Heart of Night and Fire was a fun read, the perfect palate cleanser between the other books I have been reading. It features an all POC cast and is inspired by Indian mythology. I can see how some people might find Zarya to be more of a YA character than adult, but to me her rashness, and what might be seen as childish behaviour, made sense in context. Imagine being forced to live in isolation with no explanation as to why, no knowledge about your past, with only two men for company - one of whom has put a magical barrier in place to stop you from escaping. With only her romance books for company, her naivety and curiosity made sense. While I will say that she frustrated me at times, she also grew on me as not only did she develop but her relationship with the other characters developed.

The world was interesting and featured Rakshasa, who are basically vampire like creatures. I love vampires so that was a nice surprise. In terms of the Indian inspiration, the familiar clothes and food such as Kaju katli, gulab jamun, and aloo paratha was a treat to see in a fantasy setting.

There is a love triangle of sorts. However, by the end of the book her relationship with one of the love interests all but comes to an end and the other one we're teased with. It was obvious from the moment she started having dreams of Rabin that he was being set up to be the true love interest. Zarya doesn't actually met him for real until the towards the end of the book, and I have to say from what little we do see of Rabin I was not a fan of. He came across as a hot headed alpha male.

On the other hand, Zarya's relationship with Yasen was cute. I love a good platonic relationship, and while theirs was great I have to admit they had more chemistry than the actual love interests. It was giving hate to love.

With three more books to follow this was a solid introduction.

I wanted to like this but I really struggled to get into it. The premise was interesting, as was the Indian influence to the story. However, pages would drag on and on with nothing happening to advance the plot and Zarya's origins were hidden from the reader in a way that was just confusing rather than mysterious. There was a lot of showing not telling, and often groups of characters would be introduced all at once and without giving enough explanation for who they were to differentiate between them. Finally, I found expressions very overdone, there was a lot more "character's eyes widened" "character grinned" "character winked" than actual plot happening at some points.

I am completely obsessed with this book! The twists and turns that happen, the glorious tension and the heat! And the ending!! I can't wait for the next book!
I just reviewed Heart of Night and Fire (The Nightfire Quartet Book 1) by Nisha J. Tuli. #HeartofNightandFire #NetGalley
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I was craving a good fantasy book and this definitely delivered.

Things I would have liked was if a map was given at the start. I require all fantasy books to have a map because I need it so badly. I feel like this story really needed a first-person aspect. I didn’t really get into the story at the start and almost dnfd. I was so lost at the start but that's the case with most fantasy books therefore I understand it. I knew Zarya but I didn’t become her while reading. This only happened in the last like 80 pages. I was reading for the mystery guy but he appeared around 5 times only in the story. I thought it was going to be a slow-burn romance between the mysterious guy and the magical girl but no which disappointed me a little ngl.

This journey has mass of world building that we see through Zarya’s eye as she discovers why she has been kept a secret for the last 21 years, and what it means for the world future.

The ending of the story is a major turning point in the story leaving a big opening for a sequel. The majority of this book is the world building and I found it hard to follow at times. That being said once I was in the story I was hooked and I’m excited to see what happens next.

Just wow! I absolutely love this read <3 The pace in this was outstanding and I absolutely love the characters!! This book was full to the brim with adventures, twists and turns which I have not seen coming at all. Looking forward to the second book in the series and just so stoked to read more about this world 😩

No words for how incredible this book is. I can’t wait for everyone to read this! I loved every second of this.z

This book has taken me over a month to finish. Honest to god, this is a case of "it's not you, it's me." I don't think I was in the right mood to read this. Therefore, I will try to reread this as some point. The world building and mythology is beautiful and I loved being in this world. I'm a romantasy girlie so the concept was right up my alley.
Romantasy is obviously really popular right now and I love that other cultures are being represented in this niche genre. For me, it just had a really slow start and never really kept my attention. I do recommend giving it a try though 100%!

An Indian inspired fantasy romance with a hint of a Rapunzel retelling, Heart of Night and Fire follows Zarya, a young woman who has been locked up her whole life, but when her guardian suddenly goes missing, she quickly takes this chance to explore the outside world. Escaping to Dharati, Zarya tries to uncover the secrets to why she has been kept locked away, all while protecting her new home from the demons that seem drawn to her. Romance, intrigue, drama, court politics and hidden powers, we’re all things that drew me to this book. I have never read an Indian-inspired mythology story before either.

So why didn’t I like this book?
This book does a lot of telling and not showing. We are told this city is beautiful but I wish we got more examples of exactly how, we are told how the character feels but without any actions to represent that, I felt like the story was just carrying me along without really immersing myself in the story.

There are lots of things that are a mystery to the main character and therefore, a mystery to the reader but while these are crucial points that I was interested in, our main characters gives up very easily on finding the answers to these questions such as why she was locked up, her heritage, her powers, the weird dreams she has. This information is purposefully kept from the reader because the main character doesn’t want to talk about it because it’s “too dangerous”.

Finally, the plot within this book is one I have read a hundred times now. Nothing stood out to me regarding it and though this is Indian inspired, I wish we had more of that because beyond what it seems is the culture, there is no lore or religion or Indian influence that could make this book really stand out. Everything was very predictable..

I won’t be recommending this one, nor do I plan to continue the series.

Title: An Enchanting Beginning to a Promising Fantasy Saga

"Heart of Night and Fire," the first installment in Nisha J. Tuli's "The Nightfire Quartet," is a captivating and imaginative entry into the world of fantasy literature that is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating what's to come.

The story introduces us to Ellyce, a young woman burdened by a mysterious power tied to the moon. Tuli's character development shines in her portrayal of Ellyce, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist. Ellyce's journey of self-discovery and the exploration of her magical abilities form the emotional core of the narrative, inviting readers to join her on this enchanting adventure.

Tuli's world-building is nothing short of impressive. She has crafted a rich and intricate fantasy realm, complete with a unique magic system, mythical creatures, and a complex history. The descriptions are vivid, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in this fantastical world where the line between reality and magic is beautifully blurred.

The pacing of the novel is well-structured, striking a balance between character development and action. As Ellyce navigates the challenges and dangers that come with her powers, the plot unfolds with plenty of surprises and twists that keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

What sets "Heart of Night and Fire" apart is Tuli's ability to infuse the story with themes of identity, destiny, and the enduring power of hope. These deeper elements add layers of complexity to the narrative, making it more than just a typical fantasy adventure.

While the book is the first in a quartet, it stands strongly on its own, offering a satisfying and self-contained story while leaving tantalizing hints of what's to come. Tuli's writing style is evocative and lyrical, contributing to the book's overall enchanting atmosphere.

In conclusion, "Heart of Night and Fire" is a delightful start to a promising fantasy series. Nisha J. Tuli's storytelling is enchanting, and her world-building is nothing short of masterful. Whether you're a dedicated fantasy enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging and immersive read, this book is a magical journey worth embarking upon. Readers can look forward to more adventures in the Nightfire Quartet with eager anticipation.

I received an ARC of Heart of Night and Fire from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Heart of Night and Fire is a book that I expected I would enjoy more than I did. It's right up my alley of fantasy and magic, but something kept me from completely loving it.

The story starts a little slow but picks up the pace as it continues, particularly in the second half. The world-building is very well done, and though there was a lot, I didn't feel that I was ever overwhelmed with information or lost on where I was in relation to other places. I appreciate that all of these other places were mentioned frequently enough that I didn't forget about them, but not so much that I was confused about where I was. I feel that the author found a perfect balance of information, which can be very difficult to do.

What I didn't love, however, were the characters. Remember how I said that the pace picks up in the second half? Along with that, it felt like nearly every character had an almost brand-new personality. It's one thing for the main character to get to know these new people. It's another thing entirely for her to get to know them and have their personalities completely change. It felt like I got to the second half, and all of a sudden, Zarya knew everything there was to know about everyone, and they were all best friends. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but it felt like a massive shift from where they were to where they ended up in the span of only a few pages. On top of that, I didn't feel any actual connection to the characters. They lacked the depth I was looking for, and some of the relationships felt very forced, especially in the beginning.

Though I didn't dislike Heart of Night and Fire, I don't feel it's made a lasting impression. It's unlikely that I will be continuing this series.

I was really excited to read this book!! I was really looking for something that had South Asian (Desi) rep. In all honesty this fell short for me. There were a lot of characters and I felt like I kept forgetting who was supposed to be who. However I did like the plot and the book was enjoyable for the most part! If you liked The Jasad heir you should give this book a go!

“Heart of Night and Fire” by Nisha J. Tuli is a fantasy romance read, inspired by Indian mythology. In the first book of The Nightfire Quartet, Tuli builds a captivating, heart-pounding action and cataclysmic twists, this book leaves readers wondering when the sequel will hit shelves.

The novel follows Zarya, a magically inclined individual who can manipulate starlight, and who’s spent most of her life under house arrest under the care of Row and his apprentice, Aarav, in the swamplands of their kingdom of residence. Zarya is left in the dark as to why she must conceal her magic and spend most of her days training, never seeing life beyond the metaphorical (or invisible magic) walls of her prison - until the morning when Row goes missing and his magical guards dissipate, allowing Zarya to leave for the first time.

After inserting herself into a demon attack with two handsome strangers in the middle of her journey, Zarya finds herself being escorted to the capital city of Dharati, with Commander Vikram and Lieutenant Yasen, along with Aarav, who trailed Zarya to bring her home. In Dharati, Zarya slowly begins to piece together her past, who she is, and begins to find her place and purpose in her newfound freedom. Along the way, she develops a love interest, trains to be a soldier in the Khada (the queen’s special forces and the kingdom’s main defense against the numerous demon attacks), is introduced to Row’s magical buddies who seek to help her find out who she is, and makes her first true friend.

While I loved the story once the action picked up, I was disappointed that it took me half the book to get to it. There was a ton of world-building in the beginning and it was honestly slow to the point where I almost DNF’ed it, but things get interesting once Zarya’s life in Dharati begins in earnest.

My other main issue with the book is that Zarya’s main love interest for the series isn’t really introduced and (physically) enters the picture until 80% of the book! (The twist with that was somewhat predictable but I loved it all the same!) There are some steamy scenes with Zarya and her “stand-in” but all of the enemies-to-lovers tension is between her and her mystery man in the dreamworld for most of the story until he finally makes his grand entrance. And then once introduced, he wants nothing to do with her.

Despite a slow start, this book ended on a high note for me with Zarya learning who and what she is. If you’re fond of fantasy reads with found family, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and hidden secrets at every twisted turn (and there are SO many), you’ll enjoy Tuli’s newest novel.

I love the way Nisha can tell a story. The Trial of the Sun Queen has been one of my favorite books this year and this was definitely a contender. I enjoyed it immensely and I cannot wait for the next one!!

Thank you to Nisha J Tuli and Second Sky for the arc! Everything you love about a Nisha J Tuli story: witty banter, found family, mystery. If you liked Trial of the Sun Queen, this novel is absolutely for you. It was a little slow in the beginning but after Zarya reaches Dharati, things really become interesting. Nisha is definitely the queen of a slow burn and after the wild ending, I’m looking forward to what happens between Rabin and Zarya in the next novel.

This book features some of the most unique world building I’ve ever read. I believe parts of it are based on Indian myths which is such a cool concept. It’s a bit of a slow start but the author laid thorough groundwork to continue to build the series. It definitely picks up towards the end and we are left wanting more with a cliffhanger ending.

Our main character is grappling with having been isolated and lonely for most of her life. She has sudden freedom…and she’s also discovered her magic is much stronger and more dangerous than she ever could’ve imagined. It’s heavy on the found family trope and is full of a strong supporting cast.

Anyone looking for a unique, new adult romance/fantasy will enjoy the first part of what looks to be a promising series.

This book was too slow-paced for my liking but it has left me craving for more. Zarya is definitely a very interesting character, both kind and badass. And her story has too many voids and many mysteries to unravel.

I love the mystery guy, whom I won’t name to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say I need to read more about Zarya’s and his dynamics – especially if they are anything similar to the last scenes we get in the book. The chokehold they have over me? (See what I did there…).

Overall, it’s a great book that felt very introductory but this series has lots of potential and possibilities. I cannot wait to read the second installment.

3.5. There is definitely aspects of this that appeal, and I'm curious to see how the author develops the story further!

Absolutely obsessed with this book! I was expecting a great story but not of this magnitude. I loved it, truly!

The characters were all so relatable and I loved them all. Even the ones I didn’t want to like lol

Zarya deserves the world and I would burn the world for Rabin. Holy gods, I cannot wait for book two.

Thank you NetGalley and Nisha for the fantastic read!

Zarya has spent years confined within a (cozy) prison with her pseudo-father figure and his apprentice with her magical abilities hidden and unexplained. When her captor goes missing, the apprentice strikes out to find him. Zarya takes the opportunity to flee captivity, frustrated by the lack of answers. She escapes to the vibrant city of Dharati with a variety of denizens, including Rakshasa and Aazheri sorcerers. I adore the diversity here. However, Dharati is besieged by nightly attacks from malevolent forces that seem to grow stronger in the wake of Zarya's arrival. Determined to safeguard her newfound home, Zarya joins the battle against these dark adversaries.

Amidst the turmoil of defending the city and her search for knowledge, Zarya's dreams are haunted by a captivating stranger. He possesses remarkable power, an air of arrogance, and undeniable physical allure. As darkness threatens to consume Dharati, Zarya confronts a choice: Should she unveil her hidden magical abilities to save the city or keep them concealed, risking the loss of everything she comes to cherish?

This book started off a bit slow and seemed like your run-of-the-mill fantasy plot. However, it took a compelling turn in the last third that significantly increased my enjoyment. It feels like a setup for the rest of the series, so it seemed to have a little trouble standing on its own initially. However, I'm definitely eager to see where it goes next.

Thank you to Second Sky and Netgalley for the eARC. This is an honest review.

3.5/5