A Promise of Fire

July 4, 2016
Debut author Bouchet makes a very strong start to her Kingmaker Chronicles, combining a richly developed political landscape defined by the influence of powerful ruling families, meddling gods, and destiny with a broad exploration of the relationship between might and magic in a social context. In a fantasy world where access to magical power is tied to geography and bloodline, Warlord Griffin, second in command of kingdom Sinta, is guided by a oracular dream from Poseidon to soothsayer Catalia Fisa, who’s hiding in a traveling circus from her family history and her magical role as Kingmaker. Griffin hopes to use Cat as a tool in his challenge of the status quo, in which the minority Magoi rule the hoi polloi. Their smoldering erotic burn hits charged love/hate buttons without falling too far into glorifying Griffin’s abduction of Cat, and by the end of the novel, they become a powerful team well situated for the fights ahead. Bouchet writes believable camaraderie, dramatic fight scenes, and moving personal angst, but worldbuilding purists will hate the insertion of the Greek gods into this secondary-world fantasy context. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary.

Starred review from June 15, 2016
When Cat, a mysterious circus soothsayer, is captured by Griffin, a wily warlord who recently won his kingdom's crown, she's disarmed by his strength, honor, and integrity, but she's afraid that tying her heart to his can only bring weakness and complications.Cat has spent years in a circus, hiding from her past and avoiding the destiny that's been ordained by an Oracle, until Griffin discovers her ability to know when people are lying and forces her to return with him to his kingdom. At first he's determined to use her as a weapon to help his family, which has recently taken the throne, but soon Griffin realizes that beneath Cat's prickly personality lies a loyal heart and a font of magic unlike anything he's ever seen--possibly unlike anything anyone has ever seen. Sexual and emotional tension crackles as they and their small band of warriors fight to get back to Griffin's kingdom, with Cat pledging her grudging allegiance after they're attacked by such a variety of enemies that it's hard to tell who's after Griffin and who's after Cat. Griffin is tired of magical royalty and nobility who look down their noses at their nonmagical subjects and ruin their kingdoms through selfish greed, and he's intrigued by his soothsayer, who clearly has noble breeding but has turned her back on her own past. She isn't giving any secrets away, but as clues trickle out, it becomes clear that someone out there wants to take her alive and that the power Griffin has seen may be nothing compared to what she's capable of, yet fighting her feelings--for Griffin, his team, his family--becomes almost as hard as hiding her magic. Debut author Bouchet tells a swashbuckling tale through Cat's irreverent, diffident, yet still somehow buoyant first-person point of view; this is an exquisite high-fantasy romance with masterful worldbuilding based on Greek mythology. An exciting fantasy/romance debut: action-packed, emotionally charged, and skillfully plotted.

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 1, 2016
Cat is a kingmaker, long the subject of speculation and hushed whispers. Currently masquerading as a soothsayer in a circus, she is being closely watched by Griffin, the Beta Sinta warlord, who ultimately abducts her. His plan is to take her to the royal family's stronghold, and along the way he tries to find out what lies beneath Cat's stubborn, sassy exterior. She is brave to a fault, bossy and driven one moment, then hesitant and shy the next. Griffin is no better. Tough to the core but gentle and patient with Cat, he gets what he wants, and he wants Cat. Now if Cat would realize that she wants him just as much. With enemies on her trail, Cat fears for her life as well as the lives of those she cares about. When she lets her guard down, the chemistry between her and Griffin is off the charts. Exquisite world building incorporating Greek mythology puts this high-fantasy romance in a class of its own. Give this to your Game of Thrones fans. They will love the political plays, the dragons, and the adventure. Bouchet is a debut author to watch.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)