Of Flame and Fury

In Bridge’s white-knuckle fantasy debut, hardscrabble phoenix tamer Kel, 17, can only afford to keep her farm and her phoenix, Savita, if she and the rest of Savita’s racing team, the Crimson Howlers, consistently place well in Cendor’s lucrative but lethal phoenix races. Consequently, when tragedy leaves the Howlers down two members, Kel and winger Dina have little choice but to merge with brothers Coup and Bekn, whom other crews keep dropping due to talented rider Coup’s reckless arrogance. Despite Kel and Coup’s mutual antagonism, the Howlers’ future looks bright—until an electrical fire destroys Savita’s aviary. Kel’s late father taught her to distrust magic-powered tech developer Cristo Industries and their intentions toward Cendor’s phoenix population, but when the company offers sponsorship and a temporary home at Cristo’s compound, the desperate Howlers accept, hoping for the best. What awaits, however, is far worse than any of them could anticipate. Underdeveloped worldbuilding occasionally blunts the impact of Bridge’s emotionally charged plot. Still, vivid imagery, a swiftly paced third-person narrative, and a steady stream of harrowing, high-stakes action keep the pages turning, while an enemies-to-lovers romance adds heart. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 14–up. Agent: John Baker, Bell Lomax Moreton. (July)