Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with this arc.

This sequel was an absolute pleasure to read, I was worried it may suffer the 2nd book curse but this was equally as good as hurricane wars, if not better!

🌊⚡️A Monsoon Rising ⚡️🌊

by @theagwrites !

another wonderfully written book from Thea!
i loved how the plot and characters developed in this installment, and i really enjoyed how Talasyn and Alarics relationship grew and changed through all the circumstances they were put through in the book.
the descriptions of the world and all their outfits were actually incredible and i desperately want to wear some of the outfits Talasyn got to be in over the course of the book 😭🙏
it also became a lot more apparent that this is an original concept with intricate and well thought out worldbuilding and design, it's less recognisable as the reylo it started as but i do enjoy the callbacks in the descriptions and wording to aspects of Star Wars that only those who know would recognise
i really enjoyed how the tension was built up throughout the book without becoming overwhelming and that there were developments i never would have seen coming!

super excited for the next book! 🫶🤎

○
thank you to netgalley for the e-arc 🩵

Woah. This was awesome. It was a shift of car compared to the first in the series for sure. The slow burn between Alaric & Tala was SCRUMMY and I found myself smiling multiple times at their banter. I was suspicious of what the last few page would contain after the main point of the story came and went and I ate up every crumb and the cliffhanger Is too much. Downside of reading an ARC, you’ve got to wait even LONGER to get your answers!
5/5. No notes.

Guanzon’s world-building is rich and immersive, drawing you into a realm where magic and politics collide, and every choice feels monumental. The stakes are higher than ever, and the sense of urgency pulls you along at a breakneck pace. It’s not just about their alliance but also about the choices that will define them, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart race with every twist and turn. This book isn’t just a continuation of a series; it’s an emotional journey that explores love, duty, and the sacrifices made in the name of both. Moreover, Guanzon’s writing shines with lyrical beauty, and her characters resonate long after the last page.

This was definitely a Romantasy, way more spice than the first one, and lots more focused on the love story rather than the politics.

Alaric and Talasyn are so darn cute but I wish they would tell each other how they really feel, they could be unstoppable if they worked together, and really they want the same thing, but both too worried about everyone else

Could have done with a little more politics to be honest because, that ending, did not see coming at all! Who even are these people!

Hope gaheris dies soon

OH. MY. GOD.

Ho letto questo libro in inglese nonostante non sia la mia prima linguaggio perché dopo aver letto, ed amato, Hurricane Wars non potevo assolutamente aspettare.

Generalmente il secondo libro è più brutto del primo, ma non è questo il caso. Il libro ha lo stesso tenore, forza, attenzione per i dettagli e coerenza del primo. È assolutamente perfetto.
Dovrebbe essere una trilogia quindi spero che il prossimo e ultimo libro sia ben scritto, e anche con molte pagine, perché ci sono molti nodi da sbrogliare ma questa saga è troppo bella per essere rovinata da un finale frettoloso

Il finale. Aiuto. Mi aspettavo che la storia avrebbe preso un corso simile ma NON COSÌ

Non vedo l'ora esca anche in italiano per poterlo rileggere e assaporare tutti quei meravigliosi dettagli che con la tradizione mi sono persa.
Ormai è una delle mie saghe preferite

"I will always remember this. Just him and me and the monsoon."

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to also ARC read "The Hurricane Wars," and I was over the moon when I got the email to say that I had been accepted for "A Monsoon Rising."

Let me start off by saying that the world building and political intrigue so intricately created in the first book of the trilogy is excellent. Diving headfirst into the heart of the Monsoon, it was easier to plunge straight into the story, already having a firm idea of the different factions and powers in play.

"A Monsoon Rising" picks up almost immediately after the end of "The Hurricane Wars," finding Alaric and Talasyn apart and pining for each other. "A Monsoon Rising" is rich in its enemies to lovers regency, proving that the heart really is a battlefield while the two MCs battle with their forbidden attraction while the Moonless Dark steadily approaches, and Alaric and Talasyn fight to quell the raging tempest within themselves.

In short, "A Monsoon Rising" was an absolute masterpiece. I wasn't sure how Thea was going to pull off a sequel to rival "The Hurricane Wars," but she has really outdone herself. I eagerly await the next installment.

In A Monsoon Rising, is an exciting follow-up to *The Hurricane Wars*. Talasyn and Alaric used to be enemies, but now their personal goals and government duties are putting a strain on their fragile relationship. The unhappy queen Talasyn plans against Alaric's rule in secret while the Moonless Dark gets stronger. As the danger gets closer, they must work together to save their world, but Alaric's love-loyalty struggle makes its own storm.

This book is very emotional because it has high-stakes political drama, hot romance, and beautiful magical world-building. The beautiful writing of Guanzon takes you to a bright dream world. Fans of fantasy and romance will love this story full of conflict, power, and love between likeable characters. If you liked "The Hurricane Wars," you'll love this follow-up.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book due to the level of spice. There was a lot more, compared to book 1.

Wow. A masterclass in grumpy/grumpy romance. I love Talaysn and Alaric so so much! This book is a massive improvement on Hurricane Wars. But the ending!!!!! I need book three now!

Thea Guanzon's A Monsoon Rising, the highly anticipated follow-up to The Hurricane Wars, exceeded my expectations in every way. This sequel features even more captivating writing, a richly imagined universe, and deeper, more compelling character dynamics. Set against a Southeast Asian-inspired world of magic and political intrigue, it focuses heavily on the complex relationship between Talasyn and Alaric, the once-sworn enemies forced into an uneasy alliance through marriage.

The heart of the book is the evolving bond between Talasyn and Alaric. As they navigate their personal histories, we see them slowly shed their preconceived notions and come to understand each other in heartbreaking yet amusing ways. The slow burn of their enemies-to-lovers romance is masterfully handled, with expertly built tension that is incredibly satisfying when they finally succumb to their feelings. Alaric, in particular, shines in this installment; his character development is the strongest, as we see him grapple with his responsibilities, his father’s dark plans, and his growing desire for Talasyn.

The plot is filled with magical adventures and political schemes, but it never feels overwhelming. While the couple faces external threats, such as the looming Moonless Dark, which only they can stop by merging their light and shadow powers, the real tension lies in the emotional and moral dilemmas they face. The stakes are high, both for their world and for their relationship.

However, the ending left me reeling—Guanzon delivers a cliffhanger that is sure to drive readers mad with anticipation. With so many unresolved plot points and unanswered questions, I’m desperate for the next book in the series.

Overall, A Monsoon Rising is a beautifully written, emotionally charged sequel that deepens the world and relationships introduced in The Hurricane Wars. Fans of magical fantasy and enemies-to-lovers romance will find much to love in this gripping continuation.

The Lord and Lady doth protest too much. 😏 Another slow burn grumpy/grumpy romantasy masterclass from Guanzon against a backdrop of heart pounding peril!

What to expect? Quippy banter, political moves and counter moves, and a fair bit more spice than the first book.

The action really steps up in this book, with higher stakes and many many more secrets between our reluctant lovebirds. I'd strongly suggest a reread if it's been a while since reading the Hurricane Wars as cast involvement is expanded on in the Monsoon Rising. This is a highly engaging world you can definitely reread over and over and keep picking up Easter eggs each time.

Conclusion: have your tabs ready when you read this book, you're going to want to make notes and write down your unhinged theories. You're also going to end up shipping Talaric HARD. Prepare yourself for internal and external screaming.

I don't have enough words to describe just how much I enjoyed being back in the company of Alaric and Tamsyn. Thea Guanzon has done an excellent job continuing this series, A Monsoon Rising is fast paced, exciting, swoon worthy at times and above all, a refreshing and spectacular book.

A Monsoon Rising lets us experience even more detailed worldbuilding, throwing you back into a world full of light, darkness, dragons and war. I particularly enjoyed the character development of Alaric in this book, we see a lot more of him and I feel like readers get better knowledge of what goes on inside his head, and his empire.

The relationship between Tamsyn and Alaric develops quite rapidly, once they are forced to spend more time with each other and I am so here for it. Their squabbles throughout the first book definitely transform into something delicious. I can't wait for other readers to enjoy the progression as much as I did.

A Monsoon Rising is one of my top reads from this year so far, I have never been so caught up in a book that I finish it within a day. I can't wait for the next installment!

Thank you so much for the E-arc NetGalley and Harpervoyageruk and Harpercollinsuk!
Where should I start? How should I start?!
This book exceeded everything I wanted from the second volume!
The world building, the politics, the magical realm and of course the romance between Talasyn and Alaric.
Their relationship is as fragile as it is strong and grows stronger and more unforgettable with every page turned!
Quite literally a monsoon of emotions and being torn between one side and the other you really feel you belong to!
There were scenes where I laughed, almost cried and really rooted for them. Scenes that will stay with me for a long time. A certain library scene definitely did!
Not only Talasyn and Alaric have grown on me, but also characters like Sevraim with his charm and his constant antics and sayings, Elagbi with his fatherly protective instinct and and and!
I’m down for them! I really, really like them and I think I’ll just read everything Thea writes!
If you already liked „The Hurricane Wars“, you will be thrilled by „A Monsoon Rising“!

💫Enemies to Lovers
💫Shadow and Light
💫Political Marriage
💫Dragons

I can’t wait for you guys to read the book! I loved it and the release date is getting closer and closer!
On 05.12.2024 the time has finally come!!!

Oh, I liked this a lot more than the first one! I felt a lot more chemistry between the couple and unlike the first book, in this one I didn't feel bored at any point (quite the opposite actually). I was super curious to read this sequel bc I *knew* the story had potential and I was so right. I honestly loved that it focused more on the romance than on the politics bc in the first book I couldn't connect much with them but in this one it was top tier 🤌🏻

LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT

1000000/10 Thea you really went hard on book 2 and my man Alaric was THE BOSS.

Talasyn and Alaric are so cute together 😊 I loved that it was both their first time 🌶️

Prince Elagbi is so endearing and I also really enjoyed Sevraim.

I loved the romance progression and the world building was still intriguing. The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is because of the pacing, all that build up for a very quick resolution. Although that ending has got me craving the next book. I can't wait to see what lengths Alaric will go to 🥰

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First of all thx to the publishers for an E-ARC of this book! This was one of my most anticipated reads of this year and it did not disappoint. The plot of this book was soooo well done and kept up the political intrigue which made the plot so intriguing and soooo engaging.

Ok now for one of my fav book couples. God their tension and chemistry was soooooooooooo gooood and addicting. I just loved every scene with both of them and their banter is well done. Def kept up my expectations from the first book.

I adored the first book in this series, so I was so excited to be able to also read this one early!
And it did not disappoint, I love Talaysn and Alaric so so much!
This story is just everything I wanted it to be and I can't wait for more!

While I still find the world a little confusing, I absolutely love Talaysn and Alaric, and following their story. These characters are now so close to my heart and all their tumultuous emotions and chemistry really does make me giggle and gasp and kick my feet. But THAT ENDING ?! Without the third book even announced !!! Screaming. Crying. Throwing UP.