Plot: ★
Characters: ★★

I've done it. I finished the series. That was a doozy, and not in a fun way.

The Ugly.
1. The villain of Queen of Shadows and Ruin was blatantly obvious. I mean, I would be genuinely shocked if you did not know who it was before the book even started (based on hints from book 3). I felt like Zarya, Rabin, and all the other characters who could not see who the antagonist was from a mile away were supremely stupid. To get through this book, you kind of have to ignore the fact that it's super obvious, pretend like it's a normal and not stupid thing for the characters not to notice this, and move on. It was hard for me to move on.

2. There are some moments when massive, unfortunate things could be avoided if only the main love interests were okay with their partner having a moment (five minutes tops) of pain. I mean, if the existence of the entire world hinged upon my partner and me escaping the clutches of the villain, but we could escape if I only experienced some significant pain for a short period, I would just take the pain. Seems logical, but again, you must forget logic and pretend that the plot/decisions make sense to get through the book.

3. The ending felt rushed, and multiple plot points were not fleshed out (specifically ones that I think would have made the plot more interesting). It seems like Nisha J. Tuli had a lot of ideas for plot points (some of which were genuinely interesting), but in the last book, she realized that she couldn't touch on all of the plot points without writing another three books. She may have bit off more than she could chew.

4. I'm sure there's more, but I've had enough of complaining.

The Not Bad (But Not Great).

Some of the bedroom scenes were pretty freaky, if that is what you are into.




Thanks, Nisha J. Tuli, Second Sky Publishing, and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book/series to readers who are okay with not thinking too hard and want a romantasy starring a sassy (and imo, immature) heroine and an obsessed (boring) love interest. 2/5 stars.

A satisfying ending to The Nightfire Quartet! I found the first half of the book to be a bit slow. It's obvious to the reader that Abishek was manipulating and sabotaging Zarya and Rabin. So it was frustrating to watch them not figure it out for so long. But once they do, the book really picks up. Nisha Tuli is an excellent writer and she does a great job of balancing world-building, character development, and plot.

Although this is definitely in the fantasy romance genre, I actually think the relationships between the FMC and the other characters was more interesting than the one with the MMC. Zarya and Yas' friendship is so precious. They are the besties everyone would want. And Zarya's complicated history with Row, it was great to read about their growth in this one.

As in the other books, the magic system is interesting and unique. Though I feel like we got to see more of the different types of magic in the others, this one is mostly fire and nightfire. There are a lot of characters (and she reminds you who they are in a nice summary before the book starts- always appreciated!) and they are all pretty well-done. We see less of the side characters, but it was nice to see all of our favorites get wrapped up happy endings as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing a digital ARC of this book.

The conclusion to the Nightfire Quartet was an emotional rollercoaster.

Zarya travelled to meet her father, who seemed happy enough to see her, but I didn't trust it. It seemed pretty obvious to me that he was hiding things.

The second half of the book is where the story picks up - the start was a little slow - but I liked the build up.

In the end, this book tied up the series well. I enjoyed each book, and the series as a whole.

I'm so sad it's over but I loved it so much! This entire series had me hooked, immediately and for the entirety. I just knew I'd be emotional over this book but for good reason!

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

The ending really made me cry a few times.

I loved this ending and I needed the Happy ending I was really scared for a while there.

Overall this series is amazing. I love zarya and Rabin so much 💓

Queen of Shadows and Ruin is an incredible finale that delivers both a thrilling story and unforgettable characters. Nisha’s world-building, especially her description of Andhera, is captivating as always.

Zarya, Rabin, Yasin, and Row continue to shine, each growing in their own way. Zarya embraces her magic, despite the darkness she fears. Rabin’s loyalty to her is unwavering, while Yasin’s sarcastic exterior hides a heart full of love. And the unexpected relationship between Zarya and Row? Absolutely heartwarming. This book is the perfect conclusion to an amazing series!

Per usual, Nisha J Tuli knocked it out of the park with this finale. Zarya's story was a long time coming for me and there was never a point where I felt like she was safe (from the characters in the story OR THE AUTHOR I KNOW YOU'LL SEE THIS NISHA).

Zarya & Rabin's arc was so beautifully complex and emotional, Yasen went through his own ringer, and the plot kept the punches coming. I did love the overall ending and the message through it. I loved seeing Zarya's interactions through her eyes and the mental gymnastics she had to do to gaslight herself into thinking she's crazy (because let's be real, we all do it). A very well done end to a massively epic story!

The day I'm not screaming about this author is the day I'm dead.

Thank you so much, Nisha J Tuli, for the chance to read and review the eARC. It's one of my favourite stories, and I was thrilled to return to the world.

It was an epic finale to an addictive story. It picks up exactly where we left off the previous book and is fast-paced. I was on the edge of my seat with certain actions from the characters and was just waiting for the shoe to drop. There was tension, adventure, and all the things I'd want from a finale. If you haven't picked up this series yet, you definitely should give it a try.

Great conclusion and may have been my favourite of the series!

🐉✨🐉✨

The premise: (Spoilers for previous books)

The book picks up right after book 3 as Zarya heads to Andhera, to finally meet her father, who Rabin believes they can trust. And perhaps his support can help save the subjugated Vanshaj once and for all!

However Zarya starts having visions, both of the Ashvin twins who first set the curse into motion and a far more sinister secret lurking in the castle!

🐉✨🐉✨

I really love how everything came together in this book, and you saw all sub stories get there own conclusions.

The plot was strong, with some good villainous activity, quests for Zarya to complete and some action!

And whilst Zarya and Rabin romantic relationship very much settled last book, there were still some very cute moments in this book between them!

And my boy Yasen! I loved seeing the development with him and Miraan! As well as seeing so much more of Yas’ depth. We adore him and he deserves the world! And he still provided all the humour, although sometimes in far too serious moments 😅

All in all, this was such a fun and unique series for me and I’ve loved seeing it from the moment Nisha announced the first book all the way to the end! Definitely worth reading if you love some romantasy but want a different world to what you are used to!

A new addition to this magical series provides us with another swoonworthy heart stopping adventure that will have you captivated from page 1.

This book started slow but once it picked up it was a decent ending for this series. The spice was decent in this book as well. Overall the series is great and looking for more from thus author.

3.75 stars

A pretty good end to the series. Perhaps a little too fast paced at times but overall great series! Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an ARC!

Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

This was my least favorite book of the series. And I loved the first 3 so much. I loved that they hit totravel to a new place but felt they spent way too long there.

Also I was beyond irritated with them not realizing that Abishek was as horrible as he was made out to be. Kept shouting in my head at these characters for being so stupid.

3.75 - Thank you Net Galley and Nisha J. Tuli for the opportunity to read the ARC for this! Tuli continues to be one of my favorite authors, and probably my favorite romantasy author. Her writing style synthesizes the perfect balance of engaging fun, emotion, and creative magic systems that make for the perfect romantasy/fantasy read. While this is would not be my favorite series by her, it features some of my favorite characters. Found family is one of my favorite tropes in a book, and The Nightfire Quartet, and this conclusion especially, does this extremely well. When I look back at how we started the journey with our main cast of characters and how really look back at their relationships have evolved through its conclusion, it genuinely brings a smile to my face. The exploration of the bonds between Yasen + Zarya, Row + Zarya, and Rabin + Yasen + Vikram was probably my favorite part of the story. That being said, the "main" relationship of this story - Zarya + Rabin - was just not as satisfying as it is in my favorites. For some reason I was never really able to feel deeply invested in their romantic story, while their involvement in the large plot with the Paramadhar bond was engaging for me. Actually, I found nearly all the other romantic relationships in the story more engaging to read. Tuli is also so good at creating compelling twists, villians that you really hate, and other conflicts that the characters must worry about so that with exploration into their characters and the general world building, making their final demise feel so worth it.

I think my main criticisms of this installment may be due to uneven pacing. I wish that the reveal about Asha happened at the end of the previous book because it felt rushed to resolve that element in the last 50% of this after four whole books. Additionally, Rabin saving Zarya at the end was after their sacrifice was pretty unsatisfying for me. Tuli is so good at writing action fantasy scenes and I felt like it was a little quick and just didn't pack enough of a punch.

All that being said I would DEFINITELY recommend picking this up. Nisha J Tuli remains and auto-read author for me, because her stories - The Queen of Shadows and Ruin - are some of the most fun I have while reading while also hitting me in the feels and no one can take it away from me!!!

Let me start off by saying that The Nightfire Quartet is a wonderful series if you want to be submerged into an epic fantasy world full of magic, wonder, and love. It's about a woman who was secluded from everyone and just wanted to part of her world. Little did she know that she was chosen for so much more.

Story: 3.5 ⭐ (Rounded up)
Spice: 3 🌶 (There was a lot more fun added to the pages of this one)

With all that above being said.... This was probably my least favorite book out of the series. I actually though about DNF'ing it a few times because the first 50% was just slow, not what was expected based off the other books. Also, the fact that the POVs just shifted randomly through the chapters. It left you feeling a bit confused.

But, I'm glad that I stuck out the first 50% because all hell breaks loose after that. It was shocking and dramatic and just an all-around amazing ending to this series. I cried and gasped, maybe was confused a few more time but I loved the ending and how it all buttoned up.

I started reading the Nightfire Quartet after reading the first three books of Tuli's Artefacts of Ouranos series. I had to wait for the final book in that series and I just wasn't ready to leave the awesome world Tuli created. I sped through the Nightfire Quartet in much the same way to once again have to wait for the final book in the series. The Queen of Shadows and Ruin has left me both happy and sad - happy to have the final piece of this great series, but sad to have to leave this world. If Tuli writes it, I'll read it!

A beautiful ending I didn't want to happen...
LOVED this entire series. This last book continued Zara's journey, and Nisha wrapped things up with a neat bow at the end.

I love all of Nisha's work, but this book and series stood out almost as a love letter to her Indian culture. The descriptions of the food and clothing really stood out to me. And you know what? It was the first time I thought to myself, "Fantasy, and the Indian culture really do work well together!"

Anyway...
In this installment, Zara faces her biggest challenge yet. Coming to terms with a deception she never wanted to acknowledge. In the end, however, the very action she does not want to take - will be the salvation she desires.

I rated this final book in the Nightfire Quartet series 4.5⭐ rounded up!

I loved the conclusion of Zarya and Rabin's story.
The character development continues.
The relationships are spicy.
The plot twists are ravenous.

Most of all, I absolutely love supporting Nisha as a Canadian Author, and I thank her and NetGalley for this ARC.

I would hands down recommend this series to any Romantasy Lovers!

I truly love everything Nisha J. Tuli writes, and this series is so bingeable and fast paced. The characters are so easy to root for and Nisha crafted them with so much love and detail that they feel like real people. Seeing them fighting for their own bit of happy had me feeling ALLLLL the feelings. I'm so sad to see this series ending, these characters have a place in my heart. The ending felt a little abrupt but maybe that's just because I wasn't ready for it to be over. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!