What a fantastic follow up to the Kingmaker Chronicles! If you're a fan of Greek mythology, I highly suggest reading this book.

This book is a bit of a continuation from the kingmaker books, but in this book we follow Flynn, from Beta Team, and Jocasta, Griffin’s younger sister. It was fantastic getting to learn more about Flynn and Jocasta and understand why it took so long for them to finally get together in this book. I’m glad that they were able to figure out where they wanted to live and do after the adventure to Circe’s Garden.

I'm quite excited about the set up this book provides for future books. I also greatly enjoyed that we got to see more of the Gods perspective in this book, which is something we didn't get in the previous trilogy.

A Curse of Queens is the fourth book in the Kingmaker Chronicles series by Amanda Bouchet. This series is everything a fantasy romance should be. It is fun, sexy, and has incredible world-building. I reread this series at least once a year because it is a wonderful example of how to write fantasy romance.

Wow, white-hot indeed with this series but there was not as much spice in this installment comparatively. I was new to this series until I requested this book but I am glad I did. This was definitely more of a slow burn romance in this installment and I felt the pace was different in this book, which was a little bit of a shame, I would have liked more to happen earlier on in the book. I felt the beginning was a lot slower paced. But still a book I enjoyed.

4.5 stars

A few months after the end of Heart on Fire, Cat is cursed, right before she’s due to give birth to little Eleni. After hours of research, Jocasta thinks that Circe could help them since she can create any plant in her magical garden, and she embarks on a perilous journey with Flynn, Carver, Bellanca, and Prometheus to find the garden. Before they reach Circe though, they will have to survive various trials, and also attacks from angry Gods trying to usurp Zeus and Elpis Team.

This book focuses on Jocasta and Flynn, and I love that they both had their own chapters. I loved Cat and Griffin’s adventure in the trilogy, but I was also dying to get more of Flynn and Jocasta so I was so happy to know that they would get their own book! The romance between them was expected, and well-developed, but the plot is also interesting and engaging, and we still have the mythology elements, the fighting, and the strong friendships we had in the previous books.

The pace and writing style also helped a lot to get lost in this book. It has a good flow with a good balance of action, banter, development, and sexy moments, and if you enjoyed the first books, you will love this one for sure.

As in the other books in this series, there is a lot of action and fighting, and I feel that I need to take a moment to mention how awesome Bellanca and Prometheus were. Bellanca is such a fierce fighter, and she never gives up. She saved the team on multiple occasions, and the same can be said for Prometheus. He is starting to trust his powers again, and being a Titan, he is very powerful and can be pretty badass in a fight. I really hope to see more of them both, and their banter was also super cute. The “found family” vibe that I liked from the previous books is still present here even though it’s the 4th book of the series because there are new additions to the team, and it still felt wholesome to see them realize that people cared about them and that they had a family they could rely on now.

The romance was expected, of course, but the author added more depth to it than I was expecting. It was not as simple as Jocasta and Flynn loving each other, but Flynn not wanting to get involved with his best friend’s little sister. We saw a new side of him that was hidden in the trilogy, and it broke my heart to see how scared he was because he was afraid of losing the ones he loved. Seriously, I wanted to hug him real tight. There was also a lot of sexual tension between them, and I love how Jocasta was active and decided to take matters into her own hands and really try to seduce Flynn and show him that they could work, instead of just pinning after him and hoping that he would change his mind.

Flynn and Jocasta were two great main characters. I loved them in the trilogy, and I love them even more now. I especially love how Flynn got so much more layered in this book! In the trilogy, he was a loyal, kind, and sweet friend and it was impossible not to love him, but in this book, he felt so much more real and relatable. Jocasta was also awesomely well-developed: we already knew that she was a strong and determined character, but we got to really see it in this book. She has fire and she is brave, but we also got to see how she missed her old life where she felt like she had a real purpose, and how she felt unheard among her family. I am glad that she stood up for herself and showed everyone that she was an asset to the team as much as they were, even though she is not as good a fighter as they are.

I loved Jocasta and Flynn’s story, and I still want to see more of them, but I am also hoping for a Carver/Bellanca book next because there is no way those two won’t end up together. The banter, sass, tension, and teasing between them are insane. It’s the typical “pulling on a girl’s hair because you like her and don’t know what to do with those feelings” situation. They both try their best to aggravate each other and to rile them up on any occasion, but when their life is in danger, they are fiercely protective and would put their life on the line to save each other. I don’t know when it will happen, but when those two finally decide to let themselves enjoy each other, it’s going to be so intense!

This is not just an extra book simply so Flynn and Jocasta can get their happily ever after, it’s the beginning of the second part of the Kingmaker Chronicle, and there will definitely be at least one other book because many things are left unresolved, and we can see that there are more problems to come. Cat, Griffin, and their team won’t get their quiet and peaceful life just yet, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

A Curse of Queens brings The Kingmaker Chronicles into an exciting new era, following different characters, and whether you like it or not will depend highly on your experience with the prior trilogy. Most of the positive things I had to say for those books were about the world (unclear as the semantics were) and Cat herself, while feeling lukewarm to sometimes horrified by Griffin. So to have that pairing take a backseat for one more my speed is very welcome.

I love how the narrative begins with a kiss between Jocasta and Flynn, which both try to deny means anything. While “best friend’s sister”/“brother’s best friend” narratives can be problematic in some of their outdated messaging, the book avoids this, while maintaining the stakes and tension. It does start to her a little long-winded with all the pining, but ultimately it is worth it to see these two figure it out and get together.

And it’s not like the book lacks other stuff going on. Cat is now cursed, and Jocasta and Flynn are tasked with hunting down the cure. This is a great way to continue to see more of the world and give them perilous stakes to overcome on the road to love.

This is a solid “reboot” of sorts for the series, giving the characters their happy ending while also leaving the door open for more stories in the future. If you’re a fan of the previous books, you’ll very likely enjoy this one too. And while new readers are recommended to read the first three for context, I’d still recommend it to those who love fantasy romance, with the caveat that the dynamics between Griffin and Cat vs. Jocasta and Flynn are very different.

As someone who is a massive fan of the original Kingmaker series, I have been waiting anxiously for this new edition. I was a little worried I had built my expectations too high since the original three are some of my absolute favorite fantasy romance books. But, nope A Curse of Queens absolutely delivered everything I was hoping for.

Since we first got to know Jocasta and Flynn I've been ready to see their HEA and this story was perfection for me. It really had just the right amount of fantasy elements, mythology/lore, and romance to tick all the boxes. The witty banter I've come to love from Amanda Bouchet was still there and that along with the fast moving plot kept me flipping the pages.

I really appreciated that Jocasta and Flynn were very different people and a very different couple than the first books. I loved both but I'm glad these characters really stood on their own. Jocasta was a heroine so rooted in knowing exactly what she wants and not being afraid to fight for it. Even when hope seemed so low for both the mission and her romance with Flynn, she kept on fighting and believing in herself. Oh Flynn... I just loved how much he adored Jocasta. Even though his reasons for staying away were frustrating at times, I really empathized with him wanting the best for her. He just didn't always know exactly what that was right away (aka him). He really came into his own as the hero of the story but equally so did Jocasta become the heroine. So equally matched for each other.
Absolutely loved and hope to see more in this series soon!

4.5/5

Amanda Bouchet delivers again! A Curse of Queens sends us back into the Promise of Fire world with characters we know and love an couldn’t wait to learn more about!

I liked this book just slightly less than the main trilogy but I could not wait to read about Jocasta and Flynn! I do have to say though, although I loved Griffin and Cat more as a couple, my favourite character 110% is Jocasta! She was such a special and complex character and I was constantly in awe of her courage and strength and getting to see everything from her POV was literally a privilege.

LOW AND BEHOLD this book sets us up perfectly for ANOTHER BOOK. (I’d be okay if this series never ended)

All and all great book as per usually from Amanda Bouchet!

Big thank you to Amanda Bouchet and Source Books for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The three formerly separate regions of Thalyria have finally been united under one rule by Queen Catalia and Griffin, her warrior king. As the time grows near for Cat to give birth to her prophesied daughter, Eleni, who will be the Elpis or hope for the future of the kingdom, someone powerful curses Cat by an elixir of horrific properties threatening to ruin everything they have fought for and greatly sacrificed to bring peace and stability to their kingdom.

Griffin’s sister, Jocasta, who is an exemplary healer, spends day and night desperately trying to find the cure, or else Cat and her unborn child will be destined to the unthinkable decimating all hopes of their realm remaining intact. When Jocasta discovers the answer and antidote lies in Circe’s Garden, a legendary island off Fisa’s coast, she knows this is the only prospect for a cure. Though stout of heart and mind, Jocasta needs help on this quest, specifically from the man she has loved a long time, but who rejected her six years ago. Flynn of Sinta, the loyal and stoic captain of Griffin’s guard, will do anything to protect the family he grew up near even if it means a perilous expedition with the woman who would own his heart, if he could only allow himself to give it to her. Flynn suffered some devastating losses that have locked up his willingness to ever experience that kind of heartbreak again.

Jocasta and Flynn face not only a journey made treacherous by those warring with Olympus, but a voyage of the heart as well since neither one’s feelings have ever diminished. Flynn’s bravery on the battle field and as a protector is unquestioned; however, he will have to find a new kind of courage in order not only to guard the woman he loves, but allow himself to take a chance at having a life fully lived despite the possibility of a loss which Flynn could not see living through again. Jocasta’s brave heart and spirit as well a strong intellect make her the de facto leader along with a little help from some friends including one with godlike powers, a beloved brother, and a spitfire of a magic user.

At #4 in the Kingmaker Chronicles, this book has adventure, humor, evocative prose, and a deeply pleasing romance that will warm the chilliest of hearts. This epic story is fantasy romance at its finest with all the exciting, thrilling, and satisfying elements of a tale well told. Fans will be quite pleased to be back in Amanda Bouchet’s superbly crafted world. With gods and monsters as well as courageous men and women going on a quest filled with dangers and challenges, readers will be taken on a thrilling, at times heart-stopping and ultimately, a very enjoyable supreme ride.

When I started A Curse of Queens I had not read the three books that come before and I was a bit confused. I stopped, read the first three Kingmaker chronicles and I have to say I definitely recommend doing so. While this book follows Jocasta and Flynn, there is a lot of backstory and meaning that you miss out on reading this first.

I actually ended up liking this book more than the original trilogy, mostly because I really like Jocasta. I enjoyed seeing Jocasta shine, and really get to show off her true strength. I loved the dynamic between all of the characters on their adventure. Belanca and Carvers banter was great. The characters are definitely what keeps me coming back for more. I felt like the pacing was a little off, the beginning dragged and then the end was very quick. The romance was sweet, but a bit mushy at times. Overall it was a fun story. I am actually looking forward to other books hopefully centered around the other characters with lose ends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC and the publisher for the complimentary hard-copies. All opinions provided are my own.

If you’re in the mood for a brother’s best friend romance, you long for those days you studied learned Greek mythology in school, & you are a creature who thrives on secondhand pining, you should check out Amanda Bouchet’s A Curse of Queens.

Though it’s book 4 of the Kingmaker Chronicles this book focuses on a different couple & I don’t think it’s necessary to read the series from the beginning (although obviously there are advantages to doing that).

This book finds healer & sister of the King, Jocasta, “Jo,” quietly longing for a love & a home of her own & still hurting from being rejected by her brother’s best friend Flynn when she was 18.

For his part, Flynn has big feelings for Jo which he will not share or act on because of his tremendous fear since losing so many of his loved ones.

Luckily for us, Jo & Flynn decide to go on a mission to save the royal family that takes them adventuring across the kingdom & sea, to places no other mortals dare go.

Jo has to really fight for Flynn & throughout the book she becomes the leading lady of her own life—to borrow a quote from Hannah of Tessa Bailey’s Hook, Line & Sinker.

Filled with lots of potential danger, acts of bravery, & finally…kissing & declarations, A Curse of Queens is a captivating fantasy with heart & thrills that ends with an intriguing set-up for the next book (which I’m guessing will focus on a different couple).

This fantasy romance offers first class adventuring-writing with pockets of sweetness & it was a lot of fun.

4.5 ⭐️. Out 10/04.

CWs: Implied attempted rape by soldier. Violence. Death.

[ID: a white woman wearing a blue dress with white polka dots holds A Queen’s Curse in her left hand. In her lap are books 1-3 of the series.]

Okay, Holy Cow I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did!

Curse of Queens is the perfect fantasy romance packed with action, a fantastic plot, and amazing characters.

Jocasta has been in love with Flynn, her brother’s best friend, her whole life. Until one night years ago, changed their whole dynamic. Now six years later they avoid each other at all costs and hardly ever speak. Until fate has other plans and they embark on a journey where they are forced to work together.

To be honest, I went in kind of blind. When I saw it up for request on Netgalley, what caught my attention was the beautiful cover. I had no idea this was part of a series. What made me understand it was the way the other characters, which have their books, were described. Although I always recommend reading the series first, you can easily read this as an interconnected stand-alone because the storyline that happened in the previous books is explained and easy to understand.

Now, let’s talk about this beauty;

I loved it from the beginning. The story is hooking from the first chapter and unlike many of its genres, there is no info dump, difficult world-building, or even hard, confusing bits. The easiness with which I read this caught me off guard in the best way.

I loved loved loved Jocasta and Flynn, they were wonderful individually and as a couple and their relationship throughout the book is really well-paced and written amazingly.

There was romance, delicious tension, adorable moment, and steamy, heated moments. I LOVED how gone they were for each other and seeing them moon for one another in their heads was the cherry on the cake. And there was nothing better than when they finally collided.

THE PLOT:

It was such a unique twist to Greek mythology, with added stuff that worked so well together. The power dynamics, the rivalry, and the world-building were SO GOOD. They were full and had no holes to trip over while reading

The connection between the series and this book was well written and again with no holes in the plot.

GENERAL OPINION:

I recommend this to every fantasy romance reader because I know they'd love it. SO GO READ THIS!!!

A Curse of Queens is a slow burn fantasy romance full of Greek mythological characters and places. Which I don't have a great understanding of so the definitions/explanations at the end of the book were such a great help, I love that the author included these. 
 
Flynn and Jocasta used to have an easygoing friendship but one kiss 6 years ago left their friendship in tatters and their encounters strained and awkward. Now they are both a part of a group on a perilous quest to rid Jocasta's family of a curse that is threatening the stability of their whole kingdom. They need to complete a series of heart racing trials to get to Circe's Garden, a mysterious and dangerous place that holds the key to breaking the curse. 
 
The mutual pining and all of the angst between Jocasta and Flynn is next level! My goodness! I'm surprised they both didn't self combust! The forced proximity of their quest together is exactly what they needed.
 
This can be read as a standalone (which is how I read it) but I would recommend reading the previous books first to get more of an understanding of their backstory and the side characters. There are 2 characters I am dying to read more of so I am hoping they have a book of their own coming up.

⚜️ Book Title - A curse of queens
⚜️ Author - Amanda Bouchet
⚜️ Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚜️ Some Genre/Themes/Tropes: Adult Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Friends to lovers and Brothers Best Friend

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is my honest review.

When I saw this ARC listed, I was ecstatic to jump back into the incredible world created by Amanda Bouchet.

This book is Jocasta (FMC) and Flynn’s (MMC) story, which I have been waiting for since that first sexually awkward interaction between the two of them. Was I worried it wasn’t going to live up to my expectations?… No, because Bouchet knows how to deliver a *chef kiss* story! Well done my dear! Anywho, back to the review…

I was already invested in the characters prior to coming into this book, but the additional context to what makes each of them tick, was excellent. Especially my pining sweet Flynn. How I adore you.

This story was a different pace to the other books though but I enjoy the slow burn and different tone to the action which was experienced by previous characters. And the ending! Oh, that ending…

So, am I sad to leave this world for a little while once again? Yes. Will I be hung over till the possible next book? Also yes…

This book is a five star read which means it has entered the comfort pile. Welcome my friend.

I would recommend this book and the series to others till I’m horse in the throat. I will be waiting anxiously for other books written by this author.

I want to say thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Amanda Bouchet returns to the world of her Kingmaker Chronicles with a new book that focuses on Griffin’s younger sister, Jocasta, and his best friend, Flynn. Now that Cat and Griffin are installed as the Queen and King of a newly united Thalyria, they can no longer go adventuring. So when Cat is given the Elixir of Eternal Life (it’s a bad thing), they must remain at court, pretending everything is fine. Jocasta, an herbalist and healer, thinks she can find Circe’s island prison and win an antidote from her.

I sped reread A Promise of Fire, Breath of Fire, and Heart of Fire to refresh myself on the story so far. I still like A Promise of Fire the best, even though there is still the issue of Griffin kidnapping Cat.

Jocasta has a theory that there is about to be a war among the gods on Olympus and that the attack on Cat and some other events are designed to see who is willing to help Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena, and who is not. Jocasta is the brains and heart of the group that goes to look for Circe. It was fun to read about a woman with no magic, and no significant gift at warfare leading an adventure in this world where gods, titans, and magical creatures are active participants.

Flynn and Jocasta have been in love with each other for years, but Flynn feels like he isn’t good enough for her, and after losing his entire family years before, he is reluctant to love and build a family of his own. Flynn is the weak link in the story until he gives up and admits to Jocasta that he loves her. After that he is much less annoying and very happy to let Jocasta lead.

A Curse of Queens was fun. It doesn’t quite have the snap, crackle, pop of A Promise of Fire, but I suspect the next book will. With Jocasta and Flynn settled happily at the end of the book, I have my suspicions about where Bouchet will take the series next, and I can’t wait.

Also, after inhaling 4 Kingmaker Chronicle books, I would like to request that Amanda Bouchet publish a recipe for the spice cake that is eaten in all of the books. I want one. I want to be able to make it. I made myself some gingerbread cake, but I’m not sure it’s the same thing.

CW: grief for several family deaths that happened either before the start of the series, or in the previous book, illness, injury, memory of past sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, unfairness of the gods’ treatment of Medusa and the Gorgons, unfairness of the gods, betrayal.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Sourcebooks and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

<i>I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

A Curse of Queens is the 4th book in the Kingmaker Chronicles and I recommend reading the original trilogy first so you don't miss out on Flynn and Jocasta's romantic build up. I've been pining for Flynn and Jocasta from the beginning and I'm so happy that the author wrote their story.

Jocasta has always been in love with Flynn, her brother's best friend. Flynn and Jocasta were also friends, but one impulsive act completely changed their dynamic 6 years ago. And now things are strained and awkward between them. But what they don't know is that the pining is actually mutual. When the queen Cat gets cursed, Flynn and Jocasta are forced to go on a quest together to find a cure.

OMG the mutual pining and angst killed me!!! 😩 If y'all love a pining hero, then this book is for you 😩 The way Flynn pines...Lord, have mercy 😩 He wants Jocasta so much that he thinks he's going to die from the wanting 🥺 This is how I like my pining heroes 🤌🏽 It's an absolute treat being inside Flynn's head. He pines so hard for Jocasta, but he holds himself back. His backstory is incredibly heartbreaking. This is one of those rare moments where I can actually understand why Flynn fights his feelings for Jocasta. I empathize with Flynn so much and I can understand why he's so scared of taking that step with Jocasta.

A Curse of Queens is slow-paced in terms of plot, especially when compared to the original trilogy. This book is more character-driven and relationship-driven. The plot takes a backseat to the relationship and character growth. I personally didn't mind because I truly enjoyed Flynn and Jocasta as individual characters and as a couple. The author does an incredible job writing Flynn's emotional growth - it takes time for him to lower his walls completely and come face to face with his fears. Jocasta's journey is also very well-written as she finally saves the day and achieves her dreams.

The quest itself doesn't actually begin until the third act at the 70% mark. The journey leading to the quest takes a lot more space that I had originally expected. The pacing and structure is a bit weird and unconventional. There is also a lack of proper transition between acts. Ultimately, I think it all comes down to the author's writing style because I had the same issues with the previous books in this series. Despite the quest happening so late in the story, it somehow worked out all right. It didn't feel rushed at all. I really liked the climax because it perfectly aligned with Jocasta, with who she is, and with her overall strengths. Instead of forcing a physical battle on Jocasta, the author wrote a climax that fits Jocasta's personality and strengths.

My only complaint about the romance is the low steam 😭 I needed more steam 😭 It's not fair that Cat and Griffin got all the steamy scenes, but the author held out on Flynn and Jocasta ugh. I really enjoyed the romance, but I am still disappointed with the low steam. After all the pining and angst, I really needed the payoff to be steamier.

The ending is phenomenal and I'm so excited for the next couple's story!!! I hope we get some Flynn and Jocasta scenes in the next book, but I highly doubt it.

I loved this book - I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being in this world until I started reading. This book picks up after the original Kingmaker Chronicles trilogy ends, but follows Jocasta and Flynn. Listen, this book had every - adventure, questing, friends to lovers, pining for each other for years, and (most importantly) virgin hero! Anyone who loved the original trilogy needs to read this. Also, I will riot if the series does not continue and we don't get stories for Bellanca and Kaia.

I have loved all the previous books in this series, but this one was just so slow. I didn't really feel the connection between Jocasta and Flynn. Something felt off about their relationship and I was not invested in it at all. Ms. Bouchet is a talented writer, but this book wasn't one of my favorites.

Another fabulous installment by Amanda. The way she weaves her world is just captivating. I didn't think I could love another couple as much as Griffin and Cat but here we are. I wasn't a huge fan of her novella with Piers but I'm feeling much better about the series now & the direction she is taking it. I just love her characters and their recognition of their strengths and weaknesses.

I absolutely loved this redhot romance. Was the male lead a little fifty shades of fucked up? Yes! But... I am sucker for a morally gray love interest. The greek mythology was the icing on the cake for me!

If I knew what white-hot meant I would have never requested this.

This is probably a very spicy take. So I probably will not be posting this entire review to public platforms. To be clear, I dnf'd this at 28%. I really thought I was going to like this, until I got to Flynn's pov 💀. Since I'm a fatalist, I saw him rejecting Jocasta coming. What I didn't see was that he'd be a creep.

My main point: Flynn needs therapy because he's fucked up.

I don't really have any recollection of the previous 3 books. All I know is that I was definitely far too young when I read them.

I actually really liked the premise of the story, Greek mythology incorporated. I'm a sucker for that. Someone curses the queen, slips her something that grants her immortality, freezes her body in time. The problem is because she's highly pregnant, meaning she can't give birth because the baby also will not age. (Yes, babies are a part of their mother's body) Jocasta is a healer and desperately tries to find a cure, unsuccessfully. Until she finds a map to Circe's Garden and decides to go on a journey to find it, complete the challenges and get Circe to create a plant to cure the queen's curse.

Now, my thoughts on Flynn. He is Jocasta's childhood friend and crush. He rejected her and since, their relationship has been strained. Flynn was into Jocasta and is still obsessed with her. He thinks of her as if she were some piece of meat, as if his desires were uncontrollable. Apologies, as something to fuck, not a person. He keeps acting as if he were going to combust if he didn't touch her, sexualizing every aspect of her. (One time she's literally sleeping.) Constantly having inappropriate thoughts about her. Doesn't let her get over him in peace, keeps disturbing her, and also has the audacity to be possessive and jealous when he has no intention of being with her. I understand that this is mature content but what the actual fuck. It was disturbing. And to think this is considered peak romance. Like people would want this for themselves? This is why I'm terrified of men because why exactly is this acceptable? I'm worried for the allosexuals. People will ignore everything. Are you not capable of critical thinking the moment you get horny? This is a critique to all romance readers/writers... Would you still like it if it were a random person? Someone you didn't like/found attractive?

I stopped reading because I couldn't bear to see Jocasta and Flynn get back together and how she'd have to rely on his help and him.