Monday, November 28, 2016

Review: Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet


Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Book Two of the Kingmaker Chronicles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

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.

What I Liked:

Only two books into the series and I'm already declaring this trilogy a new favorite. I don't think I've ever read anything quite as unique as this fantasy romance series. I also can't remember the last time I was in love with a sequel novel as much as I was the first book - or almost as much. While A Promise of Fire is still the better of the two (in my opinion), I loved Breath of Fire

This book is nonstop action from start to finish. Cat and Griffin and the rest of Beta Team are back in the Sinta castle, but there is much to be done, with the Power Bid in full effect. With the Sintan borders unprotected, Cat and Beta team leave home to journey to the Ice Plains, in order to find Centaurs who might be persuaded to defend the Sintan borders. But reaching the Ice Plains is obstacle enough, let alone finding the fabled Chaos Wizard who can help them find the Centaurs. And even if they get the Centaurs to help - Cat and Griffin must find a way to take down the Tarvan royalty. Cat may be the key to Sintan success - or their destruction.

I think the most unique aspect of this series is Cat's voice. She is hilarious and sarcastic and so prickly. This series is written entirely in her first-person perspective - there is no dual perspective - and I actually love this because it's fun to follow the story from her perspective. She's so entertaining! I love how Bouchet writes Cat's voice, and the story.

In general, this book is so well-written. Bouchet has a strong writing style, and it shows. She also does an amazing job with the world-building. I thought this series was influenced by Greek mythology - but really, it's full of Greek mythology! This sequel throws us headfirst into a ton of Greek mythology, which is spun to Bouchet's liking, for the world-building. We get up close to hydras, centaurs, nymphs, even goddesses. And a cameo appearance from Cerberus! 

I adore Cat. I couldn't love her more, to be honest. She's so funny, but she's also tough as nails and very selfless. She doesn't want to be Beta Fisa, or any kind of royal in charge, but she's a natural. She's intelligent and experienced in so many different things, but she isn't a hardened, jaded person. She's got a mean streak and she is fierce, and she has a low opinion of herself at times, but she's a warrior and a fighter, and I love how she keeps going. I especially love how she allows herself to be surrounded by people who care about her. Her relationship with Griffin goes from solid to airtight and cemented in this book, because she really really lets him past her defenses. I am glad to see Cat let the walls down, with Griffin and with his family.

Griffin! My favorite. He's the big bad Beta, an overprotective and loyal warrior, but he's more than that. He is clever and considerate, a gentleman and at the same time, an alpha to the core. His temper is a live wire, so it's fun to see him and Cat bump heads constantly. They are perfect for each other! I love how he looks out for her all the time, but he also backs down a little in terms of dictating orders (when it comes to Cat). He lets her be, and trusts her judgement, which is wonderful to see.

I mentioned this already, but Griffin and Cat's relationship gets even stronger and more unbreakable, in this book. Cat lets Griffin in, and it's amazing how different and how strong their bond becomes, because of that. Emotionally, their relationship strengthens, but also physically. Let me tell you - Bouchet turns the heat up, in this book. Like, woah. The first few chapters? Be prepared to fan yourself. I loved seeing Griffin and Cat lose control! And throughout the book, not just in the beginning.

One thing that I was worried about was Griffin and Cat getting separated, or one of them getting captured and hence the separation. This is a common and annoying trope in sequel novels in trilogies. But I am happy to say that there was no "sequel separation" in this book! Griffin and Cat are almost always together in this book, which was a relief. I was so worried that I'd spend the whole book anxious and worried sick about one of the characters.

I love the secondary characters! I don't consider Griffin a secondary character (he is definitely a protagonist, even if he doesn't get his own perspective), but Kato, Carver, Flynn, and several others definitely are. I love Griffin's family, and Beta Team. We get to see more of Kato in this book, and I adored him and his (brotherly) relationship with Cat. There was a part of this book that broke my heart for him - like I was almost physically sick for him. Hopefully there is some silver lining to that part of the story, because I'm still sad about it. In any case, the secondary characters were almost as entertaining as Griffin and Cat!

The story gets more and more complex, as a good sequel novel will do! We see a lot more Olympian/mythological stuff (creatures, abilities, etc.), and more is revealed, in terms of Cat's past, what she expects from the future, and her family. Griffin (and everyone else) finds out about Cat very early in this book, which was also a relief (that was a huge secret!). Cat and Griffin and the team travel to find the Centaurs in the Ice Plains, but the story isn't finished there. Finding a way inside Tarva isn't easy, but Griffin and Cat are determined to do so.

Overall, I am quite pleased with this book! I especially love the sweet news at the end (though, like Griffin, I suspected certain things early on - there was a lot of foreshadowing). I also like that this book does not end on a cliffhanger - phew! There is a lot that needs to be taken care of and resolved, in Heart on Fire, but I like that Bouchet ends this book without needing a cliffhanger. Artfully done!

What I Did Not Like:

But Alyssa, why didn't you give this book five stars? You clearly loved it! I did, but some part of me didn't love it quite as much as I loved A Promise of Fire. There were parts of this book (Breath of Fire) that broke my heart, from Kato, for Carver, even for Cat and Griffin. In adult romance novels, you expect your main couple to be "fine" at the end of the book (or series), so I'm not too worried about Cat and Griffin. It's the secondary characters that I worry for - and in this book, not everyone comes out "fine".

Also, keep in mind that I really really loved A Promise of Fire. Sometimes it's hard to come close to things that I really loved. Additionally, maybe I miss how much simpler things were in that book! Everything is do-or-die in this book (and rightfully so). 

Would I Recommend It:

I highly highly highly recommend this book, and series! If you love adult romance novels, give the books a chance. And especially so, if you like adult fantasy romance novels. If you liked The Winter King by C.L. Wilson (my favorite adult romance novels of all time), then you will like this series. This is adult romance, by the way. Not Young Adult - Cat is twenty-three!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> regrettably rounded down to 4 stars. I can't quite give this 5 stars because for me, it wasn't as good as A Promise of Fire (not by much though). This book lost none of the wow factor that A Promise of Fire held, and it definitely didn't fall under the sequel slump spell. I eagerly await Heart on Fire!


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26 comments:

  1. OMG! I just had the book 1 of this series in my wishlist in Amazon for ages. It really is so great to know that it indeed is a great one. I'll absolutely buy and start reading the first book. Thanks for this awesome review ;)

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    1. You need to read this series! The third book publishes in Fall 2017, so you could binge-read all three soon (ish). :D If you preorder book two, be sure to claim the preorder goodies!

      You're welcome and thank YOU. =)

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  2. HOW DARE YOU NOT TELL ME YOU READ THIS ONE, ALYSSA? >.<

    Anyways, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it! It was a really strong sequel, I 100% agree. I loved how action-packed it was and I definitely loved how much stronger Cat & Griffin were here. I was a little put off by that first scene, but the aftermath was handled so well. And gahh! That revelation! I saw it coming too, but I'm so curious how that's going to complicate things in the last book. I can't wait!
    Fabulous review, Alyssa! :)

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    1. Teehee! Stealth-reading for the win. ;D

      I was dying to read this book, but also dreading it! You know when you absolutely love book one and then you're afraid that book two will be meh (or worse)? I experienced that dread. SO glad that this book was so good.

      I hope we enjoy book three! So close yet so far away. D:

      Thank you, Nick!

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  3. Just peeking at your rating since I've got this one for review, too. Yay! I'll come back for your review thoughts after I read it.

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    1. YAY! I hope you love this book, Sophia! Go go go! :D

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  4. aww sorry it didn't live up to book 1, now I am a bit scared about what is going on in it and the secondary characters not being 'fine' because outside of Griffin, the secondary characters were my favorite

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    1. No no, you misunderstood! It would have been very hard for this book to be as good as book one. :D It was an excellent sequel, I highly recommend it!

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  5. This sounds like a great book! I love when the author does a great job in the second book that just makes you want more. I also like that she created such dynamic characters. Great review!

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    1. It's hard to believe that this is only her second published book! She is going to be a star (if not already). Thank you! <3

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  6. I've got this to read soon and I'm over the moon that book 2 is awesome! So excited to hear that Cat is still snarky and Griffin is still great ;)

    Great review, Alyssa! Can't wait to start this!!

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    1. YAY! Girl, you must read this ASAP! This one does not disappoint. Happy reading, Cyn!

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  7. So happy to hear that you still really liked this one. I have a copy and I need to read it soon or get the audio.

    Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist

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  8. Okay I just skimmed your review because I am reading this next week and I can't WAIT!!! I really liked book one and so eager to see what is in store for them next.

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    1. Thank you for commenting nonetheless, I appreciate it. :D I hope you love this one! <3

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  9. I can definitely see why you didn't like this as much as A Promise of Fire. Because I rad the books back to back, all of it bleeds together for me. :D I did like the battles more in the sequel, but Cat and Griffin's relationship did annoy me once or twice. I just wanted them to be happy and communicate!! I remember finishing Breath of Fire being SO worried for all these secondary characters. I feel like no one is safe and it makes anxious! Here is hoping Jo and Flynn get their happy ending. :)I do also remember being able to predict that "twist" about Cat really early on.

    By the way I read The Winter King! I absolutely loved it. :D I think I like this series better though... If only The Sea King wasn't put off indefinitely!

    Great review, Alyssa! I'm so happy to see that you really liked this one. :)

    Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

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    1. It's more like I loved A Promise of Fire so much, this one couldn't quite touch it. ;)

      I am SO excited to hear that you enjoyed The Winter King! It's such a great book! Imagine, I read it in like, Feb/March 2014... it's been more than two years, and year after year, The Sea King keeps getting pushed back. *sigh* Hopefully next year though!

      Thank you, Genni!

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  10. I haven't read this review properly because this is a book I am so keen to get my hands on when it comes out and I really don't want to spoil anything. I am glad to see that it got the 4.5 stars - I can understand it not being as good as the first - I also rated the first five stars and I loved it so much it would be very hard to live up to that... I love this world that Bouchet created and I cannot, cannot wait. So jealous that you've read this already! :)

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    1. Ooo, I hope you get a chance to read it soon! I think it's still on NetGalley but I'm not sure. Give it a shot!

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  11. oh YAY!!! I am so glad that you loved this one. I do love this authors voice, and its very different for sure. I am looking forward to seeing Griffin and Cat's relationship become even stronger. Lovely review.

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    1. She has a unique voice in adult romance! Hopefully book three is just as enjoyable, imaginative, and fun, as the first two books have been.

      Thank you! <3

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  12. I'm glad you liked this one! Your review makes me want to go read the series, I'm always on the lookout for original voices... too many authors now sound alike - I might go and check them out soon! Great post:)

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    1. You must check out the series! I am 100% sure you will not regret it. Bouchet has such a refreshing voice in adult romance. :D

      Thank you!

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  13. Awesome review sweetie :D YAY for enjoying this series a bunch. <3 Not for me, but I do like that cover a bit. And yay for it being so amazing :D Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it. <3 Aw, I hope all the characters will be fine at the end of the series :)

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    1. The series is so, so good! IF you ever read adult romance novels, definitely put this one on your TBR.

      I hope for the same! Thank YOU, Carina!

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