Thea really knows how to write an angsty romance, my goodness! I loved traveling back into her world and exploring more into these characters and their romance.

A Monsoon Rising is the second book in The Hurricane Wars series. The first book focused on world building and plot, while the second book focused more on the political marriage between Alaric and Talasyn and their very angsty romance. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m definitely interested to see what happens in the next installment!

Thank you to Thea Guanzon, Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager, and to NetGalley for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

After reading The Hurricane Wars, this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, and it did not disappoint! The world building expands even more, which meant it took me a bit in the beginning to figure it all out, but dang was it worthwhile.

So. Much. Suspense. I feel like this is super hard to do when a book is more character driven than plot driven, but it worked perfectly. I am in love with Talasyn and Alaric, and the tension between them is *chef’s kiss*. Learning more about them both—their inner thoughts and fears—gave so much more depth to the story.

And THE CLIFFHANGER. I *need* to know what happens. I have so many unanswered questions. Thea Guanzon, you are a master, and I am praying you are already writing the next book because I can’t take the waiting!

My only regret is starting another incomplete series, because I’m impatiently waiting to find out what’s next. This is a must read for all fantasy lovers and especially those who’ve read The Hurricane Wars!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the gifted eARC!

The Night Emperor was trained and honed into a powerful weapon meant for war, so he is left floundering when a time of peace comes his way. Pushed into an alliance to end the fighting he finds himself now married to his sworn enemy, Talasyn. With the threat of the Moonless Dark looming over them, they must put their feelings aside and work together to save their kingdoms from that one magical night that could destroy their entire world. Alaric and Talasyn slowly begin to trust each other but with them each harboring secrets they can never share, can they give each other their loyalty in the end?

I was so thrilled to jump back into this world with Talasyn and Alaric. As soon as I finished The Hurricane Wars, I knew I wasn't going to forget these characters anytime soon. I loved learning more about the magical world that this story is set in with so many political moves going on. I also couldn't resist the tension that was practically sparkling between Talasyn and Alaric. Sometimes a slow-burn romance can get a little drawn out but this one did not disappoint at all. With the stunning ending of this one, I will once again have these characters on my mind for quite a while!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

by Thea Guanzon
Genre: Romatasy I Reylo I Fantasy
Release Date: December 10, 2024
15/5

When I read The Hurricane Wars a year ago I was so captivated by the writing (THE BANTER) and the true slow burn enemies to lovers that this book was. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am not "really into romance" but that is clearly a lie because the way I am absolutely feral for Talasyn and Alaric should be studied.

A Monsoon Rising hit all of the notes that I loved about The Hurricane Wars: banter, political intrigue, a slowwwww burn romance, enemies to lovers, plotting (oh the plotting is so good!), but built on it and made it probably my favorite read of the year. The spice was spicing! I didn't think that I could love A Monsoon Rising more than I loved The Hurricane Wars, but I was so wrong. I loved every moment of this book, I did not want it to end. Speaking of endings, THEA! How could you do that to us?! That ending was so good that I have been thinking about it ever since. I can't speak more highly of this book. It was such a hit in our buddy read group and I am so happy that I was able to read this with them.

Special shout out to the team at HarperVoyager for reading my delulu email and still allowing me to receive an advance reader copy AND a finished copy of this book! I preordered the Waterstones and Fairyloot editions and I can't wait until they arrive.

A Monsoon Rising continues the sweeping fantasy saga of the Hurricane Wars. Thea Guanzon has created a vibrant world of magic, war, & romance. I love the unique magic system & the world building continues to be excellent. Guanzon's characters are well-crafted and relatable. Talasyn & Alaric continue to give angsty, star-crossed lover vibes. The tension between them crackles off the page and their banter is top tier. Guanzon doesn't take the easy road in her writing which may be frustrating for some readers but she delivers an ending that leaves you breathless.

If you are looking for a fast, spicy read keep looking. If you are looking for a world that will captivate you and transport you entirely then A Monsoon Rising is the perfect read for a cozy winter escape.

OMG. Tension, pining, betrayal, ANGST. angsty little babies. I mean, there’s a LOT going on in these little creatures minds and hearts and I, for one, would not be cut out for it. But it’s simmering and it’s little explosions and it’s GOOD.
Definitely more of a character driven plot than the first book but no complaints from me on that, because I love character driver plots!

I kept my expectations intentionally low for this one upon beginning my journey through it, as the first book in the series generated quite the buzz and no small amount of enthusiasm and acclaim only to completely fizzle out and fall flat for me.  I wound up having a bear of a time getting through it.  Surprisingly, A Monsoon Rising didn’t fare as terribly with me, for a portion of the book.  The first 60% or so was meh, flip the page; but after that mark, I dare say the story blossomed into beautiful, action-packed, butt-kicking flower.  Forget the romance in this one, the build-up in the last half of the book for the general storyline was fantastic.  I really hope the last book in this series follows closely the vein that the latter 40% of AMR; if so, the struggle may have been worth it.

Talasyn and Alaric now enjoy a state of matrimonial bliss.  Each spouse holds interests in direct opposition to the other.  I’ll admit, it’s a pretty good conundrum for tension building.  If you’re reading for the romance, you’ll like the scenario.  If you’re reading for plot development, it’s a bit of a slog bog.  However.  The overarching plot must eventually come to the fore.

Because I only really care about the world building and plot, I’ll shift focus.  Otherwise, I’ll descend into a deep pit of nitpicking and criticism.  The whole point of this story, really, is the aversion of a  global catastrophe.  Secondary to that, Alaric’s father seeks to take Talasyn’s power somehow and use it for nefarious, presumably world-dominative purposes.  For a fantasy novel, these two conflicts pique my interest.  With the multiple layers of intrigue and conflict, and the absolute cliffhanger dropped at the end, I’ll definitely keep reading the end of the trilogy.  

Overall, I'm teetering back and forth between 3.5-4 stars on this one. The first half bored me to tears, but the second half really picked up the pace and kept me on the edge of my seat.

My thanks to NetGalley for the eARC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC.

While I had high hopes for The Hurricane Wars, it fell extremely flat for me and I was a bit let down by it. So I was hoping this would pick it up. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me.

Our two main characters just don't click with me at all. And they still come off extremely bland and lifeless. The romance between them doesn't do anything for me and sadly, I just did not enjoy my time with this one.

This book is a sequel Hurricane Wars and if you enjoyed the first book, this book will not disappoint you. I loved this book so much. I’m so obsessed with Alaric and Talasyn. This was everything I wanted it to be. The ending killed me. I would definitely recommend to everyone. I loved getting to see different sides of the characters and watching them getting to see different sides of each other. Now I just have to wait for book 3.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for the ARC.

I adored Hurricane Wars and was counting down the days for this book because I had to know what happened next. Now I will be counting the days to book three because oh my god that cliff hanger had me gasping and clutching my pearls in horror.

Monsoon Rising was a perfect continuation of the story; I loved learning more about the characters, watching the enemies fall in lust or maybe love, and learning the truth about the void magic. The only thing that stops it from being 5 stars for me (would rate 4.5 if I could) is that there enough parts in the book that seemed either overly explained or unnecessary that it had a bit of a vibe of aiming for a specific page count so added enough fluff to make those extra 15 pages happen. Overall this is a highly recommended from me if you read Hurricane Wars or if you are seeing this review and you haven’t then you should.

I had trouble putting this one down. What a great follow up to Hurricane Wars. Finally starting to see their relationship come together, although there’s still a bit of “talk to each other already!” And that ending. Going to be holding my breath waiting for the next one!

In A Monsoon Rising, Theo Guanzon brings us an exciting mix of enemies-to-lovers romance and political intrigue. This sequel to The Hurricane Wars continues the journey of Alaric and Talasyn, whose lives have been forever changed by war.
The story dives into a world where love and loyalty are constantly put to the test. Talasyn is now married to Alaric, and she struggles with her new role as his empress while dealing with plots from her own allies who want to tear them apart. As they face the looming threat of the Moonless Dark, a magical disaster, their relationship grows more complicated, caught between duty and desire.
Guanzon does a fantastic job of creating a vivid Southeast Asian-inspired world filled with rich imagery and complex characters. Alaric's challenges as a leader and Talasyn’s journey of self-discovery add depth to the story. The magical elements, like the blending of light and shadow, reflect their relationship's ups and downs.
What really stands out in A Monsoon Rising is its focus on trust and betrayal. As Alaric and Talasyn tackle external dangers, they also have to sort out their feelings for each other, leading to some intense emotional moments. The stakes are high, not just for their love but for the future of their nations.
Overall, A Monsoon Rising is an engaging continuation of the series, packed with action, romance, and political twists. Guanzon skillfully weaves these elements together, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Fans of fantasy and romance will definitely enjoy this enchanting story!

Happy publication day!!!🥳
I am so thankful to have been given an arc of this book.
I didn’t want it to end. When I read Hurricane Wars, I wasn’t entirely drawn in and couldn’t stay focused when reading it! During Monsoon Rising, it was the opposite! I wanted more!🥹

An epic fantasy in a huge universe. This is the story of Tala and Alaris. Lots of fantasy action, gray morality. Great read with a cliffhanger ending.

4.5 stars

This book rises above its predecessor in the best way!

“A Monsoon Rising” follows Alaric and Talasyn as they play the part of husband and wife while secretly plotting to overthrow the other. But the longer the couple are forced together in an attempt to save their world from the Moonless Dark—a cataclysmic magical even that could devour everything—the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them.

I was not prepared for how much this book would consume my every waking thought, but I am more than okay with that!

The sequel to “The Hurricane Wars” takes readers on a wild ride with more betrayal, more politics, and, of course, more romance. Watching Alaric and Talasyn’s marriage become more than a political alliance made me feral! The pull that exists between them truly shook me to my core with how palpable it is. Because any kind of entanglement involving the two is forbidden, the tension born from their yearning in combination with the slow development of their romantic relationship is torture (I say this as a glutton for torture)! I loved the way Alaric and Talasyn got under each other’s skin. It reached a fever pitch when their feelings began to outweigh their loyalty. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when they finally gave in to their attraction!

The fantasy elements play a less prominent role in this one, but it is all worth it for the “who did this to you,” wound tending, and “only one bedroll” moments! When it comes to the cliffhanger at the end, however, I fear that I will never recover. I NEED to know what comes next!

Absolutely loved this book! The world you’ve created is absolutely captivating—I was immediately drawn into the magic, the landscapes, and the way everything felt so real. It’s the kind of world I wanted to keep exploring long after I finished the book.

The main character’s journey was such a standout for me. Watching her navigate her strength and vulnerabilities felt so authentic. I really loved how she grew through the story, and the relationship dynamics were spot on. The romance had me hooked from the start. It was that perfect mix of slow-burn and tension, but it never felt forced, which I appreciated.

The balance between action and emotion was also brilliant. There were moments that had me at the edge of my seat, but then the quieter, more intimate scenes made me feel everything.

Overall, I just loved this book. It’s rich in world-building, with strong characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I can’t wait to see where the story takes me next!

In the second book of the Hurricane Wars, Alaric and Talasyn have married to bring their nations peace. Talasyn was an orphan, hiding away her Lightweaver magic that was once believed to be extinct, but now she's an empress in a nation she's been taught to hate. Her allies are working behind the scenes to help her overthrow the Night Empire. However, the more time Talasyn spends with Alaric, the harder it is to resist him. Talasyn will have to decide if she can trust her new husband to finally put a stop to the Night Empire's reign.

After enjoying the first book in this series, I was excited to jump into this world again. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finished the book before the release date. My library has purchased a copy and I will be recommending this series for people who like romantasy. It is clear that the first book had a LOT of worldbuilding and introductions to do, so it leaned more fantasy than romance, but in this one, Alaric and Talasyn are married and clearly attracted to each other, so the romance plays out more.

Happy Release Day

In a Monsoon Rising we get to know more about Talasyn and Alaric and how they come to see eachother war is still brewing and although these two are getting closer they’re still on opposite sides of the war…..

I devoured this book, the banter and tension between Alaric and Talasyn is so delicious. They’re hot as hell the chemistry between the two is sizzling! Hot. I enjoyed being back in this world and the ending had me gagged and the part with the dragons is my favorite part I felt like that scene played out like a movie in my head. I can’t wait for book 2

Thank you harpervoyagerus for this arc I feel so honored to have read this.

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
One bed
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Dragons
Reylo

How is this book even BETTER than book 1? This book had me screaming, kicking my feet, giggling; all of the above. Seeing a whole new side to Alaric, had me swooning. The both of them, Alaric and Talasyn, are so aloof when it comes to their relationship it was endearing and frustrating. The way they always come back to each other, but as a reader I know there’s only more betrayal to come. I LOVE Talasyn’s personality and how she’s such a spit fire and seeing Alaric’s jealousy ?? Cherry on top. The CLIFFHANGER!! Let’s not talk about it, because that was EVIL! I need more. I need to know what will happen next. Overall 10/10, please go read book one and read this one!
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Thank you to @netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy!