Actual Rating 3.5

The Heart of Night and Fire is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers epic fantasy romance inspired by Indian mythology. We follow Zarya who escapes a guided prison that she's been held in all her life by her guardian.

The first scene was action packed, but after that it sort of fell for me and I couldn't seem to find my way back. I feel like it had a lot to do with the writing style. To me it read overly descriptive and very meandering. There never seemed to be any urgency in the story telling and there was a lot of exposition on what felt like unnecessary detail.

I do think that there is an audience for this this book, as most of my friends really love Nisha's writing, it just wasn't for me. I do love the Indian mythology and the lush setting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A spicy and entertaining epic fantasy based on Indian culture and mythology.

Heart of Night and Fire is the first volume of The Nightfire Quartet series. This highly promising story is sure to delight readers of the genre. It has everything from elemental magic, a variety of races and creatures, and romance, to a few erotic scenes, and it's sprinkled here and there with comic moments.

There is a good sense of character development in this novel, and not all of the characters are likable. The story is sometimes confusing and for those not familiar with Asian lore and name styles, it can be a little difficult to follow, especially in the audiobook version. Despite this, readers can gain a better understanding of the characters as they make their way through the story, and there are some unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Overall, the plot is highly engaging, full of drama, and not easily predictable. Readers of epic fantasy will catch on to some elements found in other stories that might have inspired the author, for example, The Witcher, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and The Wheel of Time. They're very subtle. But these elements don't overshadow the overall story, which remains unique and memorable in its own right.

Wow! I absolutely devoured this story!

This is the type of fantasy romance I enjoy, the fantasy elements are perfectly balanced with the romance elements and they both work in tandem to keep my attention.

The world was built well enough that I understood and could picture what was happening but there is definitely more to discover which is what makes me excited to continue the series!

We have demons, fairies, vampires, mages and more! (they all have different names in the book like Aazheri and Rakshasa) which reminds me, I wish there was a glossary in the back of the book because it took me a little while to remember what was what.

The FMC Zarya is easy to root for as she is a young woman who has been essentially locked away her entire life and just wants a family, friendship and to be loved.

The book is full of unanswered questions as we follow Zarya who has been kept in the dark about her family origins, her powers and the reason she was hidden.
I did wonder if we would get answers in this book or if it would be dragged out into future books but there was a satisfactory amount of answers at the end of the book.

This kind of reads like a prequel novel to the series as there is no major plot line and conclusion in this book but rather an introduction to the world, the main and side characters which I actually really enjoyed.
However it was still filled with enough demon fighting action to keep you entertained while laying the groundwork for a beautiful found family and characters you grow to love.

I know this is fantasy romance and the love triangle was cute and all but the relationship that had me smiling the most was her gradual friendship with Yasen, their brother/sister banter was a highlight for me.

Honestly I could go on about this book but I think its better you just read it for yourself! Really excited to continue reading this series!

Ok, so when the author said slow-burn she MEANT it. It took me the end of the book to figure who the love interest was supposed to be lmaooooo. Anyway it was a good fantasy book but I didn’t absolutely dore it either. I enjoyed the heavy presence of Indian culture in the world building (mostly when it comes to clothing and I had to google some of the clothing mentioned) and I really need to learn more about Asian mythologies just to see where all those creatures come from (I’ve read a bunch of asian mythology inspired books but have no clue what the original myths are). I enjoyed the way the author did her world building, basically using her character’s innocence on her own world to introduce us to said world although I would’ve needed a map to refer to because all those kingdoms kinda confused me and the plot twists at the end didn’t hit as it should’ve because of that. This is a first installment in a new series and the first maybe 50% felt like a big introduction to the magic system, world, characters and the stakes. I’d be interested to read the next book just to see where this goes even if the final plot twist left me a little unsatisfied since it’s a trope that’s used a lot in fantasy and it felt quite unoriginal, if I must be honest. 3.25 stars

Before you read my review, I listened to the audiobook so names will most likely be misspelt!

Heart of Night and Fire was a different story for me. I usually dive head first into these fantasy romances and love it, but it fell flat to me. First of all, I didn’t get into the story until past the halfway point. I didn’t understand the world and the characters. There were too many characters with unique names, and quite frankly I didn’t know who was whom until I started taking notes… for example, I wrote, “Who’s the love interest?! Vikrum? Rubin? Arjun? Definitely not Yasin.” Just… too… many… characters were introduced in the first book, and they all ran together.

The world and culture were also very hard to keep up with. I feel like I should’ve read this to better understand the culture and the world. I had no idea what half of the words meant, and I feel as if they are words common in Eastern cultures, but I’m not familiar with them. So, that made it really hard to understand.

All in all, once the story was over halfway, I actually started really getting into it. Maybe it just needed to walk before it could run. I really liked the ending and how it ends on a cliff hanger. The ending made me want to read more and I will actually be purchasing this book and listening to book 2 when it comes out! 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a captivating tale of magic, mystery, and self-discovery that left me utterly enthralled from the very start.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the fantastic narration and pacing in the audiobook version. It's a testament to the author's storytelling that the audiobook kept me engaged throughout, making it an amazing experience. I found myself tuning in to every chapter, never wanting to hit pause - and that’s a lot coming from someone who loathes audiobooks!!

The characters in the book are well-crafted and endearing. Zarya's journey of self-discovery and her determination to protect her newfound home are both relatable and inspiring. The blend of South Asian representation adds an extra layer of depth and uniqueness to the story, making it all the more captivating.

The climax of the story is absolutely crazy and I did not see that coming!! It presents Zarya with a deadly choice that will have far-reaching consequences. It's a moment of high stakes and intense emotion, and the resolution is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Heart of Night and Fire is a book that deserves the attention of fantasy enthusiasts. This is definitely going in my top 10 of the year! The audiobook's stellar narration and pacing enhance the overall experience, making it a must-listen for those who enjoy audiobooks. I eagerly look forward to diving into the second book in the series and exploring more of this magical world. I wholeheartedly give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to all fantasy aficionados. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in return of my honest thoughts!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the Nisha J. Tuli for providing me with this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heart of the Night is an Indian mythology-inspired adult fantasy novel that centers on a young woman named Zarya and the mystery of why she has been held prisoner in a secluded area for her entire life. She spends her days reading romance novels, arguing with and being trained by her captors, and slaying demons. When one of her captors disappears without a trace, the magical barrier keeping her in disappears as well allowing Zarya to escape.

Straight out the gate, this premise and Zarya as a fully fleshed out, multidimensional character drew me in. Right away, we're shown that she is skilled and well-trained in combat, but far from invincible. She has virtues and shortcomings in equal measure, making her incredibly engaging to follow through this story as she explores the world outside her prison.

I love how she doesn't fit into any of the stock character cliches, which makes her very realistic. Zarya can physically fight and works hard to improve her skills, making her seem like an action girl. At the same time, she's romantic and naive, eager to live out the love stories she's read about, making her a romantic heroine. She also gives off chosen one vibes as its heavily hinted at that she's been kept hidden and trained in secret for ... something. It's impossible to fit her neatly into any category, making her very realistic.

That said, while I enjoy Zarya as a character overall, I do wish that we got more of her life during her imprisonment than we did. As it stands, she's mysteriously freed from this imprisonment almost immediately and spends the rest of the novel complaining about that imprisonment. While her complaints are valid, since the reader is introduced to her just as she's being freed, it's hard to care about this as much as she does.

In addition to the excellent character work, the world building was deeply compelling. Nisha J. Tuli's descriptions of the world she created and the different forms of magic within it were vivid and beautiful. Listening to the audiobook, I could practically see what she was describing.

I gave this one four stars and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I absolutely loved this book! I have never read this authors books but I am definitely now a fan!

It felt very fast paced and I felt like there was never a dull moment! I did listen to audiobook and would have preferred reading this one just because there are so many characters. So I may re read it just because I enjoyed it so much!

Excellent world building, character building and plot! Very well written.

4/5 stars and would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very exciting fantasy novel. There was a lot of action and there were not many slow points in this book. The system of magic was very interesting and I cannot wait to leave more about it in the next installment and to see it build. The slow burn romance in the book was well done and had a lot of angst that was perfect. I look forward to the next installment of this series.

4.5 stars

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.

I absolutely loved the audiobook - it was my second time reading/listening to this book and I think it really elevated the story. Shiromi Arserio did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

I am unable to link the review to Amazon and Barnes and Noble but they have been posted.

This book. THIS BOOK. I don’t have adequate words for how freaking fantastic this book was, for the immense amount of love I have for it. This was my first Nisha J. Tuli book, and it could not have been a more perfect introduction. I have so many of her books on my TBR, and I’m just sitting here wondering why it took me so long to read them. Just from one book, she is absolutely a new top favorite author. I immediately ran and bought ‘Trial of the Sun Queen’ after reading this and cannot wait to dive into it. I also cannot wait until the next book in ‘The Nightfire Quartet’ comes out. Did I mention that this book was freaking fantastic? Well, let me just say it a million more times. SO good. ‘Heart of Night and Fire’ was SO good. Amazing, actually.

Found family, the best kind of slow burn enemies-to-lovers, secrets galore, banter, magic, adventure, amazing characters with equally amazing character arcs (especially the FMC, Zarya, who stole my whole heart), and full of rich mythology, ‘Heart of Night and Fire’ has it all. I cannot recommend this book enough. And the audio? Omg, the audio. Narrator Shiromi Arserio was PHENOMENAL. The audiobook was just gorgeously done, and made me love ‘Heart of Night and Fire’ even more. Ten thousand stars.

Read it!!

𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 (𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬-𝘺𝘰𝘶!). 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

So....this novel is marketed as " an epic fantasy romance that begins with a slow burn and builds to a steamy enemies-to-lovers adventure" but I don't think this is a fair description at all.
It is slow burn to the point where it is painful and I didn't connect with any romance that did try to develop
Steamy? Where...? Did it evaporate?
Enemies-to-lovers? Were they actually enemies? Or is it just the animosity of misunderstanding??
I literally reread nearly 30% of this book because at the 60% mark I felt like I had missed something really important but I didn't gain anything on my reread. This was fine in the way that warm chardonnay is fine - I finished it but I was grimacing by the end.
At the end of the day there was just no character development to tie me in to the story and the plot is far more convoluted than I would prefer.
This was forgettable though I really wish I had been more captivated by the story. I don't know if I will continue the series (since there will be 3 more books)....I saw it compared to An Ember in the Ashes but I would much rather revisit that series at this point.

Great slow burn romantasy read.

It's the first audio book I have listened to non stop in a long time. Really enjoyed it and its left me wanting to read the new one!

Thank you for NetGalley and publisher for providing the audiobook for an honest review.

Full disclosure, I read this book prior to listening to the audiobook. When I saw the Audiobook was released, I knew I had to give it a listen. I am not a huge audiobook person as a standalone as I have trouble keeping engaged vs reading. That being said, I absolutely loved and devoured the audiobook. This story is so vibrant, and I adore all the characters. The narrator was fantastic; I was engaged the entirety of the book, even though it was my second time with this story. I highly recommend this story for everyone and the audiobook!

📚The world building is solid, the characters are decent, and the audiobook narration is good. My favourite part was probably the setting as it’s lush and magical. The book has a slow start and the foul language takes away from the atmosphere in my opinion. However, the world building is top notch and I appreciate a great fantasy world!

🎧Thanks to publisher, author, and NetGalley for an audiobook ARC of this story.

Looking for your next romantasy obsession? Don't sleep on Nisha J. Tuli. Between this book and the Artefacts of Ouranos Series, she's definitely an auto-read author for me.

Heart of Night and Fire has a unique and compelling concept with great characters and character dynamics. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it even broke me out of a weeks-long slump, but it felt like it was missing a little something for me. That said, while this wasn't a 5 star read for me on its own, Heart of Night and Fire establishes a great basis for Zarya's story, and I can't wait to see where things go from here.

Read for:

- Secluded/Sheltered FMC experiencing life outside her "neck of the woods" for the first time.
- Found family
- Complex family dynamics
- Visits from a mysterious dream man
- Incredibly unique monarchy system

--- 3.5/5 stars

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ thank you to NetGalley for the advance audiobook!

heart of night and fire brings together south asian mythology, mysterious fantasy, and slow (S L O W) burn romantic subplot. readers who loved “an ember in the ashes” will likely love this story for the mythology, character dynamics, and pacing! one of my favorite elements was the grumpy/ sunshine friendship that zarya finds herself in.

unfortunately, i did not fall head over heels in love with this book. I was interested in the mythological ties and promise of slow burn enemies to lovers, but ultimately the twists and turns that unfolded at the 90% point didn’t outweigh the rest of the book.

the setup for book 2 promises the rest of this series to have great potential for romantasy readers!

I first want to thank all parties for approving me for this audiobook!! I love Nisha Tuli! This book was so interesting! I've never really read anything that was inspired by Indian Mythology and it was definitely intriguing. I had a hard time for a while trying to differentiate the characters just because the names/species were very foreign to me but the story was wonderful. There were some moments that were a little predictable but I still liked the outcome regardless. I can't wait to continue Zarya's story and I'm hoping for a bit more romance in the next book!

This was an enjoyable but ultimately forgettable read. I loved the lush world inspired by Indian mythology but didn't feel too attached to the characters or intrigued by the plot.

4.75 stars

I was provided an audio arc of this book and this is my honest review.

As far as the audio book is concerned, it did a fabulous job. You really get a clear picture of the story unfolding. This is definitely a good audiobook story.

I adored this book! Sometimes when fantasy novels are based in foreign (to me) cultures I get lost easily. This book did a wonderful job of world building without info dumping the reader into confusion.

The Magic system is different and very interesting. We also have many mythical creatures. Fairies, vampires, demons, and more.

I also enjoyed the characters. I felt like Zarya was super strong willed in the best possible way. She also has a good self assurance which I love!

Yassen stole the show. He plays a best friend role, but also bring a grumpy x sunshine friendship to the story. I didn’t know I needed that trope in my life until now.

Vikram was not my favorite character. I’ll get into that more below where I mark a spoiler warning.

Rabin was interesting. I’m excited to get to know him more.

Aarav was one of my favorite characters. I love his big brother role! The way Zarya treats him and acts like she “wants him dead” really didn’t sit well with me. She needs to chill out. That didn’t fit the script of his role to me.

The romance in this though was a mess and not a in a good way. I’ll elaborate below.

Overall this book was fantastic. I’m so excited to read the next one. I’m really hoping we avoid messy romance story lines in the future.

I am always hyper critical of the romances in books. So just know even with what I mention in the spoiler section below, I still loved the book. It didn’t take away from the main plot at all. It was just something I think should have been left out of the book.

Rant Below:

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I absolutely hated the Vikram being engaged story line. It was absolutely cringe. It made him unlikeable and a selfish person. He knew he wasn’t available (whether he liked the arrangement or not.) He had no business putting Zarya in that position.

It put a bad light on Yassen for not telling her.

Not to mention Vikram is the brother of the main love interest. Ugh, she made out with his brother. I hate a love triangle with brothers. It’s so gross to me.

I honestly was going to rate this book 3 stars after him being engaged was revealed.

There was no slow burn.
There is no enemies to lovers.
There is no spice.

The main love interest is barely present.
It was like strangers to flirtatious to a weird flip to enemies.

Why I still have this book 4.75 (essentially 5) stars is because if they would have taken out the icky “romance” with Vikram and Zarya completely this book would be so fantastic!

I didn’t mind no slow burn or minimal love interest interaction. I just mentioned it because that’s how this book is marketed. It’s a bit bait and switch. Now I do think these may develop in the next book. They’re just not in this one.

I still have no clue why Rubin flipped to being so angry suddenly. Maybe he found out she had been making out with his brother.

Do not let the above deter you from this book unless it’s a hard trigger for you. It’s not significant enough to take away from all the positives. The plot, magic, and other aspects are so fantastic!