4.5 stars.

This was wonderful. The perfect amount of serious, sexy and at some parts silly (Sevarim), Thea Guanzon has beaten the second-book slump in my eyes. I loved learning more about Talasyn and Alaric and see their loyalties be put to the test as they got closer and closer still... and also! There are more dragons in this book, which was one of my gripes with the original. The ending was very intense, and the cliffhanger is sure to make people scream, cry, throw up, etc., but I for one, loved it. It was a great way to show that you can never trust everyone, and the political machinations run deep. I can't wait for book 3.

Ooooooh boy.
Here goes nothing.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my request to read and review this one early 🩷

The Hurricane wars was my absolute favourite book of last year and it managed to skyrocket into my top favourite books of all time too.

I decided to give it a reread and still really enjoyed it but my rating was reduced down to a 4 star and I found it remarkably more average (in terms of Romantasy expectations) than I did the first time. This meant that my expectations were already lower for book 2 going in.

I was a little scared going into it knowing it was a middle book in the series and knowing that my tastes in books have changed since last year.

I really did enjoy a lot of parts of this book, certain scenes like the training sequences where they had to create the barrier things and the part were Talasyn follows Alaric to the cave.

But majority of this book was a repetitive pattern of them hating each other, then having a sweet or spicy moment, then going back to hating each other as they feel guilty. By the end it was so painfully frustrating seeing how neither of them can communicate, how they both can’t make up their minds, and how they both keep holding huuggeeee life changing secrets form each other that are bound to blow up any minute.

The big climactic event that happens was super underwhelming in my opinion too - especially with how much it was being hyped up. But also the risk factor was never there since we knew the main characters must come out of it alive.

I also found the spicy scenes a little underwhelming and rushed, esp after the greatness of the spicy scene in book 1. I wanted MORE.

I also was constantly confused by the sheer number of characters we were introduced to and then were brought up again 100 pages later. I struggled to remember who was who.

I was ALSO confused by the ending, in fact I have no idea what’s going on, and at that point I kind of gave up and skip read the last 5% just to have it done.

Even though I’m mostly stating the negatives, I actually did enjoy majority of the book, I had fun and was rooting for Alaric and Talasyn. I love their relationship, I hope that book 3 breaks the repetitive cycle and we get some more character development.

Wow, what an incredible sequel.
The writing style is so beautiful and vivid, such an enjoyable reading experience.
I love a slow burn and the conflict the characters felt was so believable and well thought out. I really love Talasyn and how she can reflect on her emotions, it gives her so much depth.
The tension throughout the plot was incredible!

For further updates/summaries I will be posting on my Instagram closer to release, including leaving reviews on goodreads and Amazon
https://www.instagram.com/_reading_is_my_cardio?igsh=NTdyZmM3YTZjZzc5

Alright, so I literally shrieked with joy when I woke up to an email with an ARC for A Monsoon Rising. This was definitely one of my most anticipated reads for the year and for once, a sequel didn’t disappoint.

A Monsoon Rising was so freaking good. I usually devour books in a day, but I forced myself to slow down with this; I simply didn’t want it to end, and that’s truly saying something for me.

In all honesty, I think AMS was better than The Hurricane Wars. I loved the continued character development and I loved the emotional depth we got to see in both main characters. I think trauma and its aftereffects were really well written, and I liked the honesty and rawness behind some of the more emotionally charged scenes. I also really loved seeing Talasyn come into her own as a person and as a leader instead.

I am so thankful to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Well, mostly thankful, anyway… now I have to wait an eternity for the final installation in the series, and I don’t know if my heart can make it that long AFTER READING THAT ENDING.

Please tell me Book 3 is mostly already written? Please?

If anyone needs me, I’ll be off in my denial-bubble re-reading The Hurricane Wars and A Monsoon Rising in preparation for the 3rd book. Which is obviously releasing very soon. 👀

I literally jumped up and down when I got approved for an ARC of this book. Thank you so much. We start where The Hurricane Wars end Talaysn and Alaric are now married with a binding political contract and trade agreement between The Night Empire on the continent and the Nenavar Islands.

They are both aligned to stop the Moonless Dark, a phenomenon that happens once every 1000 years that wipes out all life within its path during an eclipse. Can the merging of Talaysn and Alarics powers be strong enough a shield to push back this threat?
And what happens to the alliance after, when both sides plot betrayal against the other?
I really loved watching Talaysn and Alarics marriage grow, as they try to not fall for each other. They did have some really tender moments, in between the snarls, clashes and banter they usually have. I was really rooting for them, deep down I think they are being used by both sides in this war. And both of them can't see a way out peacefully.

"Little hellcat"... "Claws out even when you purr".

"Ruin looks good on you, my lord"

What to expect:
Light and dark magic
Political deals and backstabbing
Dragons
Enemies to Lovers
Betrayal
Some very good spice 👌
Some Forced Proximity
Philippine Mythology

There's a great deal amount of plot compared to spice in this book, so it's definitely not a typical romantasy. I do recommend rereading The Hurricane Wars before starting this one as for about 50% of the book I was very confused with who was who and I'd forgotten most of the names. The story definitely picks up also about 50% in, and I was so so hooked.

Thea creates a world that you can almost taste, her description of Nenavar makes me want to sip on a coconut on a sandy beach with the salty sea air whipping around me, watching dragons rise from the sea!

I can't wait to see where the next book goes, after this one ending on a cliffhanger (of course), I'm going to be so impatient waiting for the next one. You bet I'll be rereading both of these books in the future to prepare myself.

I'll be posting my review on all retail sites near release and GR and my Instagram too.

A Monsoon Rising is the follow-up to The Hurricane Wars, and it’s just as captivating. I devoured this book in under 24hrs!

The US and UK covers/sprayed edges are just as gorgeous as The Hurricane Wars covers. Thea's design team did not let down with the sequels designs. I have both on pre-order.

The story picks up with Alaric and Talasyn, who are now in an uneasy alliance and a marriage that’s supposed to end years of conflict. They’re up against a magical disaster called the Moonless Dark, and their relationship is full of tension and sparks.

The book dives into themes like loyalty, trust, and the messy nature of love during political chaos. The interplay between light and shadow adds a great layer to the story, making it more than just a fantasy romance.

Thea Guanzon’s writing is vivid and immersive, painting a world brimming with magic, conflict, culture, and tension. She masterfully blends intricate plots with deep emotions, making this book a standout in the fantasy genre.
If you loved the first book, you’ll be thrilled with this one.