This was an enjoyable YA fantasy but I think I made a mistake by not reading the first book in the series. I wasn't as connected to the world as I felt I should've been.

At some point I will go back and maybe reread it for the better impact. However my TBR is so massive this is gonna take some time.

This story is really cute, I am not a big fan of the multiple POVs. If you liked Zhara, you will enjoy this as it picks up right after that story.

I absolutely adored Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, and was beyond thrilled to receive an ARC of Guardians of Dawn: Ami. The first book was pitched as "Sailor Moon meets Cinderella," so this one, in turn, was "Sailor Moon meets Beauty and the Beast." What more could you possibly want?

The book picks up where the first one left off, with Zhara and her companions continuing their quest to find a way to stop the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. The book alternates chapters between her and her crew, and Ami and Gaden, two new characters who are weaved seamlessly into the existing narrative. I enjoyed my time with both of these groups and never felt myself wanting to rush to get back to one over the other.

The book did a good job of continuing to build upon existing relationships while introducing and developing new ones. It continued its trend of "everyone is a little bit queer" with the main cast, completely normalizing the varying sexual and gender identities the young cast of characters have, which is refreshing and delightful in YA. My only criticism is that this one seemed to lack a bit of the whimsy that the first book had, though I attribute it to the stakes being higher, and the characters having less time to fool around. It was a solid second installment, and I'm looking forward to continuing the story with the next book!

"Han gripped his bo staff even tighter, slowly moving his feet into a defensive stance. “Something’s not right here,” he said in a low voice. “It all feels very . . . ghoulish.”
And that was when the undead attacked."

Oh yes, this book had zombies.

This was the fast-paced sequel to Zhara, book 1. We follow Zhara across the land on her journey to find the missing scrolls. That journey eventually leads to Ami, her father, and the Beast.

I still liked Zhara, she’s not the best character, but the best out of all the others. The new characters, Ami and Gaden (aka Beast) fell flat to me.

This series has good diversity, Ami is, what I assume, Autistic, Gaden is non-binary trans, Han is demisexual (which is nice, that’s not represented nearly enough), and people are assumed non-binary until confirmation (pronouns are they/them until it’s known, which is actually the way it should be irl). All these good representations don’t make up for the fact that Ami and Gaden were one-dimensional to me. I couldn’t picture them in my head. Ami was supposed to be the most beautiful person but there were not many descriptions that allowed me to picture anything, and Gatans nickname had me picturing them as this obscure literal beast instead of a person. I couldn't get a reading on their physical description at all, so they were mostly a blob in my mind. I also did not like Gaden as a character, they were awful but I won’t get into that because it'd spoil the reveal/ending, but no, there were decisions they made that I did not like.

Han was still an idiot. Pretty sure an attempt was made to blame his stupidity and naivety on being demi, which was the worst, and I didn’t like that.

The plot was resolved easily like in book one, too easily. It screamed YOUNGADULT, which I know it's young adult, but no need to be so obvious lmao

Book three will follow princess Yulana and from the epilogue, will be an FF pairing, which hasn’t been done in the book yet, so more nice representation. However, I’m liking this series less and less so I’m not sure if I’ll bother with the next.

I started this book and just didn't really feel invested in the story. This is definitely a me problem and not a book problem. I was actually enjoying Ami's POV and how much more mature it felt compared to Zhara. I might return to this book in the future.

*Guardians of Dawn: Ami* by S. Jae-Jones is a captivating start to an enchanting fantasy series. The story follows Ami, a courageous protagonist navigating a world filled with magic and intrigue. Jae-Jones crafts a richly detailed setting and weaves a compelling plot that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. While the pacing can be a bit uneven, the depth of the characters and the immersive world-building make this a standout read for fantasy enthusiasts. The book sets an exciting foundation for what promises to be a thrilling series.

The story centers around Ami, a young girl with a rare and dangerous kind of magic, in a world where the government hunts down magic users. As she fights to keep her powers hidden and survive, she gets pulled into a bigger conflict involving secret societies, ancient prophecies, and the classic battle between good and evil. Ami has to navigate this treacherous world, learning more about her abilities and her role in the upcoming war.

Ami is a pretty compelling main character. She’s determined, resourceful, and has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her journey from a girl trying to hide her powers to someone who starts embracing her place in the larger conflict is well done. Readers will likely find themselves rooting for her as she faces challenge after challenge.

That said, the pacing could use some work. The story kicks off strong, but there are parts where it slows down, especially in the middle. Some scenes feel a bit too drawn out, which can make it hard to stay fully engaged.

All in all, though, it’s an enjoyable read. Thanks for the ARC ☺️

There is so much I love about this series. Mostly I just love the world that is built. There is something special about the way S. Jae-Jones uses words! They always entrance me. In this book, we see Zhara and we meet a new Guardian. There is danger and mystery and I love it so much. This is a book I had to read slowly because I wanted to savor the experience of reading it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot of nice world building and great representation but I couldn't get into this book as well. I just couldn't connect well with Ami.

I rounded up to a 4 but this one was a 3.5-3.7 maybe. The end saved it for me.
Not going to lie this book started off a little slow compared to the first book about Zhara. The first 55% I really had a hard time getting into it. Maybe it was just my mood, but I do not DNF books often so I wanted to give it a chance and I am glad I did. We get to catch up with Zhara and Han and the Bangton Brothers which I liked because you do get invested in these characters from the first book. This book introduces Ami and her baba Li Er Shaun who, we heard mention of in the first book. We also meet Gaden, they are also essential and not just as the love interest to Ami. I do like that we get the different point of views from Zhara, Ami, and Gaden, because there is a lot of different things going on with the three of them that really build the story in this second installment. I think that’s why it takes so long to get through the first half of the book because there’s a lot to unpack and learn about these new characters and also learn about what is going on in their magical world.
I love the growth we see from Zhara in this book. I know this is technically Ami’s book, but I love that we are starting to see the guardian of Fire come into her powers and mentor Ami and learn from the things she’s been through. This isn’t just a book focused on Ami, it is the continuation of the first book, carries the story further, and explains how Ami fits into the story with Zhara.
With war looming in her region… I am really hoping the next book we learn more about Yuli! She was introduced in the first book and makes appearances in this book, but I feel like there’s so much more to know about the Guardian of Wind. Also looking forward to learning who The Guardian of Water will be and what their story is. Overall I was pleased with the outcome of book 2 and cannot wait to see what 3 and 4 have in store for everyone!

I really enjoyed this book. It was beautiful yet scary. The monsters were vividly described and the writing was breathtaking. There was a bit of pacing issues but other than that beautiful story.

Li Ami is sent to the outermost West to care for her mentally ill father, whose ravings might be prophecy. When her father is arrested for stealing, Ami must serve the presiding Beast by finding a cure to the mysterious blight that is decimating their harvest. Magical corruption is on the rise throughout the Morning Realms and the threat of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons looms large. Jin Zhara, the newly empowered Guardian of Fire, needs the Guardian of Wood to stem the growing tide of undead. The two must journey to the Root of the World in order to seal the demon portal there and restore balance to an increasingly chaotic world.

This is the second Guardians of Dawn novel, after Zahra. It helps to know her story, as we don't get a detailed description of the relationships in her retinue, but it's not necessary. Where Zahra's story has elements of Cinderella, Ami has echoes of Beauty and the Beast; she offers her services to the scarred guard known as the Beast in exchange for her father’s punishment for breaking off a branch of the holy tree known as the Pillar. She's trying to figure out the blight as a plague of undead also sweeps the land. The two start with separate story threads, but Zahra is looking for Ami's scholar father.

Once everyone meets, there is still the problem of the undead scourge that is coming, the anti-ki, and the possible weapon that was left in the hands of a princess long thought dead. We get an inkling of who that is long before it's explicitly revealed, and the romances blooming in the midst of danger are cute. Ami and the Beast have that will they/won't they action going, Han turns out to be demisexual, and the connections between all of the guardians are important not just for their own growth, but in figuring out the secrets of the lost text that Zahra is looking for.

I enjoyed the story and the continuation of the fight against demons. Ami isn't sure of herself or her role in helping to save the world. So many of us will understand her hesitant nature, the difficulty fitting in or meeting expectations. But as she grows into her role, so can we. There is still unrest and danger, as well as folio pieces to gather. The other novels to come are bound to be just as good.

💥💥 Book Review 💥💥

Ami - Guardians of Dawn. Book 2
By S. Jae-Jones

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ami (Guardians of the Dawn #2) picks up right were we left off with Zhara introducing two new characters to the story- Ami and Gaden. This is a multi-point of view novel. It goes in between Zhara and Ami. I thought this book was a lot more complex in the story telling and in the characters overall. I really enjoyed Ami and her character arc. She was a very convoluted/perplexing character in which made her more vulnerable and recognizable to the reader. I also liked how they carried Zhara throughout the book to tie in the first book. I hope that continues to the next books that she writes. The activity in this book is crazy! It’s like one thing after another which engages the reader. There was a LOT more storytelling of the folklore and mythology that surrounds the entire two books. I thought the authors writing style grew ten fold in this book. This book showed that she is just stretching her feet and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Guardians of Dawn: Ami is the second book in the young adult fantasy series Guardians of Dawn.

The story picks up where Zhara left off, expanding on the character of Ami, a teenage scrivener who cares for her mentally ill father while hiding her affinity for magic. When she is recruited to transcribe texts by a mysterious masked figure known as “The Beast” at the local monastery, they discover that the blight and undead caused by demon energy are drawing ever closer.

Despite being Ami’s story, there is plenty of interaction with Zhara, Han, and the Bantang Brothers from the first book, who provide moments of levity. The book mostly follows a “quest” or journey-type plot, which, I admit, is not my favorite style of storytelling. There are moments of excitement and danger, but overall, the drawn-out travel and lack of romantic chemistry between the main couples made the book feel slower and longer than its 368 pages.

While there is plenty of world-building and political intrigue, I found myself losing interest in the details because the characters, tortured by their unique magical abilities, secrets, and pasts, weren’t always enjoyable to read about.

I recommend Guardians of Dawn: Ami to fans of the first book in the series and anyone who enjoys quests and plots with minimal romance. The ending sets the stage for the next installment in the series.

The Sequel in the series, following a new Guardian of the Dawn as the guardian group expands and the story continues. In this book we are introduced to Li Ami, an exile who is sent to care for her mentally ill father whose rantings about a prophecy might actually be true. When her father is arrested it is up to Ami to save him by bargaining with the presiding Beasts to find a cure for the mysterious blight that is infecting the harvest. Meanwhile our other Guardian, Jin Zhara is trying to fight against the undead and find other fellow guardians to help her face off against them. Jin Zhara is the guardian of fire and knows that the Guardian of Wood is who she needs.... and when she meets Ami she might finally find the one she needs. The romance in this book was sweet too, with Han being a somewhat demi-sexual rep and Zhara learning about it. The romance between the Beast and Ami was also cute. Overall it's an interesting enough sequel to the series that would have you interested to see what the next two guardians will be like and how they will join the core group and storyline. I would definitely recommend this series to YA readers who enjoy fantasy and Sailor Moon-esque storylines.

Release Date: August 6,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The second book in the Guardians of Dawn series has much more adventure, and more of a “journey” to the story than the first, which really keeps you engrossed in the story to find out what happens next.

So far, Ami is my favourite character in the series! I found her so relatable, especially with the way she would describe her own personal, internal struggles. I also loved being able to see more with Zhara and Han’s relationship and friendship.

I definitely got a bit confused here and there with the many different villages names (a map may have been beneficial? or maybe there was one and I didn’t even notice 🤷‍♀️) but it was easy to catch up. I did find the politics slightly confusing as well, but again, very easy to push forward.


All in all, if you like Sailor Moon or any other magical girl anime’s, this book is right up your alley!
Also featuring:
* found family
* cheesy moments that suits the characters perfectly
* LGBTQ+ rep
* heavy focus on the concept of consent
* happy endings

ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S-Jae Jones

“You are enough, came a different voice through the bond. And where you are not, I shall be there.”

Book 2 picks up right where Zhara ended. Zhara and the Bangtan brothers are traveling west to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This book introduces new character POVs Ami, and the Beast. When the two stories intertwine, they will have to work together to save the realms.

Magical Girl anime fans, this series is for you! It’s so cute, with magical girl power, friendship, and animal companions to boot. Book 2 in the Guardians of Dawn really hit its stride! It was actioned packed and heartfelt, with a fast pace and interesting plot. The addition of Zombies and a hilarious abomination(I won’t spoil what it is) brought a necessary lightness to the story. It’s not all serious, and I think that lends to the genre. I love that each character is loosely based on fairytales, Zhara as Cinderella, and Ami as Beauty and the Beast. The glimpse of the next Guardian we meet in book 3 has me so ready for it.

You can get a copy Ami today!

Thank you #netgalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones is another epic story that was utterly fascinating.
A compelling Young Adult Fantasy with the absolute best characters.
Gripping, immersive, and absolutely masterful, Guardians of Dawn reels you in with the promise of beauty, and holds you tight.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Ami is the second Guardians of Dawn book, which follows Li Ami, the daughter of a former magician who offers herself to a Beast when her father is arrested for stealing and trespassing.

As far as second books go, this one was pretty good. I felt like the stakes were elevated in a meaningful but proportionate way. I loved getting to hang out with Ami without sacrificing Zhara so much. I'm always a fan of a Beauty and the Beast-inspired setup, and I loved the continued inspiration of Sailor Moon evident in the text.

I do think, given it's a second book and we've gotten a new POV character, that it was evident the elements of this story were more difficult to manage than the first book. There was A Lot going on and a lot of ground to cover, so there were moments that felt a bit more chaotic than they probably needed to.

Even so, I think this series is shaping up to be an incredibly solid YA read that I think brings a unique and fresh perspective to the genre, and I'll definitely be picking up future installments!

This book had feelings of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon mixed with Train to Busan and Warriors of Virtue!

The development of the characters and the relationships, the world building. very engaging. The action scenes were very descriptive, allowing the reader to become completely immersed in to conflict in the moment and release a calming exhale once the battle was over.

I was expecting more of a climax when they made it to the tree and found the Unicorn... that part was a bit of a let down for me. I do wish that their individual powers were talked about more or displayed a bit more. The Song of Order and Chaos listed them but they did not really do much with them once everyone realized who they were and the powers they held. I was also confused by the fact that Ami being the guardian of wood with the ability to grant life was able to save a non magician but could not heal the magician from the infection he had.

I am hoping to see more magic play in the coming books of this series and hopefully the familiars or the animal companions will get a greater role as well. Seems like there could be something there since the author made a point to mention the years separation between them.

Thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books and S. Jae Jones for the opportunity to read this e-arc and give my honest opinion of the text.