Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

January 19th, 2017 Kimberly Review 45 Comments

19th Jan
Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Breath of Fire
by Amanda Bouchet
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
Narrator: Mia Barron
Length: 15 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Gifted
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame
Narration: 4

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD...
"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

ADDICTIVE KICKASS magical

Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet is the second novel in the Kingmaker Chronicles series and was one of my most anticipated audios for 2017. Once again I was swept up in this world with its mythology, kick-ass heroine, and motley crew. While I devoured the audio, it was not without flaws and disappointments.

Caffeinated Aspects:

  • I love the world Bouchet has created from the four kingdoms to the mythology. She vividly delivers battles and countryside descriptions that explode in my mind as I listen.
  • Cat our heroine is snarky and all sorts of badass. She isn’t without flaws, but I love watching her evolve and try to understand her role. She has this incredible strength and vulnerability about her. She has a tendency to act first and think second. Think Rachel from Kim Harrison’s the Hollows.
  • Griffin get’s a bad rap from some but I think his scruffy, over protective self, is swoon-worth. When it comes to Cat, he loses his head. However, when it comes to the lands and the people he alway puts them above his own gain and status. Not many alpha males can do that.
  • Secondary characters are unique, offering comradery, conflict, and excitement as the overall arc continues to develop.
  • The Gods and Beasts are delightful described and interaction with them is intense.
  • We learn more about Cat and her family history as well as the world Bouchet has created. All of these reveals and tidbits helped further develop the overall plot and drew me in.
  • Despite some issues I will mention below, I like the overall story ARC in this series and thought Breath of Fire was an intense, enjoyable read. Bouchet is a genuinely talented author, but I felt the book suffered middle book syndrome.
  • Mia Barron continues to be the perfect narrator for this series. She captures the tone of the story perfectly creating an added level of enjoyment for the listener. Each voice is unique and enhances Bouchet’s interpretations of the character.

Decaffeinated Aspects:

  • I had problems with the first chapter. It contains a fight, loads of sex and quite frankly even re-listening was confusing.  It didn’t set the tone for the story and I think I would have preferred starting with chapter two.
  • More plot, less sex. I get it, these two are madly in love. I love the romance, but I NEED the story to be the main dish and for the sex scenes to be a great side dish.  Not we lived another day, sex, battle, sex, take me here now. Nope.
  • I love the epic battles that occurred throughout Breath of Fire. We get plenty of action and rich descriptions. I can even handle Cat’s impulsiveness, but in almost every fight Cat ends up nearly dead and is miraculously saved by some intervention. It was cool, but when it kept happening it stole some of the power of those battles for the reader. It lost its intensity because I basically knew the outcome.  I would have liked to see Cat use her wit.
  • Cat took a step back confidence wise, despite all that we learned she has some developing to do for the final novel.

While Breath of Fire didn’t have the power of Promise of Fire, I am vested in the story and look forward to Heart of Fire, particularly after some things we learn at the end of Breath of Fire.

Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet on audio was amazing despite some issues Share on X

 

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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45 Responses to “Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet”

  1. Dragonfly

    I could probably read any book with a great world and a snarky, kickass heroine but I hear ya! Sex scenes are supposed to be a side dish! that first chapter should have gone through editland huh?

  2. Michele

    I received the first book in this series for Christmas, and I hope to read it soon! It sounds like a wonderful world and like you enjoyed this second installment despite its flaws. You’ve got me bumping up book one for sure 😉

  3. Olivia Roach

    Sounds like you really had a give or take time with this story, but that you still managed to enjoy it. I like the sound of all the characters, and I love that the secondary characters get a lot of detail too! But yeah… too much sex must be annoying! And you’re so good at continuing on with series. I always forget to read the next book or something ahaha xD

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I just read something about editing and tone setting in the first chapter and honest to goodness, I think axing the first chapter would have been best. Let us hope book 3 rocks!

  5. Katherine

    This series has been on my TBR since I saw the reviews for the book as it looked so fun. Love the sound of the characters and this still sounds good even though it wasn’t as strong as the first. There’s always a book in a trilogy that seems weak to me and it sounds like this may be the one for this series. Hopefully the next book will be amazing!

  7. Greg

    Sounds fun, been seeing these around! I like the sound of the battles and countryside being immersive- gotta love worldbuilding. 🙂 Sorry a few things didn’t work, hopefully the third one will be killer! And I agree w/ Blodeuedd- she looks like Sif!

  9. Angela Adams

    “Cat our heroine is snarky and all sorts of badass.” — Sounds like a good character for a movie. Thanks for the post.

  10. Angela

    Love this series. Wonderful review. I agree I had trouble with how the book started and all the sex took away from the plot. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t impact me as much as book one. I agree Cat needs to develop more for the final book.

  11. Heidi

    I am reading this one soon, but I am leery because both you and Christy have complained about the over indulgence in sex scenes and I am far less patient than you two are when it comes to sex scenes. I am reading this one for sure as I see lots of skimming.

  12. sherry fundin

    Ooooo, she’s going to destroy the world, huh? Sounds like this is one series for the reading shelf. Thanks for adding to the mountain. LOL

  13. Lexxie

    You made me really anxious to get started with the first book in this series, Kim! I didn’t read your review, but your excitement got through anyway! I’m so happy this second instalment worked so well for you!
    I hope you’re having a fantastic week 🙂 {{{HUGS}}}

  14. Rowena

    Ooh, Bouchet is on my list of authors to read in 20`17. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this series so I’m anxious to start it. Thanks for the review sweets!

  15. Sophia Rose

    Yeah, as attention grabbers go, I was wondering what I missed the whole time she had Griffin wigging out. I do get the frustration of Cat’s secrets after all they had been through together.

    Oh and that point about the frequency of sexual encounters bogged down the plot pace for me, too.

    But yes, the world, the overall series plot, Griffin the great and his merry band, and even a Cat coming into her own make me eager to see what comes next.

  16. kindlemom1

    I know this didn’t work as well for a lot of people that loved the first one. Even if you didn’t love it, I’m glad that you did like it!

  18. Michelle

    I’ve recently had a friend start pushing this series on me, so it’s working its way to the top of my TBR. I’m totally with you though on books need to have more about story, less about sex, and I’ve seen an unfortunate amount of fantasy books go that way eventually. I hope this one doesn’t continue that trend! Regardless, I’ll probably try out the first book on Audible sometime soon 🙂

  20. Cyn

    I’m glad you still enjoyed it even though it was a bit of a disappointment compared to the first! I do agree with some of these pitfalls (first chapter, so much more sex but enough plot). I thought it was still a fun adventure and really liked Beta team! Hopefully the next book steps it up! Great review, Kim!

  21. Nick

    Hahaha! I’m laughing at your sex point for the decaffeinated part. The first chapter did not work for me at all either, especially because of all that aggression. I think a lot of readers were frustrated with it. This wasn’t as good as book 1 for me, but I hope book 3 will be epic!

  22. Berls

    Yay! I’m hoping to listen to the first one sometime this month or early next month – I got it for audio review, so it took a little longer to get my hands on. So glad it’s still going strong on book 2!