Hurricane Wars

by Thea Guanzon

3 out of 5

Synopsis

All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has 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 forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.

An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.

Review

Talasyn is the only Lightweaver in the Sardovian army, but she has to keep her gifts hidden, so the Night Emperor and his Shadowforged troops.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The narrative was split between our two main characters.

Talasyn, an orphan who grew up in Sardovia. At the beginning of the book, Sardovia is under attack by the Night Emperor, and Talasyn will do everything she can to protect them. 

Alaric is the son and heir of the Night Emperor. He's been taught to fight from a young age, and it's all he knows. He's skilled with shadow magic, and thought he'd seen everything, until he crosses paths with Talasyn.

OK, spoilers ahead, because I can't work out how to write this review without them.

The first 40% of the book was awful. It was pure chaos - and not the good kind.

The story jumped around so much, it gave me whiplash.

To start, we're in a war, but at a wedding, but fighting breaks out, but then we get a flashback to Talasyn as a kid, which doesn't add anything to the story, except to make me wonder what the hell was happening and when.

Then, her best friend's brand new husband dies, but because we've been jumping all over with the plot, this moment lacks any emotional impact.

Then Talasyn is instructed by her commanding officers to travel to another country to learn more about her mysterious lightweaver powers, and to see if they can help turn the tide of war.

Talasyn spends months travelling, finds somewhere to tap into her magic, and also finds her long-lost father, discovers she's royalty (and fights with Alaric again). Talasyn then does bugger all about anything, and travels all the way back to her comrades, empty-handed.

Then the Sardovians lose the war, and suffer massive losses - which may or may not include Talasyn's heavily pregnant best friend.

This is only 25% through, and already all of this has happened.

Due to the chaotic nature of the plot, we still haven't gotten to know any of the characters beyond the basics of who they view as an enemy. So, again, we feel no emotional impact at the potential death of Talasyn's closest friend.

Then they go to Nenavar, for sanctuary, and Talasyn is accepted into the royal family.

I don't normally go into the plot in such detail in reviews, but... I just had to share how much and how little substance was jammed into the first part of the story. It felt like the author rushed over all the bits they knew they had to include, and really wanted to hurry onto the fun part of the plot where Talasyn and Alaric are forced to spend time together through a political betrothal.

The last 60%, I actually enjoyed the rest of the book. It wasn't without its flaws, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting to, after the first bit.

I finally got to know Talasyn and I really liked her. She's got a bit of sass about her, and although she's trying to mould herself into a respectable heir, it's with some reluctance, and I did find it quite amusing.

It wasn't just Talasyn, we got to know her family and coutiers, too. Her father and grandmother give off completely different vibes, but you can tell they're both proud of Talasyn, in their own way.

Alaric is the least-explored character. This definitely feels more like Talasyn's story, and he's just the supporting character and love interest. Although you do get the sense that he had a hard upbringing, and has a complex relationship with his parents. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Overall, I like the world that's been created - although we only really see the Nenavar court in detail, it'll be interesting to see more.

Despite the awkward beginning, once the book found its rhythm I enjoyed it, and I would be interested in seeing what happens in the rest of the series.

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