I can't believe this is the end of the Nightfire Quartet! This series remains one of the few epic South Asian fantasy series in traditional publishing, and it makes me so happy to see this series be so beloved. Zarya's story was a wild ride, and I can't believe how far she and our cast of characters have come since Heart of Night and Fire. Zarya especially had excellent character development an I'm so proud of everything she accomplished. The romance between Rabin and Zarya in this book was very high heat again, with a very angsty subplot towards the middle-end of the book. I can't recommend this series enough for my romantasy lovers seeking more diverse stories in the genre!

Beautiful conclusion to the Nightfire Quartet. All good things must come to an end, I guess.

This book started of calmly. Zarya and company arrive in Andhera, ready to meet Raja Abishek. While everything seems to be going OK, we, as a reader, are just waiting for all hell to break loose. This part is a bit predictable but luckily things are more exiting when, you know, all hell breaks loose.

While I missed the banter between Zarya and Yasen, this book was filled with beautiful, heartfelt moments which make you love the characters even more.

I'm sad this story is over. It is still my favorite series of Nisha J. Tuli. I can't wait for her next books.
Thank you Nisha, Second Sky and Netgalley for the copy I received. This is my honest review.

This book was a captivating final installment in the Nightfire Quartet.
There were a lot of intertwined storylines that needed to come together and find closure, and Nisha did a great job of accomplishing that.

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

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I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

As a final book this delivered on angst, emotion and tension. Knowing that a final battle is brewing you fear for the survival of characters you've grown to love. As we drew closer to the end every chapter ending left me even more worried.

I felt for Zarya and Rabin on numerous occasions. It felt like so much was against them and as a reader you could only hope they'd find a way to survive it all.

There were a few twists along the way that I didn't see coming and the final third felt like it went by in a flash. Overall a great conclusion to a brilliant series.

Here's a 3-star review focusing on those points:

"Queen of Shadows and Ruin" concludes the Nightfire Quartet with a mix of intriguing concepts and familiar tropes. I genuinely enjoyed the world-building and the core idea of [mention a specific concept, e.g., the shadow magic or the political intrigue]. The characters, particularly [mention 1-2 characters], remained enjoyable and their personal journeys were compelling.

However, the dialogue often felt stilted and unnatural, pulling me out of the immersive experience. Conversations frequently lacked the flow and nuance of real interactions, which was a shame because the characters themselves were well-developed.

Furthermore, the plot, while engaging, followed a predictable trajectory. Many of the twists and turns were telegraphed well in advance, lessening the impact of the climactic events. While I appreciate the effort to tie up all the loose ends, the resolution felt somewhat rushed and lacked the emotional punch it could have had.

Overall, "Queen of Shadows and Ruin" is a decent conclusion to the series, offering a satisfying end for beloved characters. But the stilted dialogue and predictable plot prevented it from reaching its full potential."

This is the final book in the Nightfire Quartet (🥲) and did such a good job in wrapping up Zarya and Rabin’s story! It picks up right where the last one left off and drops us right into the journey (quite literally). I actually went and reviewed what happened at the very end of the previous book and it was such a seamless transition between them, so I really suggest doing so if you have time!

Zarya has so much on her shoulders and she is doing her best not only to learn more about her magic, but about her role in everything that is to come. There were multiple times where I was questioning Zarya’s choices, like are you SURE that’s a good idea? Nisha had me STRESSING throughout this book and I kept waiting for everything to go up in flames. It had me eating it up too because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen! The beginning of the book was a little slow, but it took some time to develop some of the newer characters we met, and once we got halfway through it was really going!

I just love Zarya and Rabin’s relationship. They are hot as always, but they also have such a soft and tender love. I’m so sad their story is now over, but I love love loved how they grew throughout this whole quartet! And we can’t forget about Yasen. I loved that he had his own storyline in this book as he is really the star of the show (top 10 character there for me!). He really was such a backbone to this series and I love that he got his happy ending as well!

This series is such a fantastic romantasy series! It’s full of action, unique magic, and a perfect love story! I loved how many twists were thrown at us throughout the series and am so sad that it’s finally over! I cannot recommend this one enough!

4.5/5 Stars

Absolutely obsessed with the incredible writing and this gorgeous world!
Saying goodbye to my little loves was hard but the ending was so perfect and it was absolutely what was needed. I will miss this world and all the chaos that comes with it.
Definitely a book and series I’d recommend reading k anyone!

3.75 stars if we’re being specific.

I’ve truly thoroughly enjoyed this entire series. I think it progressively got stronger as the story progressed and the characters have continued to grow and evolve in a realistic way. The characters struggle and learn and make questionable decisions but that’s what makes them endearing.

I did find myself wondering when something was going to happen though. I don’t feel like the story really had any action until half way through which I found frustrating for the conclusion of the quartet. I kept thinking how is this possibly going to wrap up in such a short amount of time?! I just couldn’t quite figure out how it was all going to come together. I do think Nisha did a good job of keeping me guessing. I could figure out the individual pieces and I knew what to expect at the end of the puzzle but the how is what I was craving.

I wanted to smack Zarya for the entire first half of this story. We all knew that she was being lied to and manipulated and delayed. I kept thinking “you're smarter than this girlfriend!!” But had to keep reminding myself that this girl is only 20, she’s been isolated and alone most of her life dreaming of a picture perfect family. She wanted so much to believe the best in those surrounding her. I can’t help but think if Rabin has been a little bit more honest and communicative about his misgivings things might have turned out differently. But then again, this was all fated so maybe not. As Zee says at the end, everything had to happen or she wouldn’t have found Asha, the world wouldn’t have been saved etc etc

I also knew we were going to get a HEA but it did feel a little too neat and tidy for me personally. Yes it boiled down to good vs evil and of course good won but it didn’t feel like there were any real consequences. Zarya was basically saved from the brink of death/actual death twice. We didn’t loose anyone of any importance, all the bad guys were wholly defeated quite easily and all of our found family got the absolute ultimate HEA.

Despite this big fancy bow tying everything together I have loved this journey. I read this book in 2 sittings and needed to know what was going to happen next. I do wish we’d gotten some more about the world post-collared slaves. We got some brief info about the governments all working together hunky dory to get everyone on equal footing. Perhaps I’m just cynical in today’s world but that seems like the most unrealistic thing in this fantasy story.

Wow! I am blown away by this entire series and all these characters!

I fell in love with Zarya from the moment I met her in the swamps. I’ve enjoyed watching her learn and grow and find herself.

And Rabin? I wasn’t sure if his intentions were nefarious at first, but I quickly fell in love with his big, broody self. I love that he looked out for Zarya before he was even certain that what he was feeling was true.

I also fell in love with Yasan and Row, as I’m sure many others would! I think I’d like to see a spin off of Yasan’s story and how things work out for him and his king.

Overall, I loved every second. And as much as I love a good ending, I’m so sad to see this story come to a close.

4.25 ⭐️

This was one of my most anticipated reads, and it did not disappoint! I’ve been completely obsessed with Zarya, Rabin, and their found family, and this finale delivered so many of the moments I was hoping for. I especially loved seeing Zarya fully step into her power, with some truly spicy, shadow mommy scenes 😮‍💨

One of the highlights for me was getting Yasen’s POV and his side romance, which added extra depth to the story. The unique magic system remains a standout to me amongst romantasy, and I really enjoyed watching Zarya figure out how to wield her power strategically to overcome the final conflicts.

That said, the pacing at the beginning felt a little slow, and I wish Rabin had trusted his instincts more early on. I think we could have spent less time in that part of the story and more time fleshing out the final conflicts, but overall, the conclusion was satisfying and true to the journey these characters have been on. While I’m happy with how it all wrapped up, I can’t help but feel a little sad that it’s over!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

🗡 Aɾƈ Rҽʋιҽɯ 🗡

Title: Queen of Shadows & Ruin (Book #4 in the Nightfire Quartet series)
Author: @nishajtwrites
Pub Date: March 6, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

"ꜱʜᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴀʟʟ."

Thank you so much, @nishajtwrites and team, for the gifted eArc of Queen of Shadows and Ruin. This series has altered my brain chemistry.

The Nightfire Quartet will forever be one of my favorite series. Zarya and Rabin are one of the most amazing couples I've read. The trials and tribulations these two have faced and come out even stronger is astounding. The love they have for one another is outmatched.

There was so much that went on in this last book. I was absolutely captivated. All emotions flowed right through me, and I sobbed so hard.

QOSAR had twists and turns, betrayal, dragons, demons, banter, an epic battle scene, spice, magic, and loads more. My heart was pounding right out of my chest during some chapters. The adrenaline while reading this one had me pacing my house. I could not stay still and HAD to keep reading to figure out more and more. I tried to hold off on finishing, knowing that it was the last book, but I just couldn't.

I still can't believe this series is over. I had to take a few days in order to process it all. I'm so glad I got to experience Zaryas' story. Everything she went through, the love she found, the friendships she made, the growth.. Zarya is definitely a top fmc for me. I dont know if I could withstand all she did and still be standing strong.

If you have not read this series yet, please do! Can we please get a book about our boy Yasen? 🥹 👉🏻👈🏻 I love him, and he deserves the world.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this eARC! Queen of Shadows and Ruin, the thrilling conclusion to the Nightfire Quarter, was absolutely amazing. Rabin and Zarya’s journey was everything I hoped for—full of action, heart, and unforgettable moments. The worldbuilding was as immersive as ever, and the stakes were higher than ever before. This series has been a fantastic ride, and this final installment did not disappoint!

Another wonderful fantasy series wrapped up beautifully by Nisha! I have been lucky enough to receive an arc of all 4 books in this series and have enjoyed every one! Nisha paints a beautiful and vivid world with this tale and it makes me wish the places were real to visit! Zarya, Rabin, Yas and team continue on the mission they set out to accomplish and we follow them across Rashajan. I enjoyed how Nisha brought together all the elements across the series to come to these final important moments in the story! Zarya and Yas continue to be one of my all time favourite bestie duo’s and I will miss being in the world with them! 🩶

What a finish to the series!! This was action packed. There were so many loose threads to tie up in this book, and I loved how it was done!

Yasen is still my precious baby and I am so obsessed with him. He’s the best friend a girl could ask for, and I absolutely loved seeing him get to experience love and care and trust 😭

Zarya is an all time favorite character. She went through so much in this story, but she stays so steadfast for the people she cares for and loves. She knows who she is and what she stands for and she does not hesitate to act. I love herrrrrr! And her and Rabin’s love story is so special. I can’t get enough of them 🥲

I’m so sad that this series is over, but I loved every second of it!

Read this if you like:
Magical World Building
Incredible Friendships
LGBTQ+ Rep
Mating Bond
Political Intrigue/Rebellion

Thank you so much to Nisha J. Tuli and Netgalley for sending me a copy for an honest review. 🫶🏻

Ok for the most part this was my fav of the series. I think it wrapped everything up in a nice little bow, and had plenty of action and tension. But like the ending?? I waited four books for the ending to be one chapter of resolution?! The whole book was leading up to high stakes and it just did nooooot deliver.
Nonetheless, I loved this series and the characters. Yasen will always be a fav. I really enjoyed rabin and Zarya throughout this series.

I read the first 3 just to read and review this one, and I'm so glad I did! I adore this story and the world building, and the conclusion in the final novel did not disappoint.

I am not one for instalove and I'm touch and go on fated mates, but I appreciated the addition of enemies to lovers in this mix, so it worked for me. And how could you not love Zarya and want her to be happy?

Also, YASEN. My favorite character. Thank you so much for giving him a love interest. I originally (1st book) thought this was going to be a love triangle and screamed with joy when it was instead a queer best friend relationship. BEAUTIFUL.

I wish Nisha's work received the attention other romantasy series do. She deserves it, and I can't wait to read more of her books!

I read this in a day and a half and my poor husband has not seen me come out of my cave.

A few things:

I would SELL a kidney to reread this book again like it was the first time.

I would SACRIFICE my husband and dog for a chance to eat the foods they’re ALWAYS describing in these books.

I would sell my SOUL to be thrown into the story and have all my senses available to me to see smell taste and touch everything in this story in real time just so I can have the satisfaction of knowing I absorbed everything she wrote and described!

I couldn’t have imagined a better ending to this book and have everything wrapped up nicely with a tight bow. I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone I know and have them feel the same way I felt!

my heart feels so full. this series was everything and more, and im going to miss this universe so much. i dont even know where to start.. nisha, your pen never fails truly. she always knows how to pull you in and keep you captivated. the tension, the emotions, the stakes, all of it had me hooked from start to finish. i really liked this book, maybe not my absolute favorite of the series, but it was still such a ride. the war, the impossible choices, the heartbreak, the betrayals, everything was so intense, and i felt every moment of it. and i loved every moment of it. rabinzarya, my loves. they served so well, and i just love them so much. i will never be over them. intertwined lovers, you will always be loved by me. and thank god my glorious king yasen managed to beat the death trope allegations. we were in the trenches begging nisha to spare him, and i’m so glad it paid off! also, him and miraan. sooo cute. im so happy for them, my two princes. 🤍
im going to miss zarya and yasen the most, my favorite platonic soulmates. they were so excellent. also, so glad row finally got his chance to shine, it was well deserved. his bond with zarya will always be special to me, especially after everything they went through. this fatherdaughter dynamic gets serious. and zarya. love love love her to bits. she’s been through hell and came out so strong. im going to miss her and this family so much. i do wish certain things had been expanded, but overall, everything was wrapped up pretty well.

huuuuge thanks to nisha for writing this wonderful series and to her team for sending me this arc!

As always another 5 star read. I don't think I've been disappointed yet by anything I've read by Nisha J Tuli. Her writing is just so extraordinary. 10/10 recommend this series. I actually listened to this series but it was so good.

Queen of Shadows & Ruin by Nisha J Tuli, the last book in the Nightfire Quartet series is OUT NOW!
This is one of my favorite romantasy series. Rabin, the MMC, is a favorite book boyfriend of mine, Zarya, the FMC, is a woman I would love to be besties with, and her bestie, Yasen, is one of my very favorite side characters ever.
This last book was an emotional rollercoaster, I wanted to shake characters, throw my book, scream at characters, I cried, I laughed, I cried some more, it was just such a fantastic final installment.
Nisha closed out the series perfectly in my opinion. Everyone had the day they deserved in the end.
If you are a fan romantasy/dark romantasy, I very much recommend this series.