Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Guardians of Dawn: Yuli by S. Jae-Jones is the third person multi-POV Sapphic continuation of YA romantic fantasy series Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is the Guardian of Wind and is getting ready to take her place among the Guardians of Dawn along with Ami and Zhara. One problem: her former friend, Kho, has arrived to challenge Yuli’s aunt for leadership of the Golden Horde and only Yuli can step up to keep the leadership in the family.

Yuli and Kho have a clear attraction to each other that has been building for a long time but the both of them struggle to do much about it after their falling out. They notice each other’s bodies and strengths and weaknesses and there's yearning there whenever in the silent moments between them. It's made more complicated by the fact that they are competing against each other for the Horde and yet they are still on somewhat friendly terms.

Han and Gaden actually leave early on to go take care of things in other parts of the Morning Realms, which leaves Zhara and Ami with Yuli. This does allow more room for Yuli and Kho’s relationship to unfold and take center stage and also for Zhara and Ami to find their place as Guardians independent of their love interests and deepen their friendships with each other and Yuli. It is a bit sad to not see more of Ami and Gaden and Zhara and Han’s romances in this book, but it felt like the right choice in terms of plot and character arc progression.

Snow White is the fairy tale used this go around. There's Huntsmen and a Paper Wolf and a box for a heart. It's not quite as obvious as it was with Zhara and Ami’s books, but the references do show up and fit together as the book moves forward and we get more and more pieces of what is happening from Kho’s POV.

I would recommend this to fans of Sailor Moon and fairy tales and readers of YA Romantasy looking for a Sapphic twist on Snow White

Pretty much one year ago exactly, I had the privilege of reviewing the second book in S. Jae-Jones’ Guardians of Dawn series, Ami. It was a beautifully imaginative work that hybridized Eastern mythology with European legends and superstition, and I enjoyed it immensely. This year, I happen to be afforded that opportunity once more, having been given an ARC of the third installment; Guardians of Dawn: Yuli.
The thing I was most impressed by is how different tonally this novel is to both Zhara and Ami, the two books in the series that precede it. While Ami was ripe with beautiful imagery and similes evoking empathy and contemplation, Yuli is far more action focussed as its protagonist feels a lot more impulsive and less introspective. The fact that the narrative can so perfectly match the character, while still feeling like the same world established in the prior books, is really mind boggling to me, because the characters themselves are so different just from a development perspective.
Overall, I would be hard pressed to claim Yuli as my favourite in the series, because all the books are so engaging in their own ways. However, I will say that it is the easiest out of the three to read. Not for any one direct reason other than I found the pacing quite a bit faster, so it became easier to get lost in.
Seeing as this is the third book in a series, I will say that if you liked the previous two, you will probably enjoy this one as well—and for those of you who have yet to explore Guardians of Dawn: I would ultimately recommend it if you enjoy high fantasy that has a more distinct Eastern influence as opposed to the industry standard Anglo-centricism.

Yuli is the third book in the Guardians of the Dawn series, and although I love Yuli’s character, this is probably my least favorite of the books.

Yuli continues much in the same vein as the first two books: multiple POVs, a major obstacle for the titular character, and another demon that must be defeated. However, whereas I didn’t feel lost when I picked up Ami, I definitely could’ve used a reread or a recap at the start of the book to help me remember who everyone was and how they fit into the story. There’s a lot going on in this book, and the various threads feel less focused than the previous books. The political aspects are important to the overall storyline but slow the action down, which seemed strange for Yuli, who is always ready for action!

There was still plenty of action and danger, and the aspects of friendship and family and of loyalty to people out of expectation versus trust are powerful. The romance was obvious right from the start but it didn’t have the same punch as Zhara and Ami’s romances, although there will certainly be more development in the next book. The ending was another cliffhanger but with enough resolution to make me happy.

Yuli still delivers on the Sailor Moon vibes and there’s more important world development, but definitely go into this one with Zhara and Ami fresh in mind!

The main character Yuli was so entertaining and I loved following her POV when it showed up. Yuli’s flaws were explored well in different ways that I felt the ending was satisfying enough.

The world building is really extensive and can get a bit confusing at times but once you get it, ITS SO BEAUTIFUL. The myths and legends tying in to the world work so well and I love the Singing Skies so much 🥺.

The non-binary representation is so fluid and doesn’t over-explain itself like “Auncle.” I was not expecting sapphic romance but IM
HERE FOR IT ❤️❤️

Everything is named so creatively simple. It’s one of my favorite things about the book. The only thing I was hesitant about was “The Taint” or someone who can recognize a magician by touch but doesn’t have magical abilities. The name for it is not something that should be in a Young Adult book given the audience’s knowledge or lack thereof for the other meaning. I think a different name should’ve been used entirely.

The events were more or less the same until halfway through. The only thing that kept the tension going was the reveal of new information either through different POV’s or through those same events. I think it would’ve been stronger with more variety of events in the first half and less POV switches.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the next one!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. The adventure continues for the guardians of the dawn, this time surrounding the third guardian Yuli. We have demons as opposed to zombies, not sure how I feel about the kissing cousins. I would definitely recommend. the book though.

Sooooo this book was available to 'Read Now' at one point, and I quickly downloaded it thinking I would read the other two books before this one released. And I know now that was delulu. So instead of the whole book, this review is for the first few chapters, which I read despite not having read books 1 and 2. (I understand this is clown behavior and I apologize, but I am really excited about this still!)

And let me just say....it was super fun. Even without the context of the wider world, the story starts off with some really engaging action, overlaid with what I can only assume is a kpop reference. What more could I possibly want from a book? (Turns out later we get shapeshifting animals, magic powers, a queer-normative world, and hints at a potentially tragic backstory...and that's what else I could possibly want from a book lol.)

I loved the author's writing style, which was accessible without feeling immature to me. It definitely has 'fun' vibes, but the more I read, the more I could see there is some serious stuff going on as well with what appears to be several disturbances related to the magic in this realm. Even though I was jumping in on book 3, I didn't feel lost - when I read something that didn't quite make sense, I only felt excited to learn more about it.

Reading this certainly bumped books 1 & 2 up my TBR. If the tone is the same, I think these books would be great summer reads OR they'd be great for the colder months when I need a bright spot.

I'm giving this book a neutral 3 stars since I can't necessarily comment on plot or characters. What I read is really promising and I'm excited to read these books!!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.

As Zhara and Ami travel north to reunite with Yuli and help close the portal to Tiyok, Yuli is facing a brewing battle of her own. After the death of her grandfather—the Warlord—the five ruling families are thrown into chaos. The Lady of the Wild Things, mother of Yuli’s childhood best friend, seizes the opportunity to take control of the Golden Horde, the army of the North, as she makes her play for the Imperial Throne.

To stop her, Yuli must face off against Kho, her former best friend, in three intense challenges. But something even more dangerous is looming: demons have begun possessing anti-magicians in a terrifying bid to build their army—and ultimately release the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.

This was such an action-packed novel! I loved how all three guardians converge in this installment while maintaining their individuality. Since this is a continuation, I definitely recommend reading the first two books before diving in so you don’t get lost.

S. Jae-Jones’ world-building is absolutely immersive—the mental images she creates are vivid and cinematic. The stakes are higher in this book, and while the romance takes a bit of a back seat (as the previous couples split to follow different plot arcs), the character development remains strong. There are more characters to keep track of now, which adds depth, though it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.

I especially loved The Grand Game—it was a fun and fascinating addition to the story that really allowed Yuli’s personality and skills to shine. The tension between Yuli and Kho was heartbreaking. I understood Yuli’s point, but their interactions were emotionally tough to read—raw, personal, and beautifully written.

Honestly, I’d love to read The Songs of Order and Chaos, which is referenced often throughout the book. It would make a fantastic novella and a pleasant interlude before Book 4.

The ending was very satisfying—and now I’m on edge, eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for gifting me the ARC of this exciting installment in the Guardians of Dawn series and allowing me to share my honest opinion.

📚 This book releases August 19, 2025.

I will never get over my love for this series, as a Sailor Moon fan these book give me such a warm hearted feeling. I've loved Yuli since book 1 and was so happy to get offered this ARC and finally get her story, the worldbuilding as usual was fantastic and the Morning Realms continues to impress me and drag me in. I loved this book and the history between two characters really added a depth to the story. I am so excited to see where this series goes in the next installment, I get giddy every time i get to talk about this series and introduce it to someone.

Guardians of Dawn: Yuli, continues the story that had been started in the previous two volumes. Unfortunately, I think that this is where I will be stopping with this series. While I continue to appreciate what the author has done to normalize the inclusion of LGBTQ characters in this YA fantasy series (and that is present in this volume as well), all of the charm and nuance in the writing and characterization from the first book is completely gone. I felt this a bit in Ami as well, but it is even more prevalent here. I'm not sure if it's because of the pace with which she is having to write the sequels, but the characters feel very one-note and bland, and it really feels like we are just being told events and being pulled around. Which unfortunately, did not make for an enjoyable read.

Perhaps if you were in the age-range of the target audience, it might be better. And again, I do still really appreciate the diversity the author is bringing to this space. I just wish they were given more time to write and revise instead of pumping these books out one a year, because I think they would be better for it and that they might be able to recapture the charm of the first book.

Thank you Netgalley, S. Jae-Jones for a e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

In the darker third installment of Guardians of Dawn, the focus shifts to Yuli, the Guardian of Wind, whose soul-based powers become crucial when a strange illness leaves people vulnerable to demonic possession. As she grapples with this rising threat, Yuli is also thrust into political turmoil following her grandfather’s death, with power-hungry rivals circling.

The book streamlines its growing cast and complex world by splitting the main group, improving pacing and maintaining a unified storyline. Jae-Jones’ signature mix of East Asian and Western folklore, paired with magical girl influences, remains engaging. While Yuli’s fairytale theme (likely Little Red Riding Hood) feels slightly weaker, the series continues to build intrigue—especially with hints of a Snow White-inspired arc for the Guardian of Water.

So I received an arc of the third book read it was confused. Not realizing that it was the third book in the series I was a bit lost in plot. However I did spoil the first two books for myself so I can essentially catch up to understand what’s happening. The multiple POV *deep sigh* it’s hard for me to keep track. But the writing,the world building and details are done beautifully. This book gave a wonderful representation of non binary characters. I think if you enjoy the magic girl genre you’ll enjoy it. I do feel like it’s geared the younger half of the ya genre.

Yuli is book 3 in the Guardians of Dawn series. This time around, there is chaos. People are falling ill, demons are running amok, and the Moth Demon is gaining power. Yuli and the others in the Guardians of Dawn must save the day before it is too late.

I love the relationship the girls have with one another and that they always have each other's backs. While there is a dash of romance, that is on the backburner and the main focus is saving the day. I recommend this series if you are a fan of YA Fantasy or love Sailor Moon.

I can't believe we're three books into the Guardians of Dawn series! I've thoroughly enjoyed the friendships between the main girls and the nostalgic Sailor Moon vibes - we're only missing a magical girl transformation (kidding but not). I didn't expect Yuli to end with a cliffhanger, but I'm definitely invested in this series so I'll absolutely read the next book. I think S. Jae-Jones's writing has improved with each book she's released, so I want to commend her for continuing to advance her craft. I really liked that this book was more action heavy than the previous ones, but the romance just never hit for me. I would argue that there really isn't a romance at all for Yuli and the romantic interests of the other guardians were gone most of the book. Another thing I want to point out is the overwhelming number of POVs. The book is written in third person, but the POV bounces between four characters and since it's third person, the narrating voice between the characters doesn't differ, so it was too much for me. I still had a fun time learning more about Yuli and the developing story, so I can't wait to see who the next guardian is!

Thank you to Wednesday Books, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

Absolute top-tier writing and narration as always, this book was sooo good, ahhh

I love how the author balances the new povs with the old in every succeeding book! We still see Zhara and Ami and their character developments in this book, in addition to two new povs, Yuli and Kho (one of them a character we've never seen before), and the balance and pacing of all their povs is perfect.

Also also, the second chance ish romance between Yuli/Kho? Absolute perfection 😭

I soo need the fourth book right now! I miss the characters already and I so need to know how the story is gonna end!

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

The third book in the Guardians of Dawn series brings us to a darker turn as we get closer to the release of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This time we're following Yuli, who has been a presence from the start, and having her both be familiar to the reader and familiar with her powers for the most part mean that it's easier to focus on the shifting politics and rising stakes in the world. As the Guardian of Wind, her power deals with the soul, something that she hasn't found particularly useful, only using her spirit-walking ability. But with the rise of a waking dreamer sickness, where people's bodies seem detached from their souls, leaving them open to demonic possession, she finds herself extremely important in reversing that. Too bad it's also in the middle of a huge political upheaval, with the death of her grandfather and no clear successor and their political rivals chomping at the bit to claim power. Which might have some demonic push behind it, but that's for the Guardians to figure out.

As the third book in the series, the world and the cast has been growing exponentially, and it was one thing that got a little unwieldly for me in Ami's book. Here, the solution to that is having half of Zhara and Ami's group split off to return with Han when he has to go home and claim his throne. This has the benefit of cutting down on the various PoVs, and even when we are switching around, they're at least all on one storyline.

Jae-Jones' writing is still light and fun - it's so clear that this is what she wants to be writing, this mix of East Asian and Western folklore with Sailor Moon vibes, and it still just works /so/ well. Yuli's fairytale is probably the weakest (I think it's Little Red Riding Hood?), but I'm perfectly happy letting the story as JJ has crafted it so far taking the lead. Though it looks like the Guardian of Water will be following Snow White, so I'm very curious to see where that takes everyone.

I didn’t realize this was the third in a series when I applied, I apologize. I’m somewhat new to NetGalley and finally getting the hang of things. If I can come back and edit this review I will!

First off, thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the chance to read this book early! I loved this book! This series just gets better and better with each book. All the characters are fantastic, and it would be so hard to pick a favorite. We've known Yuli since the first book, but this book really makes her character shine. We see her growth and acceptance of what she must do and what she must give up. This is the first series in a while where I can honestly say that the third book is better than the first. I usually struggle to read middle books. It's either the second book slumps or the third. This series, in my opinion, has never had a slump. I can't wait for the next book and see what the future holds for these characters and what will occur in this wonderful world.

"The third book in the sweeping, richly imagined Guardians of Dawn fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

Princess Yulana has a few problems. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens to tear the Morning Realms apart, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. On top of all of that, Kho, her former best friend turned rival, is getting under her skin. A struggle for power divides the north, and the outcome rests on the winner of the Grand Game - a competition that will determine not just the future of her people, but the course of the entire empire.

When the world is out of balance, the Guardians of Dawn are reborn.

As the Guardian of Wind, it is Yuli's responsibility to bring order to chaos, along with the Guardian of Fire and the Guardian of Wood. But can she restore balance to the Morning Realms when she can't even win the political games being played at home? The fate of the Morning Realms depends on the Guardians of Dawn, and whether Yuli can manage both the demonic and political chaos at once.

Guardian of Wind, there you are."

Hungry ghosts are the scariest thing to me.

YULI (Guardians of Dawn #3) by S.A. Chakraborty

⭐⭐⭐✨ | When duty feels heavier than destiny

This book honestly frustrated me. I went in expecting to fall head-over-heels for Yuli—elemental magic, political drama, a girl trying to save her world—but instead I felt like I was reading a textbook half the time.

There's just so much explaining. Court politics, family histories, empire structures—it never stops. I kept waiting for those breathless moments where I'd forget I was reading, but they rarely came. Yuli's relationship with Kho should have been electric, but their scenes felt rushed between all the political lectures.

Don't get me wrong, the writing is gorgeous and the world feels real. But I wanted to feel something, not just learn about fictional governments. Maybe if you're already deep in this series it hits different, but as someone jumping in, I felt more exhausted than enchanted.

Vibes We Are Tracking:
⚔️ Enemies-to-lovers tension
👑 Political marriage plots
🌪️ Elemental magic systems
📚 Dense world-building
💔 Duty vs. desire

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Princess Yulana has some problems. Her grandfather died without naming an heir, civil war threatens the Morning realms, a sleeping sickness is spreading in the city, hungry ghosts are in the steppes and her ex friend, now rival, Kho is one of the competitor for the throne. So, not only Yulana has to deal with magical problems, but also political intrigues and feelings. Now involved in the Grand game, the competition to choose the heir, Yulana has to battle against political and demonic forces, with the help of the Guardians of Fire and the Guardians of Wood, Zhara and Ami. Will they succeed in protecting their world?

Finally, finally, we get a book about Yuli, one of my favourite character ever! She's funny, brilliant and so smart and I love her relationship with Zhara and Ami, her power and how complicated her life gets when her grandfather dies. In this third book, a fantasy series inspired by Sailor Moon, so it's perfect for me, Yuli is the main character of the story and with the help of Zhara and Ami she will have to deal with demonic forces, portals, loss and love.
I adored her relationship with Kho and the way, in this book, the reader has to learn a bit more about Yulana and her duties, powers and friendships. I loved everything about this book. I laughed, I cried and now I need more!