A review by daniobsessivelyreads
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

**๐‘จ๐‘น๐‘ช ๐‘น๐’†๐’—๐’Š๐’†๐’˜** ๐‘จ ๐‘ด๐’๐’๐’”๐’๐’๐’ ๐‘น๐’Š๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’ƒ๐’š ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’†๐’‚ ๐‘ฎ๐’–๐’‚๐’๐’›๐’๐’ (๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฏ๐’–๐’“๐’“๐’Š๐’„๐’‚๐’๐’† ๐‘พ๐’‚๐’“๐’” #2)

Release Date: December 10, 2024

5โญ๏ธ3๐ŸŒถ

The slow burn in this book is BURNING! The arranged marriage between Talasyn and Alaric are now married; however, it is in name only. Or is it? Their kingdoms have been on opposing sides of the war for too many years, but they've joined forces in order to fight the ever expanding power of the Shadow Gate. 

Alaric's Father has only ever ruled through fear and violence. However, Alaric doesn't seem to want to rule that way. Talasyn sees a softer side to him, but she's planning on usurping his rule all the same.

Alaric has been told by his father that his marriage is only a way for Alaric to get close enough to steal and or stop Talasyn's magic. Once they stop her magic, there will be no one to oppose their rule with Shadow Magic.

The slow-burn in this book is delicious! While I struggled to get into this series in the first book, the second book is definately making up for it in spades!

Themes/Tropes:
๐ŸEnemies-to-lovers
๐ŸArranged marriage
๐ŸLight vs. Dark Magic
๐ŸSlow Burn
๐ŸGrumpy-grumpy
๐ŸStar wars inspired
๐ŸReylo inspired

TW:
โœจChild abandonment (past)
โœจDeath of parent (past)
โœจDeath
โœจParental abuse
โœจViolence
โœจBattle scenes

Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC read!