A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

I received an ARC of this book which will be released on August 2,2016. I was attracted to the cover, which looks amazing, and the story. Let me give you the blurb, then my opinion:

Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her. 

I’m disappointed in this book, but I feel it’s very important for me to explain why. This book was fantastic, it had a great world that was different enough that I was intrigued but familiar enough that I wasn’t confused. It had great characters, Cat was saucy and powerful but not awful, Griffen was attractive and strong, but not like so many main characters I read today, you know willing to do anything the girl wants even though he’s suppose to be all powerful and constantly telling her how beautiful and amazing her existence is (aka he wasn’t an ass kisser). The other characters were great too, they made me smile and hope to learn more about them. And then came the story, you had a circus, magic ropes, magical creatures, crazy Alpha queens, Giants, dragons, oh and Greek gods! And just to make it interesting a whole bunch of fighting with some sexual tension. It was amazing!! So why 3 stars? Why the disappointment? Cause that was the first 50% of the book. Literally (I have a counter on my kindle), the last 50%…nothing. I mean no story, no plot, no more character development (except for the eventual HEA which wasn’t even exciting because I was already bored) even the new characters felt shallow and boring. And the story, you know with the dragons, sword fights, Greek gods, etc…it just came to a screeching halt.

I’m sad because this book could have been one of those that dances the line and you don’t know if it’s fantasy or PNR you just know it’s good. Instead it just turned into another plotless romance.

I’m hoping to read something else from this author someday because I feel like she’s got a blockbuster in her I just didn’t feel this was it.