Tabs’ review of A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles, Book 1) by Amanda Bouchet
Fantasy Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 02 Aug 16
This new fantasy romance series featuring a magical heroine, a bulldozing hero, and a mountain of romantic banter-fighting is a great deal of fun. Cat is playing at fortune telling and trying to keep her head down as a member of a traveling circus troop, when she catches the eye of a powerful warlord and is promptly kidnapped. Griffin, the aforementioned warlord, has been watching Cat for longer than she realizes, and when he figures out that she is a powerful magic user who can tell truth from lies, he becomes determined to keep her.
Griffin is not always likeable, especially in the beginning, but he grows on a person. He’s stubborn and possessive and often needs a swift whack across the head, but he’s not irredeemable. He’s Beta Sinta, the second highest ranked leader of the Southern province. His non-magical family has recently usurped the traditional ruling class and come to power in a political coup, but not having any real magic on their side is a problem. He also has plans. BIG plans.
Griffin gets more than he expected with Cat. She’s not just a truth diviner. She’s got more powerful magic than he knows, heaping piles of secrets, and a mysterious and deadly past. Cat’s a fun fantasy heroine. She makes friends into family wherever she goes, single handedly saves the day on more than one occasion, and is not at all looking for romance. The gods have other plans for her, though, and are not above interfering.
“How do you know how to fight a giant?” Kato looks impressed. Satisfaction swells in my chest. I can’t help it. I like impressing people twice my size. I shrug. “Maybe I’m lying so you’ll all get yourselves killed.”
I keep using the word “fun” in this review and I just can’t help myself. It’s a fun book. The ever-present banter made me laugh. Cat’s laments at having chosen to wear stupid leather pants before getting kidnapped made me laugh. The accidentally getting high on magic in a market place and tripping balls scene made me laugh. I laughed a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The definition of fun. I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
Grade: A-
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.
Other books in this series:
