A Promise of Fire

Publisher's Summary

The perfect pause-resisting romance debut for fans of Game of Thrones.

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 she battles her captor at every turn.

Although up for the fight, 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.

©2016 Amanda Bouchet (P)2016 Recorded Books

Really good start to the series :)

4-4.5 stars

This was a really good story and start to the series. I really liked both Cat and Griffin and enjoyed their beginning. This story takes place in an alternate reality that has a heavy basis in the Greek mythologies...it was a very interesting concept and I liked it.

Cat is from the country of Fisa, a place that she escaped in order to save her life and/or sanity. She hid in a travelling circus acting as a soothsayer and has been with them for the past 8 years. Cat has magical abilities (and a destiny that's tied to her being the Kingmaker) and people would be after her for her abilities so she keeps who and what she is secret, even from her friends.

Griffin is a the non-magical second-in-command of the country of Sinta (he pretty much took over the country and put his sister in charge of it with him as her second). He won the country away from the magical rulers and the commoners seem happy with the new leaders. The magical elite don't like the new rule and Griffin is on a mission to seek out people with magic that he can hire to help him.

In his searching, Griffin comes across Cat and is relatively sure she's the Kingmaker. He watches her for a while before approaching her and when he does approach, he asks her (as a soothsayer) to read his companions and tell him if they're all loyal. Griffin already had his doubts about one of the men and Cat's ability to gain the truth convinces Griffin that he's found the right woman. Griffin uses a magical rope to bind Cat to him and kidnaps her to take her back to the ruling seat of Sinta. Cat is pissed to be captured and won't listen when Griffin and his men try to win her over to work with them instead of being a prisoner. The thing is, even though Griffin knows that Cat is the Kingmaker, that's not the only issue. Who Cat is, is as big of a secret as what Cat is (the Kingmaker) and she wants to escape because if anyone found out who she is and where she's located, all hell would rain down on anyone with her.

Cat tries to stay pissed at Griffin and his men but she soon finds that she likes them...although she still insists that she hates Griffin because he's the one keeping her against her will. They do run into some issues on the way back to the Sinta ruling seat but manage to get past them and in doing so, Cat finds herself feeling even more comradery with Griffin and his men. They make it back to the castle and Cat finds the new rulers of Sinta to be vastly different than the rulers of Fisa. Griffin's family is actually nice....maybe a bit too nice if they're going to be the ruling family. Cat is a bit annoyed by this but soon finds herself becoming protective and doing what she can to help Griffin's family learn what they need to to continue their reign. Griffin continues to pursue Cat and with reluctance, Cat starts to respond and eventually they come together. There are more troubles that pop up but Griffin and Cat are able to get past them and end the story heading toward a HEA together (but there are still some unresolved things that will need to be addressed in the following books).

This was a really enjoyable story. I really liked Cat. I got a little annoyed about her tendency to push Griffin away because she's convinced that she can't be with anyone without risking them. Considering I'm 95% sure who she really is, I can understand her fears but I think she needed to be open to the possibilities since the Gods seemed to be on her and Griffin's side. Griffin was a really good hero. I wasn't thrilled that he kidnapped Cat but I really can't think of any other way he could gotten her on his side and outside of that, he was great. Overall, I really liked this new world and the characters in it. I'm looking forward to more books in the series and would definitely recommend this one. :D

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Almost Didn't Finish... Awful

What disappointed you about A Promise of Fire?

Oh BOY, where do I begin? I normally don't write reviews because I'm not adept at it BUT I will try .....
The story was simply awful. Started off promising and just kept getting worse and worse with awful plot devices. The main character Cat is supposed to be this badazz "Kingmaker" but she falls to pieces over the roguish Griffin/Beta, who kidnaps her for his "own use".
It started off interesting enough. Cat the southsayer trying to escape and stay hidden, but it turns out Cat conveniently has (or is able to get) god-like powers, is able to steal magic, can ride dragons, call gods for help, is a trained killing machine, is a southsayer and related to the God Poseidon & MORE.... it was all a bit too much IMO. And it all comes out in the nick of time fashion, very deux ex machina.
Cat also has body issues *eye roll* ( it's as if the author had an idea board and said I'm going to put ALL of these things in ONE BOOK) and she remarks on her weight, in a annoying and obvious way.
The romance was nauseating. I don't get all the 5 stars and I'm not referring to the kidnapping part. Griffin makes remarks about her weight, and how he thought she was OLDER and he's glad she's YOUNGER and not experienced. Oh yea, joy! And Cat, the same badazz magic stealing, dragon riding, God-like heroine, melts and swoons. Her inner dialogue about how she never imagined she'd hear those words or have someone say those words is pathetic. Several chapters of the last 1/2 of the book were about Cat & Griffin going back n forth kissing. IDK if the author was trying to convey a build up of sexual tension or what, but Cat went from sounding like 20'syr, to a middle school'r not wanting to kiss, wanting to kiss, not wanting to kiss. Throw in the cliche jealous ex-girlfriend with every cliche'd phrase out there, and you complete the "Romance". Barf.
The ending was inane and it didn't surprise me.
NO! I will not continue this series, I BARELY finished this. AWFUL! Save your credits, $

41 of 45 people found this review helpful

For Lovers of Fantasy and Romance

This book doesn't disappoint. I read reviews before buying and did notice as others did that the Narrator isn't as apt with male voices but it didn't greatly distract from my enjoyment. I've always loved romance novels but ironically as an adult discovered I love fantasy too. Unfortunately I usually have to go the YA route to get the world building I've come to love but often those lack the grown up passion I desire in romantic story telling. This book gives you both! It is Awesome!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great start to a new series

Any additional comments?

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
Wonderful!! This was an excellent start to Ms. Bouchet’s Kingmaker Trilogy. I am already excited for the next two books in this series. A Promise of Fire kept my attention from page one. I just loved Cat. She is a mystery that slowly unravels as the story goes on. But with each mystery solved another one takes it place. Griffin is the perfect match for the very feisty Cat. Griffin is a bit of a jerk in the beginning but like Cat he is full of surprises.
I also love a book where you not only fall in love with the main characters but the secondary characters too. I can’t wait to see what happens with Cat, Griffin and the whole Beta Team!!!

I also had the pleasure of listening to A Promise of Fire on audio. I love finding new narrators to listen too. Mia Barron does a pretty good job narrating this book. If there was one item I can say that took me a bit to get use to was Griffin’s voice. It was not what I originally had thought that Beta Sinta would sound like. But after a few chapters I got use to Ms. Barron’s interpretation of his voice. I will be picking up the second book on audio also (as long as they don’t change narrators. It is the quickest way to look me as a listener)

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Graphic Sex

Be warned- the second half of the book has graphic sex, lots of it. I couldn't finish the story, when sex gave her back her "life force" I quit reading. It got dumb. Plus, the narrator really needs to develop her male voices, they all sounded the same and like a girl with a cold. This book could have been really good, I'm sad the plot had to rely so much on sex and I won't be reading the next one. 😕

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

Disappointing Romance Novel

I was optimistic about this book because of its soaring ratings, but have found it to be an almost unbearable listen. The narrator is decent, no problem there, but the book is just a constant stream of romantic desperation and nonsequiturs from beginning to end. I would love to quote some of the highlights.

Her: I love you so much I'm willing to give up everything to be with you.
Him: Here's some stunning jewelry. Marry me.
Her: [stunned] Are you joking? [throws jewelry to the ground] I will never marry you!

This kind of exchange happens constantly throughout the book. This supposedly strong female character apparently can't maintain a single decisive thought for more than two sentences. It's really sad and disappointing, especially considering that this is the work of a female author.

I also wasn't expecting the constant stream of graphic sexual thoughts (drawn out in excruciating detail for 4/5 of the book) from their first meeting with until they finally get together, which is then graphically described repeatedly for the next several chapters.

Contrary to another reviewer's opinion, I don't think there's a single chapter in which Cat doesn't graphically imagine or experience some aspect of Griffin's body in a romantic way. I do not understand how the book every achieved the rating it currently boasts.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'm not a big fantasy reader...but now I'm a convert!

Loved this exciting fantasy romance that has elements of magic and steeped in Greek mythology. I loved the battles scenes and I'm always a sucker for enemies to lovers romance. I am excited for the sequel! Great performance by Mia Barron!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Cool world, bad love story, terrible narrator

The world the author built was very interesting. The idea of magic and non-magic peoples living together and the struggle of class warfare were done very well. Weaving Greek mythology throughout kept me intrigued enough to keep listening. The main protagonist was very strong and her powers fascinated me. I liked her overall.

The love story though - eh. The main love interest was very controlling, jealous and not willing to take the main protagonists feelings about their relationship into account. It really felt like he whittled her down into liking him through literal captivity and being nice to her/protecting her. Basically, this book is about Stockholm syndrome. If you were unable to hear the protagonists thoughts about how hot (both looks and temperature wise) he was and how powerful he was, you would see just how creepy and controlling this guy is. Her feelings for him never really felt honest, they felt forced upon her because there was no better option for her. Yes, she needed help coming to terms with her past and not letting it control her anymore but damn, she traded one controlling emotional cage for another.

and at the end of the day, this was all made worse by the terrible narrator. When it came to womens voices, she sounded nice enough. The moment a male comes into the picture though, woah. Not only did they all sound basically the same, they sounded like a creepy whiny man child. I could never take anything a man said in this book seriously.

Overall, I know there are a lot of people who will love this book (and do). I am starting to see a lot of the same patterns in YA fantasy romance books, and I am not liking them There is usually an over controlling male that has to help the main protagonist deal with some emotional trauma through forced love. These are never healthy relationships and I truly worry about how actual young adults deal with real-life love after reading these kind of books. This is coming from someone who is still technically a "young adult". I am also aware that these patterns are not new to the genre, but I am now truly seeing them for what they are.

Covers multiple categories

Fantasy-Supernatural-Historical Romantic Action Adventure with world building based on the Greek Gods mythology.
Interspersed through the romantic tension and action are very intelligent snippets on the jockeying for power.
Well done.
Barron does a good job of narration.

I borrowed this book through Audible’s Romance Club and I’m adding it to my wish list for future purchase. I’m going to also pursue getting the next book in the series.
Yes, it’s worth a credit. Recommend.

Sex

Unnecessary to spend what amounted to 2 chapters on making love. All in all good read though.