Of Flame and Fury is a heart pounding, action-packed novel full of phoenixes, moral dilemmas, and deadly consequences. I don't want to say too much in fear of spoilers, but the ending was perfect and left me unsure if this is a standalone or a series. If Mikayla Bridge does write more books in this world, I would love to see character development with the crew or a focus point shift to the other magical creatures introduced in Of Flame and Fury.

Safiyya Ingar did an incredible job narrating. This is the second audiobook I have listened to her narrate, and she solidified herself among my favorite narrators.

I received an ARC and ALC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this young adult fantasy from debut author Mikayla Bridge. In this world, phoenix racing (F1 meets dragon riding) is dangerous but lucrative. The imagery the author creates around the creatures and the setting is very cool.

After losing two of their teammates, Kel and her best friend have to team up with the infuriating rider Coup and his brother. They also have to get a new sponsor to save her Phoenix Savita. I imagined Cars 2 when Lightning McQueen goes to the new training center with the new sponsor.

This is a high fantasy with technology mixed with magic. While there is a love story between a rider and a tamer, there is a ton of plot outside of that about justice, wealth, tech, safety and a lot of secrets!

There was a great twist I didn't see coming at all and I'm still thinking about. The book ends on a cliffhanger and book two isn't out yet

I started this one as an ebook and was hooked, but when I switched to the audiobook, it was even better! The narrator had a great accent and was very talented.

This book comes out July 15. Add it to your TBR if you are looking for a unique premise in your next fantasy! This one is truly something I've never read!

Thank you to Mikayla Bridge, Macmillan publishing and Macmillan audio for the ARC and ALC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for access to an ARC.

What a phenomenal debut novel. It’s clear the author put a lot of effort and creativity into the story. The world-building and phoenix species were very interesting and complex without being too overwhelming. The best way I can describe the setting is futuristic fantasy. The phoenix racing aspect of the story was really interesting and was like deadly auto racing but replace the cars with large fast birds that are on fire. Initially, I thought the book was going to be very predictable but the plot twist at the end surprised me a lot!

Kel is a fantastically angry and selfish main character but she grows as the story progresses and by the end has had significant character growth (Plus some of her poor behavior has a reason behind it, no spoilers). The entire book she’s trying her best even when some of her choices are questionable. For most of the book, Kel is stuck between a rock and a hard place because she wants to care for her phoenix Sav but the only way to do that is to race which can be unethical.

The author did a great job writing side characters. They had backstories and felt like distinct individuals rather than being interchangeable. The romance felt like true enemies/rivals to lovers with fantastic tension and no insta-love.

The only warning I could give is that if you get easily upset by violence between animals or animal death then this might be the book for you.

I’d rate the book around 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait for additional books from this author!

This book kept me entertained from start to finish!

Kel and Coup seem like they hate each other from the beginning and while I wouldn't say enemies to lovers, they are definitely rivals to lovers. They end up having to work together for the good of the team, but find they actually end up liking each other's company. Shocking, I know. The characters were all pretty fun and had a great close-knit friendship circle.

I loved hearing about the different types of Phoenixes and the attributes that each had. I would love to have art prints of all of them! And the racing tracks that they had! Wow, they just got more intense throughout the book. What a crazy, dangerous sport! I couldn't look away and needed to find out what would happen next!

This didn't feel like it had such high stakes until it neared the ending and then what a setup that I didn't really expect coming!

The way the ending is too...it could either continue into a second book or leave you sort of wondering there. So keep that in mind if you're someone that hates a cliffhanger.

Read if you love:
-Rivals to lovers
-Phoenixes
-Racing scenarios
-Secrets

Thank you Macmillan Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 6/21/25, Release date: 7/15/25

DNF Percentage: 26%

<b>The Important Highlights</b>
This is a standalone fantasy rom com with phoenixes x formula 1 racing. This is told in third person POV with a rivals to lovers trope.

<i>Content Warnings:</i> violence, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, death, and animal cruelty

<b>My Unhinged and Messy Thoughts</b>
If you know me at all, you know that I am absolutely obsessed with phoenixes. I have a phoenix tattoo and a whole shelf dedicated to phoenix books and merch... but I did not love this like I thought I would. I was super excited for this ARC and unfortunately it fell a little flat for me. I feel like I am nitpicking/being overly critical but there were some things that I just didn't like. For example, why are all the phoenixes aggressive and angry? I don't care for that at all. Seriously, I am quite butthurt over that. Anyways, just because this wasn't for me, doesn't mean it was a bad book. That being said, on Goodreads, I tend to leave my DNF's without star ratings, but unfortunately, NetGalley won't let me do that, so I must 1 star.

<b>In Conclusion</b>
If you love rom com's with fantasy elements, this one might be for you!

What an intense and electrifying debut by Mikayla Bridge!
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice : 🫑
Centered around phoenix racing, Kel the FMC must team up with her rival Coup in order to continue to compete in CAPR (racing). Tension and hate turns into jealousy and heated moments when the stakes are so high. Kel will be forced to make questionable decisions that impact not only her but her entire team. Will the sponsorship from a tech mogul be worth the safety of Savita, Kel’s phoenix? Will Kel’s father’s reputation skew her towards making certain decisions?

This was such an epic book! The phoenix races throughout the book really had my heart pounding, needing to know what would happen next. I loved the friendships between all of the Howlers and the sweet romances that blossomed. I was stunned by a twist I did not see coming at all which really pulled me in and had me reeling to find out how it all ended. Absolutely enjoyed it!

Overall: 5/5
Spice: 0/5
Tropes/themes: F1 phoenix racing, fake dating, rivals to lovers, conspiracies, found family

“All this power, and you’re still the scariest thing in the sky.”

Flames! This book was everything and then some 🙌🏼 Like... excuse me, I now need my own phoenix to raise, race, and spoil rotten. 🐦‍🔥

Kel Varra is part of an underdog racing crew called the Crimson Howlers (RR fans, I was instantly intrigued), and their phoenix is named Savita. After a series of unexpected events, the team ends up needing a new rider—enter Warren "Coup" Coupers, a cocky rival who’s equal parts infuriating and charming.

Soon, they’re offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race for Cristo Industries... but nothing is as it seems.

The plot was so unique and magical, I freaking loved it. I DEVOURED this book in just a day and a half. It was fast-paced and kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. I loooooved the tension and banter between Kel and Coup! It was perfect 👌🏼 And yes, we get a "one-saddle" moment! 👀🔥

The side characters were fantastic, each with standout personalities. And Savita? She’s spicy, majestic, and could totally roast me and I’d say thank you. I ADORE her. ❤️‍🔥

This debut fantasy is absolutely fantastic! I cannot wait to see the chaos that Book 2 brings. 😍

Big thanks to Mikayla Bridge, Macmillan Publishers, and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book completely swept me away
and I haven't stopped thinking about it since I turned the last page.

I was originally given a sample of the first ten chapters, and from that moment on, I was hooked. The opening scene throws you right into the action with a heart-pounding race that not only introduces the world’s high-stakes competition but also establishes Kel’s fierce determination and her powerful bond with her phoenix, Savita. I immediately fell in love with the worldbuilding. Fiery, Fast-paced, and FULL of tension.

Kel is such a dynamic main character. you see her become brave, vulnerable, a little reckless, and she's so easy to root for. She’ll do anything to protect her ariary and ensure she and Sav can survive. And that desperation feels real and earned. The races were some of my favorite scenes, so vividly described that I felt like I was soaring right beside them. The adrenaline, the strategy, the danger... it all felt cinematic in the best way.

And then there's Coup. Warren “Coup” Coupers is every bit the arrogant rival you love to hate… until you can’t help but fall for him right alongside Kel. Their chemistry is electric. I kept turning the pages, craving more of their banter, their tension, their near-misses. The slow burn romance was deliciously paced, frustrating in all the right ways and so satisfying when it finally delivers.

As the story unfolds, the stakes rise fast not just on the racetrack but emotionally and politically. There’s a twist involving a mysterious tech Ceo and a deeper conspiracy that adds another layer of danger and intrigue. The emotional weight of Kel’s decisions, choosing between survival, love, loyalty, and sacrifice, hit hard. By the final chapters, I was absolutely glued to the book.

That ending... I have been sitting in stunned silence, just processing... I need to know if there's going to be a sequel, because... I'm just in shock about it all.

If you love underdog heroes, explosive magic, emotion that leave you just as stressed as the characters on the page, and romances that burn slow then hit hard. THIS is your next read. Mikayla delivered in every way, and I’ll be thinking about Kel, Savita, and Coup for a long time.

Loved the setting in this one, fantasy but still futuristic. The characters felt naturally flawed (all of them), and I really enjoyed the detail of the races. I tend to get easily distracted/bored during those kinds of scenes, so I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case this time! Savita had so much sass that felt perfectly real for a domesticated wild animal.

I did not realize the epilogue wasn't included, so I've been sitting here for a bit wondering what just happened and what's going to happen and also feeling like I blindsided myself. I'll just try to wait here patiently, wondering if this is a standalone or not.

As much as I liked this book, there were a couple things that I wanted more of. The world-building seems to be glossed over. We're given the bare minimum of the other mythical creatures that exist and even the history of the phoenixes (and other creatures). There is a poem? song? legend? at the beginning of each part that tells a story to give a little bit of background, but that was the most we got.

The relationship between Kel and Coup had the potential to hurt me in the best kind of way. Unfortunately, as it was seeming like it might go that route... it did not. They were rivals until suddenly they weren't, which felt a bit jarring. The pacing was off for the romance, in my opinion, but I suppose if this is a standalone, then Mikayla Bridge only had so many pages to work with.

I will say this got a little dark with character motivations (you know who). And as a parent... I could sympathize. Both sides of that specific conflict had valid opinions, which provides the perfect ethical conundrum.

I can't fully say how I feel about the ending since no epilogue is provided in the eARC, but I am very interested to see how things will go.

Wow. I feel…I’m not sure what?
This was an amazing read and a phenomenal debut by the author and it was a 5 🌟 read for me until the ending…and not for the reason you may think of “oh, she just didn’t like the outcome”. No. It’s more of a “I don’t like open, loosey-goosey, noncommittal endings”.

I loved the authors take on Phoenix’s and the racing component. I thought the stakes were high and HOLY HECK was the twist at the end both guy-wrenching and satisfying at the same time!!?

Things I liked:
🐦‍🔥 the phoenix’s (duh!)
🏁 race scenes and stakes
❤️ found family
🤯 twists
🤒 the way the blight was handled
😠☀️ she’s grumpy to his sunshine

Things that could have been a little better:

- the romance was playful banter, supposedly rivals to lovers with forced proximity with some staged dating and I just didn’t buy the levels of complexity coming from two 17-year-olds.

- the ending. Uughhhhhhh.

It was a good read (great read!) and I’m so appreciative to have received an ARC! It will be interesting to see how the author decided to wrap this one up since they didn’t provide us with the actual epilogue but teased that there is one.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an early review copy through NetGalley!

I need to preface this review with the fact that I received a copy from NetGalley and it did not have the epilogue in it - therefore, I cannot comment on that portion of the book.

That being said, I’m also unsure if this is a series or standalone book. There are still plenty of unresolved questions and the world is really interesting so I’d love to see more but there is a smidge of finality in the ending so I can kind of see it going either way.

This was a slow read for me. I picked it up a few months ago and then put it down around 25% and only just came back to it. There was a lot going on and a decent amount of info dumping in the beginning.

I liked the concepts and characters and see a lot of potential for more in this world. I’d read more from this author as well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This had a lot of elements of a YA fantasy + romance that I really enjoy, but was also missing some, so I think my overall feelings will really rest on the next book in the series.

The good: the concept of phoenix racing was interesting. I can see the F1 comparisons, though it felt more like pod racing in star wars than F1 given the number of crashes every single race. I remain confused about why, as a society, they are so open to the phoenixes dying during every race? Aren't these rare and valuable creatures that are going extinct? I don't get why they would just shrug and let a few die every race. Are they reborn? I thought that they were not, if they died of non-fiery rebirth causes, but maybe I'm wrong? I just don't feel like, in this hyper-capitalist society, the waste of resources makes a ton of sense. Maybe it will be delved into more in the next book.

The two main characters were enjoyable. The MMC was cocky and annoying, but the book did the work in humanizing him and making me come around to enjoying him as a character. I also appreciated that we regularly point out the FMC's hypocrisy in her judgment of him. I do wish that the romance had been developed a touch more; it felt like the slow burn was really slow burning and then a switch flipped to be immediately all the way in love. The found family aspect was fine and developed appropriately, though I did not feel much of a connection with the side characters.

There were a few "twists," though I wouldn't say this is a book that heavily relies on shock to move things forward. Some were painfully obvious from the first second the character was introduced, but at least one was genuinely really surprising. I appreciated that it did, looking back, fit into the story. This is how to do a first-person POV unreliable narrator well.

What I wanted more of: the world building, the situation with the rebel group, literally any information about AB and how its impacting society. All of that could be coming in the next book, though. I understand that you can't fit everything into the first book of a series.

Would I continue with the series? Yes, I think I probably would. It ends on a cliffhanger and while I am not honestly desperate to know what happens next, I am definitely curious.

3.25/5
The book claims to have "fourth wing" vibes. Unless riding on magical creature is the vibe you are looking for it does not fit it whatsoever. This book gives off trying to hard. The world makes me thinking of the Star Wars episode I racing scene paired with a trying to be hard Katnis and Peeta relationship to create a fake relationship of star crossed lovers for views.
The main character Kel is very basic she's a very stereotypical main character for someone who loves her animal and then introduced misunderstood "bad boy" romantic lead. The found family has no chemistry the side characters don't add super depth to the story.
The world building isn't there. I have no clue who the gods are or really why the races happen or even the rules of the race. It just is like "oh we have to bind the phoenixes so they don't become chaotic". And then the magic that is suppose to be from the Phoenix never explained as well.
This story is half written. Then characters "swear" saying alchemist and I'm like wtf is this supposed to mean to find out almost to the very end this is their gods. Every other chapter ends in a one liner ie. The world went black or all went silent (these are not the actual quotes just too of the head example).
This story had potential but it very much fell flat. Could i read it yes but I was skimming and still understood the story.

Seventeen-year-old Kel Varra and her phoenix racing team, the Crimson Howlers, are forced to accept arrogant rider Warren "Coup" Coupers, onto their team following a disastrous race. When a viral video of Kel and Coup wrangling a loose phoenix catches the attention of tech mogul Casen Cristo, their team is given the chance at jobs and a sponsorship that could change their lives forever. But they, and their phoenix, are soon drawn into a conspiracy that could threaten everything they've worked for.

Okay, this is one of those books that I absolutely wanted to love but it just fell a little flat. The book starts off with descriptions of all the different subspecies of phoenixes, which got me super excited for the worldbuilding, but I feel like the author never quite delivered in that area. Salta is made up of a number of different islands and contains other magical creatures besides phoenixes, but we never get more than a cursory reference to any of them.

I also felt like the pacing felt a bit off, with a lot of slower development in the beginning (not all of which felt necessary), and then a lot of action crammed into the last section of the book. There's also a big reveal made toward the very end that felt like it was there to conveniently fill in some weird plot holes.

I did, however, really enjoy the character development and the romance. I find in a lot of romantasy novels, the FMC immediately lusts over her rival or enemy, while saying how much she hates him. I loved that Kel is willing to admit to Coup's good looks without being immediately overwhelmed by them, and Bridge gives her time to develop her physical attraction in tandem with her emotional one. It isn't until she almost loses him that she's willing to admit to having any feelings, and even then, she continues to feel conflicted over those feelings.

Read if you like:
YA fantasy
Phoenix racing
Rivals to lovers
Found family
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Grumpy FMC x sunshine MMC
Single-POV

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

It’s been a while since I’ve read YA but boy is this a great debut title!

In this world (Salta), humans live beside magical creatures and specifically in this installment, phoenixes. But it isn’t peaceful - phoenixes are wild and humans try to tame them so they can race them, kinda like super hot, fiery fighter jets. The more humans destroy phoenixes for their own benefit, the more Salta’s magic depletes, to the point of a careless disease called AB developing in humans.

Kel has owned her phoenix, Savita, since egg and is her tamer and part of the Howlers racing team. After tragedy hits, she is forced to accept Coup, a daring phoenix flyer, and his brother, into her team. They decide to race for Christo Industries, a research/conservation corporation, but red flags pop up and develop as the story does.

The world building is good, along with the rules of magic; Kel and Coup are matched pretty well, both in terms of the enemies to lovers and in terms of character development, and the only thing that bothered me at times is that there are parts of this story that are so full of angst and MELODRAMA. But well, I’m not a teen anymore.

I hope the next book is more NA/Adult since spice could really, well, spice up this dynamic. I also hope to see more magical creatures, not just phoenixes. All in all, a very good and original debut and I am looking forward to reading the next one!

Book Review: Of Flame and Fury
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Of Flame and Fury is a gripping young adult fantasy that delivers fast-paced action, moral complexity, and a refreshingly original setting. Centered around a world of phoenixes and high-stakes racing, this novel explores the timeless question of whether the end justifies the means, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The story excels in worldbbuilding. The setting is rich, vibrant, and immersive. The phoenixes and their connection to the races add a unique and captivating layer to the fantasy landscape. I found the setting to be one of the strongest aspects of the book, drawing me in from the first few pages and holding me until the end.

While there is a romance subplot, it never overshadows the central themes or the fantasy elements. Instead, the relationship adds emotional depth without detracting from the plot’s momentum. It feels like the perfect setup for a sequel that could dive deeper into the romance without sacrificing the story's integrity.

This is an easy book to binge. The writing is accessible without being simplistic, making it a great pick for both seasoned fantasy readers and newcomers to the genre.

If you’re looking for a YA fantasy with high-stakes action, moral tension, and a world that’s both vivid and exciting, Of Flame and Fury is absolutely worth the read. I’m eagerly awaiting book two to see where the romance and the rising tension lead next.

4.25

Really immersive story telling! I was invested in Kel and Savita from the beginning and began rooting for the Howlers as they went through race after race. The characters all felt fleshed out, and the world building - superbly done - was the real draw of the book.

The idea of wild phoenix racing akin to formula 1, but with an endangered species, was compelling. I wish we spent more time on the magic system, the phoenixes, and AB, rather than focusing on race details (as relevant to the core plot of the book).

I also liked how the relationships developed, and the slow progression from rivalries to reluctant trust to friendships. Excited to continue with the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and Mikayla Bridge for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was AMAZING! I couldn't put it down and need book 2 immediately! (But obviously not putting pressure on Mikayla, just saying this because I loved it so much!!!)

The story starts with Kel, a 17 year old phoenix tamer and owner of Savita. Savita is the phoenix of the Crimson Howlers, a racing team.

After tragically losing their rider, the Howlers need a new rider. Enter Warren "Coup" Coupers, the handsome bad boy of racing. Coup is a risk-taking phoenix racer who pushes boundaries in racing. Obviously, Kel can't stand him!

In order to save their team, her farm and aviary, Kel and the Howlers team up with Coup and his brother. They're quickly offered a sponsorship by the best in the industry! In exchange for Kel's expertise on phoenixes, the team will be housed, allowed to race, Kel's aviary will be saved and it's a huge learning experience.

But as any story goes, there's trouble brewing. There's a mysterious illness that no one has a cure for and it's deadly if contracted. What do phoenixes have to do with this? Well, their rebirthes may be the answer to finding a cure.

I adored every part of this story. The enemies to lovers was on pointe. The prose was so descriptive and I could envision everything in my head. The phoenixes are incredible creatures. The cliffhanger left me wanting more. All in all and absolutely perfect YA Romantasy and I cannot wait for book 2!

fun enemies to lovers book about racing, but racing phoenixes this time! so much fun and i loved the bestiary at the start. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.