The sequel is what dreams are made of. The banter is top tier. I love the chemistry between the characters. I can’t wait for book 3 after that cliffhanger!!

Loved the banter between Alaric & Talasyn. But overall it felt like something was missing throughout the whole book, almost like ready a lot about nothing. The grandmother and father of Tala are suspicious and did not enjoy their characters at all. Alarics dad is still awful, but hasn’t made super big moves. This felt like a filler book for sure, but I still enjoyed it!

I loved this book, it was the perfect sequel! It was full of action, political intrigue, amazing world building and some undeniable chemistry! After that ending, I can't wait for book 3!

YES! This is exactly what I wanted from book 2. Now I need book 3. Curse Guanzon for being the queen of cliff hangers. I am but a simple girl, and they 100% work on me.

To be honest, I was on the fence going into this book. Hurricane wars didn’t capture my heart but I wanted to give book 2 a try and I am so glad I did. I loved the development of the chemistry between Alaric and Talasyn. I loved watching them grow individually and together. I loved the battle scenes- both the physical and mental ones. And that ending had me on the edge of my seat, then upset there’s not a 3rd book to read right now.

I was gifted an ARC of this book by NetGalley but all opinions expressed are my own.

The unreal heartbreak this book gave me just makes me more anxious for book 3!
Thea Guanzon can write anything at this point and I would read it without any explanations. I loved the still breathtaking world-building, fierce Talasyn and the cinnamon bun Alaric who is trying so hard. The electrifying mix of rebellion, romance, and stormy magic kept me hooked from start to finish and the plot just kept getting better and better.

This was everything I wanted in a sequel and more. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. The stakes were high and I was genuinely surprised at the little twist we had at the time of the Moonless Dark and it was really cool and unexpected. I was on pins and needles when we got through that section, because I knew some other conflict was still in store and now I am just dying for book 3! Talasyn and Alaric's relationship through this story was still complicated as ever, and it is fun to be able to parse through their feelings for each other as we go, since they both don't know what to think of what they are feeling. I like that there is still that tension and enemy-like feeling between them and the payoff is fire. Alaric is down bad, and I am nervous for if (when) they both betray each other. I cannot wait for the next book!

I thought I was obsessed with book one... but then I read book two and it quickly took the lead obsession spot and with excellent reason!! Alaric and Talasyn remain one of my favorite couples to read - their personalities both make me laugh, the banter between the two of them, and the SLOW BURN?! I will continue to EAT. IT. UP.

This book focuses more on our favorite couple, both in their relationship and in their own upbringing/personalities as well as their own inner monologues with their struggles to do the 'right' thing for their own people.. if they even know what that is anymore. This book was something that I did not put down until I finished, and the way I yelled out loud at that ending will probably scar my cats for life lol.

As usual, a HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to never shut up about this book and this series. (:

I am blown away! A Monsoon Rising was everything I was hoping for in a sequel and more! This story really dives into Alaric and Talasyn's characters, as well as their romance arc. Although there are still secrets between these two characters, I was happily satisfied with how the storyline flowed. I'm still amazed by the creativeness and epic world-building that Guanzon has written, I love her writing and attention to detail. I was absolutely stunned at the end, but that just makes me more excited to read the next in the series! Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This picks up where book 1 leaves off, so I wouldn't recommend reading this as a standalone. You will need the backstory from the first book for this second book to make sense. Talasyn and Alaric are still married and they are still dancing around their physical attraction to one another and what it might mean if they give in and potentially develop feelings for each other. Their political alliance has outwardly put on a good show for both of their kingdoms, and they have tirelessly been working to stop the threat of the Moonless Dark when they aren't running their respective kingdoms. Behind the scenes they are both scheming and plotting to overthrow the other, but those pesky feelings keep getting in the way especially as they spend more and more time together practicing their magic.

This installment is much more focused on Talasyn and Alaric's relationship and the development of the romance between them. It is significantly more spicy than the first book, but they are more of the fade to black scenes than full on smut. As other reviewers have mentioned the plot does take a backseat as we are more focused on the characters in this book. I'm hoping that the third book is a bit more plot focused or at least more balanced. There are still a lot of political movements at play and unanswered questions that need to be resolved. I'm very much looking forward to the next book after that ending.

This book is a total vibe. It’s so well written. That ending just about killed me. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one.

Reading sequels to books you love can be a little daunting. A Monsoon Rising blew that feeling away almost instantly. The writing once again created a gorgeous world I so wish I could visit. The relationship growth between Talasyn and Alaric was a treat to read about. I am so thankful for the chance to receive an advanced readers copy of this 5 star book

This is an absolute masterpiece in enemies to lovers filled with political intrigue, yearning for forbidden love, and the battle of the life that is versus the life that could be. I loved Hurricane Wars and continue to be impressed by Thea’s storytelling. Talasyn and Alaric are characters you can’t help but root for and hope everything will work out. As this is the second of three books in the series, I expected a cliff hanger, but it went in a completely different direction than I guessed! I will remain on the edge of my seat until the next release and likely won’t stop thinking about everything that happened up to this point!

The romance really takes the drivers seat in this book. Our two main characters are still acting like enemies when they are so obviously in love with each other. The spice ramps up a bit in this book too (which I enjoyed) but the push & pull felt so immature.

The politics & fantasy elements took a back seat. Every characters loyalties & motivations basically stayed the same, and the non romance plot points felt jumpy. There were a few too many fade to black and come back weeks/months later for my liking.

I thought this series was a duology and was a little upset when I got towards the end of this book and realized this would not be the end. The entire first book and 70% of this book are leading up to one big event. I loved the way the light & shadow powers came together, but because they practiced so much the big event was a little less exciting. I was a little let down. I will say, the action is really well written in this series. I wasn't expecting the last 10% at all. I have higher hopes for the 3rd book.

I had a bit of a difficult time getting into this one. I felt like the miscommunication was overdone and I just couldn’t get on board. This could be a better read for someone else, but it just wasn’t for me.

Although I found many parts of this book/series interesting, it was really hard for me to get into the story. I found myself not rushing to pick the story back up and I didn't feel as invested as I was anticipating I would. I think Guanzon has a lot of potential with her writing and I am interested in seeing future works of hers. Overall this story was enjoyable and I actually think book two was better than book one.

I LOVED this book so very much. IT was beautifully written. The romance was top notch, and definitely spicy. Character development and angst was just perfect.

SCREAMING!!!!! What a way to start the new year!!!! Yall when I say I was SUCKED into this story I mean I was like double headphone don’t talk to me. Reading the ebook and listening to the ending and left with an open mouth! What just happened?!? Ahhh!!!! Soooo good!

*Thank you to Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to LibroFM for the gifted ALC*

This installment of The Hurricane Wars is definitely more focused on Talasyn and Alaric's budding love in their political marriage than the impending calamity, presumably left for the third book. I think some of my disengagement with this book was from listening to it rather than reading with my eyes, but the narration was phenomenal. There is growing dread as the revolution Talasyn's been hoping for seems to fizzle out, yet simultaneously go in an unintended direction. Ultimately she'll have to choose between her country and her heart... But now we wait.

And that cliffhanger? My heart.

Thea Guanzon did not disappoint with her second book in The Hurricane Wars series. A Monsoon Rising's setting was lush and opulent, the tensions were high, and Thea brought the spice.

This is not a add to your TBR book, this is a book you should start to read now.

After being married for the convenience of political gain we start to dive deeper into Talasyn and Alaric’s characters. Learning more about their past, motives, and beliefs. In this political game Talasyn and Alaric try to cause each other the least harm possible, while achieving the goals of those “in-charge”.

Unfortunately, peace is not an option as unrest across the continent begins to rise. Deciding who to trust may be harder than they thought.
The first 15 percent of the book was slow for me, setting the stage for what to come. Once things started to happen it was one wild ride after another. Each event and interaction leaving me questioning how will this all come to an end.

Get ready for a read of romance, magic, opulence, a bit of mystery, and a cliffhanger you didn't see coming.

Thank you to #NetGalley for being able to read #AMonsoonRising