A Promise of Fire is about Cat, the exceedingly gifted daughter of Andromeda, favored by Poseidon, who has found her true sense of belonging at long last amongst a circus troupe of all places. No one knows about her true identity, the extent of her abilities or her tortured past and Cat would prefer to keep it that way. But it seems the gods have other plans.
Cat’s life of contentment is soon shattered when she finds herself abducted by members of the new ruling class, who wish to use her skills as Kingmaker to stay on top. Her captors are led by the impossibly handsome Griffin who attempts to lay claim to her magical powers and, try as he might, her heart.
Overall, A Promise of Fire was a fun and creative read. I liked Cat’s snarky and impetuous personality- her name really suits her. She may have had a few too many ‘special abilities’ in her repertoire, which bordered on godmoding, but she is a headstrong and cheeky character so I’m inclined to overlook it. The book’s tone is slightly campy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, thank goodness.
Cat’s relationship with Griffin is flirty, playful and at times, combative. They had a great witty banter running throughout and a delightfully spirited chemistry. Griffin is a standup book boyfriend. He has a strong sense of integrity and devotion that underlies his bossy, alpha behavior. He is a lively and challenging partner capable of rising to meet Cat’s fieriness.
The romance between Cat and Griffin is a focal point of the book and while I am a big fan of the slow-burn, the sheer quantity of over-the-clothes exploration scenes riddled with sexual tension actually became annoyingly repetitive. Personally, I think the editor could have removed about 50% of them to no ill-effect. The Greek mythology elements were an intriguing touch and the mechanics of the magical healing system were unique and mystifying. The minor characters were especially well-executed and I enjoyed getting to know all of them, especially Kato and Jocasta. I know this is a series, but I felt as though the book could have been even better had it been 150 pages or so longer because the ending seemed abrupt and unresolved. Readers who enjoy dynamic romantic fantasy replete with big personalities will find a lot to love about A Promise of Fire.
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Click here to pick up your own copy of A Promise of Fire.
