I so love returning to this world, and I love the fact that the gods are involved more in the story this time. The main characters need to work together in order to save the world and yet deal with the squabble among the gods. It really is intriguing and political from start to finish as as well as a fantastic Romance.

I'm so glad Bellanca and Carver finally got a book!!! I loved Bellanca in the original trilogy and I was so excited to see the two of them realize their feelings for each other.

This book did seem a little slower paced than some of the others in the series, but I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that it was taking place in a new world with new characters and new history. It took Bellanca and Carver a little while to figure out where they fit in this world and what their next steps were supposed to be, but once it got started it really took off.

There was a really nice blend of character development, plot, adventure, action, and romance in this book. Carver and Bellanca are both incredibly strong characters on their own, but they're even stronger together, and it was so nice to see them open up to each other.

I will say the ending wasn't totally my favourite with how the final conflict played out, but a lot of the smaller things I was hoping would happen did actually happen, and I am excited to see where the story goes next.

Bellanca (Bel) and Carver have been sent to Atlantis to return magic back to the island. Atlantis which is being ruled by a wicked king, is backed by the goddess Hera. While pretending to be married, Bel and Carver stay under the radar biding their time until the time is right to put their plan to action. They have conflicted feelings about which god they’re fighting for, start to question their roles especially as casualties are involved, and innocents suffer. They also face a more personal battle - fighting their feelings and attraction while still keeping their eye on the mission.

I liked having Hera’s perspective as the scorned goddess who wants vengeance on Zeus and anyone who’s on his side aka Bel and Carver. The fact that Hera is cast as the villain adds oomph to the story. (An interesting choice, and per the author done to align with the rest of the series.) The storyline questions blind loyalty which is interesting. The pace at the start is slow, a little too slow for me. It felt like a lot of repetitive thinking rather than movement. The momentum arrives on the latter part of the book.

Highlights:
🗡️ Romantasy, greek mythology/retelling
🗡️ Multiple POVs,
🗡️ Fierce FMC, funny MMC
🗡️ Fake marriage, friends-to-lovers, found family
🗡️ Banter
🗡️ Slow burn, spice, open door

I absolutely love this series, and Carver’s one of my favorite characters in it due to his humor. He and Bel have that longing and chemistry, and I love how much he adores her. I was looking forward to their time in the spotlight. That being said, I wish there’d been more going on at the beginning that echoed the excitement of the previous books.

Thank you @sourcebookscasa for my ARC & copy in exchange for an honest review. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗮 is out now!

Absolutely love the Kingmaker Chronicles and this is a great addition to the series! Fun and fast paced! Can't wait to see where it goes next.

I will forever love Amanda’s writing and this one did not disappoint. This series is fast paced, easy to full and draws you in! I had the best time with Bel and Carver!!!

Amanda Bouchet continues the Kingmaker Chronicles with Beneath the Burning Sea. Bellanca, fire magoi, and Carver are exiled from Thalyria and set down in Atlanta.. Zeus has sent them to rescue the populace from the Punishment, which sank Atlantis into the sea and removed all magic from thee island. Romantic and action filled this fantasy is an absorbing read. Hera is at war with Zeus and is determined to gain the shard of Olympus which will give power to the one who wields it. Dive into this fantasy with both feet and follow the romantic development of our heroes and the plots of the gods.

Interfering gods, edge-of-your-seat action, and spectacular magic bring two more soul mates together in this epic saga between good and evil.

Bellanca and Carver finally did it! It only took months of sniping at each other, saving each other, and some painful personal realizations, but they staked their claim and it was glorious. The timing and location were maybe a bit off, but who cares. It was hotter than the forest fire Bellanca almost started.

The god battles were impressive and destructive and overwhelming. There was a lot going on with trying to remember all the events that brought us to this moment, Bellanca and Carver figuring out their mission, and all the hints thrown in about what might come next.

Violence and death were sprinkled liberally throughout, that sometimes felt a bit unnecessary. And the story used some unexpected convenient plot devices to solve an issue. But, overall, this bid to restore Atlantis was exciting and I enjoyed it a lot.

This series is for you if you like steamy fantasy romance. It is definitely best to read the books in order.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am really enjoying this series. This book started a little rough but once I got into it, I had a great time.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

3,5 hearts

I read the trilogy which started the Kingmaker Chronicles series. Cat and Griffin were the main characters there. Now we are getting stories from the rest of Team Alpha. I enjoyed the mythology, gods and creatures. I wanted to see what happened with the characters. In the novella, Of Fate & Fire, we learn about what happens with Piers, and in A Curse of Queens, we get the story of Jocasta and Flynn.
Beneath the Burning Sea takes us along with Carver and Bellanca to Atlantis. I think I remember them whisked off at the end of another book. They try to fit in to learn more for their mission. Bellanca works in a pub and makes friends with some co-workers. The society is very misogynistic so Carver has to come to pick up her and her wages and walk her home. Carver is working in the military guard.

They try to look around on their days off but aren't getting very far. Carver needs to get into the palace unit so he can gather information on the King Eyrx and hear any prophecies from his oracle Cleito. Instead, he tries to protect from a beating and that doesn't go well. They do get leads from the whole debacle.

Bellanca is there to take down the King and bring magic back to Atlantis ending the Punishment. Someone is against Zeus and getting in her way. They eventually figure it out. Along with this plot, is the growing romance of Carver and Bellanca. They "fake" being a married couple which eventually becomes real. They both have serious traumas in their pasts to work through. But they always support each other in the mission.

I found everything kind of slow developing for the first half. After both the information and the romance picked up, the pace felt better. There is a lot of Greek mythology here and the book includes a glossary of sorts at the end but I didn't know it was available until I got to the end. The gods have a lot of involvement with the rest of the books in the series, also. It's a very long book but everything settles in the end with glimpses back at the characters from the other books.

I wonder if there will be more in the series. I think Kira is the only family member still unmatched into a relationship but she is still young. But maybe other members of families or Teams will match up. I hope the gods are done destroying lives for fun but that seems unlikely.

4⭐️ eARC provided by NetGalley (Thanks so much!)
I was SAT for this one!
Ugh my sweet Carver… Love him so much and I’m so glad he got the ending he deserved:)
And I have love Bellanca since she entered this series.
I love the banter, the tension, the yearning! SO SO GOOD (prob my fav since Promise of Fire)!
The pacing was relatively good (a little slow to begin with)…
But the ending was so sweet and I loved getting to see Kato again!! And that he will be a big part of the next book (I think)!!!
I love this world and can’t wait to see what’s next!

This was a powerful, myth-infused fantasy that pulled me into the depths of Atlantis alongside Bellanca and Carver. The world-building is rich, blending Greek mythology with high-stakes romance. Bellanca’s fiery strength and Carver’s quiet loyalty create a compelling dynamic, even if their enemies-to-lovers tension was rocky at first. The emotional growth and the way their bond deepens made the payoff worth it. As the story unfolds, the stakes rise with divine politics, tragic twists, and plenty of action. It’s intense, heartfelt, and beautifully written. A must-read for fans of romantic fantasy with a mythological edge.

Fans of Bouchet's previous books will remember Bellanca and Carver. They've been embroiled in the battles alongside Cat and Griffin. Now that those two are safely in place, Bellanca and Carver are tasked by Zeus to bring magic back to Atlantis and restore the city. Bellanca and Carver are very interesting and the story is full of suspenseful action.

Bellanca is difficult. Incredibly capable in battle and a strong Magoi, she's not as adept at personal relationships. I liked that Carver is flawed enough to be a recovering alcoholic. Not that they call it that. He's pulled himself together and is a formidable warrior. He immediately volunteers to accompany Bellanca on her mission to Atlantis. Maybe not fully aware of how much he needs her and to be there for her, he can't imagine not following her. He's the perfect man to have her back and serves her mission well but of course there are lots of intense feelings on both of their parts burning, unrecognized, underneath it all.

As with all things involving the gods, there's more going on her than expected including the surprising revelation of who's trying to overthrow Zeus.

The story alternated between a slow retelling of the backstory and highly intense events. It took a bit to really take off but there was plenty of action. A litany of mythical creatures, some I'd never heard of, provide situation after situation to be confronted. In the climatic scene, the cast of gods involved was vast! It's funny that books like this have schooled me on Greek mythology.

I enjoyed the book though it wasn't my favorite in the series. I was glad to see the characters find their way. Bouchet is highly imaginative and creates interesting worlds. The characters are likable... or not... depending on their role. The ending was fulfilling.

Review: BENEATH THE BURNING SEA by Amanda Bouchet https://bit.ly/43z9mZf
Publication Date: 05/27/2025
Genre: Romantasy
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4.5 Stars

I devoured this book. I love a strong FMC and Bel kicked butt. I love how Carter was supportive and protective of her. They had great chemistry and I loved their story. The world building in this book was incredible. The author really drew me in. I recommend reading this series in order. BENEATH THE BURNING SEA is about one couple in The Kingmaker Chronicle Series but the series follows a storyline. I recommend it for fantasy romance lovers. Pick up a copy and take a trip to Atlantis.

*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.


Kindle https://amzn.to/43LBGsN

Spitfire Bellanca takes on gods, demi-gods, and an evil tyrant in this latest book in the Kingmaker Chronicles. This is just another day for Bellanca who has already experienced all of this, fighting her evil brother and then losing the throne to someone else. This time, she is sent to the missing land of Atlantis with Carver. These two are like oil and water. Since Bellanca is a fire elemental, I guess fire and water. This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in the order written for better context.

I struggled with this book. The first few chapters, I kept setting it down because Bellanca and Carver are offputting. I did not like either characters. I felt like a mom wanting to yell at them, "quit your bickering! Don't make me come there and make the two of you get along". Bellanca is prickly and belligerent. Carver is contrary and conflicted. The two of them spend the first half of the book trying to work together but constantly saying things that hurt each other. This form of interaction is repugnant to me. This enemies to lover theme always comes across as bullying abuse. Never sexy, never romantic no matter the numerous authors trying to convince me otherwise. I loathe it. It normalizes abuse in emotionally scarring ways and is explained away by a magical pussy and ginormous dick. Not my thing.

The concept of why Atlantis sunk was intriguing. Bellanca and Carver ineffectually trying to complete their god given mission was painful to witness. At this point, their actions are more Greek comedy than tragedy. The horrible way that women are treated in Atlantis is vile. I am disgusted and disappointed. What is the point here? So many things that are upseting me in this story from the characters to the plot to the execution. What changed in the story to switch how I felt?

What I liked is this painful setup (once readers make it through) sets a baseline of how even the best of intentions can go awry. I enjoyed the experimentation by Zeus to see how he tried to prevent what happened in Thalyria from happening in Atlantis. This desire for those with magic and without to be treated and valued equally is admirable if unrealistic. As the story unfolds and our heroes finally get on the same page and work together, events start moving in their direction. The reasons why Atlantis is under punishment and who the villains are in this story is heartbreaking. This comedy slowly morphed into a tragedy with a bitter pill to swallow at the end for some. Fortunately there is a happily ever after for our heroes. Overall, this tale contains many elements of a Greek Tragedy and I love it. Recommended for paranormal readers who love their petty Greek gods, snarky heroes, and good triumphs over evil themes.

This book really underwhelmed and confused me while reading it. The storyline and action appear somewhat lackluster. Characters failed to keep my intention and interest.

Kudos to me for daring to review the fifth book of a series without reading any previous ones. And kudos to Amanda Bouchet for crafting the story in such a way that I was still captivated. This Greek Mythology re-imagination focuses on human tragedies and epic love stories in middle of war of Gods. Bellanca and Carver were soulmates but they didn't realize it till they were on the mission to save Atlantis and finally,save the other worlds.

🔥 paranormal/ fantasy
🔥 friends to lovers
🔥 A firebringer ( magoi) princess and a hoi polloi farmer turned prince
🔥Greek mythology

"I’m a Thalyrian princess. I’m Magoi. I’m the Firebringer, and Atlantis will rise again!”

Bellanca and Carver travelled from Thalyria to Atlantis on a mission to find the missing piece of Bel's amulet and use it to restore magic in Atlantis that will help Zeus gain advantage in the upcoming war of Gods. She has magic and Carver has skills but this is enemy territory. Bellanca is still working with the limits of her magic but they don't have much time before the present corrupt evil king gets the magic and tilts the balance. The plot was fast paced and exciting with endless twists and turns. It was a puzzle with pieces falling into place with each adventure of Bell and Carver..finally exposing Hera and the epic battle at the end.

I loved how their relationship bloomed and grew through the story. Their friendship was already strong. Their loyalty is unquestionable. But Bellance was in doubt if Carver has forgotten the heartbreak while Carver was cautious not to push her away. Their banter and humor provided a nice break in middle of the tense situation. Slowly their soulmate bond became whole and it was slow burn at the finest. They fought every battle together and their connection was intense. Greek mythology always fascinates me and the author presented in a fresh way. You have action, suspense and drama. You have slow angsty romance with beautiful blend of spice. You get adrenaline rush and swoony ending. Bellanca is fearless and fierce. Carver is so protective and always supported her to shine. They are the perfect partners.

Ps I need to go back and read the other ones

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Beneath the Burning Sea is the 5th installment in author Amanda Bouchet's Kingmaker Chronicles series. This series mixes Greek Mythology with Romance. The novel follows sworn warriors and reluctant allies Bellanca and Carver, who are on a divine mission from Zeus to Atlantis to retrieve the Shard of Olympus, a quest that could end Atlantis’s magical curse and bolster Zeus’s forces against a looming Olympian coup and a War between Gods. The couple knows they may never see their friends or family again because a war is brewing on Mount Olympus, and if they fail, the world loses.

Bellanca is a fierce fire Magoi with a fiery spirit to match, and Carver is her steadfast companion, whose loyalty anchors their dynamic. Their journey through Atlantis's perilous, myth-soaked realm is fraught with danger, from battling mythological creatures to navigating a deadly game orchestrated by feuding gods and a maniacal psycho willing to sacrifice women and children for power. Bouchet excels at blending heart-pounding action with witty, banter-filled moments, creating a narrative that feels both explosive and intimate.

The “frenemies-to-lovers” arc between Bellanca and Carver is a highlight, with their chemistry crackling through sharp exchanges and gradual vulnerability. Bellanca’s journey from emotional guardedness to opening her heart is particularly compelling, grounded by her complex backstory and fiery independence, while Carver’s quiet strength makes him an ideal counterpoint. The world of Thalyria continues to shine, with Atlantis serving as a vivid, immersive backdrop.

Bouchet’s integration of Greek mythology feels fresh yet familiar, and the inclusion of bonus material like maps and illustrations enhances the experience. The found-family theme, a staple of the series, adds warmth, making the stakes feel deeply personal. While the plot occasionally leans heavily on familiar fantasy tropes, Bouchet’s skillful character development and emotional depth keep it engaging.

The story itself stands well as a semi-standalone, though familiarity with the series enhances appreciation of its broader arcs. This is especially true when the characters start talking about events and characters who appeared previously in this series, like Cat and Griffin, Jocasta and Flynn, and Prometheus, as well as numerous Gods and goddesses like Hera, Zeus, Athena, Hades, Persephone, Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus, Hephaestus, and Artemis.

One could read this to the end and say to themselves, "Well, it has been a nice long road, but this seems like the right time to say goodbye to these characters." That being said, my only negative commentary is that there is too much steamy romance and insufficient fighting between the Gods/Goddesses.

Bellanca and Carver are sent on a mission by the supreme god, Zeus, to return magic to the Atlanteans thereby getting them on his side against a pretender to the throne. They are very far away from families and friends in the famed city of Atlantis which had been punished by Zeus. Magic was taken away from all the people; the curse cannot be undone until the Shard of Olympus is returned. Their task seemingly next to impossible, Bel and Carver make a temporary home for themselves trying to find out any possible clues to help with their near Herculean mission.

Zeus requires humans to help with the coming Olympianomachy—the War of the Gods-- against one who would rule them all: gods and humans. As a Magoi with magic, Bel’s firebringer talents are essential to completing their task and shielding Carver as much as possible. While Carver is a strong warrior who would sacrifice all, he has no magical protections. Carver’s life has long been circumscribed by an early loss that left him mostly numb; however, Bel’s wild and stubborn personality rouses him not only to living life fully, but a fierce attraction to his partner in this essential undertaking.

As Bel and Carver work together, risking all, to complete their quest, they develop a relationship beyond the brutal task. Until recently, Bel’s whole life had been one of cruelty, mental and physical torture, in a family no one would ever wish for despite their magical abilities. She knows how to be a warrior; however, anything on a personal level frightens Bel more than whatever the gods can throw at her. Carver thought he lost his only chance at love years before; he is only just waking up to the possibility that perhaps Bel present and his future.

This new addition to the Kingmaker Chronicles contains all of the epic battles, gods, monsters, and deeply intense relationships readers have come to love with this series. Bel and Carver exemplify strength and courage in the face of capricious, warring gods who seem to care little for humans, as well as fighting an evil king seeking his own magic. Their mutual devotion, and determination to win despite the costs, makes for a tale very well told that will please fans of the series, and leave them hoping for more to come.

Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved books 1-4 so I knew I had to pick up book 5! I’ve been wanting Bel and Carver's story and this did not disappoint! I can’t wait to get these titles in and stock my website with Amanda’s Kingmaker Chronicles.

I have loved this series since I started it, but this book absolutely captured my heart. The plot had sucked me in from the start and I loved each twist and turn—it’s a great use of mythology references. And the love story!!!! Swoon!