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A review by whatsheread
A Monsoon Rising: A Novel by Thea Guanzon
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As the second book of Thea Guanzon's The Hurricane Wars series, I was prepared to be either blown away or completely disappointed with A MONSOON RISING. Instead, I got a book I really, really enjoyed with an ending that made me gasp aloud but throughout which there were enough issues to prevent my mind from being blown.
Don't get me wrong. I finished A MONSOON RISING giddy with the promise of a spectacular finale. I loved the spice, the action, and the further adventures of Alaric and Talasyn together and apart. I devoured the book as quickly as I could without dropping everything altogether. It's just that Alaric and Talasyn spend as much time mooning about and worrying about the future or each other as they do in action.
I get their angsty thoughts. They are young and have little to no firsthand political experience. Plus, they both suffer from childhood trauma. Their brooding makes sense and is entirely appropriate. It's just that it takes up so much of the story. When there is action, whether it is in the form of training or as basic as traveling, A MONSOON RISING is unputdownable. When you are once again having to endure either character's obsession over the other or worrying about the future, it is less so.
A MONSOON RISING is a great book and deserving of all the praise. It just gets a little slow at times for my taste. I will still gladly read anything Ms. Guanzon writes because these first two novels are stellar. Plus, the ending is a game-changer that left me reeling. I can't think of a series that excites me more than The Hurricane War and a series finale I am anticipating the most.
Don't get me wrong. I finished A MONSOON RISING giddy with the promise of a spectacular finale. I loved the spice, the action, and the further adventures of Alaric and Talasyn together and apart. I devoured the book as quickly as I could without dropping everything altogether. It's just that Alaric and Talasyn spend as much time mooning about and worrying about the future or each other as they do in action.
I get their angsty thoughts. They are young and have little to no firsthand political experience. Plus, they both suffer from childhood trauma. Their brooding makes sense and is entirely appropriate. It's just that it takes up so much of the story. When there is action, whether it is in the form of training or as basic as traveling, A MONSOON RISING is unputdownable. When you are once again having to endure either character's obsession over the other or worrying about the future, it is less so.
A MONSOON RISING is a great book and deserving of all the praise. It just gets a little slow at times for my taste. I will still gladly read anything Ms. Guanzon writes because these first two novels are stellar. Plus, the ending is a game-changer that left me reeling. I can't think of a series that excites me more than The Hurricane War and a series finale I am anticipating the most.