BOOK REVIEW | Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Title: Breath of Fire
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Pages: 448
Source: I received Breath of Fire via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Sourcebooks Casablanca!

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD...
"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

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If you want to see my thoughts on the first book, A Promise of Fire, head over here!

Amanda Bouchet's debut novel A Promise of Fire is a beautifully crafted fantasy novel that took me by surprise. Right away I needed the second book, A Breath of Fire. Luckily, I received the egalley of this book early and was able to read the sequel right after I finished A Promise of Fire in October. In order to write this review, I just reread the book, and it is even better the second time around!

Cat and Girffin's romance was sizzling in the first book, but now it is fire hot! The romance was definitely turned up quite a few notches and I didn't mind one bit. Cat and Griffin have such great chemistry and I never get bored with their interactions. In Breath of Fire, they are much more developed as a couple and as characters themselves. Their flaws are built upon and at times bite them in the ass. However, this couple are the perfect fit and they balance each other out spectacularly. 

There is never a slow moment in Breath of Fire. Right from the get-go Cat, Griffin, and the rest of Beta Team are heading towards the Ice Plains. Along the way, they fight some insane creatures and face even more dangerous obstacles. I felt as if the stakes were higher in a Breath of Fire. The crew is now trying to reunite all of Thalyria instead of just making their way back to their country of Sinta. Their adversaries are stronger, smarter, and more merciless. 

One of my favorite things about Breath of Fire is that a lot of the secondary characters are built upon. The readers already had a feel for the characters in Beta Team besides Cat and Griffin (Carver, Kato, Flynn) but they really came to life in this novel. I was just as worried for their lives as I was for Cat and Griffin! And though I am eagerly anticipating the final book, I am also so worried that someone I love is going to die! One character that we see a lot more of is Jocasta, or Jo. She's Carver and Griffin's younger sister and plays a vital role in this book. I love her personality, resilience, friendship with Cat, and her romance with Flynn! I cannot wait until the angst will stop and they will actually get together!

Breath of Fire flows seamlessly from the first book. It took me no time at all to jump right back into the world. The book builds up the conclusion so spectacularly. I cannot wait until fall 2017 to get my hands on it. And maybe if I wish enough, I'll get the arc again. :) A girl can dream!

My only issues with this book are few and far between. Cat acted so rashly at times, and it began to frustrate me. Part of it is because I guessed the "twist" really early on and I was so worried about her! Part of her character is that she will do anything for the people that she loves, but sometimes it puts her in really precarious situations . Speaking about the "twist", I don't think it really was one. I'm pretty sure the author made it obvious so the readers can see how blinded and determined Cat is when she is set on something. Nevertheless, I want to be surprised every once and a while! At least there is another opportunity to do so with the final book.

Breath of Fire was one of my favorites, if not my favorite, book of 2016. I had extremely high expectations after reading A Promise of Fire and the sequel met and then surpassed them. If I compare the two books, I enjoyed Breath of Fire more, but just barely. Both are amazing fantasy novels and I would recommend them to just about anyone! I cannot wait to see how the series will conclude. Amanda Bouchet has cemented herself as an extraordinary fantasy author and one of my favorites. 


With that, I give this book 
4.75 out of 5 Stars!

Are you planning on reading Breath of Fire? Or if you've already read it, what did you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!