Rating - 3.5 stars

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a wild ride into a fresh fantasy realm inspired by South Asian mythology. Big thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!

The story takes us right into a world teeming with rakshasas, vetalas, dakinis, and more. Zarya, our protagonist, breaks free from a life where her magic is forbidden and she grew up hidden from everyone. In a twist of fate, she finds herself in the bustling capital, Dharati, uncovering the mysteries of magic amidst a demon onslaught that's straight out of stories. It was action-packed with cool magic and creatures in the mix. The characters are well-written with strong backstories.

As for the enemies-to-lovers hype – the marketing oversold it. The chemistry needed a bit more spark. This story leans heavier on fantasy than romantasy, contrary to the pitch. Not bad, but the marketing missed the mark. The final stretch amps up the action, leaving me hungry for more of Zarya's magic and crossing my fingers for an electric romance with Rabin.

This was an exciting book! It took me a bit to get into but I’m excited for the next one! A great romantasy with the perfect amount of tension and spice. Loved it!!

Nisha J. Tuli, one of my favorite authors, has once again woven a tapestry of enchantment and intrigue in Heart of Night and Fire- book one in the Nightfire Quartet. This epic fantasy romance is a breathtaking beginning to a series that promises to captivate readers with its enemies-to-lovers tension, heart-pounding action, and devastating twists.

Heart of Night and Fire is a beautiful and captivating start to what promises to be an epic fantasy romance series. With its rich world-building, engaging characters, and a narrative that seamlessly blends magic, mystery, and passion, Tuli has crafted a novel that will linger in the hearts of readers long after they turn the final page. Prepare to be enchanted and transported into a glittering new world that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

This book was a delightful surprise! I love it when I'm not quite sure how a book is going to turn out. It felt like this book was setting up a really exciting story and I can't wait to see where it goes, and for the romance to unfold. I appreciate a good slow burn!

Magical and enthralling from the first to last page! An epic fantasy adventure begins - a complex world of magic, politics, secrets, and action that our heroine could never have imagined. Richly developed characters and reality, a true delight.

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

I wanted to like this but struggled to get into the world. The pacing was off and the world building was challenging. I love diverse fantasy and romtanasy but this just wasn't for me.

"Heart of Night and Fire" by Nisha J. Tuli is a captivating tale of magic and desire. Zarya, a heroine in a golden jail, has her power outlawed and unknown. The story begins slowly, creating suspense to draw readers into a magical world of enemies-turned-lovers, heart-pounding action, and surprising turns.

The tale takes us to a realm of magic and intrigue in Dharati, a beautiful city. Zarya seeks truth, meeting enticing rakshasas and Aazheri sorcerers. Dark monsters are constantly attacking the city, increasing stronger since Zarya's arrival. She grudgingly fights for her new home.

Zarya dreams about a mystery man while she fights on the city walls and explores old libraries. Rabin, strong and attractive, sees her secrets and captivates her. Trust complicates the story.

The work seamlessly blends Indian mythology into its sparkling universe, producing an immersive experience for readers. Slow-burning romance adds dimension, while Dharati's oncoming darkness raises the stakes. Zarya must decide whether to expose her power to rescue the city or risk losing all she loves, which the author does well.

"Heart of Night and Fire" is a captivating fantasy-romance novel. Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Carissa Broadbent fans will love this epic story. Tuli's prose and fully created universe make The Nightfire Quartet's start fascinating.

This book is would give a solid 3.5 stars. The pacing was both slow and too fast and certain parts. Also the information dump of characters made it hard to connect with them and their magical abilities.
Too much of the wording was contrite. Like the characters would say something but the meaning wouldn't be in the words the said. I don't know how to explain, but I wish the speaking parts has more of the descriptive words.
Of all the characters I liked Yasen the most.

I just reviewed Heart of Night and Fire (The Nightfire Quartet Book 1) by Nisha J. Tuli. #HeartofNightandFire #NetGalley

I found this interesting enough to want to read the next one. I thought the plot and characters were well done and I read it pretty quickly. Hopefully don’t have to wait too long on the next one.

The Author takes you on a thrilling journey through a world of magic and secrets. The main character, Zarya, breaks free from a golden cage and discovers a fascinating world of magic and puzzles in the cool city of Dharati.

The story, starting with a bit of tension, evolves into a truly captivating fantasy romance with action and surprising twists. The idea of the "Found Family" is really wonderful and adds an extra layer of charm to the book. Of course, it has a few flaws here and there, but overall, I really enjoyed "Heart of Night and Fire."

It's perfect for laid-back reading, especially if you're a fan of authors like Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Carissa Broadbent.

Thanks for NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me the ARC.

Unfortunately I can't say I really liked this book. I thought it was often difficult to follow the story because there were a lot of cultural names in it for items, which weren't explained. This made it hard to understand what they were actually talking about.

Also the ending felt a bit rushed for me. Like the info you were waiting for the whole book just got spilled in like a few pages and than that's just it.

However, I did like the character and relationship development between Zarya and Yasen.

The pacing in this book was off for me. It felt like nothing was happening. I couldn't get into it and DNF'd at 40%.

Give me forbidden magic any day and I will eat it right up. This book was captivating and I had a hard time putting it down! Loved this read.

I overall really enjoyed this! I didn't seem to build a deep connection with any of the characters, but they were still pleasant to read about. The world building was spectacular. The creatures and people we meet are phenomenal.

Fantasy romance enthusiasts will adore this gem. From the get-go, the story envelops you in its magical embrace, with a city that breathes enchantment and characters that linger in your thoughts long after the final page. Zarya's journey, marked by a slow burn that skillfully builds into a crescendo of intense, heart-pounding action and devastating twists, captivates the imagination and stirs the heart​​​​.

Zarya, our protagonist, is a beacon of hope, living in a gilded prison yet yearning for the truth about her magic and her place in the world. Her escape to the city of Dharati is a soul-searching quest that is beautifully wrought and vividly narrated. The layers of the story, much like Zarya's own secrets, unravel in a manner that's both thrilling and emotionally resonant​​.

One cannot help but marvel at the intricate world-building that Tuli has achieved, inspired by Indian mythology that adds a unique and rich flavor to the tale. The book’s magic system is fascinating and well-developed, leaving me thoroughly immersed. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Zarya and the enigmatic Rabin is crafted with such finesse that it adds an exhilarating edge to the narrative. Their dynamic is a dance of desire and defiance, making their interactions a highlight of the story​​.

The family dynamics and the found family trope that unfolds throughout the book is another element that is both touching and powerful. It reminds us that sometimes, family isn't just about blood relations but the bonds we forge through shared trials and triumphs. The way Tuli wove this theme into the story added depth and an emotional core that resonated with me deeply​​.

"Heart of Night and Fire" is a triumph of fantasy romance, a book that promises and delivers an unforgettable journey. For anyone craving a story that combines rich world-building, dynamic characters, and a plot that twists and turns in the most unexpected ways, this book is a must-read. The Nightfire Quartet has begun with a masterpiece, and I eagerly await the next installment.

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli was first and foremost rife with world building and an intriguing diverse culture I couldn’t get enough of. I loved all the different creatures/people that were described and the interesting history that this world had. The magic was also a huge highlight, and the world was overflowing with the different kinds, as well as the intrigue of a dark magic hinted at that had some been unleashed after not existing for a long time, which was creating damage to the world with no way to stop it.

There were a vast number of unique characters right from the start and I loved how different and interesting they all were. I immediately enjoyed Vikram and Yasen, a pair that balanced each other so well with Yasen being the grumpy standoffish one and Vikram full of flirtation and helpfulness. I also loved learning more about them as they were Rakshasa, blood drinkers and badass fighters, and learning about these creatures was definitely a highlight as they introduced Zarya to the greater world she has been sheltered from her entire life. I have to say Zarya and Yassn’s friendship had to be my absolute favourite part of this whole book because it was so pure and adorable. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Zarya has been kept against her will in a little cottage with her two keepers for her 20 years of life and when Row goes missing and his wards mysteriously fall, she finally has a chance to escape the cottage and find the adventure she so desperately wants. She knows nothing about who she is, where she comes from, or why she has been kept hidden her entire life but she is determined to find these answers.

I will say I found it very slow paced. I had a hard time getting going with this book because I felt like nothing really intriguing was happening for a good length of time as it’s very slow burn. The world building does help to make up for this as it is very rich and interesting, but I had a hard time with getting invested in Zarya as a character as she came off as a bit bland and obstinate towards the people trying to protect her to a fault. There were side characters I felt were much more interesting and who I would have preferred more of over the FMC. I was there for every moment between Zarya and Rabin, as their interactions were definitely a highlight of the book and something I need more of. Not to mention the magic Zarya possesses and her journey to learn it and explore it.

I do think there’s a lot of potential for this series, and that this first book just got caught up in having so much of this diverse world to set up as far as world building and creating the foundations for the greater plot. As a result, I would like to see where this series go as I feel it will only get stronger from here. There were also a ton of revelations closer to the end of the book that really amped up the pace and hooked my attention much more, which is another reason I have a feeling the sequel is really going to pick things up and turn this series into so much more.

Nice easy read. Had a great plot and I loved the characters. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

🧡⭐️ ARC REVIEW - Heart of Night and Fire ⭐️🧡

⭐️ 4.5
🌶 2

What a phenomenal start to Nisha J. Tuli's new Nightfire Quartet series!

Tuli's prose is so lush and descriptive that you can't help but be transported to an alternate ancient India/South Asia. The depictions of the settings, the colourful clothing, the food (you may want reading snacks), the architecture and the creatures all make for an immersive experience you never want to leave.

I really loved the author's take on South Asian-inspired mythology and folklore, as well as her unflinching use of the regions' languages throughout. If you can absorb Eurocentric fantasies' world building, you'll have no issues learning the world building and terminology here.

Another cultural layer to the story is the magic system. Is elemental magic ground-breaking? No, but Tuli's spin on mental touchstones is intriguing. I can't wait to see more magic in the rest of the series because Tuli's just scratched the surface here.

The scouting and battles against demons gave me 'Supernatural meets Throne of Glass meets pre-colonial India' vibes, which I adored. These creatures are no joke, and the fights were gory and intense.

One of my favourite aspects of this story though were the character interactions. The FMC Zarya has had a difficult and isolated life so far, so her social skills tend to get her into trouble. It's so compelling watching her open up and eventually allow herself to care for others. Acknowledging her struggles and internalised rage gives her the space to start becoming the person she's always dreamt of being. It's powerful to see Zarya slowly accept that she does have value, can be helpful, has choices and deserves love.

The romance was also fun. The love triangle is quite the roller-coaster ride, where nothing goes the way you think it will, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out in the next book.

For those who love mysteries/thrillers, this fantasy has so many secrets and twists that you'll surely love it. Even Zarya’s very identity has to be discovered. Many questions still remain, though.

Overall, despite some slow pacing in the beginning, this story was a fantastic ride. I definitely recommend it!

(P.S. I'm so very sorry for the delay. My chronic illnesses flared up, so I'm trying my best to catch up with pending reviews. Also, my review on Amazon is currently pending)

I am in the minority here, but I just didn't get into this one.

I was really excited by the blurb and the tagline, I love reading fantasy and fantasy romances based on mythology or fairy tales, and especially those of different cultures to mine, so I really expected to be immersed in this story, but it just didn't happen.

The romance felt kind of forced, or at least, I didn't really get to know the characters very well or their attraction, given that the tagline was "An absolutely addictive slow burn fantasy romance" I didn't find it either addictive or slow burn, especially not slow burn, unless we're talking about a different romance, the FMC, Zarya seemed pretty instantly attracted to at least one of the male characters.

"Zarya’s dreams are haunted by a mysterious stranger. Powerful, arrogant and handsome, Rabin sees through her secrets and ignites a desire she cannot resist. But can he be trusted?"
I was kind of disappointed in this sub-plot too, which was very much a sub-plot, the dream stranger was thrown in every now and then, and he only really became something more to the story towards the end, when, even then, I just felt like he was just another component to a pretty mixed set of not terribly important characters and magic stuff going on. I could see influences of ACOTAR in this, especially with the 'found family' which felt quite contrived in that it took me out of the story because it felt so deliberately added to the book.

I think my main barrier to loving this, though, was probably the main character, Zarya, who seemed pretty jumbled as a character, I couldn't get a handle on her. At some points she seems pretty worldly and confident, at others naive and childish. Her behaviour and attitudes seem pretty young teen to me most of the time, so the fact that this is an adult book is more for some of language and the sexual attraction scenes rather than the complexity of the plot, the writing style, or the experience and attitudes of the characters, so this isn't an adult fantasy in those senses. From my own personal experiences of isolation and naivety and how those things affected me and how I interacted with others as a result, I just didn't recognise that in Zarya, and so her conflicting personality traits felt messy rather than the deliberate consequence of her life experience based on what I brought to the reading of this story.

Having said that, there were a lot of things that could have made this great for me, had I been able to dive a bit deeper into the world, the politics, the position of the Queen and the mythology and magic, the world seemed packed with promise in that sense, but again I felt kind of removed from it, as I got told about a lot of it, but not in a way that made me connect or care in the way that I wanted to.

I can see that there are elements that a lot of readers would enjoy, and I'd still be interested in knowing where the story goes, but this one isn't one for my shelves, unfortunately.