This just was not of interest to me sadly, I couldn't get into it and took me forever to pick it up. Sadly a DNF

The Hurricane Wars was a nice fantasy read. While I was entertained, I never got completely sucked in by the story. The plot was fun at times, but felt more like many fantasy books I had already read smashed together and not really original. So I still liked and enjoyed it, it just didn’t really stick out to me. One last thing tho, the cover is absolutely stunning!!

I was unable to get into this one, unfortunately. I had difficulty getting into the plot because it was unappealing and a little bit dull. There's a ton of info dump at the beginning, which confused me. I didn't connect with the characters and the world-building. Maybe this book just wasn't for me. I might give it another try later.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-arc.

This started out so well but unfortunately went a little downhill after the halfway mark. I felt it was a little confusing in the latter part of the story but still enjoyable as a debut novel.

An amazing fantasy with excellent world building - quite a chunky book but was very immersive. Great magic, political environment and war.

I enjoyed this one but it seemed a long book and not a lot of action. It seemed to be setting the scene more for the next book. Which still makes me want to read the next one so that’s a plus. I just wanted more to happen as it seemed to be building but then finished.
Great characters and the world building was fab so I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes!

Absolutely was hooked from start the finish. Enemies to lovers but with ambiguity as to whether the enemy will become "good". Cannot wait for the next installment!

Not a bad fantasy, and it certainly had some really interesting moments however I just found the characters Talasyn and Alaric to be really underwhelming and a bit boring. Compared to the colourful world they inhabit they're very flat. I also think it tried to do too much. There's a lot of plot here, and a really expansive complex world, but it feels a bit rough around the edges, a bit messy and unfinished. There's a lot of information dumping early on that feels very much like it's just placed in the story without any finesse.

Some nice ideas, but the characters were not engaging enough and the writing us a bit too clunky for me.

I just realized I haven't given my feedback yet, despite having read this more than a year ago!

From the moment I discovered "The Hurricane Wars," I was eagerly anticipating it. The allure of an enemies-to-lovers romance, combined with a marriage of convenience and a premise inspired by Reylo (the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren in Star Wars), had me hooked instantly. As soon as it was available on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it, and thankfully, my request was accepted.

The Hurricane Wars is set in a world deeply reminiscent of Southeast Asia, with rich cultural influences that permeate the story. From the hierarchical organization of societies to the evocative descriptions of clothing and landscapes, the setting feels both unique and immersive. The narrative follows Talasyn, an orphan with light magic, and Alaric, the Night Emperor's son, who wields shadow magic. Their worlds collide on the battlefield, creating a dynamic that is as thrilling as it is intense.

The worldbuilding in "The Hurricane Wars" is nothing short of exquisite. Thea Guanzon has crafted a vibrant and intricate world that feels alive and meticulously detailed. The cultural elements inspired by Southeast Asia add a layer of depth and authenticity to the story, making the world feel both familiar and fantastical.


Talasyn and Alaric are compelling characters whose personal journeys are as captivating as their intertwined fates. Talasyn, with her hidden light magic, symbolizes hope and resistance against the oppressive Night Empire. Alaric, molded into a weapon by his father, represents the struggle between duty and personal desire. Their development throughout the story is gradual and nuanced, making their eventual alliance both believable and engaging.

The romance is a slow burn, fitting perfectly with the enemies-to-lovers trope. The tension between Talasyn and Alaric is palpable, and their reluctant partnership evolves into a complex relationship filled with passion and conflict. The gradual build-up of their connection, set against the backdrop of war and magic, is both satisfying and heart-wrenching.

Guanzon's writing is both lyrical and compelling. Her narrative style is immersive, pulling the reader into the world she has created and holding their attention with vivid descriptions and well-paced storytelling. The structure of the novel, clearly intended to be the first part of a larger story, hints at a grander scheme that promises more intrigue and adventure in the subsequent books.

"The Hurricane Wars" is a remarkable debut from Thea Guanzon, combining unforgettable characters, a richly drawn world, and a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance. It's a story that promises much more to come, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installments in this trilogy. For fans of fantasy romance, especially those who enjoy complex worldbuilding and slow-burn relationships, this book is a must-read.

Loved it, can't wait for the sequel, especially with this cliffhanger. I did enjoy the characters interactions and the magic system very much!

Great fun! Enemies-to-lovers trope plus hidden secrets/conspiracies. It ended very abruptly though and now I'm desperate for the next book! Will definitely be buying the sequel.

The first 35% nearly made me DNF. It feels tacked on and inconsistent with the rest of the book. A slow start, but once you get through that the rest really kicks into gear and becomes a fantastic ride. Even months later, I found myself thinking about the characters and strangely enough, missing them. Guanzon has a real gift for writing characters & stories that work their way deep into your heart. Eagerly awaiting the next book!

was not it. i’m sorry. couldn’t get into it. you may like it better than me!!! the world building and plot was too slow and complex, i love a fantasy with lots of action - but obviously this is personal preference, and i can see why others have loved this!

A brilliant fantasy debut with rich world building and brilliantly well rounded characters. Every detail was carefully thought out and planned! Can’t wait to see what’s next.

I tried so hard to read this book, i just couldnt gel with it at all. It took me months and months to read it as i would read a few pages and think god this is boring and i would read something else instead. Not for me this one.

Sadly this was a DNF as the writing style wasn’t for me. I didn’t find it overly engaging and it wasn’t something I was eager to pick up,

Final rating: 3.5 ⭐️

When I started reading this book, it took me a while to get into the story. I think the world-building description was done quite well, but i didn’t like how the magical system was explained. In certain moments if felt as if the infos were being dumped in a confusing way. So, this is why it was a bit difficult for me to keep up with the story.
The writing style is quite simple, which facilitates the flow of the prose.
I hope that Talasyn’s past will be explored more in the next book.
We also know little to nothing about Alaric's past, but in this case I believe it's intentional. It's immediately apparent that his version of the story is completely different from Talasyn's and the Sardovian Alliance’s in general, so I suppose Gaheris is hiding something that stems right from the childhood of the male protagonist.

The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, and they are the enemies/rivals to lovers par excellence. The only flaw is that it seems to suddenly arise. I didn't see a progression, so it was a very fast-paced attraction rather than a slow burn (which I would have preferred, given the complex dynamic between the two). However, I still loved their moments together, and the tension between them was almost unbearable. In fact, I had to close the book a couple of times because of absolutely involuntary squeals!

The secondary characters, on the other hand, at some point practically disappeared. I understand that it was done because of the direction the plot took, but I think even a hint of their existence at some point would have been appreciated. Some of them become important for just a few pages, and then you don't even see them anymore (but I hope we’ll do in the sequel!). I think the type of narration adopted probably also matters, as we see everything from the POV of the two main characters but in third person. So, despite the relief of not being faced with a first-person narrative, I think it was equally limiting.

As much as the ending was extremely predictable, I liked it a lot. I found it a fitting conclusion to everything that happened, as well as a new turning point in Alaric's storyline. It's precisely at the end, as well as in the romance component, that I want to cling to with my nails and teeth, hoping that with the sequel my rating will improve.

Of course, don’t be discouraged by my words and read this book. It’s possible that you might find your new bookish obsession!

I had many hopes for this book but I couldn't get into it. The world and character development was quite confusing at first so I ended up DNF.
Felt like a lot of information being dumped at once.

I started this one but sadly couldn't get into it. So I put it down about 25% though it's a chunky read!

But there wasn't enough action to keep me hooked.

Fantastic debut book for this new author, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and cannot wait for the second book!

I read this book in two sittings and did not want to put it down, highly recommend it for all the romantacy lovers out there!

I will 100% be reading all her future releases!

I just reviewed The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. #TheHurricaneWars #NetGalley