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.

Having not read the first book I was a bit skeptical

This was such a great book and I loved it

Nisa is a new to me author so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I will definitely read her books again

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Second Sky for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: February 16, 2024

4.25 stars. An Excellent second installment in a series (which is where a lot of series tend to struggle). Lots of action and spice! It was a bit easier to get into this book since most of the world-building happened in the first. Looking forward to the next!

The narrator was good, and did a good job with different voices and emotions. I'm not sure if I would have preferred to read the book instead but I think that has more to do with the type of book than the narrator.

Read as an audiobook performed by Shiromi Arserio

This book features excellent worldbuilding and character arcs. The conflicts in the book were gripping, and the tension made this book difficult to put down. The romance plot in the book was also handled well. It featured just enough to make you feel invested, but not so much that it overshadowed the main plot line. The twists and turns of the story were a little formulaic, but I enjoyed them and how they moved the story along.

The fantasy aspects of the book, particularly the races and magic system, were such a breath of fresh air. As much as I love elves and unicorns, it was very nice to see something different - and see it done so well. Though this book does get quite dire at certain points and it didn’t shy away from putting the reader right into the action, it never strayed into gratuitous territory, and it was a fun read throughout. Fans of unique fantasy and tough heroines will find this a great choice.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for this ARC. This is my honest review.

5/5 The stunning India-inspired fantasy I didn’t know I needed.

I am speechless. I loved this book so much. This will make the ranks of 'second book better than the first' and that is a tough call because I loved the first book! I listened to this as an audio book, as I did with the first in the nightfire quartet. It was wonderful to go back to Dharati and Zarya, hear about all the side characters, but also to listen to the character growth. The amazing world building continues as Zee and her friends try to stop the blight and help the new queen. Nisha makes the slow burn truly worth it with a 20min spice scene (yes, 20mins!). The narrator, Shiromi Arserio, was fabulous! I can't wait to read the next one!

Big thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select and Nisha J Tuli for this early release audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review

3.5 Stars

I found the pacing of this book just a little slower than book one. I had a little bit of a struggle with the beginning of the book- waiting for it to pick up. Overall it was an enjoyable second book in the series and look forward to continuing the series.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Nisha J Tuli for the complementary copy. All thoughts are my own.

“Dance of Stars and Ashes,” by Nisha J. Tuli

When Rabin helps Zarya free her magic, a magic that should not exist, she struggles to keep control of it. Learning Rabin’s true identity as a warrior prince she wants nothing to do with him. Zarya is determined to stay on track protecting her friends and the city.

This was a fun read. The world building and characters were interesting. The fact that the princess needs to protect the city by becoming almost a shell of herself is very unique. I loved the enemies to lovers to enemies trope that’s happening in the story. The ending was so good, and I can’t wait for the next book. The audio book version is what I have, and it was well paced, and I liked the narrator. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Fae
-Found Family
-Political Intrigue
-Unique World Building and Magic System
-Enemies To Lovers
-Shifters
-Slow Burn

Thank you for the ARC.

I could not have listened to it quicker! This should be on the top of everyone’s list this year. #noregrets

♡Audiobook Release Feb.16♡

A good second installment into the nightfire quartet! The narrator did a great job bringing the characters alive! This book gave us everything. Book 1 was hiding the slow burn turned into spicy burn! The twist and turns just kept coming! I am hoping there is a third book coming because I want to know what happens between Rabin and Za their relationship just felt unfinished to me.

-Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape for allowing me to have the ALC for my honest review.