What a good time this book was! It's got a slow but steady pace and plenty to keep you interested. If you're familiar with and enjoy DG books, you'll dig this one too! If you're new to DG, hang in there and enjoy! Solid 4 stars. Looking forward to more.

This was a great read for the first book in a fantasy series. I honestly haven't read a lot of fantasy involving elves, so it was fun to learn more about these magical creatures. This story lead Yasmin & Ravi on an exhilarating quest. Yasmin, a human who seriously hates elves, is forced to lead Ravi, an elf not super fond of humans, to a top secret place of debauchery - a place she barely escaped with her life. They're on a mission to break in, retrieve a weapon that is intended to be used against the elves and get out alive without being caught.

It's an exciting adventure with some interesting world building. The character development is solid. It was heartwarming to see Yasmin open up to Ravi and Ravi fall for her once he begins to understand her more. Yasmin is a very strong FMC. She has been through some incredibly horrific things, but still opened her heart to take in and care for abandoned and abused human children, kept her word on the mission regardless of having several opportunities to attempt an escape and faced her trauma head on like an absolute bad@ss.

Rising Sun by Donna Grant is the first book in the Elven Kingdoms series. This is an enemies to lovers fast-paced fantasy book. I had a lot of fun reading this book. This was the first book I read by Donna Grant and it definitely won't be my last!

The characters are very likeable. I really loved Yasmin. She was a strong badass FMC and I loved how she overcame her past trauma. Ravi was amazing. He was protective, strong, and mysterious. This duo was so much fun! Yasmin and Ravi are forced to work together to stop a terrorist threat from starting a war with the dragons. They absolutely hate each other in the beginning. Throughout their mission, they begin to realize that their assumptions of each other were wrong. I loved watching their relationship progress from enemies to unlikely friends to lovers.

This story had me hooked from the beginning. This was action packed and kept me engaged. The world building and magic system were easy to understand. The third act break up wasn't my favorite but I understand why the author did it. Overall, this was a great fun read! I recommend this book to anyone who wants an enemies to lovers fast paced fantasy book.

Thank you @dgauthor and NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I truly enjoyed this book and hope there will be more in this world soon.

P.S. Hoping to see more of Dain

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

HAPPY READING

Thank you NetGalley, DL Grant, LLC and Donna Grant for allowing me to read the ARC of "Rising Sun" in exchange for an honest review.


It was my first book by Donna Grant and I was left blown away, this book did not disappoint. Great world building and introduction into it without rush. I felt like Grant did ease the reader into it without overwhelming them and allowed them room to process and grasp the species playing in it ( absolutely LOVED the little info at the beginning regarding this with explanation of each elf species and their common traits) , the political stances and the conflics reigning in the fictional world we were about to enter.

The main plot of this series is a quest our FMC has to take upon herself with the help of the MMC, a quest full of danger of course for the greater good, a quest that does bring both to their limits, catapulting our heroine into her traumatic past and has her face her demons.

This book had it all for me, a lot of action, a lot of funny banter, enemies to lovers, slow burn and just the right sprinkle of spice.

I could say that the end might did seem a bit rushed up from its pace than prior, however, I did not really mind and it did not make the read any less enjoyable.

If you are a fan of Thrones of Glass, THIS might be something you can find yourself liking as well. A fan for every fantasy reader, that is for sure.

Gosh, I love this authors writing. I love these elves, can’t wait for the next book. When a human and a elf set out to recover a device meant to kill dragon kings, they face more then they expected. Can Yasmin return to a place of terror to help Ravi complete his mission?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Donna Grant and I’ve enjoyed all of her books in the past. I find no matter which series you read and wherever you start, each book and story can stand on its own.
For once, I actually started at the beginning of a series, and even though it took a bit to get into, I enjoyed it in the end. I found that there was almost too much explaining and detail at the beginning and not enough story, but as the novel progressed, it evened out and I was able to focus more on the characters. love how she’s able to link all her worlds together and I’m excited to see where this one goes.
Looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley & DL Grant for this advanced copy.

Rising Sun is an enemies-to-lovers, heist escapade set in a fantasy world, with lots of political intrigue & world-building. I really enjoyed a lot about this book. Yasmine’s trauma & backstory were well-written, and enjoyed the development of her character. I liked the magic system with the different elves & thought the supporting characters were interesting!

The pacing was a bit too fast for my personal taste, and as a result, I felt that I struggled to suspend disbelief in regards to the main characters’ relationship. I also felt as if I was ‘told’ a bit too much about the characters’ feelings, rather than shown.

Very fun read though!

Rising Sun has a compelling story that had me interested in what was to come. Set in a fantasy world where humans and elves coexist within a realm, the story follows a female human and male elf. The third person POVs jumped back and forth between the two characters.

Yasmin is captured by the DIA, a seemingly governmental faction similar to real-world CIA. She is forced to help the elf, Ravi, to complete his mission, as she is the only living being who has ever escaped the compound where he must retrieve a bomb. The DIA became aware of the bomb that would put them at war with the neighboring Dragon faction. Yasmin and Ravi must work together to neutralize the problem, but first need to travel by foot to the location. Yasmin has a severe distrust of elves from her past. It is revealed throughout their journey to the compound how Yasmin was abused by her former elf family and captors. In the beginning, Ravi doesn't trust her because he likes to work alone and has been betrayed in the past. I am unsure why Ravi dislikes humans so much other than an overlying arc of elf-to-human racism that is present for the entirety of the text. Through circumstances that brought them together during their journey, they do actually come together in the end.

While the storyline is interesting and kept me wanting to know more, I had a difficult time with the writing style. The sentence structure was very choppy and leaned on telling rather than showing. There was a lot of "and then, and then, and then" feelings when I was reading. I felt like I was being taken through their motions, but not actually gaining any insight. I could not tell you what Yasmin looks like aside from blue eyes and dark hair. At one point, it is said that she is attractive, but I didn't see any other evidence to show this. Based on each character's past, I found it difficult to believe that these two characters would actually fall for one another. I believe the whole timeframe spans about two weeks. It was difficult to follow the timeline as scenes jump around and then slow down to more detail. ...detail that didn't really tell or show me anything.

Unfortunately, I really struggled to finish this book even though I was interested in this story.

An action packed enemies to lovers, with secrets and so, so many layers.

We are following (mostly) Yasmin and Ravi as they are thrown together to work on a mission to prevent a war. They not only have to brave the dangerous trek to an elusive fortress but they also have to find a way to overcome their prejudices towards each other and work together to survive.

Yasmin is my kind of FMC. She is strong, she is smart, kind and brave. She has been dealt an awful hand in life but she still digs into herself to find bravery in the most unselfish ways.

Ravi is stubborn, closed off, and prefers to not get close to anyone ...until a certain inky haired human enters his life and threatens to make those hard built walls crumble down.

I loved getting to read through this adventure with these two. The way that they pushed each other and talked to each other made it so easy to get absorbed into that world.

The magic system is really cool. I like the different kinds of elves, and how their magic comes into play. Additionally, I found the politics and dynamics with humans to be very unique, and I hope we get to see more of that as we continue in this series.

This story was fast paced, steamy, gasp-worthy...all of the things that make up a great Romantasy novel.

Overall: highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for the free E-ARC! This was a great, action-packed romantasy. Slow burn, enemies to lovers, with forced proximity and high tension? Yes please. Also the spice? Immaculate. My anxiety was in overdrive as the main characters navigated extremely dangerous situations, but I could not stop reading. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy and/or romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

A new elf book?! Say no more!

Yasmin is in a tough place after being caught stealing, she either faces prison or she has to take an elf to the place of her nightmares.

This is an enemies to lovers fantasy and I loved it! The two characters had so much chemistry despite her absolutely hating him and his kind in the beginning.

I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series! It drew me in quick and I was sad to be finished!

Yasmin was such great FMC, her devotion to those she cares about is truly unmatched.

If you’re looking for a new fantasy book - read this!

Thank you NetGalley and Donna Grant for this book in exchange for an honest review!

The tension in this book. I am deceased. This was a seriously good slow burn with all the tension and stolen touches (my fav). I think this has the potential to be such a good series.

I also love the Elven magic and cannot wait to hear more about each sect of Elves and their capabilities.

Thank you again to Tantor, Donna Grant and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. I received an ARC of this book and I'm leaving my review voluntarily and honestly

I had a fun time reading this book, overall. It was quick to draw me in, with smooth writing and quick paced action. The world-building was interesting, and I appreciated the glossary at the beginning of the book that discussed the various Elves of this world, their looks/homelands/cultures. That said, because we had this information available for reference, I wish some of the more clunky exposition moments, especially in the beginning, had been removed. Sometimes it just didn't make sense for a character (an Elf himself) to be reflecting on fairly basic information about his own peoples.

I liked the female main character quite a lot. She was spunky, but also practical and realistic about her place in a world set up against her, as a weaker woman. She also had an interesting back story that slowly came out over the course of the book, how she escaped a traumatic point in her life, what exactly happened etc.

The male main character started out fairly frustrating however. He's in a position where it's clear he's seen much of the world, but at the same time, he was incredibly naive about how much of the world worked, especially the ways that the humans suffered in their society. What's worse, he was pretty unlikable early in the book with the way he dealt with the FMC over this issue. His story is definitely one of coming to better understand these things, but it did start out fairly rough.

The plotting was ok, but the story itself felt fairly predictable, with many of the romance beats hitting in the exact way that one would expect for this sort of love story. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I did find myself struggling to retain interest at times. That said, it was also written fairly well and will likely appeal to many romantasy fans!

Firstly, I extend my gratitude to Donna Grant and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book. It was truly a pleasure to delve into its pages.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is its portrayal of adult characters. In a genre often dominated by youthful protagonists, it's refreshing to encounter a main character who has weathered significant trauma and confronts her adversaries with a strength born of pure determination to honor her word.

Grant masterfully weaves together elements of enemies to lovers, dual points of view, Elven lore, intricate magic systems, Romantasy, and forced proximity, creating a tapestry of intrigue and emotion that will captivate readers.

I would definitely recommend reading this book, and I look forward to the next one in the series!

While Rising Sun is the first book in the Elven Kingdoms series, that series is a spinoff of the Dragon Kings series. Since Rising Sun mentions characters and incidents from that series I went back to reread parts of those novels to put events into perspective. While it is not a prerequisite to have read about the Dragon Kings, it provides the background to some of the characters and events that are mentioned in Rising Sun.

Rising Sun caught my attention from the start and kept it throughout. The tension builds as we learn of Yasmin and Ravi's mission and the problems they face in their efforts to successfully accomplish it. Dain and Manu have their roles to play as well. The Epilogue hints at things to come. As always, eagerly awaiting Donna Grant's next book in this series, Dark Heart.

I was really happy to get ahold of this book as an ARC and even more thrilled that I got to read it. I’ve already told my friend that she needs to read this when it’s released on May 14 because this was more fun than I was expecting and I plan on picking up the next books in the series when they’re released.

I won’t get too far into spoilers because I think the best part of this book is hopping on the ride and letting it take you on an adventure.

The first thing I loved about this introduction to the Elven Kingdoms series immediately was the characters. I adore Yasmin. She’s an independent FMC with a big heart despite all the things she’s been through. Trauma runs deep, but her ability to overcome and rise above throughout the story is beautiful. Her enemy/partner Ravi is a Sun Elf with his own trust issues. The development of their relationship was interesting and I appreciate how it was handled. It wasn’t forced but rather very organic.

There are also some “side characters”—I’m not sure if they’ll continue to be considered side characters in future books—that made me go “hey wait, who is that? I want to know more.” I hope we get to see more of them in the future.

The world building in this book was also very interesting. I would have liked to have seen more magic (especially from Ravi), but the amount of building we get to see — politics, segregation of species, etc— I think will be further explored and I truly look forward to it in the future. Speaking of exploration though, the journey to Shaldorn gives us a physical glance at the world and the different creatures that inhabit this unique place. I feel like this ‘journey” our main characters embark on was the best way to show the lay of the land even if it is focused on just a portion of the world.

The story itself was 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was giving quest energy and heist, while developing characters and relationships. Once I got to the climax, I found myself refusing to put my kindle down to figure out how our MCs were going to get through the mess. There is a third act breakup. I’m not usually a fan but in this case I think it was necessary to resolve the “what’s next for us” question. It may have been a bit forced as the characters do a lot of back-and-forth over their reasoning for it.

I do want to give credit where credit is due though. This could have easily been another fae-related story with cookie-cutter MCs but it wasn’t.

Overall though, I enjoyed this ARC and I’m looking forward to seeing the world expanded in upcoming installments.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 ★★★★✫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Read this if…
You enjoy reading journey/quest-like stories that also involve a heist. Also if you enjoy hurt/comfort, only one bed, enemies-to-partners-to-friends-to-lovers.

If you love a medium-paced fantasy with a dash of steamy spice this book is for you!

This is book 1 of the Elven Kingdoms and has a unique world building.

Tropes:
☀️One tent
☀️Enemies to lovers
☀️Quest
☀️Strong FMC

Loved this book! Thank you so much for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book, the story line and character descriptions got me hooked from the start, will definitely be reading more of Donna’s books

This book was so fun! The start was a little off for me because this is my first book about elves and I felt like every line said the word elf in it but at first it helped you figure out who was who and then they switched to names and it made it flow better. The main character Yaz was my favorite, I was literally laughing out loud while reading because of the way her thoughts would just trail off in the most random moments! I think the author did a great job at showing just how well somebody can handle trauma but also be shattered by it. I am definitely looking forward to book 2 in November!!!

ARC Review: Thank you for this opportunity.

"Rising Sun," the first book in Donna Grant's new Elven Kingdoms series, is an incredible journey into a vibrant fantasy world where elves and humans coexist. This captivating opening installment sets the stage for a remarkable adventure, focusing on Yasmin and Ravi as they embark on a perilous journey through the Dangerous Peaks.

Yasmin, the story's heroine, drew me in with her complexity and the trauma she experienced in Shaldorn. She had every reason to avoid returning to that place, but when she's caught stealing, she has no choice but to make a deal: travel with Ravi to this stronghold or face imprisonment. Ravi, her elven companion, turns out to be equally intriguing, revealing unexpected layers as the story progresses and challenging Yasmin's preconceptions about elves.

The chemistry between Yasmin and Ravi is what really makes the book stand out. At first, they're cautious around each other, but as they face the dangers of their journey, their relationship begins to shift. Donna Grant's writing masterfully captures the slow build of their connection, blending tension, trust, and passion. The romance is subtle yet palpable, adding a deep emotional core to the adventure.

The pacing in "Rising Sun" was spot-on for me. The action scenes are intense and thrilling, while the quieter moments give us a deeper look into the characters' backgrounds and motivations. However, I did find that the world-building in the beginning took some time, which could feel a bit slow for some readers. But once the story got going, I was completely hooked.

Overall, I loved "Rising Sun." Donna Grant has crafted a mesmerizing world filled with complex characters and a storyline that kept me turning the pages. The mix of adventure, romance, and fantasy made it an absolute joy to read, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the Elven Kingdoms series. If you're a fan of fantasy and love a story with depth and emotion, I highly recommend giving "Rising Sun" a try. I can't wait to see where this series goes next!