Breath of FireAuthor: Amanda Bouchet
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Format: eARC
Pages: 448
Source: Publisher
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.
I loved the first book, A Promise of Fire, and was excited to have a new series to indulge in. That excitement has slightly dimmed after reading Breath of Fire, though. Just a little. I did like it overall, but it had some issues.
Now that Cat’s big secret it out, she’s going to do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves. Even if it means facing her greatest fear and fighting her own demons.
What I liked:
- Cat and her humor. She’s at her best when she’s confident and snarky, a real heroine I can get behind.
- The secondary characters (except Griffin). I adore Kato, Flynn, and Carver, especially when they interact with Cat. They all have a great dynamic that has a nice balance of serious and humorous. I also love Griffin’s sisters and how they’re learning to be badass with Cat’s help.
- There’s a lot of action and exciting danger. Gotta love violence!
What I didn’t like:
- I like Cat, but she can be annoying at times. The times she annoyed me tended to involve Griffin somehow, though. I’m not so enthused about him in general, so there’s that. I just don’t like overbearing, contradictory people, and he fits that bill. Don’t even get me started on that fight in the very beginning of the book.
- It went a little overboard with the sex. I’m so not a prude, and I read plenty of “smut”, but there were several times it felt out of place, so I just skimmed.
- While there was some great action and fighting, it seemed to drag at times.
Like I said, I did like Breath of Fire, but the feeling wasn’t always consistent. I’m still looking forward to the next book, though.
I just finished listening and loved it. Yes, there was a lot of sex, and that fight, in the beginning, eek gads. I think the audio helps me see Griffin better.
That stinks that there were some issues but hopefully the next book is better! Great review!
Yeah I didn’t love this one as much as I liked the first either. That first scene was so off-putting to me. I did like the rest and thought the mythology got really fun, but it wasn’t as good as the first for me either. And man, I’m really unsure about that revelation at the end. I hope book 3 will be more like the first!
I really liked this but I felt the same way about the sex scenes, they were way over done and overused, I skimmed a lot of the fighting that was involved as well. I do still really like the main storyline though and the blend of genres. I hope the last book won’t be a disappointment.
Sex scenes are nice but they have their place. If they are over used them it tends to seem out of place.
I have the first book to read, I’m quite curious
This series is on my list to read this year. I’ve been hearing such good things about the first book that I’m going to definitely read it. I’ll be back when I read these books but I wanted to stop in and say hi! Hope you’re doing well, Christy!
Dang it. I was hoping this one would be even better than the first. I got annoyed with Kat and the whole big secret last time and the sex was a bit too much the first go around. ARGH. Anyway, I have this coming up so I hope I at least enjoy.
I liked the first book, but it had SO much of a Kate/Curran vibe I didn’t wholly love it. And yes! I hate too much sex! I’m not prude either, but ugh.
Out of place sex is just so meh, I have read books like that and they just feel silly
I keep hearing that this one was less consistent than the first. It also isn’t a good sign when you skim. At least it was good enough to continue the series. I really need to get to book 1. 🙂
Thank you for this good review. It is good you liked the second book, even if it wasn’t as good as the first. I don’t like overly gory scenes normally. As for sex, I am not a prude but, it depends on the book on how much, or if at all, should be in it.
I liked Griffin a bit better, but yeah, Cat was parts good and annoying and the sex was distracting half the time. Love the series and can’t wait for book three.
So excited to read this coz I loved the first one. Then the first 10% was just sex, self loathing, and unbearable Alpha maleness. I put it aside for now lest I DNF it. When does it get better?!?
“Gotta love violence” lol. You crack me up. Sounds like it was decent if not for the out of control sexytimes and annoying bits, hopefully the next one will be more on par with the first.
I do love humor but sorry the MC was a bit annoying sometimes! And I don’t mind sex in books either, but sometimes it does feel unneeded or oddly placed.
Bruh. Too much sex is NOT a bad thing. Lol. I kid, I kid. That seems to be the general consensus for this instalment. I’m so bummed. I was so excited to read this. BAH.
What do you mean you’ve read ‘smut’? I am so terribly shocked right now, Christy :O *grins* All joking aside, it’s kind of bad when you feel like the sex is too much… or that the timing is really not the best.
I have this on my TBR and really look forward to it. Maybe having my expectations lowered a tiny bit is a good thing?
Great review! Have a fantastic week 🙂
I hear you on books overdoing the sex. sighs. sometimes less is more people!
I just finished listening to book one over the new year (review isn’t even posted yet). I really liked the book. I’m interested in seeing where this book goes. I don’t mind a lot of sex, but if it overpowers the story, then that will be disappointing. I need to request this book for review from the publisher.
I liked this book a lot! This series is easily a new favorite. I adore Cat, and Griffin (especially Griffin), and Beta Team. I DEFINITELY see what you mean about Cat being annoying at times – totally true.
Great review, Christy! =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Hmm. I’m at the 45% mark. I totally see what you are saying with your likes and dislikes. And the fight at the beginning…the whole first few chapters gave me whiplash!
I really need to read the first book in this series! I’m really interested to see I respond to this series and if I’ll end up loving it like some of my blogger friends or have ‘meh’ feelings.
Oh, I”m sorry this was a bit of a letdown, Christy. It’s always disappointing when the second book doesn’t live up to expectations. Hopefully the next installment will balance things and renew your enthusiasm!
I love when the secondary characters are good, especially when they have a great dynamic! That can add so much to a story. But I also agree that while I have no issue with sex scenes, there is still such thing as too many sometimes. I’m glad you enjoyed the book, even if it did have some issues. Maybe the next will be better!
I really enjoyed this one but I can see where you are coming from with the things that you didn’t like as much. I have to agree with you about the fact that there was probably more sex in this one than I needed…especially the first part of the book. The secondary characters are great and I kind of like Griffin. I hope that you enjoy the next book in this series a bit more.
wonder why she went that direction? The first book barely had any sexy scenes. I don’t care if they are there, but if they are out of place – I’d prob start skimming. I am a bit wary of this one, since I wasn’t a complete fan of Cat to begin with, I think she just feels way too young
Glad you enjoyed despite a few flaws! The sex was quite a bit more compared to book 1! I still love the Beta Team. Glad we got to see more of them. Great review!
Ps. I just posted my review of this too! If you’re interested (:
I’ve seen that from a few people now that this one just wasn’t as good. I love some yummy sex scenes but can’t stand when they have that “out of place” feeling. One I read a year or so ago they decided to go at it…while a building was burning down LITERALLY around them. I was like dude, what?! lol