This was a very solid start to a very promising fantasy romance series. I really liked the exploration of Zarya’s emotions towards Row as it alternates between a father figure and a captor. I thought that her conflicting opinions made her more realistic as she’s understandably angry at him for keeping her trapped for her whole life but also caring for her.

The first issue was the lack of convincing rationale for the character’s actions which led to inconsistent characterization and generally stupid decision-making. It feels like this book was written with specific scenes in mind so the entire plot is structured to fit around these scenes. Character personalities, motivations, etc are changed to ensure that they go from scene A to scene B, even if it doesn’t make sense. For example, the events that led Zarya and Aarav to Dharati seem to happen with little to no explanation. Vikram and Yassen find Zarya and Aarav in the forest so they bring them in front of the queen. We are never given an explanation why they’re meeting the queen other than “it’s suspicious for them to be in the forests.” Once they get there, however, it seems that all is forgotten and they’re allowed to just leave the day after. It’s clear that for the plot, the author needs both Zarya and Aarav to be introduced to the social elites of Dharati but has done so in an extremely random way. In another example, Zarya wants to do something in secret but the author wants Zarya to be caught by Yassen. So instead of Zarya hiding in her room or any secluded area, the author makes her go to a public area even while Zarya expresses her desire to not be seen. Stated character motivations are frequently in conflict with character actions without explanation.

The next issue was the lack of character development for anyone other than Zarya, though this is somewhat improved in the second half of the book. The characters' outfits are described in excruciating detail to the point of becoming repetitive but their personalities are not developed very much. Vikram’s physical attractiveness is emphasized over and over but he has basically no other defining attributes or personality. Aarav is similarly devoid of depth, going from borderline abusive towards Zarya to a sort of brother-sister dynamic. I didn’t feel like I connected with any of the characters and I was not invested in their stories until the very end of the book.

The “slow burn” and “enemies to lovers” aspect of the romance was also a big letdown. I understand that this is the first book in a series but Rabin literally doesn’t have more than a few lines of dialogue in the whole book. The author keeps telling us that Zarya and Rabin have this deep connection, that Zarya “feels” like Rabin is trustworthy, etc but their actual interactions consist of “What’s your name?” “Where do you live?” and nothing else.

The author also tackles the topic of caste systems through the vanshaj, the descendants of two evil twins, who are marked with a tattoo and relegated to menial tasks. However, it is interesting to note that not a single character in the book expresses support for this caste system, even characters who are in positions of authority or power. It’s incredible how such a system of oppression could continue to exist without any character being morally complicit.

I think this series shows promise and I think the next book will be able to improve on the issues that I mentioned especially since a lot of the groundwork has been laid.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After reading and enjoying Trial of the Sun Queen, I had similar expectations for this book. However, I did struggle initially with some of the names while reading. As a result, I found myself unable to get fully emersed in the world.

After about a third of the way into the book, I started to get more invested in Zarya's journey as her interactions with other characters gave her more depth. It felt to me that prior to this, the story was a bit lost and was trying to do too many things.

I enjoyed the Indian influences that came through, and the magic system that we begin to learn more about towards the end of the book is really interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how that develops more. I also enjoyed and am keen to see what occurs with the mysterious character we get introduced to towards the end of the book.

I appreciated the relationship arc between Zarya and Aarav and the growth they had as they began to understand more about each other. This was probably where I best saw who Zarya was as a character.

Despite a slow start, I enjoyed the story, and it was a relatively quick read. I will likely continue on with the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Nisha J Tuli for the ARC. As familiar to exotic tales being an inspiration to many further tales, this was an exception. The world building was so intricate, the details were so detailed, I am amazed and still thinking back.
The initial 30-50 pages were a bit slow paced in terms of capturing me, but it improved afterwards and builded towards a better flow. The series can be one of the hits of the 2023, please dont make us wait.

Oh Nisha, Nisha, Nisha. What did I just read?!? This was so good! I definitely feel like I have been left on a major cliffhanger as to what happens next and I can’t wait for the ride to begin again! ⁣
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Hopefully no spoilers here, but I truly loved how her relationships changed within the book. Enemies become supporters. Slow burn. Secrets (from all directions)come to life in a beautiful way. Captor becomes protector. The FMC is strong, but not in the independent, I don’t need anyone way. It’s refreshing to see an intelligent, dignified girl seeking connection via relationships and willing to go for what she wants. ⁣
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I truly enjoyed this ARC. Thank you for the opportunity. I wish this ARC could’ve been a physical copy, because I felt the need to tag so many things! I only wish I would have seen a pronunciation guide. I tried my best with the names. The imagery of all the clothing, nature, and cities was beautiful. ⁣
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#heartofnightandfire

Tuli has stolen my heart again with this slow-burn, romantasy, vampire adventure. This author has an amazing talent with world building, never forgetting the small details she writes, including them in all of the encounters she has with that setting. Every time I read Tuli’s work, i’m transported into another well thought out and described world. I can see the world, taste the food, hear the sounds.
One of my favorite examples of this is everytime Zarya would enter Vikram’s family garden, the little Peri would make an appearance, never to be forgotten no matter how small they may seem in the story.

The story begins with Zarya, a human woman and FMC, confined to living with her captors with no explanation as to why she is to remain hidden. Although she has been living with them since as far back as she can remember, Zarya always dreamed of living outside of the secluded place she calls home.

Soon after the story begins, the man who made sure she never left her confines, Row, goes missing along with the wards that were put in place to keep her from escaping. Zarya’s freedom leads her to find her first two friends, Vikram and Yasen, with hopes of finding out why she was kept in the dark, where her true family is, and what is her true destiny.

After reading the Artefacts of Ouranos series, I was excited to dive into the first book of the Nightfire Quartet.

I love that Zarya is a strong protagonist from the jump. She’s trained in combat, she’s confident, she’s unafraid to jump in to help someone in need.

The world took me a little to get my bearings, but I quickly fell in love with the characters. Seeing Zarya’s relationships evolve with Vikram and Yasen and watching her find a family in them and Amrita was powerful.

As I expected for the start of a romantasy series, the ending just left me wanting more. I see the groundwork being laid for an enemies to lovers relationships starting and now that we know the full scope of magic that Zarya has, I can’t wait to see what she does moving forward!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for this advanced copy!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a masterclass in vibrant storytelling, painting an enticing image of a world adorned with the hues of Indian mythology, where magic thrums in every corner. This first installment in the Nightfire Quartet is a symphony of love, friendship, self-discovery, and resilience that leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

Zarya, our protagonist, is an undeniable force of nature – a mix of vulnerability and grit. Her journey from a secluded existence to exploring the captivating city of Dharati and the tumultuous world beyond is not just a physical journey, but an emotional odyssey as well. Her evolution, the embracing of her true potential, and the friendships she forges along the way lend the book an emotional heft that hits all the right chords.

While Heart of Night and Fire stands tall with its world-building prowess, character development, and a delightful infusion of Indian mythology, it sets the stage for something even greater. This book may seem like an introduction to the characters and their magical world, but it's clear that it's quietly laying the groundwork for a more expansive narrative in the sequels.

The slow-burn romance aspect is beautifully handled, creating a delicious tension that will keep you hooked, eagerly flipping pages. However, what truly stands out is the emphasis on friendship, bonding, and the concept of a chosen family. The dynamics between Zarya and the other characters are heartening, and the bond they share is the soul of this story.

However, there were moments where the plot seemed to stagnate, a lull before the storm. But even these slower parts are generously sprinkled with enough hints and intrigue to keep the reader invested.

Heart of Night and Fire is an enchanting read. A story that captivates from the beginning with its atmospheric setting and complex characters. Although there are some slow moments and unanswered questions that left me aching for more, it's evident that Nisha J. Tuli is setting up for an incredible follow-up. This book has left me excited and eager for the next installment in the Nightfire Quartet. If you're a fan of rich world-building, well-rounded characters, and a story where friendship and self-discovery take center stage alongside magic and mythology, then this book will surely not disappoint.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

I'd like to start by saying this is my first book by Nisha Tuli. I am an avid fantasy and romantasy reader, so judging by the description of the book, it should've have right up my alley. And the story really was - I liked the worldbuilding and how the plot progressed.

Still, I must admit there were some things I found a bit overwhelming. I really struggled with the first part of the book, not so much with the terminology (which was vast), but more so with the description and the narrative. The second part of the book was significantly faster in terms of plot and character development.

My main problem with the story is that I couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters. They were well written, but I just missed something (some depth, maybe) to form a connection with them. The relationship part, which is marketed as enemies to lovers, is there, but only at its beginning. I'm guessing we will see the relationship develop more in the second book.

Overall, it's a solid 3 star for me. I feel sad I couldn't give the book more, since I did have high expectations, but I'm hoping the second book will have a different impact on me.

Overall a great book! I really enjoyed it. I will say though there’s ALOT happening between world building and various characters. I fear some readers will get lost trying to keep up. I really enjoyed the magic system and the world that was created but it felt like Tuli dipped into a lot of fantasy topics all at once. For example we had different cultures with different elemental magics (LOVED this) but we characters also had some that drank blood, and some that possibly shifted into dragons, and Demons were present through out, but we also had fairies. I feel like often fantasy books only have a few of these things and they focus on that but this had bits of all of them. I enjoyed it and feel like there’s so much potential for the future of the series though and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

I loved the world building the author did immediately from the beginning. You feel immersed in the world from the first paragraph.

I love how the main character grows and learns in the story. How she recognizes her weaknesses and carries on, overcoming them. The other characters are well built also.

I enjoyed the storyline and can't wait until the next book comes out!

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Zarya doesn't know much of the world she has never seen other than what she has read and been told. She has only been able to leave the cottage before the power Row holds over her stops her from going any farther. She hates it. She wants to experience the world and fall in love like in her books. One day after Row leaves for a trip she discovers she can finally go farther than ever before. The barrier is gone. Is this her chance to finally see the world?

Nisha Tuli stated at the beginning of the book how she uses mythology as a starting place, but decided to make it her own. This is my favorite part of the book. The magic and myths of the world are beautiful and completely capture you as a reader. However, this book seemed like a set up for the rest of the books in the series. It was meant to introduce you to the world and characters. I think everything will get more exciting and intriguing as the books keep going. I can't wait to see what happens next and how Zarya is going to handle the struggles ahead.

This was a no from me.

Some things I enjoyed:
1. South Asian representation. This book feels like a love story to Tuli’s culture. From the outfits to the food and to the mythological creatures. It’s great seeing the characters crave chai instead of just the tea my western perception typically thinks of, and the characters wearing kurtas rather than a dress or pants that, again, I usually would imagine.
2. Okay really that’s it.

Things I didn’t enjoy as much that made the book feel like it dragged on:
1. Every outfit a character is wearing is described immediately on said character’s introduction. This isn’t necessarily a problem and can be helpful to address the status of the character. But it becomes repetitive when we’re being introduced to a large group of characters at once. And we do meet a good amount of characters within the first 25% of this. In addition, nearly every outfit Zarya wears is described. It’s tiresome and I just want to get back to the plot.
2. Many things happen around and to Zarya, but there is no active involvement from her. Here’s what I mean. Many of the catastrophic events occur when and where Zarya is present. She happens to be enjoying lunch and boom, chasm in the ground. She’s on a picnic date and boom, falling eggs. It continues like this for some time and eventually I got bored.
3. There are scenes that could have honestly been taken out all together and it would not have had any affect on the plot. Zarya finds out at around 30% of the book that her mother is pictured in a book, however, the book is not in a language she or the others around her understand. Then, some scenes occur in which it has no relevance to the story. At about 50%, Zarya finally decides to seek out a translator. Essentially, having the audience wait several chapters for this to occur lost the momentum from revelation to seeking answers. By the time Zarya mentioned a translator, I had forgotten the revelation even occurred.

I think this book has the potential to be a great story. Unfortunately for me, this one just kept dragging on and I eventually got bored. Even the eventual romance and final revelations didn’t interest me.

Heart of Night and Fire was a middling read for me. On the plus side, I loved the blending of Indian mythology into the narrative and the premise had a lot of promise. However, the execution, particularly at the start of the book, caused some problems. The meeting between the main characters felt forced, there were some inconsistencies in the plot, and the characters lacked depth and interest, so I never really engaged with any of them on anything more than a cursory level. The narrative structure did improve a bit later in the book, but I still found Zarya hard to relate to or empathise with. If given the opportunity to read on, I would give the second book a try, but I will not be racing out to buy it. Therefore, I am giving this book three stars. It's worth a look if you a keen to try out some fantasy based on different folklore and mythology.

The most Enchanting tale, I'm so excited for book two already!

Magic, Mystery, Found family, slow burn romance, actipn & adventure is what awaits you in a Heart of Night and Fire

Nisha J. Tuli is, in my opinion, one of the most talented authors I've ever read. An incredibly rich story with beautiful descriptions so vivid I could almost taste the food and feel the material, see the forest and all the beasts it holds. The characters feel truly real as well as this fantasy world she has built.

In A Heart of Night and Fire we follow Zarya, a young woman who has had no freedom since she was a child. Her guardian, Row and his apprentice Arrav have not given her a reason, only that it's for her own safety. Zarya is aware she is somewhat of an anomaly as she can call ulon the stars - useless magic. She remains in her beautiful captivity, Until one day, Row goes missing and Zarya notices the wards once holding her prisoner have fallen.

Zarya sets off to explore the outside world and finally live. The world has been ravaged by the blight, causing demons of all sorts to roam the lands - only strong at night time. Zarya finds herself in the city of Dharati where she vows to help in any way she can to protect the city and its inhabitants from the demons relentlessly attacking. Can Zarya find the reason she was kept hidden away all these years?

Nisha does it again.

I read The Trial of the Sun King earlier this year and immediately added Nisha to my Romantasy Author watch list. I saw her social media posts about ARC requests being available through Netgalley and immediately pounced.

Heart of Night and Fire did not disappoint my romantasy loving heart and soul. I was pulled into this book from the moment I opened it. The dedication to brown girls hit me right in the feels and Zarya's story is intriguing from the very first page.

A rich world of culture filled with an interesting magic system, mystery surrounding identities, demons, shadows, stars and a million and a half questions to be answered, this book is setting the stage for what I can only imagine will be an epic enemies to lovers slow burn.

I found the pacing of the book to generally be well thought out. There is a slowness that starts to creep in as you wait for your questions to be answered, but the bread crumbs are well placed along the way and kept me going right up until things took off in the back half of the book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and get more of Zarya and a certain MC. PLEASE NISHA, when can I have it?!

Found Family
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Indian Mythology
Spicy
Book 1 in a new series

Zaraya is a 20 year old woman who is magically trapped in the Southern Coast of Rahajhan by her over protective guardian Row and his apprentice Aarav. For years he has been training her to defend herself against demons and other dark elements on the outside.

The only window to the outside world is through the books Row brings her from the city. She dreams of finding a handsome man as depicted in her steamy romance books and for human touch and someone she can connect with. She craves love and excitement but could never experience any of it as long as she was confined to the cottage.
She has no memory of her parents, no friends or family. She yearns for a normal life filled with love and friendship. The isolation has left her full of resentment, rage and fury.

One day Row leaves for the city but fails to return home. A concerned Aarav goes to the city to find him.
That night after getting drunk on plum wine Zaraya has a strange dream. She sees a hooded figure surrounded by mist and shadow. She can feel the tall broad man with dark eyes watching her but she feels safe in his presence.
She wakes up the next morning to discover that the magic confining her is gone. An elated Zaraya immediately packs up and leaves for the city of Dharati.

She meets two extremely handsome rakshasa men who are blood-drinking, nearly immortal soldiers who defend the city at night against a plethora of demons who threaten the city. After passing her initial trials she joins them on the wall each night to defend their beloved Queen against the onslaught of evil.

The world building in this book is extremely captivating. The exotic, colourful world the author created gave me the same feeling of wonder I felt as a child when reading about magical places.
The Indian and South Asian inspired mythology was so different from any other fantasy books I have read before and it gave me the same excitement as any of the top selling fantasy romance books I so greedily consume. I am already pining like a love sick puppy for the second book of the series.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy good adult fantasy romance books.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

After reading the blurb and learning that it was inspired by Indian mythology, I was really excited to read this. Sadly, my excitement waned as I began reading the book. Despite my disappointment, I did keep reading. This wasn't a bad book, it just was not for me.

What I liked about it was that it kept me reading. There was a high-stakes plot and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. I really enjoyed that it wasn't your typical Celtic-inspired mythology; it was good to break from the typical fantasy mold and dive into something new.

But unfortunately for me, what I didn't like about Heart of Fire outweighed what I liked about it. Zarya was hidden away from the world. The only people she knew were her adoptive father and brother. She is 21 in the book but acted like a teenager. Even accepting that she was bound to make a few bad choices because a) it helps move the plot along and b) she's sheltered, there were too many things she did that didn't make sense. There also wasn't much foreshadowing; all of the big reveals were very obviously divulged. There were no subtle hints; just overt presentations of plot points that were confirmed a few chapters later.

Thank you to Netgalley, Second Sky Books and Nisha J. Tuli for an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Star: 4.5/5


This is such a great first entry in Nisha J. Tuli’s newest series, the Nightfire Quartet! Tuli expertly weaves elements of Indian mythology throughout what will surely be a hit series.

This novel follows main character Zarya as she breaks out of her prison, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and somehow manages to create a family for herself in the bleakest of times. This main character is not afraid to be vulnerable while also possessing a strength of character necessary to survive in a world over-taken by demons.

This first entry in this series focuses less on romance and more on building strong friendships and learning more about oneself. Once you read through, you’ll understand the importance of setting up this base family unit for Zarya. There is romance with the MMC, in the second half of this book, and the tension is absolutely delicious.

You won’t see some of the reveals coming at the end of this book coming, and it’ll make you so eager to pick up book 2!! Now that I’ve read this early, I don’t know how I’m going to wait so long for the next book!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a good start to a very promising new adult fantasy series. Within a captivating fantasy world inspired by South Asian mythology, Nisha masterfully crafted a beautiful narrative abundant in thrilling action filled with suspense and mystery, and a steamy infusion of romance, resulting in a thoughtfully crafted tale. Being a Sri Lankan American yearning to hold on to my South Asian heritage, I found immense delight in the rich tapestry of the world filled with South Asian mythical beings that Nisha meticulously constructed within the pages of Heart of Night and Fire.

However, to express my honest perspective, I must admit my dissatisfaction with the initial portion of the book. It was a complete let down compared to the second half of the book with it’s sloppy plot execution. Striving to avoid divulging any plot details, I felt the sequence of events that brought Zarya and Aarav to Dharati lacked a compelling rationale, and the narrative seemed riddled with more inconsistencies than I had anticipated. In the first half of the story, Zarya’s portrayal struck me as lacking depth, marked by immaturity, and an undue naivety, which seemed incongruous for a twenty year old. Furthermore, her persistent longing for physical intimacy, even in perilous circumstances, considerably detracted from my engagement with the narrative.

Although the first half of the book was dissatisfactory the second half of the book was beautifully executed, it almost felt as though I was reading an entirely different book. The meticulous crafting of the world’s structure and the seamless progression of the narrative revealed a masterful touch in the second half of the book. The plot reverberated with suspense, and the depiction of action sequences exuded a remarkably eloquent flair.

Unfortunately, I found that the characters, particularly in the initial half of the book, were notably deficient in emotional complexity and meaningful attributes. Zarya, Vikram, Yassen, Rabin, and even Aarav seemed to lack profound dimension, rendering it notably challenging to establish any form of emotional resonance with them. While Nisha expended considerable effort elaborating on the physical attractiveness of both Vikram and Yassen, she unfortunately omitted imbuing them with distinct personalities and I felt as though there was actually no base for the attraction between Vikram and Zarya. However I must admit, I am extremely intrigued by Rabin’s character and what will unfold between him and Zarya in the sequels.

While it did require a significant passage of time, I’m genuinely appreciative that Nisha, in the second half of the book, succeeded in rectifying much of what was lacking in the earlier half. The glimpses into the characters’ identities provided a measure of redemption. Some may posit that this was an endeavor to highlight character development. However, personally, I find that the process of acquainting myself with these multi-dimensional individuals, each with their own distinct narratives, attributes, and imperfections, took longer than my preferences would have dictated.

Zarya’s likability remains uncertain to me, as I struggled to forge an emotional bond with her character. On the contrary, I genuinely relished Yassen’s presence and the evolution of her camaraderie with both him and Princess Amrita. This dynamic offered a significant dose of essential female companionship within the narrative, which I found highly enjoyable.

All in all, from my individual perspective, Heart of Night and Fire presented a blend of positive and negative aspects. Although the initial half of the book left me dissatisfied, I take solace in the fact that the latter portion managed to compensate for those shortcomings. The surge of action-packed sequences in the second half left an indelible impression and left me yearning for more, also offering a tantalizing preview of what might unfold in the upcoming sequels.

My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Second Sky books and Nisha J. Tuli for providing me this advance reader copy.

TW: imprisonment, parental death, attempted sexual assault

I picked up Heart of Night and Fire based solely on the beauty of the cover, look at that thing, it's stunning! But then I learned we get enemies to lovers, magic and Indian mythology, what a fantastic premise! Zarya has been confined to her beach home with the men that have raised her since she was a baby. Row taught her to fight and defend herself and Aarav is like the brother she never wanted. She longs to break free of the confinement and explore the world and find love but the magic holding her to the cottage is too strong. One day Row has disappeared and so has the confinement magic, Zarya is off to the big city but she finds that demons are intent on infiltrating and destroying the city. Zarya joins the fight and gains a found family along the way.

I can't pass up a good Indian mythology inspired book and this one was no exception. The descriptions of the enormous amounts of food had me starving and the lavish clothing everyone wore painted just the most vivid pictures in my mind. I really love the author's talent in creating such a world! Unfortunately I think the pacing of the book really hurt the world building and how the reader was supposed to absorb it. Though the author tries to build a vast and detailed world it gets lost in the speed of which everything happens. And with the grueling pace I believe the characters suffered as well. Zarya is explained well enough but the side characters of her found family were fleeting and I got them confused often except for Vikram, Yasen, and Aarav.

Speaking of the boys...I guess Zarya had been so lonely being confined that she so now so touch starved she thinks she wants to make out with any man she came across, it was a bit off putting. And Zarya is meant to be 21 but a lot of her inner thoughts are very juvenile...I guess that could be a product of her confinement but she contradicts this theory when she wants to jump every man's bones! And this book is described as enemies to lovers but we really don't get that at all. WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD: Vikram is definitely all gaga over her as soon as they meet so no enemies there. I believe the author is referencing Rabin but we don't get the enemies part until literally the last couple of chapters. I can see what she's doing but she really shouldn't have started calling it an enemies to lovers trope if we don't get to the meat of it until the next book.

Overall this was an ok book. I will continue the series because I think the author will get better with the writing and the pacing. The first book of a series is always to set the story somewhat and I do wish to find out what happens between Rabin and Zarya, Nisha hooked me good. Thank you so much to Second Sky publishing for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!