A Monsoon Rising is committed to characters. While there wasn't as much politics as I expected, I did enjoy seeing both Alaric and Talasyn open up to each other. Don't get me wrong, there's tons of angst, betrayal, and some spice. A Monsoon Rising allows both of our favorites to get closer despite all their efforts and sabotage. Can they really fall in love if they're holding pieces of themselves back? There are conflicting secrets and political subtle movements. This sequel also explores whether we are the monsters we are made of.

Breathtaking!! Absolutely masterful writing. A Monsoon Rising gave me the same feeling that I had when I read A Court of Mist and Fury. I thought A Court of Thorns and Roses (or The Hurricane Wars) was the best book ever but then when I read A Court of Mist and Fury (A Monsoon Rising), I thought, "ACOTAR Who?" Now I need to go back and start the series all over again!! I really want to sink back into that world!

This book was okay. I wasn't a big fan of it being a colonizer romance but I heard such great things that I read it anyway.
The miscommunication was a bit annoying and isn't my favorite in a book, but the the tension was definitely there!
I don't know if I'll continue this series, but I'd love to read more books from Thea Guanzon!

This book is everything I want in romantasy/fantasy/fantasy romance - all of it.

Alaric and Talasyn have gone through with their arranged marriage and are now working towards refining their powers to protect their world from the Moonless Dark. While they are learning to work together they are also maintaining their own, somewhat secret priorities.

The Hurricane Wars was one of my favorite books of 2023. I've been so excited and anxious for A Monsoon Rising because how can it possibly compare? Well it did, it really really did! I LOVED this book.

The tension between Alaric and Talasyn is EVERYTHING. I was thrilled that although we start with them in different places they are never apart for too long. The world building continued to expand in book 2. The Moonless Dark and all that entailed was SO COOL and unexpected, but not too random (I find it so hard to balance the unexpected and the random).

There are so many scenes in this book that I want to see depicted in fanart. Guanzon's descriptions are so gorgeous. Her writing is ART and I cannot wait to see what she has next.

The ending was NOTHING like I expected and now I'm so nervous for what's to come.

I want and need everyone to read these books because truly they are some of my favorite out there. I want more books like this PLEASE.

Thea Guanzon (I don't even know how) stepped up her game even more so since the Hurricane Wars!! Wow Wow Wow. I really enjoyed this even more so than the first. I really like that this is a duology and not a trilogy!!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK SINCE THE SECOND I FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK AND OMG I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It did not disappoint and in fact… I think I liked it even more than the first book.

We are finally reunited with Talysn and Alaric (major swoon), who are recently married, fighting their feelings, and keeping lots of secrets.

Y’all this series is so good. And it is only getting better. Complex writing, thought out world building, THE BEST ENEMIES TO LOVERS I HAVE READ IN SO LONG!!! I seriously cannot recommend this series enough.

Listen.. my biggest pet peeve in regards to this book is when I hear that you have to have watched Star Wars or you won’t understand… and that is just not true. I read the first book before I watched Star Wars and understood it completely. Just because it’s based off of a Star Wars fan fiction does not mean Star Wars knowledge is required.

I don’t want to say much about the plot in my review to avoid spoilers but just know I loved it and highly recommend this series.

ALSO THE ENDING WAS TORTURE SO HAVE SO MUCH FUN WITH IT.

An impressive follow-up to The Hurricane Wars, the tension is high as Talasyn and Alaric must navigate their marriage while simultaneously struggling to decide where their loyalties lie. A Monsoon Rising sees them battle both inner and outer turmoil, as they contend with the growing attraction between them, the impending doom of the Moonless Dark, and the secrets they have yet to uncover from the shadows. Full of banter, undeniable chemistry, mutual pining, and frankly more romance than politics, this latest entry in the series keeps the interest alive and well for those intrigued with how things will end between the lightweaver and the shadowforged heir.

This book was a stunning follow up to The Hurricane Wars. The characters development was believable and enjoyable. The prose was elegant and honestly, the tension was palpable off the page. Alaric and Talasyn have my heart!

And that is how you do a sequel. That is how you do a sequel. Holy shit. Hurricane Wars was a top read of mine, so I had very high hopes for this one and it did not let me down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The cliffhanger? Chef's kiss. Is it a masterpiece? Also yes. But I'm anxious for the next one.

As someone who has been with this book before it was even a book, I'm so excited and impressed and all the things.

this book was UNREAL!! it was the perfect follow-up to hurricane wars and it was an aboslute wild ride. I can't wait to see what comes next!!

*Monsoon Rising* is everything I love rolled into one amazing story: enemies-to-lovers romance, a vivid fantasy world, and characters who feel so real and messy in the best way. As someone obsessed with all things Reylo, this book gave me everything—electric chemistry, tension, and a love story that keeps you hooked.

The special edition covers by Afterblossom? Absolutely stunning. The details and colors are gorgeous and capture the magic of the story perfectly. These editions totally deserve a prime spot on your shelf.

Now I’m impatiently waiting for Book 3! The way this one ended has me dying to know what happens next. If you’re into fantasy and enemies-to-lovers, you *need* this series in your life.

I had so much fun with this book! I really enjoyed A Monsoon Rising. I liked it more than I did The Hurricane Wars. I feel like this one bumped up in quality, angst, and character development. I did find like with a lot of fantasy romances that there is usually not a lot of fantasy and that is the case with this one BUT the romance was so good! It had some of my favorite tropes in it! I mean who can pass on a marriage of convenience with forced proximity, repressed/rejected feelings, pining, amazing banter, AND it is a slow burn. Talasyn and Alaric were amazing in this book and made for an enjoyable read with the constant back and forth between the two. Alaric was broody and hot and I enjoyed watching him and discovering his past. Overall this was very fun and I recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to Net Galley and gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Anyone who read the 1st book knows how amazing and captivating this series is so there’s no secret on why I needed to get my hands on an early copy. I’m not only obsessed with the main characters and the tension between them but also the plot and political intrigue. When I say enemies to lover, it’s exactly that and I love how their relationship builds gradually where it’s a enemies to lovers, Allie’s to lovers, friends to lovers, etc. The ending did have me stumped for a second, I did think book would be a duology, and even though it’s not I think Thea did an amazing job at continuing this series! Excited for the next book and hope I’m able to read it as an ARC!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!


THAT CLIFF HANGER! UGH I need to know what happened now, wdym I have to wait?

I really loved the larger inclusion of the dragons in this book and the deeper exploration of light magic. The world felt more flushed out in this one, and I really appreciate the flashbacks.

I also loved the progression of Alaric and Talasyn's relationship. I was kicking my feet and giggling at points. They were annoying at the start, but they became so cute. 10/10 book couple.

The last chapters and the darkening moon chapters had me SOBBING.

I thought that this was a great sequel. I was worried that it would try and rush through many of the loose ends. However, I think it was paced perfectly and balanced the romantic growth and plot progression really well. And that cliffhanger! I loved it and my patience is going to be tested trying to wait for the next book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this ARC.

A huge thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an ARC of Monsoon Rising—and wow, what a ride this book turned out to be!

Picking up right where The Hurricane Wars left off, Monsoon Rising dives headfirst into the whirlwind of Alaric and Talasyn’s political marriage. But while the political stakes are high, it’s the sizzling romance that takes center stage and absolutely steals the show.

If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and the marriage of convenience trope, this book delivers on all fronts. The slow burn romance between Alaric and Talasyn is nothing short of chef's kiss perfection, with enough mutual pining and one-bed tropes to keep you hooked from beginning to end. The slow-build sexual tension? Off the charts. And the chemistry between them? ELECTRIC. Seriously, I was living for every moment they shared.

For those who enjoyed the first book but felt the romance could have used more depth, this one definitely satisfies that craving. It's everything you wanted and more, with the slow-burn relationship at the heart of the story. But, oh boy, that cliffhanger at the end—if there isn’t a third book, I swear I’ll riot. Don’t leave me hanging like that!

While the romance takes center stage, the plot does take a bit of a backseat. There’s still plenty of political intrigue, dragons, and twists, but the focus is squarely on the evolving relationship dynamics between Alaric and Talasyn (which, honestly, I’m not complaining about). I did hope for a little more plot development, but Talasyn’s character growth more than made up for it. She’s a completely transformed character in this book, and watching her evolve was a joy. As for Alaric—he’s gone from brooding, mysterious guy to full-on swoon-worthy hero, and it’s honestly hard to resist.

The world-building in Monsoon Rising definitely steps up its game, with more political drama and complex alliances. The stakes feel higher, and the layers of intrigue keep things interesting. But in the end, it’s the romance and chemistry that really kept me turning the pages. It’s like watching an action-packed blockbuster movie unfold in your mind, and I was here for it.

Bottom line: This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves romantasy. Sure, I was hoping for a bit more plot, but the romance was absolutely worth the journey. And now… about that ending. What even was that?! I can’t wait for book three!

A solid 5 stars—this one was better than the first, and I’m all in for what’s to come.

I loved how so much of what was set up in The Hurricane Wars comes together in this book. The slow-burn will they/won’t they relationship between the enemies that were forced to marry, Talasyn and Alaric, is so much better and less frustrating in this sequel. There’s a lot better communication, though still not fully, and both characters grow a lot throughout A Monsoon Rising.

Thea Guanzon was able to pull off a great twist at the end that I am glad I did not see coming because it hit so much better because of that. You will be left devastated by the end of this, but not for the reasons you may think.

Such a fantastic Romantasy read and a series that you definitely need to be picking up!

Thank you to @harpervoyagerus and @netgalley for my eARC. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Heavier on the romance development than the plot development. That being said, I did enjoy the banter and chemistry between Alaric and Talasyn!

Alaric & Talasyn!! Love them.
You want banter, political tension and world building that’ll make you dream of it at night? This is the BEST sequel
I have read in a long time.
I tell people to read this series constantly and I only tell them to just trust me on this one and go into this blind. Don’t look into the synopsis too much or read reviews. Just go into the world blind and experience the world has it is happening to you. You will NOT regret it.