Honest Book Review of The Hurricane Wars
Author: Thea Guanzon
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Holy moly⊠this one completely caught me off guardâin the best way.
This is easily one of my favorite 2023 reads of the year, and I did not see that coming. I went into The Hurricane Wars unsure if I would even enjoy a sci-fi/fantasy blend, but wow⊠I was wrong. This book pulled me in, held my attention, and honestly gave me everything I didnât even realize I was missing. I would even go as far as to say I enjoyed this more than Fourth Wing (I know⊠bold, but I stand by it).
If youâve read my thoughts on that one, you already know why this comparison says a lot â [5 Books to Read After Fourth Wing].
It pulled me out of a serious reading slump
At the time I picked this up, I had completely lost interest in romance. Nothing was working for me. I didnât feel connected to characters, I didnât care about relationships, and I honestly started to question if I just needed a break from the genre altogether. But this book? It flipped that switch right back on.
If youâre in that same place, you might actually be a mood reader (trust me, it explains everything) â [10 Signs You Are a Mood Reader]
Or if you just need something fun to get back into reading â [50 TBR Jar Prompts].
The magic system
The story revolves around shadow and light magic, with shadow users believed to have wiped out light magic entirely. That is⊠until Talasyn.
Talasyn, our female main character, is part of the rebellion and carries light magicâmaking her incredibly important and equally dangerous. What I loved most about her is that sheâs strong without being overdone. Sheâs capable, determined, and actually does something.
If you love strong fantasy worlds like this, youâll probably enjoy â [Spark of the Everflame] or [Daughter of No Worlds].
The romance (this is how it should be done)
This is a true enemies-to-lovers story. And I mean true.
Thereâs no instant attraction, no rushed feelings, and no âweâre suddenly obsessed with each otherâ energy. Instead, you get tension. Real tension.
If this is your favorite trope (same), I break down more here â [Enemies to Lovers]
And if youâre trying to figure out where this fits genre-wise â [Romantasy vs Romance]
The characters
Prince Alaric⊠yeah, heâs officially earned his spot as a top-tier book boyfriend.
The dynamic between him and Talasyn is one of my favorite parts of the entire book. They clash constantlyâthrough magic, through words, through their opposing beliefs.
If you love this type of character, youâll definitely want to explore â [Whoâs Your Shadow Daddy?].
The plot (a small heads up)
I will say thisâthe first 30â35% of the book is a lot. Thereâs heavy world-building, multiple moving parts, and a ton of information coming at you all at once.
But if you can push through that early section, it becomes so worth it.
Final Thoughts
The Hurricane Wars went from a âmaybe Iâll like itâ read to one of my absolute favorites this year. It pulled me out of a slump, gave me a romance I actually cared about, and delivered a story that kept me engaged all the way through.
If you love fantasy romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and stories that take a minute to build but pay off in a big wayâthis is 100% worth the read.
And trust me⊠give it that first 35%. Youâll thank yourself later.
Make sure to read the next installment of A Monsoon Rising!
