Fire Power

by Mir Benitz

'Exhilarating, dangerous and a little bit sexy. The genre blend I didn't know I needed' Hazel McBride, author of A Fate Forged in Fire

Fourth Wing meets Formula 1 in this high-action, slow burn sports romantasy as two rival riders reunite at the annual dragon racing Grand Prix.

The Silverscale Grand Prix is the national championship of dragon racing - a high-speed, often deadly, elite sport with an unimaginably big cash prize.

Asta and her dragon Carmine are unlikely competitors. No sponsors, no high-tech gear, no fans out in the stands. Not to mention that a female rider hasn't won the Prix for nearly sixty years.

The odds are stacked against them - but Asta is determined to prove everyone the training school that kicked her out for fighting a classmate, her family who wished she'd never left the farm, and, most of all, her infuriatingly arrogant childhood-best-friend-turned-rival Felix, the poster-boy heir to the Seraphin racing dynasty and reigning tournament champion.

Raw talent alone won't be enough to get Asta and Carmine through these races - and it soon becomes clear that the risks Asta has taken to get to Silverscale could have devastating consequences.

Time to think fast, or die trying . . .

🔥 Deadly games
🔥 Friends-to-enemies-to-lovers
🔥 Second chance romance
🔥 Slow burn
🔥 Found family

Perfect for fans of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, The Princess Knight, Divine Rivals or Cross the Line.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romance

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 30, 2026

About the author

Mir Benitz writes about imperfect people adventuring into love. Also, dragons. She is an eclectic reader, a haphazard gardener, and an overly ambitious carpenter. At various points in her life, she has worked as a high school English teacher, a college instructor, a janitor, an editor, the executive director of a writing nonprofit, a landscaper, and an extra in one movie. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and houseplants.

Reviews

[louise ʚଓ · Rating 3 out of 5]

| rating: 3.5 ★

RTC!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the e-ARC!

—

pre-read | got the arc for this and i'm a little intrigued. the concept of f1 but with dragons...

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
This book is described as 'F1 Romance meets Fantasy Dragons' and I am not completely sure I agree with this summary. Fire Power is a super concept and is a fantastic tale of adventure where you can definitely see the influence of F1. Where I think Fire Power fell down a little was the Romance aspect. Personally I felt the romance between Astra and Felix was more of a subplot which, although cute was not necessarily crucial for the progression of the plot.

Astra dreams of being a dragon rider and has worked her whole life to prove her worth, not coming from one of the great families. Her goal is finally in sight as she has made it to the Silverscale Grand Prix. Now she just need to win so that she can have control of her life and silence her critics.

Astra is in debt to the Bruce's, the bad boys of racing. Without them, she wouldn't have made it this far. Winning the prize money will allow her to finally be free of them. But did her alliance come with more strings than she realised? This was one of the thinks that really bothered me about Fire Power - for someone who is so strong by necessity she is also incredibly naive. She chooses to ignore the warnings of everyone around her, and then acts surprised by the results.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but think I would have preferred if it was not portrayed as a romance but just as a fantasy adventure as I was expecting more than what I got regarding Astra and Felix. While it did feature, I never felt invested in them romantically.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC of Fire Power in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really drawn in by the F1-meets Fourth Wing concept, and the book started strong with an engaging opening that kept me reading. The characters were introduced well, with solid backstory between them.

However, I struggled to see any real chemistry between the main characters. Personally, I felt Asta and Nat had more spark, even though Nat is a bit of an asshole.

In the end, it’s a dragon rider story with a SMALL romantic subplot, which didn’t really work for me. I think this book will land for some people, but it didn’t for me.

2.75 stars.

[Alessia Doni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with dragons races formula one inspired its the thing I didn’t thought I need until I read it . I mean, really, the premise was brilliant and the book start was so strong that hooked me from the first page . The sport with its rules , politics ,and high stakes races kept me in a chokehold . Also the bond with Asta and Carmine was so genuine ,beautiful and heartwarming and totally was the highlight of the story. But around the middle the story starts to slow down and getting lost: I loved seeing how the friendship between Asta and Felix was born but , to be honest, I didn’t resonate with Asta decisions and behaviours event if I tried and I expected definitely more from romance !

That said , even if it’s not perfect it’s a fun, addictive and quick read !

[Sasha | omgitssmk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breathe In….Breathe Out.
Breathe In….Breathe Out.

I close my eyes, focusing on my dragon's heartbeat thrumming between my thighs as I chant the same mantra over and over to help lower my creeping anxiety.

Breathe In……Breathe Out.
Breathe In……Breathe Out.

Opening my eyes, I look to my left and see one of my competitors tapping their foot nervously waiting for the GREEN LIGHT to strike at the podium in front of us. To my right, another competitor waits as they lazily yawn while purposely flexing to the blinding flashes of cameras pointed his way.

Breathe In….Breathe Out.
Breathe In….Breathe Out.

I focus back to the podium in front of me, still remaining RED.
It's the semi-finals of the Grand Prix Racing Weekend and I only need to make it in the top three to be able to participate in the final race of the weekend for the main prize. As with many of us here, we have worked hard to get us to this point and I am so proud of myself and my team who have gotten us this far.

"How Many Minutes?" I ask while re-adjusting my helmet.
"60 Seconds and Ticking."

I close the visor of my helmet and lower my left arm to give three pats to the side of my dragon, a tradition we do together to let her know that we have 30 seconds till her wings can spread free. She snorts in excitement, directing light smoke rings from her nostrils as I find a good grip on the scales in front of me. In the next 20 seconds, we are going to be shooting off forward and my dragon is well known for her speed - that's why I named her Rocket after all.

"Let's show them what we're made of", I whisper to myself as my internal clock ticks down the final seconds.

FIVE….FOUR…..THREE…..TWO…..

The light turns GREEN and my mouth forms into a smirk as Rocket shoots us off toward the path leading us already into first place territory.


Dragon Riding Meets Formula One Racing - those six words blared at me as I looked at the description of the book, Fire Power by Mir Benitz, on the NetGalley website. We've heard of Dragon Riding in many fantasy novels that the reading community have come to love but the concept of mixing genres with Sports Romance really caught my attention; so much so that I squealed in excitement when my approval arrived in my inbox that I was receiving this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Little Brown to read before it released on its PUB DATE of September 01, 2026.

To start us off with this review, let's talk a little bit about the tropes you'll experience on your high-stakes competition journey….

🏁 Underdog FMC
🏁 Dragon Racing
🏁 Friends To Enemies To Lovers
🏁 Second Chance Romance
🏁 Slow Burn
🏁 Found Family

These are a few of the tropes you'll come across as you find yourself learning more about our FMC Asta, MMC Felix, and their heart pumping adventure through the Silverscale Grand Prix.

The book starts you off by bringing you to the world in which our FMC, Asta, has found herself bored with the day to day farm living that doesn't bring the excitement and desire she craves to find herself feeling each morning. One night when her father falls asleep on the couch, his traditional sitcom had ended and started the beginning of a Grand Prix for Dragon Racing which immediately ignited something within her. Startled awake, her father angrily turns the television off informing her that Dragon Racing will never be a way of living and showed his distaste for the career path. For Asta, however, she just found something worth living for and has a goal to brainstorm how she will find herself riding a dragon as this is what she wants to do with her life. Convenient enough, her next door neighbors that are moving in just happen to be taking quite a bit of land which her father had slipped that just so happen to be "Dragon Farmers"; meaning the fantastic creatures she just saw on the televisions are now closer than she would have ever thought possible.

Fast forward to present day, Asta has found herself walking up to the Registration Booth for the 194th Silverscale Grand Prix, grinning ear to ear, because she has officially made it and her dreams of dragon racing has now become a reality. As she registers herself and her dragon, Carmine, she glances around to see if her "ex-childhood best friend turned rival", Felix, was also around. Low and behold, she didn't have to check long as there, among the ever growing flashes of cameras and cellphones was Felix, showcasing his 1000 watt smile that would make any girl melt, including Asta who tries to keep herself in check and focused on winning this Grand Prix. In fact, it's Asta who feels she needs this more than anyone else as she not only wants to show that a woman can win the 194th Silverscale Grand Prix, but also to obtain the prize. That money they are offering? Yeah, this money is something Asta DESPARATELY NEEDS as it's already set to be paid on debts which she hopes doesn't come to surface with the journalist on site and especially not with Felix, who she hasn't seen in such a long time since their fallout years ago.

While reading this ARC, I loved the author's dedication bringing the reader on a the journey of understanding how dragons could be within a formula one racing system. This idea of "Sports Fantasy" really intrigued me and was one of the reasons I actually requested for this read on NetGalley in the first place. The way the author described the world and the surroundings as the FMC made their way through the Grand Prix was so detailed that I truly felt like I was there with Asta as she experienced each area of the racing program. The intensity provided through the racing trials was very tense that I found myself gripping my toes waiting to see what will come through the twists and turns of the track.

I would note, however, that the romance was definitely a VERY small sub plot of this storyline which may have been a misunderstanding from my side when I read the original description. In fact, it wasn't until around 80% of the book where any real connection or romance truly started to blossom between our two MCs. I wanted to feel more chemistry and dynamic between both Asta and Felix. And I really wanted to find myself caring more about the characters and their relationship - to root for them to be together throughout the storyline. But in this case, I just felt like their relationship was really flatlined and almost forced to mention in the book most of the time which didn't execute well reading through. It was almost like it read more on the contemporary romance side of the spectrum than what I'm used to with other "fantasy" related reads. My past experience with contemporary romance has not been favorited or rated well, which may have contributed to that - so that take with a grain of salt as you determine whether to pick this up as your next TBR choice.

Overall, I did enjoy my experience reading through this book and appreciated the new take on genre blending that Mir Bentiz created (from my reading experience at least). If you are someone looking for high stakes racing tension, a unique spin on formula one racing with dragons, and an underdog story with feminine empowerment, I definitely recommend you pick this up for a spin when it comes out this SEPTEMBER 01, 2026.

[Kam · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ 3.5/5 — A fun, high-octane dragon-racing fantasy that delivers exactly what it promises… mostly.
I went into Fire Power expecting dragons + F1 vibes and that’s exactly what I got — and honestly? The concept alone deserves a standing ovation. Formula One but make it fantasy with actual dragons racing? Chef’s kiss. The adrenaline, the competition, the strategy, and the sheer spectacle of it all had me hooked from the very beginning.

The premise is brilliant: high-stakes dragon racing packed with tension, speed, and that addictive sports-romance energy. The bond between Asta and her dragon, Carmine, is easily one of the standout elements — it felt genuine, emotional, and grounded in quiet trust and respect. I also really enjoyed the childhood-best-friends-to-rivals tension with Felix; that dynamic brought some excellent sparks and unresolved history that kept things interesting.

Where the book stumbled a little for me was in the middle. The pacing slowed down, and I struggled to fully connect with Asta at times — especially some of her choices and the way she seemed to sabotage herself when the stakes were highest. We’re constantly told how badly she wants to win and how much the Grand Prix means to her, but her actions didn’t always feel fully convincing or deeply explored. The romance also felt more like a subplot than the main emotional driver for me, and I would’ve loved a bit more chemistry and development there.

The world-building had so much potential — especially the magic system and the deeper lore around the dragons — but it felt like it wasn’t fully unpacked. The ending, particularly the epilogue, also felt a little chaotic and rushed, with too many things happening at once. I wanted more space to sit with the resolution and the characters’ arcs.

That said, Fire Power is still a really enjoyable, unique read. It’s fast-paced, full of adrenaline, and brings that fresh “F1 meets Fourth Wing” energy in a way that feels fun and memorable. The action scenes are vivid and easy to visualize — at times it genuinely felt like watching a race unfold.
If you’re looking for a light fantasy with dragons, fierce competition, sports-romance vibes, and a touch of chaos, this one is worth picking up. It’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining as hell and I’d still recommend it — especially to F1 fans who want something different or romantasy readers craving high-stakes adrenaline with wings.

Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely. The concept is too cool not to see what they do next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mountain Leopard Press for an eARC.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to sit with this one a bit before I could review.

First and foremost, this book has a setting that was extremely intriguing. It seemed to have basically 80s/90s technology, and also there are dragons. It wasn't set in the existing world as urban fantasy; rather it was a fantasy world with its own place names.

I hesitate to say this setting was a problem, but it raised so many questions for me as to be distracting to the rest of the book.

Dragons are only for hunting and racing? You're telling me humans domesticated dragons but they aren't using them to make money in other ways? The phrase "(h)asta la vista is used, but again, this isn't Earth and in fact there's no real implication of a wider cultural world beyond one character with a distinctly Asian name and the use of that Italian phrase. The authorities pose enough of a threat to street racing to shut races down but not a single cop responds to the presence of dragons on an active train bridge at the end??

I digress.

The romance...it was barely there. It was all telling and no showing. I didn't buy it. The most believable part of it was the chapter where Felix and Asta are teenagers trying to navigate a friendship and love and the weight of his family name. Unfortunately, Asta seemed to not have moved on from that mindset even a bit in the years since, and it led to a funky perspective, since we are in her head for the book. Her naivety was distracting. The switch that flips a little over halfway through where suddenly she and Felix decide not to be mad at each other anymore was abrupt and not cathartic.

The chemistry was better with Nat, who, among a family of cartoonishly menacing cheats and murderers, was a cartoon of a different kind (the rebel girl who is promiscuous, flirtatious, and foul-mouthed to a clownish degree).

As an aside, there was more gruesome death or near death experiences interjected throughout the book than I expected.

Overall, I didn't have a bad time with this book, but it didn't cohere for me as a romance, a fantasy adventure, or a sports story, landing unsatisfactorily in the margins outside all three.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Vippi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I went into this expecting dragons and vibes… and got dragon racing with full-on sports romance energy—and honestly? That concept alone deserves a standing ovation. It’s giving F1 but make it fantasy, and it’s so much fun.

The book starts strong. Like, instantly hooked, can’t-put-it-down, already-picturing-the-movie-adaptation kind of strong. But somewhere around the middle, I started to lose my grip a little. I struggled to fully connect with Asta—especially when it came to her choices. Both in her relationship with Felix and in the way she keeps… lowkey sabotaging herself when it matters most. And that was frustrating because the stakes are so high, and we’re constantly told how much the Grand Prix means to her.

That said, there’s a lot to love here.

The premise? So cool. Dragon racing is just chef’s kiss. If you’re into fast-paced competition, tension, and that adrenaline rush you get from sports stories, you’re going to eat this up. And the bond between Asta and Carmine? Easily one of my favorite parts. There’s so much trust, respect, and quiet understanding between them—it felt real, grounded, and genuinely emotional.

Also… childhood best friends to rivals?? Say less. That tension was doing a lot for me.

On the flip side, Asta’s characterization didn’t always fully land. We’re told she has to win, that she’s worked her whole life for this—but then she repeatedly gets in her own way, and not always in a way that felt fully convincing or explored.

And the ending? It got a bit chaotic, a bit rushed. So many things happening so fast, and I just wanted more space to sit with it all—especially in the epilogue.

I also would’ve loved a bit more depth in the world-building. The magic system, in particular, felt like it had so much potential that wasn’t fully unpacked.

Overall though, this was such a fun, unique read with a killer premise and some standout dynamics. Not perfect, but definitely memorable—and I’d 100% recommend it if you’re looking for something with high-stakes competition, dragons, and a touch of chaos

[Pavla Leitgebova · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just adorable, from the characters, to the dragons and also the magical quirks we got a glimps at along the way..

Having read Winged games before this, I can not say I found this book that groundbreaking as some of the other reviewers, but dragon racing sports romance is an original idea nonetheless. I only wish they would actually fly, rather than just sprint really quickly, that just seems like a waste of their potential. Still, the setting of the Silver scale competition is interesting and it's obvious the author put quite a lot of thought into the mechanics of the sport and the world itself.

I think the story and the characters were very well set up and I especially found myself gravitating towards the sidecharacters - and the villains! They weren't your classical mustache-twirling bunch, their motivations were actually realistic and made perfect sense for the story.

The weakest part for me was the romance between the two main characters. We barely get time to know Felix, leaving him as dimensional as cardboard cut out and there is absolutely no development between the two characters - they are fighting and then suddenly Felix pops up with "We are friends now." (barely a paraphrase) and then couple hours later, they are sleeping together.

And then there was the ending... there are so many good ideas in this book, so many solid bones, but they felt half-hearted. The ending is messy, the main character completely changes her motivation and forsakes the one thing that's been driving her the entire time - which might have been interesting, if it was actually explored, but no, it's as sudden as her insta-love with Felix and she wastes no time mourning or having existential crisis.

Thinking about it, it is quite a choice to end an underdog story this way - I'm not the type of reader that necessary needs a positive message from every book, but darling, what even was the point of this?

I'm grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for being able to read the book in advance in exhange for a honest reviews.

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is sure to become the next big book in YA fantasy! Fire Power by Mir Benitz revolves around Asta, a dragon-rider who is competing in the Silverscale Grand Prix, a national championship of dragon racing. There are high stakes and deadly consequences. Her main rival is her former childhood friend Felix, who Asta hasn't spoken to in some time since their falling out. Will Asta and her dragon Carmine be able to beat Felix in the races, or will they die trying? Will Asta and Felix remain enemies, or will their relationship turn into something else?

Here is an exciting excerpt from the Prologue:

"Asta Ekenberg stood at the edge of the track at Horizons Raceway, waiting out the last few minutes until it was time to strap herself on to Carmine's mountainous back and race the Silverscale Grand Prix. The racecourse - with its mountains and scrambles, its canyons and watery trenches - was aglint with magic illusions, shimmering as if they were made of burning motes of fire. The other winged dragons and their riders were assembling behind the starting line, restless with anticipation. Stretching around and above them, the lofty stands of the Horizons Raceway, were packed with thousands upon thousands of spectators. The crowd rumbled with a sound like a stoked furnace."

Overall, Fire Power is an amazing YA fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of Fourth Wing and The Scorpio Races. One highlight of this book is how exciting and fast-paced it was. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how each race would end. Another highlight of this book is the relationship between the female lead and male lead. I liked how they had a history together as childhood friends and how that turned into an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. It was interesting to see how their relationship affected the plot of the book. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in September!

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating 2.5

Dragon racing wrapped in a high-stakes competition, layered with messy rivals-to-lovers tension, feels tailor-made for today’s romantasy market and it’s easy to see why some readers will enjoy the ride. The premise carries a lot of weight. The Silverscale Grand Prix is thrilling and dangerous, and there are moments where the concept truly sparks to life. When the races land, they deliver that rush of adrenaline the story promises—but those highs aren’t consistent.

At its heart, the idea of dragon racing remains undeniably fun, even when the execution falters. The main drawback is how familiar it all feels, without bringing much that’s new to the table. The plot unfolds along very expected lines, with few genuine surprises. The writing itself is clear and approachable, prioritizing pace over flourish. Sentences are often direct and punchy, especially during action sequences. However, if you’re drawn to rich, immersive fantasy prose that lingers on atmosphere and worldbuilding, this style may come across as a bit plain, more functional than evocative. And because it leans heavily into romantasy conventions, some dialogue and moments slip into predictability.

Overall, Fire Power isn’t a bad read, it just doesn’t fully live up to its potential. The ideas feel stronger than their execution, and while it moves quickly and reads easily, it doesn’t leave a lasting mark. Still, for readers who love trope-forward romantasy, there may be enough here to make the journey worthwhile.

[Devreadsallday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Fire Power. I would rate this 3 stars.

This is a YA fantasy with a really fun and eye catching concept, combining dragon riding with a competitive, race style element. That idea alone makes it stand out, and it definitely has appeal for readers who enjoy lighter, fast paced fantasy with a bit of romance.

The highlight for me was the relationship between the main character and her dragon. Their bond felt genuine and added a nice emotional core to the story. There were also some enjoyable character interactions, especially moments of banter and tension that hinted at stronger dynamics.

For me, the pacing didn’t quite match the high stakes feel of the premise. Even with the action elements, the story moved a bit slower than I expected, which made it harder to stay fully immersed. The worldbuilding is easy to follow, but I did find myself wanting a bit more depth, especially when it came to the magic and overall setting.

The romance had a lot of potential, especially with the enemies to lovers angle, but it felt a little underdeveloped. I was hoping for more buildup and stronger emotional payoff.

Overall, Fire Power has a really strong concept and some enjoyable elements, especially the dragon bond and character dynamics. While it didn’t fully come together for me, I think readers looking for a more accessible YA fantasy with action and light romance will still enjoy it.

[Inge · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

Things I liked:
- The cover: gorgeous!
- The premise: dragon racing sounds so cool!
- The bond between Asta (FMC) and Carmine (her dragon). They had such a strong bond with mutual understanding and respect. They clearly cared for each other.
- The bond between Carmine and his sister Essie (also a dragon) was pretty adorable.

Things I thought were weird:
- The dragon racing: Why is the biggest part of the race just running and jumping? I expected way more flying and way less running.

Things I didn't like:
- Asta has worked her entire adult life to get to the grand prix. She really wants to win. Moreover, she claims she *has* to win. BUT, on the evenings before races she goes (1) street racing, and therefore fatiguing herself and her dragon, and risking injuries, and (2) drinking, getting herself a hangover on race day. This kind of self-sabotage made me care tremendously less about how Asta performed on race day, since she didn't really seem to care either.
- The romance
- Nat
- The plot towards the end got too messy, in my opinion.

Overall, I didn't really care for the characters and therefore I didn't love this story. Unfortunately this was a miss for me, but I do think some readers will love this!

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Mountain Leopard Press for an eARC. This review shows my honest opinion.

[whereintheworldis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was wonderful!!! truly surprised to see so many folks complaining about the amount of romance because I thought it was perfect and true to the MC. asta is the kind of angry, insecure, jealous, bitter and all in all deeply flawed protagonist with something to prove that the romantasy world NEEDS. she is raw & real & makes mistakes & struggles to say sorry when she should and all of that frankly just makes her HUMAN. (idk about yall but I am tired of reading about these carbon copy MCs who are physically perfect, powerful beyond belief, emotionally intelligent, selfless, incapable of doing wrong, and give Mother Teresa a run for her money….just tired!!!!)

asta’s relationship arc with felix is equally messy but no less magical. this isn’t some silly fated mates shit but just two people figuring out how to choose each other while also choosing themselves. (and I say this as someone who fundamentally does not usually enjoy second-chance romance) plus I felt the epilogue was a lovely way to wrap it all up.

just an outstanding read all-around.

[Whittleton. Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Arc read

chilli rating- 🌶️

📖 Deadly games
📖 Friends to enemies to lovers
📖 Slow burn
📖 Second chance romance
📖Found family


Bleurb

"Fourth Wing meets Formula 1 in this high-action, slow burn sports romantasy as two rival riders reunite at the annual dragon racing Grand Prix."

My feelings of the book 💭

I loved the concept of this book.

Loved formula one but have it with dragons, that was super fun, it was a great sports twist, and definitely why I enjoyed this book. I just wish there were more details about the dragons and the world they were in.

It kinda gave me mafia vibes. which I loved

The romance was ok, I loved the main characters whole backstory.
However I really enjoyed the book read it in one go, the start of the book really grabbed you from the first chapter..
But it's definitely more a sports book with a bit of romance, which Is still good as I really did enjoy the racing aspect of it.

[ReadingInPyjamas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire Power has such a cool concept going in: dragon racing, fierce competition, and that F1-meets-fantasy energy? Yes please!! The premise absolutely pulled me in, and there were moments that really worked for me, especially the bond between Asta and her dragon, Carmine. Their connection felt genuine, emotional, and like the heart of the story. I also loved the childhood-friends-to-rivals tension with Felix, because that dynamic had real potential and gave the story some of its best sparks.

That said, it didn’t fully land for me. I wanted more chemistry on the romantic side, since it felt more like a subplot than a major focus. A few character choices frustrated me too, and the ending felt rushed. Still, the premise is genuinely awesome, and I can see this working really well for readers who love sports-style fantasy with lots of competition, strategy, and adrenaline. This book definitely brings that vibe.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mountain Leopard Press for an eARC.

[abi ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This was a fun read which had a great premise and likeable side characters. I wish I could say the same for the main character, Asta, though.

Most of the issues with this book had to do with Asta’s character, while it is probably intentional, I hated her disregard for almost everyone in this book, and her selfish trains of thought about her actions. There wasn’t really much development of her character until the end, which was disappointing.

The writing however, was good, a bit choppy and overdone in some places, but the author was really descriptive and made the races seem epic. However, I was struggling to picture the race track in general, so I think a general outline map of what the track or even Silverscale grounds look like would be very beneficial to readers!

[Midnight Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Fourth Wing and F1 had a baby, this would be it and honestly, I had such a fun time with it.

Fire Power delivers high-stakes dragon racing with all the adrenaline of Formula 1, mixed with a slow-burn, tension-filled romance that kept me hooked. Asta is easy to root for—scrappy, determined, and constantly underestimated—and her bond with Carmine adds that emotional depth I love in romantasy.

And then there’s Felix… the childhood-best-friend-turned-rival energy? Top tier. The banter, the history, the unresolved feelings, I was here for it all.

That said, the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, and I wanted a bit more depth in the world-building. But overall, it’s a fun, page-turning read.

Perfect for my F1 girlies who want something a little different—with dragons 🐉

[Mercedes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an ARC.
Dragon racing with an F1 vibe. Ok gurl i'm sat.

The racing scenes are immersive. Asta and Carmine's go from friends to rivals to lovers. Their relationship gave the story something to hold onto, especially when everything else is moving so quickly.

That said, this reads way more like a sports story than a romance. The relationships are messy and interesting, not the main focus.

I also had moments where I wanted a little more depth in the worldbuilding and in Asta’s decision-making. She's a messy girl and I love that for her but some of her choices were frustrating and not explored.

She's a fun, different, and easy read. Definitely memorable because of how unique the premise is.

[Maddelyn]

Growing up on a farm, all Asta has ever wanted was to race dragon. Now, Asta has finally made it to the Silverscale Grand Prix, the biggest race there is. She's made some bad decisions and worked with some shady people to get to this point, but winning will make it all worth it. Alternating flashbacks of her life before and the races of the Grand Prix, we slowly get a look at Asta's history and what led her to where she is now. Everything she's ever wanted is now in her grasp, if she can keep her past from getting in the way. A fun, fast paced adventure for those looking for a light, good time. My biggest complaint is Felix, the love interest, is underdeveloped as a character.

I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had so much hope for this book. The cover amazing the premise amazing, but where it let me down was it being more of a sports book. You might be thinking it says it is going to be F-1 racing with dragon riders and it kind of is. More like a triathlon with dragons there is climbing, running, jumping, flying and more.

With dragons though at least for me I wasn't thinking about more then flying and I was hoping for more romance but this is more like watching a sports broadcast with character backgrounds and some romance.

Bell pepper maybe .5 chili peppers but that might be pushing it
3 stars

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was a little clunky and there was nothing too special about any of the characters. I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance, felt like there wasn't much chemistry between asta and felix. I think I liked the dragons most out of anything or anyone else in the book so it wasnt the most entertaining thing I've read. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC.

I gave this one 3.5 stars, but honestly rounded it up to 4 because the concept alone pulled me in and kept me invested. Dragon racing? I was all in. And the racing scenes absolutely delivered. They were high energy and easy to picture without losing clarity. Those moments were easily the highlight of the book for me.

That said, I went in expecting something a lot more fast paced, and the middle really sagged. I found myself having to push through parts that just didn’t move the story forward in a meaningful way. It also read more YA than NA to me, especially in the character development and emotional depth.

The male main character could have used more development. I wasn’t always clear on his motives, and the fact that he’s incredibly talented at racing but also seems to hate it created a bit of a disconnect that never fully resolved for me.

The villains also felt a little too one dimensional. The main antagonist has a lot of power and influence, especially in manipulating others, but I wanted more depth there. If someone can pull those strings, I need to better understand why and how they operate beyond just being “bad.”

On the flip side, I really loved Asta. Her backstory, her determination, and her passion for racing all felt grounded and compelling. She carried the story in a lot of ways, and I was rooting for her the whole time.

Overall, this is a unique and fun blend of dragons and racing that stands out in the romantasy space. It didn’t fully hit the pacing or depth I was hoping for, but I enjoyed it enough that I’d still recommend it, especially if the premise grabs you as much as it did me.

[Sydney McNichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this book. It was such a fun and easy read, plus the premise was such a cool idea. Im totally in my F1 era right now but also wanting a bit of romantasy this fit the bill perfectly. I had a good time reading this. The races were super engaging but I would say that the romance isn't the forefront of book. all around Id give this ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ stars and id definitely read more from Mir Benitz

[Ariela Strombeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 27%
First of all thanks so much to the folks at Netgalley for this ARC! I’m so disappointed that this just didn’t work for me. The premise is great (I mean F1 and dragons?!) but I just wasn’t invested enough to continue. I think it had to do with the characterization of our leads. I never felt like I could connect with Asta. She felt like someone I had read time and time before.

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ya friendly fantasy novel, this book is full of action and some unexpected events. I liked the mcs and their journey. The world built is fun and not overwhelming. A good quick read fantasy.

[Fátima Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

F1 fans will love this book; dragon lovers will too!

I never imagined I'd say this, but I needed a Formula One book with dragons!!! As soon as I saw the synopsis, I was super interested in the concept and eager to read it, and I squealed when I saw that the publisher had accepted my request to read it on NetGalley. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read "Fire Power" in exchange for an honest review.

I think the book's strongest point is bringing sports romances into fantasy, and doing it in a super fun way. The characters are also very interesting to follow, especially Asta. I really wanted to read a book just about her entire journey at Pillar, or see another book with a character exclusively taking classes there.

"Fire Power" is full of adrenaline and action scenes, and the descriptions are very easy to visualize. At times I truly felt like I was watching the race in real life, and I think that's one of the best qualities a book can have.

Regarding the romance, initially I was quite bothered by the way Felix treated Asta, and I was very confused until I discovered the real reason he hated her after years of friendship. To be honest, although it was a plausible reason, I felt somewhat uncomfortable with how he handled things. But little by little I grew attached to him.

The book started super strong, instantly captivating me, but the pace slowed down a bit around the middle, and I would have even ignored it if I hadn't felt the need for something else. Those who follow my reviews have probably noticed that I usually focus on the magical aspect of books, because that's what I love most about fantasy, and I missed a greater focus on the dragons and wanted more depth in the world-building.

I don't know if I would characterize this book as a romantasy novel; in my view, it's more of a light fantasy with a romance subplot. It worked for me, I had a lot of fun. I definitely recommend reading it and I would totally read another fantasy book by this author.

Reading vlog: https://youtu.be/EBS2OH_aOXE?si=tNWrZ...
Review: https://youtu.be/q-FuH9kz70I?si=yLkxm...