The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
charliebnl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
Thank you to @NetGalley and @secondsky publishers for this gifted book! When I realised the publication date was September 15th, the same day I picked it up, I was initially stressed. But let me tell you, this book did not disappoint.
Heart of Night and Fire is a Fantasy Romance inspired by Indian and South Asian culture. It tells the story of Zarya, a young woman who has spent her life confined to a coastal cottage under the watch of a mysterious man. Her life takes a turn when he disappears, freeing her from her captivity.
Initially, I thought the book might fall into common tropes, but Nisha navigates them skillfully. As someone who doesn't usually read Fantasy Romance, I found myself pleasantly surprised at every turn. I eventually stopped trying to predict the story and simply let myself be swept away.
Nisha's storytelling is captivating, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in this quartet. If you enjoyed series like "An Ember in the Ashes" or "The Daevabad Trilogy," this book is definitely for you. It's now available in bookstores, and if you're in South Africa, keep an eye out as it should be arriving soon.
Heart of Night and Fire is a Fantasy Romance inspired by Indian and South Asian culture. It tells the story of Zarya, a young woman who has spent her life confined to a coastal cottage under the watch of a mysterious man. Her life takes a turn when he disappears, freeing her from her captivity.
Initially, I thought the book might fall into common tropes, but Nisha navigates them skillfully. As someone who doesn't usually read Fantasy Romance, I found myself pleasantly surprised at every turn. I eventually stopped trying to predict the story and simply let myself be swept away.
Nisha's storytelling is captivating, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in this quartet. If you enjoyed series like "An Ember in the Ashes" or "The Daevabad Trilogy," this book is definitely for you. It's now available in bookstores, and if you're in South Africa, keep an eye out as it should be arriving soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, War, Classism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery
Moderate: Blood and Misogyny
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“Sometimes our destiny is not what we would have chosen. We can either seek to change it or learn to live with it.”
Read this book if you love;
• South Asian Mythology
• Found Family
• Slow Burn Romance
• Badass FMC
• Grumpy x Sunshine Friendship
• Hidden Magic
The story starts with a strong opening, introducing out badass FMC - Zarya with a battle scene. Zarya’s journey starts when her guardian suddenly missing along with the magic that keep her from getting out of her small cottage.
It was exciting following Zarya in discovering the world outside of her cottage.
It was beautiful, enchanting, magical, alive but what she didn’t know it was also dark and dangerous.
Both main and secondary characters are well developed and very likeable.
I really like Zarya’s character and her curiosity in exploring something new. I absolutely love the friendship between Yasen and Zarya, I love seeing their never ending bickering.
The pacing takes a slow turn since the first half part was about introducing the world building and the people with different powers.
But, I pushed through and things finally started to get a lot more interesting as the monsters got more active in attacking the city and also when Rabin (the mysterious hot character) started to appear more often.
Even though the possible main love interest wasn't introduced until the last few chapters, there's still romance throughout the story.
But, I’m hoping to see more development between Zarya and the possible main love interest (Rabin) in the sequel. I can feel the tension between the two of them is gonna be off the charts!
Overall, this is a great opening for a new fantasy series. Very enjoyable, entertaining and well written as well.
I’m absolutely in love with the world building and the characters, I wish I have the 2nd book now.
I’m looking forward to read the next book to know what happens next and to know more about Rabin!
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Abandonment
annamay1021's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot believe more people aren't talking about Nisha and her books!! I am a HUGE fan of the first 2 Artefacts of Ouranos books, so I was thrilled that I got selected for an advance copy of Heart of Night and Fire. The South Asian mythology and culture in this book is unmatched!!! I love how the author put her own spin on a lot of mythology (I believe) the typical white reader won't know about. Reading on a Kindle was great because I could easily search terms that were unfamiliar to me.
The imagery was beautiful, and I adored the world building in this book. I did feel at times that there wasn't a clear direction, and sometimes it was difficult to keep up with the characters and the different types of characters. But this may be because I am unfamiliar with South Asian mythology, and so I love being stretched in this way!
Cannot wait for more of her books to come out in the coming years!
I cannot believe more people aren't talking about Nisha and her books!! I am a HUGE fan of the first 2 Artefacts of Ouranos books, so I was thrilled that I got selected for an advance copy of Heart of Night and Fire. The South Asian mythology and culture in this book is unmatched!!! I love how the author put her own spin on a lot of mythology (I believe) the typical white reader won't know about. Reading on a Kindle was great because I could easily search terms that were unfamiliar to me.
The imagery was beautiful, and I adored the world building in this book. I did feel at times that there wasn't a clear direction, and sometimes it was difficult to keep up with the characters and the different types of characters. But this may be because I am unfamiliar with South Asian mythology, and so I love being stretched in this way!
Cannot wait for more of her books to come out in the coming years!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Abandonment
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