A big thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Books and Makayla Bridge for the opportunity to read an ARC of Of Flame and Bury in exchange for an honest review.

Of Flame and Fury is a YA romantasy set in a world where magical creatures including phoenixes exist alongside humanity. Kel Varra owns her own Phoenix, Savita, which she uses to compete in Phoenix races. These races are exhilarating and dangerous. Her team find themselves requiring a new rider and that’s how Kel’s nemesis, the arrogant and reckless Warren Coupers, joins the team. Through various circumstances Kel and Coups team end up relocating and working for a tech billionaire.

The concept in Of Flame and Fury is exciting, and I enjoyed the fast pace and unique world-building. I especially liked the blend of magic with a modern setting. However, the plot felt predictable, and I found myself wishing for more twists or depth. That said, the foundation is strong, and I’m curious to see how the sequel builds on it.

I’ve had so much fun reading Of Flame and Fury and rated it 4⭐️. The one for lovers of YA stories, urban fantasy, reluctant allies to lovers, F1 racing with phoenixes, slow burn romance.

Once upon a time, the first Alchemist saddled a phoenix, and their bond was unlike anything the world has ever seen. So pure, that when it came to it, the phoenix shared the rebirth with the bonded human. They were reborn together. They saved each other.

Phoenixes have been a passion of Kel’s since she was a little girl and she has grown up with her own, Savita, living comfortably with her father -famous for his studies on the species, on their farm, until his unexpected death. Ever since Kel, alongside with her best friend Dira, tried to protect Savita and her father’s legacy. But someone has to pay the bills so they hav formed a racing group Howlers, and entered the phoenix racing world - a deadly but most profitable sport on the island build from ash and burning with fire. When the death of their rider stops them from competing, and with a threat of being unable to pay the creditors and keep the Savita and her aviary, Kel enters into a forced truce with her biggest competitors, Warren Coupers and his brother, aka the sweetheart of racing world. Together, the group are recruited by an altruistic billionaire Cristo.

And for the first time hope is on horizon, as Coup quickly bonds with Savita and the new sponsorship helps them win the races. But something isn’t right, and Kel worries about Savita who starts to show symptoms of a rebirth. What happens next is a race against time and fight against those in power, uncovering dark secrets of their billionaire boss, and the mysterious and deadly disease AB which has been sweeping through the world leaving only bodies in its tracks. But near the finish line, there are no happy endings.

This YA fantasy will delight fans of modern urban fantasy, high stakes, and worlds where Fourth Wing meets F1 race course, or Fast and Furious franchise. It’s deadly, and devastating, yet filled with so much yearning . And so when enemies become lovers (in a cute YA way), and the stakes can’t get any higher in or off of the race track, you won’t be able to keep yourself from turning the pages. Brilliant debut from Mikayla Bride and a hottest YA fantasy pick of the summer, which I’ll be pre-ordering for my “trophy case”.

"Phoenixes are the new dragons"

Of Flame and Fury is a fast-paced novel that comes out of the gate with an action-packed sequence that will grip fans of The Fast and the Furious. The plot moves quickly and the stakes are high giving Of Flame and Fury all the characteristics of a page turner. The world building was interesting, combining the grittiness and dubious ethics of horse racing with the high stakes and danger of stock car racing.

For me personally, the focus on the action made it difficult for me to get into the story or become invested in the characters. However, readers looking for gripping action will no doubt eat this book up.

ok., this book did take a bit of time for me to get into, but once i was into it (and without a lot of distractions), I was just HOOKED. i could not turn the pages fast enough and i loved the racing aspect as i quite like to watch a bit of f1. so to all of my f1 book girlies, RUN TO PICK UP THIS BOOK.

the writing wasn't perfect, but i loved the book enough to let that slide a bit. this book is so action-packed and fast-paced that you can barely stop to think what has happened (which is my favourite way to read). phoenix racing is shown not to be just to be for fun, but also for survival: you never know how each race could end or whose life could end. i am surprised that nobody has thought of this idea already if i am honest but this was so brilliantly executed that i don't want anyone to even try.

the enemies-to-lovers trope was done well, but not the best that i have ever read. i loved both characters and watching them fall in love, but i did want a little more hatred and angst between them (but this is all just personal opinion haha). this is a book that you MUST read if you love fantasy, racing, phoenix's and a plot that does NOT allow you to put the book down for one second.

i will absolutely be looking out for this author in the future.

Oh wow, Of Flame and Fury had me absolutely hooked from start to finish! This was such an electrifying, high-stakes fantasy that I couldn’t put it down. The idea of phoenix racing instead of cars was just so unique and thrilling—I felt like I was right there, soaring through the skies with Kel and Sav, heart pounding with every twist and turn. The adrenaline, the danger, the action—it was all so vivid and kept me glued to the pages.

Kel is such a fierce, determined heroine, and I loved her bond with her phoenix, Sav. Their partnership was heartwarming and full of sass, and I found myself rooting for them both the whole way. Kel’s connection to her racing team—the Crimson Howlers—and her friendship with Dira added so much depth to her character. And then there’s Coup. Oh, Coup! Arrogant, reckless, infuriating… and utterly irresistible. The slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers romance between Kel and Coup was perfection. Their banter, the tension, the longing—I was totally obsessed.

The worldbuilding was one of my favourite parts. The phoenix racing felt fresh and exciting, but there were also layers of political intrigue and secrets that made everything even more compelling. I didn’t see some of the plot twists coming at all—I gasped out loud at certain reveals. The pacing was relentless in the best way, and every chapter left me desperate for more. The stakes kept getting higher, and the ending was just jaw-dropping.

Beyond the action and romance, the book also tackled some meaningful themes. It explored the darker side of racing, the moral questions surrounding the treatment of phoenixes, and the pressures on Kel and her team to survive in a cutthroat world. It added a layer of realism and emotional depth that I really appreciated. I also loved the found family aspect.

I honestly can’t believe this is a debut novel—it’s so polished and captivating. Of Flame and Fury delivered everything I love in a YA fantasy: action, adventure, slow-burn romance, rich worldbuilding, and characters who felt like real people. The cover is stunning, the twists are mind-blowing, and the story had me feeling all the emotions.

I’m already counting down the days for the sequel— trust me, this book is a must-read!

Great world building. The story did lose my interest a few times in the quieter times where it did sometimes feel like the author was trying to meet a target word count, but for the most part this was enjoyable. I am a sucker for anything phoenix related, so to use them in this way was very different and a must read for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (athenafreyag on Instagram)

Of Flame and Fury is an original, exciting, and super compelling YA fantasy with a refreshing worldbuilding and a delightful rivals to lovers romance! I absolutely devoured it!! It's definitely one of the best YA fantasy I've read, and the author became an auto-buy author for me--for the oustanding worldbuilding and great character portrayals!

Some plot twists were truly unpredictable!!! I didn't even consider them, and the turns the plot took were so interesting and refreshing. I thought I had everything figured out, but I didn't see them all coming, which was invigorating!

Kel is a lovely main character! I can definitely see many young girls reading about Kel and liking her! She cares so much about her phoenix, more than she cares about herself even. She doesn't like racing, but she is sort of forced to do it to survive. She has no other financial option, and while Sav (our beloved phoenix) may not like her collar, she def likes racing and winning!

And oh my goodness, Coup!! I loved him so much!! I also appreciated how the author portrayed the characters' concern for Coup. They didn't just call him reckless and shake their heads. They delved into why he was like that, and how he should start talking to someone about how he feels. It was such a delicate, beautiful scene.

AND I LOVED THE SLOWBURN RIVALS TO LOVERS ROMANCE!!!!!!!!!!! LOVED LOVED LOVED!! It was believable and genuine and compelling, and their bickering was PERFECTION!!

Phoenix racing, people!! Have you seen this in a book? NO? Me neither! Until now, that is. I really liked the worldbuilding, how unique it is! I'm not into racing myself, and I prefer that animals live in their natural habitats (not zoos), so I related a lot to the moral questions in the book, and I believe the author did a great job at expressing those but also poor people's need to survive somehow. Another delicate balance that the author navigated well and without preaching. However, I don't know much about the world outside of the racing, the nearby cities, and the natural habitat/forest of the phoenixes.

But you know what? The author didn't make a single wrong move here. The book perfectly executed this awesome premise, and I wouldn't change a thing. The fact that this is a debut blows my mind! Of Flame and Fury is a fierce and scorching perfection like Sav herself!

It's a duology, and I can't contain my excitement for the second book!

It's the July YA monthly pick for an American monthly book box company, and Idk what to do!! I really liked this book, but my bookshelf space isn't magically getting bigger. No matter what you do, you should def read this book, though!!

4.75⭐

I really enjoyed this book and loved that it has fresh new and unique premise surrounding phoenix racing and that's what I really loved the most.

Straight from the start it instantly grips your attention and this only continues throughout, it was such an enjoyable read. There's banter which is always a favourite of mine, plot and worldbuilding that is so well developed, each of the characters has depth and just such a unique storyline. If though the ending felt a little predictable it wasn't a problem for me, I just really enjoyed this book and hope the author continues with this world.

“𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙞𝙩. 𝙞’𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨?”

on an island made of ash and surrounded by fire, phoenix racing is the deadliest and most lucrative job around. no one knows this better than kelyn varra and her crew, the crimson howlers

after their rider is killed in a brutal race, kel has to team up with the arrogant and hot-headed warren coupers - someone she never imagined working with. but with mounting debts and threats to her phoenix, savita, kel’s under more pressure than ever to win

as tensions rise on and off the track, a mysterious tech mogul takes a dangerous interest in the team. with deadly races, an unstoppable disease lurking, and a growing attraction to coup, kel discovers a sinister plot that could destroy everything she loves - and she’s determined to protect savita and her magic at all costs

when i first heard this book was like a mix of ‘fourth wing’ and ‘the fast and the furious’, i was so intrigued ‘ and it didn’t disappoint. the idea of phoenix racing is such a fresh and exciting concept, and i loved how the story blends fantasy with modern and futuristic tech 🐦‍🔥

kel was a total badass, fiercely protective of her phoenix no matter what. the story also introduces a mysterious, incurable disease that isn’t the main focus but lingers in the background, adding a layer of tension

the romance was pretty great too - a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers vibe that kept me hooked. overall, it was an amazing read with a few small things keeping it from a full five stars. definitely recommend if you like fantasy with a fast-paced, high-stakes twist

“𝙞’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚”

Kel and Coup - Forced Proximity - their relationship was obvious but still cute.

A story about racing Phoenix's was a fun twist. I really liked getting to know the different types and the intricacies of racing a creature that could cause burns and were very hard to tame. I wish we delved deeper into this to really get the sense of what these creatures go through being collared and raced.

Unfortunately there wasn't enough tension, nothing really gripped me to get lost in this world. This was a good debut though 😊

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.