Heart on Fire (The Kingmaker Trilogy Book 3)

I agree with most of the non 5 star reviews. The first two books were lovely. This one starts off promising- some twists are revealed and we get to the bottom of a few questions from the first two. The relationship between Griffin and Cat continues to grow, as does theirs with their new fetus. The author really knows how to write a love story and a fantasy adventure. However, this one seems to suffer from too many ideas thrown in. A main issue is the relationship between Cat and her Mother and really how Cat views her mom in this book when nowhere in the first two books are her feelings even hinted at. The plot becomes overly melodramatic and then (spoiler) the author tries to redeem the mom right at the very end with absolutely no warning. She tries to humanize Cat's mother is a split second and it really didn't work for me.

Actually, most of the plot points came close to becoming overdramatized and drawn out over the course of the book. Mainly because those points emerge in what is the third and final book but need more than the span of this book to work for the trilogy in itself. For example, the Carson and Ianthe issues. Also the whole Prometheus thing is just unnecessary. When we first meet Cat she is not as whiny and insecure as she becomes in this book. There are a few redundancies in her thoughts that felt like they dragged on. I would have bought it in the second book, but not at the end when we have been waiting so long to see her in all her glory. Her character became less palatable for me, actually. When she finally gets it together it is too late in the book. Finally, ( my last little nit pic) we are left inexplicably hanging in regards to one of the major supporting characters. All in all the culmination was a bit...lacking. This book could have done with an epilogue or a final chapter a few years down the road.

I still stayed up all night to finish it! I look forward to the next series.

Heart on Fire, Amanda Bouchet

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, Romance

The final stretch, and what a fantastic trilogy this has been. A mesh of traditional legends, Gods, Goddesses, fantastical creatures and imagined kingdoms. Amanda has taken bits of stories we all grew up with and shaped them into an amazing story that had me gripped right from the start. 

The characters, a real mix, and finding out some of the ones Cat has known for years were actually more then just magical humans came as a shock to her. Griffins family, she wishes she'd been brought up that way, secure in her parents love, but her upbringing was very far from that. Griffin and his siblings and parents support each other at every turn, Cat's siblings were forced to fight each other and their mother for their lives, and killing her sister scarred Cat's psyche in unimaginable ways.
When she ran, aided by Thanos, and found the circus they became her family for many years, but she kept secret inside her talents, her magical skills. Then Griffin came into her life. 

Griffin has been incredible, he's ambitious, but not for power, for peace. He wants to reunite the fractured kindoms and stop all the fighting, the abouse by those in power, the cruelty and murders, but he's happy to stand behind Cat, to take second place as he knows she's meant to be the figurehead. 
Turns out much of what he feels is real, that he and Cat were shaped for each other, given the skills to get this done but that doesn't mean its plain sailing. They've come so far but still have a big battle in store, Cat's mother won't give up her kingdom easily, and Cat knows just how powerful she is.  

I love the way this plays out, as with the other two books there are battles, both on a large scale, and small with just Cat, Griffin and sometimes some of the others from Elpis team.
There's a backstabbing betrayal that comes as a shock, there are multiple times they face death and scrape by aided by one of the Gods, or by a talent they've gifted them in the past - nothing was ever free though, they had to prove they had the skills, they were right to hold that gift. 

I love the way Amanda has dealt with my pet hate, when characters are right on the edge of losing and one of them gets a new power and miraculously is skilled and wins the day. Mostly she has them use powers we already know they have, having worked hard to refine the use of them. There are times when they are almost in the situation I've described, but they have to really think about, understand the consequences of using what they have, and often it doesn't go right first time, or even fourth time, and they need a quick Godly rescue ;-)
I want my characters to have to work to win, to have to make tough choices, to really understand what it is their asking, doing, wanting.
I need them to practice to get the skills they need, not just whip them out of a hat at the tough moment, and Griffin ensures Cat and the rest of the team do all that.
There's lots to understand to about him and Cat, why and how they are who they are, the consequences of their actions, their pasts and how that has affected them. 

Of course it culminates in an amazing battle bringing in so much of whats gone down earlier in this book, and in the previous two.
I love stories that do that, build on events and characters, let them play a full role in how the story ends, not just a bit part along the way. 

Way back when I read the first part of Charlie N. Holmberg's  Magician trilogy, I wrote that I thought it would make a fantastic family film - and a couple of years later Disney picked it up.
I really think this trilogy would be a terrific film too, but more for new adults upwards. There are scenes between Cat and Griffin that are very sensual, which belong to the story, show their connection, but which would probably get toned down too much or disappear if this became a family film, and that would be a real loss IMO. 

Stars: five, a fantastic trilogy, gripping, entertaining and one to keep. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Was anyone else just as disappointed as I was about this third book? I loved the first two books. I re-read them multiple times just to get my Cat-Griffin-Beta Team fix while waiting on this third book to come out. I loved Cat in the first two installments. She was fierce, snarky, fearless and didn't take BS from anyone. What happened to her in book 3? I felt like she the Cat I knew was nowhere to be found. In book three she complained all the time, froze up when facing her mother, whined about not being able to access her magic. PATHETIC. I was so annoyed I almost did not finish the book. Over half the book was Cat complaining about how she couldn't access her magic to defeat her mother and complaining to the Gods that nobody would show her how to access it. I also felt like this book was rushed when writing. I mean there's big bad Alpha Fisa we were all scared of in books 1-2 and all of a sudden in book 3 she gets taken down in one chapter. Really?!?!? And what happened to Kato?!?! There are so many loose ends and I felt like Amanda rushed through the ending. I'll go back and read books 1-2 to get my Beta Team fix. They definitely deserve 5 stars. Only finished this book to get some sort of closure, however small it may be.

>>>>> My Synopsis (Review Follows): <<<<<
Once upon a time a kingdom stood divided among the rule of three Alpha Monarchs. They were self serving dictators who cared little for those they ruled. Fear was their tool, cruelty their sword, and love a weakness to be denied. The Gods saw all of this and were not pleased, and so they allowed certain events to transpire. This is that story.

>>>>> My Review: <<<<<
This is the third and final book of the Kingmaker Chronicles trilogy by Amanda Bouchet. I highly recommend you read both 'A Promise of Fire' and 'Breath of Fire' before starting 'Heart on Fire'. The books tend to build on one another and you'd miss out on a lot if you didn't read them in order.

This Kingmaker Chronicles have some serious Greek mythology centered around a kick-@ss heroine that has to overcome her own fears and self doubt while trying to understand and control her powers. I loved seeing Cat grow into herself and finally understand the wizard's prophecy from years ago. The series is filled with Monsters, Wizards, Gods, Goddesses, and Greek mythology set in a different time and place from our own. Then there is beta team--the group that make up Griffin's and now Cat's inner circle. Every trial and tribulation this group went through brought them closer together as a family even though there were no familial ties.

People often speak of life being like a woven tapestry. That we see only one side--the back of all the little patterns that go into it. It's not until we turn it around that we see how everything works and fits together, rather seamlessly, to create the true and final image and/or pattern the artist was working hard to achieve. That's kind how I felt this series took shape, and in this book we finally see the final tapestry and how everything was woven together. While we see everything as it happens, it's not until this book that we see how everything was carefully and purposefully planned to create something special. There were a lot of twists and turns thrown in that I probably should have seen coming, but somehow missed. I was pleasantly surprised and highly entertained by some of the big reveals.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I absolutely loved it. There were some loose threads with which the author could create a spin-off series from, and I wholeheartedly hope she does. I love all of Beta Team and would love to see each of them get their own happily-ever-after. Plus, I want to know what happened to a couple of the characters who where left in the care of some not quite human individuals. It seems there is more story telling to be done. Of course that may just be me and my wishful thinking. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping we haven't seen the last of this world. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol This series is definitely going on my keeper shelf. It's just that good. This is definitely a series I HIGHLY recommend.

I hate to say it but this was a bit of a disappointment. I really expected to love this book. I wanted to love this book. I didn't like this book nearly as much as the two previous books in the series. I thought it was okay and I am glad that I read it. This is the third book in the Kingmaker Chronicles and this review may contain spoilers from previous installments in the series.

My experience with this book goes back to when I first saw the cover. I immediately thought that it wasn't the real cover and someone had uploaded fan art or something to Goodreads. I kept checking to see when the real cover would be uploaded. Weeks went by. I decided to go to the author's website to see if she had the cover posted and discovered that what I was seeing was in fact the real cover. I was shocked. I think that the covers for the first two books are awesome. This one is not. I kind of hate this cover. I decided that it was just a cover and it was just a cover and I could ignore it and focus on what was in the book. I think it might have actually been some kind of sign.

Cat kind of drove me nuts in this book. I don't know why but she annoyed me. I didn't enjoy being in her head and I felt like this book spent a lot of time there. Cat is pregnant which puts everything in a new light. I understand how focused an expectant mother can be when it comes to her baby but all the talk of the little bean was too much for me.

Don't get me wrong...I did like the book. There were some pretty awesome scenes in this installment and I had no idea how Cat would get herself out of some of the situations she found herself in. There was some real excitement in the story and I was happy to see all of the characters that I have grown to love over the course of the series play a role. There were some pretty major revelations that really explained a lot.

I do recommend this series to others. This book does wrap up Cat and Griffin's story and has some great scenes. I did enjoy the two books leading up to this one a whole lot more but found this to be a satisfactory conclusion. I would not hesitate to read more from Amanda Bouchet in the future.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca via Edelweiss.

Where to start the review for Heart of Fire? I liked the last installment in the series, but at the same time I was disappointed by some aspects of the story.

First, the good. I still loved Griffin, although he seems to be obsessed with Cat (I mean, more than usual), but with good reason. Griffin and Cat are a strong couple and grow more in love all the time.

It pains me to say this but Cat became a whiner. Indeed, it seems that’s all she did.

I have powers, I don’t know how to use them…

I don’t know what I’m doing…

I which my power came with instructions…

I can do this…

I can’t do this…

And so it went around and around. It took a lot from the story and it was unnecessary. Also, how is she getting all these weird powers, without notice, without reasoning. It’s like all the gods put powers in a big pot, stir them together and voila: one nice Cat was born.

The ending was a disappointment. So much hype about the Fisa, the war, how horrible Cat’s mom was, to then end up with a non-conflict. A lot of plot points were tied with a nice pink ribbon and I don’t like this type of ending. It’s lazy, to say the least. Also, there were some loose ends without resolution and at the end of the series didn’t give closure to all of it.

Something was just missing… and I’m sorry for it, since the Kingmaker Chronicles was otherwise a great series.

A PROMISE OF FIRE reeled me in and BREATH OF FIRE kept me wanting more, but if HEART ON FIRE wasn't the last book in the trilogy I might not have picked up the next book.

One of the things that drew me to this series was Cat and her kick-ass attitude and way of doing things, but I actually found her to be whiny and annoying at most times throughout HEART ON FIRE. I honestly felt like I was reading about someone else, because this was not the Cat I fell in love with.

The plot, what the heck happened? Everything dragged so much that by the time it got to the meat of any situation I was just ready for it to end. We hardly see any of our favorite secondary characters as there is a lot of alone time with Griffin and Cat. In previous books, that might have been fine, but with HEART ON FIRE, I was just bored without them. Everything about HEART ON FIRE was off to me.

My final let down of the final book was the fact that that there is no HEA epilogue after all that has happened in this series. It was very disappointing to make it through the final book with it's issues and not even get that. I'm sad that a series with such a promising start, crashed and burned in the end.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As it has been a year since the last release of this series, I felt at a disadvantage once again as I struggled to juggle the different realms and long list of mythical creatures/beings/friends and foes in my head as Cat and Griffin continued to try and defeat The Evil One, Cat’s very Maleficent like mother, which will finally unite all the realms in peace and harmony.

Maybe it’s just me, but at 60% I started to feel this book, much like one of the characters, had taken on new wings and sprouted into something I just didn’t bargain for. Having absolutely loved the first book (mainly due to the strong, sassy heroine and handsome, headstrong, determined hero’s feisty relationship) but finding the second one too focused on confrontational fight scenes, book 3 felt disjointed and lacked the cohesiveness to bind these books to a final conclusion. I struggled to enjoy/finish this one, folks. I’m thinking it is proving my theory that often when a series revolves around one central theme the fewer books usually the better. Given too much leeway, author’s often stray off course taking too long to tell the tale then try to make up for it with some way out there, lengthy dramatic scenarios/explanations that stretch the limits of our imagination and patience. Or the flip side, too much inner reflection and monologue so you find yourself fastforwarding hoping the plot will resurface.

The first 20% of Hearts on Fire consisted of a back and forth, lengthy, talking it out/bickering smackdown between some entities that had me worried about the pace of this book. At 30% little progress still had been made as inner monologue and hand wringing were keeping things from picking up. At 35% the main couple “finally” began their journey to set things in motion. For me, having to wait a third of the book for progress to be made, starts making my Kindle fast forwarding forefinger twitchy. It tries my patience. As did Cat’s formerly strong character now appearing weak, insecure, and no where near the top of her magical game throughout most of this sequel.

Sure, by 60%, between a fighting for their life/”Mom’s at it again” sneak attack situation and more details regarding Cat’s ancestry being revealed, I found myself thinking the author stretched too far beyond my limits of acceptable imagination. To put it another way, if I listed here a detailed spoiler of what happened in that fight scene, you might also have a “Say what?” moment yourself. Yes, I get this is a fantasy series, but for me I felt that’s how it would have played out in a cartoon script. The plus side of that conflict was getting to see Griffin’s grit and determination in trying to save his woman, even when the odds seemed impossible. He can be a fighting machine, folks, and I love every minute he proves it.

Maybe I’m just not cut out for the genre this series slowly but surely evolved into. The one thing that stayed constant in this book was Griffin’s alpha protectiveness/love and devotion. Yeah, I know some people thought he was harsh/cruel towards Cat in book 1, but I’m quite forgiving when a good guy beneath it all comes to his senses. Griffin’s unwavering faith/love/support in having Cat’s back at all times is epic here. She loves him beyond measure, as well. Their relationship is what got me hooked into reading this series. Unfortunately, I think the delivery/direction of their journey lost a great deal of its magic for me. It is never a good sign when you are fastforwarding hoping it will all just be over soon and these two lovebirds will be left in peace.

If you are new to it all, you are lucky you can read these books back to back. You might want to start a list to keep track of who is who and what is what. I’m almost tempted to backtrack and do the same to see if it would have helped me. It pains me greatly not to write a raving review here. I can’t stress enough how much I absolutely loved book 1. I wish the author all the best and hope I’m in the minority here. Simply put, my fire for the storyline kept diminishing, but it will always continue to burn brightly for team Cat and Griffin. I loved them as a main couple.

Title: Heart on Fire, Series: Kingmaker Chronicles (Book 3), Author: Amanda Bouchet, Pages: 448, not a stand-alone, must read books in order, some violence, Greek god mythology characters, formerly strong/sassy heroine now weak/insecure.

Book 1 - A Promise of Fire, Pages: 448, 8/2/16
Book 2 - Breath of Fire, Pages: 448, 1/3/17
Book 3 - Heart on Fire, Pages: 448, 1/2/18

(I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet is the 3rd and final book in her wonderful The Kingmaker Chronicles series. Having loved the first two books in this series, I could not wait to read Heart on Fire. After only a few minutes in, I found myself wrapped in Amanda Bouchet’s fantastic writing. I was in my glory, reading once again about my two heroes, Cat and Griffin, and I finished this book in one day. I loved Heart on Fire and the conclusion of this wonderful series.

When we last left off in Breath of Fire, Cat was now the Queen of Thalyria, and together with Griffin (her King), and her fantastic Beta Team, they headed to Fisa, to stop her evil mother and bring the world to peace. Cat has grown since we met her in Promise of Fire, but she still fights herself in her overall confidence, not to mention how better to use her powers. She and Griffin are now married and Cat is pregnant with a girl who will inherit some of Cat’s magic abilities.

Having lost some important people in her life, Cat must fight on in the upcoming fierce battles she and Griffin will face, including a betrayal by Griffin’s brother Piers. Cat will come face to face with Ares and Persephone, who will show their true faces to shock her and us, as she goes down memory lane and those who took care of her as a child (with an evil mother). I really loved this fun and intense part.

Back home, Cat and Griffin prepare for the battle that will either kill them or they will win and bring all the kingdoms (Tarva, Sinta, Fisa) together as one in peace. But first they need their team together as well as some help from other Olympian gods. Cat must also learn to believe in herself, and embrace her powers to have a chance to win. Griffin’s strong love and support for Cat, was beautiful to watch, even if frustrating at times. As Queen, everyone looked to her to be Elpis (hope), and defeat the enemy.

What follows is non-stop action in an intense, suspenseful adventure that had me constantly on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down. At each epic battle, every member of the team will find themselves in death terrifying situations as they face the evil and ultra powerful witch and Queen of Fisa (Cat’s Mother). In fantasy, we have come to expect some of our favorites along the way won’t survive, and this is no different in Heart of Fire.

Cat and Griffin were such an awesome couple, with such hot chemistry and everything about them just poured through the pages filled with LOVE. It was so heartwarming how much they loved each other, and their loyalty to their family and friends. I loved the great secondary characters, especially the Beta team, Griffin’s family, new & old friends. Though she needed to have more faith in herself, Cat was amazing in her strength, loyalty, love, courage in facing every ordeal

Thank you, Amanda Bouchet for another fantastic story that left me sad to see this all end. We can never have enough of Cat & Griffin. If you have not started this series, and you enjoy fantasy, non-stop action, suspense, great characters, and a super wonderful couple; then you should be reading this series, starting with A Promise of Fire, then Breath of Fire, then to Heart on Fire Once again, Amanda Bouchet keeps rising up on my list of favorite authors to read. I for one will not miss anything she writes.

I've loved this series from the very beginning so I was pretty nervous about picking up the final book in the trilogy, I wanted it to end on a high note but at the same time I didn't really want it to end at all! I'm very glad that I can say my first wish came true but I still think there is plenty of scope for more stories set in this world so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get my second wish too. I think Cat and Griffin's main story is done now but I wouldn't mind seeing them in the background while some of the other members of their group get a chance to shine - Carver, Flynn, Kato, Ianthe & Lycheron, a certain Titan we meet in this book, hell even Piers could have a story to tell! Anyway, enough of my hopes for the future, let's get back to discussing the book we've already been given shall we?

What can you expect from Heart on Fire? Cat has come a long way since the first book, she's started letting people into her heart and she's built a family around herself but she still doesn't quite trust herself or her powers. She's terrified of turning into her mother and that fear is stopping her from accessing her magic when she needs it the most. Everything Cat has already been through was nothing compared to what she must face here, now it's time to beat her inner demons and it's harder than she could have dreamed possible. I love how strong the relationship between Cat and Griffin is now and I love that they have such a strong support system around them with the Beta team, Griffin's family and even Cat's friends from her days in the circus. We've known all along that the Olympians have a vested interest in the couple's future but they've stayed pretty much in the background previously so it was nice to see a few familiar gods taking more major roles in this story.

I don't want to give anything away about the plot but you can expect shocking betrayals, surprise revelations, heart stopping action, plenty of heat between Cat and Griffin (although that was toned down slightly from the second book), strong bonds of friendship and the chance to catch up with all the characters we've fallen in love with throughout the series. This is one of the best fantasy romance series that I've come across in a long time and it's definitely one that has earned a spot on my favourites shelf. I can't wait to see what Amanda Bouchet comes up with next, whatever it is will definitely be an auto-buy but please, please, please at least give us some short stories or novellas in this world - I'm not ready to completely say goodbye to these characters yet!

SERIES: Kingmaker Chronicles #3

This review contains spoilers for the previous books in the trilogy.

Cat and Griffin are continuing their journey to take over Fisa and reunite all of Thalyria in peace. After defeating Galan Tarva they’ve also acquired a few more people like Cat’s sister Ianthe and a powerful but erratic fire mage, Bellanca Tarva. On top of everything, Cat now understands her purpose in life and what the Gods and Goddesses want from her and Griffin. Cat knows she must confront her Mother in their final battle but she’s spent her whole life trying to distance herself from the evil temptations her Mother inspires — or forces — in people.

There was plenty of action in this one but like the previous book, Breath of Fire, the Gods and Goddesses were often popping in in the nick of time to help Cat along. I would have preferred a bit less interference but I also understand that they need Cat to succeed in order to change Thalyria for the better. However, even with all their butting in, Cat still has a lot of work to really come to terms with her powers and her purpose. She does a lot of learning and growing in this book, especially because now she has an unborn daughter to think about. Although she figures it out, it took a long time and she's incredibly reckless with her life and others. After coming this far I would have expected more maturity out of Cat but it's just not there.

As usual, I liked Griffin and appreciated his support of Cat. His love and devotion never wavers and he’s truly the partner that Cat needs in this journey. Both Cat and Griffin do a lot to prop each other up when things get too tough. There are a lot of emotional and mental blows in this book that strive to set back this power couple and keep them from winning. It was clear from beginning to end that these two love each other and that love is as much their destiny as peace in Thalyria. However, they did get a bit insufferable a few times when they were soooo lovey dovey in the worst possible moments. On one hand, their love is epic and beautiful and on the other I wanted them to focus on the upcoming war.

For me, the biggest problem I had was with the last 20% of the book which seemed to drag on and on. I did not expect what was coming but it also took a long time to get through the battle and the scenes that follow it. Much of that part of the book involves Cat realizes some important things so we’re pretty much there for each little bit being discovered. However, it felt like it went on for too long for me. I’m also really upset about something that happens to a side character and I can’t really say I’ve come to terms with it. BIG spoiler: (view spoiler) That’s of course personal and nothing against the story, but I really wish it had been different.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Kingmaker Chronicles has been packed full of action and sensuality, and is one of my favorite series over the past year. This riveting conclusion is how I rang in the new year, and it was somewhat bittersweet to know that the series is ending so soon.

In Breath of Fire, we saw Catalia "Cat" Fisa, mature as a character and start to accept her fate as future queen of Thalyria. In Heart on Fire, Cat continues to realize what the gods intended by imbuing her with their power and setting her on the path to become a savior of Thalyria. I liked that Cat was continuously humbled by everyone's belief in her and support of her power bid. I also thought that the touch of vulnerability in Cat when it came to her relationship with Griffin helped humanize her, and soften the edges of our kickash heroine.

Griffin seemed to take more of a backseat in the conclusion. He is not the main character of the series, but he has fallen into more of a supportive and loving role for our heroine. I love that Griffin allows Cat to wield her own power, but that he doesn't let her cow him or run roughshod over the relationship. Griffin is also incredibly demanding in their intimate relationship and takes charge when its most exciting. Yum!

Our team's journey is culminating in the final and most dangerous fight of all - the one against Cat's sadistic and power-mad mother. Before Cat will be able to match and exceed her mother's power, she will have to accept and trust herself and stop feeling guilt over things in the past. Griffin was instrumental on Cat's journey to self-acceptance and I loved how supportive he was, yet knew when to push her when she was getting in her own way. I really enjoyed the appearance of all the various gods in this final installment, including the revelations of the roles that they played in Cat's life.

I somewhat felt like the ending was a bit rushed... however I think that is only because I am sad that the series is ending. I was trying to stretch things out in my mind and the end was just rushing at me. I do hope that Amanda Bouchet will continue the world in some way, perhaps in a spinoff. Cat's sister, Ianthe, is screaming for her own story to be told along side her new companion (who I will not mention to avoid spoilers).

If you are a fantasy romance fan, I definitely recommend that you pick up this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca

What a great ending to Cat and Griffin’s story. I’ve loved everything leading up to and including this book. This is fantasy at its finest and Ms. Bouchet has set the bar high for other aspiring writers as well as those already established in the genre.

Once more filled with Gods and magic, creatures of the Gods and internal battles along with violent physical battles, Heart on Fire is action packed. I have struggled with Cat’s repeatedly not getting her magic right until she or those around her were almost dead, but I never realized that this was the true test. I appreciated the way this author brought us to this end.

The romance once more takes a back seat and yet the love Cat and Griffin have for each other and their family is the very core of the story. Cat is tested again and again throughout this series, but it is here that she faces her final life changing challenge.

There are no words to express the way this story spreads itself out and then wraps you up within itself. Absolutely loved it!

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Sourcebooks.

I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads

3 Stars.

Heart on Fire is the third, and possibly but hopefully not, the final installment in the Kingmaker Chronicles. This is most definitely not a standalone novel- I strongly suggest starting with the first in the series.

I need to preface this review with how it had been a year and 200+ books since I read the second installment. I wish I had reread parts of the first two books as a catch-up, because, with the complexity of the world-building, even having read and loved the books, I was confused and lost several times over.

Heart on Fire starts off right in the middle of the action. This comes out of nowhere- while it adds drama, I felt it was irrational and out of character (I won't go into who or what happens, but why?) Nearly a quarter of the book took place in the first scene and its aftermath. This is the setup of the novel, yet it doesn't impact the course they were going to take in the first place. It really, truly had nothing to do with the story, rather used to reveal the true nature of two of Cat's nearest and dearest. Chaotic and confusing, as I tried to play catch-up and remember what had happened and who the characters were and their alliances, this opener, encompassing nearly a quarter of the book, felt out of place. There were thrilling, heart-pounding moments during this scene, but also humorous and emotional ones as well, mixed with betrayal and the injustice of being seen in a way you don't see yourself. Powerlessness for the most powerful in the universe the author has created.

With this series, it's not unexpected to have huge, uncontrollable powers revealed exactly when they are needed, or gods dropping in and altering the course of the action, lending an over-the-top feel to the novels.

As a big fan of video games featuring 'adventuring', A Promise of Fire is in the top 10 of my favorite fantasy novels, having a similar feel, with destiny and quests and magics. But the sequels' plots didn't seem as tight, a bit chaotic and all over the place, to be honest. Cat, with her unique powers, and her take-charge attitude, she will forever be one of my favorite heroine, role models. Griffin is a solid character, with realistic actions and reactions- the perfect hero. The side cast is a mix of anything you could imagine, a full spectrum of personalities, emotions, and abilities, lending a humorous or heart-squeezing bent to the storyline. The best of times are when Cat is emotionally connecting to the side characters, her friends and family.

One of the biggest surprises, in the series as a whole, is how the author added heat with the romance. Not often do I find that, without it turning into a paranormal romance, where the story focuses on the romance instead of the plot. Bouchet has created a fantasy series, with a strong romantic thread, that also has spicy between-the-sheets action, without overpowering or overshadowing the 'destiny' plot.

However, I'm a romantic tension reader, so once I know a couple is 'together', I'm good. I needed the romantic focus to shift to another couple after book one, because their longevity solidified, with them just 'together' for two-thirds of the series. With the tension gone, it switched to affirmation. But that's just my reading tastes.

I don't want to go too deeply into the plot, as it's an arc that's been building over three books, driving straight toward Cat's mother. The pacing is quick in some places, fast-forwarding, while sluggish in others due to dialogue and inner monologue. The action is thrilling and heart-pounding, with witty quips. Cat and Griffin are tight, with their Little Bean, and I felt satisfied in this knowledge, to the point I was more curious about the life and love of several of the side characters as they quested beside their King and Queen.

The conclusion is in juxtaposition with the long beginning and rambling middle, rushed and felt incomplete. Is there another book? It just cut off, feeling as if it was missing an epilogue to tie it all together, after three books propelling to this very showdown.

Overall, I applaud the author on the world-building and the characterization. Innovated and intriguing, the addition of mythology mixed with magics was the perfect hook to have readers begging for more. I was entertained across the board, but felt the plot needed some tightening in the execution.

I definitely recommend. In the future, I think I'd get maximum payoff if I reread all three books back-to-back, versus a year apart. The intricacies would be in my head, erasing all confusion- the feverish need for the next would turn into instant gratification, while it was still fresh in my mind, because I'd have the next locked and loaded onto my Kindle. There would be no down-period where disinterest dwells, because I'd have the next immediately. The momentum would carry over. So I seriously suggest reading all three back-to-back.

What an unbelievably fantastic conclusion to the Kingmaker ChroniclesI Ms. Bouchet has woven a heartbreaking and uplighting story of unimaginable loss, grief and unshakable and abiding love. Her imagination is unparalleled for the trials she puts Cat through before Cat realizes what she needs to do to defeat her evil mother. I couldn't read the book fast enough to find out how this book would end. All I can say is wow! An awesome job from a very talented author. I can't wait to see what she'll publish next!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What once would have made a hero seem weak as a follower to his heroine's leader, is not the case in the Kingmaker Chronicles. Griffin's strength is obvious and his ability to follow and love his role at her back makes him even more desirable as a partner to Cat.

Heart on Fire was all about Cat learning how much power she holds and how to use it. To be honest, the lessons learned were HARSH!! I found myself shocked at how many times Cat had faced torture and heartbreak, to later learn it was a lesson from the gods. The lessons were to harden her heart, trust wisely and look within herself to find the way. On the flipside, she also had to express her love, give trust to those who earned it and look around to find support.

Griffin again steals the show for me. He is loyal, thoughtful, kind and caring which balances out his strong, bossy and possessive nature. Griffin’s devotion to Cat is steadfast and I never doubted that she was his whole world and he would die to protect her. What at times comes across as a dangerous need to save the world, is really just a need to make his family safe. Griffin is a champion to his people and a truly deserving leader.

One of the hardest things to get my head around while reading the Kingmaker Chronicles was that a mother could be so evil. Seriously, this woman made my skin crawl with her self-serving, power-hungry ways. Sure, I know there is evil everywhere and mothers are not exempt, but it’s still hard to get. My mind struggles to compute how a woman who has grown and given birth to a child, can torture and watch them suffer. I struggled, even more, knowing that only death would end her rule and the person tasked by the gods to do it, was her own flesh and blood.

I have really enjoyed the Kingmaker Chronicles and Heart on Fire was an excellent addition to the series. I loved the first in the series, enjoyed but was a little disappointed in the second and the third left me thoroughly satisfied. At times I was a little frustrated that we seemed to be stalled and not moving forward to our goal. Like Cat, I was impatient to unlock the secrets to her magic and angry that the ones she hoped would guide her seemed to disappear in her time of need. There is one particular part towards the end of the story that will have readers sitting up in alarm but have no fear as nothing is as it seems.

Cat is the protector, defender, leader and hope for her people. Griffin is the strong, resilient, loyal and loving partner to light her way. Together, they are everything that is needed to right the wrongs. Their love story is amazing and I hope this is not the end of the journey.

As per usual, I've rambled all over the place, so, if you've made it to the end, CONGRATULATIONS!! All the best to everyone over the holidays and to all those who celebrate MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

The third and final installment in the Kingmaker Chronicles, Heart on Fire shows us a more introspective Cat. Pregnant with she and Griffin's first child, living finally means more to Cat than conquering the world. She is starting to think before she leaps into danger and that second guessing has made her powers even more unreliable. She has got to figure things out before she goes to war with her mother or she and her new family don't stand a chance.
This series has been one of my favorite new romantic fantasy series and Griffin and Cat made my top 5 romantic couples of all time. I had mixed feelings about reading this last novel because I just didn't want their story to end. Even though Heart on Fire showed us a more emotional Cat and less of a kick but heroine, it fit. Cat has found her heart in Griffin, their baby, his family and her friends on the Beta team and she has a lot to lose in this final battle with her mother. Griffin's support remains steadfast and even though they have a few really difficult final challenges to overcome he always chooses Cat. Griffin is every woman's fantasy mate and he lives up to that title in Heart on Fire.
Even though I said I didn't want Cat and Griffin's story to end, I'll admit, I was a little impatient with all of Cat's introspection. I was used to the fast pace of the previous two novels, more action than introspection, so the change in pace took a little getting used to. However, once I adjusted I realized that I felt more connected to Cat than I had been. Truthfully, in the first two books Griffin was the character I was more enthralled with because he was such an Alpha male in love, which is really attractive.  I took note of Cat's emotions, but her thoughts and emotions were secondary. Heart on Fire made me have more empathy for Cat, giving the finale more impact.
If I ranked the three books Heart on Fire would fall at #3. It was my least favorite of the three but at the same time it was a great ending to the series. These characters needed to grow in the direction Amanda Bouchet wrote in order for their emotional arc's to be complete. Cat and Griffin went from two dimensional to bright 3D technicolor...right where they belong.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

The third entry in the Kingmaker Chronicles has Catlia aka the Great White Hope (sorry, I had to), has been crafted by the Gods (no really) to unite the three kingdoms into one Thalyria. With the unconditional love and support of Griffin, and the unending loyalty of her Beta team, she manages to survive trial upon trial to finally fulfill her destiny….or does she??? Ahem, well it’s a romance, so….yeah, romance happens.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between

The Good. This series has been building towards a confrontation between Cat and her mother, and there are some intense, huge scenes that really drive this train to the final destination. Sacrifices are made, lives are lost, and the final showdown was not what I expected, certainly more emotional than I expected, I think it all wraps up in a way that makes sense within the central theme of hope. The ways we hold onto it, the ways we can lose it, and….I couldn’t put it down as I tore through the last third of the book. I needed to see how it all wrapped up. Before I knew it, it was four o’clock in the morning and my sleep was screwed. I wept for the losses experienced (and definitely for one in particular), but it was worth it.

Cat and Griffin’s love gets stronger, grows deeper and is a true partnership. These two adore each other, and the romance, that thing that always brings me to the yard, was spectacular. Now, because this is a fantasy series, the way the Greek mythology is used continues to be strong and Ms. Bouchet expanded on this theme even more in this book. There’s a cinematic quality to the action scenes that made me long to see this on a big screen. Action is a tricky thing to pull off in a book, and I think Ms. Bouchet nailed it.

The (not really) Bad just different. The lulls between the big moments were slower than I would have liked. I would have liked a bit more of a wrap up, and the convenience of that final sacrifice that allows Cat fulfill her destiny? It’s done by the last person I expected, and I’m still not sure what I think about it. It’s sweet, almost fairy tale like and very hopeful, and perhaps I’m a bit too cynical. Nevertheless, it’s an ending that made

Everything in Between. This category I still consider good, but not the focal point of the story. The loose ends, of which there are many, makes me feel as if this isn’t the end, but only the beginning to several spinoffs from this series. And to be clear, I want more of the secondary characters in this tale. I want to know what happens to them, and there is clearly plenty of story to tell with them that can enrich this ‘verse even more.

The Bottom Line 4.25 stars
I really enjoyed the (apparent) finale of this series. When I, the loather of the cliffhanger, can read a series that takes three books to tell the full tale and it STILL leaves me wanting more? It’s a series I can heartily recommend. If you’re into fantasy romance, I would encourage you to check this out.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**

4.5 stars

Heart on Fire was a great conclusion to the Kingmaker Chronicles. There was so much going on, and the author had me on an emotional-rollercoaster throughout the book. It was very unpredictable and had a couple of plot twists. What I really enjoyed was the mythology and all the mythical creatures that made an appearance in this series. It is clear that the author Amanda Bouchet has an incredible creative mind, and I applaud her for the world she has created for this series. I was fully connected to all the main characters. I was a part of the team and felt every emotion they did. There were times I couldn't contain my tears and other times I was pumped up for a fight.

"You're the best man I know, and the only man I want. You're a torch, not the dark. I look at you, and all I see is fire and light."

In this book Cat has to confront her evil mother once and for all. It won't be an easy fight, because she is so powerful. I loved how supportive and protective Griffin and the Beta Team were. Griffin is definitely one of my all time favorite book boyfriends. He was an alpha but wasn't afraid to let Cat fight her own fights. There were a couple of heartbreaking scenes, but also many uplifting ones. The writing, storytelling and character development was amazing. The book wasn't perfect in my opinion, because some scenes left me wanting more or didn't have the punch I expected it to have. Especially the ending left me unsatisfied and I still have a couple of unanswered questions, so I need a spin-off focusing on the members of the Beta team. I am not ready to say goodbye to these incredible characters!

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Book Three of the Kingmaker Chronicles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Who is Catalia Fisa?

With the help of pivotal figures from her past, Cat begins to understand the root of her exceptional magic, her fated union with Griffin Sinta, and Griffin's role in shaping her destiny.

Only Cat holds the key to unlocking her own power, and that means finally accepting herself, her past, and her future in order to protect her loved ones, confront her murderous mother, and taking a final, terrifying step--reuniting all three realms and taking her place as the Queen of Thalyria.

What doesn't kill her will only make her stronger...we hope.

What I Liked:

Heart on Fire was not a fun ride for me. It wasn't all bad, but it definitely wasn't all good. I found myself more annoyed with the book than anything else, despite enjoying parts here and there. The book felt lackluster compared to the previous two books - in fact, I think it's safe to say that the series went straight downhill after book one. Book two was good but not as good as book one... book three lacked a lot of quality.

In this sequel novel, Cat and Griffin must defeat Cat's mother once and for all. But to do so, Cat must reach into her powers and control them, which she has yet to do. The kingdom of Thalyria is in her hands. If she can't find control, everything falls.

Things I liked... I enjoyed the romance. Griffin and Cat are a strong, solid pair, and this book proves that they are good for each other and good together. There are moments when Cat is afraid of how much the Gods interfered with their lives to direct their fates, but nothing ever comes between Griffin and Cat. I love how devoted they are to each other - it's absolutely not one-sided, not by far. Their trust and respect for each other really grows and strengthens in this book.

I adore Griffin, though he seemed to be a little one-dimensional in this book (i.e. only obsessed with Cat's safety and well-being). On the one hand, this is great theoretically... on the other hand, the man should have other priorities and interests. I love Griffin, with his strength, loyalty, and warrior/warlord overprotective, dominating nature, but I wish he had more to him besides being up Cat's a**. Boys today have hobbies like video games and sports. Griffin needs hobbies. I still love him. He's my favorite character of the series. But. One-dimensional.

The pacing of the story is good - I never got bored and I rolled right along to the end. I didn't necessarily like the story but I had no trouble getting through the book. So that's a plus! The author's writing has improved with each other. (I can't say the same about other things).

Cat is something I will talk about in the next section. I couldn't stand her. However, I will say that I'm glad she finally realized her potential and got over herself (girlfriend has been moping and wallowing for the entire series).

Hmmm, I thought there was more that I liked. I'll have to reconsider my rating. I didn't even really like the ending!

What I Did Not Like:

I could not staaaand Cat. I understand that the author was trying to portray her as feminist and strong and kickbutt and blah blah blah but Cat came across as very self-centered and self-involved in this book. Everything was about her, especially with the amount of wallowing and self-pitying she was doing. Throw in the fact that she is suuuuuper special on all fronts and we have a girl with a massive ego! Take it down a notch, sweetie! I don't like it when male protagonists have huge egos. I like it just as little when female protagonists have huge egos.

And on that note -- why is it that Cat has every single special power conceivable? She has the powers of the Gods, just because? How is it that she is so magical and powerful and a special snowflake? I didn't understand this - it seemed like a lot of deus ex machina. Cat had absolutely no flaws when it came to her abilities - abilities kept manifesting and manifesting and again, it seemed to be a lot of deus ex machina. I wasn't buying the whole "hard to kill" thing. I wasn't buying the "child of the Gods" thing. It seemed like a lot of luck and a free-for-all when it came to Cat claiming abilities left and right.

Back on the whole egoistical thing - please explain to me why Griffin was so wholly and utterly obsessed with Cat and only Cat. The man lived and breathed for her - I don't understand why? It was beyond obsession - I mean, he was literally created for her therefore he is her puppet? Like I said in the previous section, men tend to have hobbies... why is Griffin only focused on Cat? Isn't he the one conquering realms, leading his (royal) family, etc.? He seemed so one-dimensional because his priority was only Cat, and that to me is FAKE. Not sexy.

Seguing into my next complaint - WHY is Cat the queen of Thalyria and HOW is she such. I don't understand. She literally does N O T H I N G for Thalyria (other than face her mother three times in the book and hesitating every single time and letting her mother the evil witch escape every time). Everyone else fights for Thalyria, dies for Thalyria, goes to the ends of the earth for Thalyria, but Cat... Cat lets everyone do the work for her. Instead, she drags Griffin on some merry quest to find a magic potion that will magic help her control her powers... meanwhile her powers are utter crap and when they find the potion, it doesn't work (you'll see what I mean). Cat. Is. Useless. The author elevated Cat to Queen (and put her over Griffin even though he is King) because that's the ~feminist~ way to write fiction these days -- bulls**t. Cat has no experience being a royal and no business being a queen. She. Is. Useless.

Let me repeat: U S E L E S S.

The author has YET to address Kato's trauma from book two! Helloooo, the man went through rape and we don't see any kind of PTSD or lasting emotional or mental impacts? Did he just magically forget about the experience? There is no mention of it, and Kato pretty goes about his business as usual. This is TERRIBLE storytelling. You can't put a fairly "main" character through some serious trauma and NOT ADDRESS IT.

The ending was awful! It was one of those endings in which the war is over and la dee dah, the book is over! Everyone lives happily ever after! Never mind that they are uniting three realms, which is ALWAYS very peaceful and happy. Sure, Jan.

This book was a mess.

Would I Recommend It:

I actually do not recommend this book. I mean, don't leave the series hanging, if you've read books one and two. If you've only read book one, I would recommend stopping there. Book one is the best of the series. Book two is okay but not amazing. Book three is crap and a big mess. Of course, these are my opinions. I'm pretty upset that the series is concluding badly (for me), with this mess of a book. There was a distinct lack of quality, and I think that comes from a lack of experience and a desperate needs to force a "feminist" character with feminist themes into the book. Instead we have a Mary Sue that gets all the credit but does no work.

Rating:

2.5 stars -> rounded down to 2 stars. I tried! I really did. This series had so much potential. Now I'm glad I didn't preorder the book because I would have surely cancelled the preorder. I'm not sure I'll read anything by this author again - maybe? Maybe not.

***I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads.****

Amanda Bouchet’s third installment in The Kingmaker Chronicles, Heart on Fire, is just as addictive as the first two and I had no problem getting sucked into Cat’s adventures all over again! I easily devoured the first two books and the third did not disappoint. There were times I had wished I had maybe reread the first two books prior to starting the third, but I managed to find my rhythm eventually. Heart on Fire picks up shortly after where Breath of Fire ends and you’re immediately right in the middle of the action again.
I can’t get enough of Bouchet’s stellar world building and kick ass heroine, Cat. Her characters are well developed and you can’t help but fall in love with Griffin and his Beta Team! I’m just saying I wouldn’t be mad about a novella on some of these guys. Also, I love the way Bouchet is able to effortlessly blend Greek mythology and magic into her book. The Kingmaker Chronicles are the perfect combination of action, adventure, and romance! All In all, Heart on Fire was another fantastic addition to the series and I can’t wait to see what Bouchet has in store for these characters in the future.

5 STARS FOR HEART ON FIRE BY AMANDA BOUCHET

Amanda Bouchet's Kingmaker Chronicles continues with another fascinating, imaginative fantasy. Greek mythology is expertly woven into this tale of struggle with horrendous beasts, gods and demi-gods and just plain evil humans. In contrast with the horrific situations is a group of people some related by blood, many not who built an amazing family and lead a people how desperately need their fairness and strength.

Cat finally comes into her destiny with her full powers as she goes into the biggest fight of her life against her own mother. Griffin remains the most amazing supportive man who also happens to be a big ole alpha in his own right! Swoon.

I was on the verge of being tired of Cat's wishy-washy inability to accept her fate and take charge of her powers when she finally saw the light and embraced it.

This book is filled with fights that seem insurmountable, surprising explanations of previous events, godly intervention and love. Lots of love.

This entire series has had me hooked and Heart of Fire was a satisfying, gripping conclusion.

4 to 4.5 Stars... Overall this was an exciting conclusion to this fantastic fantasy adventure... With many action packed sequences, new godly magic discovered, identities revealed, and destinies to fulfill (and of course some chemistry fueled romance) this conclusion packed a punch... In this finale, Cat seems to reconcile with herself in relation to her destiny as well as her identity; forgiveness becomes a key factor in the overall theme of the story as well as her embracing her role as the Queen... I enjoyed the interplay between all of the characters allowing their relationships to grow and intensify... There seemed to be some loose ends at the end of the story which I am hoping may lead to some spinoffs or novellas????... The ending was understandable but left me wanting something slightly more; it certainly made sense in the overall storyline but felt somewhat lacking for me... As a whole, I enjoyed this trilogy and certainly will gravitate to this author in the future:)

‘Heart on Fire’ is the third and final book in American author Amanda Bouchet’s fantasy romance trilogy, ‘The Kingmaker Chronicles’ released in 2018.

Bingeing a completed series has its up’s and down’s. Instant gratification is always nice, and being able to feel intimately connected to the characters and story for an intense period of time … but unlike reading at the real-time release-pace, it also probably affords you more scrutiny of the series, when you’re able to take in all the moving parts as a whole and see how the long-game mapped out. In this sense, I’ve got to say that Amanda Bouchet’s third and final book in ‘The Kingmaker Chronicles’ trilogy falls maddeningly short. It’s not enough to taint the previous two books (I maintain that Book 1 ‘A Promise of Fire’ also works as a brilliant stand-alone!) but there’s no satisfaction in the end here, and that’s a frustrating note to leave on (for now).

One of the shortfalls of ‘Heart on Fire’ is actually that Amanda Bouchet has done too good a job with her secondary characters, and its highlighted in book three especially when I often felt more inclined to go off on their tangents rather than keeping with Cat. For one thing – it’s the Beta Team trio that I’m sure fans have come to love in Carver, Flynn and Kato. All of these men have had really full characterisations and future-journeys set-up, and they never work better than when off with Griffin and Cat on an adventure. So it’s maddening when Griffin and Cat go off on their own for a majority of this book, breaking the brilliant spell of camaraderie that had so endeared it previously. Never mind that the set-ups for Flynn, Kato and Carver are never followed-through, left dangling for readers to hope for a promise of spin-offs and more …

It was also the addition of a new secondary cast in Cat’s sisters Ianthe and Bellanca who joined at the end of Book 2 – these two are so fascinating, and while Bellanca’s set-up as a possible match for the world-weary brother Carver was a hopeful glint in the distance, Cat’s younger sister Ianthe strikes a truly fascinating bargain with leader of the cantaurs, Lycheron that is 100% worthy of its own series. Bouchet must have realised this somewhat too, because we get (a somewhat unnecessary) independent scene of Ianthe and Lycheron interacting and clearly loving that had me so desperate for the possibilities. And probably a sign that things weren’t concluding satisfactorily enough for me in ‘Heart’ was when Ianthe rode Lycheron off into the distance; I desperately wanted to follow after them and their story …

The last-half of ‘Heart on Fire’ was actually this really strange story of isolation for Cat, that introduced another new character who felt like there was more to them and he was being introduced so as to launch into something new … it’s maddening to meet interesting characters in the literal last-half of a final book. It’s not a cliff-hanger at that point, but a dangling annoyance. And further adding to this was the sad and frustrating end to one character, that also hints at more to come.

And while Bouchet has said she does intend to revisit the ‘Kingmaker’ realm with spin-off stories in future (something I wholeheartedly welcome!) it will be a while before readers get any kind of satisfaction, since Bouchet is launching a new series next year in the urban fantasy ‘Endeavor’ (described as Robin Hood in space). I would have been fine if Bouchet had left readers with such an unsatisfying conclusion if there was definite promise of those spin-offs launching from next year onwards … but instead we’re all painfully aware that she has a new series to invest her time in, so it’ll be a long time before we get any true satisfaction from the ending of ‘Kingmaker Chronicles’ and that’s not the half-full feeling you want to leave readers with in a finale.

It’s also that the Big Bad Arc was underwhelming executed in the end too. More a whimper than a scream, and it’s probably partly wrapped up in how many new characters had nabbed my attention, and how frustrating not knowing where favourites ended up that also dulled the final blows … but overall this was indeed a maddening wrap-up of poor pacing and patchy characterisation that doesn’t quite taint the series whole, but also doesn’t leave readers with a great taste at the end. A shame.

2.5/5

Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Paranormal Romance -Jan. 2nd, 2018
4 stars

As the third in the author magical Kingmaker Chronicles, the action and romance continues.

Cat and her husband Griffin want peace and prosperity with a united land. So far they have conquered two kingdoms and now there is only one left, Fisa. But to do so means Cat must get over the fear of her terrible and malicious mother, the queen of Fisa. Her mother tormented her and killed her beloved sister. Plus her mother’s power are formidable and Cat has never been able to completely best her. In addition, Cat’s pregnancy and lack of confidence seem to have affected her ability to use her powers. Cat must journey to her heart and find the courage and confidence to take on her mother but what if she can’t in time?

This book was bitter sweet. Cat and her wonderful cast of characters are a fun and engaging read. The author’s humor and imagination shine throughout the book. Cat is fiery and entertaining when she isn’t having self doubts. Griffin is the perfect hero and I loved how the author delves more into his thoughts and feelings. It was also great to read about the rest of the Beta team and their relatives. However, the book seems to have fits and starts where Cat is all powerful then almost completely impotent. Her main quest is to master her powers which have seemed to disappear. Most of the story involves Cat realizing she has a mental block that prevent her from accessing her powers. There also a couple shocking areas that do not seem to conclude. And main characters that seem to be floundering with unresolved issues. Which made me wonder if there would be a spin off or more trials for Cat and Griffin in the future. Because of this, the book while ending on triumphant note felt abrupt and unfinished and I ultimately felt left hanging for more. But overall, a welcome return to Cat’s amazing adventures just not my favorite in the series.

Fantastic world building and beloved characters make this book a hit.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

3.5 Stars
It’s come to that time that all bibliophiles both eagerly anticipate…and yet dread. The last book in the series. After faithfully following a series we finally get to see the peak of the action; finally see how it all ends; see who ends up with who; see if our favourite character finally reaches their full potential and see the dastardly villain be smote down by our hero or heroine. Which leads me to HEART ON FIRE, you see all of the above and more. Kind of. Lets take it point by point:

Peak of the action…

Bouchet has definitely delivered a book with some action in it, both magical and with good old fashioned fisticuffs. However, between the exciting action scenes there’s an awful lot of naval gazing and pondering of what it all means. Honestly, it got a bit tiresome. Cat couldn’t seem to take any action without having a deep philosophical conversation with herself about whether she’s turning into her evil mother or contemplating how much she loved Griffin. It slowed the pace of the book and even worse than that; it was boring and repetitive.

How it all ends (no spoilers)…

There is a nice satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, all of which seems to happen in the last 5%. So, if you get to 90% and are wondering if this is really the last book, as I did, keep reading!

Who ends up with who…

Okay, I may have lied a little about this one! We all know Cat and Griffin are solid and I loved seeing their relationship develop to the deep abiding love they have one another. However, now that they’re sorted I want to see what happens with their friends and family! There are lots of hints at couplings, but nothing conclusive. Which gives me hope! I can’t be the only person keeping my fingers crossed for a spin off series, right?

Character reaching their full potential…

Does Cat finally stop the incessant monologue in her head about what kind of person she is…whether she’s too ruthless…too closed up…too damaged and actually get on with it? Yes she does. Cat has come a long way since book one and her character growth is one of the things I like about this series. So, although she may not be my favourite heroine I have enjoyed taking this journey with her.

Villain smiting…

Ha! I am giving no spoilers…you will need to read it to see what happens and if/how the evil queen is defeated. I think we all know the answer to that one. However, it’s not always the destination but the journey that’s important and although the ending is ultimately predictable (or is it?!) that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed the ride.

Conclusion…

This particular book wasn’t my favourite of this trilogy, there was too much talk and not enough action for my tastes. The series as a whole though has been great, the friendships and the romance, the new world that Bouchet has created have all combined to give us a fantastic new voice in fantasy romance. I can’t wait to see what Bouchet brings out next, but whatever it is, I know I will be picking it up, especially if it is a spin off!

4.5/5 shining stars

Heart on Fire was a stunning finale for the Kingmaker Chronicles.

In this final installment, questions were answered, amends were made, lines were crossed, and I loved every minute of it. Bouchet did a fantastic job of weaving greek mythology into her story without it feeling forced. In many books, gods are shoved into little boxes and made to feel disconnected and cruel or practically useless in order to either emphasize their power or their humanity. Bouchet was able to include a plethora of mythological beings in her writing without creating either of those feelings, the plot flowed seamlessly around these characters and actually answered a lot of questions that arose from their involvement in the previous books.

“You saw something in me. You saw the light when all I saw was the dark. You made me believe there was more to me than the blood I’ve shed, the sister I lost, or the realm I abandoned. You broke through the dread in me and filled the emptiness inside me with hope. Elpis.”

YOU GUYS… I cannot get enough of Griffin and Cat, throughout the entire trilogy Amanda Bouchet was able to make them feel real, and that is what makes this trope so perfect. I hate it when books force ac couple, or it’s instalove and everything just feels cheap, but no. Cat and Griffin worked for it, it took REAL work, and I adore that. Throughout these books we have been able to watch Griffin and Cat grow together and in turn watch Cat become the hero that she was meant to become. This wasn’t easy love, this was gut churning, heart wrenching, you-and-me-forever love.

I really appreciated the character development in this final book. Cat has been growing throughout the books, but I think the growth she achieved in this book was exactly how it needed to end- she found balance. Throughout the entire trilogy Cat has struggled to hold tightly to her humanity at the cost of her loved ones, her health, and so much more. However, in this book Cat also manages to Michael Jordan dunk her way across THE line and waves at her humanity on the other side, completely abandoning the morality that she struggled so much to maintain, but she had to. I won’t get into the details to avoid spoilers but holy smokes when you get to chapter 23… She had to cross that line in order to find the balance she needed, and that made this book so much better because Cat is flawed. She is flawed and stubborn and has too little self-esteem, but she is so real. Cat is you, Cat is me, she is each of us when we are thrust into a destiny we cannot control.

I feel like Bouchet not only wrote a beautiful story, but she jam packed it with a ton of life lessons that we could apply to so many things. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cat grow and face real life problems in her larger-than-life, mythological problems. She faces and learns to solve real problems like Carver’s alcoholism and her self-trust and self-esteem issues.

Can we talk about Cat’s trust and self-esteem issues for a minute? Honestly, this is one of my only complaints about the book. For so long, Cat will not trust herself. She’s queen, she leads an army, she plans to unite all of Thalyria and yet she will not trust herself. And this mistrust leads to long, very drawn out dialogues in her head that it really stilts the story. I understand that this is a huge piece of the plot, and I think it’s valuable, I just think many of her self-loathing thoughts could have been left out while still maintaining all the important points.

Lastly, the ending. Obviously, I’m not going to spoil it here, but I do think it was rather anti-climatic. The previous books, and even this one, had some really epic fight scenes and a lot of the best ones involve Cat’s megalomaniac of a mother. I really love the scenes with Cat’s mom, they’re always so intense. The ending was decent, but it just felt like it was to cheap, like something was missing. Cat and Griffin came so far, worked so hard for them to realize what it would take to defeat Cat’s mother and it’s just over like that? I really don’t know how I feel about that.

I loved Cat and Griffin, they’re definitely the epitome of fantasy couple.

SPOILERRRRRR—

FREAKING TARTARUS- I did not see that coming

WHERE THE HECK IS KATO?!

Are Carver and Bellanca a thing?

EEK!

I hope everyone enjoys Heart on Fire as much as I did, because it was a roller coaster of ups and downs, betrayals and plot twists, and I couldn’t get enough.

*ARC generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

“I am caught. You caught me. Not the other way around. From the very first day. And from the very first day, I would have done anything for you—except let you go. I couldn’t. Not when deep down, I knew we were meant to be like this. To love like this.”

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

So. Many. Questions.

I have enough loose ends to make a sweater. This is how it ended? Really? The entire series has been action-packed and fraught with turmoil, and then it just ends. I groaned when I looked down and saw there was only 1% left in the book. I knew that meant there would be no further explanations, and that it was unfortunately the only conclusion I would be getting. It was incredibly anticlimactic, which was honestly a surprise.

I wish Cat had fewer and shorter inner monologues. They would last page after page even in the middle of a battle. The girl has the thought process of a snail. I didn't mind her thoughts and explanations, I just wish they had been condensed. That time could have been better spent evolving other characters or the story. I still don't feel like I know them well enough. Kato is definitely my favorite, which is why (view spoiler)

I know it sounds like I didn't like this book, or the series, but surprisingly that's not true. I really enjoyed these books. I quite literally could not put them down. I think I read the last two books in just three days. I stayed up entirely too late to finish them, too. The story itself is captivating and mind-consuming. The Greek Mythology, always a bonus for me, was phenomenal. I love that Persephone and Ares were a main focus. Persephone isn't always a god that's given a lot of attention, and Bouchet shows a softer side of Ares. Who knew he could be compassionate? He's always portrayed as a brute.

I did love these books, there were just really big things that I found infuriating and wish had been written a little differently. There were a few unexpected twists, and I can't believe I didn't figure some of them out sooner. It was like a slap to the forehead when they were revealed.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on Saturday, January 6th 2018

“My heart is on fire, Griffin. I don't know when it'll stop.”

Heart on Fire is the emotional conclusion to Amanda Bouchet’s spectacular Kingmaker Chronicles trilogy which blends magic, mystery, mythology and wonder with Amanda’s storytelling genius. I have utterly inhaled this series from the beginning and genuinely could not wait to dive into this finale.

This is veritably a series that needs to be read in order as Catalia Fisa, the fabled Kingmaker, and Griffin Sinta, her match in every way, have undergone a compelling and breathtaking journey spanning all three books in their noble quest to re-unite the three realms in the kingdom of Thalyria. There’s still much in store for the couple herein including multiple gut-wrenching confrontations with Cat’s powerful and heartless mother.

Heart on Fire takes up right where Breath of Fire left off as the power couple of Cat and Griffin are mobilizing their forces for the upcoming invasion of Fisa. Throughout the series to this point, Cat has been becoming more familiar and proficient with her powers; but they are hit and miss, and lately, more absent than not. So, the two leave their Alpha/Beta team to continue training the masses who are joining with them daily and just the two of them embark on a dangerous pilgrimage to visit the hermit of Frostfire, a powerful witch who resides in Cat’s childhood home of Fisa, her monstrous mother’s domain. The witch is purported to have a potion to unlock magic. It almost seems too simple and easy. Indeed, it is…

I loved this installment, but not quite as much as the previous two. That is not to say that it didn’t hold my interest and that I didn’t enjoy it. The story is still addictive. There are thrills and chills galore with plenty of action and tense suspense. Griffin is still Cat’s relentless stalwart rock. Their love is verily timeless and their love scenes are intoxicating - literally taking my breath away with their fervor. However, Cat has her kickass moments – but, instead of continuing her metamorphous into the powerful, confident super being she is meant to be, she doubts herself and her ability to do what she needs to do for much of this installment. Cat and her power, when they do manage to coalesce, lack balance. It’s frustrating! Thankfully, she does pull it together at the end, but I – along with her strong support structure of gods and goddesses - wanted to thoroughly shake some sense into her too many times to count along the way.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Heart on Fire:

“You'll still be my light in the dark, Cat. Even if you fall.”
---
“I thought you of all people would understand.”
“Understand what? Being an idiot? I am an expert idiot,” I say. “I practice all the time.”
---
“How do you know?”
I look at him like he’s one Centaur short of a herd. “Soothsayer, remember? I know stuff.”

I’ve read that Amanda is writing more stories set in this world and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I want to be there when Little Bean makes her appearance! I also want to read more about Griffin’s family and his team including their recent fiery addition and, please, we need Ianthe’s story and Kato’s too!

I’m so glad to have been onboard for this phenomenal epic romantic fantasy series. I’m an avowed mythology lover and have been since I was little. I also enjoy suspenseful mysteries with plenty of fast-paced action and this series has delivered all of those elements and more. Heart on Fire is the happily-resolved, captivating ending to a beautifully written series.

My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there!

Three and a half stars. Oh dear, what a disappointment.

The climax to the Kingmaker Chronicles trilogy was, I'm sad to say, a bit of a yawn.

Spoilers ahead for the first two books.

At the end of the second book Cat and Griffin have conquered two of the three parts of the ancient Thalyria.

Griffin and his non-magical family overthrew the magical family which previously ruled Sinta, Griffin being the Beta Sinta and his elder sister being the Alpha. In the second book Cat, Griffin and their friends gain access to the ruling family of Tarva by winning the Agon Games and, with the help of two of the minor Tarvan royals kill the Tarvan Alpha and become the King and Queen. Now the only remaining realm is that ruled by Cat's psychotic mother Alpha Fisa.

Where to start? First, I couldn't work out which of Cat and her mother was the greatest fool. Cat's mother had the advantage of being more mature, having control of her magic, and being hard-hearted yet she signally failed to kill Cat on several occasions, because just like a Bond villain she liked to toy with her victims and gloat. On the other hand, Cat frequently had her mother at her mercy and then DID NOTHING. And don't get me started on the smexy times, I mentioned it in both the previous books as being excessive and out of place but jeez, you are supposed to be building tension for the grand confrontation and we kept detouring into kissy-kissy.

The gods and goddesses interfere so much in this book, and admit they have interfered time and time again that frankly Cat and Griffin just became puppets, puppets to whom the gods gave absolutely no instructions! I know the gods and goddesses are capricious and have vision beyond the ken of humans but it just left me with the feeling that nothing Cat did (or didn't do) had any meaning. Added to which Cat seemed to go off into deep navel-gazing sessions where she realised that she was a very special snowflake indeed and I just lost interest. Even the final confrontation was a bit meh.

In retrospect I wish I had left the series at the end of the first book.

Heart of Fire was an electrifying ending to a series that was beautifully brutal in every way.

In A Promise of Fire, readers were first introduced to the world of Magoi's, a magical race from the north that descend from the Gods, and the Hoi Polloi, a mundane southern race looked down upon because of their lack of magic. Where we met Catalia Fisa, the Kingmaker, and her match in every way, Griffin Sinta. Mysteries abounded, tension sizzled, tempers flared, trust took it's first tentative steps, and a romance bloomed. In Breathe of Fire though, that same trust and love was shattered and rebuilt, friend's were lost, and new beginnings made. Now, in Heart on Fire, Cat and Griffin must unite all of the kingdoms in Thalyria, including Cat's childhood home of Fisa, in order to complete Griffin's vision of reuniting the three realms and fulfilling the God's ultimate plans. Which means confronting Cat's own mother, who is as terrifying as she is powerful, and her own painful past.

Amanda Bouchet, who debuted with this series, excels at weaving a compelling world of magic and myth. The vivid world-building, heart-pounding action, memorable humor, and fervent romance has had me enchanted from the start. Mythology lovers can rejoice with this final installment. Not only do we find out that some of Cat's friends are more then what they seemed, but several more God's, Titan's, and Goddesses grace the pages of Heart of Fire too. Epic quests will ensue and prophecies will be fulfilled. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, just waiting to see what would be thrown Cat and Griffin's way next! The chemistry and passion between Cat and Griffin was intense as ever. The love that they share is beyond sigh-worthy. I am desperately hoping for a spin-off from this series that feature Griffin's family and Alpha/Beta Team. The dynamics between this group of characters was as lively as always, especially with the addition of a new fiery member. The loss of one or two key members, shakes their foundation, but with the support of each of these charismatic characters, there is never any fear of it crumbling.

What I found to be disappointing in this final installment (which is why I am rating this a 4, instead of a 5) was Cat herself. In the first two books she was a bad-ass, take-no-shit, independent woman with an ever-developing soft side when it came to those she loved. In Heart on Fire though, Cat seemed to loose all of those strong, endearing qualities that I enjoyed so much. At times, I couldn't even fathom her thought process and decisions. There were many instances where she would be on the verge of giving up completing and needed rallying from outside sources. This didn't jive with the Cat I've come to know. I could see her character softening up a little, that would have fallen in as part of her natural growth, but this seemed like a whole new character at times and disturbed the flow of the book and series ARC.

That discrepancy notwithstanding, I still found Heart on Fire to be a captivating, satisfying, unforgettable story. I'll be keeping my eyes out for news on more stories from this world in the future! If you're a fantasy and romance lover, the Kingmaker Chronicles is a series not to be missed. You'll definitely want to start at the beginning, as this is not a series that you can jump into mid-way, but it will be well worth it!

*COPY COURTESY OF PUBLISHER

He captured her and then captured her untamed heart. Magic and non-magic combine to fight and win against all odds, but there is still one last hurdle. She must defeat her powerful, wicked mother. Cat doubts, but Griffin and all the others see her as their hope. It's time for her to come into her own.

Heart on Fire is the third and final installment in the Kingmaker Chronicles. It is the third part of a story and must be read in order.

I'm going to pause here to say that anyone who hasn't started the series yet, but are considering it for a future read should probably not read any further. That first book and the second have some amazing twists that I don't want to spoil for anyone.

So, Cat and Griffin have just come through alive after the games and hold yet another piece of the puzzle on their quest to unite the three lands together and end Alpha Fisa's tyranny. Cat has discovered that caring a child has taught her as little else can not to be so impulsive and to take help. But her fears and guilt weigh her down. A heartbreaking betrayal casts piercing pain and gloom upon everyone and a decision that seems sound almost gets her and Griffin killed.

Cat is being tried by fire and though there are action scenes in this one and whew, was there also some passion though not too much like last book, there are also plenty of introspective and internal battles she must face to emerge as the Queen of Thalesia beside Griffin as ruler of a united land. It was tough reading much of the time for me because she is in a cycle of fear, anger, doubt, confusion, and recrimination. The gods play a bigger role in this one and I felt, like in book two, that it takes away from the story to have them swoop in and join some pretty tense scenes. I was particularly disappointed because they edge Griffin out of the picture to mere bystander much of the time unlike that magnificent warrior who captured Cat's heart, a kingdom, and fought off all enemies beside her.

The climax scene had me riveted, but I confess that I've got mixed feelings about how this one ended. I can't say more without giving up the goods. I'm not sure if I'm right, but there was also room for more if the author wants to take a few side trails of stories off this one. Now, all that being said, the main story arc of the series does come to a satisfying conclusion with Cat and Griffin.

So, all in all, this was a good, engaging read and I'm glad to have read it. It's sad to see the end of the Kingmaker Chronicles. That first book will still be one of my best reads of the year it was released. Fantasy Romance lovers who love fiery heroines, strong worldbuilding and lots of action and suspense in a fantasy setting should give these a go.

Everything in this series has been leading up to these moments and they are finally here. In Heart on Fire, Catalia and Griffin have cemented themselves as rulers of Tarva and are making plans to integrate both Sinta and Tarva with the goal of eventually uniting Thalyria, but in order for that to happen Cat was going to have to confront her worst fear, her mother. Before she was even ready for it, she got her first glimpse of just how difficult the task of defeating her mother was going to be. Griffin also finally saw Cat’s mother up close and personal and realized that he had absolutely underestimated how powerful she truly was. It was going to be the toughest fight they had ever taken on.

It became clear to Cat that before she could even consider effectively battling her mother, she would need to battle her own demons of self-doubt. There were several bombshells that were dropped in this story and with every revelation Cat could feel her insecurities growing. The scope of her destiny was almost more than she could handle but with Griffin by her side, encouraging her and supporting her, she grew into her powers and expectations. Griffin grounded her in every way and wow, there were so many powerful scenes in this story that everything around me faded until all there was Cat and Griffin.

Cat and Griffin have always had an intensity about them and throughout this book their love and commitment to each other grew to a deeper understanding of who they were and what they were together. Griffin is just amazing in every book but in this one he was just so everything! I think that everyone in the world deserves their very own personal Griffin. The intensity that he loves Cat with was nothing short of inspiring! Even with the reveals that occurred during this story, reveals that would make any man possibly doubt his feelings, he stayed steadfast in his devotion. Swoon! Swoon! Swoon! Author Amanda Bouchet knows how to write romance!

If I had to sum up this story I would have to say elpis, which means hope! Hope, is what Catalia comes to embody, hope is what united people from all walks of life. Hope for a new tomorrow and Cat was elpis personified. That was a lot for her to take in and it was a battle for both her and Griffin to determine what choices they truly had versus what their destiny was meant to be. Heart on Fire is a story filled with heartache, betrayal, meddling gods, epic battles, self-sacrifice, love, and above all else – hope. I experienced many emotional highs and lows while reading this book and it was amazing.

The ending was the only thing that kept this story from being a five star for me and I do feel conflicted about that but it is what it is. Heart on Fire is the third and final book in the Kingmaker Chronicles series and it has been a memorable experience. I have enjoyed this series from book one and wowza it had an amazing overarching plot that was carried through this series and was nothing short of brilliant, so good! This is also a series that must be read in order, otherwise you will lose out on the overarching plot which makes this series as spectacular as it is. Overall, Heart on Fire is a romance fantasy that I highly recommend!

This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

I've loved this series and I'm so pleased there's a happy resolution. Cat and Griffin are this awesome power couple driven to protect others and yet Cat has suffered so much. I loved knowing Griffin was always meant for Cat and yes those meddling Olympians actually featured quite heavily in this book. I know that Cat is the embodiment of hope for a new world but really I wanted a bit more action. What we get is Cat struggling to understand and control her powers so she is almost on a quest to unlock that which she is not able to rely on and as the time to confront her evil mother approaches she will really need to pull out the big guns.
I absolutely loved the first two books in this series but unfortunately just liked this instalment. At times too much grand standing and very wordy but light on action. The Gods frequently pop in but really if this is their big plan couldn't they help more? Yes Cat has to trust herself but honestly I thought at times Griffin was pushed too far into the background. Plus the ending felt anticlimactic as her mother acts completely out of character and although I can see that the author wasn't comfortable with matricide with so many Gods in this story couldn't there have been a different outcome ? After all they excel at fiendish punishments but no that wasn't to be.
The mark of a good writer is when they can pull emotions out of their readers that are unexpected. This story is no different and I truly had a lump in my throat as Cat faces desperation and heartbreak. Fear not though as everything happens for a reason. So Cat and Griffin achieved the greatness that they deserved but I'm still left with questions. Will Carver find love with a hot headed woman, what on earth will a Titan get up to and even more urgent will we get Lanthes story? Oh yes there's definitely scope for the author to revisit these characters and honestly I can't wait.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This was the conclusion to a great fantasy romance with Greek mythology influences.

Book 3 picks up right after Cat, Griffin and the Beta team win the Agon Games and they take over Tarva. They are almost at their goal of reuniting Thalyria and becoming the Alpha couple. All that is left is to defeat Fisa which means defeating Cat's mother.

What really stands out in this book is the heroine Catalia. This is totally her show. She is definitely the the alpha female. The power she yields is like none ever seen. Now don't get me wrong Griffin is an alpha in his own right but this book was all about Cat and he definitely took a back seat.

I loved all the action in this book. I definitely feel like I have closure as a lot of questions are answered. The one critique I have is that there was not much romance in this book. I would have wanted to feel more intimacy and more of a connection between Cat and Griffin. I don't know, it just felt like I needed more. The story really focuses on Cat learning to use and understand her power to defeat her mother. So I felt like her relationship with Griffin was not really the focus which is fine I guess.

I LOVED the secondary characters in this book! I am so smitten with the Ipotane alpha, Lycheron. His strength and virility was so potent. Gah! Now he needs his own book! I also loved Bellanca, the ex-Tarvan princess. Talk about having some spunk.

If you are looking for a fantasy book with a strong heroine then you will love this book.

4 Stars
Fantasy Romance
Series: Book 3 of 3 (Must be read in order)
Heat Level: Light
HEA

(www.NightOwlRomance.com) Amanda Bouchet brings The King Maker Chronicles to its conclusion in "Heart of Fire". It all started in "A Promise of Fire" and ramped up in "Breath of Fire". It has been a vivid and compelling journey following Cat from hidden fortuneteller to queen. Talk about epic battles and adventures. You get it all in this series. In "Heart on Fire" you get more of the epic battles than the adventure. I wanted more adventure as that's part of these fantasy books that I crave. Still, I enjoyed this book and all the family dynamics. Plus all the love that shown through between Cat and Griffin. Now that was EPIC! Readers just finding out about this series must get book one before proceeding to book two and three. That's a must, not an if you feel like it. This book has no context without reading the first two in order. So rush over now and get started on "A Promise of Fire".

In this third book we get Cat and her mother's contemptuous relationship wrapped up. Long live the queen...our queen Cat. Plus we get a glimpse at what the future has in store for her and Griffin.

I enjoyed seeing Cat and Griffin succeed in their dreams and lives. I did wish for more adventurous travels across the exotic lands. But most of all I'm looking forward to seeing what Amanda Bouchet has planned for her next book or series. I know it's going to be epic.

Review by: Tthe store
NOR voluntarily reviewed a reviewer copy.

Heart on Fire is the third and final book in Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet. I really enjoyed first two books and was eagerly awaiting the conclusion. I love the fantasy world that Amanda Bouchet created and I love the characters, Cat, Griffin, and the Beta team. I loved reading about their adventures, the dangers they faced, and the adversaries they were working to overcome in order to build a better life for the citizens of Thalyria. In the beginning of Heart on Fire they still have one formidable enemy (Andromeda) to fight in order to accomplish their dream.

Overall I enjoyed Heart of Fire, my only complaint is that I wanted more action. The first two books build up to the final battle in the war against Cat's mother, Andromeda. The armies are assembled and trained, important alliances are made, Cat is perfecting her powers. So in Hearts on Fire I was expecting and hoping for a really epic final battle between Cat and Griffin's people and Andromeda, and I must say I didn't get it. The final showdown was anticlimactic and a tad disappointing. The ending was too abrupt and left me wanting more.

I will definitely read more books by Amanda Bouchet because I love Kingmaker Chronicles, especially first two books, A Promise of Fire and Breath of Fire. And I would still highly recommend this series to fantasy and romance lovers.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss

This book suffers from a lot of flaws. Firstly, a year has passed since the last book, and while it was memorable, it wasn’t that memorable. Secondly, the plot was lacking. Which brings me to my third point, this book fell short. I know the author has potential, but it took a year for this? Really?

I really enjoyed this series, but Heart of Fire is probably my least favorite out of the three books. I was expecting to see some powerful scenes involving the Beta Team, but the majority of the book was about Cat's insecurities. Then add all the declarations of love by Griffin... to the point where it just didn't seem fitting.

I was more excited to read about the other characters: Carver, Bellanca, and Ianthe. Hopefully they all get their own books soon!

Although I think this book didn't tie everything nicely, the overall series is solid. Amanda Bouchet does a wonderful job creating a world full of heroes and monsters.

"Do you know what I have in my heart? I have hope. And I'll share it with the world."
And she did. Cat shared with me her hope, her dreams, her fears, her lust and her love, she set my heart ablaze, and left me a wet, sobbing mess.

As expected, Heart on Fire was the perfect blend of steam, humor and heart pounding adventure! Once again, Amanda Bouchet excelled in the fantasy romance genre, and encompassed me in the journey of her heroes until all I could see, breathe and feel was them. The third instalment of the Kingmaker Chronicles followed Cat and Griffin’s efforts to reunite the land of Thalyria, and defeat the Fisan Queen and her polluted magic. In this final confrontation they were not alone; the Beta Team, their family, and some very powerful (albeit cruel) Olympians were on their side. With their gifts and their strength, their determination and devotion, they raised an army to challenge the wicked and defend the weak. Because that’s what they were made for.

Amanda Bouchet has the incredible talent to make your belly tremble with genuine, deep laughter, your eyes sting and water, your body tingle and your toes curl, all of them in the same book. Without losing Cat’s trademark sarcasm and her brash behavior, Heart on Fire was a traumatic but also a cathartic experience, for Cat and for the reader alike. The sassy heroine who grew up amidst fear and darkness, power games and distrust, but who was also loved, fiercely, unconditionally and reverently, concluded her journey, discovered herself and embraced her limitless potential after facing countless trials, physical and emotional. She reached her breaking point many times, and her refusal to believe in herself, to find the balance between kindness and ruthlessness almost cost her everything and everyone she held dear. But in this difficult road to self-discovery, she had by her side the haven to her tempest, Griffin. Their scenes varied between richly emotional and scorching hot (after all, it’s called fantasy romance for a reason), and Griffin’s unwavering loyalty and faith was really touching. And dreamy. And sexy, to be honest.

In Heart of Fire, free will clashed with destiny, in a lethal dance to fulfill one's Fate without depriving them of choice. Cat and Griffin were designed to be the pawns which were set into motion by the Gods themselves, and the meddling of the latter in human affairs was stronger than ever. But the power couple of Thalyria carved their own path, with their bare hands, with sweat and blood and desire to actually make a change, to fight for the oppressed and give them Elpis, hope for better days under the sun. Battles of epic proportions, Olympians radiating power and Elemental Magic made Heart on Fire unputdownable. Your ears ringed when swords collided, your skin prickled with the tangible essence of magic, and Beta Team was your team, their agony, their struggles, they touched you to the core.

Frankly, I hope that this bizarre yet wonderful feeling of burning to cinders because of your all-consuming love for characters so precious will never stop. Amanda Bouchet delivered an explosive, fast-paced and sizzling conclusion to a series that hooked my mind and my soul from the start, and I can’t help but repeat that Amanda, I kardia mou sou anikei. My heart belongs to you.

(Friendly advice: When you read Heart on Fire, have the tissues nearby. You’ll need them.)

4 stars

This was a very good story and ending to the series. Cat and Griffin are solidly together and doing well when the story begins. They still have a Kingdom to win away from Cat's mother so they can reunite all 3 lands and it's going to be a tough task. Cat, Griffin and their family/friends work towards that goal but there is a lot of obstructions. TBH, I really enjoyed this story and would have given it 5 stars but there were a few instances of angst in the story that seemed rather pointless, like they were put in the story just to extend it. Regardless, I did enjoy this story very much and was very happy to see things work out for everyone. I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it. :)

* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a very good job.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WHEW. That was a heck of a ride. From the moment I read Chapter 1 of the first book in this series, I've been on the edge of my seat. That's not the easiest thing to do in a romance series (seeing as there's a sort of HEA contract between the author and readers, given the genre). And I'm even more impressed that Amanda Bouchet has managed to raise the stakes, ratchet up the tension and deliver the goods without introducing elements of unnecessary and annoying drama. WHO KNEW that characters could be in a relatively stable and loving relationship and still be interesting? Very refreshing to see in a series.

This is the third in the Kingmaker Chronicles, and I've seen it marketed as the 'finale'. It may be the final book in this branch of the series, but there are hints that there's more to be built in this world. Which brings me to the only thing I didn't like, and unfortunately it's a big thing...the final third of the book felt MAJORLY rushed. Major events happened so fast they were practically piling up on each other, and then suddenly the book was over with a number of things left unresolved. Which is the strongest hint yet that there's more to come - there's so much left to discover, and I hope we get the chance.

Excellent world-building and nice characterization throughout. I'll be watching for more from this author, be it with these characters or new series entirely.

I was really looking forward to this book. I liked the first two books in the series very much. This one did not meet my expectations. It was slow and the pacing was off. The book starts off in an exciting way but then slows down considerably and doesn't really seem to pick the pace back up. And at times it feels repetitive. The heroine spent a lot time wallowing in self-pity and that seemed out of character for her and was frustrating/annoying to read. There were scenes that I did really like which is why I'm rating this a 3 and not a 2.

Is it fair to write a review of a book you can't finish? I really liked the first two in this series. The writing was sharp and the storyline was fun and energetic. What happened? And how are there 3-5 star reviews for this one? This third book was so dismally boring and trite that I just quit. I had hoped this author would become a new favorite for me, now I might just avoid. Thanks for two good books. I won't know how this series ended...and I'm ok with that.

Discovering the Kingmaker Chronicles was kinda like running into a unicorn. You're not expecting it, pretty sure it didn't exist, and it basically fulfills all your wishes in one go. It was a sexy fantasy story that takes place in a made-up world with our own Greek myths, infused with magic, a reluctant snarky heroine, and a total alpha hottie. With a band of merry men, a family focused group of secondary characters, a Big Bad for a nemesis in the shape of one's mother, a foundation of heartbreak for a backstory that nonetheless finds balance in hope and faith in others, and a more adult set of Percy Jackson-like deities, I enjoyed the first installment immensely and book two only got bigger and better.

HEART ON FIRE, however, kind of broke the streak. While the story started out really well (even though it forced me to dive into my library to reread the last few chapters) it quickly spiraled into repeat conversations, endless discussions about.. well, I hate to be mean, but feelings that often crossed the line from charming to cheese, all to kill time until Cat mastered her powers. And to be honest it went a little too far and dragged itself out a little too long only to wrap up the end in a rather perfunctory manner.

For me the best parts of book three were the moments outside the never-ending build-up to the showdown and the constant revisiting of how much Cat and Griffin are the air the other breathes (of which there is many). My favourite parts were the quiet emotional connections between Cat and her friends, her sister, even her brother in law. There was a very strong resonance in Bouchet's writing and woven into the fantasy are a lot of issues -- abuse, grief, loss, depression -- and I thought they were handled so well.

The author's style of being in Cat's head but also knowing things about others, or making leaps that are then determined to be true, takes a little getting used to and I think it only kind of bogged me down this time because I wasn't enjoying the plot as much. There's a lot of convenient and kind of over the top reveals in this finale and while I guess that should come as no surprise when you're dealing with fantasy and all powerful immortals, I was a little eyeroll-y over it. But particularly in relation to the ending which, also, was a disappointment because of the convenience.

I wish I had more positives to say about HEART OF FIRE but I just didn't love it the way I loved the first two books. However I'm very fond of the world, my experiences with the previous installments were great, and there were a lot of characters I'm sad to say goodbye to (some more permanently than others, whoops, spoilers). At the heart of the story is a great romance but I wish we'd had more time to see Cat and Griffin's devotion to each other instead of having to swim through all the dialogue of expressing it, if that makes sense.

The final book in the Kingmaker Chronicles is fun, has moving passages of believing in yourself, followed by steamy sexy times, and a ton of heart. I will definitely read more from this author (already have her next book on my tbr and it's not out until 2019 and there's not even a synopsis, haha) and despite the aforementioned disappointments, I would not turn anyone away from trying this series.

I loved the Heart on Fire, Amanda Bouchet’s culmination of her terrific trilogy. I found the mythology thrilling, the action riveting, and the hope in the novel soul-searing. Most of all, the trajectory of Cat and Griffin’s relationship rocked me in the best possibly way. They knocked my socks off and their scenes contained both sizzle and beauty. Aside: Ms Bouchet’s secondary characters are terrific. So now I’m begging her to please write some books with them! Fast!

I did not finish this book. The main character, Cat becomes super annoying, needy and thankless. I loved the first book but the second and third were just horrible. Cat is not a likable character by this book so it was really hard for me to keep reading. She becomes so annoying and less strong than what she was in the first book that I did not bother finishing this book. I don't understand why authors portray female main characters as needy, annoying and always making poor decisions and expect women to love the book. Just stop.

I loved the first two books immensely and had big expectations for Heart on Fire. Amanda Bouchet delivered a great read once again. The story line carried easily from the Breath of Fire with added characters, love, loss and sacrifice. There’s just enough magic and Olympian Gods tied with character passion to keep the pages turning as fast as I could read. I’ll be patiently waiting for the follow up books that tell stories of all the remaining characters.

This was the last book of the Kingmaker Chronicles. I loved the first two books. Not so much with “Heart on Fire.”

The action didn’t start until well after 100 pages. Unfortunately, the book was largely centered on the main character trying to come to grips with her fear and her past. It was trite.

One bright spot is that the book’s title reminding me of the band Earth Wind and Fire’s song, “That’s the Way of the World.” I recommend that song more than I recommend this book.

I found this series through my local library while in between books. The description sounded interesting, so I checked it out and got to reading.

The first book was enjoyable and had potential to make for a good story. The main characters were somewhat interesting and I was looking forward to learning more about some of the secondary characters since it seemed the author has/had plans to bring them more into the storyline or perhaps create some offshoot books centered on them.

I had to slough through the rest of the series. By the third book, I was ready for it to just end already. It felt as though the author signed up for a trilogy, but then realized that when it came time to write the third book, she was out of ideas.

Pages and pages were dedicated to Cat (the heroine of the story) and her inner monologue of self-doubt and guilt. It was so repetitive that I found myself skipping paragraphs just to get on with it. There was just way too much talking and not enough “showing”. The same can be said for the gooey, sappy romance between Cat and her one and only, Griffin. They constantly professed their undying love for each other. There were some beautiful moments and lovely, poetic words exchanged, but it all just got to be too much.

When it came time for the big showdown between Cat and her mother, the last ruler standing in the way of uniting three unstable kingdoms into a united land and people, the author wrapped it up in about 5 pages. There was no fighting, everyone surrendered peacefully, and the mother gave up without a fight, suddenly seeing the error of her ways. She had captured a few a Cat’s close friends and made some attempt at making Cat choose between them or something, but overall there was no purpose to it. The ending reminded me of a sitcom ending when everyone comes together and has a laugh, shares some love, and then the scene fades out. Very disappointing.

There was a lot of potential to the overall story, but unfortunately, the author didn’t pull it off.

The third and final book in Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles, HEART ON FIRE, comes out today. (January 2, 2018) Since it’s the series finale, it’s virtually impossible to write this review without spoilers for the previous books, but I am going to try my very darndest. To that end, I have composed a list of five things I think readers should know about HEART ON FIRE. Here goes.

The Women (and there are many) are Badass

If you put a book up to the Bechdel test, this would pass with flying colors. In addition to Selena (her healer friend from the circus) and Griffin’s sisters, Cat added another two women to her family in the second book, BREATH OF FIRE. Bellanca, a princess in her own right, is a fire mage and pretty much my favorite character in the series. She’s prickly and intense, never hesitating to call out her companions for their nonsense. She’s also a source of comic relief at times, often batting at her flaming hair or “accidentally” hitting Carver. Ianthe, Cat’s sister, is a water mage and possesses the same sort of compassionate strength that makes Cat so heroic. (She gets a bit of her own HEA and I would like their book now please and thank you.)

Then there’s Cat. She’s a bit of a Mary Sue, designed to be such, but also… not? In all three books, Cat messes up with surprising frequency. The number of times she nearly dies or is bleeding, broken, or otherwise impaired is impressive. Bouchet really puts her through it. As with the other novels in the series, this book is about Cat finding her strength. Not strength despite adversity, but because of it. In this novel, Bouchet gives us women to admire, to emulate, to want to be friends with.

Bouchet Amped Up the Godsauce

“Suzanne, what is godsauce? It sounds dirty.” Godsauce is my way of saying “crazysauce but with Greek gods.” Bouchet packed this book full, moreso than the previous two, of gods, goddesses, and mythical figures and places. I can’t give you too many details without spoiling the book, but let’s say you could draw a chart that shows godsauce and romance over time. As the series progresses, godsauce rises and romance decreases.

You May Miss the Romance

Which brings me to my next point - the romance is probably lacking if that’s what you’re after. While I appreciate that Bouchet shows Cat having a physical relationship with her husband and fighting her ass off while pregnant, there’s no denying that this is more of an epic fantasy novel and less of a fantasy romance. Cat and Griffin’s relationship was thoroughly solid early into Book 2, and I think I would have resented it if Bouchet continued to make them doubt each other. Their love and the strength they both take from that love is still a driving force, however. (And Bouchet gives us a couple of secondary romances as well!)

It’s Relentlessly Hopeful

If you ever need to read a story about strength and triumph over adversity, here’s a book for you. Cat’s put through just about every possible emotional and physical challenge and, through it, finds a path forward that works for her. It doesn’t have to make sense to the rest of the characters, but it’s the only way she can maintain her core values and also save Thalyria. Hope is such a strong characteristic of this book that I would have no problem describing it with just that single word. For example, this line:

“Compassion and ruthlessness have always danced around each other inside me like wary partners, but I know the music they spin to, and I’d rather have a heart to break than no heart at all.”

Matt Swore About the Ending (But I Didn’t)

Originally, Matt and I were going to do a joint review for this book, both of us offering our thoughts. However, he read the book start to finish as soon as he got his hands on it (months ago) and I chose to put it off and savor the last book in this brilliant series. The end result is that I’m writing this review with just my opinions, with one caveat - the ending. Matt wanted the ending to go a different way, cursing a bit about it. I had the opposite reaction. I was wondering how Bouchet could possibly reconcile the inevitable defeat of Cat’s mother (the Big Bad) with the recurring motifs of hope and goodness. I was quite happy with the way things turned out.

(Full review also at Love in Panels dot com)

My least favorite of the series but still enjoyable. I love the mix of Gods and fantasy but the high point was at the start when the Gods were interacting and calling each other out in front of Cat and Griffin. Cat seemed to be on a very individual journey in this installment, like her belief in herself and her powers mattered above everything else. It's also amazing with as much going on in their world Griffin and Cat still find the time to hook up as much as they do.

Fantastic world building from Amanda Bouchet. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. Though book one was my favourite, Heart on Fire has the same impact, pace and intrigue. I love the relationship between Cat and Griffin, that the chemistry is still sizzling between the two.
There were times when I felt that the questions surrounding Cat's abilities were a little repetitive, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment of the authors world and words.
A brilliant series.

I loved the first books so much that I read them over and over. This book didn't even seem like the same author. The scenes were long and drawn out. The dialogue was repetitive. It meandered and didn't really have a strong storyline. All of the sudden she disappeared into the most boring place you can imagine and you have to read about it. (Actually I didn't. I just skipped through those pages.) I was really hoping to hear more about Flynn and Griffin's sister Jocasta. Nothing. Those characters' budding love side story just dropped right off. And where did Kato go? I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in a final book.

What a disappointment! Bouchet has built such an interesting, fleshed-out world. I had been looking forward to this book for a year, re-reading the first two books, especially book 1, regularly. This book was such a let-down. Cat spent most of the book spinning around in her head with the same, insecure thoughts. As the last book in the trilogy, she needed to show some development and growth, but we really didn't see that. The ending was anti-anticlimatic. We spend two and two-thirds books building up to a showdown with Alpha Fisa only to have her give up at the end. I also hated the unresolved secondary character issues, especially Piers and Kato. Kato, especially, seemed like a blatant attempt to sell future books set in this world. Bouchet moved off my auto-buy list with that. I may check out future books from the library in hopes that she regains the magic of her first books, but I won't buy.

I checked Heart on Fire, book 3 of the Kingmaker Chronicles, out from my local library. A purely satisfactory ending for this trilogy. I enjoy the characters, and this storyline was great. I recommend the whole series.

I really liked the first book and second book, but geez this one had to much mushy stuff and a lot of holes left at the end. No real closure and a lot of whining from the main character. I ended up skipping a lot of the scenes between cat and griffin as they were just ridiculously over the top.

I'm pretty much mirroring what everyone else said. Loved the first two books, but this one felt different and drawn out until the climactic ending just kind of snuffed out. Still a great trilogy though! The author is highly creative, and I'm hoping she left certain characters' fates vague because she's going to continue their stories in a different series. Please? :)

What a great finale to a fantastic series! It's filled with the wonderful writing I already expect from this author. It also includes some unexpected plot twists. Cat has to conquer several foes but her biggest one is herself. She has to conquer demons many of us have, such as feeling inadequate and not trusting ourselves.
There are several supporting character threads left unfinished so the author has plenty of material available to entice us in the future. Bravo!

Loved the first two books but book three leaves me dissatisfied. I got tired of hearing Cat whine thru the second half of the book about failing everyone . She seems to have lost her sass and turned into whiner. Second half of book seems rushed. It did tie up some loose ends but not how I wished it had happened .

As adorably delicious, hot and with heart pounding adventure and action as the last 2 books. Love to see short story anthology revisiting Cat and the gang! Can’t wait to see what Miss Bouchet creates next!

The tale started out okay enough but turns into the some formalistic mush barely half the way through the first third of Book one, and it goes downhill from there. The occasional spark of wit and snark is by far not enough to make up for the lack originality and gage-worth cliché that populates the series.

Okay so I was hoping, HOPING, the author would redeem the series with this final book. Nope. Cat is still the annoying, fickle, needy, clueless, wishy washy character she became in book 2. The "witty" banter and sharp conversation either falls flat or is non existent. The character does manage to do one thing that didn't completely annoy me, but then the ending seemed so abrupt and anti-climactic like the author just had nothing left after book 1.

I loved the first 2 books, couldn't wait for the third and was pretty disappointed. Much to much introspection, limited plot development and the ending was a waste of time. So many possible sidelines to explore with little sister, mother, ruling, baby. Are you setting it up for a fourth book?