There is so much I love about this series. Mostly I just love the world that is built. There is something special about the way S. Jae-Jones uses words! They always entrance me. In this book, we see Zhara and we meet a new Guardian. There is danger and mystery and I love it so much. This is a book I had to read slowly because I wanted to savor the experience of reading it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot of nice world building and great representation but I couldn't get into this book as well. I just couldn't connect well with Ami.

I rounded up to a 4 but this one was a 3.5-3.7 maybe. The end saved it for me.
Not going to lie this book started off a little slow compared to the first book about Zhara. The first 55% I really had a hard time getting into it. Maybe it was just my mood, but I do not DNF books often so I wanted to give it a chance and I am glad I did. We get to catch up with Zhara and Han and the Bangton Brothers which I liked because you do get invested in these characters from the first book. This book introduces Ami and her baba Li Er Shaun who, we heard mention of in the first book. We also meet Gaden, they are also essential and not just as the love interest to Ami. I do like that we get the different point of views from Zhara, Ami, and Gaden, because there is a lot of different things going on with the three of them that really build the story in this second installment. I think that’s why it takes so long to get through the first half of the book because there’s a lot to unpack and learn about these new characters and also learn about what is going on in their magical world.
I love the growth we see from Zhara in this book. I know this is technically Ami’s book, but I love that we are starting to see the guardian of Fire come into her powers and mentor Ami and learn from the things she’s been through. This isn’t just a book focused on Ami, it is the continuation of the first book, carries the story further, and explains how Ami fits into the story with Zhara.
With war looming in her region… I am really hoping the next book we learn more about Yuli! She was introduced in the first book and makes appearances in this book, but I feel like there’s so much more to know about the Guardian of Wind. Also looking forward to learning who The Guardian of Water will be and what their story is. Overall I was pleased with the outcome of book 2 and cannot wait to see what 3 and 4 have in store for everyone!

I really enjoyed this book. It was beautiful yet scary. The monsters were vividly described and the writing was breathtaking. There was a bit of pacing issues but other than that beautiful story.

Li Ami is sent to the outermost West to care for her mentally ill father, whose ravings might be prophecy. When her father is arrested for stealing, Ami must serve the presiding Beast by finding a cure to the mysterious blight that is decimating their harvest. Magical corruption is on the rise throughout the Morning Realms and the threat of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons looms large. Jin Zhara, the newly empowered Guardian of Fire, needs the Guardian of Wood to stem the growing tide of undead. The two must journey to the Root of the World in order to seal the demon portal there and restore balance to an increasingly chaotic world.

This is the second Guardians of Dawn novel, after Zahra. It helps to know her story, as we don't get a detailed description of the relationships in her retinue, but it's not necessary. Where Zahra's story has elements of Cinderella, Ami has echoes of Beauty and the Beast; she offers her services to the scarred guard known as the Beast in exchange for her father’s punishment for breaking off a branch of the holy tree known as the Pillar. She's trying to figure out the blight as a plague of undead also sweeps the land. The two start with separate story threads, but Zahra is looking for Ami's scholar father.

Once everyone meets, there is still the problem of the undead scourge that is coming, the anti-ki, and the possible weapon that was left in the hands of a princess long thought dead. We get an inkling of who that is long before it's explicitly revealed, and the romances blooming in the midst of danger are cute. Ami and the Beast have that will they/won't they action going, Han turns out to be demisexual, and the connections between all of the guardians are important not just for their own growth, but in figuring out the secrets of the lost text that Zahra is looking for.

I enjoyed the story and the continuation of the fight against demons. Ami isn't sure of herself or her role in helping to save the world. So many of us will understand her hesitant nature, the difficulty fitting in or meeting expectations. But as she grows into her role, so can we. There is still unrest and danger, as well as folio pieces to gather. The other novels to come are bound to be just as good.

💥💥 Book Review 💥💥

Ami - Guardians of Dawn. Book 2
By S. Jae-Jones

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ami (Guardians of the Dawn #2) picks up right were we left off with Zhara introducing two new characters to the story- Ami and Gaden. This is a multi-point of view novel. It goes in between Zhara and Ami. I thought this book was a lot more complex in the story telling and in the characters overall. I really enjoyed Ami and her character arc. She was a very convoluted/perplexing character in which made her more vulnerable and recognizable to the reader. I also liked how they carried Zhara throughout the book to tie in the first book. I hope that continues to the next books that she writes. The activity in this book is crazy! It’s like one thing after another which engages the reader. There was a LOT more storytelling of the folklore and mythology that surrounds the entire two books. I thought the authors writing style grew ten fold in this book. This book showed that she is just stretching her feet and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Guardians of Dawn: Ami is the second book in the young adult fantasy series Guardians of Dawn.

The story picks up where Zhara left off, expanding on the character of Ami, a teenage scrivener who cares for her mentally ill father while hiding her affinity for magic. When she is recruited to transcribe texts by a mysterious masked figure known as “The Beast” at the local monastery, they discover that the blight and undead caused by demon energy are drawing ever closer.

Despite being Ami’s story, there is plenty of interaction with Zhara, Han, and the Bantang Brothers from the first book, who provide moments of levity. The book mostly follows a “quest” or journey-type plot, which, I admit, is not my favorite style of storytelling. There are moments of excitement and danger, but overall, the drawn-out travel and lack of romantic chemistry between the main couples made the book feel slower and longer than its 368 pages.

While there is plenty of world-building and political intrigue, I found myself losing interest in the details because the characters, tortured by their unique magical abilities, secrets, and pasts, weren’t always enjoyable to read about.

I recommend Guardians of Dawn: Ami to fans of the first book in the series and anyone who enjoys quests and plots with minimal romance. The ending sets the stage for the next installment in the series.

The Sequel in the series, following a new Guardian of the Dawn as the guardian group expands and the story continues. In this book we are introduced to Li Ami, an exile who is sent to care for her mentally ill father whose rantings about a prophecy might actually be true. When her father is arrested it is up to Ami to save him by bargaining with the presiding Beasts to find a cure for the mysterious blight that is infecting the harvest. Meanwhile our other Guardian, Jin Zhara is trying to fight against the undead and find other fellow guardians to help her face off against them. Jin Zhara is the guardian of fire and knows that the Guardian of Wood is who she needs.... and when she meets Ami she might finally find the one she needs. The romance in this book was sweet too, with Han being a somewhat demi-sexual rep and Zhara learning about it. The romance between the Beast and Ami was also cute. Overall it's an interesting enough sequel to the series that would have you interested to see what the next two guardians will be like and how they will join the core group and storyline. I would definitely recommend this series to YA readers who enjoy fantasy and Sailor Moon-esque storylines.

Release Date: August 6,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The second book in the Guardians of Dawn series has much more adventure, and more of a “journey” to the story than the first, which really keeps you engrossed in the story to find out what happens next.

So far, Ami is my favourite character in the series! I found her so relatable, especially with the way she would describe her own personal, internal struggles. I also loved being able to see more with Zhara and Han’s relationship and friendship.

I definitely got a bit confused here and there with the many different villages names (a map may have been beneficial? or maybe there was one and I didn’t even notice 🤷‍♀️) but it was easy to catch up. I did find the politics slightly confusing as well, but again, very easy to push forward.


All in all, if you like Sailor Moon or any other magical girl anime’s, this book is right up your alley!
Also featuring:
* found family
* cheesy moments that suits the characters perfectly
* LGBTQ+ rep
* heavy focus on the concept of consent
* happy endings

ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S-Jae Jones

“You are enough, came a different voice through the bond. And where you are not, I shall be there.”

Book 2 picks up right where Zhara ended. Zhara and the Bangtan brothers are traveling west to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This book introduces new character POVs Ami, and the Beast. When the two stories intertwine, they will have to work together to save the realms.

Magical Girl anime fans, this series is for you! It’s so cute, with magical girl power, friendship, and animal companions to boot. Book 2 in the Guardians of Dawn really hit its stride! It was actioned packed and heartfelt, with a fast pace and interesting plot. The addition of Zombies and a hilarious abomination(I won’t spoil what it is) brought a necessary lightness to the story. It’s not all serious, and I think that lends to the genre. I love that each character is loosely based on fairytales, Zhara as Cinderella, and Ami as Beauty and the Beast. The glimpse of the next Guardian we meet in book 3 has me so ready for it.

You can get a copy Ami today!

Thank you #netgalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones is another epic story that was utterly fascinating.
A compelling Young Adult Fantasy with the absolute best characters.
Gripping, immersive, and absolutely masterful, Guardians of Dawn reels you in with the promise of beauty, and holds you tight.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Ami is the second Guardians of Dawn book, which follows Li Ami, the daughter of a former magician who offers herself to a Beast when her father is arrested for stealing and trespassing.

As far as second books go, this one was pretty good. I felt like the stakes were elevated in a meaningful but proportionate way. I loved getting to hang out with Ami without sacrificing Zhara so much. I'm always a fan of a Beauty and the Beast-inspired setup, and I loved the continued inspiration of Sailor Moon evident in the text.

I do think, given it's a second book and we've gotten a new POV character, that it was evident the elements of this story were more difficult to manage than the first book. There was A Lot going on and a lot of ground to cover, so there were moments that felt a bit more chaotic than they probably needed to.

Even so, I think this series is shaping up to be an incredibly solid YA read that I think brings a unique and fresh perspective to the genre, and I'll definitely be picking up future installments!

This book had feelings of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon mixed with Train to Busan and Warriors of Virtue!

The development of the characters and the relationships, the world building. very engaging. The action scenes were very descriptive, allowing the reader to become completely immersed in to conflict in the moment and release a calming exhale once the battle was over.

I was expecting more of a climax when they made it to the tree and found the Unicorn... that part was a bit of a let down for me. I do wish that their individual powers were talked about more or displayed a bit more. The Song of Order and Chaos listed them but they did not really do much with them once everyone realized who they were and the powers they held. I was also confused by the fact that Ami being the guardian of wood with the ability to grant life was able to save a non magician but could not heal the magician from the infection he had.

I am hoping to see more magic play in the coming books of this series and hopefully the familiars or the animal companions will get a greater role as well. Seems like there could be something there since the author made a point to mention the years separation between them.

Thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books and S. Jae Jones for the opportunity to read this e-arc and give my honest opinion of the text.

Ami Lives in a mystical fantasy world where magic runs rampant and the guardians are starting to rise. Ami herself is a dynamic lovely character whose development from finding out that she is more than just a scribe that she thought herself to be is just lovely. This is a book that fantasy lovers of all ages will enjoy reading and find themselves lost in a world where trusting in oneself really can allow you to rise above what you believe you can do. I love the ties from the first book and the characters who have carried over from the first novel. Readers of the first novel will not be upset with the second one I cannot wait to see where the third both brings us.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Even without the tagline, I could tell early in that this one was Sailor Moon x Beauty and the Beast!

The writing in Ami surpasses that of Zhara. I loved the first book, but this second one offers so much more. There's a lot of grotesque detail that made me scrunch my nose, and battles that had me cheering them on. Which is saying something, as I don't normally get so immersed in the story or connected with the characters.

The book is written from three different viewpoints: Ami, Gaden, and Zhara- mostly Ami and Zhara. In the beginning, you get to learn Ami's backstory from her point of view while Zhara's POV picks up book one's narrative. You don't know exactly when they're going to cross paths, which really adds to the moment. I honestly had the Sailor Moon theme song playing in my head during the scene!

While the fight scenes give me Sailor Moon vibes, the focal romantic pairing gives me proper Beauty and the Beast vibes. Hints of the tale exist in the beginning, regarding Ami's father, and then at key moments during the Beast's character development. Come the end (cue the romance), you're left imagining the Beast transforming into Adam. (Only, definitely not Adam.)

In fact, the Beast character is more than just "ugly beast" becoming "handsome prince," as the Beast is NB, with use of they/them pronouns used throughout. There is more to this than I won't share, as I don't want to spoil anything! Even Han is more than what he appears, and offers further representation under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

Speaking of various representation, Ami shows signs of being on the spectrum. It isn't clearly stated, so I apologize if this is incorrect. How she interacts, perceives interactions, and even describes herself suggest that she might be on the spectrum. Please do correct me if I am incorrect!

So that we don't leave Zhara out of the conversation, it is important to note that she matures greatly during this book. She really stands out as their leader, and makes it rather clear that she must accept and fulfill the position given to her. I really loved every moment of opportunity for Zhara to grow, as she took the moment by the horns and stepped up.

It is worth noting that the demon in this book wasn't at all how I expected it to be, and didn't act at all how I would have thought. This is a good thing! The demon's actions/decisions made sense. It just makes me wonder who the other Lords will be.

I genuinely cannot wait for the next book to come out! I love S Jae-Jones's writing, and the cross references really do match the books!

So I absolutely LOVED Zhara! Like was hooked. Ami was not as great a book for me. I loved the multiple POV but the story itself just wasn't as captivating for me.

I enjoyed the second entry into the Guardians of Dawn series much more than I did the first. In this book, we meet many new characters, including our main couple Ami and Gaden, and we also pick up where we left off with Zhara and Han.

Much of the book was spent travelling around and fighting zombies. As a zombie book fan, I didn’t mind this. However, after these long stretches of travel, the ending/ final battle felt very short in comparison.

I really liked our new Guardian, Ami and wish the book had focused more on her rather than splitting time with Zhara’s POV. I didn’t feel like Zhara’s POV added much or that she grew much as a character. It didn’t help that my least favorite part of the first book (the Bangtan Brothers) were featured in her early chapters.

Overall, I’m enjoying this world and plan to continue reading the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I liked this sequel more than I liked the first one. I think maybe because I really related to Ami as a character. She was soft spoken, a reader, didn't really have a good social life/wasn't good at talking to people. I also really liked her love interest Gaden. They were such a good addition to the novel and their backstory was impeccable. Learning that Han is demisexual (I'm judging this based off the way he described his feelings for Zhara) was great too! The subtle LGBTQIA+ representation in both fo the novels have been really great and I appreciate it. I was a little annoyed that the portal they were looking for was in a different spot (meaning they basically had to backtrack) but I guess it was necessary so that Ami could find her Guardian companion. I thought the next book might be about the Guardian of Water but I think we're going to follow Yuli!! I've loved Yuli since the first book. All of Yuli's interactions with Han and Zhara are always so funny and I appreciated how she liked to tease them about their romance (because same). The Bangtan Brothers (as always) were great additions to the story. I hope they appear in the next one too but I'm not sure they will.

Ami is the second book in the Guardian of the Dawns series picking up after the events of Zhara. In this book, we’re introduced to Ami and the Beast who end up being very important characters to the mission of stopping the Mother of Ten Thousand demons. While new characters are added, there are still POVs following Zhara and her companions. While the plot fell to the second book syndrome in my opinion, I feel that the character development, world building, and expanding magic systems more than made up with any plot challenges. Both Ami and the Beast had very rich, well thought out, and well developed characters that were interesting to learn about. Not only that, they also had to face struggles tied to their identities that were well handled. I also really enjoyed getting to experience more of the land as the group continues their travels. I found the difference in powers between the various Guardians fascinating in terms of how they can each manipulate ki and how that plays into their different struggles agains the demons. One area I wanted more from was the battle to close the portal. There were so many things happening leading up to that final battle that it ended up falling flat for me. Overall, though, I enjoyed reading this and will be continuing the series with the next book.

Sailor Moon meets Beauty and the Beast.

Ughh I cannot put into words how much I love this series. This book adds more characters with the addition of Ami the Guardian of Wood and Beast, it opens up with more areas as Zhara and Han travel to get answers and beautiful descriptions of the lands, the difference in dialect and honorifics depending on where the characters were/speaking to was a nice addition to see. The undead aspect added a whole new danger along with the demons (actually gave me the creeps with how well the undead were described) and more information on the past and magic as well as uncovering secrets. I love that we got to see Zhara and Han's relationship evolve and the communication between them, it was so relatable and also Han expressing his feelings about love made me feel seen. As with the other book the representation in this one was amazing and well written. I love that both Ami and Zhara aren't typical heroines, they are young women who didn't even know how strong they were and spent most of their lives taking care of others and then were thrust into more than they could imagine, they both adapted to their new lives but also are gonna make mistakes and doubt themselves but still they pushed forward and were determined. The found family aspect in this grew as well, and I felt all the emotions as we gained and lost a few through the book. I can't wait for the next one and to see what comes next and how the story will continue to unfold.