I was immediately pulled into the narrative, and I enjoyed the way the mythological and historical inspirations are so clear throughout the story.

The main character has alot of unanswered questions as the story starts, and is feeling a typical teenage angst about the whole thing. As her adventure begins, you see her start to blossom as a character in her own right, complete with some impressive combat and weaponry skills.

Things get complicated fast, and the characters evolve pretty quickly to keep up. There's definitely a touch of plot convenience in the burgeoning romance that begins, but the characters are likable enough that it's something you can overlook. The main character seems a little distracted by hormones given everything that's going on as the world is crumbling around them, which gives some moments a weird vibe, and the hint of a love triangle feels like it comes out of nowhere and then is resolved by another plot convenience of the "surprise, I'm gay" variety.

The world-building is impressive, and everything from the creatures to the magic feels immersive. There are a few jarring moments where sexuality seems really forced into the narrative, though, like when characters are walking through a yard full of magical creatures and take a moment to share a giggle over two who are "f-ing each other furiously." Uh ... ok? The disjointed sexuality continues in a scene where a character gets off while also worrying that she might have just revealed her location to an extremely dangerous person.

The book ends by answering some looming questions, but without resolving anything. It feels unfinished.

Great world building and I loved the characters, but I wanted them to be deeper. I also thought the book was predictable. A pronunciation guide would be helpful. All this being said, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

ARC Review: Thank you Nisha J. Tuli and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

When Nisha J. Tuli announced the first book in her new romantic fantasy series, Heart of Night and Fire, I wanted to read is ASAP! I loved the Trial of the Sun Queen and the Rule of the Aurora King, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on her next book.

Heart of Night and Fire follows Zarya, a woman who longs to experience life outside of the gilded cage she’s been placed in by the man who raised her. When the chance to escape with two handsome strangers presents itself, she runs and never looks back. In the beautiful city of Dharati, Zarya begins to piece together the puzzle of her past while growing closer to the mysterious stranger who haunts her dreams. Through glittering parties, epic fight scenes, and elemental magic, Zarya begins to unravel the secrets her guardian has been keeping from her. When life as they know it is threatened in Dharati, Zarya has to choose between her own safety or revealing her deepest secret to save those she’s come to love.

I really liked this book! Nisha J. Tuli has a style of writing that makes you feel as if you’re eating the food and wearing the clothing she describes. I also loved Zarya, a strong female lead who doesn’t push others away, but allows her relationships to make her stronger. I laughed out loud at some of Zarya’s inner thoughts and audibly gasped at major revelations. I absolutely plan on reading the next book in the series.

If you’re a romantic fantasy reader, please plan on picking up this book. While your at it, get the Trial of the Sun Queen and Rule of the Aurora King. You won’t be disappointed!

This book was enjoyable. However, it does have its problems.

I felt that this book was trying to do too many things at once. The magic system and world-building felt chaotic at times and non-existent at other times. I felt like I didn't understand the characters' motivations and I wished that there had been more development around them rather than leaning on tropes.

All that said, I did enjoy the book. It was fun, fasted paced and I will continue reading this series. I really enjoyed the Indian-inspired world that was created and I enjoyed hearing about the food, clothes, and scenery.

Heart of Night and Fire starts with our main character Zenya being a prisoner in a cottage by the ocean. Shes been there her entire life and her captor claims it's for her protection. After he goes missing, she sets out to see what life outside her cabin is like and discovers some secrets along the way.

While I didn't love this story, I did enjoy parts of it. I liked the magic system and creatures. Zenya at times seemed kind of whinny but I did appreciate how she didn't let anyone push her around. I had a hard time getting through probably 70% of the book. It wasn't bad I just didn't really feel attached to the characters. The last 30% was exciting and I'm interested in seeing what happens next!

Huge thank you to NetGalley for my ARC copy!

Nisha was able to captivate her audience from the very beginning. I was immediately drawn into the story and the struggles/mysteries surrounding Zarya.

After 20 years trapped behind a wall of magic, everything changes in a blink of an eye. Her guardian, Row vanishes one night, without a trace, leaving behind everything, Zarya wants to find him but also wants to be free. You can feel the guilt she is having over the situation. Fueled by her emotions, you’ll see the world through her eyes and watch as she starts to grow up and realize the dangers of the world.

Zarya longs for an adventure, for freedom, love and now the answers behind why Row (her guardian and capture) hid her away from the world.

Heart of Night and Fire is a well written and intriguing story. I enjoyed her ability to pull together different mythological tales and themes. Overall, this book is absolutely beautiful and it’s a roller coaster of emotions.

This. Book. What a start to the Nightfire Quartet.

Zarya has been isolated on the outskirts of Dharati for as long as she can remember, kept there by her guardian Row. Zarya spends her days within the swamp learning how to protect herself, destroying dark creatures, and practicing her forbidden magic. One morning she finds herself alone, Row has not returned, and his magic keeping her at the cottage has been broken. Zarya makes her escape, rescues two of the Queen’s soldiers, and ends up in the beautiful and intriguing city of Dharati. The city is under siege each night - the dark creatures are growing stronger with each attack. Zarya joins the fight to protect her new city and friends. As she continues to look for clues to her past, her dreams begin to shift and Zarya finds herself in the midst of a mysterious, handsome stranger. This stranger who seems to understand everything about her and her magic. Will Zarya reveal her magic to save a city that she loves? Or will her power destroy her?

I loved this book. The world building is fantastic and the characters are interesting. This book is full of magic, adventure, found family, and a little romance which I think will end up being an amazing slow burn. I thoroughly enjoyed the Indian elements, food, and culture that the author included in the book. It added such beauty, color, and fun. Zarya’s character is wonderful - she is strong, smart, forgiving, and fiercely loyal to people that she loves.

If you enjoy an action packed, quick paced, magical fantasy, then this book is for you! It won’t let you down. I truly cannot wait for the second book in this series. It will be a must-read for me as soon as it’s released. Nisha J Tuli has a new fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: September 15, 2023.

A review will be posted to by instagram @bookmarkedbykelsey as well as Goodreads.

"Heart of Night and Fire" is the first volume of "The Nightfire Quartet," a fantasy romance series written by Nisha J. Tuli and currently in progress.

The story follows 20-year-old Zarya, locked up in a gilded prison. For as long as she can remember, Zarya has grown up in a pretty cottage by the sea, hidden away and separated from the rest of the world. A magical barrier, set up around the area, prevents her from straying too far, causing her to suffer and eventually faint if she reaches the edge. Her magic is forbidden, a dangerous secret that must remain hidden. The outside world is a danger to her, so she must remain safe within the boundaries. Speeches that have been repeated to her year after year, by the magician who took her in when she was a baby, without any additional explanation. Without any motivation at all. She spent twenty years almost exclusively in the company of Row, her guardian, and Aarav, Row's apprentice, training to fight, slaying demons in the surroundings and reading books. Until one day, after Row's mysterious disappearance, the barrier falls and Zarya suddenly finds herself free. After a chaotic escape and some unexpected events, including the rescue of two soldiers, Zarya arrives in the wonderful city of Dharati and discovers a new world full of enchantment and intrigue. Intent on getting answers about the mysteries of her life and Row, she begins to search for answers with the help of new acquaintances. However, the city is under siege. Every night, dark creatures attack brutally, growing stronger and stronger. To protect her new home and her new connections, Zarya joins the fight. As the battles on the walls and the hunt for clues to her past and her gifts continue, Zarya's dreams are haunted by a mysterious and beautiful stranger who can actually see her and ignite a desire she struggles to resist. Growing darkness and shocking discoveries will lead to unexpected developments and crucial choices.

Compelling, addictive and very enjoyable read. I didn't find it particularly original, some elements didn't convince me, but overall I enjoyed it a lot.

The writing is an element that I appreciated so much! I found it evocative, suggestive and enchanting, with vivid and efficient descriptions. The fast pace, accompanied by the presence of short chapters, in my opinion make it an extremely smooth book.

The world building is another element that I loved! The story is inspired by Indian and more generally South Asian mythology, with some really fascinating components. In particular, the tale is set in the vast continent of Rahajhan, more specifically in the realm of Daragaab. A place originally beautiful and lush, now struggling with a malevolent blight that transforms the lands into dark swamps dominated by demons of various kinds. I loved the descriptions of the various environments, which I found incisive, so much so that I was able to imagine them clearly. The political, economic and cultural structure, with the presence of a sort of caste system, intrigued me quite a bit. General information is also given about the other Rahajhan realms, though without exaggeration. Overall, in my opinion, the author provides just the right amount of information to create a solid foundation, avoiding going into details. The magic, based on the five elements (plus a sixth), convinced me. I really liked the combat scenes. My only "criticism" is the presence of many specific terms, without explanation, with which I admit I am unfamiliar and which therefore left me confused. In that sense, I would have liked the inclusion of a glossary. Observation aside, it remains an excellent setting.

I liked the plot, I found it interesting, but some of the choices did not excite me. I don't know, certain events seemed rather forced and convenient, with plot holes, just to move the story in a certain direction. I enjoyed the first, more introductory part, as well as the middle part, but the last part seemed a bit rushed. A few passages, in my opinion important, take place too quickly and would have needed more attention. The narration did not strike me as original, I spotted the various plot twists early on, but it was still enjoyable in the end.

I loved Zarya, the protagonist and only pov in third person! She is a 20-year-old girl who grew up a prisoner in a cottage by the sea, restrained by a magical barrier set up around the property. Isolated and hidden from the rest of the world, for twenty years her only stable contacts were Row, the wizard who created barrier and her guardian, and Aarav, Row's assistant. An arrangement, according to Row, necessary to protect her from the dangers of the outside world and to keep her special and forbidden magic hidden. No one ever explained anything more to her. No one ever provided her with any why. She spent years locked away, training to fight, slaying demons in the surroundings and reading the books Row brought home to her from his travels. Until one day the barrier suddenly collapses and she is finally free. Zarya is a determined, ironic girl with great willpower who has never allowed her situation to bend her. Imaginative, optimistic, she tries to see the bright side and takes refuge in reading and imagination to combat the loneliness and boredom of her imprisonment. She is a restless person, longing for freedom, companionship, friendships and love. She wants to travel the world, wants to see new places and wants to discover secrets about herself. Zarya is naïve and gullible at times, inclined to trust others as a consequence of her reclusion and limited contacts. This is a character I liked, full of fragility and suffering, with a pleasant development. I found her consistent even in the inconsistency of certain decisions and thoughts, given the particular condition from which she comes. Her turbulent, conflicted, and contradictory relationship with Aaravand especially Row, who has been almost a father to her in spite of everything, gripped me quite a bit.

The rest of the secondary characters, in general, I liked. Some more and some less. I admit that I did not perceive them as particularly in-depth, however, they still convinced me. They have their own definite personalities, they are loaded with potential, and they tantalized me quite a bit. In particular I have a very strong soft spot for Yasen and Rabin, who I hope will have more space in the future!

The romance, at least so far, has not told me much. According to the premise it is an enemies to lovers, but at the moment there is no trace of it. Or rather, I sensed it in the air and it will probably develop in following books, but in fact it is nonexistent or almost at present. That said, there is still romance yes, without spicy, but it left me indifferent. Not because it is bad or poorly developed, in fact in my opinion it fits given Zarya's story, it just doesn't tickle my personal taste. However, I trust the following titles!

All in all, this is a promising, compelling and enjoyable start to the series, which I would recommend to lovers of the genre!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Heart of Night and Fire is the first book in the Nightfire Quartet inspired by Indian Mythology. It is a thrilling, action packed book with an enemies to lovers romance. It's a wonderful start to the series and sets up the future books exceptionally well. I am very excited to read the second book when it is released!

After being trapped by her guardian for 20 years, Zaraya wakes one day to find that the magical wards that prevented her from leaving are gone so she escapes to the city of Dharati.

Nisha J. Tuli has a beautiful way with words that completly sucks you into the story. The descriptions are so vivid and leave you with a clear image in your mind of the world and the characters. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the clothing!

Fans of Carissa Broadbent are bound to absolutely devour this brand new series!

This feels like a good book for someone who reads romance and wants to dip their toe into fantasy. I personally stopped after chapter 1, but I can see it being an easy 3-4 stars for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC.

3.5 ⭐️

This is my first book by this author and for the first book in a quartet it was ok. By the end of the book, it did pull me in and I am interested in continuing this series and checking out others by this author.

The first 2/3rds of the book I had a really hard time connecting with the characters and the world. It seemed we moved from scene to scene to scene very quickly with not much explanation of why. With this being the first book of four I was left wishing there was more time spent in the beginning setting up this world. Exploring Zarya's complicated relationship with what she considers captors. Then subsequently the kingdom and situation she lands herself in.

In the first half of the book I found the main characters Zarya and Vikram a bit shallow and I couldn't connect with them. However I did really enjoy Yasen a lot and Aarv really grew on me as well. These were strong characters. At first I was kind of meh regarding Rabin however that point of view did a 360 in the last chapters and I need much more of Rabin and Zarya. That dynamic and interaction was perfect. Perfect level of angst and surprise.

I think this series has a ton of potential and I do look forward to the next book as this first book did get much better at the end. I also really appreciated the acknowledgement of the different classes of people in this story. The magic system regarding the queen specifically was super unique and fascinating as well.

Fans of found family, City of Brass series, and elemental magic I think would really enjoy this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Second Sky for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.

I absolutely adored the fresh premise of this book. I flew through the chapters, mesmerized by the south asian and middle eastern inspired world and characters. It was refreshing to read a romantasy where for once the heroine wasn’t someone with fiery red hair or like golden hair, you know? I cannot wait for the sequel, the cliffhanger was set up so well!

I need the next book asap!! This was really really good. Nisha J. Tuli, you have convinced me to read all of your other books. The writing was amazing.

In this book we follow Zarya. She has been trapped in a cabin all her life, forbidden and unable to leave. Until one day, when she’s able to flee. Who can she trust? Where should she go? Why was she really kept in that cabin?

This was a book full of great magic and great world building. The characters were all well developed. (Taken my fav❤️) The found family was amazing and there was some good smudges of romance as well, but if you came here for enemies to lovers that is not something that you will find. Not yet, at least. I believe this will turn out to be an amazing slowburn (I do love me a slowburn). There was also good representation. While the main couple is MF there is a gay side character.

It’s a great opening to a new beautiful fantasy series and I will be keeping my eyes out for the sequel!!


This review is also posted on Goodreads and will be posted on Amazon when the book releases.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5⭐
Wow, such beautiful world building and I loved all of the Indian mythology woven into it. I was so drawn in that I felt like I was in the city of Dharati. The magic and mystery surrounding Zarya aka Zee was different from anything I read. Some natural elements are similar but many were different. I just don't want to give anything away.

I loved Zee's spirit and how she didn't let her circumstances dictate her future. She was sheltered and kept a secret for twenty years without any explanation. She was strong, smart, and determined despite not knowing much about the world around her. When demons attacked the city she was willing to help anyone in need regardless if it put herself in danger.

She wanted so badly to be loved and have a family that my heart ached for her. Eventually she found that she had all those things in the most unorthodox of ways. I really loved her friendship with Yasen. They were just two lost souls that been caged for too long. They were so good for each other and I loved their banter. I'm not sure if I loved or hated Row, the man that raised her, but I think I understand him. He did the best he could under the circumstances. Honestly, there's so many interesting characters with amazing magical powers that I could go on and in about.

Now Rabin is a different story all together. He's so hot, dark, mysterious, broody and sexy. I just wanted to see more of her and Rabin, if only he could get over himself. Why do men have to be so frustrating? I'm hoping he can realize this in the second book. There's going to be a second book, right???

Honestly, there wasn't as much steaminess as the book's blurb suggested. It was extremely mild in comparison to other books by the author but I still enjoyed it. It was a great change of pace in reading. I'll definitely be reading the next one in the series.

I received a free digital copy from NetGalley while my opinions are my own.

A lot of this book can unfortunately be boiled down to "It was OK." Not bad, but certainly not memorable, either, and at most, somewhat enjoyable. "Romantasy," novels are hit-or-miss for me--for various reasons--and I'm not sure this is a book I'd want to continue. On the positive side, what really shone with the novel was the Indian-inspired world, which felt rich, vibrant, and endlessly interesting. My biggest gripe was that the protagonist, Zarya, lacked agency. Moreover, she felt very young, and for me, that doesn't work in a fantasy-romance setting that's Adult, not YA. If this were YA, I'd let this critique slide. Ultimately, I felt this SHOULD have been YA, as there wasn't anything that felt thematically Adult, either. It felt very fast-paced, which, while engaging, meant it lacked proper development with certain (spoilery) plot points and relationships.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (my first!) for this book, and it was every bit as amazing as I thought it would be!

This story had me from the first sentence, and Nisha's world building is astounding. I could see the colors and more often than not was hungry when I finally managed to put my book down (I am going to have to investigate Indian food now). Zarya and her friends did not disappoint either! No spoilers, but you'll need a fan for the heat!

I can't wait for book 2!

Thanks to Netgalley and Second Sky for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Solid, solid start to The Nightfire Quartet.
Most everything we love in a good fantasy is here. A heroine, hidden away for twenty-one years (but taught to fight and have some bad-assery), breaks free, discovers her magic, initial love interest (meh), hotter love interest (yeah!), funny and interesting secondary characters, cool monsters, darkness, stars, and a dragon. What’s not to love?
Some folks found Zarya to be a bit naive and annoying. I didn’t. She wasn’t gloomy and whiny, and I took the fact that she’d been basically a prisoner, locked away for 21 years, as a good enough reason for her to be a bit unschooled in the ways of the world. I did find it odd, though, when she mentions having had “fumbling relations with some boy behind a barn.” I couldn’t quite understand that reference, her having been locked up and basically chaperoned every second. That didn’t really make much sense to me. But hey, I went with it. Most of her views of the world are built upon everything she’s learned in trashy novels, so I guess I could relate.
The first half of the book drags a bit, and there is a lot of terminology taken from Indian and South Asian mythology, dress, and food - a glossary in the final book would probably be helpful. And it takes waaaay too long for the hotter love interest to show, but all in all a solid start.
Very little, to no 🌶 . Some kissing, fantasizing, and self-love….but that is bound to change.
As always, I hope the follow-up doesn’t disappoint. If it doesn’t, this could be a keeper.
Best line, “I’m on my way…don’t move.” Tee hee. Loved it.
For fantasy lovers - recommend.

Wow! Nisha Tuli can write, friends. This had absolutely everything I didn’t even know I needed in a fantasy romance. Zarya has finally escaped from her cage and is out to experience the world with a vengeance. I love her anger and excitement, her skill with a sword but also complete naïveté in conversation. She lives in this constant state of duality and embodies the paradox so beautifully that everyone can’t help but be drawn to her.

I love watching how she navigates friendships for the first time as a twenty year old just as much as experiencing her lush, slow burn evenings in the clearing with Rabin.

Now for the wait until book two…

Heart of Night and Fire is the first book in The Nightfire Quartet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

In a world where danger is rife and lands are ravaged by the blight, Zarya has remained hidden and isolated from the outside world most of her life. She’s told it’s for her protection but is never told why.

Being raised by her stoic guardian and his menacing apprentice, she’s been warned to keep her magic secret and taught to fight. In her loneliness, Zarya finds solace in romance novels and dreams of finding that kind of passion and adventure in real life.

Her restlessness for freedom and desperation for answers leads her to the sprawling city of Dharati. Along the way, she befriends two dashing rakshasas who open her life to new possibilities.

As Zarya continues searching for answers about her family and magic, she begins to dream and feels drawn to a mysterious stranger. Is he real or just a figment of her vivid imagination?

With the darkness growing and threatening to overtake the land, Zarya decides to help protect her new city. In her quest for freedom, Zarya ends up on an adventure of a lifetime.

Themes/tropes:
- Fierce FMC
- Action-packed
- Found family
- Banter
- Magic
- One horse
- Hidden identities
- Slow burn
🌶️: 1/5

I got swept away in this rich, vibrant world inspired by Indian mythology. The story is action-packed and the romance, while subtle, is promising 😉

"I can see how beautiful and brave and kind and clever you are and that you deserve untold amounts of love"

Although Zarya is sheltered and naive in the ways of the world, she loves fiercely and learns the hard way not to trust so easily. I loved the character development for Zarya and her new friends.

Zarya’s journey is only just beginning and I can’t wait to continue it with her!

Publication date: September 15, 2023

Book 1 is currently available for preorder and will also be on Kindle Unlimited on pub day

**I received a free e-ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you to Nisha J. Tuli, NetGalley, and Second Sky for the opportunity to read this brilliant novel in advance!**

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really loved this journey, and the world that Ms. Tuli crafted for us. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.