This was a stellar instant continuation of the story line from the ending of The Hurricane Wars. I was immediately pulled straight back into the action and political intrigue of the world and miss Thea was not playing around with this one!

In a shocking turn of events, this book was a lot more character driven and sweet?? Than THW. There were so many tender moments throughout the entire book between Alaric and Talasyn when I was expecting mostly bickering and anger like in The Hurricane Wars.

“I won’t breathe another word. Just–don’t leave me, Tala”

While it was a nice surprise as I was on my hands and knees BEGGING for scraps of affection between them in THW, it was laid on a little heavy in this one and I missed the rage a bit. A Monsoon Rising is largely character driven book with a deep dive and exploration into Alaric and Talasyn’s connection.

The spice level in THW was one like 3 page scene and this one had them going at it every couple of chapters. I have an inkling that all the sweet and tender moments and development of feelings for each other in this book is setting us up for PAIN in book 3 when the betrayals and secrets and everything else starts to come to the surface.

“One word from you and I let my guard down. I couldn’t kill you, either, all those times before.. What am I, If I’m not a weapon? What have you done to me?”

I do wish there was a little more plot besides just months of training for the night of the world eater but I also really think this is a great set up for an absolute banger of a third book. We really had time to sit with Alaric and Talasyn’s characters and understand their motivations and watch their loyalties change in real time to lie somewhere more in each other than in their nations.

“Sometimes I think–I think it would be better to start over. Tear it all down. And sometimes I think you and I could do that. If we make it through tonight”

The cliffhanger was insane, but I’m so confused? I desperately need a release date for book 3 so I can have something to look forward to.
—————————————————————————————
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me early access to A Monsoon Rising in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me a digital ARC!

Where the Hurricane Wars had a lot going on at once, A Monsoon Rising takes a different pace and I think the story is all the better for it. The world building in this book is particularly rich and dense and was hard to jump into after not having read the first book for so long but I was eventually able to jump back into the rhythm and pick up on some of the various fantasy elements I'd forgotten. If you are like me and forgot some of the plot of the Hurricane Wars, I definitely recommend doing a light re-read before jumping into this!

In this next book we get to see Talasyn grow from a warrior to a leader of a nation. She has become much more wise and politically savvy. She uses that cunning to decieve Alaric into believing she is 1000% on his side and willing to rebuild their country together. I loved how each of them, even though they clearly have feelings for one another, are still wrestling with their plans to betray one another. There is so much tension, angst and chemistry that filled the story - it was hard to put it down! While the ending was not what I had anticipated, I am excited for a third book to see where the story takes us!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this second installment in the Hurricane Wars - it was one of my most anticipated sequels this year and did not disappoint. Alaric and Talasyn’s chemistry was perfectly written. I especially enjoyed Alaric’s character in this book. My only complaint is having to wait for the third book after that cliffhanger ending. If you enjoy slow burn, enemies to lovers romantasy, then this series is definitely one to pick up.

First of all THAT ENDING. That was insane and just from that 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ instantly. I freaking LOVED this book. I definitely recommend reading the first book in this series before diving in as there is a ton of world building and it would be super hard to dive into this one without the first. This is one of the great enemies to lovers I’ve ever read. They have so much chemistry and the spice is HOT. I definitely recommend reading this one

Absolutely amazing! I have been looking forward to this book the moment I finished The Hurricane Wars so I was so excited to receive an arc. And wow I could not put this down!

This was such an interesting book. This picks up right after the first one with Talasyn and Alaric having married to end a war and save their people. So now A Monsoon Rising focuses on the aftermath of the war and their marriage. Their connection was clear in the first book and in this book we really get to see their relationship grow and change. They both have an extremely rough background and deal with so much that they slowly begin to rely on each other. They begin to bond and we watch their relationship slowly change. And I loved every interaction between Alaric and Talasyn! Their banter is amazing, but they both want each other so much.

I wish this had a little more politics in it but it’s definitely setting everything up for the third book. We learn a lot more about Talasyn and Alaric’s magic as well as their pasts. The entire scene with the void fell was amazing! The writing was incredible and I was not expecting it to be a dragon. I loved that part of the story and history of Talasyn’s lineage.

Overall so amazing! The crazy cliff hanger ending is killing me though. So not what I was expecting but now I am so excited for Alaric’s reaction in the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

“Let them see me make my wife scream. Let them know, beyond the Shadow and the turning of the stars, that you are mine.”

Tensions are at an all time high as Alaric and Talasyn work together to prevent the Moonless Dark, light and shadow working together to save their world from ruin. Loyalties and desires tested in the riveting sequel to the Hurricane Wars.

It’s been almost a year since I’ve been with Talasyn and Alaric. As much as I missed the tension and banter, it did take a minute to reaccustom myself with the magic system and intense world building. There’s a lot of characters, territories and other details that do get a little muddled. But, I was rewarded with a “let me clean your wounds” scene early on, so worth it!

Microtrope I love:
After a marriage by convenience when they call each other wife and husband begrudgingly and then it morphs into affectionately

This is a TRUE enemies to lovers, constantly at each others throats where you’re honestly not sure if they are going to spar or kiss. Constantly plotting against each other while ultimately trying to save the other, battling between their hearts and their responsibilities. I couldn’t get enough. The writing was stunning, I truly couldn’t put it down. There were so many scenes I loved, but the masquerade definitely won me over. And that cliffhanger??? Are you kidding me??

Reylo fans get ready to rejoice, because this fan service DELIVERED. I cannot wait for the next book.

Picking up right after the wedding in Nenavar, this dual POV messes with my brain chemistry in the best way possible. Please make sure you read The Hurricane Wars first to know what’s going on this book. (there is a lot of world building to learn and political systems to admire or despise). This book has several steamy scenes and follows the characters through learning other on many different levels. Sometimes they tolerate each other, other days are well… tension filled. There are a lot of overall darker themes discussed such as physical abuse, alcohol addiction and abandonment. There is lying and deceit around every corner to keep you on your toes. The ending is an absolute cliff hanger and I’m already aching for more answers.

Pub Date December 10 2024

ARC provided by Harper Voyager, Avon Books and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

The first book to the series was amazing. This book was even better. I loved the growth between Talasyn and Alaric’s relationship and how they grew to start to trust and care for one another. I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands when it releases and can’t wait for the third book to be released. The cliffhanger was brutal. 5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

"I loved the first installment of the series and I am so happy this one was no exception. All the elements of the that I loved about the first book are here plus a lot more delicious tension, love and heartache plus expansion of the lore. I was unable to put it down and I cannot wait for the next one!"

Dear publisher - I could have read 100 more pages on this honestly and though I know a ton of the critique from the first book was the world building (I personally enjoyed that portion) however, readers that had critique won't be finding it here. It dives right into the the push and pull between Alaric and Talasyn in the best way while still keeping up with the overall storyline and building out the story in an interesting way.

If The Hurricane Wars had me mesmerized, then A Monsoon Rising completely swept me away. The way that Thea Guanzon balances a swoon worthy romance with a masterful fantasy plotline has ruined me for all other Romantasy. This book should be the pillar against which other books are rated, it is that good. It took me no time at all to fall back into this world with its lush world building and incredibly vivid imagery. The political aspects were also so artfully woven into the storyline that it felt like I was on the ground with Talisyn and Alaric as part of their retinue. I savored each chapter and the ending completely stole my breath. There are very few books that have achieved this level of balance among all aspects of the plot and I could not feel more privileged than I do to have been given a chance to read it before the publishing date. Thank you so much to Thea and to NetGalley for the ARC. I am at once so fulfilled for having read this next chapter, while simultaneously ravenous to find out what happens next.

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️

Description of the book:
Finally married and named the Night Empress, Talasyn must continue to uphold her one goal; end the Night Empire with the rebuilt Allfold rebellion. Whilst Talasyn and Alaric train to protect their people from the Moonless Night they realize that there’s more to themselves than meets the eye. As the Moonless Night draws nearer Talasyn must decide if she sacrifices her husband for the good of the world or will she allow her feelings to hinder “the mission”? With so many lives at stake, Talasyn must make the right decision before it’s too late.

A Monsoon rising was a PHENOMENAL read! It absolutely captivated me from beginning to end: The tension simmers off the pages between the two main characters and the payoff is absolutely delicious. I was not expecting the ending and it took me completely by surprise. I cannot WAIT to next installment in the series!

Notable parts:
•Talasyn & Alaric being absolute lovesick fools for each other, but obviously denying it.
•The “who did this to you?” trope coming in swinging from both Alaric & Talasyn *swoon
•Drunk Elagbi & Alaric
•That one closet scene 👀

Appropriate for who?
New Adults/Adults 18+

Would I recommend?
Absolutely! Yes yes yes and yes! If you loved ReyLo and wanted more for their relationship this is the perfect read for you!

Would I read the next book in the series?
Yes! And I totally can’t wait! I need book 3 immediately!


Would I read more from this author?
A million times yes!

Um what was this book? It was so good. After waiting for this book after the massive cliffhanger we got left on and this was really good. I enjoyed it!

Wow, did I 5pm the sequel could live up to the Hurricane Wars, no. But this one did! It was so complex and fast paced. I never want this series to end!

THEA, I NEED THE THIRD BOOK NOW! I devoured this book in 13 hours (and at least 4.5 hours I was doing something else). It was well paced with a few twists I was not expecting. This is definitely a series I will be re reading before the third book to see what things I missed the first time around.

I am obsessed with these two's love story. I love watching them both fall deeper and deeper in love but still thinking the other is indifferent to them. The way Guanzon builds the tension between these two is just delicios. And this is a true enemies to lovers (where as I feel most enemies to lovers are actually adversaries to lovers). ANDDDDD there's a "who did this to you?" except it's Talasyn saying it to Alaric; the scream I scrumpt when I read that. I loved that reversal from the standard MMC to FMC. And the growth these two are going through is just *chef's kiss*

Again, more people need to be talking about this series because it is so good. Definitely a must read for romantasy readers.

Review goes live December 2

Please see below for my review. I will include a Book Description and Trope list in my post on IG. This review will be posted the week of 11/18 and I will add links for Goodreads, IG and Fable to NetGalley after they go live.

I was beyond excited that I got approved for this ARC in November from NetGalley. I loved the first book and was excited to jump back into this story. I always get a little nervous for the second book in a series. I've had experiences where the second book doesn’t come close to living up to the first. I can safely say that is not the case with this book! This book was incredible and continued the story perfectly from the first.

Thea Guanzon's world building is on another level. I felt like the world, and Nenavar especially, just leaped from the page. It was so vivid and lush. The romantic buildup and tension in this book is wild. The first book was definitely more enemies-to-lovers vibes and this book beautifully continues the slow burn buildup of our main characters' relationship. Both are fighting their attraction to each other and I was eating up those interactions. I also adored their cute banter and inside moments. I seriously giggled at a few of them. I CANNOT wait for the next book in this series. I’m not sure how I’ll emotionally cope until it comes out. All the stars for this book. If you haven’t started the Hurricane Wars....what are you waiting for... you should! However, if you need more convincing here are some tropes that can be found in the second book:

Tropes:
-Dragons
-Shadow Daddy
-Political Marriage
-Slow Slow Burn
-Touch Her and Die
-Forbidden Love

Thank you Avon Books, Harper Voyager US and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in. exchange for a honest review.

I loved the first book in this series and couldn’t wait for this one. It had everything I loved in the first book and so much more. I love the world building and characters so much.

This sequel was great! Definitely did an excellent job of building what was established in the first book. I loved the MCs' interactions and character development.

A Monsoon Rising is in the exact same romantasy trope as Hurricane Wars, the first book in this series. That is both its advantage and challenge. The characters are still engaging, the battles are raging around them, the story continues the familiar enemies to lovers storyline as the first book, and leaves another cliffhanger. Readers who loved the first book will likely enjoy this one. Like the first book, the romantic tension gets drawn out a little long, and the storyline moves a bit slowly but overall a good follow up book. . Highly recommended for fans of this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy

I’m not surprised that I loved this book because I LOVED the last one so much. This gave me everything I yearned for in book 1. This is the best example of true enemies to lovers - these 2 HATE each other and continue to hate each other (kinda 👀.)

The cliff hanger was so abrupt and criminal that I legit could not believe that the book was over.

I am and will be in agony until the next book. I am so stressed about what’s going to happen next.

A Monsoon Rising was quite the ride! I was thrilled to receive the ARC, especially after enjoying The Hurricane Wars. While I’d categorize the first book as a political fantasy that could easily fit in the YA section, A Monsoon Rising is a whole different beast—spicy, character-driven, and full of tension.

Where the first book focused heavily on the politics of war and strategic marriages, the second dives deeper into the characters, particularly Talasyn. It was fascinating to watch her grapple with her growing feelings for Alaric despite their complicated past and his morally gray nature. As they lower their literal and metaphorical shields, they begin to grow closer, but with that comes new complications. The "will they, won't they" dynamic became a bit frustrating at times—I just wanted to scream, "Just confess your love already!"

I didn’t remember the dragons being such a prominent part of the first book (maybe I need a reread?), but they were a fantastic addition to the story. The imagery was stunning; Thea Guzman has a real gift for world-building, making every scene feel vivid and immersive.

Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, Guzman hit us with that plot twist—and ended the book on a massive cliffhanger. Seriously, I need to know who did this and why—now!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy of A Monsoon Rising. I’m already counting down the days for the next book in this series!