A review by marylu412
Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

 I had such a good time reading Heart of Night and Fire! From the very first chapter, I was pulled in by the rich, vibrant setting and the slow unraveling of secrets. Zarya is one of those heroines you can’t help but root for—fierce, curious, and tired of being kept in the dark about her own life and powers. Watching her break free and start taking charge of her destiny was incredibly satisfying. 

The worldbuilding is lush and full of life, with clear inspiration from Indian mythology that gave the story a unique and refreshing twist compared to typical Western fantasy. The city of Dharati is magical, dangerous, and full of political and supernatural intrigue, and I genuinely enjoyed wandering through its streets, libraries, and battlefields alongside Zarya. The rakshasa and Aazheri sorcerers added a really cool layer of mystery and tension, and I loved how the magic system and lore were revealed little by little. 

And okay—let’s talk about Rabin. The man practically radiates slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers energy. He’s powerful, arrogant, intense, and somehow both infuriating and magnetic. The chemistry between him and Zarya simmers beautifully, with just enough tension and bite to keep me completely hooked. 

My only small complaint is that some of the pacing in the middle dragged a bit with lots of questions and not many answers—but once things started clicking into place, it picked up fast and didn’t let go. The ending left me desperate for book two in the best way. 

If you love fantasy romance with deep lore, fierce heroines, and slow-burn tension that sizzles, Heart of Night and Fire is a must-read. I’m absolutely obsessed and already ready for more!