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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Loved this! There were several times at the end of the book where I literally gasped lol
She warns you of a slow burn and baby she’s not lyingggggggg gimme the second book please i need to know where *that* goesssss
She warns you of a slow burn and baby she’s not lyingggggggg gimme the second book please i need to know where *that* goesssss
es increíble como saque el 80% del plot del libro e igual me entretuve akhskahs bueno ahora a esperar el segundo (en una semana me olvido todo el libro)
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli is a wild ride into a fresh fantasy realm inspired by South Asian mythology. Big thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!
The story takes us right into a world teeming with rakshasas, vetalas, dakinis, and more. Zarya, our protagonist, breaks free from a life where her magic is forbidden and she grew up hidden from everyone. In a twist of fate, she finds herself in the bustling capital, Dharati, uncovering the mysteries of magic amidst a demon onslaught that's straight out of stories. It was action-packed with cool magic and creatures in the mix. The characters are well-written with strong backstories.
As for the enemies-to-lovers hype – the marketing oversold it. The chemistry needed a bit more spark. This story leans heavier on fantasy than romantasy, contrary to the pitch. Not bad, but the marketing missed the mark. The final stretch amps up the action, leaving me hungry for more of Zarya's magic and crossing my fingers for an electric romance with Rabin.
The story takes us right into a world teeming with rakshasas, vetalas, dakinis, and more. Zarya, our protagonist, breaks free from a life where her magic is forbidden and she grew up hidden from everyone. In a twist of fate, she finds herself in the bustling capital, Dharati, uncovering the mysteries of magic amidst a demon onslaught that's straight out of stories. It was action-packed with cool magic and creatures in the mix. The characters are well-written with strong backstories.
As for the enemies-to-lovers hype – the marketing oversold it. The chemistry needed a bit more spark. This story leans heavier on fantasy than romantasy, contrary to the pitch. Not bad, but the marketing missed the mark. The final stretch amps up the action, leaving me hungry for more of Zarya's magic and crossing my fingers for an electric romance with Rabin.
WOAH OK THIS WAS GOOOOD.
I love Nisha’s writing so this did not come as a surprise but like..wow! I’m obsessed with this
I love Nisha’s writing so this did not come as a surprise but like..wow! I’m obsessed with this
Heart of Night and Fire follows Zarya, our mysterious female main character who has lived her life in isolation until the fateful day she’s able to go beyond the border that had kept her contained. Now that Zarya has made it to Dharati, she’s ready to start living her life. However, she still clings to the rule Row drilled into her, no one can know about her magic. However, Zarya quickly learns that the city she fled to is regularly under attack. Determined to learn more about her past and join the fight, can Zarya keep her secret or will she be forced to reveal her magic?
✨
✨
Tuli crafted an unputdownable story full of political intrigue, magical mysteries, jaw dropping twists, and edge of your seat action sequences. You’ll be gripped from the very first page and find yourself trying to turn the page after the story ends to see what happens next. You won’t be able to help but root for Zarya. Watching her try to learn her past and understand why Row locked her away was absolutely heartbreaking. Although, the heartbreak was balanced nicely against the inspiring friendship that blossomed between Zarya and surly Yasen. Their relationship was my favorite part of the first installment in the quartet. One other element I found fascinating was the ritual and bond between the queen and her steward. I can’t wait to see where the relationship between Zarya and Rabin goes. The interactions between the two was my other favorite aspect of the story. If you’re a fan of complex magical systems, mysterious family backstories, grumpy sunshine friendships, and slow burn romance, I highly recommend checking out Heart of Night and Fire.
✨
✨
eARC courtesy of netgalley and second sky
✨
✨
Tuli crafted an unputdownable story full of political intrigue, magical mysteries, jaw dropping twists, and edge of your seat action sequences. You’ll be gripped from the very first page and find yourself trying to turn the page after the story ends to see what happens next. You won’t be able to help but root for Zarya. Watching her try to learn her past and understand why Row locked her away was absolutely heartbreaking. Although, the heartbreak was balanced nicely against the inspiring friendship that blossomed between Zarya and surly Yasen. Their relationship was my favorite part of the first installment in the quartet. One other element I found fascinating was the ritual and bond between the queen and her steward. I can’t wait to see where the relationship between Zarya and Rabin goes. The interactions between the two was my other favorite aspect of the story. If you’re a fan of complex magical systems, mysterious family backstories, grumpy sunshine friendships, and slow burn romance, I highly recommend checking out Heart of Night and Fire.
✨
✨
eARC courtesy of netgalley and second sky
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @37%
I (almost) always finish books that I have started. I hate not knowing what happens next in the storyline and if the characters finally reach their aims. But I just had to stop reading and let it go. Heart of Night and Fire promised to become my new dream to-go novel. Enemies to lovers? Check. Slowburn? Check. Indian mythology? Check. Then why did I not love the book?
-what is it about?-
Zarya is kept captive in a gilded prison as Row, her guardian, is believed to keep the girl safe. However, one day the man disappears without a trace. Zarya decides to escape the place and finally find her freedom in the world waiting for her outside. When she discovers she can save the world from darkness, Zarya must start a journey to find the truth about her past and power.
-what I loved?-
→ Nisha J. Tuli used Indian mythology as a background for this story. I adore how she used folklore in the story and experimented with it. Unfortunately, she did not explore it even more (maybe then I would be even more excited to continue my journey with this novel).
-what did I not love?-
→ The writing style gave me teenage vibes from the beginning - it ruined the whole experience of enjoying the novel. I believe it was all connected to Zarya's character (she was something, believe me). I could not get invested in this storyline because of that.
→ Sloppy plot and no actual twists? I think Nisha J. Tuli wanted to make readers feel the danger Zarya had to fight with... but it was not THAT emotional. Messing with the events also did not help make me excited about what will happen next.
→ Characters that were annoying, dull and bland. Zaraya acted like that rebellious little child who would throw tantrums over nothing. If readers are to believe that she is a grown woman, then her behaviour made me think it was the other way around. I wanted to see more development of the characters' journey and how it would change their perspectives, but Nisha J. Tuli just tried to re-use repetitive tropes and descriptions to slow down the (already slow) action.
rating: 1/5 ✮
genre: fantasy, adult/new-adult
themes: enemies to lovers, slow-burn, Indian mythology, rapunzel vibes
DNF @37%
I (almost) always finish books that I have started. I hate not knowing what happens next in the storyline and if the characters finally reach their aims. But I just had to stop reading and let it go. Heart of Night and Fire promised to become my new dream to-go novel. Enemies to lovers? Check. Slowburn? Check. Indian mythology? Check. Then why did I not love the book?
-what is it about?-
Zarya is kept captive in a gilded prison as Row, her guardian, is believed to keep the girl safe. However, one day the man disappears without a trace. Zarya decides to escape the place and finally find her freedom in the world waiting for her outside. When she discovers she can save the world from darkness, Zarya must start a journey to find the truth about her past and power.
-what I loved?-
→ Nisha J. Tuli used Indian mythology as a background for this story. I adore how she used folklore in the story and experimented with it. Unfortunately, she did not explore it even more (maybe then I would be even more excited to continue my journey with this novel).
-what did I not love?-
→ The writing style gave me teenage vibes from the beginning - it ruined the whole experience of enjoying the novel. I believe it was all connected to Zarya's character (she was something, believe me). I could not get invested in this storyline because of that.
→ Sloppy plot and no actual twists? I think Nisha J. Tuli wanted to make readers feel the danger Zarya had to fight with... but it was not THAT emotional. Messing with the events also did not help make me excited about what will happen next.
→ Characters that were annoying, dull and bland. Zaraya acted like that rebellious little child who would throw tantrums over nothing. If readers are to believe that she is a grown woman, then her behaviour made me think it was the other way around. I wanted to see more development of the characters' journey and how it would change their perspectives, but Nisha J. Tuli just tried to re-use repetitive tropes and descriptions to slow down the (already slow) action.
rating: 1/5 ✮
genre: fantasy, adult/new-adult
themes: enemies to lovers, slow-burn, Indian mythology, rapunzel vibes
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredible story! I love the world building, The characters were so loveable! The twists and turns kept me really engaged! It was like nothing I have read before! And the cliffhanger at the end has me dying for the next book!!!
adventurous
emotional
slow-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:
No
This book is beautifully written. Tuli has such a way with words, the world building was excellent, the descriptions of everything really painted a beautiful, vivid picture. All the mentions and descriptions of food had me salivating and desperate to try some.
Yasen is the best, a true friend. I loved the slow-burn aspect of everything, the friendships, the powers, the learning of a new world. It was greatly paced. A true beginning to a new, found family, the beginning to enemies to lovers, and the beginning of an epic fantasy.
There were some comments that felt too modern, and "our world" they added humour and a fun element.
Yasen is the best, a true friend. I loved the slow-burn aspect of everything, the friendships, the powers, the learning of a new world. It was greatly paced. A true beginning to a new, found family, the beginning to enemies to lovers, and the beginning of an epic fantasy.
There were some comments that felt too modern, and "our world" they added humour and a fun element.