I had hoped to be able to find more to keep me immersed in this one coming in a bit disappointed from book 1, but I feel the same way. I am not connecting to the characters, nor do I care for their development.

This had me hooked. Its the 2nd installment of the series and it was just as gripping as the first. Plenty going on, great characters and a great storyline. I didnt want to stop listening. The narration was great. Highle recommend this series and can't wait for more from this world

This is such an easy book to read! From the plot being interesting, the pacing being spot on (I never felt a lull) and the banter between characters, it's great.

I am looking forward to the next book! There are a couple hunches that I have on where it's going to go, but the story has so many paths that it could take so it's absolutely drawing me in!

Netgalley review

The second book in the Nightfire Quartet gave us everything we needed following the first installment! You can really see the story developing in this book and I’m excited to see what happens next.

I’m calling it, Tuli is the MVP when it comes to slow burn romance, a swoon-worthy and believable storyline which has you falling even further in love with our main characters.

I have to say my favourite thing about this series so far is the really well thought through side characters. Every single one is so well developed and I really couldn’t pick a favourite (actually I lie, it’s obviously Yasen).

I need a release date for the next book ASAP!!

Strong female character. I started off by reading book two. After reading this I will be going back to read book one.

This is a female hero that discovers she has magic. And she has to save her world from the dark monsters. Someone the thought was a friend betrayed her and try’s to kill her. All to fall in love with her enemy.

I got this AudioARC without realizing it was the second book in the series, but quickly realized it and immediately downloaded the first before jumping into the second. The audio was fantastic on this and my only regret was having read it far too quickly. I definitely need to re-read in the near future.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & Dreamscape for the ARC! I was thoroughly entertained!

No regrets!!!!

The story sadly didn't connect with me this time. The story is narrated by Shiromi Arserio. While Shiromi's portrayal of Zarya and others was commendable, I struggled to form a connection with the characters, making it challenging to stay engaged. Despite this, the narration itself was well done. I plan to revisit the series, starting with book 1, and perhaps that will enhance my experience with book 2. The 4-star rating is mainly attributed to the fantastic narration—I thoroughly enjoyed Shiromi Arserio's voice.

A special thanks to Dreamscape Select for the ALC.

For some reason I have to DNF this book at 20%. I enjoyed the first book enough but I just couldn’t connect with this one from the start. I felt unenthusiastic about continuing so I didn’t want to force it. Just might not be for me or the right time. I’ll try it again in the future though!!

Man, oh man! This baby did not suffer from "second book syndrome" at all! We hit the ground running, and the action just never stopped. We went from slow burn to melt your panties inferno, and I am 👏 here 👏 for 👏 it! That ending, though.... I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

I sadly wasn’t able to stay hooked on this story and ended up DNFing.

The voice actors were great though!

Dance of Stars and Ashes
by Nisha J. Tuli
Beautiful story the second in the series, but can be read alone. The story of the heroine that is not sure of her place in the world is a common trope but Nisha had changed that with the mystery of the characters history. Its not the fault of the character but the fault of what she does not know. The whole story shows how understanding your history can influence your own interpretation of your life. The story shows how world building can be a mystery, and the characters can expose the history and problems of the world.

It was a Good audiobook with good audio. Has a Nice storyline and a Beautiful cover. I will br giving it 4 stars.

I enjoyed the first book in this series but loved the this one so much more. The characters growth and plot progression was so good. This is a very unique fantasy book and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was on my toes the last 20% of this book. It was so good.

Shiromi Arserio as the narrator was great! She also was the narrator of book 1. She really brings this story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for a copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape audio for Dance of Stars and Ashes! I loved this book so much more than book 1! Book 1 had to give the background and build the world so that book 2 could be all about relationships and plot. I mean when the two characters get together… they hella get together (if you catch my drift lol). The book still has a lot of holes that I wasn’t able to piece together (maybe it’s from not hearing a certain part… that can happen when you listen to an audiobook.) Otherwise, I really enjoyed this listen and I’m really glad I gave it a shot!

In Dance of Stars and Ashes, the author weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, magic, and destiny set against the backdrop of the jeweled city of Dharati. The story follows Zarya, a young woman who discovers a newfound sense of passion and adventure when she encounters the enigmatic stranger, Rabin. With Rabin's help, Zarya unlocks a dark, ancient magic within herself, setting off a chain of events that will change her life forever.

While the romance between Zarya and Rabin may not immediately captivate readers, the nuanced development of their relationship throughout the story promises deeper exploration in future installments. The conclusion hints at intriguing developments that will undoubtedly leave readers eager to see how their relationship unfolds in the next book.

One of the standout aspects of Dance of Stars and Ashes is the genuine and uncomplicated friendship between Zarya and Yasen. Their bond adds depth and warmth to the story, serving as a highlight that resonates with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Overall, Dance of Stars and Ashes is a compelling read that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Fans of magical realism and epic romance will find themselves eagerly awaiting the release of the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley & Second Sky for the ARC!

This is why reading unfinished series is the worst. I am DESPERATE for the next book and this one hasn't even come out yet.

This story picks up a few days after the end of the first book, with Dharati kind of in shambles after the attack, but everyone trying to continue on with their lives as best as they can. Zarya and Yasen (the best book friendship to ever exist) think it's a good idea to sneak Amrita out and take her to a peri anada (which is basically a s*x club), maybe not the smartest idea seeing as she is basically the most important woman in the queendom?

The first half of the book is more fantasy than romantasy, there is some tension between Zarya and Rabin, but isn't really the focus until about the second half of the book. There's tons of adventures, some epic fight scenes, tension, banter, some delicious spice, absolute heartbreak, betrayal, and an FMC who manages to be strong AF, self-deprecating, hilarious, and a little weird.

The only reason I can't give this a full 5 stars is because I wanted more Rabin! I wouldn't even turn down a few Rabin POV chapters because I think he has an interesting story to tell and I want more of him!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
🌶️🌶️🌶️

When I saw another Nightfire Quartet book had been released, I was so excited. While it took me a few chapters to learn to love Zarya in Heart of Night and Fire (book 1), I dived right into this book.
Dance of Stars and Ashes picks up almost exactly where Heart of Night and Fire left off. Zarya is working through her newly acquired powers, learning more about who she is, what she can do, and what that means for her and her relationships (both platonic and romantic).
This book is a combination of romance and fantasy, balancing a mixture of magical and mystical abilities, invisible enemies, and evident sexual tension (and possibly soulmates – no confirmation yet). The relationship between Rabin and Zarya qualifies as a slow burn, but once it gets going ….. Rabin sees himself as the protector in him and Zarya’s “relationship”, but Zayra does not let him get away with a lot when it comes to what she can/will do. However, I appreciated that there were times when Zarya came to terms with the situation and allowed/encouraged Rabin to help her with little to no argument, understanding that there were things even she could not do on her own.
What I liked the most about Dance of Stars and Ashes, which can be considered across both books, is Zarya’s relationships with others. More importantly, she is able to recognize and value how she has changed as a person and how those around her have changed and is willing to restructure her relationships with various characters. While most of those relationships have turned out for the better, Zarya remains confident in herself and her desires throughout the book and makes the decision to distance herself from multiple characters in order to protect herself.
While I love Zayra, I can say with complete confidence that Yasen is my favorite character. He met Zarya by accident in the first book, and ever since their first meeting, he has stood beside her and supported her actions and choices wholeheartedly. In Dance of Stars and Ashes, Yasen continues to support Zarya as she continues to figure out her magic, family history, and who she is following escaping her cottage home in book 1. Without spoiling either book, I would like to thank the author for creating Yasen as a character and for promoting unconditional love and support through platonic relationships.
The book ends in what I would consider to be a nicely tied-up cliff hanger. There are certain relationships and aspects of the story that have been resolved and settled into a clean ending, yet there are other relationships and details that have been left unresolved, thus preparing readers to smoothly transition from book 2 to the rest of the quartet.
The only change I would make to the audiobook version would be to put the character and setting descriptions at the beginning rather than the end. I know they typically come at the end of ebook and physical books; however I would have enjoyed a refresher of all the characters and the setting at the beginning before heading straight into the first chapter.
This audiobook was provided to me by NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and author Nisha J Tuli for sharing Dance of Stars and Ashes. I can’t wait to see what the next installment of the Nightfire Quartet brings.

"Dance of Stars and Ashes" is the second installment Nightfire Quartet and begins exactly where book 2 leaves off. Zarya is still finding her way in the world and navigating her complicated interpersonal relationships: familial, platonic, and romantic. The demon attacks on her new home are becoming more and more violent and Zarya wonders if she is the key to salvation or ruination.

This book includes:
- complex elemental magic
- south asian inspiration
- dragon shifter MMC
- LGBT supporting characters
- friendships built and broken
- a demonic blight engulfing the land
- betrayal
- queen becomes a tree

So far, I have really enjoyed the Nightfire Quartet. The magic system is unique and I like the way Zarya interacts with her magical abilities and the imagery is strong. I do feel like the story is missing a little character work and I wish we had stronger motivations for most of the character's behavior. I also felt that Zarya and Rabin lacked chemistry, but I think that is more an impact of a lack of ground work for their relationship in book 1. Unfortunately, it feels more like an instant love than a slow burn, so if you are looking for enemies to lovers or slow burn, you won't find that here. However, if you're looking for a complex world and an exciting magic system, this book is for you. I recommend this book to fans of "A Fate Inked in Blood."

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Nisha J. Tuli for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

I almost DNFed this series after book 1 and I'm so glad I didn't.

I thought Heart of Night and Fire was very basic YA fantasy with characters that wanted to be interesting but fell flat and a very slow pace because of all the world building. And on top of that I'm listening to these on audio so I kept getting confused with all the complicated names and terms. Oh, and there was barely any romance.

However, book 2 delivered. For one, I was already familiar with the world and its intricacies so it was much easier for me to get into the story. The plot expanded, the stakes were higher and the pacing was much better. I connected more with the characters and, while some of them still fell flat and Zarya was way too dumb at times, I really enjoyed her friendship with Yasen and her relationship with Rabin. Yes, we got the romance this time. We got the pinning, the angst, and the spice. And tons of chemistry.

I'm actually really excited for book 3 now and I would pick it up immediately if I had it.

A dazzling display of character growth, world building, and romance ablaze Tuli gives her readers everything they’ve been wanting from the series and more! The romance has been kicked up tenfold, and the plot has thickened to the point where you can’t put the book down! Nisha J. Tuli delivers a captivating second installment of her Nightfire series that you won’t want to miss.

I listened to this installment on audio, the narrator made you feel like you were in the world but missed the mark with emotional conversations with our main cast. At times a tense moment felt passed over due to tone inflections and fast paced reading. Overall a great performance.