Cliffhanger!!!!! Book 3 is too far away. lol.
Hurricane wars was so full of action and mommies to lovers build up I was hoping for similar with Monsoon rising but alas, this story was much more romance based. This is not a bad thing but I was looking forward to all the action and political build up to occur. Still a good book and that ending!!!

This sequel to The Hurricane Wars elevates the series to new heights, delivering a perfect storm of action, intricate world-building, and character development that will sweep you off your feet!

At the heart of the story, the relationship between Alaric and Talasyn crackles with tension and unresolved feelings. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is expertly crafted, with each interaction fraught with both passion and conflict. Alaric's character, in particular, shines in this installment, revealing a darker, more complex side that will have readers swooning and shuddering in equal measure.

This book is a must-read for fans of romantasy, political intrigue, and masterful storytelling. Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Voyager, and of course the brilliant Thea Guanzon for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A Monsoon Rising picks up shortly after the Hurricane Wars and continues the story of Talasyn and Alaric as they navigate their arranged marriage. They are forced to work together to stop the death magic of the Void Sever while still supporting the opposing factions of the Hurricane Wars. Can they fight their growing attraction to one another without betraying those they love most?

Guanzon knows how to write impeccable sexual and romantic tension between the two main leads. Talasyn and Alaric are both interesting characters on their own and they make sense as a couple. Like with many romantasy books, the plot takes a back seat to the romance. However, I'm okay with that since the romance in this case is well developed and mostly unproblematic. I am aware that the genre is being inundated by shadow daddies but, to be honest, Alaric is probably my favorite of the bunch. He's not toxic and clearly is always trying to do the right thing (with the caveat of being raised by an abusive prick who manipulated his world view).

With that being said, I felt that the last 10% of this book was written by a completely different author and came from a completely different series. (Not in a good way!) I will try to minimize spoilers going forward.

A major twist regarding the magic system is revealed and then literally glossed over so we can talk about the main characters having babies. Despite the plot and politics already being fairly complicated, the book ends on a new complication being added that was completely unnecessary and required Talasyn to randomly become an idiot. As stated above, I found Alaric refreshingly nontoxic and for some reason in the last few chapters, he suddenly becomes irrationally possessive? Why are we indulging in overdone and stupid tropes? Again, I felt like I was reading a lesser quality romantasy book and was highly disappointed.

I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll continue the series based upon how this book ended.

Fable review went live on 11/30. Goodreads and storygraph reviews going live on 12/3. Will upload Tiktok review on pub date.

Oh wow i definitely liked this one more than the first one! The tension between the two was well written and I feel like the authors writing developed more compared to the first. I will definitely continue to read more books by this author!

And that cliffhanger 😭😭😭

This was a very good follow up to a great first book. I personally loved that this book was more romance focused than the first and I loved getting additional historical background and world building. BUT the miscommunication went on for so, so long and it was pretty repetitive. I was ready for them to admit their feelings - gosh dangit! BUT that ending? Are you freaking kidding me? I need book 3 like I need air to breathe.

Thank you so much to Thea Guanzon, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Thea writes some of the most devastatingly romantic lines, and the entirety of A Monsoon Rising was no different. I've been in a large book slump due to mental health but what I was able to read was mostly this book, and it's such an incredible ride. Book one sets up the political intrigue, character building and an enemies to lovers romance so well. Book two is able to capitalize on what's already been built and go full steam ahead.

As someone who has Never Seen Star Wars And Doesn't Know Anything About Reylo I surprisingly enjoyed Hurricane Wars! It felt like a good balance between romance and politics that I like in my romantasy, and it was a beautiful book to boot lol. This one felt a bit more unbalanced on those scales, far more romance than politics, and the plot felt more dragged along than the first. I feel like this story is a trilogy because 1. trilogies sell and 2. star wars also releases in sets of 3 and it matches the inspiration. But I really feel like we could've removed half the romantic tension (SO MUCH!!!! I LOVE TENSION BUT THERE WAS SO MUCH) and advanced the plot more and turned it into a duology, but I respect the trilogy and will dutifully read the next because I gotta know how my lovers end up! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

I was not disappointed by the sequel. There was more romance in this book than the first and I genuinely loved it.

I will say the build up and build up to what we got was disappointing. It was like that’s it?! The ending had a cliff hanger and I do hope he causes chaos in book 3,

Thanks to netgalley for this ARC! I liked this better than the first one, but still found it a bit slow. The last 1/4 was excellent.

3.5 rounded up to 4⭐

Blurb: Our main characters, Talasyn and Alaric, are harbingers of light and dark magic and are forced into an uneasy alliance prevent an evil force called void magic to destroy the world. The book picks up from their wedding that draws a truce between their two lands, but secret political scheming while trying to fight their natural chemistry with each other.

MOVE OVER XADEN, A NEW SHADOWDADDY IS IN TOWN! Lol jk (not really, I'm in love with shadowdaddies).

One thing the author does so well is that these characters have a natural chemistry with each other, despite the blatant strong dislike for each other. Talasyn works with rebels to try overthrow her husband's reign while Alaric's father has intentions to betray Talasyn. The political climate of the book is a double-edged sword as it gives a unique intrigue in this romantasy but it is a big obstacle in the couple finally coming together.

My biggest fight with this book was that THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE IS SO REAL. I'm sorry authors, but it is nearly 2025, can we please remove this as a trope? I think a good 75% of the book is spent with the characters wanting the other but did they tell the other? Nope, because why make it easy on you right?

Also that ending??? Criminal. I need the 3rd book right NOW!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thea Guanzon for giving a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
A Monsoon Rising is the second book in The Hurricane Wars series, which focuses on Talasyn and Alaric's newly formed alliance as they try to prevent void magic from devouring the world. Their wedding was meant to bring security to the nations of Nenavar and Kesath, but it has only made matters more complicated. Talasyn plots with rebels to overthrow her husband's empire. Alaric knows his father intends to betray Talasyn. Despite these secrets, their combined magic (light and dark) is the only thing that can shield the land from the death magic. If they fail it will consume everything in its path.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and the second book didn't disappoint. There's more background on the history of the world and the lore surrounding the dragons of Nenavar. Talasyn and Alaric's relationship is the highlight of the book. It's highly entertaining, despite the nonstop miscommunication issues. I'm glad we got to see more of the dynamic between Alaric and his father, which I think is one of the most interesting relationships in the story. I felt like the ending was a bit random, I would've liked some hints at the betrayal throughout the book. I'm super excited for the third book in the series, and have high hopes for it. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the advance reader copy!

I’m a fan for sure. This story had just the right amount of action, distrust, politics, betrayal, and relationship that I enjoy. I’m a sucker for powerful main characters so that helps tremendously. The ending? Chef’s kiss. As a reader, I was left wanting (begging?) for more.

3.75 stars rounding up for this much-anticipated second book in the Hurricane Wars series!

Our shadow-weaving Emperor Alaric and light-weaving Princess Talasyn are navigating their treaty-induced newlywed life, while maintaining leadership of their separate nations and trying to not kill/fall in love with each other (a truly complicated dynamic). Their constant fighting (hiding them really fighting their developing feelings) is a major element of this story- less political scheming and plot development, but a lot of relationship development. Separately, we see them each having feelings, making plans to keep the other alive despite their separate militaristic plans, and yearning (so so much yearning) BUT NEITHER OF THEM SAYS ANYTHING!! I wanted so much for one of them to be the brave one, but it makes sense for their characters who have been raised in wartime, who have had to raise themselves to keep things close to the chest.

I found this book at times frustrating with the circular thinking and rehashing of the same thoughts over and over again, but I did find the book very entertaining!! Our boys Sevraim (right hand man to Alaric) and Elgabi (princely father of Talasyn) kept me laughing with their silly energy that the book desperately needed!

What I’m really hoping for in book 3 is more development with the dragons, especially Bakun!!! The training and preparing and actual Voidfell events were the most interesting part of the plot, and I’m hopeful we’ve got some cool things brewing!

Thank you so much to Thea Guanzon, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

OMG WHYYYYYY WHAT NOOOOOO!

WHEW! That cliffhanger did me in! I CANNOT!!!

Ok, ok ok. This was fantastic. I loved it even more than Hurricane Wars. Alaric and Talasyn together are just pure FIRE. Granted, they're not good with talking about their issues and secrets (so many secrets), but their chemistry is amazing. They're lucky they didn't scorch the world down before they could save it.

This has got plenty of action, training, angst, tension, and more. At points I felt like it altered my brain chemistry. And that ending!! Needless to say I am already rabid for the next book.

Many thanks to both NetGalley and Libro.fm for the preview. All opinions are my own.

After absolutely loving The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, I was so excited to see how Talasyn and Alaric‘s continues in the second book, A Monsoon Rising.
 
Talasyn and Alaric are light and dark, and I love how this imagery is continued in this book. The two are very opposite but just work together and with the Moonless Dark, they have a new threat. This created such great suspense and I couldn’t put the story down.
 
In addition, there is still a lot of tension between Talasyn and Alaric and that made me love their moments even more and the spicy scenes were great as well. This book is definitely more romance focused, and I was here for it. I always love seeing how these two combine their powers and the action and fighting scenes were phenomenal. And the ending blew me away and I’m beyond excited for the next book.
 
Highly recommended checking out The Hurricane Wars Series and this was an amazing sequel. 5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. “A Monsoon Rising” by Thea Guanzon releases next month!!

What you will find:
-Very slow burn enemies to lovers🖤
-Arranged marriage
-Found family 🤗
-Political intrigue😏
-Witty banter 😘

Rating: 4/5🌟
Spice: 3/5
Language: 1/5
World Building: Still complicated
Favorite character: Alaric (of course)
Favorite side character: Sevraim
Favorite quote:
“One word from you and I let my guard down. I couldn’t kill you, either, all those times before . . . What am I, if I’m not a weapon? What have you done to me?”

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

I was so excited to return to the world of The Hurricane Wars in A Monsoon Rising! This second book continues the journey of Talasyn and Alaric and their evolving relationship. Their love story, paired with their growing magical abilities, strikes the perfect balance of romance and fantasy.

The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Talasyn and Alaric training to prevent an impending eclipse. While the stakes remain high, this book leans more into the emotional and political side of their lives, particularly their marriage. The political ramifications of their union are explored in greater depth, adding layers to the narrative without overshadowing the personal stakes. The relationship development is central, and it’s fascinating to see how both characters continue to grow. The reader can feel the romantic tension and there is significantly more "spice" in this book.

What I especially loved about A Monsoon Rising is the stronger focus on character development. Unlike the first book, which centered more on world-building and establishing political tensions, this one allows us to connect with Talasyn and Alaric on a deeper level. We get a closer look at their inner struggles, with Talasyn grappling with the weight of her duties and Alaric hiding secrets of his own. Their emotional growth is mirrored by external changes in the world around them, and it makes their journey together all the more compelling.

While there are only a few major action scenes in the book, the pace does not slow down. Instead, there’s a deeper exploration of politics, training, and magic. The addition of more dragons was a highlight for me, and it was great to see their role expand in the story.

I was left desperately wanting more—and I am now eagerly anticipating the release of book 3!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

There were some things I liked, and some things I didn't.

The tension is still there between Alaric and Talasyn and they are still trying to figure out what they mean to each other. The chemistry and yearning! Top tier. I'm not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, but this one somehow felt credible.

We still have the plot thickening with the Voidfell and with each side scheming to destroy the other, but at times it did feel like it was dragging. At least the word "aether" wasn't used quite as much.
Just me give me the romance, please.

There is one heck of a cliff hanger though...and now I have to wait again.

Loved the evolving relationship between the two heads. It felt like they were real, flawed people. I do wish the plot had been a little more clear. There were times I felt confused as to the timeline, background characters, and rules of the world.

A sequel well worthy of the original.

I love how book two moved off the hurricane wars and the back and forth of them trying to kill each other (A true Enemy's to lovers) with them now together they attraction and the "nope this is a bad idea" on both parts had me positively giggling. I love watching how much Tala and Alaric both are working to the same goal however don't have two braincells to rub together in the way of communicating with each other.

Watching them work together and try to stop a physical threat while there is a HUGE threat building from within was so interesting to watch unravel. I'm already waiting impatiently for book three of the set and love the story telling as well as the character building and banter!

I dove into A Monsoon Rising right after finishing The Hurricane Wars, and while the first book wasn’t my favorite, I was so invested in Talasyn and Alaric’s dynamic that I couldn’t resist picking this one up.

Talasyn and Alaric are truly a standout romantasy couple. Their banter, their chemistry, and the constant push and pull between them kept me hooked. The tension of two people drawn together despite all the external forces keeping them apart is just chef’s kiss.

That said, the pacing of this book felt a little off. Honestly, it feels like The Hurricane Wars and A Monsoon Rising could’ve been combined into one book. We’re still working toward the conflict that, in my opinion, should’ve been the climax of book one, so parts of the story dragged for me.

There are a ton of loose threads left hanging, and I’m definitely curious to see how the next book will tie everything together. But let’s be real—I’m here for the romance, and the romance alone, and in that department, this book absolutely delivers. If you’re a sucker for angsty, slow-burn romance, you’ll love this one!