The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that I read it so long before book three will be out! The Hurricane Wars was one of my favorite reads of 2023, so I had very high hopes for A Monsoon Rising, and it did not disappoint.

I will never get enough of Alaric and Talasyn—their tension played out so deliciously. Seeing them get closer but not allowing themselves to admit all the feels they’re feeling—the pacing was perfection, the build was amazing, and when they finally let go, it was so on point, right down to them snapping at each other, because of course they would. I can’t wait for these two idiots to realize they’re in love.

The action was incredibly well-written, and the events of the eclipse were stunning. I never would have seen it coming, and it was thrilling but also just lovely in a way.

So excited for book three! Give me more intrigue, backstabbing, betrayal. Give me Alaric going absolutely feral. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in a self-induced coma while I wait!

Thank you Harper Voyager for the ARC of A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon. I am so grateful to have gotten to read this sequel before its release!

Where The Hurricane Wars was heavy on establishing the world building and politics, this book took off and fully immersed the reader in more of Talasyn and Alaric’s relationship within that same world and politics. The Reylo inspired romance had me inhaling the story, while simultaneously trying to savor it. And talk about a cliffhanger! That ending has me so excited for the next book.

Some of my favorite parts that made this book so perfect:
•Every time Alaric says “my wife”
•All the tender intimate moments between Tala and Alaric
•Alaric holding a disgruntled chicken 😂
•Tala looking at the view-”pretty isn’t it?”, Alaric looking at Tala- “yes”
•THE BANTER
•Watermelon (iykyk)
•The dragons 🐉

This book was AMAZING!!!! I loved the plot, the pace, THE SPICE?!?!? SO GOOD!!! Now I’m really sad I have to wait for the 3rd one because I sat down and read this one in a day!!!! The author did a great job connecting the two books and I can’t wait to see what she does for the third.

This was a really great second installment to the series. I enjoyed seeing the relationship progression, and there was definitely more spice. This man is down so bad, I love it. Still two idiots not admitting their feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my gosh that cliffhanger! How dare the third book not even exist in Goodreads?? Will be refreshing NetGalley for book 3, I NEED ANSWERS.

Hurricane Wars was a wonderful debut filled with Star Wars/Reylo vibes in a sweeping original world, and Monsoon Rising was even better. This book focused more on the romantic development and had a decent chunk of smut that many (including myself) were salivating for after book 1, and that really worked for me. I was entertained start to finish and am now desperate for book 3!

This book was what I wish the first in the series was! It had all of angst of the enemies to lovers that I was looking for, with a slow burn that finally gave me some satisfaction. While I still found the setting a bit overwhelming and confusing at times, I started to settle in with it. I was glad I didn’t need to reread the first to understand what was happening. Really looking forward to more with this story!

4.5 🌟
This was such a romantic book - the focus here was definitely on Talasyn’s and Alaric’s love story. There was angst and tension, but it was equally soft, tender, and heartwarming. The amount of plot twists in the last pages and this CLIFFHANGER OMFG.

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books and Harper Voyager for the ARC, I feel so privileged to have read this one.

This is one of the easiest 5 star books I've had this year. I had just done a reread of The Hurricane Wars to refresh my memory, and this one is somehow 100x better!!

We finally get to see a lot of interaction between Alaric and Talasyn, and let me tell you--THE BANTER IS BANTERING. A++, no notes. They're the perfect embodiment of miscommunication without it being annoying, and it's so witty. This is absolutely what was missing from book one, and I'm SO HAPPY we got it in this one! They are my sweet baby idiot angels, and neither of them can do anything wrong.

And yes, the slow burn continues, but the payoff is SO WORTH IT. I love a good slow burn, and this one lasting as long as it did was incredible. Thea is officially the master of this, and I have no notes.

There's a lot less world building and a lot more plot progression in this book as well, which is great. And the ENDING?? When you get to the last 20%, you hit the "Okay...well...that's done. So now what?" point and I was nervous it was going to be a drag to the end. I was wrong to be nervous, because we never hit the brakes. There is a TON of action in this one, and the ending is going to have you going WHAATT???

SO yeah, there's a cliffhanger. And I'm upset about it. I don't know how I'm going to manage to wait until book three release when this one technically isn't out yet. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll LOVE this one. And if you thought the first book was "meh" and are deciding whether or not to read book two--DO IT. It's worth it, I promise.

Breathtaking and enthralling! Guanzon does it again in this amazing sequel to The Hurricane Wars! And by "it" I of course mean crafting a star-crossed romance full of battles, risks, and courtly intrigue! This book is extremely well paced and as I came upon the final few pages, I was on the edge of my seat, ravenous for more! A must read for those who enjoy enemies to lovers, anti-heroes, and pulse-pounding action!

Yet another Filipino writer churning out amazing books, hurrah! I enjoyed the first installment The Hurricane Wars, and this one picks up where that left off. I'm a sucker for romance so while I found the first one lacking in that department, this sequel made up for it! Love the tension, pining, and enemies to lovers romance here. And there is a bit of steam and spice, which I am certainly complaining about. Definitely piqued my interest to see where this is all headed!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. Holy cow! Just holy cow! First of all that twist ending, I never saw that coming, holy cow. Second, when's the next book coming out? Third, this series just continues to get better with each book. I enjoyed this book immensely and loved the world that has been created by the author. It's beautifully written so bravo to the author. The one thing that just irks me a little is how both characters are plotting against each other while also trying to save the other. Please let's get that resolved sooner rather than later in the next book. 4.5 stars out of 5.

I have not felt this enthralled or enamored by a sequel in a while. "A Monsoon Rising" was absolutely incredible. The book picks up wight where "The Hurricane Wars" left off. The pacing of this book is so fast but it does have it's quiet moments between our two leads which I loved! I can't believe I have to wait for the third. Thea Guanzon you are INCREDIBLE.

I'm speechless. I read this book in one day and it is absolutely, jaw-droppingly incredible. A Monsoon Rising picks up right where The Hurricane Wars left off, with Talasyn and Alaric newly betrothed and the threat of the moonless dark looming over them. They also have to contend with political turmoil between Kesath and Nenavar, rebel attacks, and the growing attraction between them in the face of all the secrets they are keeping from each other.

Seriously, this was an INCREDIBLE sequel. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, the pacing was flawless, and I loved how Thea Guanzon weaved together all of the conflicts -- we get more insight into Alaric's relationship with his father, which was heartbreaking. Talasyn visits Kesath for her coronation and has to navigate a very treacherous stay, and it becomes all the more clear how precarious the alliance between the two empires are as both sides plot to overtake the other after the moonless dark.

Talasyn and Alaric are solidified as one of my all time favorite book couples. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is ever present, with a constant push and pull between them even as they fall deeper into each other and pine for each other. The way that Alaric felt and acted towards Talasyn melted my entire soul. He would literally do anything for her. We get to see so many moments of extreme vulnerability between them, including multiple one-bed scenes and reverse "who did this to you" scene that I still haven't recovered from. They are two sides of the same coin, understanding each other as no one else does and utterly craving love. They are so heartbreaking and anxiety-provoking and beautiful together. I am so deeply invested in a happy ending for them (that is a threat)!!

This book drastically amps up tension and the stakes are so much higher, making this book un-putdownable. Thea Guanzon's prose is impactful and lush; she never wastes a single word on a page. And that ending... I simply cannot WAIT for the third book. I 100% recommend this book--it will pull you out of any reading stump. Wow.

Thank you endlessly to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this wonderful ARC!

Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyage for this e-ARC of A Monsoon Rising.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Just, WOW! 🤯 I have been eagerly awaiting this follow up to the Hurricane Wars and it did NOT disappoint!

The second book of this series follows Talasyn and Alaric after their political marriage of convenience at the end of the Hurricane Wars. Both are keeping secrets of betrayal from one another, while also fighting their irresistible attraction to each other. Both dream of a better world, but scheme in different ways to achieve that goal.

The banter and the TENSION in this book was top notch. I was at the edge of my seat and giddy kicking my legs the whole time. The way Thea has written these two characters is just magnificent. They both come off as strong individuals but with the potential of being unstoppable together.

We do finally get some spicy scenes that did not disappoint! Like I mentioned earlier, the build up and tension for these two just made any spice a big pay off. It did not pull away from the story and only added to the tension in my opinion.

While I expected some sort of cliffhanger at the end, I did NOT see what actually happened coming. I thought I would be able to guess the ending but Thea came out of left field in the best possible way! I am only sad that now we will have to wait for the next book 😞

I thoroughly enjoyed the Hurricane Wars but absolutely fell in LOVE with A Monsoon Rising! I still can’t believe this is the debut series for Thea. Her writing is so well done and story telling is impeccable! Well done and 5⭐️!!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Voyager for the ARC. The beautiful cover really made me want to like this book, but I had the same problems as I had with the first book. The prose is way too purple, the action scenes lacking, and the romance was not it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thea Guanzon continues to weave her magic in A Monsoon Rising, a captivating sequel to The Hurricane Wars. Picking up where the first book left off, we find Talasyn and Alaric navigating the treacherous waters of their newfound relationship while facing a looming threat to their kingdom.

I honestly expected this book to fall victim to second book syndrome but I'm pleased to report that is not the case. The author's ability to craft vivid imagery and complex characters remains a standout. Talasyn and Alaric's dynamic (the best part of this series) continues to evolve, their love story a tempestuous blend of passion and duty. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Elagabi, adds depth, intrigue, and humor to the narrative.

Guanzon's world-building expands in Monsoon Rising, introducing new magical creatures and political intrigue. The pacing is well-executed, balancing moments of quiet reflection with thrilling action sequences. The climax, a climactic showdown against a formidable foe, is both exhilarating and heart-wrenching.

While some readers may find the pacing slightly slower than in the first book, Monsoon Rising offers a satisfying continuation of the series. I personally could not put it down (at the expense of my sleep) and will be falling over myself to read the next book.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for this ARC, I was very excited for this one.

I am speechless with that ending! I absolutely loved being back in this world. The tension was absolutely perfect. I love love Talasyn and Alaric. This was the perfect second book.

I was definitely stressed but it was worth it. I can’t wait for the next book!!!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyagefor this ARC!

What an amazing, all-consuming read! I couldn’t put this book down. Unlike the first in the series, the sequel grabbed me right away and immediately began exceeding my expectations.

This story definitely has more romance in it and is perfect for the people that went into this series for the “romantasy”. There was still political intrigue, but it felt a bit low-stakes (until the end) and more there to enchance the tumultuous relationship of the two MCs. Definitely not complaining as a romance enthusiast. The second book gifted us a story full of banter, tension and internal conflict between Alaric and Talasyn that I really enjoyed!

I also absolutely loved the imagery and magic that was sprinkled throughout. Guanzon has a beautiful way of immersing you in a unique world that you will long to explore. I can read several more spin offs just for a glimpse of the world the book is set in.

I’m curious with how the cliff-hanger is going to be addressed. As much as I loved the sequel for its romance, the urgency of the rest of the plot was lacking until the very last bit of the story and I’m interested to see how it will develop! Overall a fun read and excited to see what happens in the next one :)

~ Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review~
And thank you to Thea Guanzon for providing me with content for my new obsession. Everyone in my life will be hearing about this book nonstop- to be honest, they’ve already been hearing about it nonstop since before I started reading it.

This review was meant to come out last week, but Hurricane Helene had other ideas, so I am very excited to be able to share my thoughts on this book. And I have sooooo many thoughts. First of all, I love the pacing. It makes sense for the plot to have time flow the way it did in the book, and I think that Guanzon did a phenomenal job keeping the plot moving without it feeling surface level. We got some characters a little more fleshed out and the void sever plot? Loved it. I think it really helped me with understanding the magic system within the series to be alongside Talasyn and Alaric as they learned more about what was going on, and it had a great wrap up!

We also got MUCH more of Talasyn and Alaric, and boy oh boy am I happy for that. I really did sit there giggling and kicking my feet for multiple scenes of this book. We seem to be moving more and more away from enemies and closer to lovers, and I am absolutely here for it. I am 100% for Talasyn being with Alaric, and they had so many wonderful scenes together. I also thought the scene with Alaric and Elagbi was so cute, and I want to see more of them, I think they’re a cute duo. But seriously, Talasyn and Alaric are definitely hitting my list of top book couples of all time (they’re very near first at this point), I love them together. I just wish they would communicate better, but that’s the way enemies to lovers works. I’m very nervous about what Talasyn is going to do in the next book as far as her relationship with Alaric, and I really thought that Alaric was the one that I had to worry about. He still could be, but Talasyn is really starting to make me nervous.

I was really not expecting what happened at the end of the book, and I’m so upset it ended on that cliffhanger- mainly because I don’t have the next book already. I knew it was going to end on a cliffhanger, that’s just the ways of books in a series, but I didn’t expect my book hangover to be so bad. I’m not surprised, this series has been amazing and I think once the final book comes out I’ll cry at not having any more Talasyn and Alaric, but hopefully that is far from now. If this series happened to be five, ten, maybe even twenty books I don’t think I would complain at all, simply say “Thank you Thea Guanzon, I love your work,” but alas I fear twenty books is not likely. So for now, I will eat up everything about these books and be so happy I found them.

Alright, to keep this mostly spoiler free but still talk about a few things that happened in this book, I’m going to say a couple things that don’t make sense out of context but if you’ve read the book you’ll know what I mean

- “Water” has never made me want to cry before now
- Once you get to chapter thirty one- to be seen is to be loved, and I think these two need to realize that they are seen
- Mother of dragons
- KHAEDE (that’s directed at Thea Guanzon herself because I’m going insane over this, I need to know more, please I beg of you)

Okay…I don’t even know where to begin with this review honestly, because I can’t stay enough good things about this book and this series. This is by far one of my top reads of the year and Thea Guanzon has completely knocked this series out of the park! This is truly on of the most well done slow burns and truest enemies to lovers books that I have read. Talasyn and Alaric had such a beautiful story with purpose and I really enjoyed reading about the internal struggles that they are each facing while trying to navigate their individual alliances and political marriage. The character development and unique world building in this book was exceptionally well done. The pacing was superb and that cliff hanger!! I have fallen so deeply immersed in this story and invested in these characters that I cannot wait until the next book! I’m in a major book slump after reading this one, because I don’t see how the next fantasy romance story that I read would even be able to compare. I really enjoy reading stories that are unique and this book was so refreshing because I haven’t read anything else like it. In a market that is saturated with similar characters and plot lines, this story does such a good job of standing out! I truly appreciate getting an opportunity to read and review this ARC!