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Fire Power: Fourth Wing meets F1 in this enemies-to-lovers sports romantasy!
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26'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.
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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 30, 2026
9 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Mir Benitz
2 books2 followersMir 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
| 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...
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...
March 17, 2026
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐ 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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
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
April 26, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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...
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 of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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 🐉
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 🐉
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Read
April 15, 2026Growing 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.
I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
April 15, 2026
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 !
That said , even if it’s not perfect it’s a fun, addictive and quick read !
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