“Heart of Night and Fire” by Nisha J. Tuli is a fantasy romance read, inspired by Indian mythology. In the first book of The Nightfire Quartet, Tuli builds a captivating, heart-pounding action and cataclysmic twists, this book leaves readers wondering when the sequel will hit shelves.

The novel follows Zarya, a magically inclined individual who can manipulate starlight, and who’s spent most of her life under house arrest under the care of Row and his apprentice, Aarav, in the swamplands of their kingdom of residence. Zarya is left in the dark as to why she must conceal her magic and spend most of her days training, never seeing life beyond the metaphorical (or invisible magic) walls of her prison - until the morning when Row goes missing and his magical guards dissipate, allowing Zarya to leave for the first time.

After inserting herself into a demon attack with two handsome strangers in the middle of her journey, Zarya finds herself being escorted to the capital city of Dharati, with Commander Vikram and Lieutenant Yasen, along with Aarav, who trailed Zarya to bring her home. In Dharati, Zarya slowly begins to piece together her past, who she is, and begins to find her place and purpose in her newfound freedom. Along the way, she develops a love interest, trains to be a soldier in the Khada (the queen’s special forces and the kingdom’s main defense against the numerous demon attacks), is introduced to Row’s magical buddies who seek to help her find out who she is, and makes her first true friend.

While I loved the story once the action picked up, I was disappointed that it took me half the book to get to it. There was a ton of world-building in the beginning and it was honestly slow to the point where I almost DNF’ed it, but things get interesting once Zarya’s life in Dharati begins in earnest.

My other main issue with the book is that Zarya’s main love interest for the series isn’t really introduced and (physically) enters the picture until 80% of the book! (The twist with that was somewhat predictable but I loved it all the same!) There are some steamy scenes with Zarya and her “stand-in” but all of the enemies-to-lovers tension is between her and her mystery man in the dreamworld for most of the story until he finally makes his grand entrance. And then once introduced, he wants nothing to do with her.

Despite a slow start, this book ended on a high note for me with Zarya learning who and what she is. If you’re fond of fantasy reads with found family, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and hidden secrets at every twisted turn (and there are SO many), you’ll enjoy Tuli’s newest novel.

I love the way Nisha can tell a story. The Trial of the Sun Queen has been one of my favorite books this year and this was definitely a contender. I enjoyed it immensely and I cannot wait for the next one!!

Thank you to Nisha J Tuli and Second Sky for the arc! Everything you love about a Nisha J Tuli story: witty banter, found family, mystery. If you liked Trial of the Sun Queen, this novel is absolutely for you. It was a little slow in the beginning but after Zarya reaches Dharati, things really become interesting. Nisha is definitely the queen of a slow burn and after the wild ending, I’m looking forward to what happens between Rabin and Zarya in the next novel.

This book features some of the most unique world building I’ve ever read. I believe parts of it are based on Indian myths which is such a cool concept. It’s a bit of a slow start but the author laid thorough groundwork to continue to build the series. It definitely picks up towards the end and we are left wanting more with a cliffhanger ending.

Our main character is grappling with having been isolated and lonely for most of her life. She has sudden freedom…and she’s also discovered her magic is much stronger and more dangerous than she ever could’ve imagined. It’s heavy on the found family trope and is full of a strong supporting cast.

Anyone looking for a unique, new adult romance/fantasy will enjoy the first part of what looks to be a promising series.

This book was too slow-paced for my liking but it has left me craving for more. Zarya is definitely a very interesting character, both kind and badass. And her story has too many voids and many mysteries to unravel.

I love the mystery guy, whom I won’t name to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say I need to read more about Zarya’s and his dynamics – especially if they are anything similar to the last scenes we get in the book. The chokehold they have over me? (See what I did there…).

Overall, it’s a great book that felt very introductory but this series has lots of potential and possibilities. I cannot wait to read the second installment.

3.5. There is definitely aspects of this that appeal, and I'm curious to see how the author develops the story further!

Absolutely obsessed with this book! I was expecting a great story but not of this magnitude. I loved it, truly!

The characters were all so relatable and I loved them all. Even the ones I didn’t want to like lol

Zarya deserves the world and I would burn the world for Rabin. Holy gods, I cannot wait for book two.

Thank you NetGalley and Nisha for the fantastic read!

Zarya has spent years confined within a (cozy) prison with her pseudo-father figure and his apprentice with her magical abilities hidden and unexplained. When her captor goes missing, the apprentice strikes out to find him. Zarya takes the opportunity to flee captivity, frustrated by the lack of answers. She escapes to the vibrant city of Dharati with a variety of denizens, including Rakshasa and Aazheri sorcerers. I adore the diversity here. However, Dharati is besieged by nightly attacks from malevolent forces that seem to grow stronger in the wake of Zarya's arrival. Determined to safeguard her newfound home, Zarya joins the battle against these dark adversaries.

Amidst the turmoil of defending the city and her search for knowledge, Zarya's dreams are haunted by a captivating stranger. He possesses remarkable power, an air of arrogance, and undeniable physical allure. As darkness threatens to consume Dharati, Zarya confronts a choice: Should she unveil her hidden magical abilities to save the city or keep them concealed, risking the loss of everything she comes to cherish?

This book started off a bit slow and seemed like your run-of-the-mill fantasy plot. However, it took a compelling turn in the last third that significantly increased my enjoyment. It feels like a setup for the rest of the series, so it seemed to have a little trouble standing on its own initially. However, I'm definitely eager to see where it goes next.

Thank you to Second Sky and Netgalley for the eARC. This is an honest review.

3.5/5

From the moment I started this book, the first page, the first paragraph, the first word I have been hooked and Nisha J. Tuli simply did not let me go. I was stuck in a dark abyss - one I liked in fact - one where I felt comforted, one where I just couldn't escape. Heart of Night and Fire, as you might have guessed, is that dark abysses that had me gnawing at my nails. I was worried, I was scared, I was smiling, I was feeling such a multitude of different emotions that I could't control. There were cliffhangers and oh did I feel like I was hanging off of a cliff.
This was such a good read, an amazing read. It was a book that fulfilled all my desires after what has felt like a long year of drawing in and out of reading and book slump just held me away.
This is a must read tbh!

Thank you Netgalley as well as Second Sky for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5

A mash up of south Asian mythology and Indian inspired romantasy. Nisha beautifully described the cuisine and fashion of Indian culture and painted a vivid picture of the setting of the novel. I loved the in-depth world building at the beginning of the book without it feeling info dumpy.

I will say this book really needed a map, and a glossary so that I could more easily follow along.

This book gave me Rapunzel vibes at first, Zarya struggled with staying in the life that she knew or leaving everything to explore the world.

The first quarter of this book I throughly enjoyed and engaged in as Nisha built the world and the characters. But the second quarter of this book felt very slow and at some parts not needed? It felt like it took longer than it should to pick up again. This book felt like a prequel novel, it was heavy in the set up.

I thought the magic system was interesting, I’m still not sure why the Queen / Princess have to turn into a tree? Still trying to figure that one out.

The main character Zarya was a little annoying at times, I can’t put my finger on what it was about her. I think maybe it’s the relationships that surround her and how she interacts with them? How Vikram kept a secret from her and she was upset but she was never totally honest with him? I don’t know.

Some of it felt abrupt like how Yasen went from kind of one dimensional not liking her to suddenly a key secondary character who suddenly liked her.

Overall it was a good read, but I felt it could have been better, I think I was looking for the plot in this one.

What a ride. Great book to dip your toe into the Fantasy Genre.

This book really had me so intrigued in the beginning. While it started slow it quickly picked up pace. This is definitely a character driven story.

This is were the issue I had was. I could not stand the main character, Zarya. She read so much younger than her age. She very much annoyed me the entire book.

I did love the side characters, and when thing started happening they started happening fast. Romance wise and action in the plot as well.

If you like magic and romance, unexpected things happening and can stand an annoying character, because the side characters are so good- you will enjoy this book.

This is very much worth a read to form your own opinion. - It is a super quick read for a fantasy.

Heart of Night and Fire is the first book in a new South Asian inspired fantasy series. I enjoyed reading this book with its rich and descriptive world building. It’s well written, entertaining and bursting with wonderful characters. I liked the friendship and connection between Yasmin and Zarya. There is some romance in the storyline, but you are never quite sure who the main love interest is until towards the end. At this point the overall plodding pace picks up dramatically. It did take me a month to read this ARC but that was not due to the slow pacing but more down to the fact I had a fantasy reading slump and lost interest in all things fantasy. Having picked it up again recently I devoured the last 35% of the book in one sitting.

A promising start to this series and I can’t wait to see more of Rabin.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the eARC for review.

Heart of Night and Fire is a refreshing fantasy following the story of Zarya as she finds her way through a world filled with magic.

I loved the world building in this book, the take on magic was very interesting. The mythology in the book was incredible to read about as it was not something I had read about before.

You can tell from reading this how much work and love was poured into creating the characters. They are all so unique and I loved how they interacted with each other and grew as the story played out.

This was a very well written and exciting book, I can't wait to read the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me with this ARC.

The only reason this doesn't get a 5 is
because while it's so rich and gives me so much
excitement for the series, it def felt like it was a little
slow at the beginning in order to build everything up.
That being said, I can tell the rest of the books are
going to be so good and I do love getting all the
context for this one! I love getting to feel pulled into
the world with the characters, into their little
moments and burgeoning friendships, and this book
very much so allowed for that. Just like trial of the
sun queen, I cannot *wait* to get to the love story I
know is coming for us. Tl;dr loved this book and can't
wait for the next one!!
Ps we love anatomically correct spice scenes yay for
body positivity

This book had me hooked from the first paragraph. I bought a physical copy and can't wait for the second book. The cover is stunning and the world the book holds is colorful, rich and magical. I love mythology but hadn't had the pleasure yet of reading a fantasy inspired by Indian mythology.

I really enjoyed this book, though I did have a point a little before the halfway point where it felt the story had been going on forever and realising there was still a lot to go.

The scene that left a lingering impression was the peri anida. I wish I could step into that scene to see those surroundings and beings with my own eyes.

4/5

Nisha J Tuli brings us a sweeping tale of a young woman taking her life into her own hands, in search of family, friends and love. For 21 years, Zarya has been held captive by a protective father figure and his apprentice for reasons unknown to her. When the chance finally comes to leave her lonely cottage, she takes it. Suddenly thrown into the world, Zarya struggles to create new connections with others, not knowing who to trust when she herself can’t be trusted.

What a refreshing fantasy novel. I love the spanning of cultures and foods and fashions that Tuli weaves into one to make a vibrant, diverse and fun world.

I enjoy Tuli’s writing style and her pacing was decent throughout the entire book. She balanced world-building with character development well so far, and I can’t wait to read more about the lore/world in the next one, as well as the long awaited romance.

I can tell the story is ramping up to be more spicy in the next novel, so I’m not too disappointed in this one. That said, I am looking forward to the sequel and can’t wait to read more of this original tale.

4.5 if we were allowed .5 ratings.

Zarya has been locked away her whole life. She has small trickles of magic that are deemed minor and not significant against the backdrop of other magics in this world. She fights against her existence, kept away on the shores of a swamp full of naga monsters and has only Row, her father figure, and Aarav, his assistant? Anyway, she finally breaks out because of course she does. Row and Aarav usually leave her for days at a time, this time is different. She's suddenly free. Aarav finds her outside of the magic swamp barrier Row created and when he drags her back, that's when things change.

When they return, we meet Vikram and Yasen. Now, I really liked Yasen as the story went on. He was brooding and moody but when he's training the Khada, we see him loosen up. Then as the story goes, he begrudgingly accepts Zarya/Swamp Girl/Zee as a friend. I really want to see more of his growing personality and snark as the books go. Vikram is our first love interest and 'has duties he must fulfill.' Which if you've read any romantasy almost definitely suggests he's engaged to someone.

Other characters are the Chiranjivi, which are actually four magical beings. They are interesting and I would like to know about them, their worlds and personalities. They function very well as side characters but that said, they are just side characters. They move the story along but don't necessarily leave a powerful impact. Unless we're talking about the giant flood, that was pretty powerful.

As Zarya is getting to grips with living in not a swamp and having friends/connections and a love interest with mysterious duties to fulfill, her not so impressive magic starts to come alive. Of course, this leaves Zarya with many questions and uncertainty about who to trust with this information. Consequently she picks no one until everything kicks off and she quite literally cannot hide it anymore.

Generally, I really enjoyed the characters, the world building was detailed and beautiful. I think some things could've been weaved in better, like when highlighting how detached from everything Zarya is, Tuli just straight up wrote "She'd never even been properly kissed" which feels like I'm supposed to take that as somehow worse than everything she's been sheltered from? That aside, I loved the variety of magical creatures, abilities and settings. I almost wish I hadn't started this now and waited until the whole series was out because I can tell this is going to be a fun adventure that I don't want to wait for.

Zarya is desperate to be free of the cage she’s spent her life trapped in. She doesn’t know how she came to be in the care of her guardian or anything about her parents all she does know is that she’s been hidden away from the world and isn’t supposed to ever reveal her magic. Until one day when her guardian disappears and the magic keeping her caged is suddenly gone. What else is a girl to do but steal his horse and sword and get as far as she can away from the only home she’s ever known. She finds her way to the city of Dharati with her missing guardian’s sullen apprentice and a couple of people she met a,one the way. Here for the first time in her life she is free to make her own choices and figure out what she wants to do with her life. She might even find love... but her missing guardian and his secrets keep her from moving on. And the fact that the city’s magic is failing and demons are constantly attacking is a bit distracting. Just like the mystery man in her dreams. Zaria has a lot going on and that’s before her magic decides it wants to be set free and secrets from her past are revealed...

I loved this story... I loved Zarya and Yasen especially. There was truly never a dull moment. I loved the world and the magic and just everything can’t wait for book 2 to come out. And I really need to know more about Rabin.

✨️ REVIEW ✨️


Title: Heart of Night and Fire (The Nightfire Quartet, book 1)
Author: Nisha J Tuli
Rating: 4.75

**Thankyou to the publisher for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review**

As soon as I saw the author's name, I knew this book would be epic. Well, I'm pleased to say that I was not disappointed.

This book had everything I could have asked for: Enemies to lovers, a unique magic system, powerful characters and complex relationships. I thought Trial of the Sun Queen (one of her other series) would still be my favourite but I'm questioning that now.

Would it be wierd of me to day that one of my favourite things about this book was the food? Technically, the world (which is drawn from South-East Asian Mythology) but the food especially. The magic too intreagued me from the start, and being gradually revealed as it was really heightened the suspense throughout the novel.

I also loved the male/female friendships in this book. Including that, and not just relying on romance as a subplot was wonderful.

What's more, I loved that Zaraya (the main character) embraced both sides to her personality: the fierce, badass side as well as the gentler, more stereotypically feminine side. This balance really made her feel so much more real and three dimensional, not just a character in a book. There were parts of the book where she could be a bit frustrating, but her character developed a lot throughout the course of the novel and it showed in her actions.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves high fantasy and the elements I mentioned above. And thankyou to the author bringing this story into creation!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

I've been in a slump lately and whilst this didn't cure it, it was certainly a fun, well written read. I really loved thr writing, the characters and the world, but sadly being in a reading slump made it pretty hard to focus on the details, which left me a bit confused most of the time. But that is mostly my fault and i feel like if i reread it when i have a clearer head my rating will definitly be higher. Overall an enjoyable experience.