The Kingmaker Chronicles is one of my favorite fantasy series, so I was excited when I saw that Amanda Bouchet was writing Jocasta and Flynn's story. I couldn't wait to get back into the amazing, and intricate world Amanda had created. I wanted to see what all my favorite characters were up to. This book is pretty long and I am really happy about that. The author took the time to set everything up and delivered a very magical action-packed novel. Jo has had a thing for Flynn since forever, however, Flynn is very hesitant to open himself up due to him losing his whole family. He is afraid to love because that will mean that there is a chance something could happen to that person.

“I claim you, Jocasta. You will be the sun I orbit for the rest of my days. I will be your home, wherever we are and wherever we go. I will protect you. I will love you. I will always be yours.” Voice low, unsteady, he rasped, “I vow this with every part of my body and soul.”

When the Queen (and main character in the previous three books) is cursed Jo, Flynn and others go on a mission to find an antidote to the curse. I really love when characters travel through different worlds and we meet all kinds of mythological creatures and gods. There was no boring moment in this book and I was hooked and dedicated until the end. Amanda Bouchet has become a favorite author of mine and I love how unique and intriguing her stories are. The ending leaves possibilities for many other books set in this world and I look forward to reading all of them. I need to know what is going to happen to many of my favorite side characters. A Curse of Queens is in my opinion a perfect addition to the Kingmaker Chronicles.

This is a story that can be read as standalone, but I definitely recommend starting the series to better enjoy the experience.. With a Greek mythology setting, Jo and Flynn are trying to help their Queen with a curse that is plaguing the kingdom. I loved slow burn friends to lovers romance, I loved seeing them pining for each other, angst pours from the pages. I really enjoyed it so much.

Read it if you're a fan of
fantasy
slow burn
angst
friends to lovers
pining to each other

highly recommended!

Hmm so I was obsessed with this series and absolutely could not wait for for Jocasta and Flynn’s story. Loved their interactions and I think my main issue was we didn’t have enough of them. While I understand this is a series and I’m so excited for the next book, this book felt like it dragged on. I wanted more characters and less world building.

I first read Amanda Bouchet's the Kingmaker Chronicles several years ago and loved them all! Cat was such a strong lead female character and Griffin was the kind of male lead that could make your insides turn to mush. I loved how much they loved each other and also their family and friends. Initially, Beta team and their adventures were the focal point of the first books, but as we lost some beloved characters along the way (RIP Kato, sniff, sniff), the worlds in these books grew and new characters were introduced. I also really enjoyed the world development by Bouchet and her layering of Greek mythology was masterful. So, when I was able to obtain an ARC copy of A Curse of Queens, I was so excited!

This book shifts the focus away from Griffin and Cat (though they are still central to the main story line) to Flynn and Jocasta. This will they or won't they couple have been flirting with a potential romance for years. Flynn has lost many members of his own blood family and cannot bear that happening again. So, he has vowed to never marry or have children of his own. Joacasta, Griffin's younger sister, has loved Flynn for many years and even kissed him on her 18th birthday. He rejected her at that time and their relationship has been strained ever since. Fast forward 6ish years and Cat and Griffin are Queen and King to a united Thalyria and expecting their first baby. Things quick go awry when Cat is cursed by an elixir that basically places her in a stasis - she will no longer age, nor will the baby growing inside her. Jocasta is a gifted healer and thinks she has found a solution, but it will involve a journey to the mythical Circe's garden. Jocasta, Flynn, Carver, Bellanca and Prometheus set out to find the legendary sorceress in hopes of finding a cure in time for Cat and her baby.

I loved the focus on Flynn and Jocasta. Both are hopelessly in love with the other, but are afraid to risk their hearts. It was amazing to read from each of their POV and really get inside their heads to see what was holding each of them back. Watching as they traveled on their journey and worked through their own pain and trauma to find the courage to love one another was heartwarming. I especially loved the spicy bits! The adventure with the rest of the team (AKA Team Elpis) was pretty epic as well.

You really need to read the Kingmaker Chronicles first to appreciate the history and relationships presented in this book. Loved it from start to end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an eARC of this book!

This was my first time reading this series and while I think it could be read as a standalone, it would be better read in order. There's best friend's sibling, mutual pining, slow burn, angst, and action that made this a great read! Jo and Flynn have pined for each other for years and now it's finally their chance. There is wonderful relationship development between these two and I adore their respect for one another. If you're a fan of fantasy romance this is a must! I wished their story was slightly longer and maybe even made into a duet, but it did wrap up well with a great HEA.

I really enjoyed the entire Kingmaker series and I was a bit skeptical going into this book because I thought that Heart on Fire had tied up loose ends and there was no where else to go with Cat and Griffin’s storyline without the story getting ruined. Thankfully we got Jocasta and Flynn’s POV along with a new quest for this book. I LOVED Jocasta throughout the entire series and I’m so grateful we finally got to jump into her mind and her love story. Her strength, intelligence, and courage were definitely underestimated during the first three books, thankfully this book allowed her to prove everyone wrong. The end of this book sets up a new adventure for Bellanca and Carver which I am SO excited for. They have been gearing up to be my favourite couple this entire series- I love a slow burn enemies-to-lovers, and I cannot wait for the book to come out. Overall, great read 4.5/5 ⭐️

Okay I’m kicking myself for not reading the previous books first. My fault. Otherwise I would have enjoyed this one way more. I was a little confused but kept pushing through. If you like Greek mythology like I do, I recommend this book. Just read the other ones first!

Finally, it’s Flocasta! Oh, I have waited for Flynn and Jo’s story and this book did not disappoint. The author takes us through Thalyria and beyond in this story. The world building is excellent and the characters steal your heart. I love the mix of mythology and fantasy that the author has created-it’s an original take on Greek myth and a gloriously rich world. This story focuses on Jo’s adventure with the newly minted Team Elpis. Cat and Griffin are side characters here but it’s lovely to see them again. The story does wrap up nicely for Flynn and Jo but some questions remain unanswered for the world as a whole. I laughed, I cried, I sent a prayer to the gods that more stories from this world will be coming soon. Bravo!

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to love this book so much. I love mythology retellings and the premise of this book was intriguing. I think my biggest downfall trying to read this book is that I was unaware when I received it that it was book 4 in a series. I also think that this is not a series you can just pick up in the middle. I felt like this novel was a bit all over the place and it felt like it was in a hurry to jump to some indefinite point in the book (jump to the main character romance? or maybe jump to the curse on the queen?). I was honestly feeling pulled in too many directions at once. This book lacked focus. I did not finish this book despite how hard I tried.

A Curse of Queens | Amanda Bouchet
#4 The Kingmaker Chronicles

A Curse of Queens is the fourth book in the series by author, Amanda Bouchet. While the first three books focus on Cat & Griffin, in this one we finally get to learn more about another couple who has been teased from the very beginning, Jocasta & Flynn.

A Curse of Queens is a full-filled, steamy and rich fantasy which would appeal to fans of authors like Sarah J Maas, Jennifer L Armentrout, Holly Black, Lexi Ryan and Stacey Marie Brown. The world building and fantasy setting is rich and detailed and the mythological elements gives it a little something different than your usual run of the mill fantasy.

This story follows Jocasta (younger sister of Griffin) as she sets out to find the fabled garden belonging to the exiled witch, Circe. Along for the ride are Flynn, and various other characters we have been introduced to and gotten to love over the past three books. Full of adventure, romance and magic this book offers something to everyone.

I am crossing my fingers that the author will bring out Carver & Bellanca’s book next.
I will post a review on my Instagram and Amazon account close to release date. I have also posted on Goodreads.

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, the author, Amanda Bouchet and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Full review and fangirling can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

I am not a person to usually boast things? But boy am I going to boast about this just one time! :D
I had the incredible luck to help Amanda Bouchet by offering tidbits of my knowledge on Greek mythology as part of both my uni curriculum and because I am Greek. Plus some words and endearments you will read when this book comes out, will stay with you and yes we have pretty damn amazing words for "my heart".

Fangirling and boasting aside, the next installment of the Kingmaker Chronicles brings you back to the world of Thalyria where Greeks gods are alive and influence politics and kingdoms, and a quest to save the Queen leads my lovebirds Flynn and Jocasta to a quest to a certain witch's island.

I dove into the book without actually reading the summary, that much I wanted to discover what could happen between those two characters from the previous trilogy had intrigued me. Jocasta is a healer whose dedication and hard work make her a very fine example of a strong woman and Flynn my man whose loyalty is strong to a fault and he feels too much to even form words at times.

The story takes us to a quest across Thalyria with monsters along the way and a conspiracy that may tear their world apart. Along with Jocasta and Flynn we also have Carver and Bellanca as also the Titan Prometheus. The banter and dialogue between them was a very welcome distraction from the slow burn romance between Jocasta and Flynn as their quest took more and more dangerous paths.

If you love Greek mythology and want to immerse into this world I do recommend reading first the other 3 books of the series. Definitely recommended!

I was intrigued by the title of the book and the brief description.
The main theme was well put together and developed. A quest to find an antidote for the pregnant Queen who had been given the Elixir of Eternal Life and entrapped in an active state of stasis.
I enjoyed the intertwining of the Greek Pantheon and mythology into the story. It gave the book character, as many readers would have some knowledge of Greek mythology or at least the names of the gods.
While on the quest there are some side themes that help support the overall but do not take away from the main theme.
Was a semi quick read and light.

I look forward to the continuation of the series.

I loved the first book in this series and this one takes you to a whole new level of OMG!
That ending!!
I need more, Amanda Bouchet.
This book was a powerhouse in world building and characterization and I cannot wait for more!

This was an amazing addition to this wonderful series! I absolutely LOVED that we got multiple point of views in this book. The alternating chapters between Flynn & Jocasta gave the book so much more depth.

We saw bits and pieces of their story in the first three books, but there was so much more back story that thoroughly surprised me! From childhood friends, to possible lovers, to awkward acquaintances, to this epic slow burn of a relationship.

Flynn is such a cinnamon roll!! I loved watching him fumble around and lose all train of thought anytime he was near Jocasta.

And Jocasta, I loved watching her gain confidence and be grounded in herself. She was the queen of this story!

But let’s be real, I was LIVING for Carver & Bellanca’s banter!

This book was filled with all the epic Greek mythological battles that you would expect from a Kingmaker Novel.
We got another “Elpis Team” going on an epic journey to save Cat & baby Eleni from a curse.

Probably one of my favorite things about this book was it’s ending! I won’t spoil it…but let me just say, I NEEDED that certain scene and I’m completely enthralled in this story and I am hoping to get more answers in the next book she writes.

I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy:
- slow burn
- Greek Mythology World building
- child hood crush
- witty banter
- overcoming trials

Lastly, I gave it 4 stars because even though I enjoyed this story, it didn’t keep my attention like a five star read does. But all in all, I’m very happy with this book and how their story was told.

Really enjoy this series and am glad Amanda has gone back to complete happy ever afters for the characters, still a few more to go so know more to come. Yey!!!

I am a huge fan of the first three books in this series and I re-read them in preparation for this one! Though I think the book could be a standalone, I'd highly recommend reading the first three first, as the main couple in this book are heavily featured in the first three books and you see seeds of their romance there. With fantasy romance, the romance can sometimes get relegated to a subplot, but Amanda Bouchet does an excellent job balancing worldbuilding, the central quest, and the romance really well. I loved this couple and they had so many sweet moments, but I have to admit that I enjoyed Cat and Griffin as a couple a lot more. Still, I enjoyed revisiting this world and would love to read more stories set here (which I think will happen since the author leaves some plot threads hanging at the end. Nothing central to this story, but they definitely suggest some spinoffs!). Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had a fantastic time reading this book! I loved being in this world again, and seeing Jocasta and Flynn having their moment to shine, to have their story play out front and center! We saw snippets of them in the first 3 books in the series, but it was so great to have the focus on them!

They both have their things that they need to deal with. For her, it's her discontent with her life, that she had a purpose as a healer in their village, and as a princess, there's nothing really for her to do. And for Flynn, it's the loss of his entire family, and how he never wants to experience that ever again, to the point that he doesn't want to have loved ones to fear losing. Watching them work though these things, and find their happiness together was so great to read!

A big point that was brought up in this book is how unlikeable a lot of the gods are. There's a lot of, well, criminal things, and because of the power that they hold, it does lead to a lot of injustice, and I really enjoyed watching that topic come up!

The way things left off in this book, has be so excited for the future of the series. I'm hoping the rest of Beta Team (they'll really always be known as that, even if they're technically Alpha Team now) get stories focused on them. Carver in particular, I'm really hoping that we get his story!

We learn more than these characters with that one chapter. We know who's behind it, and why. And I can't wait to see it play out, because I can understand why, but the methods are what's making them a group to fight against. Let the fight continue!

This was such a great book, and I can't wait for the future installments!

We met Jo and Flynn since early pages, but their love story not starting there. The plot is heavy aroun how this young friends trying to help their Queen sister from a bad curse that affects their whole new kingdom. With setting heavy with greek mythology we familiar with this book easy to follow as a standalone. But extra explanation about world building will give extra depth to this book. I like how this book make Jo and Flynn working so hard with their own skills. I like how the story wrapped and make it as an enjoyable fast read.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

A happily-ever-after isn't guaranteed for Cat/Griffin, which is how 'A Curse of Queens' begins--even if you do know it's just temporary. But take a few steps in and you'll enter into Amanda Bouchet's world: one that's a very, very slanted reframing and recollection of Greek mythology--purists, look away right now--cut and pasted piecemeal into a fraught land that is of her own imagination, where the pantheon of gods still behave as badly as the humans who populate the lands they apparently created.

But as much the last few books didn't exactly sit too well with me, 'A Curse of Queens' is a relatively self-contained story within the larger universe built of the series: a new couple who should have been together from the start but weren't, a quest archetype to save a newly-remade land, and a hastily-assembled team of varying gifts taking on insurmountable odds in order to save their queen.

Jocasta's and Flynn's relationship, written with so much heart, longing and angst (and short-lived unrequited feelings of a brother's-best-friend kind of trope) helped anchor these elements and the result is a potent mix of high fantasy, adventure, unexpected humour and a portal into an alternate universe that sucks you right in. That both Jo/Flynn were neither magical nor immensely gifted by the gods, relying on their human strength, wits and cunning to get through the obstacles set before them, made them even memorable.

'A Curse of Queens' can be a standalone; Bouchet's map of her world and a very, very generic idea of Greek mythology will get you through it, though not without much difficulty in following the story from where the last book left off. The story grew on me as I went on and to immediately want more after the somewhat rushed conclusion probably meant that this has to rank as one of my unexpected finds of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest reivew

CW: gender essentialism, violence, brief recounting of attempted sexual assault, threatened sexual assault, death of family (past), grief

While I do think this could be read as a standalone, reading the prior books will be a fuller experience

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f fantasy romance
-greek mythology
-best friend's sibling/sibling's best friend
-childhood friends to estranged idiots to lovers
-childhood crush
-slooow burn
-saving myself for you
-lets go on a roadtrip
-mutual pining

Jo & Flynn were hinted at in the books prior, it was wonderful to get their book and see their relationship develop. I am trash for best friend's sibling and this had so much pining. A moment of almost and then some miscommunication. But they both liked and respected the other so much.

This is very different from the first 3 books, dual pov and told in third person. It gave Jo & Flynn their own feel, which was a slower softer burn. More angsty, both not sure of what their futures are but wishing i involved the other. I enjoyed the roadtrip/adventure aspect and just all of the Greek mythology bursting from the pages.

A bit of a setup book I'm excited to see where the series continues to go.

Steam: 3