"A Monsoon Rising" by Thea Guanzon is a stunning sequel to The Hurricane Wars. I struggled a bit in the beginning, only because so much time has passed since I read book one, but the author's skillful storytelling and rich character development made it easy to jump back into the storyline.

The vivid descriptions of the creatures, dragons, and the Southeast Asian setting immerse the reader in a world of adventure and intrigue. The plot is expertly crafted, full of unexpected twists and turns of political plots, war, and a slow-burn love that kept me reading long after my bedtime!

The pacing is perfect, with just the right balance of action, emotion, suspense, and plenty of spice!
Talasyn and Alaric are complex, emotional, and compelling characters. I loved seeing their relationship develop with so many heated and spicy moments. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys, especially with the glimpse into their backgrounds and the court politics they must endure.

Guanzon's writing is beautifully poetic and evocative, and the cliffhanger ending made me excited for her next book!

Thank you, #NetGalley, #TheaGuanzon, and #HarperVoyager, for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #AMonsoonRising

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I wasn't a huge fan of the first book because it went really hard on the world building, the magic system, and setting up the political environment. All of that made it kind of a dry read that I had a hard time picking up and being interested in.

But that was not the case for this book! It was way more engaging and action packed and I really loved it!

Because the world and magic system was already established in the first book, this one was able to focus a lot more on the plot and the development of the relationship between Alaric and Talasyn. And not going to lie, I ate that up so hard! The romantic tension was so delicious and I absolutely loved that both characters were new to relationships and inexperienced, and had this discovery period when it came to intimacy.

The plot was also great! I'm really enjoying how the story is developing, and that there are still so many unanswered questions that make you instantly want to pick up the next book to see how things end.

I'm a big fan and am already so impatient for the 3rd book.

Spice: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Enemies to lovers
Dual POV
One love interest

The beginning of this book was a little hard to get me back into it, I felt like I had to read a couple of chapters to get my interest back but once I got familiar with everything again and the story picked up, this was even better than the first book. If there could have been a small little section in the front of the book with a recap of what had happened in book 1 this probably would have helped with that issue.

As always, the tension from being enemies to lovers was done perfectly. Somehow it was even better this time around than the first. You got so much built up tease but ended up getting EXACTLY what you wanted from this book. And thankfully it was not overdone once it started. A lot of authors in fantasy will string you a long until they finally do it and then have every single chapter about the smut but this spice was placed evenly and perfectly throughout.

You got so much growth from both of them, they each had personal growth but they finally had growth together. I loved seeing both of them start to come to terms with their emotions and finally allowing themselves to have a little glimpse of the happiness they each deserve so much of.

I absolutely can not believe the way this book ended- SO GOOD but so frustrating knowing I have to wait so long to know what happens!!! Damn you for making this book so interesting!

The biggest thank you to Thea Guanzon, Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for letting me read this MASTERPIECE. This was my most wanted book of 2024 and I am so lucky to have read this.

This book I loved the first one so much and was so excited to continue on with the series this book did not disappoint at all.

*One of my top reads of the year*
I loved A Monsoon Rising even more than The Hurricane Wars, if that's even possible!

We get so much more of Alaric and Talasyn's personalities in this one, and we see their relationship develop into something adorable/grumpy/messy/spicy (all of the things). They have clearly both fallen HARD. We also get even more background information on both of their lives and personal relationships -- they're both starting to rebel against their elders which I loved.

The politics and magic system are built upon even further. The world Thea Guanzon has created is incredible and I could easily picture every scene. (also the dragons and other animals!!!!)

This ends on a cliffhanger and I am now dying to have the next books in my hands.

What a sequel!!! I love the characters and the world this author has built and I enjoined this sequel.

Married to your “enemy” but also wanting to kiss them? YES! they have to work together or it’s everyone’s doom. I like the stakes that the author has put in.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

After a rough start for me in book one, this one was so much better. There's so much happening and I cannot wait to see what happens with the characters next!

Monsoon Rising is an electrifying sequel to The Hurricane Wars, filled with political intrigue, heart-stopping magic, and a simmering enemies-to-lovers romance that takes center stage. Set in a Southeast Asian-inspired world, the story brings readers into a storm of emotions and conflict as Alaric and Talasyn navigate a tense alliance, forced marriage, and the shadow of a looming magical disaster.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Alaric, the hardened master of the Shadowforged Legion, and Talasyn, the fierce Lightweaver, is brilliantly written. Their chemistry is undeniable, with the tension crackling between them like a live wire. Though they begin as political pawns trapped in an unwanted marriage, the emotional depth that grows between them feels authentic. Talasyn’s internal struggle between her loyalty to her homeland and the growing desire for her sworn enemy really shows the conflict that she is facing internally. Alaric, caught between his loyalty to his father and his growing feelings for Talasyn, becomes an even more compelling character as he grapples with his own choices of his loyalty to his country.

What truly elevates A Monsoon Rising is its stunning world-building. The Southeast Asian-inspired setting adds richness to the narrative, with vibrant descriptions of landscapes, magic, and cultures. Schemes are ever-present, and the political maneuvering keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Talasyn’s allies, plotting to overthrow Alaric, introduce a sense of danger and urgency, while the looming threat of the Moonless Dark gives the story an epic scale.

As Alaric and Talasyn join forces to prevent a magical catastrophe, their power dynamic shifts from adversaries to something more romantic. The merging of light and shadow, both literally and metaphorically, creates a thrilling build-up to a climactic confrontation that leaves me breathless.

For fans of:
- Throne of Glass
- Zutara
- Reylo

The second installment of the best-selling series, "The Hurricane Wars," "A Monsoon Rising" starts right where book one ended with a world at war, genocide, and two very broken individuals doing everything in their power to try and do the right thing. Stuck in their tempestuous political marriage, Alaric and Talasyn continue to be at odds politically while also being tempted to find refuge in the odd intimacy they have built.


This book includes:
- cataclysmic climate event
- the world's slowest burn
- ethnic cleansing and political warfare
- fish-out-of-water
- scenic Southeast Asian imagery
- a world at war
- dragons
- cliffhanger

When I opened NetGalley and saw that my request for "A Monsoon Rising" was approved I squealed with joy. This is a fantastic book series and this book, specifically, is phenomenal. I haven't read a book that consumed me to this degree in a long time and I inhaled the entire thing in just two days. I love the dynamic between Alaric and Talasyn. Their constant emotional push and pull reminds me of the infinite push and pull of the tides. They're both so isolated by their senses of duty and it is so deliciously excruciating to watch them resist the emotional bond they continue to inadvertently build. I specifically love Alaric and find myself relating to the way he always feels out of place, even in his own home. I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy to be released, especially after such a cliffhanger of an ending.

I love this series dearly and will be recommending it to everyone.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Thea Guanzon for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my Goodreads; check it out https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863-gigi

I just finished and that ending!!! Ugh I hate I’m stuck waiting for the next book and wish I could dive into it asap! This book was really enjoyable and I wasn’t wanting it to end.

This definitely got alot better than book one in my opinion. It’s still wordy but you get more backstory and relationship and I really loved that! We also get more banter which I’m a huge fan of.
Learning more about Alaric and Talasyn helped me connect with them more. I’m a big fan of Alaric and love any scenes with him in them.

I still don’t love the back and forth in the relationship though and at this point want them to just admit their feelings and be on the same page but I’m excited to continue this series and see where it goes and who comes out on top.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.

I shamelessly loved the first book and the same can be said for this sequel. While not perfect, this romantasy is gripping and fast-paced, exactly what I need in a book. There's even more tension between Talasyn and Alaric in this installment and personally, I really enjoy them as a couple. The enemies-to-lovers trope gets me every time. I'm eager to continue with the series, and while the ending here was really unexpected, I'm hoping for more significant character development in the next book- specifically it'd be nice to see both of them grow a backbone and take charge of their fate. The lack of character growth in this one is why it got 4 and not 5 stars from me.

A wonderful second installment to this magical series. A lot of this book was Talasyn and Alaric doing the push and pull of being married along with being enemies.

I read this and it hasn't officially published yet, and now I need to wait a long time for the third installment. I'm crying on the inside.

In A Monsoon Rising, the second installment of The Hurricane Wars series, it felt like the focus was more on Alaric and Talasyn’s relationship growth than on advancing the overarching plot. While I enjoyed the character development and their evolving dynamic, I was left wanting more. At times, the story dragged, and there was room for deeper world-building or plot progression to balance the emphasis on character building—much of which revolved around court politics.

One of the highlights was the banter between Alaric and Talasyn, which added a lightness and charm to their evolving relationship. Their exchanges were sharp, playful, and brought some much-needed energy to the pacing. As their relationship grew, so did the spice level. However, it wasn’t nearly enough for my taste. With their physical relationship developing slowly, many of the spicy scenes left me wanting more—like, seriously, could these characters just get to the good stuff already?

The cliffhanger ending wasn’t something I expected, and it left me eager for answers in the next book. While the pacing wasn’t always ideal, the emotional beats, witty dialogue, the involvement of court politics, and almost-there spicy scenes kept me hooked, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.

A Monsoon Rising is a delicious blend of romance and fantasy, and it lived up to my high expectations. Picking up where The Hurricane Wars left off, it explores Talasyn and Alaric’s evolving relationship as they navigate their roles as leaders and lovers. The witty banter, vivid tropical setting, and spicy romance make this a standout read.

The fantasy elements, inspired by Filipino culture, and the addition of dragons are fantastic. The romance, a grumpy/sunshine delight, is much improved from the first book, with plenty of spicy scenes to enjoy.

However, the ending left me a bit puzzled. The twist involved a character who wasn’t well-established, and the resolution felt rushed after all the build-up. Despite this, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book and highly recommend this one to fans of romantic fantasy.

I really liked the flow of this plot! There was court politics and action sewn expertly together so the reader didn't get bored.
Most books suffer from 2nd book syndrome but I thought this was fantastic! From the get-go the reader is thrown back into the story of the world after The Hurricane Wars. I loved watching the interactions between Alaric and Talasyn grow more and more tense and heated.
Thea's writing is so easily digestible and as someone who has a hard time with e-books able to sit reading for hours! Also the cliffhanger!!! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the 3rd instalment!

BRILLIANT. This sequel was everything I was hoping for and more! I usually despise the miscommunication trope but I’m all for it here. Ahhhh!!! This series is seriously one of my favorite reads this year.

“A Monsoon Rising,” by Thea Guanzon

I loved this book! I liked this book even more than the first one. This one was centered the entire time about the relationship/ arranged marriage and that was my favorite part. I loved the magic system and the technology aspect of the story with ships and planes. The MMC had everything I wanted for the shadow daddy characters that I’m drawn to. The FMC was filled with internal conflict and a backbone. I cannot wait to read more of this series, it was so good. 5 out of 5 stars.

-Enemies To Lovers
-Shadow Daddy
-Magic
-Arranged Marriage/ Marriage of Convenience

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

"A Monsoon Rising" is a captivating novel that immerses readers in a rich, vibrant world with its evocative storytelling and intricate plot. The book excels in creating a deeply atmospheric setting, transporting readers to a landscape where the monsoon rains are not just a backdrop but a pivotal element that drives the narrative. The author’s descriptive prowess is evident, painting vivid images of the environment and the culture that shapes the characters’ lives.

The characters themselves are well-crafted and multi-dimensional, each with their own compelling arcs that unfold with surprising depth and nuance. The emotional resonance of their journeys is both powerful and authentic, allowing readers to form a strong connection with their struggles and triumphs.

While the pacing can occasionally feel a bit uneven, particularly in the middle sections, the overall structure of the story is engaging and well-paced. The final chapters bring a satisfying resolution, tying up various plot threads with a sense of closure.

Overall, "A Monsoon Rising" is a remarkable read that combines lyrical prose with a gripping narrative. It’s a novel that will linger in your thoughts long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended for those who appreciate richly detailed settings and complex characters.

The continuation of this series was great! "Monsoon Rising" by Thea Guanzon is a mesmerizing read, full of lush world-building and well-crafted characters. The plot is engaging and rich with emotion, while Guanzon's writing draws you in from the start. The vivid setting and strong character arcs make this book a truly enjoyable and immersive experience. Definitely a 4-star gem!

Excellent writing, incredible continuation of the first book. The story is captivating and politically informed with a fascinating magic system.