Absolutely amazing! If you want enemies to lovers... you are gonna get enemies to lovers. This was mapped out perfectly. I love that the romance didn't take away from the plot. I can't wait for book 3!

"The Lachis'a needs to improve her focus," Alaric drawled. "She's still so easily distracted."
"And the Night Emperor needs to be knocked down a peg or two," Talasyn spat.
'It's very confusing because you both sound like you're talking to me, but you just keep staring at each other," Sevraim said mournfully.

The Hurricane Wars was a wonderful book that showcased Thea Guanzon's storytelling and world-building abilities. This one showcases her growth as a wordsmith. Perhaps because they don't spend the first half of the book in active physical combat, or because there is less world building required of a sequel, but this one is noticeably funny throughout. The first certainly had its humorous moments and one liners, but A Monsoon Rising had me regularly highlighting laugh out loud moments and the perfectly witty and evocative turns of phrase. Which makes the heart wrenching and dramatic moments all the more effective. Alaric in particular was a delight to read - the grim stoicism with which he interacts with the world is in hilarious juxtaposition to the drama queen/theatre kid energy of his internal monologue. "He'd throw himself off the balcony, he really would."

The relationship between Alaric and Talasyn is the heart of this book, and it is wonderfully developed. The spice takes a notable uptick from the first one, as they navigate their marriage and all of the larger political machinations that surround them while they prepare for the Moonless Dark and Voidfell.

And then that ENDING. I really thought I knew where the ending was going to leave us, and boy was I wrong. We are set up for SUCH an intriguing sequel, and all of my expectations have been uprooted.

'I'll never be the same... I will always remember this.... Just him and me and the monsoon.'

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers (or really, enemies ~while~ lovers)
- Arranged marriage
- Reylo vibes
- Dragons
- One bed
- "Who did this to you" but SHE says it
- Forced proximity
- Shadow daddy
- SE Asian-inspired culture
- "My wife"
- Touch him/her and die
- Masked MMC
- Flying warships

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5⭐️ 3🌶

A Monsoon Rising is the sequel to The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. The transition into book 2 was seamless.  Talasyn's growth in confidence and authority as Lachis'ka was evident.

I'm here for the banter between Alaric and Talasyn. Their chemistry was palpable, and I really enjoyed the push and pull surrounding their relationship and their sexual tension.

Imagery and world-building were very heavy. There were many times I felt myself getting bored because of soo much description. I just wanted to get on with the story.

I was quite surprised by the ending. I am intrigued to see how everything plays out in book 3.

SCREAMING cause this was the most brutal ending.
it took me a hot minute to actually pick this up and start reading this, but i binged this entire book in a day. it took me a second to get back in the swing of things in this universe, but once i did i tore THROUGH this book.
“it would be so easy to love you in another life”
i love alaric & talasyn and i just want so much more for them. i spent so much time screaming in this book because i NEED more for them. soft alaric?? i actually can’t get enough of it.
i’m super thankful for this arc i enjoyed it and i NEED book 3 STAT !!

Asdekljfl this book makes me feral. All of the emotions were felt. I laughed, I gasped, I squealed. The action scenes were absolutely epic and had me holding my breath and sitting on the edge of my seat. I'm so obsessed with these characters and this story, from Talasyn and Alaric's angst and banter finallyyyyyy turning into more on an emotional and physical level, to the love Talasyn's parents have for her, to the friends that behave more like family than the MC's actual family. Ugh it makes me want to cry just reading about it. Elagbi and Hanan's love for Talasyn is such a bright, shiny thing and brought me so much joy to read about. Alaric is the sweetest, most ridiculously overprotective cutie, while also maintaining the most perfect sarcastic banter with Talasyn. AND THE ENDING, WHYYYYYYYY and HOWWWWW am I supposed to wait for book 3?! I'm so honored to have gotten the e-ARC of this book! Thanks Netgalley!!

Thea has once again managed to capture an enemies to lovers romance in the best way possible Alaric and Talasyn walk the line or will they won’t they do well. Their chemistry is one of the most compelling parts of their romance; although both have come into the marriage with ulterior goals, as we find out in conversations with Alaric and his father, their chemistry and tension binds them together. But then we have the whole plot moving them and their worlds as well, two lovers on opposite sides of an ever widening rift that they must build between if they ever want to be together in an honest way. And we really start to see that in this second addition to the hurricane wars!

That ending? Like what! I need to process. My brain is going a million miles an hour currently. Further in depth review coming soon.

The second chapter in the Hurricane Wars fantasy series finds Alaric as the Emperor and master of the Shadowforged Legion and Talasyn, his Empress from his enemy rival nation, navigating their new reality as spouses and trying to find their way through powerful political machinations behind the scenes. They are forced to work together as Shadowforger and Lightweaver to overcome a threat to both their countries that only they can vanquish.

I’m really enjoying the world-building, the dynamics between the two leads as well as the dichotomies between their countries and the vulnerabilities and strengths they share and strive to overcome.

A really good follow-up.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the free early arc of A Monsoon Rising for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

DNF at 40%.
No. No not for me. It also didn't help that someone compared this to a Reylo fanfic. I have no idea if it was supposed to come off that way, but I can't unsee it now. I was already dragging my feet on this book, and I HATE Star Wars. This was the final straw.

A SEQUEL THAT DELIVERS! I was on the edge of my seat this entire book and could not put it down. Thea Guanzon has done what most authors fail to do — create a sequel that lives up to its expectations.

Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon is a captivating continuation of the Hurricane Wars series, blending political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and immersive world-building. Alaric and Talasyn’s forced marriage, meant to symbolize peace, only deepens their tensions as they navigate conflicting loyalties and simmering attraction.

The Southeast Asian-inspired world is vividly detailed, with the looming threat of the Moonless Dark adding urgency to their uneasy alliance. Guanzon allows Alaric and Talasyn’s relationship to evolve naturally, balancing moments of trust, conflict, and undeniable chemistry. Their connection feels genuine, grounded in shared struggles and reluctant respect, making their romance all the more compelling.

Though the pacing leans slower, the deliberate focus on character growth and the intertwining of romance and political schemes make the payoff worth it. When Alaric and Talasyn finally act on their feelings, it’s both intense and bittersweet, adding to the layered conflicts surrounding them.

Guanzon excels at combining epic fantasy with heartfelt romance, creating a story where both the characters and the world feel fully realized. Monsoon Rising is a satisfying sequel that leaves readers eager for the final installment.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I have found one of my new favorite stories to ever exist! This book had me laughing, crying, and blushing!! Guanozon is a stand-out author, and one of my new favorites. The writing style is incredible. I have not felt compelled to highlight so many lovely quotes and sentences in a long while, and this book had me constantly noting things so I can go back and appreciate the tale. Alaric is steadily and quickly making his way up my list of top male main characters. His growth, and Talaysn’s growth, are written incredibly well. The plot is immersive and it’s put together beautifully. This book is spicy but the way Guanzon writes it is intimate and special. The enemies to lovers plot line is insane!! I thought all the intimate scenes painted a great picture of their relationship developing and I really felt like it adds to the story, even with those great descriptions;)! Truly a work of art!! And the end!!! Ma’am I need the next book YESTERDAY!!!

The Hurricane Wars was my top read last year, so I had high expectations for A Monsoon Rising, and it did not disappoint! A Monsoon Rising is one of the rare cases where the sequel is even better than the first (which is saying a lot here)!

As they adjust to their lives as newlyweds with the conflict of being heirs to two volatile nations, they must also learn how to trust each other as they train to stop an event that would devastate both of their lands. This forced proximity creates a delicious tension as both Talasyn and Alaric navigate with their conflicting feelings, political ambitions, and orders.

What makes this book so good, in my opinion, are the individual character growth journeys of both Talasyn and Alaric. Talasyn really steps into her role as a leader of her nation, learning how to build alliances, navigate politics, and look after her people. While both Talasyn and Alaric have their prior beliefs challenged, Alaric, in particular, begins to question the motives and actions of his ruler and government as his own prejudices are brought to light.

I only wish this book had included more of the supporting cast, as this would have provided a broader view of the current situation of the world. It sometimes felt that the supporting characters were afterthoughts. However, this was likely a stylistic choice by Guanzon to demonstrate how caught up in each other our two potential lovebirds were.

A Monsoon Rising is the perfect blend of romance, betrayal, political intrigue, and character growth. I would recommend this for any Romantasy fan who enjoys a slow burn, true enemies-to-lovers story with heart.

A big thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and Thea Guanzon for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and this review was posted voluntarily.

It’s often said that a sophomore novel can never surpass the debut, but Thea Guanzon has utterly shattered that notion. “A Monsoon Rising,” is a fabulous continuation of the world of the Hurricane Wars. The individual character growth was very well done as Talasyn and Alaric both fully step into their roles as leaders of their respective nations, but also while also growing in their understanding of each other. The tension and tenderness of their budding relationship is so genuine and heart-aching!! Full of political machinations, tender touches, and a healthy helping of dragons, this series should be on every fantasy and romantasy reader’s radar. In true enemies-to-lovers fashion, there are always secrets and hidden motives that may unravel their newly-found truce once discovered… I thoroughly enjoyed this book and after the cliffhanger ending, I will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for access to this eARC for review; as always my opinion and thoughts are my own.

First I would like to thank netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to get an e-ARC of this book! A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon is a MASTERPIECE. I couldn't put this book down. I devoured this beautifully, heartbreaking and breathtaking book. If I didn't have to work then I would've finished this book in a day. A Monsoon Rising follows Talasyn and Alaric through their marriage, trying to save their homes from destruction and throughout that time things start changing between them and their loyalties are tested. Thea Guanzon kept me on the edge of my seat with this sequel and I need the third book RIGHT NOW after that ending!! Alaric and Talasyn stole my heart in this book. I loved their character development, the BANTER between them, the fire chemistry and the tension. UGH. That cave scene.....lord. The way he calls here Tala, literally has my heart. I loved the side characters, the dragons, and the story line. Everyone needs to get this book right now. This beautiful books comes out on the 1oth of December. Go order it right now!!

Are you in the mood for yearning? Just a little bit of pining? The same equivalent of Mr. Darcy’s little hand flexes, but make them mortal enemies in an ongoing war? With a dabble of magic, a foreground of political intrigue, and a handful of secrets yet to be spilled?

If the answer is yes, then you’ll love the sequel of the Hurricane Wars, a Monsoon Rising. I was ecstatic to receive an ARC of this, and happily consumed the book in a couple of days! I’ll try and leave out as many spoilers as I can-but please avoid the second half of this review if you’d like to go in completely blind. It was truly a treat, this book.

A Monsoon Rising picks up with Alaric and Talasyn as they navigate a marriage of unconventional alliance, struck in the heat of the deadly war in which they were raised. A war by which both Talasyn and Alaric were inevitably shaped as weapons, sources of power embodying their Lightweave and Shadowforge magic. The two of them must join together to defeat the Moonless Dark, a harbinger of death that is foretold to consume everything on the horizon.

I loved the Hurricane Wars, but A Monsoon Rising had me on the edge of my seat. There was a perfect balance of romance, political intrigue, and warring feelings between our MMC and FMC. FEELINGS! What a shocking, beautiful thing between two very war-forged main characters, and Thea Guanzon does such an excellent job navigating their brimming romance.

If you love:

- Enemies x Lovers (ofc)
- Only one cave
- Touch her and he might die of yearning?
- Political intrigue
- Vast, intricate world building

You’ll love a Monsoon Rising! While we see a strong thread of Talasyn and Alaric’s story, so much is revealed about the battling forces around them. I have a hunch that these characters are about to go THROUGH it in the next installment, and the cliff hanger left me…bereft.

Also, Alaric’s pining?

I might never recover.

THANK YOU Thea Guanzon for bringing this beautiful world to life.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

Romantasy at its finest!! A standout follow up to this Star Wars inspired series. No one will be disappointed by the continuation of this story and these characters 🥰

This book is definitely better than the first one! It helped that I slogged through the rough world building and plot of the first one, so I at least know enough for this book to make sense.

I prefer the balance of romance to plot in this book. Their back and forth makes more sense because they’re both hiding things from each other. There’s a reason for their dynamic to be so tenuous. I loved that they talked more in this book. They talked about things like triggers for their trauma. They tiptoed around their hopes for the future. I appreciated the building of their connection. They were sweet together, and I do think their chemistry is great.

The political aspects of this book did feel kind of neglected. We would go long stretches of story without it, which is caused by the fact that the main political plot is over arching all of the books, not just this one. But I think that because the main plot wasn’t looming very large, I kinda forgot about it for most of the book. It’s the driving force that is keeping Alaric and Talasyn from being entirely truthful and actually together, but it didn’t seem to be super present. I was hooked, though, so I sped through this book in less than two days.

I’m hoping that the next book will connect the big plot to this book more. I’m curious to see how Alaric and Talasyn’s dynamic changes, and I can’t wait to watch them argue more. I really really hope that the third book doesn’t do that thing where it keeps them separate for most of the book until the last chunk of the book. It’s very frustrating, and. I have hope that they won’t do that to us.

I will be very impatiently waiting for the next book to see what happens!

I enjoyed the Hurricane Wars but I wasn’t prepared for how much I LOVED A Monsoon Rising. I couldn’t put it down. The pining! The magic! The twists and turns! It is so so good. Probably one of the best things I’ve read all year.

I liked this even better than the first book! A good balance of plot/world building with the romance. I liked the characters more in this book. And the ending!!!