Guardians of Dawn: Ami

I was very fortunate to ARC read this book, having just finished her first of the series - Zhara. In this instalment we see a continuation of the world in the first book - a world of magic, demons and elemental guardians. This book introduces Ami. Ami always felt like an outsider, socially awkward, and always looking for more knowledge. Now a refugee, caring for her father, who is slowly losing his mind, she comes across Gaden (a.k.a Beast). He offers her an opportunity to translate further texts that would give insight into the sickness and rot spreading in the kingdom. We also see the continuation of Zhara and Han’s story as they journey to find Ami (Hans cousin) and her father. Overall from the first to this book, I feel the authors writing has matured. I found the pace of this story a lot better. Also seeing more of the undead and monster angle was nice. I am still blown away by the creativity and imagination. Also fantastic representation with LGBT characters and representations of different kinds of love and intimacy (but no spice!). Asian fantasy - beauty and the beast - Sailor moon twist of a tale.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I am really enjoying this second installment in what will hopefully be a long series! The worldbuilding is detailed and immersive, the characters are lovable, and overall it’s just cool to read about.

An amazing book. The guardians of dawn now need to fight a demon that manipulates the dead, and Ami the guardian of wood is there only hope. I found I loved reading more about Zhara and discovering Ami

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

If the first book in this series had hints of Cinderella, this one has elements of Beauty and the Beast. In the first, we meet the Guardians of Fire and Wind. In this one, we add the Guardian of Wood. It was nice to catch up with Zhara and Han and Yuli and meet Ami and Gaden. The book ends with the promise of more to come, and I look forward to the next book. This book builds on things that started in the first book, so I wouldn't read this one without having read Zhara first.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Ami," the second installment in the "Guardians of Dawn" series by S. Jae-Jones, continues the enchanting journey begun in "Zhara," offering a captivating blend of fantasy, adventure, and Asian folklore-inspired storytelling. I really enjoyed this book, especially with its focus on the “Beauty and the Beast” elements, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Set in a richly imagined world teeming with elemental magic and mythical creatures, "Ami" follows the paths of both Zhara and a new guardian named Ami as their destinies converge amidst danger and discovery. While Zhara and her companions embark on a quest to uncover ancient secrets, Ami finds herself drawn into a mysterious world of undead and dark forces, confronting her own fears and unlocking hidden truths.

Jae-Jones's storytelling shines in this installment, delivering vivid descriptions and immersive worldbuilding that transport readers to the heart of the story. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in the first book, and the sequel was able to flesh out the world even more. I absolutely loved the addition of the new characters, especially Ami. One of the highlights of "Ami," in my opinion, is the introduction of new characters and creatures, from the enigmatic Gaden to the majestic Kirin. Jae-Jones's talent for crafting compelling characters and fantastical beings is on full display, adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding tale. The pacing of the book is also quite fast-paced without a dull moment.

Some plot points are a bit predictable while others were a bit confusing at times. Overall, "Ami" offers a compelling continuation of the "Guardians of Dawn" series, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure into an engaging story. Fans of Asian-inspired fantasy and epic adventures will find much to love in "Ami" and eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

Really enjoyable. I loved the world and the characters. The lore really was expanded on in book 2 and I think I liked it slightly more than Zhara. I love the nostalgic feel of the mods to Sailor Moon while still maintaining a unique magic system

The second story in "Guardians of the Dawn", Ami follows both Zhara and a new guardian named Ami as their paths converge. Zhara and the Bangtan brothers are on their way to find the lost book that will help them learn more about the guardians and the demons when they come across a town of undead. Ami is the daughter of the guy with the book (what a coincidence!) and is helping to uncover the secrets of the book to see if she can find a cure for the undead. We also get a new character, Gaden, who has a secret past of their own.

This second book was just as fast paced as the first. I still love Zhara as a character and her relationship with Han, although there was not too much focus on that in this book. The Bangtan brothers are a fun group and I can't wait to see where they got off to when the 3rd book arrives.

This book has some LGBTQ characters, and features a non-binary person as a main love interest, as well as alludes to the fact that one of the characters is asexual. I can't say for sure whether or not the author did a fantastic job with the representation, or if it needs some work (I had read reviews from the previous book that the LGBTQ representation was poorly done). The only issue I noticed in this one was a line about Gaden (the non-binary love interest) that said "their ungendered voice", and I was little confused as to how a voice would be ungendered. Wouldn't it still sound like the character's normal voice and lean more towards male or female? While this is not for me to decide, I am curious to know what others think of that line. I'm just glad to see the author trying to include a diverse cast.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't find this book to be my favorite due to the plot line and a few confusing plot points. This book is about zombies(although they don't use that exact term; they are called the undead). I hate zombies, so I was thoroughly disappointed to find I had to read a whole book about them, especially since this series is supposed to be all about the elemental magic the guardians have. There were a few plot points that were super confusing to me, which are why I'm only rating this a 3.5/5 stars. SPOILERS BELOW:

1. I truly don't understand why some people are turned into zombies, some people are turned into monsters, sometimes they are turned with a bite, and for some reason the whole population got turned without a bite, but instead they were turned immediately once coming in close contact with an undead. It was super confusing. Chen was around people for weeks and didn't turn anyone until she bit them. One person she bit turned into a monster. The other person she bit turned to undead. But then that undead person was able to turn a whole population into zombies without a bite. I'm truly lost at how this works.

2. When the group is climbing the mountain, and the rockfall happens, they are all in the same place. How, then, do they get separated into vastly different caverns? Wouldn't they all fall into the same one? Also how are they getting into the caverns in the first place? Did the rockfall break through the ground? If so, why are 2 different groups way up high in different caverns in the mountains, and then the one solo guy all the way at the bottom of the mountain waiting for them when they return in a separate cavern. I just could not picture this.

3. The librarian is possessed by a demon. How come he leads the people out of the library then? Wouldn't the demon inside him WANT all the people to become possessed? That's his power. It just made no sense.

4. I thought the unicorn could cure all illness but that never happens. Couldn't it have cured Gaden's arm, and the people who were turned into monsters?


Overall, these plot holes really detracted from the telling of the story. I enjoyed the fast pace, the characters, and the diverse representation, but I didn't love it as much as book 1. I'm still willing to give the rest of the series a try, and am eager to find the next guardian and see what they can do with their powers. I think if you enjoyed Zhara, then you should definitely give this a try! This book would be perfect for the YA audience, as it features teen characters, and I think you will enjoy this if you like: magic, elemental powers, asian inspired fantasy, epic fantasy landscapes, zombies, demons

Thank you so much to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Guardians of Dawn: Ami" has gorgeous language and descriptions. S. Jae-Jones does a great job of world-building and creating a diverse and engaging culture. I would recommend reading the first in the series before this, if possible. It will leave you wanting more. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book! It was a great continuation of the series. The ancient world was very well built and it was so addictive!

I enjoyed the ancient world that was built within this book, it was creative and fun and very different from most books. I enjoyed the diverse culture and the author kept the book clean and engaging the entire time.

I went and picked up a copy of the first one and read the two in 2 days they were phenomenal. This entire series has been incredible and I can not wait to see more by this author. The writing has you immersed in the world as well as excited for what comes next. Definitely worth the read!

It isn’t the most interesting or grippy. I stopped after chapter 1 (3%). Probably a three to four for the target audience.

I know I read her other work, but I’m unfortunately not recalling how it aligns to this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

This review is based on an ARC of Guardians of Dawn: Ami which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books).


Another home run from S. Jae-Jones. Suffice it to say, my favorite YA author has knocked another one out of the park, this time with Ami, the stunning sequel to Zhara and second book of the Guardians of Dawn series, an Asian folklore-inspired fantasy à la Sailor Moon.

I really enjoyed this installment (so grateful to Wednesday books for reaching out to me!!), perhaps more-so than the first. I love the familiarity of old characters and the introduction of new. The pacing of the plot is fabulously rendered, leaving each chapter with just enough of a cliffhanger to get that "one more chapter" itch going. The book itself also ends on a slight cliffhanger, prompting the third to-be-determined title of the series.

Something I really liked about this story are the Guardians' companions or familiars. Shapeshifting cat/lion? Yes. UNICOrn? YES. Hands down my favorite creature is the Kirin though, the ultimate fantasy creature.

I don't know how they manage, but Jae-Jones has a brilliant knack for creating worlds ancient and lived-in, yet fresh, etherial, unprecedented. I cannot wait to meet the fourth Guardian!

I love everything S. Jae-Jones writes and I really love Guardians of Dawn series world. This book made me feel all the feelings and the way author weaves her stories together is unparalleled. I desperately can wait to read rest of stories in this world.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.