Review: Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Breath of Fire

Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
Pages: Paperback, 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: Expected publication: January 3rd 2017

Summary:

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.

Review:


Breath of Fire had me gasping for air, it's non-stop action. Literally, from the first page to the last.
I thoroughly enjoyed that.

I was smitten with Bouchet's writing skills reading her first novel. Breath of Fire just reconfirmed my adoration for it over and over. This is well structured, well paced (extremely fast mind you), has amazing descriptions and wicked world building. Some of the details are rather gory and gruesome, but there are also beautifully described heartfelt moments. Bouchet knows how to keep her readers on their toes. It's balanced just right, so we can connect to the main players, get to know the villains but also that we get a minor breath between action, gore and revelations.

The world building in one world is brilliant. Bouchet draws from greek mythology but makes this new unique world from it. At times Cat's quest reminded me of the Odysseys and at other times it reminds me of classic high fantasy novels. A great mix and to that Cat's prophesied fate, the history of the kingdoms and you have an intriguing, inspired world. I also need to mention the creatures Bouchet conjures up. And there are plenty in this one again. I totally adore her descriptions, some of them are again based on Greek mythology, others are newly invented (at least I think so), but all have Bouchet's own little twist to them. Seriously one of my favorite parts of the series!

The character building is another part this novel shine. I did love Cat in the first book. I ended up having issues with the last part and Griffin's behaviour. But in this book? I ended up totally smitten with Griffin. I mean totally. Cat changes in some ways, significantly. Her growth is steady and yet immense. Griffing is a rock in the tumult. His vision, loyalty and kindness are staggering. Their relationship strengthens and all the things I loved about them before, has be reconfirmed. They still argue, banter and fight the odds. But somehow their trust deepens, they accept each other and their bond becomes even stronger. Their relationship feel tangible and real.
Cat shares more of her past, and with that one starts to understand more about her and her actions.
Team Beta is in full action. And yet we get to know them individually somewhat better. They all grew on me even more.
Frankly the character building is so well done, that I feel like I left a group my close friends behind, after finishing the novel. I am actually invested in several characters and I need them to have some sort of happy ending. To be clear: that's for basically the support cast, we talking about.

The plot as I said before is non-stop action. Never a dull moment. There are quests, riddles, personal problems and disputes, battles and talks with the gods. Plus quite a bit of smut and some budding romances as well. In fact my one and only problem was ALL the smut in the first half. Basically there was dramas, smut, fight nearly die, smut and repeat it over and over. In the second half however, they were on a quest that reminded me of the epics like the Odyssey and very little smut thankfully. now

With her second novel Bouchet firmly planted herself in my favorite fantasy authors list.
My only problem: The next book is only going to be published sometimes in Fall 2017.
And here I am feeling breathless from my reading marathon, desperate to get my hands on the next book.
You however really need to give this series a go if you love the genre!


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ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Review: A Promise Of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise of Fire

Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #1
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 2nd 2016

Summary:

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.

Review:

So let's just get right to the gist of it:
I probably would have given this 5Stars right until about 75% of the book. Then well.. I kinda fell out of love with it ( especially the romance)and at the end of the book I was left a bit disappointed with the world building.
And that's what I didn't like about the book. The rest, Bouchet had me wrapped around her pen. I was totally loving everything. I was so excited to having found an amazing fantasy.
So all in all? This is good. Really good.

The writing style is witty, descriptive and enticing. This is a solid first novel, I can't wait to see what else Bouchet will write. She clearly is a talented storyteller.

The storyline is fast paced, full of surprises and fun twists(though I did foresee most of them). A Promise of Fire is a fun adventure with a cute romance, some interesting politics and intrigues thrown in and mostly interesting world building.
Well I loved it until around 75% then I had several issues: I was exasperated with Cat, irritated with Griffing, annoyed with LeBitch and the Helen felt too much like a "coincidence"that was "cleverly"put in.
But I did like the end, it's a nice place to stop, no big cliffy but loads of possible avenues where the next will go.


The world building left me simply wanting more. I like what Bouchet sketched out so far. I love how Bouchet dipped into Greek Mythology, love her description of the mythological creature. Find the magic bits intriguing, even clever and the setup of the realms interesting.But I was left with so many questions, I hope she will fix this in the next book. It was simple not enough, IMO.

My absolute favorite part was the character building. I adore fellowship fantasies, and A Promise of Fire totally delivered on that front.
I adore Cat's extended family. I love her relationship with the crew. In fact I totally fell in love with the crew. I can't wait to read more about them all. They all fairly unique, pleasantly flawed and just awesomely written.
But Cat and Griffin, while I was totally smitten by those two, both grated on me in the last quarter of the book. I found Cat too imature and her pulling back was getting irritating. BUT saying that, Griffin was way to pushy. IMO Bouchet was really skirting the line of acceptable there. I mean I know Cat did want him, but she said no and he sorta ignored it. I just kept thinking: 'DUDE! No means no!'
It was a huge issue for me but it did annoy me.

So a fabulous debut from Bouchet. And I wish I could get my hands on the next book, around yesterday day.
A must read for lovers of the genre

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