Review: Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise of Fire

Published: August 2nd 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #1

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Greek Mythology

Source: Library My Rating: 

Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

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Review

I hardly ever skim a blurb for a book, but apparently I did for A Promise of Fire. I had a bit of a time trying to cheer on Cat and Griffin; simply because I didn’t like the “forced” feel of the situation. Now, if I had paid better attention to that synopsis, I would have been better prepared to handle Cat’s feelings towards her abductor. Oh, but this was a very fun world to play in. I love me some Greek Mythology, and it totally made me dive into the next book.

Despite my reservations about the romance aspect of this book, I did love everything else. Cat may be one of the most badass heroines this side of adult fantasy. Hey, she’s no Kate Daniels, but she is perfectly flawed (I know that’s contradictory!) in every way. I love her feistiness, her ability to hold her own, and she’s very considerate when it comes to those she loves. I can’t help but to compare her situation with Kate Daniels a little. Like Kate, Cat is powerful and hiding in plain sight. Everyone around her knows that she’s hiding from something, but she just plays it off. Until Griffin. He’s an alpha male through and through. When he’s first introduced, I immediately thought of Hugh D’Ambray from the Kate Daniels series. Like Hugh, Griffin is all for trying to make someone submit to his demands. And even though he’s doing it for the good of his Kingdom, he made me a little mad with how he went about a lot of things in this book. He’s hot, arrogant, and as sharp as a knife. He’s definitely one of those characters that you hate to love, but you just do.

All of your favorite Greek mythos come to life in this book. I mean, with every turn of the page there is some Greek deity or creature mentioned. Even Hades’ hound Cerberus makes an appearance. I loved every second of magic and action presented. I devoured the whole thing in one sitting, if that tells you anything, so it’s definitely an engaging read. I can confirm that this will be a series I enjoy for it’s world and action, simply because there is a lot of it to go around. I’m also looking forward to seeing how it will all end for Cat. She’s a really likable character that I want to see happy and living with no secrets and fear.

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Breath of Fire

Published: January 3rd 2017

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Greek Mythology

Source: eARC via Publisher/Netgalley

My Rating: 

SHE’S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD…

“Cat” Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat’s tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what’s a girl to do when she knows it’s her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom…or not at all.

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Review

Lady Sif and the warriors 3 (4?)….. Haha! That is what went through my mind when I first saw the cover of this book, but to actually start reading it and get the same feels… well, don’t mind my ramblings. I loved this book better than the first one because there was more world explored and the action was pretty great. This was like being on an expedition with Perseus to find Medusa’s lair! Cat setting out to find centaurs to protect Sintan’s borders was everything I was hoping for this sequel. I like movement through fantasy books, so the author did me proud with all the venturing out with the characters.

In addition to the world building, I found myself liking Cat and Griffin together in this book. Go figure. Griffin is still the sharp warrior from the first book, but he pays close attention to how he is with Cat. Maybe because she has let him in, I don’t know. But I’ll be damned if he didn’t go from Hugh-like to Curran-like in this sequel. Seriously, you can’t tell me you don’t feel the same! I actually like the guy now, and I thought for sure that I would just feel “meh” about him until the end.

This sequel doesn’t come without danger. Let me just put that out there right now. I like pretty much all of these characters, so I’m kind of bummed about a little of this. I know that there can’t be sunshine and rainbows for all involved, but….geez. This was a little heartbreaking and I’m really praying that the last book makes up for my hurt feelings and try to right the wrongs. Overall, I pretty much am on board with recommending this soon-to-be trilogy. If you love strong world building, all things Greek Mythology, magic and action, I don’t think you could go wrong with these books. In addition to all that, there’s a badass heroine, a warrior whom you may just fall in love with (I’m not there yet, but he came close with this sequel), and a team of kickass characters to help balance it all out.