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Review: Beneath the Burning Sea by Amanda Bouchet

Spitfire Bellanca takes on gods, demi-gods, and an evil tyrant in this latest book in the Kingmaker Chronicles. This is just another day for Bellanca who has already experienced all of this, fighting her evil brother and then losing the throne to someone else. This time, she is sent to the missing land of Atlantis with Carver. These two are like oil and water. Since Bellanca is a fire elemental, I guess fire and water. This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in the order written for better context.


I struggled with this book. The first few chapters, I kept setting it down because Bellanca and Carver are offputting. I did not like either characters. I felt like a mom wanting to yell at them, "quit your bickering! Don't make me come there and make the two of you get along". Bellanca is prickly and belligerent. Carver is contrary and conflicted. The two of them spend the first half of the book trying to work together but constantly saying things that hurt each other. This form of interaction is repugnant to me. This enemies to lover theme always comes across as bullying abuse. Never sexy, never romantic no matter the numerous authors trying to convince me otherwise. I loathe it. It normalizes abuse in emotionally scarring ways and is explained away by a magical pussy and ginormous dick. Not my thing.


The concept of why Atlantis sunk was intriguing. Bellanca and Carver ineffectually trying to complete their god given mission was painful to witness. At this point, their actions are more Greek comedy than tragedy. The horrible way that women are treated in Atlantis is vile. I am disgusted and disappointed. What is the point here? So many things that are upseting me in this story from the characters to the plot to the execution. What changed in the story to switch how I felt?


What I liked is this painful setup (once readers make it through) sets a baseline of how even the best of intentions can go awry. I enjoyed the experimentation by Zeus to see how he tried to prevent what happened in Thalyria from happening in Atlantis. This desire for those with magic and without to be treated and valued equally is admirable if unrealistic. As the story unfolds and our heroes finally get on the same page and work together, events start moving in their direction. The reasons why Atlantis is under punishment and who the villains are in this story is heartbreaking. This comedy slowly morphed into a tragedy with a bitter pill to swallow at the end for some. Fortunately there is a happily ever after for our heroes. Overall, this tale contains many elements of a Greek Tragedy and I love it. Recommended for paranormal readers who love their petty Greek gods, snarky heroes, and good triumphs over evil themes.


*provided by NetGalley


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