Illusions of Fire
by Nisha Sharma
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Oct 7, 2025
Union Square & Co.
Ages: 14+

Laila is a descendant of Draupadi and is protected by her immortal aunts. Karan is a descendant of hunters who kills immortal beings that want to destroy the world, and Laila is his next target. But upon their first encounter, when they shook hands, they both felt magic between them.

During their second meeting, failing to cut off her head, he realizes Laila isn't the monster he was sent to kill, but their meeting thins the veil, and evil immortal beings are coming after them.

But there is also evil in mortals.


This was a unique story, the setting on a family winery, which I wish there had been more about that setting, because it is a different place than the typical YA story. And Laila's aunts were important to her, but weren't described in a way that made them feel that way.

The same could be said about Karan's parents; they were missing, and that was why he was sent to kill her, but the way his parents were described made them seem like an afterthought.

I did like the story, and it moved at a good pace. The characters, except for the ones mentioned and his uncle, were thought out and, while typical of YA characters, they did have their uniqueness, which I feel should've been described more often.

And while the story ended, it was left open for another book(s), but spoilers.... linked... spoilers.... but I can guess where it's going to go, and even though I liked this one, I doubt I'll read another.

3 Stars

Nisha Sharma has created a multi-faceted gem of a storyline. Based on the forest of stories, tha Mahabharata, this retelling brings the descendants to fore with a South Asian focus on the demons or astral and rakshasis.

Laila Bansal is a descendant of Draupadi, wife of the five Pandavas, in the original epic. Karan is an descendant of Karna, the selfless bastard elder brother of her husbands, who sides with the wrong cousins. Nisha spins her tales weaving facts and redressing the grave injustice to Karna (imho), who was truly the best!

In a narrative, that spins from Indonesia to America, our sympathies for the protagonists turns to empathy in discussions of fate and responsibility versus the joy of having a full life and how choice makes the difficult decisions easier to abide. The book is a quick read and I was able to complete it in a couple of days. The story pace is fast and furious and the revelations are truly mind blowing. Hats off to the author for filling a void in enmeshing the epic to a modern tune!!

Many thank yous to Union Square & Co and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC

I received an ARC of this via NetGalley, from the publisher so the version I read may be different from the final.

I thought overall - fun read, really exciting, adventure, and a nice romance aspect.

It's kind of a cool modern demi-god adventure, based on the Mahabharata stories of Hinduism. A good spooky season read with demons, witches, and some horror aspects.

It seems to set up for an ongoing series and I'm interested to continue on the adventure with this cast of characters.

Things I enjoyed while reading this book: Laila is badass and she knows it! Karan is a great MMC that actually values Laila as a person (the bar is on the floor unfortunately), Laila is the one who says she would burn down the world for Karan and I absolutely ATE THAT UP cause it’s normally the man who says that. The way the characters work together and outsmart the enemy is better than just your generic fight scene. Also, Boo and Gopal were great side characters that added to the story instead of taking away from it.

The main thing I didn’t enjoy while reading: The fact that Laila and Karan have “intimate relations”. I don’t think it was necessary for the plot AT ALL and this is a YA novel so I feel like it wasn’t really needed. They could’ve expressed their bond without them doing the do if you catch my drift.

The cliffhanger at the end definitely left me wanting more! And I hope we get different POVs. As much as I love Laila and Karan, I want to see Gopal’s POV and whatever other descendants are gonna be involved in this story. Good job Nisha! I’m officially hooked and I can’t wait to read more! 😊

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance.
This was a fun read with action, romance, hidden libraries and even secret guardian angels? Great combinations.
But I struggled a bit with the mythology part. It wasn't very clear and well explained and sometimes I didn't understand what was happening.
So I enjoying the book but struggled a bit with it.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book. It felt unnecessarily stretched out and the romance felt it came out of nowhere.

If you’re a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then this YA retelling will pack a punch. Full of rich atmosphere and masterful dialogue, Nisha Sharma continues to create incredible books for young and older adult readers alike.

Nisha Sharma is great at romcoms, and I've been devouring each new release over the last few years. When I found out that she was working on a YA fantasy novel, I was intrigued but had my apprehensions. After finishing this novel, I can safely say that this novel surpassed all my expectations.

I picked up this book a few hours ago and it was impossible to put down! I'm really glad that i was able to step out of my comfort zone for this one, as fantasy isn't normally a genre i have much exposure to. I loved the inclusion of Hindu mythology, and it reminded me so much of the stories that I grew up with. It was interesting seeing how it all played out with the descendents and how it reflects the original story.

I loved how strong Laila was as the lead character, and that she was backed by her masis. I was really excited to see that she was from Mauritius! I thought both leads had crackling chemistry and I was so keen to read more about their interactions. I do wish some of the side characters had their stories fleshed out a bit more

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! What a treat to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Illusions of Fire” by Nisha Sharma is a cool mix of romance, magic, and mythology, set in a contemporary urban fantasy world. The story follows Laila Bansal, who wakes up before dawn every day to train in combat with her immortal Rakshasi demon aunts, protecting her mythological bloodline. Laila’s life turns exciting when Karan, a mysterious new archer descended from demi-gods, arrives with a mission that brings a bunch of immortal and mortal threats to her quiet town.

The book brings a fresh twist on Hindu mythology, blending ancient magic with modern-day drama and lots of action. The romance is fiery but balanced well with thrilling fight scenes and tension against dark forces.

Fans of enemies-to-lovers stories and shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural will find a lot to enjoy here. With sharp one-liners, strong characters, and a fast-paced plot, it’s a fun and engaging read perfect for YA fantasy lovers looking for something fresh and mythical

Nisha's writing as ALWAYS captivated me and this fantasy was no different than her romances in her ability to get me hooked from the start!

Laila was such a strong female lead. I really enjoyed getting to see her take on the demons and other things that came for her and Karan. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between the two as well, fate mixed with "should I even listen to fate" is always going to do it for me. The mythology aspect of this book was super interesting as well. As others have said this was a fun mix of vibes similar to Buffy, Supernatural and Percy Jackson which made it so intriguing.

Fantasy books are not always a draw for me but Nisha Sharma is a go to author for me so I wanted to pick this one up and I was not disappointed. Super enjoyable read.

Illusions of Fire follows Laila Bansal, an eighteen-year-old with a mythological bloodline and descended from Draupadi. She lives a sheltered, safe life and trains in combat to prepare for her future. But when Karan, a mysterious and handsome newcomer in town tries to kill her, everything changes. He hunts demons and witches and is desperate to save his parents. They must figure out how to work together to save themselves and the world.

I enjoyed this SO much!! I loved the mythology element and was fascinated learning more about Indian mythology. It was so interesting and captivating. The plot was so engaging and reminded me of some of my favourite YA paranormal/supernatural stories back in the 2010s. The vibes were on point, and I just had such a good time. I flew through this one. The writing was also so lovely. I wasn’t aware it was a series and now I really want the next one!!

I really loved that it was dual pov! It was so nice to see both Laila and Karan’s thoughts and feelings, especially as they’re falling in love. Both characters are so strong and full of life. I loved the progression of their romance and inner turmoil. Laila was so funny and badass and I am really excited to read more from her. And Karan was so fierce yet sweet. I absolutely loved Boo! And the aunts were hilarious.

If you love paranormal stories inspired by mythology with a swoony romance and kickass characters, I’d definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the arc!

Illusions Of Fire is a breathtaking fusion of mythology, magic, and modern romance that kept me utterly captivated from start to finish. Nisha Sharma masterfully crafts a world where ancient legends from the Mahabharata come alive in a contemporary setting, blending the mystical with the everyday in a way that feels fresh and exhilarating.

Laila Bansal is a compelling heroine — strong, complex, and fiercely protected by her immortal aunts, who add layers of intrigue and depth to the story. The arrival of Ahvi, a demi-god descendant, sparks a thrilling clash of supernatural forces and sets the stage for an epic battle that feels both personal and grand in scale.

What truly stands out is Sharma’s seamless storytelling and vivid character development. The magic feels real, the stakes feel high, and the romance is both tender and electrifying. This book is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy and mythology alike. I can’t wait to see where Sharma takes us next in this spellbinding series!

This is my first book by the author, and I like the concept and the writing style. Indian mythology, particularly the Mahabharata, is fascinating, and this book offers a unique and modern take on the descendants of the epic.

As I mentioned, the writing style is engaging —interesting dialogues and captivating action scenes.
The story is intriguing and it kept me interested till the 20th chapter or so. After that, it begins to meander, and kind of loses its purpose. After a certain point, I wasn't sure what I really wanted to know, and what exactly the characters were fighting for.

I liked the protagonists, however I couldn't feel the romantic spark between them. They came across more like two competent friends working together as a team. I was particularly disappointed by the lack of chemistry given that the story is about the descendants of Karna and Draupadi. There's Krishna, too, but I was underwhelmed by his portrayal in this book.

Overall, it was an interesting read — a really cool concept, but somewhere along the way, it got a little lost in weak execution in the second half of the book.

An endorsement from Ali Hazelwood, too! WOW!

OK... let's talk this book ... This was my first Nisha Sharma book, and now I really want to read Dating Dr. Dil!!!
Because I loved her writing style!

I also loved learning a new mythology... because you can only read so many Greek mythology retellings before you need to branch out... or can you?!?!

HOWEVER... I did pause it several times and I wanted to DNF multiple times...but I prefer sticking through books and finishing them!

the way this sucked me in is unreal, I literally devoured this book in one go
it's fast paced, super SUPER fun, the mystery is intriguing, the characters endearing, and the writing easy to read, basically THE perfect formula to make any book utterly unputdownable
also gave me an intense craving for chai, and the need to read “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin ASAP
if this is going to be a series, which I absolutely need it to be, I'm going to be eagerly anticipating the next installment

This wasnt what I was expecting but Im also not mad about it. I don't think I would consider this young adult more like new adult, imo.

The overall plot was fine, the magic system I liked but I didn't really the connection between supernatural, charmed and buffy. Like ya there monsters hunting (a little bit) there's magic but other than the book mentioning those shows once in a while I wouldn't think of it like that.

Another winner from Nisha Sharma and this time it’s a YA fantasy rooted in Indian mythology ❤️‍🔥

Sharma forayed out of her usual romance territory and hit it out of the park! Read if you like:
* rich world-building
* badass FMC
* well paced, age appropriate romance

Thank you Nisha and team for the ARC. I can’t wait to see what you write next!

I think Indian and South Asian representation in fantasy and western books in general is really important, and I’m always happy to come across new books by South Asian authors - however this book fell a little flat for me. The premise and plot are amazing, with heavy emphasis on Hindu mythology and the epic Mahabharata - but the writing was too simplistic for my taste, the characters and their relationships felt underdeveloped, and the ending was rushed.

It is definitely worth a read, my personal preference is for more flowery language but not everyone has the same preferences as me! This would be a nice introduction to the Mahabharata to a western teen audience and there’s plenty of action and romance and quippy one-liners.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square for the ARC!

LOVED THIS ONE!!! I was intrigued by the Buffy comparison and it did not disappoint. From the beginning I was locked in. I loved learning about Hindu mythology and the way it was woven into the story. Laila and Karan were such strong characters with fantastic chemistry but the side characters were great too. I especially loved boo and all the masis. As a youth service library assistant, I will definitely be recommending this to my older teens looking for mythological fantasy similar to Percy Jackson. As a reader/bookstagramer, I will be recommending this to EVERYONE!!


The ending tho!!!! I am so excited to see where this story goes next! Hopefully more Gopal!!

Karan has been training as a monster-hunter his whole life. Unbeknownst to him, his first kill sets him on a path to interact with Laila. Laila has spent her life training to be a warrior and a mother all by her 25 birthday. Karan and Laila meet in an unusual way, then later realize that they have to team up in order to save the world from an evil that was very close to them.