-Scott Reintgen
Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.
Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.
Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged.
In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?
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I actually thought this was more like a bit of Red Rising meets Scorpio Races meets Hunger Games meets Running Man. It seemed to incorporate themes from each book and melded them together into something that created a new world that worked. I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a different type of horse racing, however I wish more attention was paid to describing the characters of the Phoenix Horses. I would have preferred they were more of a character in the novel, instead of simply a vehicle. Still, the characters themselves were well-drawn and each of their worlds and cultures were distinct and separate without feeling forced. This did not turn out to be the 'horse story’ I anticipated but I found it enjoyable and will read the 2nd book when it comes out next Spring. If you like horses and dystopian conflict, you may enjoy this story, too.
Heidi Y.