Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli

Title: Heart of Night and Fire

Series: The Nightfire Quartet

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Release Date: September 14, 2023

Publisher: Second Sky

Genre: Romantasy

TW: violence, war, classism, abandonment, misogyny, blood, minor sexual content, alcohol, sexual harassment

Synopsis

A city of magic. A passion born in dreams. A secret that will set their world aflame.

For years, Zarya has been trapped in a gilded prison. Her magic is forbidden, a dangerous secret—though nobody will explain why. Now she is ready to break free and find the truth.

Escaping to the dazzling city of Dharati, Zarya discovers a new world of enchantment and intrigue. With the help of seductive, blood-drinking rakshasa and magic-weaving Aazheri sorcerers, she searches for answers.

But the city is under siege. Every night, dark creatures attack. And since Zarya’s arrival they are growing stronger. To protect her new home, Zarya joins the fight.

As she battles on the walls and hunts through libraries for clues about her gifts, Zarya’s dreams are haunted by a mysterious stranger. Powerful, arrogant and handsome, Rabin sees through her secrets and ignites a desire she cannot resist. But can he be trusted?

When darkness threatens to overwhelm Dharati, Zarya is faced with a deadly choice. Will revealing her magic save the city? Or destroy everything she loves?

Enter a glittering new world inspired by Indian mythology and prepare to discover your new obsession.

Thoughts

I'm sad to say it took me a really long time to get into this story. It wasn't until I was about 68% through that I felt the story was finally starting to move along. But once it did, it really moved! I found myself eagerly turning pages, wanting to know what would happen next, and feeling a sense of relief that the plot was finally picking up pace.

The world-building in this book was absolutely phenomenal. The monsters, the food, the clothing—it’s such a beautiful world that Tuli created for this story. I could vividly picture Dharati and the beasts emerging from the darkness. The author’s attention to detail made it easy for me to immerse myself in this fantastical setting. I felt like I was right there, walking through the vibrant markets, tasting exotic foods, and encountering terrifying creatures.

Zarya was such an endearing character. From the moment she was introduced, I was captivated by her sunshiny innocence and her passion for the new world around her. She had an insatiable curiosity and a desire to see and experience everything she possibly could. Yet, despite her innocence, she was also very strong and capable. I admired how she handled challenges with grace and determination, without ever becoming egotistical about her skills. Her journey of growth and self-discovery was a joy to follow.

I also adored Yasen. He started off as a seemingly minor character, but as the story unfolded, his importance grew, and I found myself getting more and more attached to him. He was an adorable side character, and his loyalty and bravery were truly commendable. His interactions with Zarya added depth to the story and provided some much-needed warmth and humor.

And then there was Rabin. Once he was introduced, I was completely hooked. The chemistry between Zarya and Rabin was electric, and I loved the scenes they shared. The revelation of exactly who Rabin was took me by surprise and added an exciting twist to the narrative. Their relationship was complex and layered, and I am eagerly anticipating how Zarya’s past and the mystery of Rabin will continue to unravel in the future.

In conclusion, while it took me some time to get into the story, the rich world-building, endearing characters, and intriguing plot twists made it worth the wait. I am excited to see where the story goes from here and how the characters will continue to evolve. Tuli has created a beautiful and immersive world that I look forward to revisiting.