Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 A Promise of Fire is a fantasy romance and the first book in the Kingmaker Chronicles. I cannot, in good conscience, promise that this will be the last time you hear me talk about this book because I am obsessed. I will also go on record to say that, so far, this is the best book I've read in 2016. I want to read it again. I want the next book immediately, because the world that Amanda Bouchet has created is so stunning and I just want to be there forever and ever. I will give a word of warning in that the book can get very violent and deals with child and animal abuse as a backstory. But I never felt it was gratuitous. 
 A Promise of Fire takes a lot of inspiration from Greek history and Greek mythology. The royal titles like alpha or beta, the currency (I Googled) is ancient Greek, and the gods and goddess play a very big part in the action. Cat is a goddaughter of Poseidon. One of her fellow circus performers is Hades' lover (and fair warning, I would totally love a book or novella about Selena and Hades). There are ocular dreams and visions. There's Cerberus! If you're a huge mythology nerd like myself, you'll love this book. 
 What I truly loved about Cat is that she's so flawed. Growing up, she was taught never to get attached, not even to family. And when she couldn't take it anymore, she found a way to leave. But more than that, she's afraid of turning into Alpha Fisa, of being brutal and dangerous and feared. You see her struggle with that tendency - it's not just an aspiration but a real struggle to avoid being merciless. At one point, she melts a man's face off without even batting an eye. 
 Magically, her abilities are pretty much unparalleled. She can absorb someone's magic and use it against them (think Rogue from X-Men), though there's some uncertainty in the amount of power she can maintain. She saves the hero on several occasions. She knows she's a fucking beast and she isn't afraid to say so. And she's so desperate to be loved, though she knows it makes her weak. 
 Griffin was genuine and earnest. He wanted to believe the best in people and I loved reading a romance where the "broken" character was the heroine, rather than the hero. Cat keeps wondering why Griffin was given this dream to find her and Poseidon reveals that Griffin was chosen and given to her for "healing." And it was so sweet that I'm pretty sure I melted into a little puddle. 
 He's not perfect, though. He has understandable and frustrating flaws. Once back at the Sintan kingdom, Griffin becomes a bit insensitive, but it made sense to me. While frustrating, I didn't feel like it was needless. In fact, none of the obstacles between the hero and heroine felt unnecessary. Everything fit in terms of who was feeling what and why. 
 I can say, without a doubt, that A Promise of Fire is going on my keeper shelf. I want more of these characters and I want more of this world. I cannot remember the last time I wanted to both savor and devour a book, and Bouchet's writing is so engaging and magical that I wish she had some sort of backlist I could dive into for the next few months. If you're even slightly tempted by this review or from the chapter one excerpt, buy this book. Because I need more people to discuss it with, pronto! 
 - Amanda