Without giving anything away!!!! HOLLY SMOKES!!! I can't wait for the next book in this series!!!! Thea Guanzon really knows how to write a story and leave the reader wanting more. I'm so blessed to have been given this ARC (even though I read the rest of it in my actual copy of the story lol). I can only hope I'm approved for the next part of this series too!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
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This was a mess. I really wasn’t a fan of the first book, and really only read this one because I received it as an arc. Several parts of this seem to jump around, like the author forgot how characters were positioned, or like she cut certain scenes and pasted them back in later.

I’m also so, so tired of whatever the relationship between Alaric and Talasyn is. There’s “slow burn”, and there’s “making no tangible progress on the relationship”.

I wanted to like these books so bad. I think the world and magic system are both super interesting, but I think I’m just a hater unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

This romantasy duology gave me alllllllllllllllll the heart eyes. Enemies to lovers always has a special place in my heart, but Thea Guanzon just does something so special with her characters and storylines. I look forward to seeing what the next book will bring, I'm hoping it'll be just as good as what she's already done!

Wow! That ending! I found the beginning of the book to be a little slow, but it was all building up to that amazing finale. There was a lot of information given regarding the world in which they live, the political intrigue, and the betrayals both Alaric and Talasyn are plotting. Their growth as individuals and realizing what they want is huge from the hurricane wars, and their romance is so well written. Their attraction and connection to each other warring with the pressures they face from their respective nations and families was beautifully written.
But that ending? I am stunned. Superb writing and such a great second novel in a series.

Really enjoyed this read. As a newer fantasy girly I felt the story very easy to follow along with. I enjoyed the writers style of writing and found myself UNABLE to put this book down! Ate it up!

Ugh, Thea was already so elite with her writing in Hurricane Wars, but this book shows us that she has somehow managed to evolve even further into a powerhouse fantasy writer! This is easily one of my favorite fantasy books of the year so far, I think I'll be thinking about it for a long, long time.

A Monsoon Rising picks up right where Hurricane Wars left off, and Talasyn and Alaric are only becoming more confused about their feelings toward one another and how they effect the irrespective roles in their kingdoms. This is one of the truest enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever encountered, these two are constantly wrestling with who they are and what is even possible for them to be to one another. The story really blooms from here: the world grows exponentially, the lore becomes more intricate and well-explored, the relationships become more complicated and loyalties are majorly tested. These two have truly the BEST dynamic, they truly hate how their own feelings are changing and growing, and they're both so, so conflicted about what it all means. The banter is TRULY top notch, and if you like the "I hate you EVEN in the moments when I want you most" dichotomy, I've never seen it as PERFECTLY depicted as this.

The action is also so, so heart pounding and unexpected in this one, and wraps up so nicely with the lore that has been building from the very beginning. Thea's imagery was just out of this world magical and captivating, I felt like I'd been transported to an entirely different world in the most visceral way. This just has absolutely everything: the most delicious enemies-to-lovers, a wildly unique and expansive fantasy world, absolutely perfect pacing, captivating imagery and world-building, and characters that feel so incredibly real. I just cannot WAIT for what comes next, and for everything Thea has to bring us in the future! Thank you SO MUCH to Avon & Harper Voyager for this eArc!

Okay. I loved this book! Sorry it took me so long to get to it! The relationship between Talasyn and Alaric again🥵
I can’t with this! I still don’t really like the grandmother. I do not like Alaric’s father! He has put Alaric through hell! I love the tension Talasyn and Alaric it is so hot!!!! The spice in this book love! The plot also loved. There was more action in this one than the previous book. I also enjoyed the detail to the plot! I loved that! I overall really enjoyed this book! I can’t wait for book 3!!’

4.5
This book was fun, but it makes me scared for the next.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Alaric and Talasyn. Their banter was written in a really fun way. These characters feel loved by the author, and that's something that's always nice to see.

The Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon is an engaging fantasy about Alaric, a soldier with a troubled past, and Mira, a diplomat with secrets. Forced into an alliance amid a looming war, their story explores loyalty, sacrifice, and power struggles. The world-building is immersive, and the emotional depth of the characters keeps the story compelling despite some pacing issues. A great pick for fans of rich fantasy and complex relationships.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did NOT let down!

I absolutely ADORED everything about this book. Both Alaric and Talasyn's character growth was incredible. and can we talk about the TENSION!! THIS is what I want in enemies to lovers. The longing, stolen glances, and unspoken feelings finally culminating in some absolutely delicious spicy scenes.

I loved seeing Alaric's soft side and learning more of his past. Getting to see a glimpse of Kesath and the expansion of Nenevar was also great!

But I am even more excited for what's to come. THAT ENDING HAD ME SHOOK! Thea, I know you said it was what your editor recommended but I have major beef with her now!!

Again, a huge thank you for the ARC of this. ( apologies it is so late, I swear I had typed it up and submitted it already)

Great continuation of the story, and went places i didn't expect would reconmend to fans of the poppy war so I agree to the comparisons to an extent just not as brutal

Thank you NetGally, Thea, & Harper Voyage for the free ARC of Monsoon Rising!

This was so good I don’t know why it took me this long to read it!! I can’t get enough of this world and these characters. I need the next book in my hands like yesterday 😭 I feel like this series doesn’t have the appropriate hype and that’s sad because it definitely deserves more hype.

Thea Guanzon’s A Monsoon Rising is a stunning sequel that builds on everything that made The Hurricane Wars so compelling—rich worldbuilding, high-stakes political intrigue, and a romance crackling with tension and longing. Talasyn and Alaric’s relationship is at the heart of this novel, forcing them into an uneasy alliance that neither of them can fully trust, yet neither can seem to resist.

One of the standout elements of this series continues to be its immersive worldbuilding. The lush, war-torn landscapes from The Hurricane Wars provide the perfect backdrop for the growing tension between Talasyn and Alaric. Guanzon’s writing brings every setting to life, from the glittering imperial court to the shadowy threats lurking beneath the surface, making it easy to get lost in this world of light and darkness.

But let’s talk about the romance—because wow. Political marriage? Check. Enemies forced to work together? Check. Slow-burn tension so thick you could cut it with a dagger? Absolutely. There’s everything a romance-fantasy fan could want and every trope that makes your heart race and banter that is as sharp as it is heartfelt. The way Talasyn and Alaric navigate their shifting feelings while still trying to outmaneuver each other politically is a masterclass in tension and longing. And when things finally do tip into romance? Let’s just say the spicy scenes are not just there for the sake of it which I appreciate, they’re filled with so much emotional intensity and depth that they make every moment between them feel even more powerful.
The pacing of the novel is strong, though I did find myself taking longer to get to this review because I had to go back and read The Hurricane Wars first (which was great!). While A Monsoon Rising does a great job of continuing the story, I definitely recommend reading the first book to fully appreciate the depth of the characters and the stakes of their world.

As for the ending—the twist got me. I won’t spoil anything, but just know that Guanzon knows exactly how to leave readers desperate for the next book and I simply cannot wait!

While I absolutely loved the romance, the world, and the emotional depth, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed, especially in the middle. Some political maneuvering felt repetitive at times, and I wished certain side characters had been fleshed out more. However, the strength of the romance and the explosive ending more than made up for it, leaving me eager for what’s next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

I absolutely adored The Hurricane Wars and was so excited to dive back into this world. Just as lush and exciting as I remembered with even more detail and romance. This sequel kept me engaged the entire time and that ending? Wow! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book ASAP.

4.5 ⭐️ okay, ignore how long it took me to finish (thea pls forgive me) that was all my fault and not the book — “a monsoon rising” was SO GOOD.

the worldbuilding from the first book provided such a lush and beautiful backdrop to the story — talasyn and alaric navigating their political marriage!! tension!! falling in love despite yourself!! only one bed, “who did this to you” (but she says it!!), banter, slow-burn, and spicy scenes with so much intensity and depth!! and dragons!!

thea did a phenomenal job again with weaving in all the threads of the story — the relationship development, introspection, the underlying commentary on imperialism, colonialism, and armed conflict. i am so invested for the next book, especially with where this one ends (cannot wait to see alaric go FERAL.)

thank you thea & harpersvoyager & netgalley for the arc, and my eternal apologies it took me so long to finish (once again, my fault,

I've been really enjoying this whole book series as well as everything between Talasyn and Alaric but man, about halfway through I started questioning if I was in the middle of a duology and I was sad. Then I started to question if they'd follow through on their plans but let me say, I did not at any point see that ending coming. Holy cow Thea! What a twist! I'm invested and can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyage for the ARC.

The Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon was such an immersive read! The world-building was rich and atmospheric, pulling me right into a realm filled with political tension, forbidden magic, and characters teetering between duty and desire.

The story follows Alaric, a soldier burdened by past mistakes, and Mira, a diplomat with secrets of her own. Their paths collide when a looming war forces them into an uneasy alliance — one filled with slow-burn tension and razor-sharp dialogue. The stakes felt so high throughout the book, and I loved how Guanzon layered in themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and power struggles.

The writing was lush, and I could practically feel the stormy winds and smell the rain-soaked earth. While the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, the emotional depth and strong character development kept me invested. Alaric’s inner conflict and Mira’s quiet strength made them such compelling leads, and their dynamic had me hooked.

If you’re craving a fantasy with a richly detailed world and complex characters, The Monsoon Rising is well worth picking up!

A must read. Very engaging and a world full of surprises. The book is very well written and the world is an amazing read.

I am in a state of shock after reading this book. Whatever Thea Guanzon put in this book I only want more!

A Monsoon Rising was a perfect blend of political uprising, angst between our two main characters, and action packed.

I loved the magic system throughout this book and I loved the incorporation of the dragons. Alaric and Talasyn completely have me swooning. This book will absolutely live rent free in my head.

Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an early eARC for this book.

You know what. I love this trilogy. I love reading a scifi steampunk romance with a moody, broody emo boy and a feisty twisted in guilt girlie pop. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with the secrets Talasyn is keeping, but I'm going to live in blissful ignorance pretending that everything is okay. Also, the fact that Thea used the "Who did this to you?" trope, but it was the FMC saying this to her secretly butter soft marriage of convenience hubby had me DECEASED.