I have been a HUGE fan of Nisha since I read her first book, Trial of the Sun Queen. She writes the most beautiful characters in the most beautiful settings, and the first book in the Nightfire Quartet is no exception!

Inspired by Indian culture and food, you will see a lot of it sprinkled throughout. Though I am not familiar with this culture, I still found the sights and smells described enthralling and so picturesque.

This is definitely a SLOW BURN, so do not expect a whole lot of romance or spice in this first installment, though I fully expect that to change in the next book. It is a young woman busting through her chains and figuring out who she is. Along the way, we have a found family, but found in the best of ways - friends. Her friendship with one of the main characters is probably one of my favorite in fantasy literature so far. PLEASE DON’T KILL HIM, NISHA!! The romance in the first book is also intriguing, but more in line with what you would see in real life. It is beautiful, yet hurts so much at the same time.

The twists and turns throughout the book took my breath away. They were not just at the end either; there were so many within the entire book. Even though this was a sort of slow read, the relationships, characters, and events left me wanting so much more - I cannot WAIT until the next book comes out. If you’re familiar with Nisha’s wiring already, you will know what I mean.

In short, this is an amazing read. I gave it 5 stars, and I cannot wait for book 2!!

DNF at the 33% because certain things about the mc and other aspects were way too corny for me. I'm not sure what the targeted age demographic is, and I know that mc is 20, but i still felt too old for it.

Absolutely beautiful! One of the best books I have read of 2023!!

This book is filled with amazing world building, a driven MFC who won’t stop until she finds herself and her powers, great supporting characters, awesome storyline and continuous twists and turns that keep the readers attention. I love the uniqueness of the story, it really is such a beautiful read.

This was such a good and enjoyable read! Although the beginning felt rushed and a bit chaotic, then everything was perfectly falling into place.

Some people might not like a bit extensive descriptions of clothing etc, however as someone not so knowledgable about the culture, it helped me to set the scene right.

The last 30% of the book went by a storm and the plot twists have been amazing. Cannot wait for book 2.

Enjoyable read. Fast paced and full of action. Extremely easy to read and didn’t feel like I had to force myself to push passed the slower parts. I enjoyed the whole concept of the races and magic. Channelling 5 elements and having a 6th to be mysterious and rare. The world building was unique and refreshing after reading so many fantasy books that are too similar.

Some parts were hard to understand in the sense of hidden points or moments that were forgotten and never mentioned again. Wasn’t a huge fan of the fact she was kept in the dark for 20+ years when she’s in danger of so many things.

The romances had a lot to be desired. I wasn’t a massive fan of Vikram..he gave me red flags so hoping she ends up with her dream lover instead. Although he’s also a red flag currently, especially with the cliffhanger.

Yasen is my fav <3 Literally get platonic soulmates from him and Zarya. I loved their development.

Looking forward to the next book to see how everything progresses after the ending!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli

The world building and Indian culture was really beautiful and immersed me into the story. I also really loved the mix of vampires, demons, and magic wielders they were very interesting to read about. The magic and magic system was very elemental which I enjoyed learning about, it was definitely creative!

Yasen and Zarya’s relationship in this book was really great, I enjoyed their dynamic. I cannot wait to see Zarya’s and Yasen’s character development, both individually and together, in the follow installments in this series.

Overall, I really loved the plot, the world building, and the mythology. I cannot wait to read more about this world and characters!

I would recommend this book if you love found family, magic, and enemies to lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows 20 year old Zarya, a human girl that has been trapped by a magical barrier her whole life. She loves to read and dreams of family, friends, love and freedom. Her captor and magical barrier mysteriously disappears. Zarya escapes to Dharati, a city full of culture, people, (vampire) rakshasa and magic wielders.

The blight is spreading. The city and surrounding areas are being attacked by demons and unnatural disasters. It’s getting worse the more time goes on. Zarya finds that not everything is as it seems. As she fights to help the city and tries to learn about her past and her secret abilities she keeps hidden, relationships are made, casualties increase, and more questions are found than answers.

Are her new friends trustworthy? Is the man in her reoccurring dreams real? Who are her parents? What is causing the blight? Does she have abilities? Should she disappear again?

Cannot wait to find out!

The world building and the beautiful Indian culture infused in this story is a great experience. This is definitely setting a foundation to a great series. I love the mixture of demons, vampires, magic wielders, peril, politics and found family.

Yasen and Zarya’s relationship in this book is a major stand out for me. I also became very invested in Amrita. I also love how the magic is elemental and individually anchored. I cannot wait to see Zarya’s character development in the follow installments in this series.

I need more of Rabin! Where has he been? He can shapeshift? Row is back! I cannot wait to see Zarya train and grow her abilities.

This is the kind of story and world building that stays with you and lives rent free in your mind. Nisha J Tuli is a treasure.

So far I've read three of Nisha J. Tulli's books, Wicked Is the Reaper, To Wake a Kingdom and now Heart of Night and Fire. Out of them the first is still my favourite, but this one isn't that far behind.

It was such an easy story to jump into, I didn't feel confused even for a second. There's no info dumps, we learn everything when Zarya does.

The writing in the past books I've read has been good, but I think it improved even more here, especially the descriptions. I'm partial to the food!!! GIVE ME ALL OF IT NOW!!!!!!

It's also very fast paced, which I like, and I also like that we got enough character development despite the speed.

Yasen is my favourite character, I love his friendship with Zarya, but because of his chemistry with her, I hoped he'd be the other half of the love triangle, not just a friend. We can't get everything we want though.

Zarya is my second favourite character (in her own story, I know), I liked being in her head, even when some of her choices didn't make sense.

Vikram is kinda just there, I don't mind him, and if the love triangle doesn't continue past this book I won't be upset at all. Even though I adore love triangles, but I think the final pairing has been clear since the blurb (enemies to lovers, which she and Vikram are not, unless if we get some twists?).

Rabin is probably my third fav, but that might change in the next books when we get to know him better. He didn't appear much in this one, but he certainly made an impact (we even got a "who did this to you" scene).

One of my friends who also got the arc buddy read this with me (hi Vish <3) and she saw the Rabin twist coming, I really did not.

We both kinda guessed something about Zarya but not fully, I'm still giving us a point though.

I really liked the plot, the world building, the mythology and I can't wait to see where it goes from here, and how much the characters will grow over the course of four books.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

⭐ 3,75 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky for an ARc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

✒️
Zarya has lived in hiding and in secret for as long as she can remember without ever knowing why. Chained to an area of Row's choosing by his magic barrier. Zarya is more than ready to be free of this prison and live.

One day Zarya finally escapes, and ends up in Dharati, and city of magic and wonder; and people! Here she is free to explore and live life, and most importantly find answers about the mysteries surrounding her life and the handsome stranger of her dreams.

Unfortunately freedom isn't a dance on roses, especially when Dharati is under siege and threatened by dark creatures that grow stronger from day to day, threatening Zarya's new existence. Zarya decides to join the fight to protect what she loves.

📖
On paper this book should've been right up my alley and everything I dreamed of; romantasy in a well-written world and with the enemies to lovers trope.

This book is an absolute treasure for world-building and some interesting lore. I absolutely loved the world surrounding Zarya, and the nice descriptions of it. It's well-established and makes for a very nice framework to built a story in. Unfortunately some of the plot and the expectations I had to this ambitious work kind of got lost in all of the worldbuilding that happened.

The plot is very ambitious, and a lot of stuff is established in this first instalment of the series. When it competes with the worldbuilding, it doesn't leave a lot of space to let the plot cook and simmer for the time I felt it needed, which both left me wanting for the pacing and character development. This got better by the last 30% or so of the book, where there was more space for the plot to unfold to it's potential, compared to the first part of the book that really mostly established the world.

While I was left wanting for more connection to the characters and the plot cooking a little bit more, I am excited to see where this goes in the next book.

“She loved nothing more than losing herself in her beloved romance novels, hoping that someday she might find anything resembling that kind of yearning and passion and her eventual happily ever after."

Heart of Night and Fire follows Zarya who was forced to live her life in confinement by Row, her "parent" and his apprentice Aarav. Row keeps Zarya locked in the confines of a house using a magical boundary until one day he doesn't return to the house, the magical boundary has disappeared and Zarya sees it as her only way to escape and be free. Zarya as well as Row and Aarav have been living away from civilization secretly to avoid the blight that has taken over and has caused most people to flee to the north.

This book was so good. I will say that it dragged a bit in the first half. The first half was incredibly heavy on world building, which obviously is normal for the first fantasy book in a series. The beginning of this book was perfect set up for the found family trope. As Zarya escapes, she meets Yasen who at first I was unsure about, but came to love over time. He is sweet, caring, funny and the perfect friend for someone who has never had the pleasure of having friendship. Also, he calls her swamp girl and I think it's hilarious.

Now here is what is crazy for a romantasy book. Our love interest, Rabin, isn't introduced until nearly the end of the story. For the first part of the story I thought it would be someone else. The MOST slow burn romance I have ever encountered. We only get to see a bit of Zarya and Rabin in this book, as action unfolded as soon as they met. And I cannot wait to find out what happens betweeen them, as well as get some answers in the next book.

Overview:
- found family
- magic
- south asian rep/mythology
- hidden secrets
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn

Thank you Nisha J. Tuli, Second Sky and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available September 15th!

When is the next book coming out, lol?! I can't wait to read more about this fantasy world. I wasn't even in the mood for a fantasy book and was over a third through this before I put it down for a break.

Demons. Magic. A coming of age story about a girl who has been hidden her entire life and doesn't know why. Dark magic. Handsome warriors... it's all there. I will say I had to keep thinking, wait, how old is she? Her character read slightly younger than 21, but I can't wait to see how she grows!

I'm excited to see where this series goes! I'm definitely rooting for our new dark male character to get with our female MC! ✨

Thanks to netgalley for an eARC to review.

4.5 stars

"It was long past time to write her own story and stop living inside the pages of borrow reality."

Heart of Night and Fire follows Zarya, a young woman who has been trapped in a cottage by the sea, unable to leave the limits set by her guardian, Row. One day, Zarya is able to escape and make her way to the city of Dharati and enters a world of magic and monsters that she had only seen through the pages of her books. As she establishes herself in the city, Zarya learns about her history and magic, as well as forging relationships that she never thought she would have.

Nisha weaves a beautiful story using South Asian mythology. Her world building is top tier and if I could live within the book I absolutely would. The magic system is so interesting and I can't wait to see how it grows with the story, especially what part the Chiranjivi will play and how Zarya's magic will grow. The found family elements are amazing - Yasen and Amrita are by far my favorite. Rabin, while woven throughout the entire book, is a mystery that I can't wait to learn more about in the next book.

This book was really good and if this series will be anything like the Artifacts of Ouranos series, the next book will be even better! The first half of this book is a little slow and I had a hard time getting into it, therefore my 4-star rating. But the start do create a good foundation for the rest of the book and the phase picks up in the second half of it.

Our girl Zarya is looking for answers and just like her, I wanted to understand why she had been kept hidden all those years. This book is slow burn so do not jump into it expecting a lot of spice. However, the romance is good and I cannot wait to see how Zarya and the love interest relationships will develop!!

I freaking love Yasen!! His relationship with Zarya is absolutely the best. I had mixed feelings toward Vikram and Aarav throughout the story but ended up liking them in the end.

This book is filled with secrets, friendships, mysteries, and magic. You should give it a chance as this is a good start to a new fantasy series! I can not wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed this book! It took me a little bit to get hooked on to the story, but by the time I reached the middle of the book, I couldn't put it down! And that ending makes me so excited for the second book. Definitely for lovers of slow burn, fantasy romance! I especially loved the South Asian mythology and Indian world-building, it's so unique and beautiful to read about. The fantasy portion was spot on, the author is incredibly creative and I can't wait to see where it goes!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is an enchanting journey into a magical world inspired by Indian mythology. The story follows Zarya, a young woman with forbidden magic, as she escapes her gilded cage and embarks on an adventure in the vibrant city of Dharati. Tuli's world-building is vivid and immersive, capturing the essence of Indian culture. The book shines in its portrayal of relationships, particularly a heartwarming friendship, and a promising romance that blooms amidst secrets. While character development could be deeper, the fast-paced action and unexpected plot twists keep readers engaged. As the first installment of The Nightfire Quartet, the novel sets the stage for a promising series, leaving readers eager for more of this magical world.

Wow! This book was incredible, I am lost for words!! I had so much fun reading this and I feel so connected to all the characters I can’t wait to see where their stories go in the rest of the series.

I love that this book offers something new to the fantasy genre, I really enjoyed reading about Indian mythology which I hope to learn more about this in the next books. I also love the POC representation here, I feel so many popular fantasy book are very whitewashed so this book makes a great addition to the shelves.

This book also has some of my favourite tropes of all time: found family, slow burn romance, enemies to lovers (that I’m hoping will pick up in the second book). These tropes are universally loved so the romantasy girlies will be eating this up !!

The pace is slow at the start as it is mainly focused on world building (which is done so well so I’m not complaining!) but the pace really picks up towards the end and I was so gripped. The second half of the book is action packed and full of twists and turns, I couldn’t put the book down! I loved all the hidden secrets and I didn’t see the plot twists coming at all!

This is the perfect read for all the romantasy lovers and I really hope it gets all the love and attention it deserves!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first of Tuli's books I've read and I found myself happily immersed in the vibrant world she created. I really enjoyed the South Asian representation and mythology that I haven't found a lot of in the fantasy romance genre. I could feel the atmosphere, picture the delectable foods- this kind of world building was truly incredible.
The amount of world building needed to set the scene for the mythology and integration of elemental magic made the pacing of the first half of the book a bit slow, but not grudgingly so. This also, for me, led to a more two dimensional character development where I couldn't really connect fully with any of the characters. It felt a bit like one big set up for the following books where we hope to see Zarya and the supporting characters more fleshed out.
The second half of the book moved very quickly and Tuli's writing really brought me into the action as I felt the tension and growing questions over what was going to happen next and why was it happening. The question of if and what powers Zarya had was also constant as we watch her fight for her place in this new world. My only hang up with Zarya at first had been her being presented as this strong and feisty FMC who proceeded to be saved at every turn by a male character. However, the more I thought about that, she had been left alone and somewhat neglected by the males in her life up until this point and could only truly rely on herself. Now she is learning to trust in herself and the found family she has come to make for herself.. These men who have had to save her are persons she can finally count on.. It made for an exciting rollercoaster of a read that as expected left us on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed The magic and the world Tuli created. I cannot wait for book two to see more of Zarya’s budding romance develop, her coming into her magic and to get to know our supporting family even more. This was an exciting read and perfect for anyone who enjoys the Fantasy Romance genre or someone looking to dip their toes into it!

"For every brown girl who wanted to be the chosen one too.”

That dedication had me just abut in tears. Much like many little girls don't have a Disney Princess they can see themselves in, neither do POC in fantasy.

Zarya has grown up only knowing the area immediately around the swamp. With only her protector/father figure and his apprentice for company, she's stifled and rebellious and wants to be free to explore. Oh and she sucks up romance books like they are going out of fashion! When she finally gets her chance to escape she takes it. This leads her into the arms of Vikram, Commander of a specialist garrison of warriors. With Yasen, they become her friends and protectors. She soon adds others to her retinue of friends but will Aarav ever be one of them?

With the Queen or Rani's Vasvi in decline, her daughter in being primes to take over. But she reminds Zarya so much of herself, trapped in a cage not of her making - her fate decided by others, that she can't help taking the Princess under her wing too.

I love learning about mythology from around the world, the differences and the astonishing similarities. In Dharati we find the Chiranjevi, Apsaras, Rakshasas and the immortal Aazheri all living together, not always harmoniously. The rich history between these peoples and the other realms of the world is colourful, electric and well-crafted. There are hints of things that every PNR lover will recognise - vampires, shifters, magic wielders, etc. Google became my friend as I consistently googled for pronunciations and cliff notes of South Asian mythology.

The first half of the book was a wee bit slower but there was a lot of world and character building to get through. The 2nd half certainly had more action and the pace picked up and I read this in one fell swoop as I just could not put this down.

I love a found family and the bonds between the characters were great. I especially loved Zarya and Yasen together. They were like fighting siblings almost from the get-go. My best insult between them was " You are growing on me like a fungus". There is a great exploration of culture, cross culturalism and representation of LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

There are plenty of twists and turns, love, passion, betrayal, heartbreak and friendship. I'm super invested in reading the other books in series.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The world and story are very interesting and it is refreshing to read about Indian and South Asian mythology.
While I had a lot of fun reading this book, I had hoped for a bit more when it came to the relationship and first meeting of Zarya and Rabin at the end of the book after such a strong build up.

I went into this book with no idea what to expect, and wow was my mind blown! The world was so cool, I wanted to know more about it at every turn. A few times I felt it was a tad description heavy, but not enough to pull me from the story. Zarya was fun to follow, she was written as a bit naive, but I think it was purposefully done to go along with her backstory. I wanted to scream at her sometimes, but her choices made very fun and interesting events occur. The magic was incredible and the creatures were equal parts creepy and cool. Absolutely recommend and can’t wait for the next one!