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!

This was an entertaining read but I fear it suffers from second book syndrome. Overall, a solid 3/5 and I'll continue reading the authors work but I wish the plot was a little stronger

You're not just a weapon. Talasyn had told him that. He hazily remembered her words, spoken softly in the lamplight while she held him. You could be more.”

“Something soft and tentative broke across her features, and he was walking toward her before he even realized it, caught in a waking dream. Somewhere at the edges, the Nenavarene scurried aside and tugged one another out of his way, as though he carried the plague, but he knew only her”


With sequels I always feel like it’s a hit or miss but with A Monsoon Rising that was the opposite, this book did not disappoint. Thea Guazon knows how to keep you on your toes. Her writing is just so beautiful and it somehow got even better this book. I can’t get over the vivid and detailed world descriptions to the complexity of the characters and their relationships with each other!!


Talasyn and Alaric are in an arranged marriage and have to work together to keep the world from ending. The tension between Alaric and Talasyn was so amusing! Getting to see both of their POV’s as they have to spend time together, as well as their growing feelings that they are actively trying to fight, just leaves me dying for more! The banter with them is honestly top tier and in a contest with myself I highlighted how many times Alaric has said/thought “my wife” (it’s 46 times for anyone wondering). This book sucked me in and I am in desperate need of the third book. Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me this advanced copy.

*Monsoon Rising* by Thea Guanzon is everything I hoped for and more! After loving *The Hurricane Wars*, I knew this sequel was going to be a banger, and it truly delivered. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Alaric and Talasyn is even more intense, with their forced proximity as a married couple adding layers of tension and desire. Their chemistry is electric, and the slow build of emotions amidst the political intrigue had me hooked from start to finish.

The world-building is just as captivating, with new magical elements and the looming threat of the Moonless Dark raising the stakes. Alaric’s inner battle between his duty and his growing feelings for Talasyn kept me on the edge of my seat, while Talasyn’s struggle to balance her role as empress and her loyalty to her people was heart-wrenching. The merging of light and shadow magic was an epic twist, and the plot twists kept coming, making it impossible to put down. If you loved *The Hurricane Wars*, *Monsoon Rising* is an absolute must-read!

This series! These characters! I cannot get enough of it. More immediately, please! The writing is so lush, it’s such a joy getting lost in the imagery. The kind of book I just want to luxuriate in. Glorious!

The cliffhanger?!!!!!! I liked this so much more than the first book it was full of lore, tension, and steam. It picks up directly where the first book ends. I think the writer is very expressive with her words which can sometimes feel world-building heavy but there was less of this in this book and most of it was in the beginning of the book. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers and the steamy hate scenes lol. I did think that there was so much miscommunication between them though. I do really like the main characters though and I liked the little sweet scenes we got between them. I liked the family politics, alliances, training, and getting more about both families, especially the fmc. Overall I think this was a good read and we finally get more romance and intimacy between the characters. Thank you Avon for this arc for an honest review.

Read if you like:
- Romantasy
- Diverse characters and worldbuilding
- Alliances and political intrigue
- Arranged marriage
- Betrayal and secrets

THEA! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO US WITH THAT ENDING?!?!?!
The ending was so intense that I was feverishly flipping the pages and I audibly yelled the word "NO" when I turned the page to find I reached the acknowledgements!

A Monsoon Rising picks up in the story of Alaric and Talasyn as they settle into their new married roles and learn to navigate the tides of their relationship and the politics that they are both embroiled in. The two are struggling to balance an undeniable passion for one another and their fealty to their side of the Hurricane Wars. Both Talasyn and Alaric are set to betray each other if they are able to stop the events of the Moonless Dark, but can their desire for one another overcome?

I could speak for ever on this book and my thoughts but I don't want to spoil this amazing book for others! Readers will not be disappointed in this next installment of the story of Talasyn and Alaric, but the wait for book 3 will be BRUTAL. I immediately finished the story and then preordered the physical copy of A Monsoon Rising on Amazon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to eARC read this book!

This was a bad case of second book syndrome. I had a lot of patience for The Hurricane Wars, despite feeling as though there was excessive info dumping throughout, because the world was immersive and the characters were interesting. A Monsoon Rising feels like a drag, with more info dumping, repetition, and convoluted subplots.

I think this book would have been much better if there was more focus on the romance and relationships, and not so many fantasy conventions. The story wants to be a romance first, and the magic and world building distract from the strongest parts of this book.

However I do think this will be a hit with readers who enjoy modern adult romantasy.

A Monsoon Rising delivers an enthralling magical fantasy journey told through the alternating perspectives of Alaric and Talasyn, who must unite to prevent an impending catastrophe. Their relationship, which begins as a political arrangement in a tense, enemies-to-lovers arc, simmers with palpable tension, slowly unraveling into a passionate and emotionally rich connection. The payoff is rewarding, though some scenes left me wishing they lingered a bit longer before fading to black.

The beginning took time to settle into, with characters and alliances taking shape amidst complex court politics, but once the groundwork was laid, the story gripped me. A summary or glossary would have been helpful to dive back into this world more seamlessly, especially for the many names, powers, and alliances.

Though there is a heavy focus on character development, especially revolving around the political maneuvering within the court, there was room for further exploration of the world itself and more intricate plot progression. Still, the pacing and the growing tension between Alaric and Talasyn kept me engaged. As the story explores their evolving roles as both leaders and lovers, it builds toward the monumental event known as The Moonless Dark, a looming threat only they can stop if they can truly combine their powers.

This book swept me into an enchanting journey through a world brimming with magic, political intrigue, and emotionally charged relationships. The evolving dynamic between Alaric and Talasyn, set against the backdrop of impending disaster, felt like watching a storm build, crackle, and ignite. With each page, the tension grows, and I’m eager to ride this whirlwind of magic and love straight into the next chapter of their story.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I eagerly look forward to more works from this author.

After falling in love with the first book in this series, you can bet every penny that I squealed when I got the notification on NetGalley that I was approved for this book. I love Thea Guanzon's writing, and this world with these characters - it was instantly my favorite. This is the second book of the series, so of course you know there's a lot that's going to happen and it really does keep you on your toes to the very end. I love the developing relationship between Talasyn and Alaric, even though it is frustrating sometimes. This book has everything you could want in a romantasy - dragons, fighting, spice, funny side characters (gotta show some love to Sevraim!), banter, betrayals. I could not get enough of this book, to the point I was multitasking work and reading. I didn't want it to end, and I need the next book ASAP!!!

Thank you again NetGalley and the publisher for making my day and letting me read this amazing book!!

I enjoyed the uniqueness of the storyline. The magic system and character traits are very different from what has been seen from the romantasy genre in the past. I did have problems were the plot seemed to get lost or forgotten over the romance. Also there were a few scenes where the romance felt forced or unnecessary. My biggest pet peeve is when it logically doesn’t make sense for a smut scene. Overall, interesting book but I don’t know if I’m attached to these characters.

I kept hearing about this series, and finally decided to give it a chance. I am so glad I did, this was probably my best 2 reads of the year. I had the ability to read The Hurricane Wars for the first time and dive immediately into A Monsoon Rising. I loved it so much that I finished them both in a week. Talasyn and Alaric have married and must train their magic to save the world from a uncontrollable magic that seeks to kill everything in its path. They both have to fight a growing attraction to each other as their priorities lie in the others ruin. The read was easy with so much plot and action, nothing felt forced and the story flowed so well. I was pleasantly surprised at the enemies to lovers and how true to the trope it continues to be. My only disappointment is that I will have to wait so long for the third in the series, but I am super looking forward and will definitely be placing my preorder for a hard copy! I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars...first off thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC of the book. I really enjoyed this sequel to The Hurricane Wars. Let's just say this book is NSFW. I loved the character growth and development. I loath Geharis. This book had it all: spice, banter, dragons, magic, mayhem, even some murder/assassination attempts. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoyed the first one.

An excellent follow up to the first book in the series, A Monsoon Rising gave me everything I wanted: a unique magic system, descriptive world building, and romance. I couldn’t put the book down despite not wanting it to end. The end was a whirlwind of craziness and the fact that I now have to wait for the next book is likely to drive me crazy.

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GODDDDDD. THIS BOOK WAS INSANE! Monsoon rising takes place immediately after the Hurricane Wars. You might have to reread the first book to remember everything going on to go into the 2nd. My god it was good andU can’t wait for the 3rd book. THERE BETTER BE A 3rd!

I am so glad to have read this! I really enjoyed the continuation from the first book. Writing ans characters are amazing.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for awhile now, and it absolutely delivered. I loved the romance and tension between Talasyn and Alaric. The cliffhanger has me needing the next book yesterday! I love this series that set in a world similar to Southeast Asia. The magic and the secrets are captivating. This series is a must read for fantasy/romantasy lovers!

A Monsoon Rising is the highly anticipated (by me) sequel to The Hurricane Wars, which I really enjoyed. While I did have one big problem with this one, overall I had a really good time with it and I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

My biggest struggle was that I didn’t remember the little details about why the characters felt so strongly about their relationships, mainly the feelings between Talasyn & Alaric and Alaric & his father. I see so many reasons why they shouldn’t feel that way that it was difficult to be onboard with the paths they’ve chosen for their lives. I have a notoriously bad memory for details and just didn’t have that loyalty to the characters when I started reading this.

I decided to look past that though and just trust in the story. Once I did that, I enjoyed myself a lot more. I really liked watching Alaric and Talasyn’s relationship develop more and see the impact outside influences had on them. It felt like they grew into their roles a lot more, which was satisfying to see. Instead of things happening to them, they made things happen.

The plot was fun and I liked seeing the curveballs they were thrown throughout. While some things happened as expected, others were a fun surprise for me. Seeing their magical skills develop more and just learning more about the magic system in general was neat. The book ended on a high that has me excited for the last book.

Book 1 felt a lot more fantasy plot-focused, but book 2 put the romance in the foreground. How will the last book play out? There is a lot of action that could happen but the emotional groundwork that was done in this one promises a heavy impact as well. I have high expectations for the conclusion and will reread the first two books to be ready for it all without any doubts about the details in my mind.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read A monsoon rising.! While slow in the beginning, I enjoyed the ride. The spice was great and I enjoyed seeing the relationship build while trying to save the whole world. The ending was not what I expected to happen and the cliffhanger has me shook.

✨A Monsoon Rising✨

I am currently screaming into the void about this book because I was completely BLOWN AWAY!

A Monsoon Rising is the amazing sequel to the Hurricane Wars and it was PEAK romantasy!

Talasyn and Alaric were back in their political marriage and I was absolutely living for it! They try so hard to pretend that they hate each other but there were so many soft and sweet moments between them that I couldn’t help grinning 🥰

I loved the dual POV giving us both sides of the political scheming and secret keeping. Also we got to learn more about the dragons and the shadow/light magic.

I couldn’t have asked for anything more from a Monsoon Rising and couldn’t recommend the Hurricane Wars series enough!!!

Here are some of the best parts to convince you to read this series!
-political/fake marriage
-enemies to lovers
-shadow daddy
-one bed/forced proximity
-injury tending (I love this sub trope so much)
-slow burn tension
-banter banter banter!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much @netgalley and @avonbooks and @harpervoyagerus for the arc!