S. Jae-Jones delivers a mesmerizing fantasy in Guardians of Dawn: Yuli, filled with magic, adventure, and heart. The world-building is rich, the stakes are high, and Yuli is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for. If you love epic adventures with a touch of myth and wonder, this one’s for you.

A short disclaimer: Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is the third in a series - there will be spoilers for books 1 and 2 ahead, and I also do not advise reading this book as a standalone. Certain plot points, relationships, and worldbuilding elements rely heavily on an understanding of the previous 2 books. Disclaimer over - now I can gush about how much I loved this book.

After cherishing cameos from Princess Yulana, aka Yuli, in both the previous books, I was so thrilled to see her have her own adventures and romance in the third installment of Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is a strong heroine, a warrior inside and out, and someone who cares deeply about her friends. She's a delightful main character and can more than carry her own book (something I had struggled with a bit in Zhara's book). Kho, Yuli's love interest, is her former friend and the daughter of a rival clan leader; their paths unexpectedly cross again when the patriarch of the five ruling families dies, and a competition (The Grand Game) is called to determine who shall take the throne next. As daughters of the two strongest contenders, Yuli and Kho must endure three trials--one physical, one mental, and one spiritual--to determine who is most fit to take the throne. That alone is enough plot to carry the book, but intertwining with the Great Game plotline is the other side of Yuli's life--the Guardian side. While Yuli is trying desperately to win the Grand Game, she's also trying to figure out the mysterious sickness plaguing her continent: the Waking Dreamer sickness. As the Guardian of Wind, only Yuli can see that those afflicted by this sickness have become empty vessels, their souls wandering untethered from their bodies like ghosts. But why is this? And could this mysterious affliction be connected to the Moth Demon, the next villain the Guardians know they must defeat?

Like in previous installments, I think S. Jae-Jones does a great job of balancing the multiple plotlines and the multiple POV characters. As in Guardians of Dawn: Ami, the other Guardians get a few chapters here and there, but the majority of the book is spent on Yuli and Kho, and I like both of them a lot. Their arcs are beautifully done, and I especially like Kho's tangled relationships with her family. Although her family's tie-in to the larger plot is a bit obvious, I thought the arc itself was fantastic. Being someone who really, really likes plague books, I absolutely ate up the Waking Dreamer sickness scenes, and I enjoyed the twist with those as well. I really like how the series is progressing in terms of each individual book's Demon, and their connection to the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons (who I assume is Book 4's villain).

For me, the biggest weakness here is I wanted so much more from the romance. It's not bad by a long stretch, but I guess I just wish the characters had spent more time on the page together -- of the 3 main couples in the series, I'd say that Yuli and Kho were physically with each other the least, although they do have the most history as childhood friends/rivals. I feel like the book would've actually benefited from being longer, just so there's more room for the romance -- it's tautly plotted in every other aspect, so I can't even say that something should get cut. That is such a little nitpick, though.

I know reviews for this series are kind of inconsistent, but I've found myself consistently enjoying every book. It's not a perfect series, not by far, but it perfectly fills that Magical Girl niche that YA is seriously lacking. As someone who grew up on Sailor Moon, Winx, and W.I.T.C.H, this feels nostalgic in all the right ways, and reading a few chapters after a rough day totally transported me to the Guradians' world.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! I really love how this series is shaping up and cannot wait until we get to meet (fingers crossed) the Guardian of Water in Book 4.

This is the third book in the series. I liked it but it was not the best fantasy book ever. It felt very flat and a little bit boring.

This book is fantastic! Even though I hadn’t read the first two installments of the Guardians of Dawn series, I was immediately drawn into the intricate world and compelling characters. While I could tell this was part of a larger ongoing story, the writing was so immersive that I still found myself deeply invested in the narrative. That said, I would highly recommend starting from book one to fully grasp the depth of the storyline and character arcs.

The world-building in this book is lush and intricate, bringing the Morning Realms to life with vivid descriptions and a rich history that feels essential to the story. The balance of good versus evil is a major theme, and the way it plays out through elemental warriors and ancient demons makes for an intense and thrilling read.

Yuli’s journey is especially compelling—she’s not just facing external threats but also wrestling with her own insecurities and the enormous burden of restoring balance to a fractured world. The dynamic between Yuli and Kho adds another layer of complexity to the story. Their history is steeped in rivalry and tension, making their interactions unpredictable and emotionally charged. The political intrigue woven throughout the book adds even more depth, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was its diversity and inclusion. The cast of characters is vibrant and unique, with each guardian bringing something different to the table. Despite their incredible strength and abilities, they remain deeply human, struggling with personal conflicts that make them feel real and relatable.

At times, I did feel a bit lost due to the multiple POVs and the ongoing nature of the story, but the writing is strong and descriptive, making it easier to follow along. I can only imagine how much more rewarding this book would be for those who have been following the series from the beginning!

Overall, this is an excellent read for fans of Asian-inspired fantasy with high-stakes action, compelling characters, and a richly developed world.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I didn't know this was a book in a series when I started reading it which is on me but I ended up really enjoying it despite my initial confusion about the identity of characters and how their relationships worked. It's a charming, magical book full of fun characters like Yuli and Kho, especially Yuli who is such a brave and compassionate main characters. I love the Asian mythology inspired world building in this and the stakes feel high. The ending is devastating but leaves room for the next book to be even more epic, Thank you for the ARC!

Book 3 of the Guardians of Dawn Series - continues the story from the previous two books and is not a standalone but rather a continuation. Youll be confused if you haven’t read them and I also think wouldn’t understand the depth of the story line. This series and this specific book are Asian inspired fantasy about elemental warriors in a world divided fighting against ancient demons. The balance of Good vs Evil. Ultimately I really did enjoy this story line, but at times was a bit confused as there seems to be a lot going on and multiple POV. But it was really well written and very descriptive. I found this specific book to have a lot of inclusion, which was really nice to see incorporated. I especially liked that all the guardians although are very important, are also different with their own uniqueness. I love that despite how strong they are, they still remain so very human. If you’ve read the first time, definitely keep continuing! Zhara, Ami and Yuli – cant wait for the next! Thanks to Netgalley for this opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Having read Zhara and loving it, and then reading Ami and liking it but not as much as Zhara, I was excited to read the third book in the Guardians of Dawn series!

The writing of this book matches the intended audience perfectly, which is something that not every YA book is able to do. Yuli is probably my second favorite book in the series now. I loved reading more about Yuli's life and especially her relationship with Kho. I love the world-building and it makes the story feel so vivid and intriguing from the start. There are now quite a few POVs to follow, which would be my main complaint, but I do like that we return to the POV of the previous characters.

Yuli was such a fun book with high stakes that contributed a lot to the continuation of the Guardians of Dawn world. I'm definitely looking forwards to seeing this series continue!

The Guardians of Dawn books have always delivered when it comes to strong female leads and fantastic storytelling. This third book in the series, told Yuli’s story and it did not disappoint!

I was thrilled to see Ami and Zhara in Yuli’s tale of loss and determination. She must fight for her right to rule, against a former friend, all while navigating emotional and romantic connections. She shows her independence and strength and, like other books in this series, is a great example to teens and YAs of what a strong woman looks like. There’s also lots of LGTBQ representation and it’s just a breath of fresh air in the genre.

Highly recommend Yuli and I cannot wait to read what comes next!

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity to read this ARC!

This is the third book in the Guardians of the Dawn series, it follows Yuli, but we do see some from the previous guardians. I do love how strong and independent Yuli is, but there were times I wishes for a little more world building in this book instead of relying on what’s mostly established already. Though it’s predictable, it’s still fun. I definitely appreciate the LGBTQIA representation as well!

DNF'ing and leaving a 3-star because I have to provide a star rating. The cover, description, and additional information section did not indicate that this was the third book in a series. Since I haven't read the first two books, I cannot reasonably read and rate the third.

Book Review: Yuli (Guardians of Dawn, #3) by S. Jae-Jones ✨

After the death of Yuli’s grandfather, the warlord, the five ruling families are on the brink of war. The Lady of the Wind seeks to seize the imperial throne, forcing Yuli to compete in three deadly challenges against her childhood best friend, Kho. Meanwhile, demons are possessing anti-magical individuals to build a terrifying army.

I loved seeing all three Guardians working together throughout the book (plus, a hint at the next Guardian!). This installment is definitely more intense, though it felt a bit less cohesive than the first two. The multiple POVs were sometimes tricky to follow, but the trials brought Yuli and Kho together in unexpected ways. The ending? Absolutely heartbreaking. 💔

Thank you Net gallery for this ARC!

It’s important to know that this is the third book in a series, I was not aware of that when I made the request. I was so confused reading the first two chapters that I had to stop and search the book on Google. I had to find out on Goodreads that this was the third book. It was not mentioned anywhere on the book cover or description. I didn’t want to review a third book without reading the first two and so I did.

In the third instalment,, Yuli has to process the death of her grandfather while having to deal with her ex-bestfriend turned rival in trials.

I loved the world building in this series and the magical lore. I also loved the LGBTQA+ representation in the book, it is so important to have this kind representation in books. Especially in today’s reality.
I liked the pacing of the story but the multiple POV not so much. It felt like we were switching characters every a few pages. I would have preferred longer chapters in the same POV. This is also a very predictable plot. I guessed a lot of what was gonna happen before it did. I still enjoyed my read but this isn’t a reading on the hedge of my seat type of book. This is more turn off my brain and just enjoy the vibes. I will probably give book four a try.

"Yuli" is the 3rd installment in the YA Guardians of the Dawn series and it did not dissapoint! Each book we get to follow a new Guardian of the Dawn as they try to defeat the demons that plague their world.

Yuli's story was great! We see how strong of a woman Yuli has become as she deals with the death of her grandfather, while fighting her former best friend in trials to see who can be the next ruler of the kingdom. Don't worry, we also get to see the perspectives of the other guardians of the dawn (Ami and Zhara) as they do their best to help translate the language of flowers to learn more about sealing the demon portals, and help magicians escape the perils of Yuli's kingdom.

I think this is a great series for teens as it features strong, independent women, and all sorts of romantic entanglements. There is a very large LGBTQ presence in this series - we have a few non binary characters, F/F relationship, a M/F relationship where the guy identifies as asexual/aromantic, etc and I feel like the author is trying to be very inclusive and show to the teens reading this novel that love is love no matter who you're interested in. I also like how different the guardians are from one another-Zhara and Yuli are both headstrong, while Ami is quite and intellectual, and most likely on the spectrum as she often has a difficult time reading people.

I look forward to the conclusion of this series and can't wait to find out more about the final guardian of dawn.

4/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

S. Jae-Jones' Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is the anticipated third installment in the Guardians of Dawn series, following Zhara and Ami. Set in a richly imagined world where magic is both wondrous and forbidden, this series has captivated readers with its blend of fantasy, adventure, and character-driven storytelling.

In Yuli, we delve into the story of Yuli, a character whose flirty personality and unique guardian power have intrigued fans since her introduction. As the narrative unfolds, Yuli embarks on a journey that intertwines with the overarching battle against demonic forces threatening the Morning Realms. Her path is fraught with challenges that test her courage, loyalty, and self-discovery.

While some might praise the novel for its engaging plot and the deepening of the series' lore. The exploration of Yuli's character adds a fresh perspective, enriching the ensemble cast and their interconnected destinies. The world-building continues to be a standout feature, with intricate details that bring the Morning Realms to life. But there are occasional times where its just to much

It can be noted that certain action sequences feel prolonged due to alternating character perspectives, which can disrupt the narrative's momentum. Despite this, the novel's strengths in character development and world-building have resonated with me for the most part

Overall, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is a compelling addition to the series, offering a blend of action, magic, and personal growth. Fans of the previous installments will find much to enjoy as the saga continues to unfold.

I really loved reading this book and I can not wait for more by this author!! I flew through this book because it was that good. The author did an amazing job keeping the plot interesting without it getting boring or slow. I will be recommending this book to all of the family and friends.

Another great installment in this series! I loved the setup and use of dramatic irony in this one. I also really appreciate that this series is staunchly in the "middle YA" area, rather than upper YA like a lot of titles right now. It's accessible to younger teens, and even middle grade readers looking for something more advanced. I do think this book could have used a couple of lines to refresh my memory---I forgot who Xu was since it has been 2 years since I'd read Zhara. Just a few reminders for older context would have been nice. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this! I love Yuli as a spin on the Sailor Venus character--she's the It Girl, but leans into the athleticism that Minako possesses, rather than the idol/girly girl. I also love that She and Kho mirror Uranus and Neptune. As a long time lover of Sailor Moon, this series means so much to me!

Another wild ride in this fantastic and imaginative series, though I do feel that at this point there are too many POVs, which dragged an otherwise engaging story down. Well written with many memorable characters, but I agree with other reviewers that there needs to be more clarity for new readers that this is book 3 in a series to avoid disappointment and frustration. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy.

I loved the other 2 books and was super excited to continue the series, the books just get better and better, the world-building and character development are out of this world!

I hadn’t read the other two books of this series when I started, I didn’t even know it was a part of a series. That being said, I really enjoyed the world building and relationships in the story. The games part was really entertaining and seeing the dynamic between Kho and Yuli change during that time was heartwarming.

The writing was decent and the story was interesting. Too many POv’s for me though. I found it kind of confusing in some spots. I liked it but it wasn’t my favourite.