A Monsoon Rising (Book 2)
Available at Bookshop.org
“I’m done fighting this. Another coherent thought, breaking through the fog of his mind. Here, at last, was something that felt right. Something real. Whatever else happens, I won’t fight it anymore.
And if that made him a monster, made him a traitor—then so be it.”
5/5
The Big Questions:
What genre is this in? Epic fantasy, romance, romantasy
Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Alaric and Talasyn
Is it spicy? Yes, but not erotica
Is it violent or gory? Hand to hand combat with weapons and magic
Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? BUY IT
“There it was once more, that cautious hope, stirring beneath the sun, reveling in the one difference that she was certain of. He wasn’t his father.”
Review: The Queen of the Reylos has gifted us the second chapter in her Southeast Asian inspired aether (and tension)-filled saga. As both Alaric and Talasyn balance their new roles as Emperor and Empress, husband and wife, and harboring secret plans to betray each other, they also have to deal with the fact that they might, in fact, actually care for each other. God, I love the tension. These two loyal, powerful, and lonely knuckleheads have my heart every which way even more after this second book. What I love most about Thea’s writing is how she is able to keep the action going, the tension rising, and the characters developing all without losing pace. I love a good plot-based book, a good character-driven book, but to meld those two things without sacrificing anything is the gold standard. The expanded cast of characters keeps things fresh and lively, while the chess pieces being moved by hands rarely seen keeps the vibe a tad sinister. But what keeps me glued is the BANTER between Alaric and Talasyn. It’s just chef’s kiss. Oh and did I mention dragons? I know we might all be a bit dragon-ed out at this point, but I love the use of dragons as both symbols and part of the natural world without being subdued, tricked, or magicked into human servitude or symbiosis. They choose to be there. They choose their actions. And revered for purely being AS THEY SHOULD. My only complaint, Harper Voyager, is the lack of a glossary. Please help my brain!
So, go buy the book now.