DNF - unfortunately, the writing was not for me, and while the world is interesting, I did find certain elements to be a bit cliche, and I just don't think this is the book for me.

Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC of The Hurricane Wars! The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and I could not have been more excited to devour this, and devour I did! Reylo fanfiction turned published work strikes again through Thea's masterful worldbuilding and interesting characters. It is not too often I get to invest myself in a lush Southeast Asian fantasy, and I am simply amazed by how wonderful this book was. Maybe it's not the fantasy people consider "high" and authentic, but it delivered a fascinating story of light and dark.

“Do you make it a habit to compliment everyone who’s trying to kill you?”
“Not everyone.” His eyes flashed with a hint of amusement. “Just you.”

This is a high fantasy book that will definitely keep you on your toes.

I am giving this god-tier book a solid 5 star, I finished this two days ago so that I can process everything because of how amazingly written it is.

Right off the bat, we were plunged into a scene wherein we were able to get a glimpsed of the supporting characters that shaped the story. Just a note that I am so bad with names so I don’t remember all of them BUT the way Thea breathes life to each characters is really astonishing.

Character wise, Talasyn & Alaric were both well rounded and I am OBSESSED with their enemies to lovers nature, yes this book has done enemies-to-lovers JUSTICE. from start ‘til the end they have been trying to unalive each other with a knife on the throat kind of relationship and I am here for it!! The angst is the main reason it took me two weeks to finish this book because every time they have a good banter and touch I just had to put it down or else I’m going to explode with so much giddiness!

The world building is top notch. I think it’s safe to say that the world has inspirations from South East Asian countries with the animals and food that resembles what we see mostly in the Philippines. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the cultural references here in terms of culture, dating, traditions and family dynamics. Also I forgot to mention that there are DRAGONS here like I didn’t even see that coming!! Besides the dragons there are many mythical creatures here with again a reference from native Philippine species.

Thea’s writing style is impeccable. Only a few author can rival the way she twist the words from sentence to sentence and make it into a cohesive paragraph. It was slightly hard to get into it at first but once you do, you will be woven into it so much you’ll have a hard time removing yourself from it. I have such high praise for her writing knowing that english isn’t her first language to begin with. Every time I open this book and start to read I literally feel like I’m watching a movie because of how descriptive the writing is about the characters, their wardrobe, their eyes, the atmosphere and just everything you can think of.

This book made me emotional so many times. I rarely get attached to characters but I easily got attached here to the point that I constantly think of them even when I’m resting and not reading.

Since this is a trilogy, the plot is way toned down here and it will pick up from the end of this book to the succeeding books. Just a warning that this ends on a cliffhanger that will make you want to yearn for the second book!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I want the second book SO badly. I will say that the beginning was a little slow, but then it picked up after a certain point. There was a lot of political play in this book with a lot of tension between the two main characters. I wanted more of them and am looking forward to reading the next book.

I knew I was going to love this one the moment I read the prologue. I really love a enemies to lovers well done and I'm happy that this book did not disappointed because I had high expectations. I really enjoyed the banter between the MC and I was so intrigued by the world the story is set in that I cannot wait for book 2 for more to be reveled. I honestly think that with an exception of chapter 39 the best chapters needed in 6. I really love the writing style and the politics and how there are different places with different cultures but in away their stories are connected. I really loved how invested I was. in the story that I feel that there was so much to learn and I still have a lot of questions.
I know it will take a bit fir book 2 to be released but already feels too long. I was not ready for how this book ended, it feels like my babies cannot take a break.

Thanks to Harper Voyager for the copy of this book.

I honestly had to go back to this book so many times to keep trying to read it. It wasn’t holding my attention. The first third of the book wasn’t totally relevant or necessary for the rest of the book, which focused on the romance. I don’t think I will be continuing this series, but I could see people loving this if they love Star Wars.

I guess I am starting to show my age. I grew up reading the best of fantasy novels. Now, I am overwhelmed by the onslaught of romantasy books and what I am realizing is this new genre just doesn't work for me. I realize I am in the minority here - and that is OK. I need to find some good romantasy books for my patrons, so I will keep reading. BUT really...going from trying to kill each other to being romantically involved in the space of relatively short time??? I know many will love this, I am just not the perfect patron for this book.

I think this is a novel with tremendous potential. At times, the worldbuilding and plot felt a little rushed together and discombobulating, but as a published Reylo fanfiction, it was a fun time. I worry that is not the most accessible to those unfamiliar with Reylo, but it is a fun enemies-to-lovers romp.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

🌀 Hurricane Wars 🌀

OH MY GOSH I LOVE THIS BOOK!

It’s an epic fantasy, enemies to lovers romance with magic, adventure, secrets and excitement. I absolutely loved it.

It is true enemies to lovers - as in they try and kill each other multiple times, yet slowly (so slowly) work towards an alliance from different sides of the Hurricane Wars to explore the phenomenon that happens when their magic clashes.

Talasyn is the fierce warrior I love in a fantasy. Alaric is the dark and brooding lethal weapon of a Prince we all need in a love interest.

The author’s note behind the inspiration for the Hurricane Wars modeled after her family’s history in the Philippines adds delightful context to the war and struggle that shaped the main characters. It’s a beautiful development of the story.

If you love fantasy, don’t sleep on this one!
You’ll find:
🌀 Enemies to lovers romantasy
🌀 Fiesty and powerful FMC
🌀 Dark and brooding MMC
🌀 One bed 😏
🌀 Shadow and light magic
🌀 Setting modeled after Asia Pacific and Filipino culture

Thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this ARC! Hurricane Wars is on shelves now!

The Hurricane Wars is my best friend's favorite book in the world (she owns something like 9 copies now!), and I tried to get into it, but I just couldn't handle the world-building. I might have to make another attempt at some point, but for now it's a DNF.

My only complaint is that I can never go back and read this one for the first time again, The universe is unreal with characters that are either lovable or hateable, but still so memorable! I need more immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

While this didn’t quite live up to expectations, it was still a fun read. Even though I truly couldn’t see Alaric as anything but Adam Driver. I’m not really into Star Wars, and yet I could feel how much it seeped through the pages. I wish it was a bit more… original, because for the most part I couldn’t separate this story from Star Wars.

I was excited for the enemies-to-lovers romance, but this one felt a bit flat to me. I can never fully buy into “well he/she intrigues me!” I also found it unrealistic that they didn’t kill each other purely because of reasons. They weren’t super fleshed out, which again, makes sense in a fanfiction context, since the readers already know them. Even by the end, I don’t think they should have feelings for each other. But regardless, I am still just a girl and was enjoying it.

Another aspect was the overall worldbuilding. I think it’s possible the author switched things around from Star Wars and understood them in that context, but I honestly still am confused on a multitude of terms - I fear that without a SW background, it’s hard to understand. The world is split neatly into Good and Evil, and I wish there was a bit more nuance. However, it was enjoyable when I stopped asking questions and kind of just went with it.

Talasyn and Alaric stan here! I truly adored these characters. The fantasy genre is definitely over-saturated right now, but this story stands out as a gem. My only problem is that the series is not complete right now (cue tears). The political intrigue and strong characters kept me turning the pages. Also, a fun fact is that this was orginally a reylo fanfic!

When I started the Hurricane Wars, I really thought I might dnf. It took about 10 or so chapters for me to really get into the story. However, once it got going, it was such a great time.

This book is full of political intrigue and has some really fun elements to it. If you want a true enemies to lover, this is the book for you! There is a long lost daughter/royalty trope, the characters are fun and hilarious, and the world-building is different from what I’m used to.

I struggled with the pacing in the beginning and it took a long time for me to get invested in the characters, but Alaric and Talasyn’s relationship dynamics throughout the book are amazing. Talasyn is confident, firey, and speaks her mind (sometimes to a fault), while Alaric is stoic and controlled….most of the time.

It’s definitely not a work of art, but I had a lot of fun with it and am looking forward to reading the sequel. I would give this a 3.5 overall rounded up to 4 for Goodreads

Thank you netgalley and Harper Voyager for a digital arc of this book!

I read this when it was on Ao3 and it's still as amazing as I remember. Absolute 10/10. Thank you for the early copy!

I received an e-galley of The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon from Frenzy Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. Enemies to lovers. Two nations at war with magical powers and a conflicted situation in which the entire world is in danger if enemy nations do not work together. There was a lot at play here that kept me immersed in this world.

AHHH I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS FANFIC TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED!!!! Thea is a super sweetheart and I'm so proud to see this succeed.