The most Enchanting tale, I'm so excited for book two already!

Magic, Mystery, Found family, slow burn romance, actipn & adventure is what awaits you in a Heart of Night and Fire

Nisha J. Tuli is, in my opinion, one of the most talented authors I've ever read. An incredibly rich story with beautiful descriptions so vivid I could almost taste the food and feel the material, see the forest and all the beasts it holds. The characters feel truly real as well as this fantasy world she has built.

In A Heart of Night and Fire we follow Zarya, a young woman who has had no freedom since she was a child. Her guardian, Row and his apprentice Arrav have not given her a reason, only that it's for her own safety. Zarya is aware she is somewhat of an anomaly as she can call ulon the stars - useless magic. She remains in her beautiful captivity, Until one day, Row goes missing and Zarya notices the wards once holding her prisoner have fallen.

Zarya sets off to explore the outside world and finally live. The world has been ravaged by the blight, causing demons of all sorts to roam the lands - only strong at night time. Zarya finds herself in the city of Dharati where she vows to help in any way she can to protect the city and its inhabitants from the demons relentlessly attacking. Can Zarya find the reason she was kept hidden away all these years?

Nisha does it again.

I read The Trial of the Sun King earlier this year and immediately added Nisha to my Romantasy Author watch list. I saw her social media posts about ARC requests being available through Netgalley and immediately pounced.

Heart of Night and Fire did not disappoint my romantasy loving heart and soul. I was pulled into this book from the moment I opened it. The dedication to brown girls hit me right in the feels and Zarya's story is intriguing from the very first page.

A rich world of culture filled with an interesting magic system, mystery surrounding identities, demons, shadows, stars and a million and a half questions to be answered, this book is setting the stage for what I can only imagine will be an epic enemies to lovers slow burn.

I found the pacing of the book to generally be well thought out. There is a slowness that starts to creep in as you wait for your questions to be answered, but the bread crumbs are well placed along the way and kept me going right up until things took off in the back half of the book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and get more of Zarya and a certain MC. PLEASE NISHA, when can I have it?!

Found Family
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Indian Mythology
Spicy
Book 1 in a new series

Zaraya is a 20 year old woman who is magically trapped in the Southern Coast of Rahajhan by her over protective guardian Row and his apprentice Aarav. For years he has been training her to defend herself against demons and other dark elements on the outside.

The only window to the outside world is through the books Row brings her from the city. She dreams of finding a handsome man as depicted in her steamy romance books and for human touch and someone she can connect with. She craves love and excitement but could never experience any of it as long as she was confined to the cottage.
She has no memory of her parents, no friends or family. She yearns for a normal life filled with love and friendship. The isolation has left her full of resentment, rage and fury.

One day Row leaves for the city but fails to return home. A concerned Aarav goes to the city to find him.
That night after getting drunk on plum wine Zaraya has a strange dream. She sees a hooded figure surrounded by mist and shadow. She can feel the tall broad man with dark eyes watching her but she feels safe in his presence.
She wakes up the next morning to discover that the magic confining her is gone. An elated Zaraya immediately packs up and leaves for the city of Dharati.

She meets two extremely handsome rakshasa men who are blood-drinking, nearly immortal soldiers who defend the city at night against a plethora of demons who threaten the city. After passing her initial trials she joins them on the wall each night to defend their beloved Queen against the onslaught of evil.

The world building in this book is extremely captivating. The exotic, colourful world the author created gave me the same feeling of wonder I felt as a child when reading about magical places.
The Indian and South Asian inspired mythology was so different from any other fantasy books I have read before and it gave me the same excitement as any of the top selling fantasy romance books I so greedily consume. I am already pining like a love sick puppy for the second book of the series.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy good adult fantasy romance books.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

After reading the blurb and learning that it was inspired by Indian mythology, I was really excited to read this. Sadly, my excitement waned as I began reading the book. Despite my disappointment, I did keep reading. This wasn't a bad book, it just was not for me.

What I liked about it was that it kept me reading. There was a high-stakes plot and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. I really enjoyed that it wasn't your typical Celtic-inspired mythology; it was good to break from the typical fantasy mold and dive into something new.

But unfortunately for me, what I didn't like about Heart of Fire outweighed what I liked about it. Zarya was hidden away from the world. The only people she knew were her adoptive father and brother. She is 21 in the book but acted like a teenager. Even accepting that she was bound to make a few bad choices because a) it helps move the plot along and b) she's sheltered, there were too many things she did that didn't make sense. There also wasn't much foreshadowing; all of the big reveals were very obviously divulged. There were no subtle hints; just overt presentations of plot points that were confirmed a few chapters later.

Thank you to Netgalley, Second Sky Books and Nisha J. Tuli for an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Star: 4.5/5


This is such a great first entry in Nisha J. Tuli’s newest series, the Nightfire Quartet! Tuli expertly weaves elements of Indian mythology throughout what will surely be a hit series.

This novel follows main character Zarya as she breaks out of her prison, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and somehow manages to create a family for herself in the bleakest of times. This main character is not afraid to be vulnerable while also possessing a strength of character necessary to survive in a world over-taken by demons.

This first entry in this series focuses less on romance and more on building strong friendships and learning more about oneself. Once you read through, you’ll understand the importance of setting up this base family unit for Zarya. There is romance with the MMC, in the second half of this book, and the tension is absolutely delicious.

You won’t see some of the reveals coming at the end of this book coming, and it’ll make you so eager to pick up book 2!! Now that I’ve read this early, I don’t know how I’m going to wait so long for the next book!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a good start to a very promising new adult fantasy series. Within a captivating fantasy world inspired by South Asian mythology, Nisha masterfully crafted a beautiful narrative abundant in thrilling action filled with suspense and mystery, and a steamy infusion of romance, resulting in a thoughtfully crafted tale. Being a Sri Lankan American yearning to hold on to my South Asian heritage, I found immense delight in the rich tapestry of the world filled with South Asian mythical beings that Nisha meticulously constructed within the pages of Heart of Night and Fire.

However, to express my honest perspective, I must admit my dissatisfaction with the initial portion of the book. It was a complete let down compared to the second half of the book with it’s sloppy plot execution. Striving to avoid divulging any plot details, I felt the sequence of events that brought Zarya and Aarav to Dharati lacked a compelling rationale, and the narrative seemed riddled with more inconsistencies than I had anticipated. In the first half of the story, Zarya’s portrayal struck me as lacking depth, marked by immaturity, and an undue naivety, which seemed incongruous for a twenty year old. Furthermore, her persistent longing for physical intimacy, even in perilous circumstances, considerably detracted from my engagement with the narrative.

Although the first half of the book was dissatisfactory the second half of the book was beautifully executed, it almost felt as though I was reading an entirely different book. The meticulous crafting of the world’s structure and the seamless progression of the narrative revealed a masterful touch in the second half of the book. The plot reverberated with suspense, and the depiction of action sequences exuded a remarkably eloquent flair.

Unfortunately, I found that the characters, particularly in the initial half of the book, were notably deficient in emotional complexity and meaningful attributes. Zarya, Vikram, Yassen, Rabin, and even Aarav seemed to lack profound dimension, rendering it notably challenging to establish any form of emotional resonance with them. While Nisha expended considerable effort elaborating on the physical attractiveness of both Vikram and Yassen, she unfortunately omitted imbuing them with distinct personalities and I felt as though there was actually no base for the attraction between Vikram and Zarya. However I must admit, I am extremely intrigued by Rabin’s character and what will unfold between him and Zarya in the sequels.

While it did require a significant passage of time, I’m genuinely appreciative that Nisha, in the second half of the book, succeeded in rectifying much of what was lacking in the earlier half. The glimpses into the characters’ identities provided a measure of redemption. Some may posit that this was an endeavor to highlight character development. However, personally, I find that the process of acquainting myself with these multi-dimensional individuals, each with their own distinct narratives, attributes, and imperfections, took longer than my preferences would have dictated.

Zarya’s likability remains uncertain to me, as I struggled to forge an emotional bond with her character. On the contrary, I genuinely relished Yassen’s presence and the evolution of her camaraderie with both him and Princess Amrita. This dynamic offered a significant dose of essential female companionship within the narrative, which I found highly enjoyable.

All in all, from my individual perspective, Heart of Night and Fire presented a blend of positive and negative aspects. Although the initial half of the book left me dissatisfied, I take solace in the fact that the latter portion managed to compensate for those shortcomings. The surge of action-packed sequences in the second half left an indelible impression and left me yearning for more, also offering a tantalizing preview of what might unfold in the upcoming sequels.

My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Second Sky books and Nisha J. Tuli for providing me this advance reader copy.

TW: imprisonment, parental death, attempted sexual assault

I picked up Heart of Night and Fire based solely on the beauty of the cover, look at that thing, it's stunning! But then I learned we get enemies to lovers, magic and Indian mythology, what a fantastic premise! Zarya has been confined to her beach home with the men that have raised her since she was a baby. Row taught her to fight and defend herself and Aarav is like the brother she never wanted. She longs to break free of the confinement and explore the world and find love but the magic holding her to the cottage is too strong. One day Row has disappeared and so has the confinement magic, Zarya is off to the big city but she finds that demons are intent on infiltrating and destroying the city. Zarya joins the fight and gains a found family along the way.

I can't pass up a good Indian mythology inspired book and this one was no exception. The descriptions of the enormous amounts of food had me starving and the lavish clothing everyone wore painted just the most vivid pictures in my mind. I really love the author's talent in creating such a world! Unfortunately I think the pacing of the book really hurt the world building and how the reader was supposed to absorb it. Though the author tries to build a vast and detailed world it gets lost in the speed of which everything happens. And with the grueling pace I believe the characters suffered as well. Zarya is explained well enough but the side characters of her found family were fleeting and I got them confused often except for Vikram, Yasen, and Aarav.

Speaking of the boys...I guess Zarya had been so lonely being confined that she so now so touch starved she thinks she wants to make out with any man she came across, it was a bit off putting. And Zarya is meant to be 21 but a lot of her inner thoughts are very juvenile...I guess that could be a product of her confinement but she contradicts this theory when she wants to jump every man's bones! And this book is described as enemies to lovers but we really don't get that at all. WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD: Vikram is definitely all gaga over her as soon as they meet so no enemies there. I believe the author is referencing Rabin but we don't get the enemies part until literally the last couple of chapters. I can see what she's doing but she really shouldn't have started calling it an enemies to lovers trope if we don't get to the meat of it until the next book.

Overall this was an ok book. I will continue the series because I think the author will get better with the writing and the pacing. The first book of a series is always to set the story somewhat and I do wish to find out what happens between Rabin and Zarya, Nisha hooked me good. Thank you so much to Second Sky publishing for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

A very good book whose plot twists shocked me. A must read for those looking for an Indian-inspired fantasy 👌

What an exciting rollercoaster ride this was! Thanks to NetGalley and Second Sky for my ARC. I need the next book soon, please!!

I inhaled every word and images the book offered. They feel like I’m living out my own dreams and visions with Zarya. The world was fantastic, luscious, sultry, restless, almost feverish. If I could make up more adjectives to compliment it, I would.

All of Zarya’s emotions are still running through me. She is definitely the female character that dominates the plot and the reader’s mind in spite of everything else that happens in the book. I absolutely love her. The writing gives the characters, especially Zarya, so many layers: how they dress, how they walk, how they ask questions (love all the questions), how they make decisions.

The plot: wow. In the beginning, I was definitely skeptical due to reading too many fantasies back to back. It did feel too familiar—a restless strong willed female character breaking out of her prison. It felt too simple. But boy did I get hooked when the first significant attack came out of nowhere (trying to avoid spoilers here but you’ll know when you get there.”

The romance: I screamed out loud when Rabin happened. Trying so hard to not write too much about it. My dogs came over to check on me with this romance twist. That’s all I’m saying.

All the moments in between action are so deeply beautiful and human. I’d kill for these moments: the friendship, all the longings, hugs, drinks, almost-lovers moments. I could cry. They’re embedded in my mind now.

I need the next book!! (Had to say that twice). So happy to have found Nisha Tuli. I will be binging your works 😭😭

Story Synopsis: With magical wards keeping her within a small range of their cottage, Zarya spent her entire life in a bubble. Her guardian, Row, said it was for her protection. Zarya felt imprisoned. One day, after several attempts at testing the limits of Row’s magical wards, Zarya discovers the magic is gone, and leaves her cottage for good. After her escape, Zarya ends up in the closest large city, where she is swept off her feet, meets the queen and court members, and discovers why she’s been kept away from the world for so many years.

Why does this book beguile? Shame on me for requesting an ARC that is the start of a four-book series! Especially one that’s billed as a “slow-burn fantasy romance.” I was left wanting more after I finished! Tuli does a great job of world-building by making the magic and characters approachable and imaginable but making it distinct. The reader will experience a range of emotions toward the characters, which made me enjoy the book more.

Admittedly, there were some slow parts, but by the end, I’m glad Tuli set the stage the way she did. I found many parallels with Sarah J. Maas books and S.A. Chakraborty books. Heart of Night and Fire is not quite on the same level as those fantasy books, but good for a quick, lighthearted read.

~ARC Review~

3.5 Stars Rounded to a 4.

I really enjoyed this book and the plot. But there were a few things about the book that I didn't enjoy, and find issues with.

-The book is so fast paced we are missing so much plot and enjoyable storylines. it was a real let down with how much time the book speeds through. That time could have been used to develop the friendships and details of the plot.

-Enemies to lovers? Nowhere to be found. If anything it was a slight forbidden romance that ended and stopped with kissing. Which is fine but that was not what the description of the book stated.

-The MFC is so touch starved (same bestie) that she wants to kiss every man that comes her way. It's off putting to me, and again enemies to lovers? I thought over and over ok here we go, here's the enemies to lovers. But alas there was none.

-Slow burn? Nowhere to be found. There wasn't much burning at all, lukewarm at best. Again which is fine but all the descriptions state slow burn.

-Plothole regarding the MFC’s sexual history.

-Mentions of SA (not very detailed though if this topic affects you).

-The Queen's mythological existence and how it came to be. It doesn't make much sense and there wasn't much information given about it. I wished for more.

—----------------------------------------------


Spoilers


I enjoyed the MFC’s magic abilities though I wished we got to see her develop and use it more. We don't really get to see much of it at all. The book is so fast paced we don't get the chance to see her develop and what she can do.

I enjoyed her friendship with Yasen. I thought their friendship was cute but wished it had blossomed sooner and we got to see them hang out more/have more adventures. I wanted them to explore the city and what life is like there.

Again this book is so fast paced we don't get to see much of the characters' relationships develop. I had a very hard time caring about any of the characters when so much of the time in the book was fast-forwarded weeks and days.

I enjoyed the twists to the plot. The fact that the main love interest was “engaged” to be married off to the princess. The mythology behind how their union was supposed to work was interesting and I did enjoy that.

I really enjoyed the aspects of Rabin and Zarya. I wanted their love story the minute they came together. I hope it's explored and happens in the next book. He’s extremely mysterious and their connection is wonderful. I want them to be the end goal. I want to learn why he's a dragon and how he can shapeshift. Like how we haven't really heard one thing about shapeshifting at all. Why is he so powerful when his brother is not? How could they be in his mind/her mind together. Is either of their minds that place they meet? Or is it some dark plain that houses the darkness magic that's been locked away?

All in all I really did enjoy the story despite my issues with the plot and characters. I really can't wait to read more and hope the next book comes soon. I'm looking forward to it.

This is based on a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe are fair.

Wow. Just wow. This book genuinely blew me and my expectations away.

“It wasn’t an unpleasant prison, but a firefly trapped in even the most ornate jar would die without air”

After being kept hidden from the world her whole life, one day Zayra is finally free from the confines she has known all her life. She discovers the mystery around her and who she is runs much deeper than she could have imagined. She finds herself on a dangerous but exhilarating adventure where she must navigate an entirely new world full of mages known as Aazheri, blood drinking but handsome Rakshasa and fairies as well as demons that want to destroy this newfound home. Somehow she finds herself at the centre of all of this, faced with a choice that could change everything.

The pacing in this book was perfect for me in terms of the balance between action, romance and world building. It kept me continually gripped without overwhelming me.

The way Indian culture, foods and mythology was written into this book was fantastic. I found myself learning loads without it taking anything away from the plot.

The world building was beautiful, the magic system and its subdivision with the different types of species was super interesting as well.

Zarya reminds me of some of my favourite FMC’s, she is strong, stubborn, full of raw emotion, loves romance novels and fancy clothes. Super relatable and well written.

This book was genuinely on par with Sarah J Maas universe and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros for me in terms of being unputdownable.

I cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.



This…was… an absolute glittering world of lush setting and gruesome monsters, and not one moment of it disappointed. The world was not overly large yet the detail brought it to life, and it felt immense without being wordy or overwhelming… which is a talent, and one I admire very much; the worldbuilding was excellent.

For me though this book stands in line with SJM wherein the prose may not be Rosh or Laini but the characters… the characters are everything and you are invested in EVERYthing they say and do. It is almost obscene how fast I cared about this cast, and even some of the sideline characters. And that ending!? Or the last 5 or so chapters I should say… now that a character I have heavy investment in (wink) and I can't wait to find out more… in book two! (panics at life-choices and the decision to read advanced copies, yet again).

4.5 stars rounded up, though I loved this book it did not tug my emotions enough for tears or despair, but it was still a lovely story, plot, cast and world that I look forward to returning to.

From the very first page, Nisha's mastery of language becomes apparent, as she artfully chooses her words to establish an undeniable and powerful sense of magic that permeates every aspect of the story.
What sets this book apart from others is Nisha's unparalleled ability to acknowledge and beautifully describe the significance of even the smallest of moments.
At the core of this extraordinary adventure lies the character of Zarya - a protagonist whose fire to be more and see more is undeniably relatable. Her journey of self-discovery and growth is peppered with human flaws, making her a truly three-dimensional and authentic character. Importantly, Zarya doesn't shy away from her mistakes but embraces them with courage, taking full responsibility and seeking redemption. Her compassion for others and her desire to make the world a better place for all are qualities that leave an indelible mark on the reader's heart. Zarya's graciousness in forgiveness is not only a testament to her strength of character but also a beacon of hope, inspiring readers to strive for compassion and understanding in their own lives.

It is the perfect symphony of character development, world-building, and genuine emotions that elevates this book to new heights of literary excellence. The intricately crafted world springs to life, enveloping readers in a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations. Every character, every emotion, every heartbeat feels authentic and deeply resonant, forging a connection between the reader and the narrative that is nothing short of magical.

Thank you Second Sky and NetGallery for this free ARC in exchange for a honest review

I have to say I just love her writing. It is beautiful and captivating, and I loved how we are kept guessing about everyone.
Zarya is so perfectly flawed. Trying to find who she is and where she comes from while also figuring out who she wants to be is uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time.
I'll never figure out why elders feel the need to lie or hide information from young people. It always ends badly.
I love the friendships that are formed, and I even forgive the inevitable heartbreak.
With a great cast of characters, plenty of snarky banter. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I want to thank Netgalley, Second Sky, and Nisha J. Tuli for the arc. These are my honest thoughts, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First, I would like to thank the author & NetGalley for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest

This book was such a fantastic read, from start to finish.
I didn't want to put it down. The writing style transported me straight into pages, and I didn't want to leave.

The character development, world building, and authenticity of the emotions of the characters were incredible.
It was such an immersive book with lots of description and fight scenes.

This book had everything:
Hidden identity
Forbidden magic
Found family
Romance
Lust
Darkness
Enemies to lovers
Fantasy
Demons
Forgiveness



I need the next part now!!

For years, Zarya has been trapped in a gilded prison. Her magic is forbidden, a dangerous secret—though nobody will explain why. Now she is ready to break free and find the truth.

Wonderful romantasy. Can't wait for the rest of the books.

I was so excited to read this book after seeing it was inspired by Indian and South Asian folklore. I was glad to read something different than the run of the mill fantasy that mainly reads like ACOTAR fanfic, but ended up being sadly disappointed by this read. The world was immaculate, from the description of the clothing, food, and magical beasts but the plot line really brought the story down. The story felt too rushed, oftentimes large events happening in a few short paragraphs.

I tend to not enjoy the first book in a fantasy series as much and am hopeful the second will improve since the world created by the author is so unique and beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

First off, the things I loved:

- I'm Indian, so I loved the worldbuilding and mythology of this book. As an avid fantasy reader I always love to see my culture in this genre.
- The book had good forward momentum - I devoured this in a day because I was eager to know what Row was hiding from Zarya, what her magic was, etc.

What I didn't love/would love to see worked on in future books:
- Zarya is supposed to be almost 21 for most of the book but is written like a teen. We need more fantasy with protagonists in their 20s and 30s, but her inner monologue and thought processes seemed really juvenile and shallow. Her character just felt like it was lacking depth.
- The writing style. It felt like a LOT of tell vs. show. Things were overexplained (or not explained enough). The writing felt more like a first book, and this is not the author's first one.

All in all, I think I would give the sequel a shot, but I do think the writing could be better.

Heart of Night and Fire is a beautiful, riveting book. If you enjoyed Tuli’s writing style in the Artefacts of Ouranos, prepare to fall in love with a whole new set of characters. I love that the story draws strongly on Indian culture as well, intricately weaving its own world that draws in readers of any background. X-rays is a heroine we can all get behind, and I look forward to seeing what new adventures she encounters in the next installment of the series.