot twist had my jaw on the floor.

Second: I wish we knew a bit more about Estra. I understand that she is Cristo’s daughter, but because of Kel’s condition, we didn’t see too much of her which was kind of disappointing.

Third: I’m still a bit confused about Kel’s mom. We never got a reason as to why she stopped sending postcards or what was really going on with her. I don’t know if there is going to be a second book, but I don’t believe there will be. The ending felt very wrapped up in my opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, and thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for gifting me an eARC copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and publishing company for the arc of the book and audio

4.5⭐
This book had me at the edge of my chair. I really enjoyed this debut book. I was hooked from the very beginning. There were a couple of chapters where I was confused or didn't know what was happening but the someone interesting happened and I was back to being interested. I would recommend this to anyone that likes a good book to have them on there knees

Well, I finished it. 2.5 stars rounded up.

The sunk cost really got to me. 50-75% through the book and I was rolling my eyes at every other page. I should have cared. I knew I should have cared. I just didn’t, and that annoyed me.

I think it was the shift between everything being perfect, to everything being not good. I just didn’t feel involved in the story.

The closest comparison I can come up with is the Scorpio Races. It has a similar vibe as far as the animals go.

I loved the theme. This book reminded me how special it is that we have domesticated animals. I’m a dog person, so it really made me appreciate my dogs. I sat there, just utterly amazed by the fact that I have family who is not even my own species. I don’t take that for granted.

And the last 25% after the villain became clear I enjoyed. It just wasn’t worth the middle to get there.

it was good. i can say that objectively. definitely gives the world building and slow burn, rewarding romance that readers yearn for. me personally? it's just not my cup of tea. but great debut from this author!