Rising Like a Storm by Tanaz Bhathena Pages: 432
Published by Farrar on June 22, 2021
Series: The Wrath of Ambar #2
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
Also in this series: Hunted by the Sky
In the concluding installment to the Wrath of Ambar duology from masterful author Tanaz Bhathena, Gul and Cavas must unite their magical forces―and hold onto their growing romance―to save their kingdom from tyranny.
With King Lohar dead and a usurper queen in power, Gul and Cavas face a new tyrannical government that is bent on killing them both. Their roles in King Lohar's death have not gone unnoticed, and the new queen is out for blood. What she doesn't know is that Gul and Cavas have a connection that runs deeper than romance, and together, they just might have the strength and magic to end her for good.
Then a grave mistake ends with Cavas taken prisoner by the government. Gul must train an army of warriors alone. With alliances shifting and the thirst for vengeance growing, the fate of Ambar seems ever more uncertain. It will take every ounce of strength, love, and sacrifice for Gul and Cavas to reach their final goal―and build a more just world than they've ever known.
**Please Note: This is the second book in a duology that should be read in order. If you are new to this duology, you can check out my review of book one- Hunted by the Sky HERE**
Rising like a Storm is the second half of The Wrath of Ambar duology by Tanaz Bhathena. I loved Hunted By the Sky and the Wrath of Ambar duology as whole. This is a breathtaking adventure filled with magic, romance, and wonderfully complex characters. I think the Wrath of Ambar Duology will appeal to longtime fans of fantasies, as well as fantasy readers that are feeling a bit of fantasy burn out, and feeling like all the books they read are the same. Hunted by the Sky and Rising Like a Storm are NOT the same as all other fantasies. The world feels fresh and nuanced in a really wonderful way. I loved the world building just as much as I loved the characters, which is saying a lot coming from a character driven reader.
Rising Like a Storm follows Gul and Canvas from book book one as they continue to learn more about themselves and their abilities. In case you need a quick refresher- Gul witnessed the murder of her parents, which was seemingly linked to the king trying to disposing of any and all girls who have birthmarks because of a prophecy he heard. Gul and her family have been on the run for most of her life. Because of this, Gul is determined to get revenge. Next we have Canvas who is caring for his sickly father. Then we add in the magical abilities of the world. In this world we have magic wielders (magi) and non-magical (non-magi) and they are treated very differently.
Gul and Canvas are still very much in the thick of things because in Rising Like A Storm we have a new government and rulers in place (read book one to find out why!). I loved getting swept back up into this story. I was so invested in Gul and Canvas and I just wanted them to get a happily ever after because of everything they have both been through. Rising Like a Storm was such a satisfying read! I loved it so much! There are a few slow bits early on in the book because of the situation our characters found themselves in, but I quickly fell back into the groove and became as enchanted with this world and Tanaz’s writing as I was with the first book.
Overall, whether you are a die-hard fan of classic fantasy, or if you have been a bit bummed out that all fantasy seems the same lately, Rising Like a Storm and the Wrath of Ambar series as a whole is a fantastic duology that is sure to engage and thrill you. I think you will fall in love with the magic, characters and world. I know I did.
Side note: I fall into the die hard fan category, but I do know many people have told me that they are put off of fantasy at the moment because everything feels the same or “been-done-before”.
Other books in the Wrath of Ambar
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