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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
I debated rounding this down but rounded up for the opening dedication alone. The characters in this book are in their 20s but it very much feels like a group of horny teenagers (as opposed to horny adults). I get that the FMC is very naive after having been raised off from society in a cabin, but I was done with her mania to find a man, any man. It’s the worst one dimensional character trait to have. By process of elimination over the course of the book, she wound up with no one at the end but that’s what book 2 is for. I would have DNF but have to review the second one.
I debated rounding this down but rounded up for the opening dedication alone. The characters in this book are in their 20s but it very much feels like a group of horny teenagers (as opposed to horny adults). I get that the FMC is very naive after having been raised off from society in a cabin, but I was done with her mania to find a man, any man. It’s the worst one dimensional character trait to have. By process of elimination over the course of the book, she wound up with no one at the end but that’s what book 2 is for. I would have DNF but have to review the second one.
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart<
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Heart of the Night is the first book in the Nightfire Quartet, featuring Indian Mythology as the base with a few tropes like found family, a love triangle and the chosen one. There are a lot of things to enjoy in the story overall and I had a good time. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if I'd known more South Asian based lore but it isn't a requirement. I'm also not really a fan of love triangles but that didn't play a huge role in this book.
Zarya has grown up trapped within a magical boundary with her guardian Row and his apprentice. She is about to turn twenty-one and all her life has been spent secluded with only a father figure and a Aarav who she fights with like a sibling. Row has taught her how to fight and she has a little magic but Zarya has no idea why she has been cut off from the rest of the world. When Row goes on one of his trips and the magical boundary breaks, Zarya is so excited to travel to the city of Dharati, to see what she has been missing her entire life.
In Dharati, Zarya finds the adventure she has been craving her entire life. It is a city full of magical beings that help fight off the demons at night that come to the wall. Every night the city is attacked and only the magical wall and the elite guard trained for just this purpose keep the city safe. But the creatures seem to be growing in strength and Zarya wants to help defend her her new home and her new friends in the city. As she trains and talks to some of the magical members of the community, she learns more of her mother and tries to figure out why Row worked so hard to keep her existence a secret.
There is a small love triangle happening between Vikram, one of the head guards of the elite fighting team and Rabin, a man Zarya only seems to see in her dreams. For me this is a minor thing, since they didn't get a lot of page time together and Vikram has some other stuff happening in his life that makes him somewhat unavailable so I don't see this being a hard love triangle, but it could be too soon to tell. Zayra is an interesting character, but at times I found it hard to be in her head. She isn't socially acclimated being so sheltered and so sometimes she acts much younger than her 21ish years. But it is understandable why
I enjoyed the setting of the book and some of the lore. Parts of the lore were really strange to me, like the Queen being a tree but the general idea of it was cool. I am interested in learning more about Zarya's magic and seeing her growth over the next books as she figures out how to use it. I'm also very interested in Rabin and his story. He left his family and the city years ago. Why are his and Zayra's dreams connected and how will that play into the bigger plot of the story?
Nisha J Tuli is a new to me author, but I'm enjoying exploring new lore I'm not as familiar with and the South Asian feel to all the characters.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Heart of the Night is the first book in the Nightfire Quartet, featuring Indian Mythology as the base with a few tropes like found family, a love triangle and the chosen one. There are a lot of things to enjoy in the story overall and I had a good time. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if I'd known more South Asian based lore but it isn't a requirement. I'm also not really a fan of love triangles but that didn't play a huge role in this book.
Zarya has grown up trapped within a magical boundary with her guardian Row and his apprentice. She is about to turn twenty-one and all her life has been spent secluded with only a father figure and a Aarav who she fights with like a sibling. Row has taught her how to fight and she has a little magic but Zarya has no idea why she has been cut off from the rest of the world. When Row goes on one of his trips and the magical boundary breaks, Zarya is so excited to travel to the city of Dharati, to see what she has been missing her entire life.
In Dharati, Zarya finds the adventure she has been craving her entire life. It is a city full of magical beings that help fight off the demons at night that come to the wall. Every night the city is attacked and only the magical wall and the elite guard trained for just this purpose keep the city safe. But the creatures seem to be growing in strength and Zarya wants to help defend her her new home and her new friends in the city. As she trains and talks to some of the magical members of the community, she learns more of her mother and tries to figure out why Row worked so hard to keep her existence a secret.
There is a small love triangle happening between Vikram, one of the head guards of the elite fighting team and Rabin, a man Zarya only seems to see in her dreams. For me this is a minor thing, since they didn't get a lot of page time together and Vikram has some other stuff happening in his life that makes him somewhat unavailable so I don't see this being a hard love triangle, but it could be too soon to tell. Zayra is an interesting character, but at times I found it hard to be in her head. She isn't socially acclimated being so sheltered and so sometimes she acts much younger than her 21ish years. But it is understandable why
I enjoyed the setting of the book and some of the lore. Parts of the lore were really strange to me, like the Queen being a tree but the general idea of it was cool. I am interested in learning more about Zarya's magic and seeing her growth over the next books as she figures out how to use it. I'm also very interested in Rabin and his story. He left his family and the city years ago. Why are his and Zayra's dreams connected and how will that play into the bigger plot of the story?
Nisha J Tuli is a new to me author, but I'm enjoying exploring new lore I'm not as familiar with and the South Asian feel to all the characters.
"Hope was a potent thing. even when forced with innumerable dangers, the city found a way to celebrate, to bring light into the darkness, to smile in the face of adversity and find comfort in the shadows."
Ooh this seems like a very good start to a series I’m excited!! Love the south Asian setting
This seemed to have a slow start for me, but did eventually get and hold my attention. I was hoping for a little more of the romance, but also understand this may be a good world building/set up for future books. I am intrigued to read what comes next!
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
I'd like to start by saying this is my first book by Nisha Tuli. I am an avid fantasy and romantasy reader, so judging by the description of the book, it should've have right up my alley. And the story really was - I liked the worldbuilding and how the plot progressed.
Still, I must admit there were some things I found a bit overwhelming. I really struggled with the first part of the book, not so much with the terminology (which was vast), but more so with the description and the narrative. The second part of the book was significantly faster in terms of plot and character development.
My main problem with the story is that I couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters. They were well written, but I just missed something (some depth, maybe) to form a connection with them. The relationship part, which is marketed as enemies to lovers, is there, but only at its beginning. I'm guessing we will see the relationship develop more in the second book.
Overall, it's a solid 3 star for me. I feel sad I couldn't give the book more, since I did have high expectations, but I'm hoping the second book will have a different impact on me.
I'd like to start by saying this is my first book by Nisha Tuli. I am an avid fantasy and romantasy reader, so judging by the description of the book, it should've have right up my alley. And the story really was - I liked the worldbuilding and how the plot progressed.
Still, I must admit there were some things I found a bit overwhelming. I really struggled with the first part of the book, not so much with the terminology (which was vast), but more so with the description and the narrative. The second part of the book was significantly faster in terms of plot and character development.
My main problem with the story is that I couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters. They were well written, but I just missed something (some depth, maybe) to form a connection with them. The relationship part, which is marketed as enemies to lovers, is there, but only at its beginning. I'm guessing we will see the relationship develop more in the second book.
Overall, it's a solid 3 star for me. I feel sad I couldn't give the book more, since I did have high expectations, but I'm hoping the second book will have a different impact on me.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes