“I don’t know how to react to you. You are infuriating and self-righteous and you get under my skin. Secondly, there have never been any other women — there was never anyone before you — and much to my dismay you have provoked me so much that you’ve wormed your way into my dreams. You are the only one who plagues them.” ♥️

A Monsoon Rising was absolute perfection! I loved Talasyn and Alaric’s banter and the “will they won’t they” they had going on with their feelings. Their slow burn was slow burning but was so worth the wait!!!

Also, Alaric being a sappy drunk was hilarious! And I’m so glad he confessed that he was jealous at the masquerade ball! Despite the fact that they are supposed to be enemies, deep down you can tell they really care for each other! They were so soft with each other in the second half of the book and it was so sweet to read!

This book was action packed all the way through and the end had me screaming! I hate cliffhangers so much and I desperately need the next book RIGHT NOW! This series is definitely one of my favorites!

Thank you so much Harper Voyager/Avon and Netgalley for the advanced copy! You don’t know how grateful I am for receiving one! I can’t wait to read it again once my physical copy comes in the mail!

A Monsoon Rising releases on December 10th, and trust me you do not want to miss it! ❤️ And if you aren’t caught up, book 1, The Hurricane Wars, is available now!

This was a fantastic read! I loved it just as much as the first book and will definitely be recommending this to everyone.

I was super lucky to be given an e-ARC from @netgalley, so I will keep my comments here spoiler free since the final book hasn’t been released yet so as not to ruin the experience for anyone.

But! I will say that I absolutely devoured this book. I rated the first in the series, The Hurricane Wars, 4.5 stars as trudging through the world building was tough, but once the story got going, I really enjoyed it.

With most of the world building out of the way, the focus on this book was the relationship between Alaric and Talasyn. If you’re a Reylo, a lover of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, etc, this book is for you. I’ll be reading it again when my physical copy comes in because I loved it that much!

I have missed Talasyn and Alaric, so coming back to then was a real joy. A Monsoon Rising is just the right mix of romance and fantasy, and loved seeing their relationship develop and their magic evolve.

My only gripe was that ending ... It completely destroyed me. I can't believe I now have to wait for the next installment! Don't know how I'll cope

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to review

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Hurricane Wars! This book was much more romance focused than the first book but everything kept getting in the way of their love including themselves. Because it was so focused on romance though some of the plots from the first book fell to the wayside and when we did focus on them they were just okay. This was no longer really enemies to lovers for me so that was kind of weird it felt more like a fan fic.

After reading the Hurricane Wars, I have not stopped thinking about the release of this book. I was so excited to be able to read it, especially since everyone was talking about the big cliffhanger (I’m now even more impatient for the third book😭)

A Monsoon Rising starts right where we left off, and we really get a deeper dive into the history and culture of the world. We get to see more of Talasyn and Alaric (obvi) and I thought their character development was great. However, Sevraim stole the show hands down. I thought his character was so funny and heartwarming and I hope we get to see more of him in the third book. He’s slowly but surely becoming my favorite character (and I love Alaric, so that’s impressive)

I think I liked THW a little more than AMR, but the enemies were still enemy-ing 😉

tysm to netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book!!!! I really loved the first installment, and I've been so excited to dig into this second one.

I'm giving this a 3/5, with the caveat that there were select moments in the book where my rating was higher. Spoilers present in my review.

Firstly I'll say that Thea Guanzon writes sexual tension like no other. Even though the two main characters spend the first third of the book away from each other, their yearning and desire are evident with every word. There are so many moments when I was screaming, crying, kicking my feet while waiting for them to finally kiss that it was obscene.

I think my main problem with this second book is that it revolves so much around the Voidfell issue but never creates any real urgency for it. As a reader, I'm supposed to believe that this is a once in a millennium occurrence and that the entire reason for their strategic marriage is to stop the Voidfell and therefore prevent the destruction of the world, but lead up to the actual event fell very flat for me.

It doesn't ever seem like anyone is expecting them to fail. The day before the end of the world, Talasyn is... baking pastries for a masquerade? And in the month leading up to the Voidfell, Alaric is... in political meetings about rice distribution? No one seems worried in the least that the end of the world is coming, so there's no build up. The resolution itself was written quite beautifully, paying off the lore that was set up in the first book, but it wasn't satisfying because I was never worried about whether they would actually have to face any consequences. It also didn't make sense to me that this huge issue was resolved so early on when there's so much of the political aspect of their story left.

Truthfully, it felt very much like an attempt to write new scenes into a previously written fanfic where the new scenes just didn't fit into the old narrative. And rather than rewriting the story entirely, the author tried to make it original in a very lazy way.

This is also my personal preference, but I felt that the amount of description was just very over the top. There were so many times when I skimmed through multiple paragraphs detailing foods and outfits and weather that just didn't add anything to the atmosphere or plot at all. And there were lots of lines that felt very forced.

One line, especially, that Thea posted on her instagram--
“I will never be the same.
I will always remember this.
Just him and me and the monsoon.”

These lines make very little sense to me as a reader because the majority of the book is written in third person, with very little first person. But it seems like because she wanted to have a hooky line to post on instagram, she put in these italicized thoughts that I personally felt would have been better off written in limited third person, like the rest of the book.

The one redeeming aspect of this book, and what really carried me through to the very end, is Alaric's characterization and how much affection he has for Talasyn. I liked Alaric's backstory and the parts in his POV so much that I could almost overlook the aspects that fell short for me. He is so dreamy and written perfectly for an enemies to lovers narrative, and I loved how often Talasyn tormented him.

The way that the book ended made me really excited to read Alaric's POV in the next book as well.

Overall, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book, but I'm still interested enough to continue reading the last one, whenever that comes out. I'm expecting that the next book will have more apparent stakes now that their relationship is mostly set up.

Book friends!

The ending of A Monsoon Rising… How to describe my feelings. I’m still reeling from that ending. Like,

I. Did. Not. See. That. Coming.

As for the storytelling, utterly captivating. Talasyn and Alaric are my new OTP. I loved how Guanzon showed how on the surface Talasyn and Alaric despise each other. But, behind closed doors, it’s a completely different story. And there are so many sweet moments between the two of them where you’ll feel giddy and hopeful because of how lovely these two can be together. You'll want to write in the margins, or make a note on your Kindle “this! this is what you both need and deserve! Keep this. It’s worth fighting for and holding onto.“

This series is FANTASTIC.

It’s got everything romantasy readers want and need:
-court intrigue
-the chosen one/couple trope
-enemies to lovers
-spice
-political/fake marriage
-one bed/forced proximity
-slow burn tension
-banter banter banter!
-Dual POVs
and so much more!

If this series is not on your radar then get this one on your TBR STAT + pre-order or grab a copy from your local library.

Despite the cliffhanger ending, this was a great read. There was just enough for the back-and-forth emotional turmoil. I liked the discoveries they make together and the development of the relationship between the main characters. I really wanna see how that all plays out still despite the cliffhanger that I hate so much. it really feels like there’s more enemies running around in the background for sure that maybe even the queen isn’t really aware of. Main characters are feeling more and more like pawns in their own lives.

This was a stellar instant continuation of the story line from the ending of The Hurricane Wars. I was immediately pulled straight back into the action and political intrigue of the world and miss Thea was not playing around with this one!

In a shocking turn of events, this book was a lot more character driven and sweet?? Than THW. There were so many tender moments throughout the entire book between Alaric and Talasyn when I was expecting mostly bickering and anger like in The Hurricane Wars.

“I won’t breathe another word. Just–don’t leave me, Tala”

While it was a nice surprise as I was on my hands and knees BEGGING for scraps of affection between them in THW, it was laid on a little heavy in this one and I missed the rage a bit. A Monsoon Rising is largely character driven book with a deep dive and exploration into Alaric and Talasyn’s connection.

The spice level in THW was one like 3 page scene and this one had them going at it every couple of chapters. I have an inkling that all the sweet and tender moments and development of feelings for each other in this book is setting us up for PAIN in book 3 when the betrayals and secrets and everything else starts to come to the surface.

“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?”

I do wish there was a little more plot besides just months of training for the night of the world eater but I also really think this is a great set up for an absolute banger of a third book. We really had time to sit with Alaric and Talasyn’s characters and understand their motivations and watch their loyalties change in real time to lie somewhere more in each other than in their nations.

“Sometimes I think–I think it would be better to start over. Tear it all down. And sometimes I think you and I could do that. If we make it through tonight”

The cliffhanger was insane, but I’m so confused? I desperately need a release date for book 3 so I can have something to look forward to.
—————————————————————————————
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me early access to A Monsoon Rising in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me a digital ARC!

Where the Hurricane Wars had a lot going on at once, A Monsoon Rising takes a different pace and I think the story is all the better for it. The world building in this book is particularly rich and dense and was hard to jump into after not having read the first book for so long but I was eventually able to jump back into the rhythm and pick up on some of the various fantasy elements I'd forgotten. If you are like me and forgot some of the plot of the Hurricane Wars, I definitely recommend doing a light re-read before jumping into this!

In this next book we get to see Talasyn grow from a warrior to a leader of a nation. She has become much more wise and politically savvy. She uses that cunning to decieve Alaric into believing she is 1000% on his side and willing to rebuild their country together. I loved how each of them, even though they clearly have feelings for one another, are still wrestling with their plans to betray one another. There is so much tension, angst and chemistry that filled the story - it was hard to put it down! While the ending was not what I had anticipated, I am excited for a third book to see where the story takes us!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this second installment in the Hurricane Wars - it was one of my most anticipated sequels this year and did not disappoint. Alaric and Talasyn’s chemistry was perfectly written. I especially enjoyed Alaric’s character in this book. My only complaint is having to wait for the third book after that cliffhanger ending. If you enjoy slow burn, enemies to lovers romantasy, then this series is definitely one to pick up.

First of all THAT ENDING. That was insane and just from that 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ instantly. I freaking LOVED this book. I definitely recommend reading the first book in this series before diving in as there is a ton of world building and it would be super hard to dive into this one without the first. This is one of the great enemies to lovers I’ve ever read. They have so much chemistry and the spice is HOT. I definitely recommend reading this one

Absolutely amazing! I have been looking forward to this book the moment I finished The Hurricane Wars so I was so excited to receive an arc. And wow I could not put this down!

This was such an interesting book. This picks up right after the first one with Talasyn and Alaric having married to end a war and save their people. So now A Monsoon Rising focuses on the aftermath of the war and their marriage. Their connection was clear in the first book and in this book we really get to see their relationship grow and change. They both have an extremely rough background and deal with so much that they slowly begin to rely on each other. They begin to bond and we watch their relationship slowly change. And I loved every interaction between Alaric and Talasyn! Their banter is amazing, but they both want each other so much.

I wish this had a little more politics in it but it’s definitely setting everything up for the third book. We learn a lot more about Talasyn and Alaric’s magic as well as their pasts. The entire scene with the void fell was amazing! The writing was incredible and I was not expecting it to be a dragon. I loved that part of the story and history of Talasyn’s lineage.

Overall so amazing! The crazy cliff hanger ending is killing me though. So not what I was expecting but now I am so excited for Alaric’s reaction in the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

“Let them see me make my wife scream. Let them know, beyond the Shadow and the turning of the stars, that you are mine.”

Tensions are at an all time high as Alaric and Talasyn work together to prevent the Moonless Dark, light and shadow working together to save their world from ruin. Loyalties and desires tested in the riveting sequel to the Hurricane Wars.

It’s been almost a year since I’ve been with Talasyn and Alaric. As much as I missed the tension and banter, it did take a minute to reaccustom myself with the magic system and intense world building. There’s a lot of characters, territories and other details that do get a little muddled. But, I was rewarded with a “let me clean your wounds” scene early on, so worth it!

Microtrope I love:
After a marriage by convenience when they call each other wife and husband begrudgingly and then it morphs into affectionately

This is a TRUE enemies to lovers, constantly at each others throats where you’re honestly not sure if they are going to spar or kiss. Constantly plotting against each other while ultimately trying to save the other, battling between their hearts and their responsibilities. I couldn’t get enough. The writing was stunning, I truly couldn’t put it down. There were so many scenes I loved, but the masquerade definitely won me over. And that cliffhanger??? Are you kidding me??

Reylo fans get ready to rejoice, because this fan service DELIVERED. I cannot wait for the next book.

Picking up right after the wedding in Nenavar, this dual POV messes with my brain chemistry in the best way possible. Please make sure you read The Hurricane Wars first to know what’s going on this book. (there is a lot of world building to learn and political systems to admire or despise). This book has several steamy scenes and follows the characters through learning other on many different levels. Sometimes they tolerate each other, other days are well… tension filled. There are a lot of overall darker themes discussed such as physical abuse, alcohol addiction and abandonment. There is lying and deceit around every corner to keep you on your toes. The ending is an absolute cliff hanger and I’m already aching for more answers.

Pub Date December 10 2024

ARC provided by Harper Voyager, Avon Books and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

The first book to the series was amazing. This book was even better. I loved the growth between Talasyn and Alaric’s relationship and how they grew to start to trust and care for one another. I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands when it releases and can’t wait for the third book to be released. The cliffhanger was brutal. 5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

"I loved the first installment of the series and I am so happy this one was no exception. All the elements of the that I loved about the first book are here plus a lot more delicious tension, love and heartache plus expansion of the lore. I was unable to put it down and I cannot wait for the next one!"

Dear publisher - I could have read 100 more pages on this honestly and though I know a ton of the critique from the first book was the world building (I personally enjoyed that portion) however, readers that had critique won't be finding it here. It dives right into the the push and pull between Alaric and Talasyn in the best way while still keeping up with the overall storyline and building out the story in an interesting way.

If The Hurricane Wars had me mesmerized, then A Monsoon Rising completely swept me away. The way that Thea Guanzon balances a swoon worthy romance with a masterful fantasy plotline has ruined me for all other Romantasy. This book should be the pillar against which other books are rated, it is that good. It took me no time at all to fall back into this world with its lush world building and incredibly vivid imagery. The political aspects were also so artfully woven into the storyline that it felt like I was on the ground with Talisyn and Alaric as part of their retinue. I savored each chapter and the ending completely stole my breath. There are very few books that have achieved this level of balance among all aspects of the plot and I could not feel more privileged than I do to have been given a chance to read it before the publishing date. Thank you so much to Thea and to NetGalley for the ARC. I am at once so fulfilled for having read this next chapter, while simultaneously ravenous to find out what happens next.

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️

Description of the book:
Finally married and named the Night Empress, Talasyn must continue to uphold her one goal; end the Night Empire with the rebuilt Allfold rebellion. Whilst Talasyn and Alaric train to protect their people from the Moonless Night they realize that there’s more to themselves than meets the eye. As the Moonless Night draws nearer Talasyn must decide if she sacrifices her husband for the good of the world or will she allow her feelings to hinder “the mission”? With so many lives at stake, Talasyn must make the right decision before it’s too late.

A Monsoon rising was a PHENOMENAL read! It absolutely captivated me from beginning to end: The tension simmers off the pages between the two main characters and the payoff is absolutely delicious. I was not expecting the ending and it took me completely by surprise. I cannot WAIT to next installment in the series!

Notable parts:
•Talasyn & Alaric being absolute lovesick fools for each other, but obviously denying it.
•The “who did this to you?” trope coming in swinging from both Alaric & Talasyn *swoon
•Drunk Elagbi & Alaric
•That one closet scene 👀

Appropriate for who?
New Adults/Adults 18+

Would I recommend?
Absolutely! Yes yes yes and yes! If you loved ReyLo and wanted more for their relationship this is the perfect read for you!

Would I read the next book in the series?
Yes! And I totally can’t wait! I need book 3 immediately!


Would I read more from this author?
A million times yes!