Tropes: Mythology Romance, High Fantasy, Warrior Hero, Secret Identity, Found Magic
Description:
KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER
Cat Fisa isn't who she pretends to be. She's perfectly content living disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus, avoiding the destiny the Gods—and her dangerous family—have saddled her with. As far as she's concerned, the magic humming within her blood can live and die with her. She won't be a pawn in anyone's game.
But then she locks eyes with an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south and her illusion of safety is shattered forever.
Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker—the woman who divines truth through lies—and he wants her to be a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm. Kidnapping her off the street is simple enough, but keeping her by his side is infuriatingly tough. Cat fights him at every turn, showing a ferocity of spirit that burns hot...and leaves him desperate for more. But can he ever hope to prove to his once-captive that he wants her there by his side as his equal, his companion...and maybe someday, his Queen?
Discover exciting bonus material, including maps, illustrations, and an expanded look at the world of Thalyria. Fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Scarlett St. Clair and Sarah J. Maas will burn for this spicy romantic fantasy.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DE9I4LA
My thoughts on the book:
I’m two books in on Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles and I realize I never really did a review for either of them. Horrors! So, here are my thoughts up to now:
I gotta tell you these books pack one heck of an adventure. I’m, without a doubt, a big fan of this particular genre, as I’m sure you can already tell. Romances based on characters out of mythology, fairy tales, and the like are my jam, so of course this series caught my attention.
Bouchet’s ability to weave a tale is on full display right from the beginning of A Promise of Fire. Her characters are well developed and engaging from the MCs on down to each and every one of the supporting characters. Cat is a fiery, sassy heroine that I immediately fell in love with. Her wit, humor and sheer, gritty resourcefulness make her a joy to read while her back story, adequately teased in by the author, keeps her sympathetic and makes her feelings and actions believable. I found her refreshing in that, while being the all heralded “strong female lead” that is so touted and sought after by readers, (I don’t know why the desire for this type of character is always stated as if such a find is a rare and precious thing. I’ve never read a romance where the FMC wasn’t strong in some way and I’ve been reading them for a realllly lonnng time. Must be my knack for choosing great books off the bat. But I digress.) Cat has her own intriguing set of vulnerabilities that make her relatable and make her attraction to Griffin and the development of their relationship all the more believable.
Speaking of Griffin! Yes, well, I don’t know how Cat held him at a distance as long as she did. Especially since they were magically tied to one another for a good part of the book. (I happen to be a big fan of this corny trope. So much so that I used it in one of my own books, in fact.) He’s the ultimate hunky alpha-male. Can I get an amen?! Sigh, my favorite! Here again, though, he’s written in a way that defies the stereotype and makes him believable as a human. He’s self-sacrificing and devoted to those he’s fighting to make life better for. To aid in this endeavor, he seeks Cat out because he needs her special abilities to ensure the loyalty of those around him in a very tenuous political atmosphere. Then he steals her to keep her truth-detecting talents working in his favor “for the good of the kingdom.” Uh huh, that’s right, because he’s noble and totally not smitten from the first time he sees her. Honestly, though, Griffin is a hero to fall for, and I totally get why Cat does.
All in all, the world building of this series is rich. The setting descriptions and action scenes are exciting and well done. Figures from mythology are sited and, obviously, used throughout. I appreciate how Bouchet seamlessly wove them into the story without using the tactic of re-explaining their historical relevance or making tedious references to their already well-known exploits. These books are one hundred percent about Cat, Griffin and the realm they are fighting to protect.
If you appreciate a story that involves two people coming into their power together, equally bolstering each other in the effort to achieve a common goal, while containing good amounts of adventure, intrigue, and steamy romance, then you’ll love this series!
Are you a fan of high fantasy? What’s your favorite book from this genre?