My biggest problem with this book is that I have to wait 11 months for the next one. I do have other problems with the book, but while I’m griping and picking, keep in mind that my biggest resentment is the wait for more.
I really enjoyed the first book of the series, and I still enjoyed both the characters and the writing in this one. Cat, Griffin, his family and Beta Team are lively and interesting characters. Breath of Fire, as a whole, didn’t hang together as well as Promise of Fire. There were interesting moments and adventures, and the primary goal of the characters is clear, but it felt disjointed. There’s a lot of action, but no real emotional arc. There’s no real suspense, because we know that Cat and Griffin will achieve their goals. Middle books are hard, y’all. I think this might be better read once the final book (I’m assuming 3 books, I might be wrong) is published so the whole thing can be read as a whole.
SPOILERS
Of the strung together adventures of Beta Team, the arena fights were my least favorite. I feel like Ilona Andrews did this better in Magic Strikes. And by the way, if you aren’t reading the Kate Daniels series, you really should be, and then you should read Magic Strikes. Having read a better version of this scenario, I was frustrated with the lack of strategy. The knowledge that the characters would be successful, and the feeling that the author was writing without a real plan knocked a full star off the rating for me. That said, I’m still looking forward to the next book, in about 11 months.
Thank you to Malin for making it possible for me to read Breath of Fire now.