I really expected to love this series to the moon and back. I therefore didn't hesitate when the second book was on Netgalley to request it, even though I still had to read the first book. Unfortunately the first book wasn't as amazing as I had hoped it would be. Maybe I wasn't the right reader. However, Harpervoyager already granted my request and I wanted to give the second book a chance. Maybe the second book would grab me.

I'm afraid to say it did not. Don't get me wrong. I don't think this is a bad book. The book is well written, the characters are layered, complicated and in a strange way, despite their flaws and sometimes horrible ways of looking at the world, even relatable. The tension and chemistry between them is also really amazing and in a way I'm insanely curious if and how they're gonna get their happily ever after.

However, there are also quite a few aspects I don't like. The plot is one of those. It feels like the plot is dragged out constantly. I'm not entirely sure what the plot is anymore. It feels like the author has tried to come up with a lot of romantic moments for our leads and as many moments making them doubt each other, hate each other and fight each other. There is also a lot of political threatening, but it takes a long while before someone finally acts on it.

I'm also still not entirely sold on the world building. The line between magic and science is incredibly thin in this book and it's hard to keep apart what's what. Even the characters sometimes don't seem to know which is which. I still think there is too much science fiction for it to be really fantasy and too much magic for it to be really science fiction. The world therefore doesn't feel solid or well thought out. It sometimes feels like things are simply there, because the author liked them.

No matter how curious I am about that happily ever after, I think this is the finish for this series for me. I'm clearly not the right reader to love this. That's okay. I'm sure there are many readers who do!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It was such a fun ride.
But why finish with that cliffhanger WHYYYYY????

Holy crap, that was a wild ride!

I loved The Hurricane Wars, but A Monsoon Rising just swept we away. A true enemies-to-lovers, Talasyn and Alaric are toxic and destructive, constantly running towards betrayal despite their growing feelings for each other. The push and pull of their emotions makes for compelling reading.

The manipulation of them by the courts and communities surrounding them was magnificent. I genuinely have no idea who is trustworthy and who is going to stab them in the back. The final scenes of the book utterly shocked me with a cliffhanger I didn't see coming! How long must I wait for book 3?! Too long!

A bittersweet and gripping sequel to the amazing Hurricane Wars, this book continues after Alaric and Talasyn's parting. Both plot (reluctantly) against the other and fight their growing ill-fated attraction.

The prose-like nature of the writing once again drew me in, and I loved the fantastic characterisation and world-building the first time. Guanzon possesses such talent for detail and description, and my goodness, that ending! It came on so quickly and yet not, was shocking and yet not, and had me clicking back and forth on my Kindle, desperate for more.

Concern battled for satisfaction when the slow burn matured into an inferno, and I absolutely cannot wait for more and am immenseley grateful for the chance to read this ARC version.

And don't even get me started on that beautiful cover - the icing on a delicious, moreish cake.

I have to apologize profusely but I did not enjoy this one as much as the first one. I really wish I did. I would honestly still recommend this one to some people cuz I know their tastes.

Absolutely Perfect Sequel to the Hurricane Wars!

I enjoyed this book possibly more than the Hurricane Wars. There are so few Scifi/Fantasy books that are able to mix Scifi and Fantasy well. The author manages to blend these two genre's flawlessly as well as write in a wonderfully accessible way that still manages to convey the Epic feel of the story.

I enjoyed revisiting our Main Characters who continue to be supremely interesting and wonderfully relatable. The pacing worked really well and the prose was perfection. You do need to have read the first one to be able to understand what is going on in this book and I would recommend both of them to anyone who enjoys Epic Fantasy/Scifi with an enemies to Lovers subplot.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am posting them voluntarily.

Wow, what an amazing second book! I’m in love with Thea Guanzon’s writing style. I fell in love with Talasyn and Alaric in The Hurricane wars and it was so amazing to read more of their stories. I felt like I was going through all their trials and tribulations with them! I can’t wait to read what happens next.

I AM SHOOOOOK!! I was fully expecting the ending to end on a cliffhanger, and I thought I knew exactly what the cliffhanger would be, but you’re telling me I have to wait at least a year for the next one?!?!

I’m so happy we get to see Talasyn and Alaric each on their own continents again, but obviously my favorite scenes are them two together. Why are they so swoon worthy but I also want to strangle both of them at the same time! We discover their pasts and their presents as well which I love!! The trust (or lack of), the family (kind of), the friendships and the relationship development is simply chef’s kiss, I need more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review!!

I loved Thea Guanzon’s debut novel The Hurricane Wars and was very excited to see that the next book in the trilogy was coming out. Middle books of trilogies can sometimes be disappointing but this wasn’t the case for A Monsoon Rising. This was a book full of tension and drama with our main characters becoming ever closer while both knowing that they will have to eventually betray the other.
The first book was primarily concerned with world building and political intrigue formed a large part. In this second book, that takes second place to the developing relationship between Tala and Alaric. Their arranged marriage forces them to spend time together with both of them finding this difficult to cope with. We see the conflict that arises purely from the clash of cultures as well as both of them fighting their growing attraction for each other. Added to that is the fact that they have to work together to try and prevent the Moonless Dark from destroying a large part of the world.
I loved how Talasyn and Alaric gradually grew closer as they began to learn more about each other. Alaric begins to see how valuable Talasyn’s brighness and light are and Talasyn sees Alaric at his most vulnerable and realises that that there is more to this destroyer of her homeland. At the heart of their relationship though, is the knowledge that their countries both expect them to betray the other. This knowledge is constantly at the forefront of their minds and colours all of their interactions.
The pace of A Monsoon Rising is quite slow and at times feels as though we aren’t getting any further forward. However, the Moonless Dark is approaching and very slowly, Alaric and Talasyn begin to gain control of their combined magic. When the event finally happens, it’s mind blowing and completely magical In every sense of the word.
This book is very much Talasyn’s and Alaric’s story and the other characters take a back seat. The only two who really play a key role are their respective fathers. The relationship between Talasyn and Elagbi is so lovely and his care for her shines through all of his actions. The scene where Elagbi and Alaric get drunk together is hilarious. To counter this, we see more of the dark relationship between Alaric and his father too. This time, there is no caring or affection but just a demand for Alaric to do exactly as he is expected too and suffer the punishment if he doesn’t.
Thea Guanzon shows again that she is a brilliant writer with gorgeous descriptive passages as well as some very highly charged action scenes. One of these occurs right at the end of the book and results in a cliff hanger that took me completely by surprise. This book contains love, intrigue, betrayal and magic and I can’t wait for the final instalment of this trilogy.
Huge thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

In less than a year Talasyn has gone from orphaned soldier of the hurricane wars with a tenuous grasp on her own magic, to heir of Nenavar and wife of the Night Emperor with thousands counting on her magic to save them. Being married to her greatest enemy is turning out even more complicated than expected. In comparison, fine-tuning her magic to contain the Voidfell seems almost easy. At least until unexpected consequences of over-using her magic begin to appear. Torn between love and hate, war and peace, which of the many twisting paths will Talasyn eventually choose to follow? And, in the end, will the choice even be up to her?
The growing romance between Talasyn and Alaric is central to this book. As their love grows, it also becomes more tangled, caught in the thorns of their secrets and conflicting loyalties. I love how Thea Guanzon shows her reader both sides of this romance, leaving us frustrated at the lack of communication and the constant push and pull between the two characters. In particular, we see more of Alaric’s vulnerabilities and internal conflict in this book. His father is a shadow that hangs over him even as Talaysn’s light begins to show him a different way. As much as the reader hopes that love can conquer all, it is difficult to see how either of them will come out of this unscathed.
Throughout this book clear contrasts are drawn between the different cultures of Nenavar and Kesath: darkness and shadows vs light and colour, austerity vs prosperity, freedom vs restriction, hope vs fear, war vs celebration. However, what I find interesting is the lack of information we get about Sardovian culture. Despite the eventual revival of the Sardovian revenant forming a large part of the narrative, it seems as though the very bones of the book are recognising the loss that they have already faced. Sardovia seems to exist purely as a revolution against the brutality of the Night Empire.
What I find particularly interesting is the multiple references to the shortcomings of the Sardovian’s. It is usually Alaric pointing these out in response to something Talasyn shares about her childhood. Often Talasyn points out the travesties of Alaric’s upbringing in the Empire as her only form of retort. The only thing that can be taken from this is that both kingdoms are wrong and need to be changes. It is clear that both Talasyn and Alaric see this, but their opposing loyalties and pasts mean they each see a different way forward to achieving this change. I will be interested for book three to see if it is truly possible for love to bring them onto the same path and for them to work together to fix both kingdoms.

3 ⭐️

I had a feeling this being a second book in a trilogy would mean it would focus more on the romance side of things. In that aspect, I don't think people will be disappointed. I enjoyed reading them realise the others perspective and accepting the kindness they missed in childhood from each other. The author knows how to write a taking care of injuries scene.

One of my favourite parts of the book was talasyns relationship with her father and seeing how it affected alaric. Elagbi is a great character. The book benefits from the humour he and alarics guard bring.

The intimate moments being followed by "we can't do this" got tedious. There are other ways to have tension. Some of the smut was a little repetitive, I really don't think they need to clang teeth every time they get passionate. And boy, did they get passionate. The scene after the cave was definitely the best of the physical ones.

Plotwise, i feel like we got a little lost here. We spend most of the book with very little happening outside of the romance, and then boom, big plot ends in a way that is a lot easier than the build-up claimed. Then we get a rather good cliffhanger mixed up in a scene that was messy.

But we have absolutely built up the potential for a truly epic conclusion filled with betrayal and hard choices. Now that the romance is formed (I sense an impending "my wife" moment), the rebellion and the coming war should take the forefront now. I'm hoping for a lot of action scenes that are a little easier to follow than in this one.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Review will be posted to goodreads etc after release

This sequel really pushes the story forwards, as well as developing the relationship between Alaric and Talasyn forward, creating an emotional connection between these two enemies as they spend more time together and Talasyn adjusts to having Alaric in her world (and her space) and Alaric adjusts to being there. I'm so drawn to their relationship and the way its unfolding, the secrets they're both holding close and how these are in danger of damaging the fragile truce between the pair. I think I would have liked to see more of the side characters in this, as it's very main character focused, though Talasyn's father does bring a little fun to the page. Primarily, we're seeing Talasyn and Alaric grow as characters, and together, and I can't get enough of it. There's so much I can't say about this book without offering spoilers but I will say I'm not eagerly anticipating the third book in the series and it can't come soon enough!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

A Monsoon Rising is an incredible sequel that builds on the strengths of The Hurricane Wars while delivering a more polished and character-driven story. The writing feels much more natural this time around, with editing that smooths out the pacing and flow.

This book shifts focus from world-building to the romance, and it works beautifully. The relationship between Talasyn and Alaric is front and center, with less exposition and more emotional depth. The tension between them is so well done, and their dynamic feels even more compelling in this installment.

One of my favorite parts was the character development. Both Talasyn and Alaric have so much more nuance, and the story feels more personal because of it. This sequel leans heavily into being character-driven rather than plot-driven, and that choice makes it all the more engaging.

A Monsoon Rising is a fantastic continuation of this series, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

A Monsoon Rising is the thrilling sequel to The Hurricane Wars. There is more action and politics, love and betrayals, yearning and angst than before. If you liked the first book in the series, you have to pick this up!

I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed The Hurricane Wars when I first picked it up. The idea of a Star Wars inspired fantasy world made me nervous, but I actually loved the blend of magic and sci-fi in this series. There are scenes where battleship crash through buildings and fighting floods into palaces that really feel like watching an epic movie. The scale of war between the Kesath empire and the Sardovian Allfold is massive and I can completely see why they are at war. The author discusses the topic of imperialism and colonialism in a very nuanced way. She shows the horrors of war and reveals how the empire justifies their terrible actions to themselves. I can sometimes get bored by reading about politics, but not in this case.

The two main characters, Alaric and Talasyn, are as strong willed as ever in this sequel. Neither can give up their world view or stop fighting for their cause despite their feelings. I think that their enemies to lovers story was quite realistic in the sense that they are pulled towards and apart from each other. There are times when they can’t help but act on their feelings but they also can’t give into them. This isn’t my favourite romance trope, but I think that there’s enough yearning and conflict to please most readers.

Overall, this is a strong sequel and, I think, a better written book than The Hurricane Wars. If you’re a fun of epic battles, magic and political intrigue, you should definitely give this a go.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

“A Monsoon Rising” by Thea Guanzon is a captivating blend of lush world-building and gripping political intrigue. Guanzon weaves a story that feels both expansive and intimate, with complex characters who leap off the page. The prose is beautifully crafted, immersing you in a vivid and dynamic setting that feels alive with history and mystery. A truly enchanting read for anyone who loves fantasy with depth and heart.

A Monsoon Rising is my favorite romantasy of this year. THIS BOOK GAVE ME EMOTIONAL DAMAGE AND ALL THE FEELS!!! So much angst. So much tension. The pining. The Longing. THE DRAGONS?! The forbidden love and lust. The banter. The impending betrayals. Duty against desire The war. EVERYTHING was done SO SO well.

Thea Guanzon has done it again. There’s lush romance, beautiful writing as always, dynamic political intrigue, and aching moments of vulnerability mixed with some delicious banter. This sequel raises the stakes and teases the tenuous marriage of convenience all the while grappling with alliances, betrayals, and a looming cataclysmic threat. Whew.

As always, Talaysn and Alaric’s relationship brims with tension, banter, passion, and tenderness as they navigate their emotional conflicts and desires of the heart. I love all the Philippine mythology and I felt so homesick reading about it all that I wished I could leap inside the pages so I can taste the salty sea air and feel that humid sun once again. Also, I just love Sevraim and Alaric’s humor and banter! Alaric was so funny in this book - his humor contrasting his broody nature was just so entertaining. I love him so much. He also has such a filthy mouth, like DANG DADDY!!!

The spice and sexual tension was just off the charts in this sequel and I am living for it. They want each other so bad but they also really want to kill each other as sworn enemies who are married, and they also lowkey wanna fck each other and also betray each other.
UGH. There’s just so much to love that I can’t form a proper review so please enjoy and hopefully try to make sense of this brain dump in the form of a questionable book review. I’m a mess. I need to recuperate after that cliffhanger.

Things to Love;
-Philippine REP
-Political schemes, betrayals, and shifting alliances
-Dragons!!!!
-A sizzling enemies-to-lovers dynamic yum
-A lush world steeped in Philippine mythology
-SO well-paced with the perfect balance of plot and romance

If you love shadow daddies like Alaric, dragons, and a romance forged in the eye of a storm, this book is a must-read!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was an okay read. More spice then the first book and interesting twist at the end, but not enough character development or political intrigue to really reel me in.

If you’ve been eagerly waiting to dive back into the stormy, Southeast Asian-inspired world of The Hurricane Wars, this sequel does not disappoint! Packed with political intrigue, sizzling enemies-to-lovers tension, and jaw-dropping magic, this book takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through light and shadow, love and betrayal.

Talasyn and Alaric’s marriage of convenience sets the stage for a slow-burn romance that crackles with intensity, even as their loyalties are tested on every front. The dual threats of the Moonless Dark and Alaric’s father’s sinister plans raise the stakes significantly, keeping the tension high. Their connection—the magical merging of light and shadow—is both literal and symbolic, showcasing the complexity of their relationship. I’ll admit, the pacing in the first half felt a bit slow as the scene was carefully set, but once the plot gained momentum, it was impossible to put down.

And that ending—explosive, heart-pounding, and utterly unforgettable! I genuinely gasped. What a plot twist!!

Fans of magical adventures, deeply personal stakes, and enemies-to-lovers romance will find so much to adore in this book. It’s a storm you’ll willingly get swept away in. Bring on the next instalment—I need answers after that finale!

This is how a sequel should be done I absolutely loved A Monsoon Rising so much more, whereas the first book was mainly set around the world building and full of action from the start AMR builds a lot on the character growth of Talasyn and Alaric and honestly I loved every interaction between them while also developing the continued world building and plot.

It is a little slower paced but it worked so well as it helped in not only their own character growth but also to build on their relationship together, I really felt more connected to the characters in this book. The angst, tension and banter is still very much carried over from The Hurricane Wars and I loved how both Talasyn and Alaric are still trying to deny their growing attraction and feelings for each other, there are quite a few more spicy moments in this book as well but it was exceptionally well written and captured the full chemistry between them perfectly.

While there wasn’t as much action as the first book it still delivers some full action scenes but is a more behind the scenes look at the political aspects from both sides. I could feel a betrayal coming but I wasn’t expecting that ending at all!! I can’t wait to see what happens next and will be patiently waiting for the next book.

I had the absolute delight of diving into The Hurricane Wars and its sequel, A Monsoon Rising, ahead of its official release next month (5th December). These reads were the perfect escape amidst my most chaotic PhD days in the lab (and a 17 hour journey to Tokyo!)

I rated the first ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, and the second only got better at ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25. It picks up right where the first book leaves off, but THAT ENDING (😱🤯) — I need the next book ASAP! Thea Guanzon has crafted such a rich, magical world, and my only regret with getting an early copy is knowing I’ll have an even longer wait for the next installment!