Amparo Ortiz

How to Train Your Dragon meets Quidditch through the Ages in this debut fantasy, set in an alternate contemporary world, in which dragons and their riders compete in an international sports tournament Lana Torres has always preferred dragons to people. In a few weeks, sixteen countries will compete in the Blazewrath World Cup, a tournament where dragons and their riders fight for glory in a dangerous relay. Lana longs to represent her native Puerto Rico in their first ever World Cup appearance, and when Puerto Rico’s Runner—the only player without a dragon steed—is kicked off the team, she’s given the chance. But when she discovers that a former Blazewrath superstar has teamed up with the Sire—a legendary dragon who’s cursed into human form—the safety of the Cup is jeopardized. The pair are burning down dragon sanctuaries around the world and refuse to stop unless the Cup gets cancelled. All Lana wanted was to represent her country. Now, to do that, she’ll have to navigate an international conspiracy that’s deadlier than her beloved sport.

Blazewrath Games

cossette

another failed buddy read sorry i read ahead y'all but this book simply was TOO GOOD and i could not put it down anyways if anyone needs me i will be crying for the next fifty years

Nickie Mohler

I loved the dragons. I loved the idea behind the games. Otherwise, it was just ok.

Paige Morgan

17-year-old Lana Torres is juggling a lot: she has a secret audition for an open spot on the Puerto Rican team for the Blazewrath Games. Blazewrath is a complicated game that combines elements of soccer, track & field, and combat, with dragons involved to boot -- and Lana's white mother sees it as a dangerous risk that isn't worth taking, mainly because of the dragons. Lana, however, yearns for it, because of her bond with her Puerto Rican father, a dragon researcher, and her love for Puerto Rico, which she has been unable to visit since her parents split up. However: all of Lana's schemes and ambitions are complicated by an active terrorist trying to disrupt the games, and the complex relationship between dragons and humans as well.

Ortiz's Blazewrath Games has definite Potterverse influences: wizarding schools, wand shops, a complicated invented sport that parallels the popularity of football or soccer -- but don't be too quick to dismiss it as derivative, as it brings far more for readers. Lana has complex relationships with both of her parents, as well as with her identity as Puerto Rican, and all of these are richly rendered on the page. Equally appealing is Lana's relationship with her best friend Samira, a super-smart but sometimes awkward witch.

There are lots of things to love about this debut, which looks to be the start of a new series. My main criticism is that this first volume tries to pack in all the events of perhaps two Harry Potter volumes, if not more. Some things are presented as challenges, only to be unexplored and then resolved too quickly (this is the case with Samira's magical skill). But even acknowledging that weakness, I was still so excited to get this ARC, and am looking forward to seeing the story continue in future books.

Heather Killeen

This was really fun! At some points, the writing felt a little awkward, but I loved the world and characters.

Leonie

In theory “Blazewrath Games” sounded like an amazing book. Dragons, a tournament, a conspiracy - so why didn’t I love this?
The book failed to make me care. I didn’t care about the characters or what happened to them. I wasn’t invested in the events taking place in the book.
Overall I’d definitely recommend this book for fans of dragons and magical tournaments, it just wasn’t for me.

Dragons and their riders compete in an international sports tournament in this alternate contemporary world fantasy Lana Torres has always preferred dragons to people. In a few weeks, sixteen countries will compete in the Blazewrath World Cup, a tournament where dragons and their riders fight for glory in a dangerous relay. Lana longs to represent her native Puerto Rico in their first ever World Cup appearance, and when Puerto Rico’s Runner—the only player without a dragon steed—is kicked off the team, she’s given the chance. But when she discovers that a former Blazewrath superstar has teamed up with the Sire—a legendary dragon who’s cursed into human form—the safety of the Cup is jeopardized. The pair are burning down dragon sanctuaries around the world and refuse to stop unless the Cup gets cancelled. All Lana wanted was to represent her country. Now, to do that, she’ll have to navigate an international conspiracy that’s deadlier than her beloved sport.

Solange Bello

Alright kids lets see if I can manage to write a coherent review of this masterpiece without getting super emo (not likely) 

First off!  Thank you so much to page street kids for the arc of this book!!  

okokok lets do this

 Blazewrath Games  wow this book is exactly what we all needed in 2020. 
This book is literally dripping with diversity and inclusivity.

This book is for any fan of Harry Potter who has had their heart broken this year.
This book is for anyone out there who has ever felt like they don't belong. 
It's for those kids who have never felt like they belong with their American Family or their Puerto Rican family. Hell even me being Cuban this book got me right in the heart when it came to feeling like im not hispanic enough or white enough. 

There are characters in this book literally from all over the world. We have POC characters, LGBTQ+ characters, Characters who only speak Spanish and accommodations are done for them to be comfortable in a room of english speakers. 

We have a main character who stands up for others in the face of evil NO MATTER WHAT! 
I haven't even started talking about the dragons or the plot but the characters themselves were enough to make me love this book. 

okay now - Lets talks  D R A G O N S  
Amparo Ortiz has created a universe where humans and dragons coexist in such an incredible way and I had no idea I needed this until I had it. In this story dragons choose humans to bond with them and become their riders. The riders then go on to perform in what they call the Blazewrath Games which is basically quidditch with dragons - so better. 

Also let me mention that this book is so badass!!!! The last couple of chapters had me STANDING UP!! I seriously couldn't sit still it was just too good. 
And one of my absolute favorite tropes is the 'new found family' trope and wow did this book deliver on that it gave me such a warm feeling in my heart. 

I am so absolutely excited for the release of this book! All my Puerto Rican friends need this book asap but honestly EVERYONE should read Blazewrath Games 

P.S thanks to Amparo Ortiz for being the absolute sweetest and letting me yell at her and smother her with love when I finished. You're the best!!!

Blazewrath Games

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