Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is the third entry in S. Jae-Jones’s Asian-inspired fantasy series about elemental warriors in a world fighting against ancient demons. This story picks up from the previous two and cannot be read as a standalone.. This time the spotlight shifts to Yuli, Guardian of the Wind, while still weaving in the perspectives of Ami, Gaden, Zhara, and Han as the guardians continue their fight against demons and uncover more about the portals threatening their world.

At the heart of this book lies Yuli’s personal journey. She’s faced not only with the burden of her powers—being able to unbind her soul from her body—but also with the responsibility of her family’s legacy and the looming political unrest in her city. On top of that, she must take part in three brutal trials against her former best friend and first love, Kho, to determine the future leader of the Golden Horde. The emotional push-and-pull between Yuli and Kho is the strongest thread in the novel. Their relationship—filled with history, tension, and heartbreak—was compelling, and watching it unravel as secrets came to light made for some of the book’s most engaging moments.

That said, Yuli is also the most sprawling and at times unfocused installment of the series so far. Between the sleeper illness caused by the Moth Demon, the looming civil war, the guardians’ larger mission, and the political trials, there are simply too many moving pieces. With four to five POVs and multiple subplots, the story occasionally feels overstuffed, and the pacing suffers as a result. Some elements, like the sleeper plotline, only truly gain momentum halfway through, while others wrap up so quickly they leave you wishing for more space to breathe.

Despite this, the book remains enjoyable thanks to Jae-Jones’s descriptive prose and talent for character work. The guardians continue to be a highlight—Ami’s encyclopedia project is particularly endearing—and the lore, though dense, is rich and imaginative. And while the narrative juggles a lot, it ultimately pushes Yuli into her full potential and sets the stage for the final installment.

Overall, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli might not be the most tightly focused of the series, but it offers emotional depth, intriguing world building, and memorable character dynamics. Fans who have followed the guardians this far will find much to appreciate here—especially Yuli’s arc—and will no doubt be eager to meet the final guardian in the conclusion to this sweeping saga.

Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for an eArc. All opinions are my own.

Since it’s the third book in the Guarding of Dawn series, the story kicks off very quickly. The previous books should definitely be read as well. If you enjoy reading YA romance and high fantasy; then this one is definitely for you!

This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.