Captivating Blend of Indian Mythology, Fantasy and Romance

First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude to Netgalley, the publisher Second Sky and Nisha J. Tuli for generously providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This review is entirely voluntary, and I want to emphasize that it truly reflects my genuine emotions and thoughts about the story.

Star rating⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice rating 🌶️

I haven't encountered any works by this author previously, so I was brimming with excitement upon receiving approval for her new book before its official release. Given my fascination with mythology and its encompassing tales, I was particularly enthusiastic about delving into a novel influenced by Indian mythology. With my limited exposure to this subject matter, this felt like the perfect chance to immerse myself. Zarya's journey in Dharati and her romantic storyline captured my interest. If you're in the mood for a captivating fantasy story with a touch of romance, "Heart of Night and Fire" might be right up your alley.

The author has crafted an intricate world that left me curious to explore it further in the upcoming sequels. Though I had to take my time getting familiar with the Indian names and their meanings, I thoroughly enjoyed the infusion of Indian mythology and the fantasy elements. On the downside, the pacing of the story felt inconsistent at times, fluctuating between moments of leisurely development and sudden acceleration. This interrupted the flow of the reading experience and diminished its immersive quality. While not a major issue, a smoother pace would’ve been more appreciated.

In addition, I struggled to form a strong connection with Zarya, the main character. The romantic dynamics between her and the other characters didn't quite resonate with me. I didn’t feel the passion or tension I desperately crave in a romance. While Zarya undergoes great personal growth and transformation, I found it challenging to truly understand some of her perspective and emotions.This is disappointing because the storyline itself is enthralling and gratifying, it holds a lot of promise.

Nonetheless, my interest is piqued enough to anticipate the release of the next book. Zarya's journey genuinely intrigued me, and I'm eager to see how the romance and plot unfold. I want to express my gratitude once again for granting me the opportunity to read and engage with this work.

Specials thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this EARC. The premise of Fantasy meets Indian mythology had me immediately intrigued!

Zarya has been caged her whole life, both physically and magically. She is restless and yearns for friendship, exploration, and love. Life seems monotonous until one day she escapes to the enchanted city of Dharati. I love how the author paints such a vibrant picture despite the fact that darkness and blight are slowly consuming this world.

Indian mythology..love!
Hidden secrets.. love!
Found family.. love love!

The only hiccup I have with this book (and it’s a tiny one) is the fact that it’s touted as an enemies to lovers slow burn romance. While we don’t really get much of this in book one, I can see how the author is setting up for more development of this trope in book two, and I. Am. Here. For. It!!

3.5 - I loved the rich, immersive, Indian culture and how the author was inspired by Indian myths and creatures. Unfortunately I found the magic system and names of all the different types of people very confusing to follow. I also found it EXTREMELY predictable and I kept waiting for characters to act a little bit more intelligently because I was shocked it was taking them so long to figure things out…

While saying that though, I am intrigued, and the world was unique enough (at least from what I understood of it!) to hold my interest. I will definitely pick up the second book when it comes out.

Thank you Netgalley and Second Sky for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars!

Zarya has spent her life trapped in a cottage. When her guardian disappears, she finally escapes the magic that was holding her in, and travels to the city of Dharati. She finds a new world, full of magic and intrigue. But the city is under siege, attacked by demons every night. Zarya joins the fight, making new friends, and uncovering buried secrets about herself along the way.

Heart of Night and Fire has amazing world building, that is incredibly descriptive and beautiful. It is full of twists and turns. It ends with the perfect set-up for the next book in the quartet, and I’m so excited to read more of this series.

Tropes: found family, enemies to lovers, slow burn.

As a Sarah J Mass fan I absolutely loved this the characters and the world building was just beautiful. I can’t wait to see where this world goes from here in the next book and I definitely want to pick up a physical copy when it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

I would give this book a solid 3.75 stars out of 5 stars. It was enjoyable to read, but I have a couple of issues with it.

The first being that this book is pitched as adult fantasy, but it reads more like young adult. Even though the world building blending in with Southeast mythology was pretty decent, personally I felt that it lacked the level of complexity that an adult fantasy book needs. I think the main characters were your typical, average, surface level characters--which isn't a bad thing necessarily, but to me, it didn't meet my expectations for an adult fantasy book.

The second thing that I didn't quite enjoy is how practically of all the answers to Zarya's questions are revealed in the last chapter in the book. It felt like there was a lot of anticipation building up only to get info-dumped all at the end. Even then, some questions that I feel like should have been answered in the first book of a series still remain, such as who Rabin exactly is and why he's important, how and why the monsters are connected to Zarya, etc.

Would I recommend this book? Sure.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Second Sky for approving me for an ARC of this book. I read this with my fellow fantasy pals, Bex and Amanda. As always I loved our chats as we went!

🌍Nisha J Tuli’s world-building is beautiful! There were many times that I could easily picture the city of Dharati and certain scenes played out so vividly in my imagination. From the beautiful costumes to the mouth-watering food, this book is packed with culture.

🤫There are so many secrets within this story. I felt frustrated with Zaraya and how much she concealed from others. I was waiting patiently for her to trust someone. The mystery of Row’s disappearance, and the stranger in the dream all kept my mind whirring! The friendship between Yasen and Zaraya was one of my favourite elements.

🥷🏻Action and drama are front and centre of the story. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster and kept tipping over the edge of danger. The fight scenes and different creatures were brilliant.

🌹The romance element took a little while to show itself but I am very much invested in the next book. I have so many theories about what might happen and I can’t wait to read book two.

Inspired by Indian mythology, Heart Of Night And Fire is a fantasy novel containing some romance that will develop further in future books.
Heart Of Night And Fire is my first book by Nisha J.Tuli. While I was not interested in reading the Trial Of The Sun Queen, my interest was certainly piqued after diving into this book!

One of the standout aspects of the book is undoubtedly the friendship between the main character and another prominent figure. The evolution of their bond is endearing and adds a layer of depth to the story.

The conclusion will leave you yearning to dive straight into the next book, although regrettably, some patience will be required.

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 ⭐

Tropes: Slow-burn, found family, hidden secrets
World-Building: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5 (would love to see more of the supporting characters' back stories)
Plot: 3/5 (maybe a little slow for me, but twists and turns)
Romance Level: 3/5
Spice Level: 1.5/5

I read the Artefacts of Ouranos series and enjoyed the romance that’s slowly blossomed between Lor and Nadir. You can imagine my sheer excitements at receiving an EARC via NetGalley (thank you!) for Heart of Night and Fire.

Tuli builds worlds like no other. I admit I know next to nothing about the richness of Indian culture and its mythology, but you are swept into this story’s vibrancy and glamour. Tuli also has an ingenious way out of keeping you hooked right from the beginning; I find I have questions and want more context at times (especially in the beginning) but the plot and characters make it so you don’t care as you’re swept into adventure. This ability to build anticipation also extends to the love interests, and I am so excited to hear about how their love develops.

I am a sucker for slow-burn romances, and when it comes to Tuli, if there's anything I've learned is don't fall into the first-love trap. I HUNGER for the development of Zarya and Rabin. I need more of them like YESTERDAY!

Overall, very good start for the Nightfire Quartet series, and I am so ready for the second book already!

A captivating fantasy world inspired by South Asian mythology, Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli follows Zarya in her quest to escape the place she was confined in her whole life. After noticing the borders that usually entrap her set by her parental figure Row, disappeared as well as Row, she takes off on a mission to the capital city, where she then stays. But who is the guy in the forest that keeps showing up in her dreams?

This incredible narrative started off strong, I loved seeing Zarya as a powerful protagonist. The momentum I got reading this, seeing her stick up for herself and push back against those who thought lower of her was strong. I can't wait to read more of her when the next book comes out. I also have a soft spot for Yasen, he was a great "tall and brooding" friend for Zarya.

The novel is mostly slow burn, and the first half of it went decently slow- but it was still very enjoyable to read. It was a nice build up to the intensity of the chaos that follows. I loved the visuals and imagery we received in this book, they make the world look stunning and I can't wait to see more action in the next book of the series.

I wish we saw more character development for all of the characters, but it seemed like only Zarya had development. There isn't a lot of depth in that category, and hopeful this builds on in the second novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. It was a nice build up for the series, and it was intriguing to read. I can't wait to read more of this series. I would definitely recommend reading this! Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nisha J. Tuli absolutely outdid herself again with this incredible series inspired by South Asian mythology!

Let me start by saying I absolutely love the way Tuli writes. She seamlessly weaves modern elements and humor into her writing while also creating detailed, descriptive world building that’s easy to follow.

The fmc, Zarya, is sassy, strong willed and determined from the start, but continues to show incredible character development as the story unfolds. I absolutely loved her relationship dynamics between the other characters, and how each relationship grew with time.

The world building was so beautifully written, while also being the perfect amount. I was easily able to visualize the cities, landscapes and characters without being overwhelmed or confused.

I LOVED this book and I’ll be internally crying inside until I get the second book in my hands 🫶🏻

50000/5 ⭐️ 1.5/5🌶️

I loved this book! it was a very entertaining read.

As a south asian woman myself i'm ecstatic to see south asian FMC representation as well as our in-depth and amazing mythology.

I have my full review linked on my Goodreads page:

Username: Sahi (taylors version)

In a magical city, Zarya's forbidden magic fuels her quest for truth. Amidst dark creatures and a brewing siege, she allies with Rakshasas and Aazheri sorcerers, while the mysterious Rabin kindles her intrigue. As danger escalates, Zarya confronts her magic's potential to save or destroy her newfound world.

.Found family
.Southern Asia mythology
.Unknown powers
.Hidden secrets
.Elemental magic

This was an interesting read. While the initial pace is slow due to extensive world-building and character introductions, the latter half keeps you on your toes. It's refreshing to delve into a folklore-inspired narrative from southern Asia, evoking the scents of chai, the vibrant colours of the fabrics and with new creatures that enrich the experience.

Yet, I wish there would've been more interactions between Zarya and Rabin to cement their connection. This aspect of the book felt a bit rushed and I believe more meaningful exchanges would've solidified their lust for one another. Rabin's mystery serves as a major incentive to keep reading, so I would've wanted some more bread crumbs along the way.

Yasen shines brilliantly, I want him as my friend. And I love a good found family book and this one does it very well.

This book lays the foundation for the entire series, and I'm eager to know what lies ahead. I think it has great potential to be an amazing and well beloved series.

(Review to be posted soon on Instagram @Beco_books)

At first I didn’t know if I would finish this book. It was very hard to get into in the beginning but I am so glad I stuck to it and finished the book. Now I want to know more and I am completely hooked on this world. It is so worth pushing through and finishing the book, I loved the end and the characters and the world building are very unique and I truly did in enjoy that aspect as well. I think for me I just like a slightly fast pace for my fantasy reads but I will definitely be looking for book two when it’s available.

3.5 ⭐️The story for this book is very promising and has a lot of potential. The magic system in this book is very interesting. The visuals in this book were really good, the monsters the battle scenes were awesome. The way that the author incorporated the magic aspects with this culture was really interesting.
The wold building need more work we have all these races interacting together but where did they come from where does their magic come from it us not explained we need more background. Also it would be helpful if the book had a dictionary for all this different terms and races that are kind of confusing.

Overall the book is enjoyable and I would definitely read the next book.

This book was a beautiful read from start to finish.

I loved that this book explored a South Eastern Asian culture in a high fantasy setting, it’s something that hasn’t been presented to me much before and I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I specifically loved reading about the mythological creatures and the outfits!

I really enjoyed Zarya’s character development and I’m looking forward to reading her development in future books, she’s such a fiery soul, and I love a badass FMC in my books.

I loved the set up for a slow burn romance, and I’m looking forward to exploring it with more of my favourites tropes (one bed, touch her you die- just in case you needed any ideas Nisha)…

Anyway! 5/5 recommend
beautiful, indulgent, action packed but evenly paced!

Just wanted to start off by saying a huge thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this book, as it is my first ever arc read I have ever done.

I really enjoyed this book! Nisha Tuli has a new fan and I cannot wait for the next book in the Nightfire Quartet to come out so that I can learn more about Zarya and Rabin. The plot twist on who Rabin was shocked me to my core and I need more...like NOW

The themes in this book were absolutely fantastic and I was a little unsure on if I would like the book when I first started, as this was my second ever fantasy read. The mythical creatures portrayed in this story were thrilling and I was sure to look up every one mentioned so I could see what they looked like!

Themes:
-Enemies to Lovers (slow-burn romance)
-Royal Families
-South Asia Mythology

This story was a huge 5-star read for me, never a dull moment. I absolutely cannot wait to get more of these characters stories in the next book.

A huge thanks to Second Sky and Nisha J. Tuli for this eARC of Heart of Night and Fire in exchange for an honest review.

Heart of Night and Fire was my first Nisha J. Tuli book, and I enjoyed it so much, I will be going to read Trial of the Sun Queen as soon as possible.

I loved so much about this book. First, I thought the setting was pretty magical. I haven't read very many middle-eastern inspired books, and it was lovely. I thought the lore and magic system were great. I ALWAYS enjoy elemental magic, and the demons and additional elements were a fresh take on the magic system. The story almost felt sci-fi at times with all the various creatures. I seriously loved the FMC. Zarya is a badass, and I loved watching her come into her own. Watching her accept her circumstances, magic, sexuality and eventually her found family was incredibly rewarding and the pacing of her story was wonderful. I LOVED (and did NOT pick up on) the twist at the end... I audibly gasped at who the dream man was, and I cannot wait to see where that goes and how they navigate those conflicting relationships. YIKES. Also, the incredibly brave but naïve FMC and protective (and ideally gay) male friend becoming besties for the resties is my favorite trope. You'll never convince me otherwise. Yasen and Zee for life. "Does this mean we get to ogle handsome men together? I've discovered ogling handsome men is actually a specialty of mine" "You name the time and place, Swamp Girl."

I did think that the relationship between Zayra and Vikram happened a bit too fast for me for it to be believable. I think ultimately I chalked some of the very fast feelings from Vikram to be due to the circumstances of his future; however, because it happened so fast I thought it was some sort of trick and felt skeptical for most of the book.

But overall, great start to the story! I cannot wait for book 2!

I was solidly going to give this two stars until the last 30%. I loved that this story was rooted in and representative of Indian culture. But that's really the only aspect that I can think of that I enjoyed. Overall this was very YA and had a confusing first half.

Slight spoilers below

The story was incredibly confusing until the last half. We are introduced to so many people and creatures, with lengthy descriptions on what they look like, what they're wearing and what they're eating, that it's difficult to keep track of them all and get a grasp on what the real issue is. I also did not like the constant catastrophes. Every time Zarya was going to move the plot along either by looking into her past or going on a date (eye roll) some monstrous attack would wreck the city, it was kind of exhausting.

The relationships here are also very strange. Zarya cannot vocalize her love/hate feelings for Row and Aarav and it makes for a confusing read. I really thought she wanted to kill Aarav but when he almost dies and she is afraid I was like ohhhhhhh Nisha is trying to do a sibling rivalry thing here. The relationship with Vikram was supposed to feel very fairytale but instead it felt forced. Nisha wrote such great chemistry between Zarya and Yasen that I kept rooting for them to get together until another very forced "you're not my type" conversation happened. Then the Rubin of it all. The best character is in this story for .5 seconds and he is so elusive that its almost annoying.

I think the main reason it felt YA was because of our FMC. Zarya is 20/21 but acts like a petulant teen. She could not stop talking about wanting to have a good kiss or complain about being held captive her whole life. <spoiler> Which by the way was such a huge part of her character and the story only for Row to come back at the end, explain everything and have a good reason for it? What a waste of her pining for 350 pages. </spoiler>
Her immaturity made it really hard for me to get through the story and I am not sure I like her enough to see what happens with her and Rubin.

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Heart of Night and Fire is by Nisha J. Tuli. The story follows Zarya, who has been living essentially in confinement with her “guardian” Row and his apprentice Aarav. Zarya is desperate for freedom and she gets her chance to escape when Row unexpectedly goes missing. Zarya and Aarav find themselves being taken to Dharati, a city trying to fight off a demonic blight, by Commander Vickram and Lt. Yasen. Readers see Zarya and Aarav settle in their new city and develop relationships with others along with learning more about themselves. Magic, will-they-won’t-they romance, and tense battles occur as readers progress through the story.

This is the first book I have read by this author, despite Trial of the Sun Queen being on my TBR for a while, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a very magical story with a strong female main character (which I love!) and such it has such tragically heartbreaking moments that I felt like the characters were all part of my friend group and I wanted to cry for them but also cheer them on. I kept wondering what would happen next in the plot and boy the last 10% or so sets up a GREAT second book (that I hope will be published soon). I love that Indian culture and mythology is woven into the story. I don’t have a physical copy but I just wanted to note how beautiful the cover art is! This would be a great addition for anyone’s bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley (@netgalley), the publisher (@secondskybooks) and the author (@nishajtwrites) for granting me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. This book is expected to come out on September 15, 2023.