This is a series I started out loving but fizzled out real fast for me. Book 1 was amazing and the first half of book 2 was incredible. And then it's like somewhere along the way the story got lost. I love Cat and Griffin, but this final book was too long for me and I miss that angst we had in their beginnings. Amanda Bouchet is an amazing author and I will definitely read more by her in the future, but this book let me down a bit.

And so we come to the third book in the KingMaker Chronicles - Heart on Fire. Right from the word go I really enjoyed this book, maybe even a little more than Books 1 and 2 if that's possible! There is action, love, loss, betrayal, surprise, anguish, and above all family and hope.



There is the usual cast - Cat of course and Griffin, Griffin's family and team, the gods and some of Cat's family. Cat and Griffin have fought for and won both Sinta and Tarva and now their mission is to take Fisa under their wing and unite all of Thalyria into one. The one fly in the ointment of course is Fisa is Cat's home country and the ruler is Cat's ghastly mother.



I wondered if I should reread the first two books, but the first couple of chapters soon had my mind refreshed as to previous happenings and I was soon caught up in the swing of things, with the skilful recapping of salient points. The book opens at the end of the brutal Agon Games. There they lost on of their fighters - Cassandra and Piers, Griffin's brother is very displeased about that. So much so it triggers the first major event of the book.



This book is really about Kat truly finding herself, she has to learn to trust herself and to find balance with all the magical powers that she has and combine them with compassionate humanity. So she doesn't always get it right which at times leads her into the depths, where she has the choice of giving up or finding a way through. Just because she has magical powers doesn't mean they are there at her finger tips with no effort on her part whatsoever. It was this journey that she undertakes and I think its why I liked this book so much. I liked the inner journey as much as the outer one.



I am not going to discuss anything that happens because to do so would give away the surprises and the plot. Suffice it to say there is a little unsolved mystery by the end, Little Bean is alive and well in Kat's womb and ready no doubt to challenge her mother when she arrives. I did love that Kat really wants to be a good mother, and with Griffin as a father I think she'll do well.



Like many other readers I do not want to leave these characters here. I know their mission is complete but there are unfinished stories I want told! May it happen!!

Well I must be one of the few people in the world that did not think this was some great literacy achievement, coming in at 418 pages for a story that could have been told in 250 and probably better unless you are addicted to pages and pages and pages of self-introspection and did not succumb to terminal boredom.

While the above may be a bit over the top it does represent where I spent a LOT of my time reading this book and was finally forced to scan a few pages to stay awake. After you have read so many pages of “I am a failure” … ad nauseam you want some action. Seems the action usually follows some TSTL moment and more “I am a failure” laments.

I can say at least this one did not have the feel of any domestic abuse I found in the other 2 books but this was IMHO an overwritten novel with pages and pages of near nothing happening. Throw in a few VERY frustrating action scenes and battles with her mother, followed by ….. you guessed it “I am a failure” I am beginning to think I did not read the same book as everyone and after dragging us through pages and pages of nothing we wrap the whole thing up in a few pages (now she wants to conserve pages WTF?)

Taken as a whole this trilogy gets 3 Stars from me, it has made me mad, bored me and frustrated me with a whiny heroine, an overbearing alpha male (who along with his heroine seemed to have done a Jekyll and Hyde do-over for this last book) I guess I am missing whatever made this such an addicting reading experience for so many people.

3 Stars and really I am confused why anyone thinks it deserves more ….

After winning the Agon Games, Cat and Griffin have managed to liberate the kingdom of Tarva without an all-out war. With Tarva now joined with their own kingdom of Sinta, Cat and Griffin are one step closer to realizing their dream of a united Thalyria. Now they, along with the rest of Beta team and their surrounding family, must face the final hurdle: the Tyrannical leader of the kingdom of Fisa.

With seemingly the fate of the world on her shoulders, and little bean on board, the stakes have never felt higher, but Cat’s magic is more unpredictable then ever. As she tries to find a way to unlock her full potential, she must journey across the kingdoms, uncovering long-held secrets, shocking betrayals, and more than one infuriatingly enigmatic god. Even with the love of her new family behind her, can Cat finally face the one thing she has been running from for years: her mother?

Now that Cat and Griffin’s relationship is basically rock solid, Heart on Fire shifts the focus more on to Cat and her internal struggles. Here situations force her to delve deep and make peace with some of her longest held self-doubts in order to tap into her remaining powers. It’s by no means easy, with Cat becoming increasingly frustrated both with herself and those around her that seem to be unreasonably withholding answers. I have to say, I also found it pretty frustrating. Long, drawn-out passages of introspectiveness seemed to be repeated after every battle or encounter with Cat making little headway until the end.

That being said, there are some pretty fantastic battle scenes, and I particularly loved that Greek mythology became even more prevalent in the actual plot. Cat meets countless gods and legends in this installment, and this Olympian nerd ate it right up. Over the course of the book it begins to dawn on Cat just how much of hand the gods have had in her fate, a fact she isn’t always thrilled about. Once again her sarcastic mouth gets her into more than one sticky situation; in fact she reminds me a lot if Charley Davidson in that regard!

As in previous books, the secondary characters shine in this series, although Beta Team and Griffin’s family featured less than before. There are some shockers thrown in around these characters, with more than one fate left open-ended. I’m seriously hoping for a spin off series, as I need to know what happens to them! All the characters feel so fleshed out, with issues and agendas of their own. There are some beautifully heartfelt moments, not just between Cat and Griffin, but also between Cat and her new family, Carver in particular. It creates a nice juxtaposition for when Cat finally faces off against Andromeda and we get to see just how far Cat has come since the first book.

Heart on Fire is a truly satisfying conclusion to Cat’s story. The mythology and characters more than make up for a few pacing issues. I say “conclusion to Cat’s story” because I’m hoping against hope that this isn’t the end to the Kingmaker Chronicles, as there’s so much scope, and a few loose threads! Either way, I loved this trilogy and Amanda Bouchet is definitely an auto-buy author for me!

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.

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 [spoiler»] I will never forgive Amanda Bouchet for killing him off. He didn't need to die for Cat to learn something she should have figured out an entire book sooner. Gods, I cried and over that. I liked him more than Cat. It was annoying watching her struggle with the same problem over and over again. [End 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.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Jacki – ☆☆☆☆
I was eagerly awaiting this third book in the series after really enjoying the previous two. I am fussy about this genre generally, so when I find one that I like it is an extra treat. This series has definitely not let me down. In fact, my husband is even reading them now and it's not often we both like the same thing.

In this third installment, we come full circle with the transformation of Cat and her life. She has come a long way and learned so much, but the true test is coming, and she isn't sure she has changed and learned enough to survive it and protect all of those who have slowly crept into and thawed her terrified heart.

I really enjoyed the little surprises the author had popping up along the way in this one. It kept me sucked right into the storyline not wanting to put it down. Of course, there was plenty of action and angst along the way with the perfect mix of love and romance. I liked that the author brought even more emotional depth this time, making the impact of every little twist even stronger. It was definitely a full package book. Explosive, action packed, fast paced, sexy, and emotional, all in one! I am left with a few little questions and curiosities, but I believe the author left some things open intentionally.

Overall, I devoured this book. I loved the series and am sad to see the story come to an end even after being satisfied with it. That is the mark of a good author for me. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Amanda Bouchet's further works and will definitely recommend this book. I already did with my husband.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆☆
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


Erica – ☆☆☆
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.

This was an exciting finish to the trilogy. I don't read a lot of fantasy that features female heroines. This was great and I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Conclusion was very satisfying. There were a couple of outcomes that I wanted differently, but loved the emotion of the final showdown.

Thrilling Ride from Start to Finish

Wow.

What. A. Ride.

Heart of Fire starts with a heart-breaking family confrontation and ends with one that puts it back together. It’s a stunning inferno of a book, a fitting conclusion to a fantastic trilogy.

The plot bursts breathlessly from confrontation to confrontation so quickly, you barely notice Cat’s bouts of navel-gazing. She had a terrible childhood and only in this book is it clear how badly it scarred her. Most of the book is her learning to accept herself and control her considerable powers, a journey that takes her back to the Ice Plains, down into Tartarus, and all the way back to her homeland of Fisa.

I enjoyed the foundation of Greek mythology, which becomes even more apparent in this instalment. It limited the world-building the author had to do without forgoing richness and it was also interesting to wonder if this is some offshoot of our own world.

This can’t be read as a standalone, as it refers to past events throughout. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if the previous events had happened on page, which caused some confusion but not enough to push me out of the story.

It’s not a perfect book, but it was such fun to read and (mostly) ended Cat and Griffin’s story on a satisfying note. I could see side-characters being paired off, which I really like in an ending. There is some mystery on the fate of one character, but I’m hoping that’s a sequel hook, or at least short story fodder. All in all, a worthy end to a wonderful debut and I eagerly await what the author writes next.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so conflicted about this book! I didn't love it, though there are things I loved about it. Primarily the supporting cast and the moments Cat spends with them. And I didn't dislike it, though are certainly things I didn't like. Mostly how involved the gods are in Cat and Griffin's lives. The moment when Cat finds out how involved they've been was pretty great though.

There's so much mythology in Heart on Fire, much more than any other book in the series, that I feel like the author was trying to write her own myth. Like a sequel to what the Greeks have written. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with that, but it wasn't what I wanted to read. I wanted Cat to have more agency. And I wanted her to act.

Instead she spends a lot of time thinking about her magic, about what Elpis is - it means "hope" but is also something of a motto for her team, and about what she and Griffin are. I don't mind her being philosophical, but it happened so much that it got repetitive.

The moral of this myth seems to be that we should find balance between compassion and ruthlessness, humanity and monstrosity, fate and free will. And we should find the one who balances us, as Griffin does Cat. And there's nothing wrong with that message, but I didn't need to be beaten over the head with it.

I also felt like the way Cat confronted her mother several times over the course of the story, instead of battling through a series of challenges to get to her, lessened the impact of the final confrontation. She was so built up over the two previous books that she didn't quite seem to live up to the hype.

Still, I'm happy knowing how the story ends. After A Promise of Fire I was thoroughly invested in these characters. It's just that I'm not entirely satisfied with the ending. See what I mean? Conflicted.

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.

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.)

MY THOUGHTS:
This was a great ending to the trilogy! I’m going to be super vague about everything because this is definitely a series I recommend reading in order, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. To that end, you should know that we spend a lot of time in Cat’s head. Like A LOT. To the point that I felt like she was overthinking things, and in slowed the pace way down.

That was the only complaint I had about this book though, honestly. There were less steamy moments, but no less action and tense scenes. In fact, I was frequently worrying about favorite characters fast approaching death! I loved that Cat and Griffin came to terms about certain aspects of their relationship. And I loved how much more we learned about Cat. Amanda is truly wonderful at weaving characters I can get behind.

I hope we get more from this universe in the future! I’d love to see more books written about other side characters 🙂

And it comes to an end. I felt like this story built up so much that the end of it was going to be a let down. I am so glad It wasn't. This book did however leave a few little things open in the end so I am going to HOPE that this means we will see more of these guys in the future. Amanda Bouchet is a wizard with words in this final chapter of Cat's story.



Pure chaos and a whole lot of self love. Thats what this book was. Cat needed to learn to truly love and trust herself, as as for everyone else, well, we all have a role to play and even if the fates had more of a hand in Cat's future, they still played with the entire cast a bit.

I have to say this book did feel like a constant climax that just exploded in the last 20 pages. It was a freefall and I loved every second of it. I kept thinking that there was no way Bouchet could wrap it up, but she managed and through a tightly gripped book, I survived and came out the other side of this war with words.

A Promise of Fire was one of my top fantasy reads of 2016, and I have recommended it countless times to book friends. I have been waiting for this final installment for over a year and of course, my expectations were of the highest variety. Sadly, this final installment fell somewhat flat and left me longing for the magic I experienced in the first two books.

Don't mistake my criticism for dislike, but I did "like" this book. However, despite being over 400 pages, it felt like nothing significant happened. Numerous events felt repetitive in nature. I continued to adore Cat and all her feistiness; it truly makes this series entertaining. My favorite moments were those between Cat and secondary characters, and I wish there had been more of those interactions. I also enjoyed the involvement of the gods and goddesses. However, the ending was anti-climatic and didn't match the buildup of the previous books.

Even though the finale didn't amaze me, I would never discourage anyone from reading the series. If there is a spinoff in the future, I won't hesitate to purchase it. Bouchet is a talented author and does a brilliant job mixing fantasy and romance. I look forward to her new series.

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.

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

>>>>> 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'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!