A promise of fire

*Starred Review* 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.--Lefkowitz, Ilene Copyright 2016 Booklist

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. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.