Breath of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jun 08, 2020 Katyana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I enjoyed it a lot, but not as much as the first one (which was a solid 5 stars to me). I think it was partially that this book felt really transition-y. There were great blocks in the story, but it felt like a half dozen blocks cobbled together, and there was very thin glue between some of the blocks.

Also, the opening was way overblown to me, to an out-of-character degree. I just don't believe he would react that strongly. She's been laying hints the whole time, and he's frankly kind of stupid I enjoyed it a lot, but not as much as the first one (which was a solid 5 stars to me). I think it was partially that this book felt really transition-y. There were great blocks in the story, but it felt like a half dozen blocks cobbled together, and there was very thin glue between some of the blocks.

Also, the opening was way overblown to me, to an out-of-character degree. I just don't believe he would react that strongly. She's been laying hints the whole time, and he's frankly kind of stupid for being that caught by surprise. And what he said ... there was no halfway about it, and she did NOT overreact. She reacted like any sensible person would, to his tirade. His rage, and the shitty things he said, deserved her running away.

Which highlights a general flaw, to me: Cat is too easy to sway. She was never really appropriately mad at him for treating her like a possession from the outset of book 1. He kidnapped her. Threatened the people she loves to get her to comply. Was hideously hypocritical about it - in doing that, he showed there was no real difference between the Magoi Alpha and him - and constantly telling her to get over it. And she just ... did. She helped him pretty much from the outset. Only really held a token grudge. And he never REALLY did anything to make up for it. He never REALLY gave her freedom to choose - she was bound by a rope until she was bound by a vow, and all the while he acted like he couldn't understand why any of it would be wrong. He probably still doesn't understand. And then here, too, he behaves HORRIBLY ... and she just lets it go.

I love the story so much that I let it go too, in all these instances. But I sure liked it less when that behavior kicked off this book too.

And then at the end, I felt like Cat had a few brainless ditz moments in the arena that were just waaaaay out of character. She got caught woolgathering in several fights, and I was like what the hell? This chick has, we've been told, survived brutal life-or-death fights since she was more or less a toddler (the nursery bloodbath, yikes), but here she is in a deadly arena, getting sidetracked, thinking about shit, and having to be saved from a lethal blow while she - we are left to assume - was just standing there spaced out. What the hell?

Still a really solid 4 stars, though, and I'm super excited to see how the final book unfolds. ...more

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Jan 02, 2018 Lisarenee rated it it was amazing

>>>>> My Synopsis (Review Follows): <<<<<
The kingdom of Thalyria is about to be changed, forever, or at least it will if Griffin, the Sinta Beta, has anything to say about it. The kingdom is currently divided into three realms and Griffin wants them all to be united under the Hoi Polloi rule. A power play is about to go down and Catalia 'Cat' Andromeda Eileithyia Fisa (aka the Kingmaker) is the one to watch. If anyone can make it happen it's her--the lost princess of Fisa, a woman who finds alli >>>>> My Synopsis (Review Follows): <<<<<
The kingdom of Thalyria is about to be changed, forever, or at least it will if Griffin, the Sinta Beta, has anything to say about it. The kingdom is currently divided into three realms and Griffin wants them all to be united under the Hoi Polloi rule. A power play is about to go down and Catalia 'Cat' Andromeda Eileithyia Fisa (aka the Kingmaker) is the one to watch. If anyone can make it happen it's her--the lost princess of Fisa, a woman who finds allies and enemies wherever she goes.

>>>>> My Review: <<<<<
This is the second book of the Kingmaker Chronicles Trilogy and I highly recommend you read the first book before this one. For one, it's awesome. Two, it's action packed with a lot going on. And finally, three, there is a lot to take in and you might feel a touch lost if you don't read 'A Promise of Fire' first.

This story begins where the last book left off. Cat is recovering from a near fatal attack. We found out in the last book that Cat can tell when a lie is told, can turn invisible at will, and can steal the magic from almost any other individual. I'm a little curious if it is all of these traits which make her the "Kingmaker" or if it's just her ability to identify lies. I'm guessing it's just the latter.

Cat's secret identity is finally revealed and Griffin is not happy. Oddly, I thought he already knew who Cat was. Let me just say he lost a few brownie points with his reaction. It proved Cat had good reason to keep her family ties a secret. I find it amusing that Griffin's family is like the 'day' to Cat's 'night' version of family. The two are so completely different that it's no wonder Cat is drawn to them. It's the family she's never had but always wanted.

In this book we see Griffin's plan to takeover Thalyria begin to take shape. Securing the borders of Sinta is a top priority and Cat has and idea of how to go about it. The knowledge she gained under her mother's heavy hand will be put to good use and help Griffin achieve his goal. Cat is the key to everything and in this book she finally comes into her own. Plus, the relationship between Griffin and Cat finally starts to solidify.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. Ms. Bouchet let the momentum of the first book carry through into this one. She breaks down the story arc into three neat and tidy segments (aka books) with each one leaving you feeling satisfied, but ultimately wanting more. I loved watching these two grow as a couple and seeing Cat become who she was always meant to be. 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.
...more

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Aug 06, 2017 D rated it really liked it

I just want to add that I was really 100% NOT OKAY with that first scene. I overall really liked this book, but it's been a week and that first scene is still bothering me.

I feel like the author needs to do some reading to be more educated on what made that first scene so messed up. ...more

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