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!**

SCREAMING INTO THE VOID - WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ENDING!!!

I didn't think it was possible for A Monsoon Rising to be even better than The Hurricane Wars but BOY did Thea prove me wrong. The only thing disappointing about this book is the fact that it's over and now I have to wait for Book 3.

I need Alaric and Tala to be okay, and more importantly, be together like I need air to breathe. They both have thought about what their love would look like ~in a different life~ but I need it to be in this life. 🥺🖤

Thank you so, so much Thea & HarperCollins & NetGalley for this eARC. Love you lots.

Ok actually this book had me going through all the emotions.

Similar to the first book, this was just a good time for me. If you didn’t like the trope-y style of the first book, don’t read this one. Personally sometimes I want that kind of easy fun read 🤷🏻‍♀️ I loved the mix of romance, politics, and an intricately crafted fantasy world. I honestly would have loved more details about the light/shadow magic but I get that there wasn’t really a good point for a huge lore drop (prequel/novella Thea please???).

Obviously I loved Alaric and Talasyn but I felt like a lot of the side characters really got some love in this book (Sevraim is legitimately one of the best characters and really brings a different softness to Alaric. I need more of their interactions 😭). Alaric definitely got some MAJOR character development in this book and I loved that for him. He is really an enjoyable mmc to read for sure and although he makes a lot of questionable decisions, I do think that they all have a purpose. There are still SO MANY unanswered questions and plot points and the cliffhanger ending is going to drive me insane. I am dying to know what grandma is scheming up.

I needed the third book yesterday but I am really excited to see how this all wraps up in book 3.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊!

It’s hard writing about this one. The first thing I can say is that it totally deserves the 5-star rating. The Hurricane Wars was the book that explained and showed you this magical world, with its politics, courts, magic systems and conflicts. But A Monsoon Rising is all about the tension and conflicting feelings both lead characters have. They are both navigating their own leadership positions but also getting to know who they married.

With Talasyn you can still see her old self shine through no matter what crown they put on their head. And Alaric, with his stoic personality, is showing more feelings and hopes for himself as you read through. However, we still get to see the obstacles that prevent them from fully being together. Talasyn knows she will have to betray him for the rebels to succeed and Alaric also knows he will betray her by letting his father take Talasyn’s magic.

These two just have so many responsibilities to their kingdoms but all this is worth it as we see their walls come down and their chemistry absolutely climb. If you thought The hurricane wars had only tension, this one still has the same tension but you won’t be disappointed by how their dynamic changes and they get closer.

As for the war, Talasyn is about to find out quite a lot about her kingdom’s past along with her family’s and I’m guessing she will have to make a hard choice in book three. Warning: it does end with a big cliffhanger. And no you will not predict how this one will end, because even though you hear throughout the book what the outcome will be, I assure you that it is not what happens and that will drive everyone crazy

It is a unique experience to have dual POV of your enemies-to-lovers and STILL get blindsided. I went from giggling kicking my feet to heart plummeting in mere pages. It’s a special type of torture to have an ARC end on that huge of a cliff hanger.

A Monsoon Rising is the second book in the Hurricane Wars trilogy, and I think this one was so much better than the first. I felt like the first one was riddled with purple prose and expository dialogue, and while this one suffered from these things, it was very much dialed back. After the first 20% the dialogue sounded very natural, and while there were some parts that I felt were a little over described, Thea Guanzon’s prose is very pretty.

As for Alaric and Talasyn, their relationship was beautifully developed, there was a lot of depth added that I can really believe that they are starting to/ will love each other and not just be attracted to each other. One of my concerns with the last book was that Alaric was a little more sympathetic than Talasyn because he was so much more devoted at first, and this book really put them on more equal footing in terms of sympathy and understanding their perspectives. I thought their banter this book was really soft and lovely. The one thing that did get a little old was the constant “I DON’T have feelings whatesoever, it’s just physical attraction and that’s IT” after the most affectionate moments ever. Like I know it’s a trilogy and I don’t want I love you’s yet, but after the first one or two times, I wish we could have seen this emotion play out and be told it over again. Or if it would have been worded from a different perspective.

The plot felt more natural in this book than the first too! In the first book there were a few parts that felt a little stilted, which I totally get it was the debut and setting up the world and the characters, but Guanzon really found her flow in this book and there were lots of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and I am eagerly awaiting the final installment!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of this year and it totally lived up to the hype. I loved The Hurricane Wars but I think I liked A Monsoon. rising even more . The spice is great and the slow burn is perfectly paced. The world is so unique and I cannot wait to see where this goes. Will be recommending!