The Hurricane Wars
A Novel
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4.5 • 108 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
"An incredible debut full of rich atmosphere, clever world building, opposing magic, and sizzling romance, The Hurricane Wars is my newest obsession."— KERRI MANISCALCO, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Throne of the Fallen
"I physically could not stop reading! Mark my words: lives will be changed by The Hurricane Wars.” — ALI HAZELWOOD, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis
The fates of two bitter enemies with opposing magical abilities are swept together in The Hurricane Wars, the spellbinding debut in a fantasy romance trilogy set in a Southeast Asia–inspired world ravaged by storms, perfect for fans of Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses
The heart is a battlefield.
All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, she found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty shadow magic. He discovers the greatest threat yet in Talasyn: a girl burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. He tries to kill her, but in a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
This war can only end with them. But an even greater danger is coming, and the strange magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Talasyn and Alaric must decide… are they fated to join hands, or destroy each other?
An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters and sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance set in a richly drawn world, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.
“The Hurricane Wars is everything I love—intricate world-building, unique magic, and a gleeful, smoldering romance. I’m obsessed.”— HANNAH WHITTEN, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
“This book made me giddy! Such a gleeful collection of my favorite tropes, all written in a fresh and engaging world, with a deep emotional center. One of my favorite books of this year!” — KATEE ROBERT, New York Times bestselling author of the Dark Olympus series
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Epic fantasy fans should rush to this first of a trilogy that blends elemental magic, a devastating war, and a volatile romance in which literal sparks fly. Talasyn, an orphaned soldier who’s one of the last surviving Lightweavers, and Alaric, heir to the throne of the invading Night Empire and possessor of uncanny abilities, are on opposite sides of the Hurricane Wars, both their magics and loyalties seemingly antithetical to each other. But when Talasyn’s powers—and long-lost heritage—are revealed, these two enemies will be forced to ally against an even greater foe…and to submit to an undeniable attraction. Is desire enough to bind these two together, or will passion sour to betrayal? This enemies-to-lovers epic romantasy thrilled us in more ways than one and had us breathless for the sequel. It’s a battle of wits and magic that you won’t want to miss.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Two powerful royals are entangled in a war in Guanzon's trope-heavy, Southeast Asian–inflected romantasy debut. Orphaned Talasyn of Sardovia harbors a deadly secret: she's one of the last remaining Lightweavers, capable of wielding magic that can combat the brutal Night Empire's own shadow magic. When the Night Empire attacks and its alluring Prince Alaric Ossinast corners Talasyn, she must expose her powers to escape. Sardovia's leadership sends her to the Nenavar Dominion to amplify her powers, and, upon arrival, she discovers that she's the lost heir to Nenavar's Dragon Throne, making her an unwilling but vital player in diplomatic relations—especially after her grandmother, the matriarch, strikes a treaty with the Night Empire betrothing her to Alaric. After the expansive worldbuilding of the opening, the back half of the novel is devoted to Talasyn and Alaric's dynamic, which draws clear inspiration from Star Wars' Rey and Kylo Ren. Guanzon relies on flowery descriptions to convey the characters' chemistry ("Orange blossoms and the creamy floral note of promise jasmines wafted from her hair, tempered by cool green attar of lotus and the barest hint of cinnamon bark. Alaric's mouth watered"), occasionally leaning into cliché. The result doesn't bring anything new to the tropes it deploys, but it will scratch the itch for fantasy readers seeking slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Customer Reviews
Enjoyable new series
I enjoyed this book, looking forward to the next one. Good chemistry between the two main characters. My main complaint for taking off a star is that it feels like a knockoff of the Grishaverse series (shadow & bone) with the main heroine being the last known person with light magic and also a soldier, the morally gray male love interest with shadow magic, the elemental magic, the voids, etc. I liked the steampunk vibes with the aether ships though.
Amazing!
Thea has written a fascinating fantasy and I can’t wait to read the next book!
One of the best book I’ve read this year!
LOVED this book. A true Enemies-to-lovers story in a world full of politics and strategy. Would recommend if you like romantasy books (like Saraah Mass and Rebecca Yarros)