Absolutely beautiful book! Love those sprayed edges! I bought a physical copy for my shelf. Will definitely recommend this series to others.

I love this book and series. Thank you NetGalley and Thea Guanzon for the opportunity to read this eARC. The world building is spectacular as well as character development. This story picks up immediately following the first book. Intrigue, politics, and environmental devastation runs rampant in this story. Such a good read.

This is the second book in this series, sequel to The Hurricane Wars, in a very long slow burn romance that leaves you pining for more. The first book leaves Alaric and Talasyn just having been married and very confused in their feelings, having only recently discovering them in the second book among trials and court life. This book picks up with both of them keeping secrets, but slowly falling for each other as the time passes.

This book is spicer than the first, especially as Talasyn and Alaric cannot help themselves and flirt and slowly give in to their feelings. Talasyn is as fiery as ever, and Alaric becomes more and more protective of Talasyn as the book progresses.

I absolutely adore the slow burn pace of this book. There are mentions of them being each others firsts, refusing advances from others, and their vows. I believe the next book will be an explosive continuation of this love story, of which I adore.

The ending built up over the book as both parties were planning for the demise of the other, all the while having feelings. I cannot wait for the next book, and I will be eagerly waiting until then.

We continue the story of the enemies, Alaric and Talasyn, who were arranged to marry for political purposes. They actually are true enemies though, having fought on opposites side of a war and also having opposing types of magic. This book finds them continuing to plot their betrayal towards each other, along with them learning to merge their magic to fight an oncoming natural disaster, and them finally giving in to their physical attraction. Lots of politics and fighting, but the angst and longing in this one is good. Plus, the banter is delightfully funny and entertaining. This one ends on a cliffhanger, with no publication date of Book 3 in sight yet.

This is book two in a romantasy series, and I cannot wait for the third book! The cliffhanger really put me on edge, and I am completely invested in this series at this point. These books have everything i could hope for in a Romantasy series, and the romance really pays off! The author built onto the plot so much with this book, and I am really looking forward to continuing this series. I will be recommending this to all Romantasy readers!

A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon is an electrifying continuation of romance, political intrigue, and devastating magic set against the backdrop of a fragile truce that feels like a brewing storm. This novel plunges readers deeper into a richly woven world of light and shadow, war and betrayal, and a love so forbidden that every stolen glance between Alaric and Talasyn hums with tension.

Talasyn and Alaric’s forced alliance as an imperial couple is the emotional and narrative core of the story. Their marriage is a delicate balancing act—Talasyn must appear to be the loyal empress while harboring her people’s secret hopes for rebellion, and Alaric must walk the razor-thin line between honor, love, and the legacy of a father whose ambitions threaten to consume everything. Guanzon captures the complexity of their relationship beautifully: their shared trauma from the war, the simmering desire they both try to ignore, and the growing recognition that they may be stronger together than apart. The slow-burn romance between them is exquisite—every quiet conversation, every heated argument, and every accidental touch is steeped in unspoken longing.

The world-building in A Monsoon Rising is immersive and expansive. Guanzon enriches the narrative with vivid descriptions of storm-drenched cities, blinding Lightweaver magic, and shadow-clad battlefields. The dichotomy of light and darkness isn’t just symbolic—it’s integral to the magic system, where Talasyn’s radiant power complements Alaric’s mastery of shadows. The impending threat of the Moonless Dark adds urgency and stakes, giving the novel a ticking clock that keeps tensions high. The blending of elemental forces between Talasyn and Alaric isn’t just a magical necessity—it becomes a metaphor for the trust and vulnerability required to truly merge two worlds.

Guanzon also excels at political intrigue. The alliances and betrayals within the imperial court and Talasyn’s homeland are intricate and compelling. Talasyn’s internal conflict—duty to her homeland versus the possibility of something more with Alaric—feels genuine and heart-wrenching. Meanwhile, Alaric’s struggle to reconcile his father’s expectations with his growing sense of morality adds layers of complexity to his character. Both protagonists are flawed yet deeply sympathetic, making their choices and sacrifices resonate.

However, the novel isn’t without its pacing challenges. The middle section slows down as Talasyn and Alaric’s emotional stalemate stretches out, with certain political maneuvers and magical training sequences feeling repetitive. Some readers may crave a faster escalation of the action, especially when the climax delivers such a whirlwind of revelations and battles. Additionally, the antagonist’s motivations—particularly those tied to Alaric’s father—could have been explored with more nuance to avoid leaning too much into archetypal "ruthless ruler" tropes.

The final act is a pulse-pounding blend of action, betrayal, and emotional devastation. Guanzon doesn’t shy away from hard choices or consequences, and the closing pages leave readers breathless with both hope and dread. The resolution of certain plotlines sets the stage for a promising future installment while delivering enough closure to feel satisfying.

At 4 stars, A Monsoon Rising is a spellbinding blend of epic fantasy, romance, and political upheaval. Thea Guanzon’s writing is evocative and lush, her characters heartbreakingly human, and her world brimming with danger and wonder. This novel will appeal to fans of intricate magical systems, morally complex heroes, and love stories forged in the crucible of war. With its storm-soaked heart and crackling romantic tension, A Monsoon Rising is a reminder that even amidst the shadows, love can be the brightest light.

Thank you so so much for this arc copy. Im so grateful! I loved everything about this book and series, the magic system, forbidden romances, and the multiple point of views. I love when enemies become lovers of if they become allies even though they dont want to. Thea has such a way of writing that is truly beautiful, I loved being immersed into this world and the characters lives. I will be doing a reread shortly and going through a tabbing system which im so excited for.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! Just wow!
This book took me by storm! Once I started it was so hard to put down. The first book was one of my top reads the year prior to this, and I had high expectations, This sequel did not disappoint. Everything I loved about the first book, I loved more in the second. It had romance, political intrigue, push and pull, secrets and a twist that had me reeling.
A Monsoon Rising picks up not long after we leave Talasyn and Alaric in the first book, each in their respective homes. What ensues after, is what can only be described as a dance between our two main characters. The push and pull of attraction and of lies leads them down a new path they never expected as they finally must face the Moonless Dark.
This book was full of the magic I have longed for, and of the struggles of two flawed people just trying to find their way. This book felt like home to me and I cannot wait for the next book to see where these wonderful characters and this enchanting story go.

This couple. This series. THAT CLIFFHANGER. Thea Guanzon, how dare you but also thank you so much for this incredible world.

I'll admit - I didn't enjoy The Hurricane Wars on the first read. I couldn't connect with the characters and at first the world felt too complex to fully grasp and care about. And then I read the audiobook and was blown away. Then, thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager, I devoured an ARC of A Monsoon Rising. Truly, I love these characters and their star-crossed romance so much. They're both adorably immature and experienced, and I couldn't help but root for them and their happiness despite literally all the odds stacked against them.

The stakes have never been higher as this slow-burn, political fantasy romance hits an epic crescendo of familial scheming, chaotic weather-based magic, and dragons. And the chemistry...the spice. Holy gods was it good. They're both terrible communicators, preferring to banter and bicker and...other things. I was absolutely sat for all of it.

And again, the cliffhanger. I'm desperate for book 3.

A Monsoon Rising is committed to characters. While there wasn't as much politics as I expected, I did enjoy seeing both Alaric and Talasyn open up to each other. Don't get me wrong, there's tons of angst, betrayal, and some spice. A Monsoon Rising allows both of our favorites to get closer despite all their efforts and sabotage. Can they really fall in love if they're holding pieces of themselves back? There are conflicting secrets and political subtle movements. This sequel also explores whether we are the monsters we are made of.

Breathtaking!! Absolutely masterful writing. A Monsoon Rising gave me the same feeling that I had when I read A Court of Mist and Fury. I thought A Court of Thorns and Roses (or The Hurricane Wars) was the best book ever but then when I read A Court of Mist and Fury (A Monsoon Rising), I thought, "ACOTAR Who?" Now I need to go back and start the series all over again!! I really want to sink back into that world!

This book was okay. I wasn't a big fan of it being a colonizer romance but I heard such great things that I read it anyway.
The miscommunication was a bit annoying and isn't my favorite in a book, but the the tension was definitely there!
I don't know if I'll continue this series, but I'd love to read more books from Thea Guanzon!

This book is everything I want in romantasy/fantasy/fantasy romance - all of it.

Alaric and Talasyn have gone through with their arranged marriage and are now working towards refining their powers to protect their world from the Moonless Dark. While they are learning to work together they are also maintaining their own, somewhat secret priorities.

The Hurricane Wars was one of my favorite books of 2023. I've been so excited and anxious for A Monsoon Rising because how can it possibly compare? Well it did, it really really did! I LOVED this book.

The tension between Alaric and Talasyn is EVERYTHING. I was thrilled that although we start with them in different places they are never apart for too long. The world building continued to expand in book 2. The Moonless Dark and all that entailed was SO COOL and unexpected, but not too random (I find it so hard to balance the unexpected and the random).

There are so many scenes in this book that I want to see depicted in fanart. Guanzon's descriptions are so gorgeous. Her writing is ART and I cannot wait to see what she has next.

The ending was NOTHING like I expected and now I'm so nervous for what's to come.

I want and need everyone to read these books because truly they are some of my favorite out there. I want more books like this PLEASE.

Thea Guanzon (I don't even know how) stepped up her game even more so since the Hurricane Wars!! Wow Wow Wow. I really enjoyed this even more so than the first. I really like that this is a duology and not a trilogy!!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK SINCE THE SECOND I FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK AND OMG I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It did not disappoint and in fact… I think I liked it even more than the first book.

We are finally reunited with Talysn and Alaric (major swoon), who are recently married, fighting their feelings, and keeping lots of secrets.

Y’all this series is so good. And it is only getting better. Complex writing, thought out world building, THE BEST ENEMIES TO LOVERS I HAVE READ IN SO LONG!!! I seriously cannot recommend this series enough.

Listen.. my biggest pet peeve in regards to this book is when I hear that you have to have watched Star Wars or you won’t understand… and that is just not true. I read the first book before I watched Star Wars and understood it completely. Just because it’s based off of a Star Wars fan fiction does not mean Star Wars knowledge is required.

I don’t want to say much about the plot in my review to avoid spoilers but just know I loved it and highly recommend this series.

ALSO THE ENDING WAS TORTURE SO HAVE SO MUCH FUN WITH IT.

An impressive follow-up to The Hurricane Wars, the tension is high as Talasyn and Alaric must navigate their marriage while simultaneously struggling to decide where their loyalties lie. A Monsoon Rising sees them battle both inner and outer turmoil, as they contend with the growing attraction between them, the impending doom of the Moonless Dark, and the secrets they have yet to uncover from the shadows. Full of banter, undeniable chemistry, mutual pining, and frankly more romance than politics, this latest entry in the series keeps the interest alive and well for those intrigued with how things will end between the lightweaver and the shadowforged heir.

This book was a stunning follow up to The Hurricane Wars. The characters development was believable and enjoyable. The prose was elegant and honestly, the tension was palpable off the page. Alaric and Talasyn have my heart!

And that is how you do a sequel. That is how you do a sequel. Holy shit. Hurricane Wars was a top read of mine, so I had very high hopes for this one and it did not let me down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The cliffhanger? Chef's kiss. Is it a masterpiece? Also yes. But I'm anxious for the next one.

As someone who has been with this book before it was even a book, I'm so excited and impressed and all the things.

this book was UNREAL!! it was the perfect follow-up to hurricane wars and it was an aboslute wild ride. I can't wait to see what comes next!!