Blazewrath Games

Lana Torres, a Puerto Rican-American, is about to embark on the biggest dream of her life: trying out for the Blazewrath Games behind her mom’s back. As she tries to leave for tryout, the Waxbryne wand shop crumbles. Lana, trying to save her cousin Todd, falls below, face-to-face with a Fire Drake dragon and a lost famous Blazewrath player named Takeshi. She has to stop him from hurting the dragon and stealing the crystal heart. After the incident, she is taken to a special Other Place to discuss her being a part of the games based on her heroics. She accepts. Will the games be everything Lana has dreamed, or will she uncover a mystery?

Worldbuilding/Plot: I wanted to love this book, but it was just too similar to other things in the genre.

When I first began the book, it was very Harry Potter-ish in the world building, I felt like we were going to visit this world’s version of Diagon Alley, only with a lot more action happening faster. It felt a bit more Olympic style in the middle, with Hunger Games vibes.

I liked that we got to explore different cultures. I was interested in Lana’s journey of finding where she belongs, being from two different countries.

But I didn’t like the book seemed very preachy on some of the author’s obvious opinions. It took me out of the story, which lost the enjoyment for me.

Overall, I enjoyed some parts, but not enough to recommend it to others.