What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sport of Wings
Ogawa Ryota, disgraced son of the famous Scarlet Triple dragon-racing stable, has one year to prove he can make it on his own.
Keaton Merriwether, petty criminal and illegal night-race jockey, has only ever wanted to race dragons, any way she can.
Together, they make up the sport’s newest, smallest stable, determined to take on the competition’s greatest dragons and wealthiest owners.
Over the course of their first season, they must navigate everything from an untrusting, traumatised young dragon to vengeful rivals and a disbelieving sporting press.
Despite both good sense and contractual obligations, Ryota’s and Keaton’s feeling for each other at first interfere and then bolster their partnership. But can love survive the rigours of being the smallest outfit on the racing circuit, when both Ryota’s family and his ex are out for revenge?
THE SPORT OF WINGS is an adrenaline-fueled fantasy romance packed with yearning, misunderstandings, and zero fade to black.
Keaton Merriwether, petty criminal and illegal night-race jockey, has only ever wanted to race dragons, any way she can.
Together, they make up the sport’s newest, smallest stable, determined to take on the competition’s greatest dragons and wealthiest owners.
Over the course of their first season, they must navigate everything from an untrusting, traumatised young dragon to vengeful rivals and a disbelieving sporting press.
Despite both good sense and contractual obligations, Ryota’s and Keaton’s feeling for each other at first interfere and then bolster their partnership. But can love survive the rigours of being the smallest outfit on the racing circuit, when both Ryota’s family and his ex are out for revenge?
THE SPORT OF WINGS is an adrenaline-fueled fantasy romance packed with yearning, misunderstandings, and zero fade to black.
- GenresFantasy RomanceFantasy
409 pages, ebook
Published October 16, 2026
About the author
Anna Stephens
33 books707 followersAnna Stephens is the UK-based author of the Godblind trilogy - Goblind, Darksoul, Bloodchild - and The Songs of the Drowned trilogy - The Stone Knife, The Jaguar Path, The Dark Feather. Anna also writes for Black Library and Marvel Comics.
You can sign up to Anna's newsletter here: https://anna-stephens.com/get-in-touch/
You can sign up to Anna's newsletter here: https://anna-stephens.com/get-in-touch/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2026
Anna Stephens, the writer you are, this is phenomenal.
October 29, 2026
Fantasy romance isn't my cup of tea and I only picked this one up because it's by Anna Stephens (she treats me so good with her grimdark books).
It was all in all a fun book. The dragons were my favourite part. I enjoyed the main characters even if their relationship developed bit too quick for me to really feel it. It got better when their feelings for each other grew deeper. The ending was a little abrupt for my taste and wished there had been a teensy tiny epilogue/another chapter.
It was all in all a fun book. The dragons were my favourite part. I enjoyed the main characters even if their relationship developed bit too quick for me to really feel it. It got better when their feelings for each other grew deeper. The ending was a little abrupt for my taste and wished there had been a teensy tiny epilogue/another chapter.
October 16, 2026
Thank you to the author, for a copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.
I saw dragons and a sports-type premise and I knew I had to read this new fantasy romance by Anna Stephens. I was *not* disappointed, a solid 4.5 stars overall!
I really enjoyed the F1 dragon racing, the system of it all, the adrenaline during the races, both “underground” and professional. I felt like I was right there, dragon-back, with the riders (jockeys as they call them here) and it was surreal.
I’m 100% both an epic fantasy and fantasy romance reader, and this ticked both boxes for me. The world building was just enough to understand the world, the caste system, the racing, etc, and I hope if there are more installments, we get more detail about each place they visit for races. The caste system, the spectatorship, the wealthy vs the poor is a familiar mirror, and it makes the world that much more immersive and relatable. I really enjoyed that parallel. I loved learning about the dragons (I *love* love looove a dragon), and how they communicate, how they are treated and how they emote - it was mostly heartwarming with familiar aspects as well.
The romance was fun and full of banter and tension, though it did feel a little fast to me, granted there was intense attraction but it still felt fast. (That may just be a personal preference, as I usually love a slower burn.) Though I’m commenting on the speed, it still felt real and believable, I was very bought into their connection and the spicy scenes were very fun & well-done! Welcome to smut :P I also love their dynamic as a couple, a grittier, tougher FMC with a softer but commanding MMC that has grown through tough times but with much wealth. A really cool mix of personalities to create a fun and hot dynamic.
The last 20% of this book had me sat with unexpected twists, which was incredible. I couldn’t put the book down (even though we were landing at Boston Logan and I had to deplane).
Overall, I would recommend this to fantasy romance readers who love an adrenaline-inducing epic plot with some fun spicy romance. I hope there’s more of Keaton and Ryota, I would love to read more of their adventures!
I saw dragons and a sports-type premise and I knew I had to read this new fantasy romance by Anna Stephens. I was *not* disappointed, a solid 4.5 stars overall!
I really enjoyed the F1 dragon racing, the system of it all, the adrenaline during the races, both “underground” and professional. I felt like I was right there, dragon-back, with the riders (jockeys as they call them here) and it was surreal.
I’m 100% both an epic fantasy and fantasy romance reader, and this ticked both boxes for me. The world building was just enough to understand the world, the caste system, the racing, etc, and I hope if there are more installments, we get more detail about each place they visit for races. The caste system, the spectatorship, the wealthy vs the poor is a familiar mirror, and it makes the world that much more immersive and relatable. I really enjoyed that parallel. I loved learning about the dragons (I *love* love looove a dragon), and how they communicate, how they are treated and how they emote - it was mostly heartwarming with familiar aspects as well.
The romance was fun and full of banter and tension, though it did feel a little fast to me, granted there was intense attraction but it still felt fast. (That may just be a personal preference, as I usually love a slower burn.) Though I’m commenting on the speed, it still felt real and believable, I was very bought into their connection and the spicy scenes were very fun & well-done! Welcome to smut :P I also love their dynamic as a couple, a grittier, tougher FMC with a softer but commanding MMC that has grown through tough times but with much wealth. A really cool mix of personalities to create a fun and hot dynamic.
The last 20% of this book had me sat with unexpected twists, which was incredible. I couldn’t put the book down (even though we were landing at Boston Logan and I had to deplane).
Overall, I would recommend this to fantasy romance readers who love an adrenaline-inducing epic plot with some fun spicy romance. I hope there’s more of Keaton and Ryota, I would love to read more of their adventures!
October 16, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Sport of Wings is a fast-paced dragon-racing fantasy romance with well-realised, tense action and a steamy relationship at its heart.
If you’re a dragon-lover with a penchant for sports dramas ('Riders' with dragons, anyone?) you are in for a treat here - there is, as promised, zero fade-to-black - it’s racy and a lot of fun. The set-up is strong and the story gets moving quickly. The chemistry between the two main characters is well-drawn and the practical side to the sexual tension cleverly set up (if that seems a bit vague, sorry - I don’t want to spoiler it!) Stephens’ description of the dragons and their interactions with the humans in the story are a real highlight and I confess I fell in love with them immediately.
If anything, I could have done with the twists and turns in the main romantic relationship playing out a little more slowly at first to give us more time to angst over things, but one character’s volatility in particular starts to make more sense as you get further through the story. The racing scenes are brilliant fun and I loved the conceit of the F1 style tour, with the various settings presenting different challenges in terms of climate and physical geography. The book also does a great job of incorporating themes around consent, animal welfare, surviving adversity and self-acceptance without them undermining the drama and the fun.
I’d really love to see Stephens run with this world and go big on the next one of these (fingers crossed for a next one!) as I could have read at least another hundred pages of this, and there are a few side-characters I’d love to see more of.
We’re seeing a new side here to Anna Stephens and I love it - more please!
The Sport of Wings is a fast-paced dragon-racing fantasy romance with well-realised, tense action and a steamy relationship at its heart.
If you’re a dragon-lover with a penchant for sports dramas ('Riders' with dragons, anyone?) you are in for a treat here - there is, as promised, zero fade-to-black - it’s racy and a lot of fun. The set-up is strong and the story gets moving quickly. The chemistry between the two main characters is well-drawn and the practical side to the sexual tension cleverly set up (if that seems a bit vague, sorry - I don’t want to spoiler it!) Stephens’ description of the dragons and their interactions with the humans in the story are a real highlight and I confess I fell in love with them immediately.
If anything, I could have done with the twists and turns in the main romantic relationship playing out a little more slowly at first to give us more time to angst over things, but one character’s volatility in particular starts to make more sense as you get further through the story. The racing scenes are brilliant fun and I loved the conceit of the F1 style tour, with the various settings presenting different challenges in terms of climate and physical geography. The book also does a great job of incorporating themes around consent, animal welfare, surviving adversity and self-acceptance without them undermining the drama and the fun.
I’d really love to see Stephens run with this world and go big on the next one of these (fingers crossed for a next one!) as I could have read at least another hundred pages of this, and there are a few side-characters I’d love to see more of.
We’re seeing a new side here to Anna Stephens and I love it - more please!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Came for the dragons, stayed for the sex.
I don’t normally read fantasy romance, but I thought this book was absolutely brilliant!
The world building was so good (not that I’d expect anything less from an Anna Stephens’ book) - I loved learning about the dragons and the racing, and how it all worked. The races put you right in the heart of the action and keep you on the edge of your seat.
The relationship building throughout was also so well done - not just Keaton and Ryo’s relationship, but those of the antagonists as well. I wanted to scream at my kindle every time Ryo’s father made an appearance, that’s how much he infuriated me (in a good way), and don’t get me started on the journalists. I loved exploring Keaton and Ryo’s relationship and how they grew into something more than jockey and stable owner. Plus, the sex scenes were hot enough to make a dragon blush!
Overall, I’d highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a new spin on dragon racing, and enjoy realistic portrayals of complicated relationships. My only request for the next book is - more dragons please!
Came for the dragons, stayed for the sex.
I don’t normally read fantasy romance, but I thought this book was absolutely brilliant!
The world building was so good (not that I’d expect anything less from an Anna Stephens’ book) - I loved learning about the dragons and the racing, and how it all worked. The races put you right in the heart of the action and keep you on the edge of your seat.
The relationship building throughout was also so well done - not just Keaton and Ryo’s relationship, but those of the antagonists as well. I wanted to scream at my kindle every time Ryo’s father made an appearance, that’s how much he infuriated me (in a good way), and don’t get me started on the journalists. I loved exploring Keaton and Ryo’s relationship and how they grew into something more than jockey and stable owner. Plus, the sex scenes were hot enough to make a dragon blush!
Overall, I’d highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a new spin on dragon racing, and enjoy realistic portrayals of complicated relationships. My only request for the next book is - more dragons please!
November 1, 2026
So spicy.
If you've read any of Anna Stephens previous works then you're possibly used to her writing being very grim and very dark. Well, this one is definitely not like those earlier books.
The Sport of Wings is a fantasy romance (or romantasy, as some of the kids are calling them these days) that's part Jilly Cooper, part Anne McCaffrey, and entirely readable. I mean, I came for the dragon racing, and ended up staying for the decidedly graphic naughty bits that slowly creep in as you read more. And I'm not normally a fan of romantasy.
Unlike Anna's earlier works, this one has been self-published, and in this case I think that's a good thing. It gives her more freedom to write what she wants to write, without being hampered by the editorial limitations I publisher might have imposed. As a result, this feels raw and unfettered. It's a great story, and the romance fits in nicely without getting in the way. The characters are well-rounded, and the dragons are just so loveable it's ridiculous. While this is definitely a stand alone story, I would certainly love to see more from this world and these characters.
If you love a bit of raunch, and want a cracking good story to go along with it, give this one a read, and support indie publishing while you're at it.
If you've read any of Anna Stephens previous works then you're possibly used to her writing being very grim and very dark. Well, this one is definitely not like those earlier books.
The Sport of Wings is a fantasy romance (or romantasy, as some of the kids are calling them these days) that's part Jilly Cooper, part Anne McCaffrey, and entirely readable. I mean, I came for the dragon racing, and ended up staying for the decidedly graphic naughty bits that slowly creep in as you read more. And I'm not normally a fan of romantasy.
Unlike Anna's earlier works, this one has been self-published, and in this case I think that's a good thing. It gives her more freedom to write what she wants to write, without being hampered by the editorial limitations I publisher might have imposed. As a result, this feels raw and unfettered. It's a great story, and the romance fits in nicely without getting in the way. The characters are well-rounded, and the dragons are just so loveable it's ridiculous. While this is definitely a stand alone story, I would certainly love to see more from this world and these characters.
If you love a bit of raunch, and want a cracking good story to go along with it, give this one a read, and support indie publishing while you're at it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Well I loved this book. It was fast paced, the action started from page one and just continued on till the end.
I liked the characters, even though at the beginning I did find Keaton to be annoying and a bit whiny, but has the story progressed she grew on me. Ryo was a bit of a complex character but again he grew on me as his story unfurled.
The story itself was different from most dragon books and I fell in love with Eddie and Hirro, I would have liked a bit more of the dragons and maybe a bit more world building.
The relationship between Ryo and Keaton was well written and added to the story..
All I all I enjoyed this F1 style story and a thank you to the author for letting me read this.
Well I loved this book. It was fast paced, the action started from page one and just continued on till the end.
I liked the characters, even though at the beginning I did find Keaton to be annoying and a bit whiny, but has the story progressed she grew on me. Ryo was a bit of a complex character but again he grew on me as his story unfurled.
The story itself was different from most dragon books and I fell in love with Eddie and Hirro, I would have liked a bit more of the dragons and maybe a bit more world building.
The relationship between Ryo and Keaton was well written and added to the story..
All I all I enjoyed this F1 style story and a thank you to the author for letting me read this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely fantastic
This book is my favourite read of 2026 so far. Anna is such an amazing writer. I couldn't love this book more. The story, the characters, everything is perfect. Highly recommend to everyone
This book is my favourite read of 2026 so far. Anna is such an amazing writer. I couldn't love this book more. The story, the characters, everything is perfect. Highly recommend to everyone
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I devoured this book in three sittings, and it was absolutely bloody brilliant.
The races had me on the edge of my seat, but it was the dragons themselves who stole my heart. They were such a fresh take on anything I’ve read before, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of them.
And then there’s Ryo and Keaton. The chemistry between them was fantastic, and I loved all the ups and downs of their relationship. There were moments that were delightful, moments that broke my heart, and plenty that had me wanting to shake them both!
I was not at all ready for this book to end.
More please!
I devoured this book in three sittings, and it was absolutely bloody brilliant.
The races had me on the edge of my seat, but it was the dragons themselves who stole my heart. They were such a fresh take on anything I’ve read before, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of them.
And then there’s Ryo and Keaton. The chemistry between them was fantastic, and I loved all the ups and downs of their relationship. There were moments that were delightful, moments that broke my heart, and plenty that had me wanting to shake them both!
I was not at all ready for this book to end.
More please!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews