“Illusions of Fire” is a breath of fresh air; a diverse coming-of-age action adventure that I wish was published when I was a teenager. A more mature Percy Jackson, but make it desi.

As an American Born Indian and Hindu who doesn’t know that much about the Mahabharata, I felt so engaged and learned a lot. The mythology was easy to follow and learn as they were introduced; the book was written in a way where it didn’t feel like a textbook, but you learned important parts through dialogue and scenes. An index of myth characters, objects and events would be a great addition to the book though, either at the beginning or the end of the book as I kept wikipedia tabs open to keep track of names/terms.

This book also shows why diverse reads should be written by their own people. There are no stereotypes, just deep researched knowledge and fun cultural nuggets. This book felt like a warm glass of spicy chai feeding my soul.

Laila is an inspiring, resilient FMC who I would have made my role model if I was reading this in my teens; but I still think she’s a total baddie. The daughter of fire protecting humanity?! She should be a global icon like Percy Jackson or Hermione.

My one caveat is the romance between Laila and Karan felt a bit forced, as they went from enemies to lovers very quickly with not enough of a transition to believe their feelings for the other. However, I did enjoy both characters and how they helped each other on their individual arcs.

I’m really excited for book 2! I hope it’s Boo or Gopal’s story!!

To start this cover is absolutely STUNNING!!!

This is a YA Fantasy that follows the descendants of mythological beings. In this case Hindu gods, and demons. This is a story of those who are sworn to protect and those who are determined to destroy.

Karan is new to town and attempts to en Laila, but Laila has spent her life training.
This is a story of rivals to lovers and the banter was amazing. I loved the refreshing story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square& Co. for access to this title. I am auto-approved by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars

* On Goodreads, I also copied and pasted the full synopsis of the novel BUT I am just going to jump into it here. Hit that request button!

Read this if you like...

✅Fierce female protagonists that can kick ass
✅Books where the Female and Male Protagonists take turns narrating chapters
✅Action scenes that are fairly balanced with family drama and a little romance.
✅An author fought hard( for years) to bring this urban fantasy novel to life. We owe it to Nisha Sharma and all the people in her corner to read it. 😉


Let's hype this up!





Expected Publication Date 07/10/25
Goodreads Review Date 22/02/25

What a RIDE! This story was a bit slow to start but when it picked up I didn’t want to stop reading. This story follows Laila and her aunts to America. Where Laila has been preparing her whole life for something. Little did she know that it will show up in the form of a very hot South Asian man. Together destinies entwine and they must figure out why their lives collided the way they did.

This was such a good story. The Indian mythology was refreshing to read about and very interesting. The way the story progressed kept me guessing and the twist was something I wasn’t expecting. I can’t wait for the other stories it hinted at to come out cause I have questions with no answers at this point. Totally recommend

This is an excellent story! All about what would happen if the Mahabharata was coming true in modern times. The story moves quickly but with enough explanation on the stories/legends from India. Highly recommend!

This was a Fantastic first book in a series. The author manages to hooks you right from the first few chapters. The book has good pacing that kept me engaged all the way till the end.
Going into this book I had minimal knowledge of south Asian mythology but that was not an issue, the author did a great job bringing you into that world and helping you understand in a way that did not detract from the story.
I did take away half a star because there were a few points towards the end that felt like someone else was writing and it pulled you out of the story (usually when the villain was talking). I’m hopeful that this is something that will be fixed once final edits are done.
Over all I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.
Please be aware that this book is marked as YA but does have “closed door” sexual content.

3.5 stars rounded up

I love the reworking of mythological stories to have a contemporary twist. Laila embraces being a bad-ass, while mourning the loss of what is normal for an 18 year old human female. Karan embraces his mission as a magical witch hunter, but is able to live a somewhat normal life for a 20 year old human male. Both are human descendants of Hindu demi-gods; and when these 2 meet, all hell breaks loose, literally.

There is some very insightful prose about knowing your own power and how to wield it; about the interpretation of history/mythology; and about the nature of forgiveness.

It is the Hindu mythology that I found confusing. I found it challenging to understand all the different parts of the characters and story and how they connected to the Mahabharata (the story of a Hindu civil war between princely cousins). As an ARC, there were places where character names got switched around that added to my confusion. It would have been helpful to have an introduction to the Mahabharata or some sort of descendant tree showing how Laila, Karan and other characters are connected to the mythology.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it in it's final edited and published format.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

An intricate and beautifully written book, Nisha’s first foray into urban fantasy is tremendous and I look forward to more from her. The portrayals of Indian mythology is a personal favourite and I am thrilled to be seeing it being more popularized in the West.

“Egypt had Cleopatra,” he said quietly, his face inches from hers . “Greece had Helen of Troy. And India had Draupadi. Know how powerful you are.”

I loved this line so much! Illusions of Fire was a fast paced fantasy novel set in the world of Hindu mythology. Laila is born with a destiny that she has accepted and she lives her life with this inevitability. Until the day she meets Karan and everything changes.

I've loved Nisha's writing since I've read Dating Dr Dil but this blew my mind. It's so empowering reading a modern YA book where the MC is an Indian female and the Gods are Hindu. Her attention to the smallest details adds a richness to the story that is unparalleled and I love how well she weaves in the emotions of the characters, their flaws and their hopes in the face of despair.

Laila is a determined, empowered female who has faced such adversity but still refuses to give up while Karan is reminiscent of Nisha's heroes - supportive, strong and protective while still letting the female shine.

Pick this up for an engrossing fantasy read that you are bound to enjoy

⋆⋆⋆½ — okay mostly, but i did have some issues with the writing and parts of the ending. and the romance. god, i hate these ya males every single time.

so i loved laila. most of the time. she's funny, powerful, can take of herself, fights back against karan when he's being useless. usually. and it's the usually i have a problem with. i hate when character development goes down the drain for romantic progress. he does something horrific at the beginning of the book, she finds out almost near the end, and then she forgives him... almost immediately. it's aggravating. we barely get a confrontation. i know it was very close to the end, but we could have maybe dragged this into the second book? or revealed it earlier so they could actually work through it? this is always a thing in enemies to lovers novels: the male lead does something heinous, and the female lead—who is supposedly powerful—forgives him two pages later because she's in lurve. enough. as for the other characters, i love badhuri (i am not calling anyone boo. no). i always love the guy in the chair characters, and she was no different. gopal was also brilliant, an even funnier apollo from percy jackson. the aunts weren't there enough for me to care either way, but their love for laila was truly real and vivid. as for karan, the less said about him, the better. laila should have been gay or in love with gopal. it doesn't go with the mythology, but it goes with common sense.

i'm desi, but not hindu, so i wasn't familiar with most of the mythology, but everything was depicted in an easy to follow manner. the plot is more things happening to the protagonists and them trying to fight back, rather than them actively advancing the storyline, but even while i was bored with that aspect, the mythology always drew me in.

as for the actual story, it was interesting up to the middle, and then it became a romance in a fantasy wig. the blurb indicates a balance between the two, but it's just mostly romance. the antagonist, his reveal, his motivations, everything was dull. i mean, a desi man being hyperobsessed with progeny and going as far as sexual assault to fulfill his desires is realistic, sure, but nothing at the end lived up to world-ending hype of everything that occurred before.

next, the writing. i don't really want to call it mediocre, but unfortunately, it's more than awkward at times. you can very much tell this is a romcom author's first foray into fantasy. and i don't know if it's because of formatting issues on kindle, but sometimes, it was very hard to tell dialogue switches between characters. there were instances of karan saying something and then replying to himself? but it's supposed to be laila saying something? i don't know if that's because of typos, or formatting, or if it's actually supposed to be like that, but it occurred often enough that it prevented the story from flowing nicely. and the dialogue was unserious by itself too.

finally, we already know how i feel about the romance, but i just want to reiterate that straight people make me want to vomit, and karan's existence even more so. but desi girls deserve love too, yada yada, and not all of us are gay, blah blah, so we have to settle for the karan-esque love interests of the world, i suppose.

I was provided the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This review is a description of my own feelings and opinions of the book.

I enjoy reading YA and adult fantasy stories with urban settings and modern living combined with a fantasy element. This story combines all of that, as well as draws on Hindu lore and Asian mythology. The story follows descendants of Hindu gods and divine figures who are meant to fulfill their own destiny. The main characters end up crossing paths and the balance between natural and supernatural, good and evil is blurred.

If you enjoy magical realism, banter between the love interests, dark magic, gods, witches, magical creatures, prophecies and bonding, I highly recommend reading this book. I always recommend checking triggers, as there are some darker elements that some people may find disturbing.

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed reading Illusions of Fire.

3.5 stars
“Egypt had Cleopatra,” he said quietly, his face inches from hers. “Greece had Helen of Troy. And India had Draupadi. Know how powerful you are.”
Illusions of Fire reads like a '90s teen supernatural show, but with a much more diverse cast. Cheesy one-liners, demons popping up around town, and serious teen romance; it's all here.

Maybe a little info-dumpy at time, I still appreciated the Hindu mythology. Very neglected in the fantasy world, or at least in the fantasy books I've read, it was a breath of fresh air and representation. It added a lot of depth and mystery to the narrative that was a little lacking in the character development. The fast pace and the story itself often made up for the somewhat flat characters, but in the end I was really hoping to have connected more to the protagonists.

Illusions of Fire gets dark, surprisingly dark, at times. Even with the seriousness of the story - you know, destiny and end times and procreation to save the world - it was still a shock when some of these terrible, terrible things happened. Despite this, the book itself didn't feel heavy or too intense. While it probably could've used some more (or better?) editing, and the characters could've been more complex, I still enjoyed this read.

Rich mythical characters mix with modern day settings, tension, magic, and a dusting of romance to create a fast-paced read, which keeps readers in the pages until the very end.

Laila has been closely protected her entire life and is fated to achieve amazing things thanks to her unique bloodline. She must survive at all costs and has also has the training to guarantee it. The only thing causing some issues are her powers, which seem to gain a mind of their own, at times. When Karan, the descendant warrior of a demi-god, is set on a mission to destroy evil entities, he accidentally runs into her and sparks fly. Unfortunately, his uncle sees Laila as a huge threat, and Karan is soon caught in a tug-a-war. But there's more at play. While Karan and Laila do their best to defeat evil creatures, which come to light, the true villain is making his move. And it's not going to be pretty.

This is a very, well-woven read with characters to root for and tons of action along the way. While set in the modern world, this plays heavily into the mythological magic of Hinduism and keeps monsters, demons, and deities at the forefront. Everything flows together nicely, too. From a meeting at school to a deadly attack with blood-thirsty creatures, this book keeps readers on their toes. It never comes across as tacky or cheap, but lets the two worlds flow together in a seamless play.

The mythology is a treat and adds a refreshing touch. From Laila's interesting aunts to even cuter beings, the mythology comes to life. It's rich, grabbing, and gives the entire world an ancient atmosphere with tons of depth. This melds nicely into Laila's and Karan's views and actions, grounding them while the fantasy flows.

As to romance, it's sweet and builds nicely but doesn't overtake the action, either. Laila's strong personality meets Karan's to create fun back-and-forth taunting and smile worthy moments. While they grow together, there's also enough room for each one to develop their own, inner arcs as well. It makes both easy to like and root for as they find themselves in very difficult situations. And there are dark, difficult situations since the villain isn't exactly an easy one to deal with.

It's a great read for fantasy fans, who enjoy romance and are looking for something refreshingly new on the mythology end.

This was a Fantastic first book in a series. The author manages to hooks you right from the first few chapters. The book has good pacing that kept me engaged all the way till the end.
Going into this book I had minimal knowledge of south Asian mythology but that was not an issue, the author did a great job bringing you into that world and helping you understand in a way that did not detract from the story.
I did take away half a star because there were a few points towards the end that felt like someone else was writing and it pulled you out of the story (usually when the villain was talking). I’m hopeful that this is something that will be fixed once final edits are done.
Over all I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.
Please be aware that this book is marked as YA but does have “closed door” sexual content.

Easily one of the best books I read last year and I am excited for its continuation. It was a fun, and thoughtful, take on South Asian mythology and a critique of how we should protect our cultural and familal legacies.

This book absolutely blew me away. The pacing was beautifully done. Even with complex world building based around the Mahabharata and Hindu mythology, I felt like I was kept in the loop every step of the way. I quickly fell in love with the main character, Laila, who had to balance her longing to just be a "normal" young adult, while also fully owning her massive responsibility in life as a descendant of Draupadi. I was kept on my toes through every twist and turn, and even found all of the support characters very endearing. I appreciated their depth and moral ambiguity, especially as they navigate what they were led to believe their whole lives vs what their reality is. I flew through this book, and very much enjoyed it.

The fire of Draupadi: destiny, battle, and passion in "Illusions of Fire"

"Illusions of Fire", by Nisha Sharma, is a fantasy novel that blends Hindu mythology, supernatural action, and contemporary romance. The story follows Laila Bansal, a young descendant of the legendary Draupadi, who balances her routine between working at her family’s vineyard and training with her immortal aunts—demonic guardians tasked with protecting her. However, her life changes drastically when Karan, a mysterious archer, tries to kill her, setting off a series of events involving deities, epic battles, and the imminent threat of the world's destruction.

Nisha Sharma’s writing is engaging and dynamic, combining intense action with sharp humor reminiscent of the author’s influences, such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Charmed". The narrative maintains a fast-paced and captivating rhythm, blending supernatural confrontations with witty interactions between characters. This balance between adventure and levity gives the novel a unique tone, making it accessible to both seasoned fantasy readers and those looking for an introduction to mythology-inspired fantasy.

Character development is one of the book’s strongest aspects. Laila is a strong and determined protagonist, whose growth throughout the story reflects her struggle between destiny and free will. Her evolution is marked by both physical and emotional challenges, making her a complex and inspiring character. Karan, in turn, is a compelling anti-hero whose personal journey adds layers of depth to the plot. The interaction between the two protagonists creates moments of high tension and emotion, contributing to the development of a dynamic and engaging romance.

Hindu mythology is seamlessly and innovatively integrated into the narrative, enriching the fictional universe and bringing representation to contemporary fantasy literature. Nisha Sharma explores mythological figures and ancient concepts in an accessible and well-integrated manner, ensuring these elements do not merely serve as an exotic backdrop. This fusion of tradition and modernity strengthens the book’s identity, allowing it to stand out in today’s literary landscape.

Another remarkable aspect of the novel is its setting, which masterfully balances the contemporary world with the presence of the supernatural. Laila’s family vineyard, for instance, serves as both a sanctuary and a training ground, symbolizing the intersection between the ordinary and the extraordinary. The combat scenes are described with precision and energy, providing readers with an immersive and cinematic experience. The intelligent humor and sharp dialogues further enhance the fluidity of the story, reinforcing the vibrant personality of the characters.

In short, "Illusions of Fire" is an exciting read that masterfully combines action, mythology, and romance. Nisha Sharma delivers a captivating story led by a strong and charismatic heroine in a rich and nuanced universe. With its balanced mix of emotion, humor, and deep cultural references, the novel stands out as an essential addition to contemporary fantasy literature, offering a unique experience for readers who enjoy intense narratives and unforgettable characters.

This vibrant fantasy novel evokes the nostalgic charm of classic shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Charmed," captivating readers with its engaging blend of modern setting and rich mythology.
The book seamlessly integrates Southeast Asian creatures, gods, and legends into its narrative, creating a unique and captivating fantasy world. The mythology is expertly woven into the plot, ensuring a smooth and engaging reading experience without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming. The frequent inclusion of archery further enhances the story, adding a thrilling element of action and adventure.
Laila and Karan are compelling protagonists, and their individual journeys are both captivating and heartwarming. While the book is part of a larger series, it concludes with a satisfying resolution, leaving readers eager to explore the continuing adventures within this richly imagined world.

Nisha Sharma’s *Illusions of Fire* is a spellbinding journey of courage, identity, and transformation. With her gift for storytelling, Sharma weaves a tale that feels deeply personal while speaking to universal truths about resilience and self-discovery. The protagonist is unforgettable—a fierce and flawed character who is as real as the fire that seems to both haunt and guide her. Sharma doesn’t shy away from showing her vulnerabilities, which makes her triumphs feel all the more powerful. Her journey is one of reclaiming her voice in a world that often tries to silence it, a theme that resonates deeply throughout the story. Fire itself becomes a character in this novel. Sharma uses it not just as a physical element but as a rich symbol of destruction, passion, and rebirth. The way it’s woven into the protagonist’s emotional and spiritual journey adds layers of meaning, making every twist in the story feel profound and deliberate. Sharma’s writing is immersive, full of vibrant descriptions and emotional depth. The world she creates is alive with cultural richness, yet it’s the characters and their raw humanity that anchor the story. The pacing strikes a perfect balance, drawing you into its mysteries without ever feeling rushed. At its core, *Illusions of Fire* is a story about embracing your inner strength and stepping into your power, no matter how intimidating the flames may seem. It’s a book that stays with you—a glowing ember in the mind long after the last page is turned. For readers who enjoy stories with heart, depth, and a touch of the mystical, *Illusions of Fire* is a must-read. Nisha Sharma delivers a tale that is both tender and fierce, leaving you inspired to face your own challenges with a renewed sense of courage.

I’m not familiar with South Asian mythology so this was refreshing to learn more about the Mahabharata and Draupadi! I think this was very well written and an interesting take on the mythology. The fantasy element was fun, but also worked well with the Hindu mythology and culture. Laila was a good FMC and I can relate to the her wanting to create her own destiny. It was cool to see how her journey paralles Karan’s in some ways. I also love the tension between Laila and Karan, it was so palpable that my muscles were tensing up. This book had some funny moments and I wish the aunties were in the book longer. I can’t wait to see how this potential series develops.

Thank you to Union Square & Co and NetGalley for the ARC!