The excitement when I saw I'd been offered this ARC. After the Baby Dragon Cafe series I had high hopes for this new series and was not disappointed.

It is a gripping and imaginative fantasy that delivers strong world-building, engaging characters, and a fast-moving plot. A. T. Qureshi creates a vivid setting where dragons are more than spectacle—they’re central to the story’s tension, politics, and emotional stakes. The pacing is tight, with plenty of action balanced by quieter character moments that give the story depth. The protagonist’s journey is compelling, and the themes of power, loyalty, and choice are woven naturally into the narrative.

Overall, this is a solid and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of dragon-centered fantasy and character-driven adventures. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this as an ARC and would happily continue with the series.

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, A. T. Qureshi and Avon Books UK📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Ginny has wanted to race her dragon and win for as long as she can remember but it certainly won't be without consequences. This book prominently features the dragons in particular the races. I was fully immersed in everything about this book from the magic to the romance and family dramas and especially the danger. I love the dragons and fell deeply emotionally connected to Fang. The story is so much fun and exciting. It's also heart in your mouth full of suspense. I screamed at the cliff hanger ending and screamed even more because now I have to wait for the second book and I desperately needed it yesterday. Dare I say this is even better than Fourth Wing.

I really enjoyed Rider of Dragons. It was an easy story to settle into, and once I did, I found myself getting fully absorbed in the world and the characters. It has that comforting fantasy feel while still keeping things interesting and emotionally engaging.
One of my favorite parts was the bond between the rider and the dragon. It felt meaningful and well developed, not rushed, and added a lot of heart to the story. I liked that the dragon was not just there for spectacle, but actually played an important role in the emotional side of the narrative.
The worldbuilding was immersive without being overwhelming. I appreciated how the story takes its time establishing the setting and the rules of the world, which made everything feel more grounded. Once things got moving, I found it hard to put the book down.
The main character was easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching their growth over the course of the story. The themes of loyalty, duty, and identity were handled in a thoughtful way, and the quieter moments were just as effective as the more action driven scenes.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read for me. It felt warm, immersive, and emotionally satisfying, especially if you enjoy dragon fantasy with strong character relationships. I would happily recommend this to readers who love dragons and character driven fantasy stories.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

want to preface this review by saying I’m historically not a fantasy genre fan. There have been a few books/series that I have enjoyed but overall I tend to avoid them. However, when I saw the book cover on NetGalley it caught my eye enough for me to read the jacket blurb, and that piqued my interest further. I decided to give it a shot.

I am so glad I did!

The author did a wonderful job creating not only the world, but also the characters. I felt like I could see the story playing out in my head- which I’m going to go ahead and say now I can’t wait to watch the movie that this will inevitably be made into.

*Spoiler Alert*

The tension between the main characters is delicious. I am waited with bated breath to see who Ginny enlists to help her in the next book. Crossing all my fingers that it’s Zavi and we get to see this love triangle play out.

I also am so incredibly curious to see how Qais got himself into this mess and to learn more about what was going on in the background that the reader and Ginny were unaware of.

I am so delighted that I took a chance on this book and cannot wait for the next one!

This is my favourite book of A.T. Qureshi by far! This book had me hooked and I didn't realise its a duology until the end of the book. But thank God because I need answers. The plot twist at the end had me shocked to my core. I loved how the book centred around female empowerment and helping women achieve their goals the same way we do for men. The themes of love, power and loyalty (plus dragons) were executed so well. August 27th can't come soon enough for you I promise.

Rider of Dragons is an engaging fantasy that I had so much fun reading. Dragons, destiny, and danger are woven into a story that’s easy to sink into and genuinely exciting.
I especially appreciated how elements from the author’s previous work, The Baby Dragon Café, were woven into the plot. That connection added depth to the world and felt like a real treat as a returning reader. I also completely fell in love with the dragons, and I became deeply emotionally connected to Fang in particular.
The sense of adventure is strong, the pacing keeps the suspense high, and there were several heart-in-your-mouth moments. That cliffhanger ending made me actually scream, and then scream again when I realised I now have to wait for book two, which I desperately needed yesterday.
A thrilling, emotional read for fans of dragon-centered fantasy, with enough excitement and heart to leave you wanting more.

Thank you to Net Gallery for this ARC!

Wow! The characters in this book were introduced to us in The Baby Dragon Cafe, but this series is so different!! Action, intrigue, spicy slow burn romance! Loved it!!

We follow Ginny and her entry in the Dragon Racing Championships!

I warn you now the ending will make go "Noooooo dont end there, I need to know!!"

Next book is out in 2027! I'll be reading it for sure!

I have been enjoying the light romantasy series "Baby Dragon" by A. T. Qureshi, so I was excited to read "Rider of Dragons" the first book in her new duology, set in the same world and featuring many of the characters that fans will recognise. However, the author provides sufficient introduction that new readers can dive right into the duology without missing any useful information.
Ginny comes from a family of dragon owners but only her brother Danny had the privilege of being a dragon rider and racing dragons. Ginny is determined to become a rider too, despite her family's opposition.
This book is spicier than the Baby Dragon series and I enjoyed the tension and drama of the race scenes. The final chapter sets up the scene brilliantly for the second book.

Oh my gosh I don’t even know what to say! Wow

This book absolutely blew me away, I knew I’d enjoy it as I’ve loved all the other books set in the same universe but I did NOT know what I was in for with this

This book felt very different, less cosy and a bit more fantasy! The spicy scenes were definitely more intense, frequent and more detailed than those in the baby dragon series, and I liked that it was different!

Learning about the dragon races was so interesting, I’d always been so intrigued about them being mentioned in other books

The book really kept me on my toes - who would she pick? Who is the good guy and bad guy?

As soon as I got to the end my jaw dropped, I’m really not sure how I’m meant to function whilst waiting for the next instalment!

Easily one of my favourite books of the year so far and my favourite from the author. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Rider of Dragons is a gripping, immersive fantasy that delivers rich world building, compelling characters, and a powerful emotional core. From the opening chapters, this story pulls you straight into a vivid, high stakes world built around dragons, duty, and identity.
The characters are a standout. The protagonist is determined, layered, and easy to root for, with clear growth throughout the story. The supporting cast adds depth and tension, and the bond between rider and dragon is particularly well done it’s emotional, complex, and central to the heart of the plot. The relationships feel earned and grounded, enhancing both the action and quieter moments.
The story blends classic dragon fantasy with a fresh voice and thoughtful themes, and fans of Eragon, Fourth Wing, and The Priory of the Orange Tree will find a lot to love here. The pacing stays strong, the stakes remain high, and the world feels expansive without being overwhelming.

Overall, this is a polished, engaging read that dragon-loving fantasy readers will devour. A confident addition to the genre and a book I’d happily recommend and continue as a series. 🐉

Rider of Dragons is such a wonderful fantastic read. I love the writing style as it fully immerses you into the world . Dragons.. lots of dragons, destiny, spice and danger are captured into a story that’s easy to escape in with a fast paced plot.

Having loved the baby dragon cafe, I really loved this book included some of the characters from this. I was gripped when I was reading this.. and the cliff hanger just made me want to read more and wanting the next instalment already yet we’ve got to wait until 2027!! I can’t wait!!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the same world as the adorable “Baby Dragon Cafe” series, this is a familiar setting with a change of pace.

Ginny’s story is exciting, she pushes the boundaries of what’s expected for her by becoming a Dragon Rider which she’s forbidden to do.

The romance is a sizzle throughout and it turns up at the end, which leave you wanting and desperate for book 2.

Lovelies, we are not at the The Baby Dragon Café anymore! (I mean, we're still in Starshine Valley but we're getting SERIOUS.) I knew Genevieve's book was going to be incredible but this? This I couldn't put down. (Literally, I read it in one sitting.) This is what your favorite dragon riding - super tournament-fight to the death-championship contest should read like.

And then you get to the END.... Aamna, what did you do to your readers?! The last chapter absolutely killed me and I'm not sure how I'm going to survive until 2027...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC of this book!

So firstly, many thanks to Netgalley for this digital ARC.

4.5⭐️

I actually hate you Aamna Qureshi. I hate the ending, I need Ginny to team up with Zavi or Aiden for the rescue. I can’t believe that Qais did what he did. I feel like it wasn’t very predictable.

At first I thought that Ginny was to dumb and naive, especially at the beginning. But her character really developed and Qureshi is really good at writing that. I am actually completely obsessed with Qais. He is actually so amazing which is why I guess the betrayal came as such a shock. Qureshi is also very good at using time skips effectively. It seemed as though they were always there for a reason and it didn’t feel weird when it skipped like two weeks.

But, some breaks did feel really unnatural. For example, when Qais is explaining to Ginny how the races works, and he just leaves for a few minutes to grab his armour. I don’t know but it just didn’t feel normal. Another bit was near the end of the book where there was also an unnatural break/time skip.

The beginning also felt really unnatural and not worthy of an introduction to the world of dragon racing. It took a while for me to get fully invested in the book. I think the moment it really clicked for me was when Ginny left home, but before then I didn’t really know what to think. The intro is quite slow imo but that could just be me. i do enjoy reading fantasy and I am very excited for the next book to come out.

Thanks again to netgalley, and publishers for the ARC.

Rider of Dragons by A.T. Quereshi published by Avon Books UK, is the first book in the Dragon Racer Series.
Be aware the book is left with a major cliffie, so consider you warned.
Genevieve grew up privileged and in a wealthy powerful family. She's a 24 year old woman. still living under the roof/thumb of her parents. And these parents are set against her attending a dangerous dragon race.
Genevieve us all on her own in this endevor and what she needs is a trainer. Here Quais comes into the picture. But again be warned, heisn't what he seems.
I read the book and couldn't help myself, Ginny is a naive, disillusionistic character who has a fair share of growing up to do. But noo, she knows best. And the male love interest, yep she'd should have stayed far away from him, but Ginny knows best - not.
This book had me torn. I loved meeting the characters from the previous book, but I didn't like how they acted at all. But the writing is great, the suspense fantastic and I couldn't not finish the book.

"Rider of Dragons" by A. T. Qureshi is an absolutely captivating read that immerses you in a richly developed fantasy world filled with adventure, magic, and unforgettable characters. The author’s vivid storytelling and intricate plot twists keep you hooked from start to finish, making it impossible to put the book down. The depth of the characters and the author’s masterful world-building create a truly immersive experience that transports you into a realm where dragons soar and heroes rise. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy novels—it's a five-star masterpiece that will leave you eagerly awaiting more from A. T. Qureshi!
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRDcX4vS/

I loved the baby dragon series and I was so sad when it sensed so I knew when this was announced that I had to get my hands on it asap!

I loved Genevieve’s story and the themes of loyalty and equality and choice surrounding her. I feel like they were really well executed and loved how it was written.

I thought the author did an amazing job at world building and even if someone hadn’t read the baby dragon series, the author gave a full overview of everything a reader needed to know.

I need book 2 in my hands like yesterday!!

What’s not to love about this book it had everything you could need! Trials, dragons, twists and turns, tension, yearning and that ending was phenomenal!

I was lucky and received an arc copy of this so thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, although I will say it means I have to wait longer to read the second one!

The pacing was spot on and the characters were well written, Fang was absolutely the favourite for me though.

Genevieve's family doesn't want her to join the deadly dragon races. She asks Qais to train her even though he's an alleged member of a dragon poaching gang.

Fast paced and exciting... The characters are terrfic. And of course, there are dragons... Love the emotional outbursts too...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

"Ever so gently, he ran a finger down her throat. An electric current shot down her spine, and she resisted the urge to lean into his touch. Then it was his turn to whisper in her ear, 'Best behave, then.'
Rider of Dragons, by A. T Qureshi
Excuse me but WHAT?! This book was OUTSTANDING. And that ending?! I am almost devastated I had this ARC because now I have to wait even longer for the next book and I genuinely do not know how I am supposed to cope. I need reassurance. I need resolution. I need revenge.
How do I even describe this book? It is written and set in the same world as The Baby Dragon Cafe, so it carries those cosy romantasy vibes, but it also delivers high stakes dragon racing, dangerous gangs, a bad boy love interest, incredible tension, and just a touch of spice. The writing is so strong that I was completely hooked from the first page and by the final chapter my heart was pounding. I devoured this in one day.
The characters were compelling, the dragon human bond was absolutely adorable, and I loved the side characters. I fully despised Genevive’s father, even if his intentions might be good, and I was very invested in the subtle hint that there may be more than one love interest. I cannot wait to see how that plays out in book two.
If you love romance, dragons, determined FMCs, dragon companions that must be protected at all costs, and cliffhanger endings that leave you screaming, add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. I absolutely loved it.

Firstly I wanna say thank you to NetGallery for allowing me to have an advance copy, highly appreciate it.

My review- in the beginning I thought Ginny was a naive girl who was a tad dumb, but as the story went on her character grew beautifully. I do find that Amna Qureshi does that well, she also uses time skips quite well. Her writing has grown since the baby dragon cafe (which I adore) the time skips didn’t feel weird or awkward at any point it just flowed.

However, the beginning did feel a bit unnatural and not right for what the dragon races are about.

I absolutely adored the Baby Dragon series - I was over the moon to see this one. Still set in the stunning world of Starshine Valley but it took on a whole new feel and adventure.

We follow Ginny on her journey to the Dragon Rider Championships. With her grand ambitions to follow in her brother’s footsteps, she knows she can win if given the chance. However with strict instructions from her father to enter under no circumstances, she defies the odds, finds a trainer and signs herself up to one of the most dangerous (and illegal) dragon races with her dragon Fang.

It was seriously such an amazing story and I whipped through it. I loved the compilations of her training, developing her bond with Fang (& with her trainer of course) and seeing how much she rose to the challenge and danger everytime. I’m so excited to follow up with the next book but man did I hate the ending. Guess I’ll have to calendar watch until the day of the next book release!

Rider of Dragons is an expansive and exhilarating fantasy that grips from its first page with a blend of high-stakes adventure, richly imagined worldbuilding, and compelling character arcs. A.T. Qureshi delivers a story that will satisfy anyone who loves dragons that feel ancient and awe-inspiring, conflicts that span continents, and heroes who must grow into the legends they are destined to become.

The heart of the novel lies in its protagonist, whose journey from uncertainty to courage drives the emotional core of the book. Qureshi writes protagonists with depth—caught between duty, fear, and the lure of a destiny they never asked for. As alliances form and betrayals unfold, the reader is invited to share in every triumph and setback, making the stakes feel both personal and epic.

One of the real standouts in Rider of Dragons is Qureshi’s worldbuilding. The setting feels vast yet lived-in, from soaring mountain crags that serve as dragon roosts to bustling market cities where magic and politics collide. Dragons in this world are not just beasts—they are intelligent, ancient forces whose presence reshapes culture, war, and what it means to be human. The bond between humans and dragons is complex and often uneasy, giving the story emotional resonance beyond spectacular flight scenes or battle sequences.

Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and identity are woven seamlessly into the narrative. Qureshi explores what it means to belong—to a community, to a legacy, even to oneself—especially when old orders crumble and new powers rise. The novel doesn’t shy away from darker moments, but it balances them with heart and hope, giving readers moments of triumph that feel genuinely earned.

Overall, *Rider of Dragons* is an immersive, thrilling fantasy that will appeal to fans of dragon epics and character-driven adventures alike. A.T. Qureshi brings fresh energy to familiar genre touchstones, delivering a story that is both exhilarating and emotionally resonant. This book soars, and it’s just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable journey.

Honestly I am absolutely in love with this book. I loved the baby dragon series but this book steps it up a notch! Literally obsessed with both MMCs (EVEN AFTER THAT CLIFF HANGER) and I love the FMC. Spice is just right! I am absolutely devastated that I have to wait for the second one. Great job!!

I love it when fantasy incorporates cultures from our world, and it's a nice change from all-white casts. Qureshi has written a wonderful world where dragons race, and only those with money can secure the best trainers and equipment.

Genevieve's family do not want her to race, but when she defies them, they refuse to fund her. So she has to turn to the one person she doesn't want to, to help her, despite his reputation for dragon poaching.

As her skill increases, so do things between her and Oais, but can she truly trust him?

A fun fantasy read that makes a nice change.

Thank you to Avon Books for gifting me this e-book in exchange for my honest review. After The Little Dragon Café, Bakery and Bookshop, I was beyond excited to return to the world of Starshine Valley—and Rider of Dragons did not disappoint.

Ginny has spent her life wrapped in cotton wool by her parents, all while dreaming of following in her brother Danny’s footsteps and competing in the deadly Dragon Racing Championships. Enter Qais: from the wrong side of town, tied to a notorious dragon-poaching gang, and exactly the kind of trouble everyone warns her about. He may be the only one who can train Ginny to become fast, fearless, and dangerous enough to win—but can he really be trusted?

While the Little Dragon books are cute and cosy, Rider of Dragons cranks everything up a notch. There’s real danger, high drama, and so much tension, alongside the familiar characters and family dynamics I already love. And that ending? A full-on cliff-hanger that had me staring at the wall in silence. I adore this world and its people—and I was absolutely not ready to leave.

I have enjoyed other books by the author and Rider Of Dragons was no different. Fans of fourth wing will love this. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was so action packed that sometimes I forgot that I was reading. Overall a brilliant read that I highly recommend to other e.

I loved this! A brilliant fantasy of adventure, beautiful world building and Romantasy goodness.

I’ve not read her previous novels, but after this, I will definitely be picking another up.

Also, the ending. Immense. When is the next one? I need it yesterday!

I just love this author and just like her previous novels, I was thoroughly entertained.

I especially liked the references back to her baby dragon series.

Fantasy and romance combined, oh I was definitely here for it.

Enemies, to friends, to lovers you say. Yes please.

This review needs few words because the story was brilliant from start to finish.

The ending though! What a twist.

Why must I wait for next one, why?

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon Books for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Genevieve, our FMC, is full of determination & perseverance. She is all the things I love in a strong and powerful FMC.

This story of illegal dragon racing raises the stakes from the traditional cozy feel of the previous Baby Dragon books. There’s high stakes, secrets, and Genevieve with her eye on the prize, the Dragon Riders’ Championship. This story does a great job at highlighting the struggle women go through in our current world when it comes to proving our worth vs. a man.

We have an MMC, Qais, who has an utterly tragic backstory, who becomes Genevieve’s trainer while she prepares for the race that her family are adamantly against.

Provider by Sleep Token was stuck in my head throughout the entirety of this book, and it sums Qais up perfectly. The romance is FULL of slow burning tension & yearning. But trust me. If steam is what you want, just you wait 🔥

The dragons are arguably my favorite part of this story, because nothing quite beats the bond between a rider and their dragon.

The ending… I have sobbed for 20 minutes straight trying to fathom waiting for book 2. Incredible. I truly have no words for how much I loved this book.

I never read the Baby Dragon Café series, so this was my first experience of Aamna Qureshi's writing, and I enjoyed it! I really liked the world building in this book, it felt very immersive, and I am a sucker for any book with dragons in. The bonds between dragons and riders were one of my favourite parts, and I loved seeing Ginny and Fang grow their bond throughout the book. The competition was a great base for the story to be based around, although the trials did start to merge into one for me. I think this was a well thought out book, and I am happy it will be a duology. The twist at the end of book one had me gripped, and I will definitely read book 2 to finish up this story.

Although, this book did read as more of a YA novel to me instead of adult and as the centre of the story, Ginny was frustratingly naïve. I am definitely not a fan of the "I'm not like other girls, I don't wear makeup and people don't interest me" vibes that she was radiating. It seemed like she felt that she knew better than everybody else in the story, and wouldn't take anybody's advice to heart. She was quite childish, and I'm not entirely sure her personality fit well into an adult fantasy novel. But seeing her grow throughout the story was nice!

On the romance side of things, it definitely leans more on the side of a slow burn romance, instead of enemies to lovers, as they really don't know each other before meeting, and get on reasonably quite quick into their partnership. Qais was mysterious and interesting, his relationship with his brother was so interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens with him in the next book. Although, I do sense a love triangle on the horizon.

With the other side characters, I hope we see more in the second book if there is a deeper reason that Ginny's father was so unsupportive and cruel, or if it is just straight up sexism. Zaviyar & Vaneeza were good additions, and I hope there is more of them both in the follow up.

Really glad I read it, it was an enjoyable experience, and this has prompted me to look up more of Qureshi's work! Thank you for the e-arc.

Rider of Dragons is full of action and adventure which is quite a change from the authors previous books about the Baby Dragon Cafe although this is referenced. Ginny is definitely a girl on a mission and her relationship with her dragon is wonderful. The pace will draw you in and I couldn't put it down. Watch out for a cliffhanger though.

I absolutely loved Rider of Dragons. Swept me straight into a vivid, high‑stakes world full of heart, magic, and brilliantly realised dragon lore. The bond between rider and dragon was especially well done—emotional, tense, and wonderfully immersive.

The pacing is tight, the characters compelling, and the worldbuilding rich without ever feeling heavy. A couple of moments felt a tadge long, but overall the story was gripping and thoroughly enjoyable.

A fantastic, uplifting fantasy read that I’m so glad I got the pleasure of reading.