Magical with an exhilarating adventure, A Curse of Queens is everything I hoped it to be. Ms. Bouchet crafts a masterful piece filled with backstabbing gods, civil unrest, and intrigue. Lately, I have been following and reading authors who write fantasy with complex plots and highly developed world-building. I love it. Ms. Bouchet is an automatic read for me. Her stories suck me into a fantasy world rich with culture, people, and strife. The strife is what makes it interesting.

Whilst the focal point of this book is about the Queen's curse, the main character is Jocasta. Jocasta's been the quiet sister-in-law to the Queen, Cat. Jocasta nostalgically thinks of days when she didn't live in a castle. Instead, she had a nice little home with her family. She would be the village healer through herbs and potions. The upscaling of her life, has made her a little irrelevant and displaced. Her life goals are now asunder and she tries to fit herself into a world that she no longer recognizes.

I love character progression stories and this is all about Jocasta coming into her own. She learns what she can do and she proves it to all her doubters. One of her chief doubters is Flynn, her childhood crush. Jocasta's dissatisfaction with her life skews how she perceives others. Her journey to find herself, expand her magic, and rekindle a lost love is fraught with peril, trickery, and ancient lore.

The way Ms. Bouchet ties Greek mythology to this series is impressive. I loved how the origin is revealed. I also love how Circe's story is reinterpreted and incorporated into this book. The layering of this story creates a rich experience that pulls me straight into the book. I feel like I have stepped through a portal into this world. I am following along, like a fly on the wall as our heroes complete their quest. It is marvelous. I recommend this book to fantasy readers who enjoy epic quests.

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous Kingmaker Chronicles novels so naturally I was pretty excited to see the series continuing with A Curse of Queens! While I am grateful for the continuation of the story as a whole in this expansive alluring world, I only wish Jocasta's time in the limelight would have been more engaging. It was a painfully slow read until the last 25% in my opinion. So much so that by the time interesting things really started happening I just wanted it to be over. The last bit of the book was honestly terrific though and held a lot of potential for interesting storylines to come. I'd definitely like to give the next book a shot but I can only hope it will not drag as long as this one did or my interest for the series might just die off.


Even the Romance element to this one felt off to me. I didn’t FEEL the chemistry between Flynn and Jocasta as much as I did in previous books which is really saying something considering this is the only one where intimate things happen between them. I love a good will-they-or-won't-they slow burn, but this felt inevitable and torturously drawn out. I didn't feel the feels, I was just told they are there...so when it finally happens I was past truly having any investment in it.


I think I missed the consistent excitement of Cat and Griffin immensely in this installment, whether it be in battle or romance. Maybe a Carver and Bellanca book next might turn up the heat and quicken the pace. I'd be game for that.

When I read the first book, I loved it. I thought it had a good balance between the fantasy aspect and the romance aspect. But in this book, I think the romance becomes the main focus, and it is quite disappointing for me.

I’m a huge fan of the first 3 books of The Kingmaker Chronicles. When I heard the story was going to continue with a 4th book, I was excited. The first 3 were fast-paced, action-packed, and a whole lot of fun.

It was great to be able to re-enter the world of The Kingmaker Chronicles with the characters of Flynn and Jocasta, who stood out in earlier books. Their romance was more sweet and innocent friends-to-lovers than the spark-filled enemies-to-lovers passion between Cat and Griffin. Flynn and Jo are nice and all, but I was actually more intrigued by the interactions between Carver and Bellanca.

The story was slow to start. It took past the 30% mark for the journey to begin. I was sad about certain moments that weren’t shown, but instead briefly described after the fact or not at all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Publication date: October 4

After inhaling the fantasy series The Kingmaker Chronicles during lockdown in 2020, I was pumped to see that the author decided to continue the story. The series became one of my absolute favorites and after the end of the last book, I wanted to continue to live in the world the author created.

A Curse of Queens pivots a bit from the previous novels now that that the storyline is complete. This novel is focused on Jocasta and Flynn. The previous main characters and other supporting characters are present, but ultimately, the story centers on the relationship between Jocasta and Flynn and their quest to save the realm amidst a growing conflict between the gods and to save their biological and found family.

I truly loved this novel and the direction it took. It started off a bit slow, but it put into context the relationship between Jocasta and Flynn and enabled for the reader to truly understand the characters personalities and facilitated character growth. One of the biggest gripes I have with friends to lovers or second chance romances is that authors skip the relationship building in favor of moving the plot forward. I felt that the author had a good balance between the pacing of the plot and developing the relationship between the characters on the page. With it having dual POV, something I didn’t get but wish I did in the original series, I could really see the character’s growth within themselves and their relationship.

I also loved how action packed this book was towards the end and how it incorporated Greek Mythology and The Odyssey as the characters started their quest. As a lover of Greek Mythology and an educator who teaches The Odyssey, it was cool to see those aspect within the book and to see how the author utilized those myths and literature to continue to create this world.

While this book could theoretically be read as a stand alone, you would be missing a lot of context and appreciation of characters if you skip the previous three books. My advice would be to read them in order.

Overall, I highly recommend this book!

Read this book if you enjoy:
✅shy, cinnamon roll solider MMC
✅brother’s best friend
✅magic
✅Greek Mythology
✅dual POV
✅friends to acquaintances to friends to lovers
✅slow burn romance
✅character growth

Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebookscasa for a copy of A CURSE OF QUEENS out October 4, 2022.

I've been itching for something like A Curse of Queens from Amanda ever since I had the pleasure of discovering A Promise of Fire and this book did not disappoint. When I realized there would be a fourth book to the series, I was over the moon! I loved Flynn. And I thought I already like Jocasta but I love her even more. Her internal strength and the chemistry between these two, it is everything! I highly recommend this book. It can be read as a standalone but I 100% encourage you to start with book 1 in the series, A Promise of Fire. It will make you love A Curse of Queens even more!

I absolutely loved the first trilogy in this series and was so excited to hear we were getting more. This was a great continuation of the story focusing on Jocasta and Flynn. If you are looking for a fantasy adventure with some will they won't they romantic spice, then you are going to be pleased reading this story. I love the Greek gods and tales woven throughout the journey. The book wraps up nicely but clearly has paths open for more books to come. I can't wait to continue reading books by Bouchet!

Loved this series! Ash @wickedreads recommended it in a video and I knew I had to check it out. The couple is adorable together. I would’ve liked to see them interact more. Overall, this was fun.

A Curse of Queens is a suspenseful slow-burn worth the wait!

Amanda Bouchet expertly develops Jocasta and Flynn’s romance with trust, longing, and pleasure.

Bouchet’s latest novel, A Curse of Queens, is a stand-alone sequel to her popular Kingmaker Chronicles. Its base is an action-packed quest that ignites a long burning romantic into flames!

Through the trials of the first three books, Cat won her title as Queen of Thalyria. However, an unknown force wishes to see her stripped of the throne. With a curse leaving her in a pregnant, immortal, and unchanging state, the future of Thalyria awaits with bated breath.

Armed with knowledge, Cat’s sister-in-law Jocasta has a plan; one that will either save them all or claim their lives trying. In summary, Team Elpis 2.0 wanders into a game of Gods, where no one is safe and vengeance rains down upon them.

In the meantime, with their lives on the line and their futures uncertain, Jocasta and Flynn finally decide to communicate. After years of arguments, unspoken words, and avoidance, will taking a risk on love be worth the reward? Bouchet’s newest novel features a prominent key trope of, “I love you and you haven’t known it.”

To enumerate and remain truthful, the first half of A Curse of Queens goes by at a somewhat tedious pace. While the plot is intriguing enough, there isn’t much that demands you continue. Still, I believe A Curse of Queens is worth sticking around for. However much the beginning may lack, Bouchet certainly makes up for it in her concluding second half. This is where the magic happens! Yes, I am referring to both sex and wondrous literature.

A Curse of Queens is the first novel of Amanda Bouchets I have read and I have to give it to her; she knows how to write a story! Bouchet expertly delivers a slow burn with longing that screams off the page. With this book being a dual point of view, Bouchet allows readers a fruitful glance into each partner’s minds, their desire and love clear as a bell.

In contrast, Bouchet’s way of writing romance is a little intense. While the romance is hot, Amanda makes it evidently clear how much emotion goes on between the two love interests. There are multitudinous references to their lust and longing with every chapter. As a reader, it became quite overbearing. On the bright side, the intensity changes for the better midway through. I found myself quite overwhelmed with Flynn’s and Jocasta’s lust while they were not a couple. Nevertheless, Bouchet proves her worth once they finally admit their feelings and give into their undeniable love for one another. Everything changes from this point. Their incessant horniness cultivates into admiration, devotedness, and blissful passion.

Overall, while this story was compelling, I can not justify recommending it to anyone who has not read the original trilogy. I feel the story lost a certain spark for me because I did not have the full backstory. Does A Curse of Queens live up to the hype? I can not say for sure. However, what I can say is while it has its flaws, the connection between Flynn and Jocasta feels real.

Despite my previous complaints, isn’t true love always hedonistic? What good would a romance be without desire and commitment? I recommend this to anyone who believes in the power of a story. If you’re intrigued by the premise of this book; pick it up! Amanda Bouchet clearly has talent in droves. As with every book, it needs to reach the right audience. Hopefully, you will appreciate it for all it entails. Hope and unyielding love, everlasting.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC!

Actually very readable despite the fact that I did not read the first three! I was very pleased with the characters and how fleshed out they felt, and though I was initially confused at the setting and how the world works, the context clues put it together for me eventually. The references to earlier books actually almost intrigued me enough to go pick up the original trilogy, I’m still on the fence though. The story was interesting and the romance was very sweet, though the writing was a little clunky. Clunky may not be the right word, it was capably written, but it felt maybe for a slightly younger audience than me, despite the fairly graphic spicy scenes.

I really liked our two romantic leads, and though I was waiting for them the whole time I could have gone for a slightly slower burn. I do like that they never wavered in their devotion to each other and there was no third act break up. I am curious to hear what comes next, and may be curious enough to find out what came before. Well done, and thanks to netgalley for the advance readers copy!

I had a big crush on the series before this one. Everything was perfect: the characters, the worldbuilding, the plot!

So when I knew that the author was going to write a spin-off about Griffin's family, well sign me up! And it did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed seeing Jocasta and Flynn's past and present intertwined and especially seeing that they were really made for each other...

On the other hand, it can be difficult to follow and understand for those who haven't read the previous books despite what the author says.

This book was pretty good, I liked this ending the most of the four main books of this series. Definitely need to read the first three books before this one!
This book is about Flynn and Jocasta and their journey to find a cure for Cat and her baby. While I felt like there was a lot of fluff and internal monologue in the first 2/3rds of the book, the last third picked up and I enjoyed. This book also sets it up so that more can be written about other side characters which I'm excited for.

Any fantasy romance fans this is a book for you! I was immediately intrigued by this book and the idea of Circe’s garden as a place to journey to because of a curse. While I was very excited to read this, I hated the characters. The mc was very bland and hard to read from and hearing what the other mc felt about her was uncomfortable. The relationships in this were written very open and it was hard to keep reading because of how much I was constantly cringing. You could definitely binge this book in one sitting it just wasn’t for me.

What a wild ride! The Kingmakers Cronicals series is fantasticly written.

I ended up reading the first few books before jumping into A curse of Queens and I’m so Glade that I did.

A curse of Queens had everything you could imagine and everything you could hope for.
Amanda did such an amazing job at feeling connected to the characters.

Page after page, I couldn’t set it down.
I can’t wait to read more and purchasing a physical copy.

The world building was done so well!
Take my word for it and get into the world and you will enjoy every moment of it!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me a digital ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very slow in the beginning. Like really slow. They don't even get to Aeaea until 80%. I love a good traveling romance fantasy but that didn't even happen until 33%.
Loved Jocasta's character growth in this. Her thought process and how faced challenges was so great. Flynn was a give or take love interest for me. I understand he does have past trauma from losing his family but still, give Jocasta what she needs my man.
This of course was a build up book to further other books in this series that will come (looking at you Bellanca and Carver) and If the pacing was a little bit better this story would've had a higher rating.

After devouring the first 3 books (and novella) in this series, I had high hopes for A Curse of Queens, and Bouchet exceeded them. Absolutely incredible world building and retelling of the Greek myths so many of us know and love and can use a reminder for. There has been one Greek deity that I've been waiting for a modern author to pit against Zeus, and Bouchet absolutely delivered and has me wanting and needing more. I've billed this series as ACOTAR meets Circe, but it really is a special series that is one of a kind and I need many, many more.

Goodreads review:
I read the first three books in this series over a weekend, absolutely DEVOURING them. When I saw that the fourth book, A Curse of Queens, was available on NetGalley, I jumped on it and crossed my fingers and was so happy when I was approved!!

A Curse of Queens takes us in a different direction than the first three books - the major storyline from the original series is done, and this book is told from the POVs of Jocasta and Flynn, alternating every chapter. Cat and Griffin and the rest of the gang are still present in this book, but not the main stars. In the book, it's been a few months since the end of Heart on Fire, and Cat and Griffin are trying to bring the three realms together and govern justly. However, not everyone is happy about the new direction, and someone puts a curse on Cat. They can't think of any solutions and are giving up hope when Jocasta comes up with the only thing that might work - finding the island Circe has been imprisoned to, and get an antidote from her garden. The only issue is that nobody has ever found Circe's island and there are many trials over land and sea to get there. Cat and Griffin can't travel so Jocasta, Flynn, and a group of some of the original series favorites set out on a journey for Circe's island. It's an action-packed adventure that is so fun to read.

And of course in addition to the adventure we have some great romance and character development! At the start of the book, Flynn and Jocasta are both feeling out of place but not sharing their feelings with anyone. Flynn is leader of the palace guard but he feels antsy. Jocasta is trying to work as a healer from the castle but nobody really needs her services. Both miss their home and the community they had there, but feel like they can't disappoint Cat, Griffin, and the others by leaving. They also continue to snap at each other, always lashing out instead of addressing the feelings they have for one another. In this book we get so much more backstory to their history with each other and separately. Jo is pushing Flynn away, hurt that he doesn't return her feelings. Right away we see that Flynn has actually always felt the same as Jo, but he is deeply scared of commitment after seeing his whole family pass away one by one before their time, his father ultimately passing away from a broken heart. Flynn is terrified that everyone that he cares about dies and doesn't want to subject Jo to that fate because he loves her so much. But of course he has never TOLD Jo about his fears, just bottling them up and refusing to feel pain and because of that, refusing to really live. But of course as they are forced together on the road, it's harder to keep telling themselves that they can ignore their feelings for one another.

I love the dual POV which we didn't get in the original three books! I love a grumpy man who is secretly pining for a woman, and we get so much of that. Sweet baby Flynn is so pure but so messed up in the head and Jo is just the right woman to help him figure it all out. Everyone has always underestimated her and she really shows how tough she is in this book, I loved her! The romance is beautiful, the action is good, and THE ENDING!! There were some twists I did NOT see coming, and definitely left it open for one more book, if not two books both from other separate POVs. These books are such a fun read, the perfect mix of fantasy, adventure, and romance. If you liked the first three books, you'll love this one! I do suggest reading the first three books before picking up this one because you need all the backstory!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC of A Curse of Queens! The book will be out October 4, 2022!

Instagram post:
After devouring the first 3 books in this series I applied for the 4th on NetGalley and was so stoked to get it!

Book 📚: A Curse of Queens, the 4th book in The Kingmaker Chronicles by @amandabouchetauthor
Genre 🔮: Fantasy romance
Rating ⭐️: 4.5/5
Spice 🌶: open door scenes!

The main storyline from the first 3 books is done and this book is told from the POV of different characters, I recommend reading the other 3 books first to understand the background!

Synopsis: Picking up a few months after A Heart Of Fire, Cat and Griffin are trying to bring the realms together and start on a new path. However, not everyone is happy and someone puts a curse on Cat. Jocasta comes up with a plan - to find the island Circe has been imprisoned on and get an antidote from her garden. The only problem is that no one knows where the island is, and there are multiple trials by land and sea they need to face to get there. She, Flynn, and some other favorites from the series set out on an action-packed adventure.

And of course we have great romance! We get to see so much more of Flynn and Jocasta’s history with each other, and the dual POV means we get both of their feelings. Jo is mad that Flynn won’t return her feelings. Flynn does have feelings for her though, he just has a lot of heartache from losing his family before their time and is terrified of losing Jo to the same fate. He thinks that everyone he loves dies so he lives in complete fear of letting someone in. But in close proximity on the road, it gets harder for them both to ignore what they feel.

Review: I love a grumpy man who is pining for a woman! Sweet Flynn is so pure but so messed up, and it takes a strong woman like Jo to set him straight! Everyone has always underestimated her but she shows how tough she really is in this book. The romance is beautiful, the action is great, if you liked the first 3 books you’ll love this one! And I felt like the ending left some openings for more books from other POVs, I really hope it happens because I love this series!

Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebookscasa for this ARC! A Curse of Queens is out October 4 (my birthday yay)!

The Kingmaker Chronicles are back and better than ever!

Flocasta's story was absolutely everything I've ever wanted and so much more!

Ever since I came across this series in 2020, I have been aching for Jocasta and Flynn's story. While only side characters in the first 3 books, they finally get their time to SHINE!

The book was seriously addictive, I found myself covering every clock in my room so I wouldn't see that I absolutely need to go to sleep because I just couldn't put it down!

I can't wait for the next book! (because seriously if i could only read one series forever it would be this one)

I will wait to post this on goodreads and instagram on September 2nd, a month before the release.

Thank you NetGalley for access to an ARC copy of A Curse of Queens!

I am so happy that Amanda wrote another book in this world. After the ending of Heart on Fire, I was happy with the ending but wanted more. There were still so many questions left unanswered and characters I wanted to know more about.

I love that this one follows Jacosta and Flynn. We got to know them well in the other books, but I knew there was more. Jacosta was becoming a stronger character and I am glad that now there is a book where we get to see her grow as a person in this magical and dangerous world.

That prologue! After the other books, I didn't realize that Jacosta and Flynn had ever done anything romantic before. But they kissed and Flynn rejected her. It brings so much more to their scenes in the other books. Now there is the understanding of why Jacosta was shy of her feelings for Flynn. She had put herself out there and it didn't work out, but she still cares for him.

I love how this book combines characters we already know and newer characters.

The last 15% of this book kept bringing me to tears. First when Jacosta saw Kato again in the tunnels on Circe's island. I was so sad because he was always one of my favorite characters but seeing him doing good in the underworld made me so happy. And then there was the revelation that Kato was with Cat's sister Eleni. The worst thing was Bellanca and Carver leaving for Atlantis... and never being able to come back

The gods better find a way to reunite everyone. I am hoping there is another book that brings everyone back together to end the war.

Four and a half
I absolutely loved the previous books in this series so now that the author has moved to other couples there’s honestly a lot to live up to ! You would think that Cat and Griffin would be basking in their well deserved happy ever after but no, Cat has been tricked into drinking the Elixir of Everlasting Life which unfortunately means as heavily pregnant as she is her body won’t change and her much anticipated child cannot be born ! Griffins sister Jocasta is a “healer” but more than that she’s a determined woman who will do whatever it takes for her family. Unfortunately it necessitate’s a journey fraught with danger to find a magical island with the most feared Witch that ever walked the Earth but that pales into significance when Flynn the man who spurned her decides to join the hunt ! With her heart already broken can Jo find the strength she needs to complete her mission ?
It’s a fabulous world this author gives us with magic and her own view of famous mythological figures. For this reader the romance lacked the sparkling passion of Cat and Griffin but the actual story and the adventures they go on were truly original and very creative. No spoilers here but not everyone in Olympus is happy with the status quo and these characters I’ve come to love are placed squarely in the midst of what looks like the start of war ! Oh my I cannot wait for the next book and I strongly suspect it will be about a couple that will definitely burn up the pages !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair