Synopsis
After a lifetime of war, Alaric and Talasyn were thrust into an alliance between their homelands that was supposed to end the fighting; however, being married to their sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Now Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are forced together, the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?
As the master of the Shadowforged Legion, Alaric has trained for battle all his life, but marrying a Lightweaver might be his most dangerous challenge yet. With tensions between nations churning, he needs to focus on the greater threat—the Moonless Dark, a cataclysmic magical event that could devour everything. Only he and Talasyn can stop it, with a powerful merging of light and shadow that they alone can create together. But saving their world from this disaster is a mere preface to his father’s more sinister schemes, and his wife is a burning flame in the darkness, tempting both his loyalties and his desires.
The Hurricane Wars aren’t over. It’s time to choose what—and who—to fight for. The world holds its breath amidst a whirlwind of new magic and old secrets that could change everything.
Review
Thea Guanzon’s A Monsoon Rising is a lush continuation of Thea Guanzon’s epic tale of love, war, and magic. Building on the foundation of its predecessor, this instalment deepens the stakes, explores new emotional terrain, and further cements Guanzon’s ability to weave intricate political intrigue with heart-pounding romance.
Picking up where The Hurricane Wars left off, The Monsoon Rising reunites readers with Talasyn and Alaric – two characters whose fates remain entwined by magic, power, and undeniable tension. While they’re supposedly enjoying a state of matrimonial bliss, with Talasyn acting the part of Alaric’s willing empress, each character holds interests and ideas that are in opposition to the other’s, which cleverly increases the tension between the two characters.
At the heart of The Monsoon Rising is its emotionally charged romance and character-driven storytelling. The relationship between Talasyn and Alaric continues to shine – volatile, fraught, yet irresistibly magnetic. Guanzon explores their dynamic with nuance, delivering the angst and tension readers crave while allowing both characters to evolve individually.
The world-building remains one of Guanzon’s greatest strengths. From lush, storm-ravaged landscapes to the intricacies of warring factions, the setting feels alive, textured, and immersive. The vivid descriptions allow readers to lose themselves in a world shaped by magic and monsoons, where danger is never far behind. Fans of The Hurricane Wars will appreciate how the stakes have been raised, with larger conflicts and new alliances testing the characters at every turn.
That said, The Monsoon Rising isn’t without its flaws. The pacing stumbles in places, and it doesn’t really pick up until about halfway through the novel, so unless you’re completely invested in the romantic relationship rather than the plot, the first half of the book can feel rather slow. This greater focus on the romantic relationship is great if that’s what drew you to the first book, but if you were hoping for more political intrigue and action, as I was, then it can be a bit slow-going until the plot picks up once more later in the book.
Nevertheless, Guanzon’s prose remains fluid and lyrical, weaving action, romance, and introspection seamlessly. The emotionally charged climax and hints at what’s to come ensure readers will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
For fans of epic fantasy with strong romantic subplots, The Monsoon Rising delivers an enthralling continuation of the series. It builds on the foundation of its predecessor while offering deeper character development, heightened stakes, and a world that feels as tempestuous and alive as ever. If you enjoyed The Hurricane Wars, you’ll find much to love here.
The Ink Thief 