A PROMISE OF FIRE is the first book in the Kingmaker Chronicles series by Amanda Bouchet. Thank goodness that books 2 and 3 are already listed as upcoming releases for 2017, or I would be wigging out right now wondering when my next fix is going to arrive. Bouchet is a debut author, but this book in no way feels like a debut book to me. The twists and turns of the slowly revealed secrets in the book keep the reader glued to the words as the pages turn.

This is a fantasy book with Greek mythology and a whole lot of magic contained in the warring three realms. It also feels sort of like Urban Fantasy, given the fantastic snarkiness of the heroine Cat (who I love more strongly than the light of a thousand suns). Cat has been hiding in a traveling circus for the last 8 years, performing as a low grade fortune teller. Cat's mouth outs her for what she really is, though, when Griffin shows up at her circus and asks her to read his men to determine their loyalty. Griffin is an ambitious warlord and brother of the ruler of Sintan who is looking for a Magoi to help his solidify his nonmagical family's hold on the throne they've just taken over. Griffin kidnaps Cat for her soothsayer capabilities, thinking to convert her to loyalty to his family. But things aren't quite that easy.

There is a constant back and forth banter between Cat and Griffin, based on the push/pull of Cat's extreme contrariness butting heads with Griffin's loyalty, which makes me laugh out loud so many times. There is compelling action, starting with Cat's hijacking, and progressing to sword fights and attacking dragons. Not to mention the slow burn igniting into massive sparks between the couple from their scorching sexual chemistry that just about leaps off the page. Cat has good reason to be suspicious and standoff-ish, but Griffin wants her to become a vital team member, and Griffin's men are all about helping to push that goal along, as they grow to love Cat too. I adore the interactions between Cat and the different member of Team Beta, as well as between the family members in Griffin's newly-royal family. It's the interpersonal dynamics that elevate this story to a superlative level.

This book is utter catnip for me. Fantasy with romance and witty dialogue rolled together make a sumptuous feast of entertainment for my reading pleasure. I simultaneously want to devour Bouchet's A PROMISE OF FIRE as fast as I can, and draw it out to savor it as long as possible. This one's a winner!

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