The BookBrowse Review

Published December 4, 2024

ISSN: 1930-0018

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Contents

In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review

Highlighting indicates debut books

Editor's Introduction
Reviews
Hardcovers
Recommended for Book Clubs
Book Discussions

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Publishing Soon

Literary Fiction


Historical Fiction


Essays


Poetry & Novels in Verse


Mysteries


Thrillers


Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History


Biography/Memoir


History, Current Affairs and Religion


True Crime


Travel & Adventure


Young Adults

Literary Fiction


Historical Fiction


Mysteries


Thrillers


Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History


Graphic Novels


History, Current Affairs and Religion


Science, Health and the Environment


Extras
  • Blog:
    First Impressions Favorites: 2024’s Best Reader-Reviewed Books
  • Holiday Wordplay:
    Solve all 15!
Book Jacket

A Monsoon Rising
A Novel
by Thea Guanzon
10 Dec 2024
400 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Critics:

Two hearts circle each other in the eye of the storm in this highly-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller, The Hurricane Wars—prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.

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.

"Guanzon's highly anticipated sequel to The Hurricane Wars is a captivating read from start to finish. The tension between the characters with the mix of political intrigue and magic will be sure to enchant readers." —Library Journal (starred review)

"The balance between romance and politics is off this time around, with the angst-heavy love story taking center stage as the brewing war is shunted to the background. As a result, the stakes feel lower than in the first installment. Fans will hope the next book is a return to form." —Publishers Weekly

"Thrilling, fierce, and sexy! Thea Guanzon has created a world as unique as it is deadly, and she needs to be on every fantasy reader's TBR!" —Danielle L. Jensen, USA Today bestselling author

"A masterpiece of worldbuilding. Thea Guanzon forges a rich, fantastical realm with poignant and immersive prose and a spectacularly unique magic system. All hail the World Mother of Lir." —Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow

Thea Guanzon is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Hurricane Wars series. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a specialization in International Politics and Peace Studies. Aside from being a writer, she is an avid traveler, an enthusiastic fangirl, a Dungeon Master, and an iced coffee junkie. Born and raised in the Philippines, she currently resides in Metro Manila.

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