I loved this second book even more than the first. Considering how much I had adored the first one, this is saying something.
This second installment focused more on Talasyn and Alaric’s relationship and I WAS THERE FOR IT. The tension was exquisite, those two idiots pining for each other was the best sort of push and pull. Seriously, the angst, the swooning, the frustration, the BANTER, everything was there. And let’s not forget Sevraim and Tala’s father as the perfect comic relief.
Even though the politics were less heavy this time around, there was still a decent amount of scheming to prepare us for what will inevitably be an incredible showdown. The magic was explored further and I loved how Alaric’s and Talasyn’s magic keep mirroring each other but drawing them together.
I could honestly not find a single thing I didn’t like in this book; I can’t wait for the third one.

4.5 stars! This was a fantastic continuation to The Hurricane Wars series! It most certainly did not fall victim to the dreaded second book syndrome. I liked The Hurricane Wars, but I LOVED A Monsoon Rising!!! This book excelled the first book in all aspects. I really feel like Thea executed the storytelling in a much better way in this one.

In this next installment in the series, Talasyn and Alaric must learn to work together to stop the Moonless Dark, a magical event that risks destroying both their nations. However, teaming up with the person their nation sees as the enemy proves to have its challenges; especially when they start to develop feelings for said person. While the marriage alliance between Talasyn and Alaric was meant to bring peace between their nations, each side continues to have their own motives for the union. Political scheming, betrayal, and romance ensue as Talasyn and Alaric each grapple with the guilt they feel over their growing attraction to one another and the duty they feel towards their people. Each will have to decide whether to follow their hearts or to adhere to the expectations of their duty and their loyalty as rulers to their nations.

I love a book where you can so clearly see both sides to a story. I understood where both Talasyn and Alaric are coming from in their viewpoints of their nation’s past and present history, which makes the political intrigue so fascinating to read. I enjoy when there is good political scheming going on in the background amidst everything else. It makes the interactions feel particularly intense. I adored Talasyn’s and Alaric’s interactions with each other in this book. Their constant need to want to hate each other and fight each other on everything was so much fun to read. The antagonism between these two made for great tension. The spice in this book was also so good and so well done!

This book will leave you screaming. Literally. That ending was beyond maddening!!!! I kept swiping at my kindle like more pages were going to magically appear. It is going to be torture waiting to find out what happens next!

If you are a fan of arranged marriage or marriage of convenience tropes this for you. If you are obsessed with the enemies to lover’s trope like I am, the kind of enemies to lovers where the characters have legitimately tried to kill each other but also still want to kiss each other, you will love this series!

The only thing I would like to experience more of in book three is to feel like I am more in the character’s minds. I want to endure their feelings with them in a way that makes me feel like I am experiencing the book like I am living in it rather than reading it. However, I thought this was superb. I already have no doubt I am going to love book three even more. Thea Guanzon just keeps getting better and better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hurricane Wars was one of my favorite books of 2023, A Monsoon Rising was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 so when I got approved to ARC read I lost my mind. Thea, man you blew this book out the water. Bravo. This book did not fall into second book syndrome

Leaving right off where Hurricane Wars ended we are right back into the story, it was so seamless you almost forgot the book had ended. A Monsoon Rising is actioned packed from cover to cover, it kept me engaged and I could not put the book down.

Talasyn and Alaric have the best enemies to lovers I have ever read and I have read so many books that are meant to be enemies to lovers. This one tops them all, the anger, the hate and the wanting to physically un-alive each other was real. And with this kind of hate you cannot just fall in love, no you cannot and Thea did the impossible of drawing out the slow burn romance to burn scolding hot. Really it’s too hot to handle. This book brings the spice, there is a few very detailed but well written screens that do not take away from the story. Honestly I don’t even think we have made it to lovers here maybe married with benefits? Either way I cannot wait to see how Thea continues this on into book 3. I feel like a lot of hurt and betrayal is heading our way.

Along with the action, adventure, slow burn enemies to lovers romance there is a whole world we are still learning about. Oh and did I mention the dragons? Don’t forget to add in a little marriage of convenience, forced proximity and politics…The story is so refreshing to read, it sparks something new and unique.

Beware of the cliff, you are going to be hanging there for a while, but don’t worry! There is enough space for us all…

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♾️

“Let them know, beyond the Shadow and the turning of the stars, that you are mine.”



Following the stunning debut The Hurricane Wars , A Monsoon Rising begins with Alaric and Talasyn navigating both the political and emotional landscapes of their marriage. All of the immense world building Guanzon meticulously developed in The Hurricane Wars allows for this second installment to start off running, our characters deeply entrenched in the efforts to stop the Void Sever from devouring their world whole.

We get to spend much more time in Alaric’s head, learning more about his character and enjoying his often sardonic and sarcastic observations. His character deals with a lot of inner turmoil, not only due to his upbringing, but due to his desires to be more than his predecessor conditioned him to be. 
I found myself understanding his character and sympathizing with him much more than I expected.

“What am I, if I’m not a weapon? What have you done to me?”



Guanzon’s degree in international studies and politics is evident in the believable and diabolical political machinations developing between the Nenavar, Sardovian, and Kesath nations, but what was most enjoyable to me while reading was the relationship development between Alaric and Talasyn. The intricate plot was seamlessly woven into steamy 🔥 tension and witty banter that I ate up with a spoon. There were also sweet and sorrowful moments where each MC struggled with loneliness and confusion while their connection deepened, unknowingly mirrored by their counterpart.

" It would be so easy to love you in a different life."

If you enjoy:
✨ Top tier witty banter
✨ Political maneuvering and intrigue
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Forced proximity
✨ TRUE enemies-to-lovers romance
✨ Pining
✨ Unique magic systems
✨ Dragons!! 🐉

- then you will really enjoy this book. If you read the first book and weren’t sure if you wanted to continue the series, I BEG you to please give A Monsoon Rising a try. All of the intricate world building from The Hurricane Wars pays off in spades. Not to mention the slow burn from really ignites! I'd give this a 3/5 on the 🌶️ scale.

This is the height of romantasy for me. Guanzon creates an epic fantasy story alongside angsty enemies-to-lovers romance with beautiful prose and imagery that makes you want to keep reading page after page.

To say that A Monsoon Rising was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 would be putting it mildly and it did NOT disappoint. Immense thanks to HarperVoyager/Avon, NetGalley, and most importantly, Thea Guanzon for providing me with an early copy to review. All opinions are my own.

ARC review (thank you NetGalley!): It has been almost 6 months to the day that I finished Hurricane Wars, and these characters have lived rent-free in my brain ever since. When we left off, Alaric and Talasyn had just entered into a political marriage for the sake of their two countries. But the two of them have a undeniable chemistry and, overtime, have started to soften toward each other without realizing it. I don't think I actually fully understood what it meant to soften toward someone until this book. Thea really did an amazing job of showing the characters' growth and how much they were at war with each other and themselves because of feelings neither one would admit to. Emperor Alaric isn't as dark and tough as he's convined the world he is—he's torn between loyalty to his father and falling for Talasyn. His inner battle and childhood trauma just had me wanting for him to just be okay. And Talasyn's definitely no pushover, but she's struggling to keep up with all the political traps while trying to decide if she can truly trust Alaric as more than just a political alliance. The world-building is top-notch, blending Shadowforged Legion and Lightweavers seamlessly into the story. Plus, the looming threat of the Moonless Dark kept me turning pages faster than ever. Not only does this sequel have all my favorite tropes (one bed, enemies to lovers, forced proximity), but you will NEVER see these plot twists coming. Apologies to my husband whom I kept waking up in the middle of the night every time I gasped. This book isn't even set to release until December, and I am already itching for the next one. Thea is the queen of cliffhangers, and she is quickly turning me into an addict. Absolutely 5 full stars.

Simply addicting and I can’t wait to see where this goes next! I will be recommending this and wanting to read more by the author.

The development, yearning, enemies to lovers… I- it was magical. The spice is also wonderful, it’s not the spiciest book I’ve ever read but it’s definitely a good time.

Thank you Harper Voyage for the eArc of A Monsoon Rising.

5⭐️

I couldn't wait for this book to come out and had it pre-ordered before I finished reading hurricane wars. This has become one of my favorite series and A Monsoon Rising did not disappoint. I could not put it down once I started reading. I highly recommend this series. Now I will be trying to patiently wait for the next book in the series.

I LOVED Hurricane Wars when I read it so I was so excited for the continuation in Monsoon Rising and I was not disappointed!

Where Hurricane Wars focused more on world building and establishing the wars that have devastated the entire continent, Monsoon Rising focused more on the interpersonal relationships between characters, especially between Talasyn and Alaric.

Fighting their growing attraction for one another, they must prepare and train for the Moonless Dark while also hiding their nations plans after the catastrophic event is over. How will our favorite couple deal with the developing feelings? With sassy bickering and a lot of Spice! While I don’t care for spice in my books, I hung on to every word that Thea Guanzon poured into the scenes.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and while I could have done with more external conflict, I think Guanzon set up book 3 excellently with such a big cliff hanger. I can’t wait for the next one!

I wanted a little more political intrigue and flashbacks and a little less pining from the leads BUT I know that the yearning and acting on that is what most folks are in this series for.

So when I say I did NOT see that ending coming, I mean it. I actually looked back to see what breadcrumbs I missed. I always knew there has to be more to the story that every adult was lying but now I have NO clue what really happened.

Ok, now book three. Whew!

I got this book as an ARC through Net Galley and Harper Voyager and wow what a phenomenal follow up to the hurricane wars 👏🏻 the tension once again was absolutely scrumptious; the push and pull was SO good!!! I read through this book at a breakneck speed; I just simply could not put it down. The plot was so engaging with political intrigue and complicated dynamics where you kinda don’t know who/what you’re rooting for (the greyness of it all) but you just have to keep reading to see what happens. So many scenes had me absolutely BLUSHING, kicking my feet, and giggling so much. The chemistry and banter between Talasyn and Alaric absolutely EATS!!! I liked the first book but I LOVED this book and cannot wait to see where the author takes the rest of this series, I will be SAT and waiting for the next book

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

I truly cannot think of a more perfect sequel than A Monsoon Rising. Everything about it was majestic - how the story flowed, the ebbs and flows of tension, the political game, character growth - everything was just so good from beginning to end. The chapters that seemed to be moments of comic relief and added levity to the story came at the right times, like a breath of fresh air to cut through the build up mind games being played.

The way Guanzon presents enemies to lovers is so satisfying - you can feel the yearning they feel when they’re away from one another and the emotions crash together when they are near. I can’t say enough good things about it. Bravo.

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for this ARC, this is one of my most anticipated reads, and it did not disappoint!

I am literally SPEECHLESS with that ending. It was SO refreshing to be back in this world. I love Talasyn, and Alaric to an alarming degree. The amount of tension, and guilt, and affection we get in this book was everything we needed for an appropriate follow up to THW.

The magic system, and setting of this series is so refreshing, as soooo many romantasies have the same type of setting- I love the tropical, sunny, humid location. And the magic system, while so detailed is so cool! I love the aethermancing we see from both our two main characters.

I was SO stressed out with the conflicts of this book, that I was anxious until the very end- and it was apparently for good reason.

This was well executed, and I already can’t wait to read the next installment 😆 I know this book isn’t even published yet, but a girl can dream.

4.75 stars, LOVED THIS BOOK!

First—thank you to Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts ✨

Second—if you read the first book and saw ~potential~ but were unsure about the series (like I was), this sequel will have you on the edge of your seat. I went in cautiously but ended up inhaling it, so now I’m kicking myself waiting for book #3…

Not to give anything major away, but in this book we finally get capital letter ROMANCE (this is a romantasy series first and foremost), as well as way better character development for Talasyn and Alaric. I love how the novel continues to weave between their perspectives, with some new tropes that had me squealing, and it all felt less forced than the first book’s introduction of this world.

Also: as someone who never liked Star Wars, this book moves away from the original inspiration material so don’t let that sway your decision to start the series/continue on. All in all a fantastic sequel that I’m excited for others to read!

A Monsoon Rising was everything I wanted in the sequel to The Hurricane Wars!! I devoured the fantasy action, the tension-filled politics, and the SEARING ROMANCE between Talasyn and Alaric omg. This book proves why marriage of convenience is one of the top-tier romance tropes. Every chapter delivered incredible romantic scenes and I could not help but devour them completely. It also just felt really nice to see these two's feelings for each other grow even more tender and sweet, even though on the outside, they still maintained a fiery-borderline-hatred-filled banter. After that CRAZY cliffhanger at the end of this book, I cannot wait to see where Talasyn and Alaric's political union and marriage go next!

WOW. First off, thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage for providing the ARC copy of A Monsoon Rising! I feel so fortunate to have been able to read this prior to its release later this year.

That being said, Thea, Ms Guanzon, my lady, what kind of magic have you laced into your books?! I have been absolutely hooked to this world since book 1 but A Monsoon Rising has me at the edge of my seat.

Not going to spoil anything for you all but this book continues the story of Talasyn and Alaric as they work together to save their worlds while also being at odds with each other. I mean these two are ENEMIES, they both want two different factions to succeed and two different factions to survive but the CHEMISTRY between them is undeniable.. literally.

With their marriage of political convenience they are drawn closer than ever in A Monsoon Rising. Alaric gets a taste of the kindness and companionship that he has sorely lacked his whole life, while Talasyn wrestles with her own thoughts and feelings.

I mean this book has it all, plus some DELICIOUS spice?! For me it’s the world building, the dragons, the really cool magic system, and of course, the ROMANCE. Thank you Thea Guanzon for a world that is so incredibly rich, it jumps off the page. But also, let’s not talk about the ending… when does book 3 come out? *asking for a friend*

This was a brilliant sequel, I feel like the characters were a lot more fleshed out in this book and the plot flowed really well. I cannot wait for the next one after that cliffhanger!!

Second book in the series. This picks up exactly where the first book left off. Personally, this book was even better than the first. It also has way more of the main character's relationship and spicy scenes. It ends on another cliffhanger though, given that I got the ARC I guess I am going to be waiting a long while for the third book.

Thank you Thea Guanzon, NetGalley & HarperCollins!

where to even start?! this was devastatingly good in every way. thea guanzon created such a unique world filled with an incredible magic system, and even more incredible characters. talasyn and alaric have the most intriguing enemies to lovers banter i’ve read in ages, and this may very well be the best i’ve ever seen it done. this is a SLOW burn — but it burns so deliciously. the growth of these characters both independently and together from book one to book two was done so well, you can just *feel* it without it even being acknowledged. their happiness is everything to me!!!

I feel absolutely honored to have been given the opportunity to read this before it’s release this coming december. I somehow managed to love this one even more than the first, which I never would’ve thought possible. I hope everyone else has the opportunity to love and enjoy this story as much as I do!

thea guanzon is a new auto-buy author for me without question. whatever she writes I will consume like a feral garbage rat. like hand over the grocery list ma’am 🫴🏻


I need book 3 expeditiously but I also never want this series to end 🥲🥲🥲🥲

GUANZON THE WRITER THAT YOU ARE!! I was a little bit worried about how well I'd remember the setting/characters after so long, but only a few pages into A Monsoon Rising and I felt everything rushing back to me as though it had only been days since I'd read the first book. Talasyn and Alaric were SO fun to read, and I had to stop myself and physically force myself to read everything more slowly because I was zooming through it so fast in my excitement. I thought it was going to be a duology for some reason but I found out in the WORST way that it isn't!! Can't wait for the next book!!

THAT ENDING!!!

The book immediately starts right after the events of the first book, and let me just say, this book DID IT for me. It was much more fast-paced than the first book; I never got bored.
The focus is on Alaric and Talasyn’s relationship, as well as the Moonless Dark. But I will say, this book focused mostly on romance and it did not disappoint. Who knew Alaric had such a dirty mouth. He definitely loved dripping down her thighs and watching her— on his wedding ring 😉 I’m in love with this couple and I already need more of them!
I will say, the ending did feel a bit lackluster. I was expecting a different ending (maybe a revelation of all the secrets both Alaric and Talasyn have been hiding), but I still loved the book ❤️

**Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this arc!**