Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
What an amazing start to a series. I ended up finished the entire book in one session because I simply couldn’t stop. I needed to what would happen and whether or not my guesses were correct. “Spoiler,” it was about 50/50. The more fantasy I read inspired by South Asian cultures, the more enamored I’ve become. I also find myself craving chai tea more and more (what a hardship, am I Right?) I think because I am of as familiar with the details of the culture, it lends itself to the fantastical side, while also making everything feel more colorful, and teaching me a lot. In terms of the actual storyline, I really really like Zarya. She’s a wonderful mix of competent and not confident. She’s very compassionate for someone who was raised the way she was. I’m very interested to see her story/history continue to unravel, and to learn more about Rabin as well. And I think I might start Yasen fan club.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really really enjoyed this book! While it has similar tropes to other romantasy books (which is great, I read what I read for a reason!) I really liked the world that Tuli built, and felt like it was a fresh story.
There’s a lot of world building and set up for what I imagine will be coming in the next few books, but this one still had action and excitement! I’m definitely invested in the character and am rooting for each of them.
I loved getting to see Zarya grow as she learns more about who she is. She’s strong and wants to be independent, but also cares deeply for her found family.
Huge Yasen fan. He’s such a fun character and I hope we get to see more of him!!
There’s a lot of world building and set up for what I imagine will be coming in the next few books, but this one still had action and excitement! I’m definitely invested in the character and am rooting for each of them.
I loved getting to see Zarya grow as she learns more about who she is. She’s strong and wants to be independent, but also cares deeply for her found family.
Huge Yasen fan. He’s such a fun character and I hope we get to see more of him!!
Having read a lot of Nisha's other work, I decided to catch up on this series. We meet Zarya, who has been isolated her entire life, without a good reason as to why. Through a series of events, she is able to get free of the compound she lives in and meets up with strangers who end up taking her to the city. She soon realized that there is more to her than she's been told. Lots of twists near the end. Her interactions with one character in particular ended up being very different than I initially anticipated and I think my brain is continuing to struggle with that.
There is definitely a lot to follow, and maybe my attention span wasn't where it needed to be because I got a little lost at times. It wasn't a big enough issue that I won't be continuing, though. I need to see where this all goes because there was definitely a twist I was not expecting!
There is definitely a lot to follow, and maybe my attention span wasn't where it needed to be because I got a little lost at times. It wasn't a big enough issue that I won't be continuing, though. I need to see where this all goes because there was definitely a twist I was not expecting!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
slow-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reading this book may cause two things to happen: (1) you might start dreaming of a mysterious, tall, broad-shouldered guy and (2) you will definitely crave Indian food.
Inspired by Indian mythology, Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is the first book in her Nightfire series and my newest obsession.
Zarya has lived her entire life mostly alone and in confinement, until one day when she suddenly finds herself free from the magic that has been restraining her. She escapes to the city of Dharati, in search of answers and a new life.
I love this book and the sparkling world Tuli has created, full of magic-wielding sorcerers and blood-drinking rakshasas. I just read three of Tuli’s books back to back, and while I enjoyed all of them, this one is probably my favorite. The beautiful worldbuilding is what initially drew me in, but the platonic friendship that develops between Yasen and Zarya is one of the main features of the story that kept my attention and stole my heart. The relationship between these two is what friend goals are made of, and their banter made me laugh out loud several times.
Of course, one of the other reasons I adored this book is Zarya’s mystery dream man. I won’t say anything more about him because of spoilers, except for the fact that I cannot wait to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood