I just read a chapter preview for the book Of Flame and Fury. The cover hooked me, its beautiful. I liked the glossary in the beginning. Thos books seems to have a lot of world building and I think I would have to read a physical copy to keep up with all the details. The chapter sample I read did have me interested in purchasing and reading the book in its entirety.

This sampler had me hooked from the very beginning! I loved how right away we got information about the different types of phoenixes and what makes them good or bad for racing. It's a good intro into what you're going to be getting yourself into.

During the first chapter we start off by being put directly in the middle of a race and from there we just take off flying (like a phoenix). Everything was so fast paced which is something that I really appreciate in a book like this. It felt like at every corner something was happening and like every page had important and meaningful information to be absorbed. There were some many interesting plot points as well that I'm so excited to dive further into such as the cultists, the disease that took her grandfather, and what Kel is going to do about the offer she gets. The actual racing is also so intriguing and I'm excited to get more. It really feels like this book has a lot of good things going for it.

I also really enjoyed what we got of the characters so far. Our main character Kel is dealing with some very interesting internal issues around phoenix racing but overall just has so much love for Savita, her phoenix, who has a personally of her own. Coup is also very intriguing and I can't wait for more to be revealed about him as I feel like there much more beneath the surface. I especially can't wait to see Kel and Coups relationship grow and develop more through the book.

Overall, my only critique would be that I felt quite overwhelmed with how many characters were introduced at the same time in the very beginning. I was having trouble keeping them all straight but it righted itself very quickly so it wasn't a big deal. Other than that, this sampler truly had me hooked and I can't wait to read the rest!

This sampler did its job! I was not sure from the description if I would be interested in reading this/collecting a special edition of this for my shelves but the sampler has me HOOKED. The most intriguing aspect of the opening chapters is the politics within this world of phoenix riders.

I love the friendship and loyalty between the two female team members and I love the dedication to brotherhood of the two male team members. And while the love interests are pretty apparent, I am hopeful that we leave spice and most of the romance to the side and keep the heat on the phoenixes and the politics surrounding the races.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced "sampler."

I had a hard time with this one. I struggled getting invested in the characters. Seems like plenty of others enjoyed it so I’m one of few that wasn’t really feeling it. I still think everyone should check it out but it’s a pass for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the excerpt

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This sampler was so good! I've never read a book that solely revolved around phoenixes and I was immediately intrigued. The pace was perfect, the world-building was unique, and the characters were entertaining. When I first started, I must admit I was a bit confused but it wasn't for very long. By the next chapter I was hooked. After only 10 chapters I NEED more! I will absolutely be continuing the book when it's released and I can't wait to watch Kel and Coup's relationship bloom.

For fans of:
- phoenix racing
- enemies-to-lovers
- forced proximity

*Thank you to Netgalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group, and the author, Mikayla Bridge, for the this advanced chapter sampler!

Thank you allowing me to sample this book, although, Flames and ashes—it was such a tease! I have it preordered now so I can read the book upon publication. I want to know what is going to happen! I’m fuming with that cliff hanger!

[Read 10 chapter ARC]

In the first 10 chapters I have gotten to read I am loving the new and fresh take on the Phoenix. These powerful and dangerous immortals being used to race, while also being hunted and studied. Meanwhile you have this bada$$ FMC Phoenix tamer who has this deep relationship with her own phoenix and has to ensure it does unalive its rider.

I couldn't put it down and was on edge for what's next. Can't wait to get my hands on the full book.

I think a basic version of this should be included as a download with the audiobook - like a list of the phoenixes and their types and maybe a simple character list. As an audiovisual learner this would greatly help the comprehension and keep things sorted (It's hard to go back and quickly review phoenix types in the audiobook). Thanks!

-- I'll be leaving my full review with the audiobook

4.5⭐
It's crazy how it has only been a few chapters and I'm hooked already. With all the action happening it can see it in my mind like I'm watching a movie. I am down to start the full book and finish within a day, that's how invested I am with this book. Thank you Netgalley and the author for giving me a arc copy of the first couple chapters

This book had me hooked from chapter one! I loved how it started right in the action and never lost momentum. Kel and Dira's friendship and bond is felt from the very beginning and it gives a great foundation for Kel's character to be established upon. You immediately feel connected to Kel in how fiercely she defends Sav so when Coup and his brother enter the picture, we the reader are also just as protective of Sav and their safety but just as conflicted as Kel as we already understand and sympathize with her situation.

I was surprised by how fast I was able to get into the world building of this book as it usually takes me a while to fully get into romantasy books. Can't wait to read the rest of this YA debut novel!

Unfortunately I really struggled to get into this sampler. I probably won't be picking this book up when it releases. I appreciate the ability to have sampled this story and to see whether it snagged me the way its comps did. I hope this debut finds its audience, but I will not be part of that audience.

Oh. My. Goodness. I am absolutely ACHING to read the rest of this story. Kel is a tough gal! It could be because I read this on one of the hottest days of the year, but I could swear I felt the heat from the phoenix.

Thoroughly thrilling, fast paced, and exciting. I know there’s much more going on behind the scenes and I cannot wait to read more!

Fans of Hunger Games and Fourth Wing will devour this one!

I was already excited for this book, and now having read this preview, I am even more excited! Centered on competitive Phoenix racing, this book feels unique compared to other fantasy books on the market right now. I look forward to seeing how the story progresses!

The Of Flame and Fury chapter sampler ends after a heart-pounding and devastating scene. I am so grateful I received the full ARC and will be immediately continuing the novel there. I am excited to see where the story goes.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan, and Mikayla Bridge for the advanced chapter sampler in exchange for my honest review!

While this was only ten chapters, there is a lot of potential! I am very intrigued by the concept of phoenix racing and haven't read anything quite like this before. I already love the depth and the dynamics of the different characters within the team. AND there is already so much action that happens.

With it being only a sampler, I do feel like the pacing seemed a little all over the place between events. Everything happens within a span of a couple days and we never get a chance to catch our breath. I believe that to be the point and will be fleshed out later, but cannot speak to that at this time.

I'm incredibly excited to see how the characters continue to develop and where the story leads!

I really enjoyed the sample! I can tell so much thought went into the story and I love the characters. The rivalry and banter between Kel and Coup is so much fun. I also have access to the full arc and can’t wait to finish and fully review the book!

The lore in this story is so unique and fresh. I do not recall having a tale about Phoenix’s told so vividly! Our main charaacter has a mountain of debt and is scrambling to pay it off. I also love how there are not just one but mutiple species of Phoenix, with different varients of powers and magic. The chemistry between rivals even before they tram up is unmatched! Banter is some of the best I have seen this year so far. Given just enough of the begining of story I am most intrugued and excited to see more about the world of Phoenix riding! Also tragedy happens right within the few chapters and I was not expecting the twist just as the book begins. CAN NOT WAIT TO FINISH STORY IN ITS ENTIRETY!!!!!!

I read a lot of fantasy, including YA fantasy, and haven’t read anything quite like this before. I initially wasn’t sure about the book because of the violent nature of Phoenix racing; it seemed like it could be a bit of a harder read for people who particularly struggle with animal injury and death. However, by the end of the ten chapters, my concerns were largely assuaged. While that aspect appears to be part of the story, I anticipate that it will drive the story forward in a meaningful way and not be overly descriptive. I plan to continue reading the book upon publication.

Can’t wait to read the full thing, the chapter sampler was so good but ended too quickly for me. I need more

This book starts off with a lot of action and shocking moments that make the story intriguing and hooked me. I appreciated the glossary of the different types of phoenix's in the beginning as well. This is helpful to look back to when different types of phoenix's are mentioned. I was a little confused with everything going on in the beginning, since it went right into the story and there wasn't much explanation. However later on I like how the back story and world building is explained in pieces throughout the chapters. I thought it was an interesting twist that the book is centered on phoenix's and not dragons. It's nice to read about different types of mythical creatures and learn more about the lore behind phoenix's. I love a good enemies to lovers trope as well. I am excited to see how that story plays out when I read the full book.