Of Flame and Fury

Gr 9 Up–An electrifying, high-octane fantasy that swaps race cars for phoenixes. From the first page, readers are plunged into a world where phoenix racing is a deadly, adrenaline-fueled sport—and survival is the real prize. Kel Varra, the fiercely determined protagonist, is bold, stubborn, and impossible not to root for. Opposite her is Coup—arrogant, maddening, and magnetic. The tension, the slow-burn romance, the “just kiss already!” moments—all brilliantly dig into the enemies-to-lovers trope. But this isn’t just about fiery romance or heart-pounding races. The worldbuilding is breathtaking, with rich layers of political intrigue, conspiracies, and secrets that raise the stakes with every chapter. A particularly fascinating detail is the inclusion of phoenix subspecies—each with unique traits and temperaments—that adds depth to the lore and strategy of racing. The phoenix-riding scenes are so vivid, readers will feel the heat and wind in their hair, and just when they think they’ve figured it out, the story will throw in a twist that will keep them hooked. The pacing is relentless yet gives space for nuanced character development—side characters included.