Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for sending me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Fae, humans, and dragon shifters? Sign me up immediately!

This is a novel about a human girl (with hidden magic) and a sun fae having to team up to try and stop a covert operation planning to kill millions. There are heavy political undertones, which is something to be very aware of when going into this book. This also gives off heavy reverse pride and prejudice, which I was, of course, eating up.

Characters:

Yasmin, the main female character is amazing. She has a bit of a chip on her shoulder and can come across as quite prideful, however, when you scratch beneath the surface she is strong, stubborn and the exact person the children in her care need. She is braver than most of the secret agents she works with and puts her neck out for every single person she thinks needs help.

Ravi, the main male character is a sun fae with just the tiniest (read huge) amount of prejudice. He is talented and knowledgeable on all things fae, but it took a while for him to warm up to the humans. He immediately assumed the worst of Yasmin and her wards and it took Yasmin saving his life for him to start to trust her and realise there is much more to her below the surface.

The two of them together was incredibly entertaining as they argued, flirted, and burrowed their way into each other's hearts without realising it. Ravi becomes less selfish, and less mission-oriented and starts to think about his actions have an effect on the people around him. Yasmin faces her demons and becomes better for it, learning to trust those around her.

And one honourable mention to the best character in the entire book. Dain. A dark elf who looks after children, comes across as insanely grumpy and yet is the most wonderful character. The only thing that would have made the relationships in this book better would have been if Dain was the main male character. (Sorry not sorry Ravi.)

Moving away from the characters, the writing in this book was amazing. The story itself was well thought out and unique, detailed and it had me hooked from the first chapter. There are elements of enemies to lovers and miscommunication. Usually, I don't like miscommunication in a book, but it really worked in this book. I loved how slow-burn this was due to the prejudice and miscommunication - it made the whole falling-in-love element so much sweeter. This was the kind of book that had me hooked for the entirety and I loved every element of the story.

4 stars

This is my first book from the author and it had me hooked , I am torn between 4 and 5 stars but for now I am gone stick to 4!!
It’s a true high fantasy enemies to lovers slow burn book and as much as I loved Ravi and Yaz I was secretly wanting a reverse harem plot because I also adore Dain!! 🤭Shhhh don’t tell anyone about it 🤫😅
I am anxiously waiting for book 2 but I will fill my time with all the books in this universe by Donna Grant 🥰
The magic system is unique and although at first the many spices of elves scared me , I quickly found my footing and it seemed very easy to tell the characters apart!!
The end of the book left me with so many questions and I hope I’ll get some answers in the next book !! There are plenty of interesting characters as well as an air of mystery about them , I can’t wait to find all about them !

I actually loved this book! It made me cry at the end, it made me worry, it made me anticipating what was going to happen next and so much more! Yaz is so relatable and her growth through the book was admirable. Ravi seemed surface level at the beginning and quickly grew to something more. I can’t wait for the next book to release in November! *Adds to cart* 😂 but seriously, I would highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy with a little romance and enemies to lovers intertwined.

I did enjoy this book. Overall plot was good, and I felt like the characters had life to them. I throughly enjoyed Yasmin & Ravi’s relationship. The backstories were well written!

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the editor for sending me an advance copy of this upcoming title. Your hard work and dedication to this project are truly commendable, and I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to review it before its official release.

The depth and quality of this work are a testament to your meticulous attention to detail and your passion for bringing exceptional stories to life. From the engaging narrative to the well-developed characters, it's clear that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into every aspect of this book.

I am genuinely excited about this title and eager to share my thoughts and insights. Having the chance to read it in advance has been a wonderful experience, and I am confident that readers will be just as captivated by it as I am.

Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity. Your support and trust in my feedback mean a great deal to me. I look forward to continuing to work together and witnessing the success of this fantastic book.

High fantasy ~romantasy~

The Tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity/teamwork
-magical main character
Some CWs for physical/emotional/sexual abuse

I really WANTED to like this much more than I did. Don't get me wrong, it was a diverting read, but I didn't feel sucked in to the worldbuilding like I wanted to. The MC and love interest fell a little flat for me. I also wasn't super into the racism metaphor of the elves vs humans caste system-- like what if this white person experienced racism?

I spent a good chunk of the book thinking that the main character MIGHT be a dragon princess or was going to fuck a dragon and neither of those things turned out to be true and I was SO disappointed. Maybe in the sequel...?

This is the first book of Donna Grant that I’ve read and while usually I much prefer the 1st person POV, I’ve had a lot of fun reading this books.

This is a spin-off of her other series but if you’re new to the author like me, don’t worry. You can definitely start your journey with this one.


Rising Sun is a very fun, fast-paced quest romantasy. It has all of my favourite tropes:

- slow burn romance with a lot of tension
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- high stake

The book keeps you hooked from the very beginning and the relationship between two MCs grows gradually and naturally. There is a lot of danger and tension that draws you in and keeps you interested till the very end.

The world building was great, with no info dumping and I can’t wait to find out more about the magical system.

I definitely recommend it to all fantasy romance lovers ✨

Rising Sun
Donna Grant

Rising Sun is set in a world where Elves are the superior race and humans are left to survive the hand they’ve been dealt. Yasmin hates Elves and all they’ve taken from her, she dreams of fleeing to find others like her. Ravi is a Sun Elf and has nothing against humans… except Yasmin, whom he despises. This was one of the better enemies to lovers I have read recently, we get to delve into the depths of their disdain for a good section of the book. I just hate when the loathing is over too fast! Yasmine and Ravi set off on a world saving adventure as unlikely and unwilling partners. The character growth from Ravi in this book was a real stand out for me, his ability learn and change his perception as he learns about her life and trauma. This was 5 stars from me and I am excited to read any future connecting books.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Rising Sun" marks the impressive beginning of a promising new series by Donna Grant. One of the greatest fears when starting a new series from an established author is feeling obligated to delve into a backlog of previous works to grasp the storyline. However, this novel deftly avoids that pitfall. The pacing is impeccable, drawing readers effortlessly into a thrilling adventure alongside protagonists Ravi and Yaz.

The chemistry between Ravi and Yaz is electric, particularly in the forced proximity scenes that sizzle with tension and intrigue. These moments not only add depth to the characters but also drive the narrative forward with palpable energy.

Overall, "Rising Sun" is a captivating read that combines seamless pacing with engaging characters and steamy interactions. It's a testament to Donna Grant's skill in crafting both plot and romance, making it a must-read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this exciting series.

Looking for adventure, espionage, romance, and magics? Well this is a book for you! The book contains a great adventure/mission that’s also leads to a steamy slow burn romance all within a fantasy setting!

What a surprise Rising Sun, Book 1 of Elven Kingdoms, is! It has its own distinct otherworldly personality which leads you into a multifaceted plot of intrigue and romance. The author’s characters are diverse and well thought out creating a fast-paced storyline. The opening chapters take the reader on a wild goose chase trying to figure out who are the heroes and who are the villains. Slowly the author gives the reader more information entrapping them in the storyline creating the desire to read the book in one sitting. Even at the end of the book this reader was wondering on a few of the main characters.

For me I feel this book is a little more to the dark side with its characters which was an unexpected shift from her other series I’ve read and loved. I honestly became very fond of the characters in this book. Some took longer but they grew on me the further I got into the plot.
Some of my favorite characters were Jasmine the main heroine with a secret. Once I found out what her secret was, I was filled with compassion and understanding for her actions and thoughts. The two male characters that caught my attention was Ravi and Dain. Both exciting and diverse in opposite ways. I was surprised by which one caught Jasmine’s eye but you’ll have to read the book to see if you agree.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I can’t wait to see if Yasmin can move forward with her life. You can be sure it will be just as good if not better than this book.

I enjoyed this book and gave it 4.5 STARS.

What a great start to a new fantasy series!

It’s action packed with a great premise. It was enemies to lovers and the author built a great foundation for the romance. I liked that it wasn’t “instant love” between the main characters which I see all the time.

I loved Dain even though we didn’t get much of him but I think he was set up well for future books… at least I hope so!

My only con is that the last 20% (besides the epilogue) could have been shortened. I don’t feel it added much to the story.

But that being said it was also very steamy at the end!

Really fantastic read overall.

I really enjoy Donna Grant's paranormal books. Well, to be honest I love all her books. The elves of Scotland and Ireland are particularly fun to read about. Grant has a vast imagination and creates another amazingly complex and infinitely interesting world.

Forced to guide Ravi to Shaldorn, Yasmin struggles to return to the scene of her worst nightmares from which she is the lone known escapee and to work with an elf. She's not given a choice but is promised a very worthwhile reward to help take care of the kids she loves and watches out for. The trip is as harrowing as they come and the two find themself fighting awful creatures and worse weather., narrowly escaping death more than once. When Ravi realizes how hard Yasmin will fight for herself, her wards and even him, he can't help but be impressed. She finds she may have held some not-fully-justified prejudices again him. As if the journey wasn't challenging enough, getting into and back out of the fortress and den of debauchery is every bit as difficult as Yasmin has portrayed it. When all seems lost, these two manage to work miracles, get out alive, and return to their starting point. Even then their love can't seem to exist and overcome.

Will these two find their HEA? It isn't easy but totally worth it. Another great read by Grant.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Dragon Kings series is one of my favorite. This series branches off from it.

Yazmin is a human living among the fae. Humans aren’t always treated with kindness. After Yazmin runs away from her adopted fae parents at 12, she ends up at Shaldorn. A place that the worst of the worst go to have “fun”. Unfortunately, Yaz Iives through some pretty horrific things. She does finally escape with the help of a friend and a mountain elf. Now, she takes in orphaned human children and protects them.
Ravi, Sun Elf, is a DIA agent who is tasked with going to Shaldorn to stop the sale of a device that someone wants to detonate in the dragon territory. This would start a war between the dragons and elves. After detaining Yaz, she is forced to take Ravi to Shaldorn since she is the only person to ever escape. Yaz must face her past in order to help Ravi stop a war.

It was hard to read what Yaz went through at Shaldorn but she’s faces it head on with Ravi! I’m really happy with how it ended.

I will say there are 2 side characters Dain, Dark Elf, and Manu, Mountain Elf, that I can’t wait to read their stories!!

This book was really good. I really loved the inter connectedness of the stories and characters. I really enjoyed it

Yasmin, a human, is thrust back into a world that she barely escaped. Ravi , a fae, who is set in his ways if forced to work with her. As they embark on their journey, tensions rise and secrets are learned. As they get closer to their destination, Yasmin dreads going back to a place that has caused her soo much pain. But she gave her word that she would get Ravi there. Ravi soon begins to see Yasmin in a new light and starts to value her more than the mission. Will they survive their journey ?

I read this book quickly, but some aspects of this book could have been shortened to get to the main plot. The relationship between characters needed to be developed a bit more as well. As long as it took for them to get to destination in book, I felt their relationship could have been developed further than one or two good scenes. I feel like there was a bit more potential for this book.
I actually did enjoy the book though and I would enjoy reading the next book.
Character Development 3/5
Plot Development 3/5
Spice 1/5

Donna Grant's "Rising Sun" takes us on a thrilling journey through the treacherous Dangerous Peaks with an unlikely duo: the thief Yasmin and the enigmatic elf Ravi. The premise is intriguing—a heist in a fantasy setting with the added spice of enemies-to-lovers romance.

Grant paints a vivid picture of the perilous landscape, making the mountains themselves a formidable character. The tension between Yasmin and Ravi sizzles as they navigate not just the physical dangers but their growing attraction. Their banter is sharp, and watching their walls crumble is satisfying.

However, I felt the story could have delved deeper. The betrayal hinted at in the summary didn't pack the emotional punch I hoped for, and some plot threads felt a bit rushed. Overall, I liked the adventure and the sparks between our leads, but I was left wanting more depth in both the characters and the plot. It's a solid read for fantasy romance fans, but it could have soared higher.

The story was fun and entertaining. While it had its clichés and corny moments, it didn't feel unbearable. The only real issue I had was that I couldn't visualize anything. I hope the author improves their descriptive writing in future novels to create more vivid and immersive scenes.

Wow, absolutely loved the storyline. The slow burn and the enemies to lovers dynamic were pure chef's kiss. I couldn't put this book down, I devoured it as fast as I could. When I realized I was nearing the end, I felt genuinely upset because I didn't want it to be over, but also excited for the next books.
This is my first time reading anything by this author, and I am thrilled to have discovered a new favorite. I'm now on a mission to devour all her books, I'm obsessed, and eagerly awaiting the next release and yes I will be preordering it for sure.
Also, I must mention that the cover of this book is stunning, and I can't wait to display it on my bookshelf, shrieks in excitement. 
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a slow burn, enemies to lovers, close proximity, and a forced quest that brings a lot of delicious drama. A big thank you to the author for creating such a realistic world. It's been a couple of days since I finished it, and I'm still thinking about it and that's when you know you've read a good book!
Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't regret it.I would also love to add that I am grateful for Donna Grant, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this beautiful ARC that has now become my new obsession.

I've never read any Donna Grant books before! I've always thought about diving into her books but I wasn't sure where to start and it seemed overwhelming. I didn't realize until I was adding it to my goodreads that this is actually a spin off series apart of Donna Grant's Dark World Universe. Luckily, this does stand on it's own and I was able to follow everything well, I'm sure reading the previous books might add a bit more context or some fun teasers but you can read this alone! We follow Yasmin, a courageous badass human who just wants to find a place for her and other tormented young human kids to go where they'll be safe from the horrid ruling Elves. Ravi, is a closed off, sexy, mysterious Sun Elf that knows there are problems in their world but generally believes the best in their government until he truly sees what they have put Yasmin and others like her through. They are forced to travel together and of course get closer, this is s slow burn book with some spice towards the end. I really enjoyed their backstories and how it affected their choices! The ending was so sweet and wrapped up really nicely but gave us a little hint to the next book with one of the side characters (who I adored!!) will be the next MMC!