Described as the next hit in romantasy world, The Hurricane Wars is a book I’ve been intrigued in for a while. I had no idea about Guanzon’s fanfiction, until I did more research into the book, so I’m a brand new reader in that regard! Keep reading to see my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
While I’ve seen a lot of buzz about this book being the next romantasy hit, I think that this tagline doesn’t do The Hurricane Wars justice. First of all, it’s a pretty slow burn – and I do like a slow burn – so for readers who might be going into it thinking this will be a hashtag enemies to lovers, slow burn, romance, I think this ‘romantic arc’ is much slower than one might expect. This is part of a series, so in that sense I think the romance story line is very much something that needs to be seen.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s tension and sizzling, but for romance readers this won’t be what they might be expecting. Which is fine, but I think with the current discussion of romantasy and the merging of romance, the better marketing might be fantasy with an influential romance story line? It’s also my least favorite aspect, hold on stick with me, because it is so deeply tied with the colonialism of Talasyn’s people. The ways this isn’t just a rivals to lovers, this is fierce oppression enemies. As in, how can they overcome this hurdle?
My Favorite Elements
Throughout The Hurricane Wars Guanzon does a great job at breaking down the misconceptions, misinformation, and ways both Talaysn and Alaric are being lied to. Being able to see through their mindsets, via dual POV, is integral to building this connection between the two before they even know it. But that brings me to what I loved the most about The Hurricane Wars which was the lore and the world. This felt deeply connected to Filipino Culture and the Philippines. Whether it was the clothing, the food, this was the strongest aspect of world building.
Witnessing the colonialism, the ways they are losing their homes to invaders with back door bribery and deals, and the ways colonialism is featured here, is one of my favorite elements. The ways Talasyn has to navigate finding her ‘home’ as it comes up against her own ‘found home’ all swirling around. The Hurricane Wars asks us how do we fight for the future with compromises and negotiation. To know that not everything is decided on the field. What we have to do for an abstract concept of home, family, and country in a world built on blood.
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So if you’re looking for your next fantasy rich in culture which explores colonialism, then you’ll have to check out The Hurricane Wars. It’s a series I know I am going to be keeping up with. Find The Hurricane Wars on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.