Review originally posted in August of 2016 by Angela at Fiction Vixen.

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
The Kingmaker Chronicles #1
Fantasy Romance
August 2, 2016 by Sourcebooks

For the last several months I’ve picked up every fantasy and science fiction book that looked even remotely interesting. Always searching for something to capture my attention and leave me edgy and excited for what was to come next. A Promise of Fire did just that. A mix of mythology and magic set in a fantastical world, I was engaged from the moment I read the first word right up until the wee hours of the night when I, bleary eyed and tired, read the last.

Cat has been hiding out in a traveling magical, mystical circus for the last eight years. She works as a soothsayer, although her gifts lie more in the way of truth-telling and guessing. She holds unimaginable power, but desperately works to keep her magical gifts hidden as to not draw unwanted attention to herself. Not even the friends she trusts the most are aware of the truth of her bloody, terrifying past. Underneath her clever disguise and among her loving friends within the circus Cat is safe.

Then while working one day she is confronted by a warlord and his crew. Asked to perform as a soothsayer she is ultimately revealed as a truth teller. This Warlord isn’t just any warlord either, he’s the Beta of the newest ruling faction of one of the three lands in this world. He’s also human and has figured out that Cat is a legendary Kingmaker. With no magical powers, just the strength of their army and the belief that they will do right by their people, Griffin’s family has a tenuous control over their new kingdom, but with Cat they could be so much stronger. So Griffin and his Beta team kidnap her, bind her with a magical rope and head toward home.

Let’s be honest, kidnapping the heroine may not be palatable to some readers and I hope this doesn’t turn you off. Yes, Griffin does remove Cat from her safe place, but oh, what an adventure they have once they get on the road. Cat isn’t a pushover, but rather strong and magically gifted and at times incredibly amusing. Griffin turns out to be steadfast and honorable, ready to defend his family no matter what the costs to himself. As he and Cat, along with his brother and team mates, travel through dangerous lands, they find themselves repeatedly in life or death situations where they must battle their way out. Cat comes through time and again, but with every rescue her staggeringly powerful abilities are revealed, as well as clues to her past.

Cat tries so hard to not become drawn in by the playful protectiveness of the members of Beta team, but she gradually begins to trust and care. She becomes part of the group and then is welcomed with open arms by Griffin’s family. Which pretty much goes against every lesson she ever learned at the hand of her mother. But she just can’t help herself and I truly enjoyed watching her find a new safe place with a new group of people who have her back. She and Griffin have this back and forth, obvious attraction that builds slowly as the story moves forward. You will want them to be together. They felt like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together just right.

A Promise of Fire hit all my buttons. Fantastic world-building? Check. Strong, powerful heroine? Check. Swoon worthy hero? Check. Amazing secondary characters who I can’t wait to get to know better? Check. This looks to be a trilogy and you can bet I am counting down the days until the next release. I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy romance. Final Grade- A-

Favorite Quote:

“I shiver, rattled by his words. “You’ll regret pledging yourself to me. It will cut your life short.”

“You’re my life now. We’ll live together, or die trying.”