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. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. 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 the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion.

It’s great storytelling, and it just got me in the feels. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races. But Reintgen has this excellent way of showing, rather than telling, the strange bonds developing among these teenagers. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. 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, theyve raced them. 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.Įvery year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them.

Scott reintgen