Breath of Fire (The Kingmaker Trilogy Book 2)

Fast paced, delightful tale! If you like fantasy, far reaching imagination, and interesting characters I would recommend this series. When I finished book one, I bought book two. Can hardly wait to read the last book in the trilogy come January.

This was a great sequel to Book 1 with unexpected elements/ It is full of fantasy characters and romance. To me it feels like a midevil setting, but with modern day language. I can't wait for the third in the series to come out.

This book is not impressive in the least. Main character is annoying. Magic system is banal. Story is predictable and boring. I ordered it by accident, and got book 1 so that this one would make sense to me. Should've just returned it. Definitely a mistake. Writing is decent though.

Well then.

Cat’s back in the second installment of the Kingmaker Chronicles and the stakes are higher than ever. A Promise of Fire saw her fighting against her past and falling for the alpha male Griffin who kidnapped her (that’s a whole other conversation). But in order for them to have a peaceful future and achieve Griffin’s vision of a united Thalyria, they must protect their own borders and take out the neighboring royals.

Just another day for Beta Team.

For nearly half of Breath of Fire, I held little interest in the story. It ranged between Griffin freaking out and going all possessive alpha (which I really disliked in the last book) while Cat apologizes and believes herself worthless in comparison, to sex scene, back to relationship struggles, sex, etc. The romance would’ve had more heat if it weren’t for the fact that I think they both need some serious counseling as a couple. Didn’t like it in book 1, still not a fan in this one.

Once the story moved past the back-and-forth, things picked up. While A Promise of Fire brought in the Greek myth laden throughout this world, Breath of Fire lived it. Bouchet brought all the magical creatures out to play, from the (unnamed) Chimaera (though based on the description that’s what I think it was), the Hydra, and even Cerberus makes his return.

Also, I want Cerberus as a pet.

Breath of Fire doesn’t quite strike the same balance of romance and fantasy as the previous installment, starting heavy on the former and shifting in the extreme to the latter. Bouchet sends us into the midst of myths and legends as Cat faces one creature after the next with the gods’ blessings. For the second half of the book, there’s rarely a moment spent where she’s not in danger. But with all that action, the other characters get to shine more.

One comment I had regarding the last book was the fact that I wanted more from the side characters instead of Griffin (yeah, you get it, I don’t like him). Each of the Beta Team members had a stronger role in this book: Kato and Cat working together in the icy labyrinth, Flynn and Jocasta finally starting to share their feelings for each other (it needed to happen sooner or later), Carver’s back story coming out, etc. Even the circus family returned. With all the setting details this time around, I think the story needed to bring out the characters to balance it out.

By the end of Breath of Fire I was firmly hooked and back into the series, eagerly awaiting book #3. The ending reveal wasn’t as hard-hitting as I had hoped but, then again, I felt it a predictable move based on the couple. These books are good but certainly not completely unique when it comes to the romance aspect of the plot. As for the fantasy and adventure, you’ll definitely want to grab a copy as soon as you can. Perfect for fans of Greek mythology and fated destiny.

loved the lead male and female roles. I hope the third in the series is good and the author doesn't kill off any main characters because someone tells her she should. So far, very uplifting and fun.

The story moves along and quickly. I enjoy the mythological creatures that Cat battles and interacts with. The battle scenes are done well. I like how both characters are growing and bending to improve their relationship

It was great you see cat really develope into who she's suppose to be. The love between griffin and cat is just beautifully written. Their relationship also grows. Really great read but i hate that we have to wait a week to read the third book.

Breathe of Fire is stunning masterpiece. Bouchet’s vision for her characters and plot are crustal and she does not bog down the plot with unnecessary conflicts as overlong separations or fights between the Cat and Griffin, no gratuitous rapes or ridiculous love triangles. The plot stayed focused on the action, the relationship, and the team work of the main characters to walk with Catalia on her quest to discover her role as the Harbinger and they role they all play forming a bond to help Catalia unite the divided realms of Sinta, Tarva, and Fisa into one united realm as it was meant to be. I was holding my breath the entire book, during the Agon Games my heart was pounding each day the team was competing in the ring. By the time they hauled to castle Tarva, I was glad to see Cerberus again.

The secondary characters were as richly drawn as the main characters. Kato went over and above proving himself an ally of Catalia; I hope he waits for Kaia. Oh, I felt so sad for Carver, it’s my secret hope that Ianthe with be the one to soothe his aching heart and help him let go of an unworthy, unrequited love. Griffin’s parents were awesome, I think their strong devotion to other and their acceptance of Cat into their family circle gave Cat the example that family can be a source of strength. Jocasta was a revelation, she took charge of her own life, she made Flynn, and her family, see her as a mature, strong woman. Jocasta bravery showed that she is no princess to be locked away in a ivory tower but the daughter of a warlord. Selena’s is still an enigma, I have suspicion of who she really is and I hope to see more of her in the next book.

Bravo to Ms. Bouchet for her outstanding world building and engaging characters. Breathe of Fire is fantasy masterpiece. I would rate The Kingmaker Chronicles right up there with a handful of outstanding fantasy romance series such as C.L. Wilson’s “Tairen Souls” series and Nalini Singh’s “Psy-Changeling” books. I look forward to the last book in this trilogy, Heart on Fire, next year.

This book series is so good! I stumbled across it and I'm so glad I did! Very well written with a great storyline and memorable characters. I have borrowed this series out and everyone that's read it has loved it!

I really like the second installment of the series. Hopefully there will only be one more book after this and it doesn't drag on. The female lead is feisty, irreverent, and kickass. Three things I love in my female leads. If you read the first book and loved it than you'll like this one too.

The plot line is interesting, adding Olympic gods into a seemingly normal fantasy story was unique. And this drew me in after a few chapters. However, the author does more telling to the reader than showing. I get it, Griffin has gray steely eyes, I don't need to be told that every chapter.

If she paid more attention to flushing out the characters and story lines as she does on the pornographic sex scenes, that do nothing to further the story, this would be an excellent story. Especially seeing as the story line seems to not span very much time as the author doesn't provide enough detail for readers to understand this story is taking months and months. It's disjointed.

I wouldn't recommend this book and probably won't finish the series.