Review: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise of Fire
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Series: The Kingmaker Chronicles #1
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Romance
Release Date: August 2016
Book Length: 441

Publisher: Piaktus

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

THIS BOOK, MY GOD, THIS BOOK YOU GUYS.

I AM IN LOVE.

THIS IS BOOK IS EVERYTHING.

I NEED MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS!

A Promise of Fire is my perfect kind of book; it’s adult fantasy romance at it’s very best. Still recovering from those ACOMAF feels? THEN READ THIS. Me and my friend decided to try this book when we seen that Queen Nalini Singh rec’d it, and it was the best decision ever. If you like your heroines fierce and strong, greek mythology, the best cast of secondary characters, a brooding warlord and let’s not forget a scorching romance, then this book is for you!!

A Promise of Fire is set in a world divided into 3 kingdoms: Fisa, Tarva and Sintan. The Fisan are people with extraordinary magical powers whereas the kingdom of Sinta and it's people are without magic. Cat a Fisan woman fled her family when she was a child and has been in hiding ever since. However Cat is no ordinary woman, she’s a Kingmaker, which means she has a target on her back. Whilst travelling she is discovered and abducted by a famously notorious Sintan warlord, Griffin.

“I conquered a kingdom and found a treasure." His voice turns gravelly, low. "I won't let you go. Not now. Not ever.”

Cat is such a freaking badass, I literally want to be her. She is so fierce and independent and no matter how much she protests to be a loner she will do anything to protect her friends and those she considers family. Griffin, my my my Griffin. Griffin is an arrogant warlord who’s famous for stealing a throne for his sister and is known for getting his own way. 

“Let go,” I demand. “No.” My eyebrows snap together. “Why not?” “Because your gut reaction is always to punch, and I don’t like being tickled.” Tickled? Tickled! Indignation swamps me. I’ll show him a tickle.”

THE ROMANCE WAS EVERYTHING. Seriously can’t talk about this romance without completely fangirling. It was perfect, it’s the forbidden romance you crave, the love-to-hate relationship you follow with a beating heart, the tension that makes you breathless and the sass and banter that has you laughing out loud. This is actually the only book that I didn’t want the main characters to get together; I could have watched their crazy courtship go on and on. Cat will make you laugh even when she’s trying to kill Griffin and Griffin will have you swooning when he puts on the charm. Okay, maybe I should stop now, you get the point yes?

“The ice inside me melts. Suddenly, I'm burning up and terrified, scared I'll be too weak to resist.

Scratch that - I'm petrified I've already given in.”

The world building is fantastic; a gorgeous high fantasy setting that includes greek mythology and so many of my favourite mythical beasts. Cerberus is just a little puppy that I need in my life.  The secondary characters are amazing, you have Flynn, Kato and Carver who are part of Griffin’s war band and you will fall in love with all of them. They’re all so loyal to Griffin but each of them develops their own friendship with Cat and you get to see them have their own journey along the way.

I honestly can’t recommend this book enough; fantasy romance lovers will just adore this series. The pacing was slower than I usually like but it’s completely warranted with A Promise of Fire as Bouchett slowly building the world and the plot soon comes together. The ending just stops, a little out of nowhere to be honest, it’s not a cliffhanger and luckily I had book 2 to jump straight into. A Promise of Fire is now a new favourite series, my guilty guilty pleasure and I can’t wait to see how it ends!