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When the Pillar blooms, the end of the world is not far behind.
Li Ami was always on the outside—outside of family, outside of friendships, outside of ordinary magic. The odd and eccentric daughter of a former imperial magician, she has devoted her life to books because she finds them easier to read than people. Exiled to the outermost west of the Morning Realms, Ami has become the sole caretaker of her mentally ill father, whose rantings and ravings may be more than mere ramblings; they may be part of a dire prophecy. When her father is arrested for trespassing and stealing a branch from the sacred tree of the local monastery, Ami offers herself to the mysterious Beast in the castle, who is in need of someone who can translate a forbidden magical text and find a cure for the mysterious blight that is affecting the harvest of the land.
Meanwhile, as signs of magical corruption arise throughout the Morning Realms, Jin Zhara begins to realize that she might be out of her element. She may have defeated a demon lord and uncovered her identity as the Guardian of Fire, but she’ll be more than outmatched in the coming elemental battle against the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons…unless she can find the other Guardians of Dawn. Her magic is no match for the growing tide of undead, and she needs the Guardian of Wood with power over life and death in order to defeat the revenants razing the countryside.
The threat of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons looms larger by the day, and the tenuous peace holding the Morning Realms together is beginning to unravel. Ami and Zhara must journey to the Root of the World in order to seal the demon portal that may have opened there and restore balance to an increasingly chaotic world.
Li Ami was always on the outside—outside of family, outside of friendships, outside of ordinary magic. The odd and eccentric daughter of a former imperial magician, she has devoted her life to books because she finds them easier to read than people. Exiled to the outermost west of the Morning Realms, Ami has become the sole caretaker of her mentally ill father, whose rantings and ravings may be more than mere ramblings; they may be part of a dire prophecy. When her father is arrested for trespassing and stealing a branch from the sacred tree of the local monastery, Ami offers herself to the mysterious Beast in the castle, who is in need of someone who can translate a forbidden magical text and find a cure for the mysterious blight that is affecting the harvest of the land.
Meanwhile, as signs of magical corruption arise throughout the Morning Realms, Jin Zhara begins to realize that she might be out of her element. She may have defeated a demon lord and uncovered her identity as the Guardian of Fire, but she’ll be more than outmatched in the coming elemental battle against the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons…unless she can find the other Guardians of Dawn. Her magic is no match for the growing tide of undead, and she needs the Guardian of Wood with power over life and death in order to defeat the revenants razing the countryside.
The threat of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons looms larger by the day, and the tenuous peace holding the Morning Realms together is beginning to unravel. Ami and Zhara must journey to the Root of the World in order to seal the demon portal that may have opened there and restore balance to an increasingly chaotic world.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2024
57 people are currently reading
11039 people want to read
About the author
S. Jae-Jones
8 books2,937 followersS. Jae-Jones, called JJ, is an artist, an adrenaline junkie, and the NYT bestselling author of Wintersong and the Guardians of Dawn series. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she now lives on the wrong coast, where she can’t believe she has to deal with winter every year. When not writing, JJ can be found working toward her next black belt degree in taekwondo, being run ragged by her twin dogs, Castor & Pollux, or indulging in her favorite hobby—collecting more hobbies.
NOTE: Only here to drop hints. 👀 And maybe occasionally answer questions.
NOTE: Only here to drop hints. 👀 And maybe occasionally answer questions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
December 15, 2025
Zhara has been one of my fav books ever since I read it, so I was hoping Ami would follow in suit. I did love it, but not as much as the first one, and that's okay. I also think I should've read it when it came out last year, but I forgot to request the arc, and then I just never picked it up myself...
Anyway, I liked the subtle Beauty and the Beast vibes, though I wouldn't call this a retelling in the classical sense. And of course I loved the LGBT rep!! This world is becoming more and more queer with each book, and I'm all for it.
The worldbuilding is still one of my favourite parts, as is the writing, and the returning characters. I loved seeing them all making an appearance, particularly Zhara and Han who are essentially still main characters, because the former shares PoV space with Ami.
We got to see their relationship develop too, and I can't even begin to explain how amazing it is to finally get some more ace rep through Han. WE ARE STARVED OKAY, STARVED, more ace characters, please and thank you!!
I will agree with another reviewer that it seemed to come out of nowhere, but I don't mind in the grand scheme of things.
As for Ami, she wasn't as compelling to follow as Zhara, but I liked her, even though it took her a long time to come out of her shell. Her and Gaden were really cute, I was rooting for them from the get go.
Ami wasn't as funny as Zhara, and there's a good reason for it, but I found myself missing the silliness and humour often. It's still there, just in a much smaller dose. Hopefully Yuli will be more balanced.
Anyway, I liked the subtle Beauty and the Beast vibes, though I wouldn't call this a retelling in the classical sense. And of course I loved the LGBT rep!! This world is becoming more and more queer with each book, and I'm all for it.
The worldbuilding is still one of my favourite parts, as is the writing, and the returning characters. I loved seeing them all making an appearance, particularly Zhara and Han who are essentially still main characters, because the former shares PoV space with Ami.
We got to see their relationship develop too, and I can't even begin to explain how amazing it is to finally get some more ace rep through Han. WE ARE STARVED OKAY, STARVED, more ace characters, please and thank you!!
I will agree with another reviewer that it seemed to come out of nowhere, but I don't mind in the grand scheme of things.
As for Ami, she wasn't as compelling to follow as Zhara, but I liked her, even though it took her a long time to come out of her shell. Her and Gaden were really cute, I was rooting for them from the get go.
Ami wasn't as funny as Zhara, and there's a good reason for it, but I found myself missing the silliness and humour often. It's still there, just in a much smaller dose. Hopefully Yuli will be more balanced.
March 11, 2025
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Although Ami is the second book in the Guardians of Dawn series, I actually had the seed for the story before I started writing Zhara. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite western fairytale, and I have always wanted to write a book that draws inspiration from the story. The first character that ever came into my head from the entire series was the Beast, someone living in a remote mountain fortress with a world-changing secret. Who were they? What was the secret? It was the process of trying to figure out this secret that actually formed the basis for the entire system of magic and the conflict of entire series.
The setting of Ami was also part of the writing process. At the end of Zhara, I knew the characters would be headed toward the outermost west, toward a Beast in a remote castle (even if they weren’t aware of it). In 2018, I went on a research trip to China and Tibet in order to gain a better understanding of the culture, the food, the feel of the thinness of the air, and other small sensory details that I tried my best to infuse into the narrative. The slight animal tang of the yak butter candles in the monasteries. The air so clean and sere as to dry out the lining of the nostrils and throat. The way the beauty of the landscape revealed itself in its utter remoteness.
Another big inspiration of the series was the philosophy of the Way, or Tao. The dance between order and chaos that runs throughout the series is heavily influenced by the concept of yin and yang—the drop of light in darkness, and the drop of darkness in the light. There is balance to the universe, and finding that balance both in the Morning Realms and in our real world is something I think about a lot. Because Zhara was written from a place of joy, I knew that Ami would have to explore some of the darker implications of the world I had created. What does it mean to have a great power? How does one wield it ethically and with good judgment? What does consent mean in an environment of power manipulation?
I don’t have answers to any of these questions; I only set out to explore what they meant to the characters, and by extension, to me. I hope Ami will also lead you to think about these ideas, and what they mean in the real world.
Yours entire,
S. Jae-Jones (JJ)
Although Ami is the second book in the Guardians of Dawn series, I actually had the seed for the story before I started writing Zhara. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite western fairytale, and I have always wanted to write a book that draws inspiration from the story. The first character that ever came into my head from the entire series was the Beast, someone living in a remote mountain fortress with a world-changing secret. Who were they? What was the secret? It was the process of trying to figure out this secret that actually formed the basis for the entire system of magic and the conflict of entire series.
The setting of Ami was also part of the writing process. At the end of Zhara, I knew the characters would be headed toward the outermost west, toward a Beast in a remote castle (even if they weren’t aware of it). In 2018, I went on a research trip to China and Tibet in order to gain a better understanding of the culture, the food, the feel of the thinness of the air, and other small sensory details that I tried my best to infuse into the narrative. The slight animal tang of the yak butter candles in the monasteries. The air so clean and sere as to dry out the lining of the nostrils and throat. The way the beauty of the landscape revealed itself in its utter remoteness.
Another big inspiration of the series was the philosophy of the Way, or Tao. The dance between order and chaos that runs throughout the series is heavily influenced by the concept of yin and yang—the drop of light in darkness, and the drop of darkness in the light. There is balance to the universe, and finding that balance both in the Morning Realms and in our real world is something I think about a lot. Because Zhara was written from a place of joy, I knew that Ami would have to explore some of the darker implications of the world I had created. What does it mean to have a great power? How does one wield it ethically and with good judgment? What does consent mean in an environment of power manipulation?
I don’t have answers to any of these questions; I only set out to explore what they meant to the characters, and by extension, to me. I hope Ami will also lead you to think about these ideas, and what they mean in the real world.
Yours entire,
S. Jae-Jones (JJ)
Want to read
April 13, 2024ARC received!! Thank you, Wednesday Books!!
I had a lot of fun with this first book in this series, so am excited to check this one out. I haven't even read the synopsis and I'm excited. That's a good sign!
I had a lot of fun with this first book in this series, so am excited to check this one out. I haven't even read the synopsis and I'm excited. That's a good sign!
July 22, 2024
I really loved Zhara by S Jae-Jones. Unfortunately, Ami did not live up to the expectations that were had for book 2 of the series. Ami, the main character of this book, seemed to be way too timid and very immature. Sure, this is a YA book, but it felt a bit much that this character was that closed minded and timid. The romantic relationship between Zhara and Han also seemed a bit forced. The possibility of Han being asexual seemed to come out left field and didn't feel like a natural progression for the storyline, or the characters.
I did enjoy the continuation of the Guardians of Dawn story. It built upon the foundation laid in book 1 with more lore and world building. Though Ami may not have been "it" for me, does not mean I will not continue the series. I look forward to see the reveal of the next Guardian, and where the journey leads all the characters.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I did enjoy the continuation of the Guardians of Dawn story. It built upon the foundation laid in book 1 with more lore and world building. Though Ami may not have been "it" for me, does not mean I will not continue the series. I look forward to see the reveal of the next Guardian, and where the journey leads all the characters.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
December 11, 2024
The boycott of St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and other related imprints is a direct response to the publisher’s lack of accountability regarding statements made by an employee in their marketing department and their failure to respond to concerns about possible systemic issues within the department.
We are asking the company to address and denounce the Islamophobic and racist statements and behavior, as well as take active steps to protect employees, influencers, readers, and authors from racist and discriminatory behavior. Terminating the employee is not, and has never been, a demand of the boycott.
We are asking the company to address and denounce the Islamophobic and racist statements and behavior, as well as take active steps to protect employees, influencers, readers, and authors from racist and discriminatory behavior. Terminating the employee is not, and has never been, a demand of the boycott.
Want to read
July 27, 2024Omg!! This just came in the mail!! Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC! 😭😍 I’m crying the cover is so prettyyy
September 3, 2024
A great second installment. I like the extra insight in the world's lore and I love Han being demi-/asexual
July 3, 2025
I’m loving our growing circle of girlboss magical heroines! Ami is a wonderful addition to the Guardians cast – I related a lot to her neurospiciness, passions, and insecurities. Political tensions are coming to a head even as the demon threat threatens to swallow the entire world. Great pathos and myth development made for a very enjoyable read overall.
I. Neurodivergent Ami
I really liked this book’s titular protagonist, Ami. She speaks to a different part of me than Zhara – the part of me that’s afraid to be too much, that has a hard time understanding societal norms of behavior, and loves, above all, to read and learn.
When I read that Ami also had high tactile sensitivity, I was really touched. It isn’t often that I see this part of my experience represented in fiction, and I related to it so much – how textures like roughness or stickiness or simply something unfamiliar can be overwhelming and/or draining on my limited mental resources. It seems like such a small thing, and I’ve been berated and criticized over and over again for being too sensitive, for not being mentally strong enough – but it’s a big deal, because it affects the way I interact with everything.
Ami says at one point:
That line: Every sense was overwhelmed. Ami’s finally physically safe and resting after prolonged stress and danger, but she still can’t find her ground because she’s been overstimulated for a really long time. That dissonance between being in a physically safe place but feeling like your body is still freaking out – this is what I’ve felt all my life – this physical manifestation of my mental state that so many seem to not understand.
I also really loved that Ami typically grounds herself but funneling excess energy into a small potted plant she keeps with her. It’s such a beautiful representation of a healthy healing mechanism, a way for Ami to release anxious or overwhelming emotions in a non-destructive way. I also appreciated how Ami’s green energy reflected her neurodivergence in that her power is natural, and life-giving, even though others feared or condemned it just because they didn’t understand it.
There’s another aspect of Ami that I really related to, which was her trying to take care of a mentally ill parent. Ami loves her father and cares for him, and yet it is exhausting and burdensome at the same time. She is uniquely attuned to his peculiar moods and needs, and worries when she is not able to directly care for him.
Having grown up with an emotionally unstable parent, I really related to being uniquely attuned to the parent’s behavior, signals, and warped realities. It’s strange to understand clearly the way the parent’s mind thinks when no one else seems to. As a side effect though, you feel out of tune with the way behavioral cues and norms work with the rest of the world, and you perpetually feel one social etiquette lesson behind.
II. LGBTQ+ Representation
One of the new characters we are introduced to in this book is a trans character named Gaden! I loved casual mentions of things like binding their chest, or Zhara getting the Good-Looking giggles at the androgynous tone of their voice. I thought it was kind of funny that even demons honored Gaden’s “they/them” pronouns – of all the crimes and evils they commit, at least misgendering a trans person isn’t one of them ^^ +1 to demons haha.
The way Gaden and their history fits into the larger political narrative is ingenious. Gaden’s character also opened up an interesting discussion of honoring family legacies versus being true to your own identity, needs, and wants.
In addition to Gaden, there’s also some ace/aro representation emerging in Han and Zhara’s developing relationship! Plus, the iconic Princess Yuli makes a few appearances, and her comment about one of the Bangtan Brothers (hi BTS) knocked. Me. Out. ^^
Love. It reminded me of this funny internet story about a nun who got a weird look for saying some dude was hot and the nun went “I might not be able to order but I can still read the menu, ok?”
III. World-Building
I LOVED getting more glimpses of Zhara and Ami’s world in this book! I always appreciate good world-building, and it was nicely integrated into the overall story and not overwhelming at all. Some of my favorite bits:
IV. Favorite Quotes
“Spare me your maidenly blushes.”
“trying to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons was hardly conducive to a romantic atmosphere.”
“The enormous cat smelled faintly of the air before a storm – clean and almost sweet, like sun-bleached linens after drying on a laundry line.”
“I am honored to have been entrusted with that part of you.”
“Zhara had the sense she was walking through the abandoned places of worship of a civilization long since vanished, or the forgotten palace halls of a fairy queen.”
“And now that burden was also Ami’s, and it was a burden both unwanted and unasked for.”
I. Neurodivergent Ami
“She had always been sensitive to physical sensations – to the textures of fabric and wood and even occasionally the food in her mouth.”
I really liked this book’s titular protagonist, Ami. She speaks to a different part of me than Zhara – the part of me that’s afraid to be too much, that has a hard time understanding societal norms of behavior, and loves, above all, to read and learn.
When I read that Ami also had high tactile sensitivity, I was really touched. It isn’t often that I see this part of my experience represented in fiction, and I related to it so much – how textures like roughness or stickiness or simply something unfamiliar can be overwhelming and/or draining on my limited mental resources. It seems like such a small thing, and I’ve been berated and criticized over and over again for being too sensitive, for not being mentally strong enough – but it’s a big deal, because it affects the way I interact with everything.
Ami says at one point:
“Everything hurt. Her flesh felt flensed, her skin stripped and raw, as though she were one giant open nerve. Every sense was overwhelmed.”
That line: Every sense was overwhelmed. Ami’s finally physically safe and resting after prolonged stress and danger, but she still can’t find her ground because she’s been overstimulated for a really long time. That dissonance between being in a physically safe place but feeling like your body is still freaking out – this is what I’ve felt all my life – this physical manifestation of my mental state that so many seem to not understand.
I also really loved that Ami typically grounds herself but funneling excess energy into a small potted plant she keeps with her. It’s such a beautiful representation of a healthy healing mechanism, a way for Ami to release anxious or overwhelming emotions in a non-destructive way. I also appreciated how Ami’s green energy reflected her neurodivergence in that her power is natural, and life-giving, even though others feared or condemned it just because they didn’t understand it.
There’s another aspect of Ami that I really related to, which was her trying to take care of a mentally ill parent. Ami loves her father and cares for him, and yet it is exhausting and burdensome at the same time. She is uniquely attuned to his peculiar moods and needs, and worries when she is not able to directly care for him.
“But her father was ill, his needs particular.”
Having grown up with an emotionally unstable parent, I really related to being uniquely attuned to the parent’s behavior, signals, and warped realities. It’s strange to understand clearly the way the parent’s mind thinks when no one else seems to. As a side effect though, you feel out of tune with the way behavioral cues and norms work with the rest of the world, and you perpetually feel one social etiquette lesson behind.
II. LGBTQ+ Representation
“It was the first time they had ever heard Lee-Lee address them by their chosen name instead of their dead one.”
One of the new characters we are introduced to in this book is a trans character named Gaden! I loved casual mentions of things like binding their chest, or Zhara getting the Good-Looking giggles at the androgynous tone of their voice. I thought it was kind of funny that even demons honored Gaden’s “they/them” pronouns – of all the crimes and evils they commit, at least misgendering a trans person isn’t one of them ^^ +1 to demons haha.
The way Gaden and their history fits into the larger political narrative is ingenious. Gaden’s character also opened up an interesting discussion of honoring family legacies versus being true to your own identity, needs, and wants.
In addition to Gaden, there’s also some ace/aro representation emerging in Han and Zhara’s developing relationship! Plus, the iconic Princess Yuli makes a few appearances, and her comment about one of the Bangtan Brothers (hi BTS) knocked. Me. Out. ^^
“The sexy one?” At Zhara’s expression, Yuli shrugged. “What? I may like girls but I have eyes.”
Love. It reminded me of this funny internet story about a nun who got a weird look for saying some dude was hot and the nun went “I might not be able to order but I can still read the menu, ok?”
III. World-Building
I LOVED getting more glimpses of Zhara and Ami’s world in this book! I always appreciate good world-building, and it was nicely integrated into the overall story and not overwhelming at all. Some of my favorite bits:
“Was she a student of the Great Wheel? A devotee of the Way, the followers of Do? Was she a worshipper of the Immortals? Or did she perform a form of ancestor worship as the remotest parts of the empire still adhered to?”
“..Shaman magicians in the north who augured by reading patterns of clouds in the sky, who cast spells not with words or language but with melody and song. In the Azure Isles… it was dance. The shamanistic practices of the west seemed to be rooted in the earth, in nature.”
IV. Favorite Quotes
“Spare me your maidenly blushes.”
“trying to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons was hardly conducive to a romantic atmosphere.”
“The enormous cat smelled faintly of the air before a storm – clean and almost sweet, like sun-bleached linens after drying on a laundry line.”
“I am honored to have been entrusted with that part of you.”
“Zhara had the sense she was walking through the abandoned places of worship of a civilization long since vanished, or the forgotten palace halls of a fairy queen.”
August 6, 2024
Wintersong and Shadowsong are two of my favorite books in the entire world. Everything about it works for me. The plot, the characters, the emotions, the intensity, the mix of raw truth and fairytale. So, when the author came with a new series I of course wanted to read it too. These books are clearly way more YA than her duology, but I really enjoyed the first book. So, when I saw the sequel was on Netgalley I requested a copy and luckily Titan Books granted me one.
The beginning of the book felt a little chaotic. I'm not sure if it was because a few new characters were added and each got point of view chapters or because it was simply quite some time since I read the first book. However, once the storylines of Zhana and Ami came together I started to enjoy the book more and more and also started to appreciate what the author has done in this book, how much thought has gone into this series.
Because despite the fact that this series has a more YA vibe than the duology by this author, the worldbuilding is way more complex, just like the mythology. Maybe that's partly because I'm not that familiar with the mythology, but there are a lot of terms and unknown words. However, it didn't bother me at all. Either because everything is explained very well or because the context helps to understand the meaning.
By the end of the book I was blinking away a few tears, though. I really loved the moment Zhara had with her prince, talking about their relationship and where they stand. I also really loved Ami's character growth and journey. In the first few chapters she was hiding from the world, insecure about how to participate in it. In the end she's ready to face her destiny and be the hero the world needs her to be.
I can't wait for the next book to be ready!
The beginning of the book felt a little chaotic. I'm not sure if it was because a few new characters were added and each got point of view chapters or because it was simply quite some time since I read the first book. However, once the storylines of Zhana and Ami came together I started to enjoy the book more and more and also started to appreciate what the author has done in this book, how much thought has gone into this series.
Because despite the fact that this series has a more YA vibe than the duology by this author, the worldbuilding is way more complex, just like the mythology. Maybe that's partly because I'm not that familiar with the mythology, but there are a lot of terms and unknown words. However, it didn't bother me at all. Either because everything is explained very well or because the context helps to understand the meaning.
By the end of the book I was blinking away a few tears, though. I really loved the moment Zhara had with her prince, talking about their relationship and where they stand. I also really loved Ami's character growth and journey. In the first few chapters she was hiding from the world, insecure about how to participate in it. In the end she's ready to face her destiny and be the hero the world needs her to be.
I can't wait for the next book to be ready!
June 16, 2024
Rating: 3.7 stars (rounded up to 4 stars)
The second installment in the “Guardians of Dawn” series is filled with more action and adventure. Although the tone is a bit more serious, there is still a good balance of light-heartedness and humor. In this novel, the world building definitely gets more intricate. The plot is a little bit darker since the story revolves around the mystery of demonic infection and the undead. We also learn more about the prophecy, the Guardians of the Dawn, and the Star of Radiance, as we collect more pieces from the book of “Song of Order and Chaos.” There is also a political subplot involving The Herald of Glorious Justice, which is a rebellious fraction believing in the liberation of magicians by any means.
As you can see the story has more depth, but not only that, the characters are more diverse and also well developed. I loved the neurodivergent and nonbinary representation with Ami and Gaden’s character. Ami, is often described as eccentric and different. She has a hard time communicating her emotions. She definitely finds more comfort in learning from books than real life. People have often made her feel like an outcast and that her feelings are wrong, so it was really rewarding to watch her grow into her own person, build friendship, and find love with Gaden. Gaden’s storyline was very interesting. They want the freedom to choose who they are vs what other people want them to be. Similar to Ami, I loved Gaden’s journey as they struggle to hold on to themselves under the burden of their destiny. Zhara, I didn’t really care for her much in book one. However, I loved her maturity in this book, especially during the interactions with the other guardians. As for Han, he brings such comic relief and humor that I just love him.
I think this sequel definitely stepped up from book one. I definitely felt that there was a bond and friendship forming between the guardians. However, one thing I did struggle with in this novel was the magic system. In the novel we learned about each of the Guardians power as explained by the “Song of Order and Chaos.” However, when these powers are applied throughout the story, it just didn’t make sense. Example, Guardian of Wood is able to grant life where there is none. During a scene where she is healing a magician from the infection, the magician ends up dying. However, when she heals a non-magician from the infirmary scene, they survive. What is even more confusing is towards the end, she heals a non-magician, who ends up dying (similar to the magician), but then is able to bring back to life. This than brings up questions, why does her healing kill certain people but not others? Why isn’t she able to bring back the other dead characters in the story? The principles behind the magic just seems very inconsistent. There is no constraint or limits which than brings into questions some of the plot lines. Also, I felt the Guardian of the Wood’s celestial companion was underutilized. It was mention they have the power to heal all illness, but we never see that in the story.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this novel. I thought it was a great continuation of the “Guardian of Dawn” series. I definitely loved the development of the characters and the relationships. I do hope the magic does become more defined and that the mythical creature play more of an active role later on in the series. However, I do love the direction that the story is heading, so I am excited to continue with this series and I can’t wait to meet the other Guardians.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The second installment in the “Guardians of Dawn” series is filled with more action and adventure. Although the tone is a bit more serious, there is still a good balance of light-heartedness and humor. In this novel, the world building definitely gets more intricate. The plot is a little bit darker since the story revolves around the mystery of demonic infection and the undead. We also learn more about the prophecy, the Guardians of the Dawn, and the Star of Radiance, as we collect more pieces from the book of “Song of Order and Chaos.” There is also a political subplot involving The Herald of Glorious Justice, which is a rebellious fraction believing in the liberation of magicians by any means.
As you can see the story has more depth, but not only that, the characters are more diverse and also well developed. I loved the neurodivergent and nonbinary representation with Ami and Gaden’s character. Ami, is often described as eccentric and different. She has a hard time communicating her emotions. She definitely finds more comfort in learning from books than real life. People have often made her feel like an outcast and that her feelings are wrong, so it was really rewarding to watch her grow into her own person, build friendship, and find love with Gaden. Gaden’s storyline was very interesting. They want the freedom to choose who they are vs what other people want them to be. Similar to Ami, I loved Gaden’s journey as they struggle to hold on to themselves under the burden of their destiny. Zhara, I didn’t really care for her much in book one. However, I loved her maturity in this book, especially during the interactions with the other guardians. As for Han, he brings such comic relief and humor that I just love him.
I think this sequel definitely stepped up from book one. I definitely felt that there was a bond and friendship forming between the guardians. However, one thing I did struggle with in this novel was the magic system. In the novel we learned about each of the Guardians power as explained by the “Song of Order and Chaos.” However, when these powers are applied throughout the story, it just didn’t make sense. Example, Guardian of Wood is able to grant life where there is none. During a scene where she is healing a magician from the infection, the magician ends up dying. However, when she heals a non-magician from the infirmary scene, they survive. What is even more confusing is towards the end, she heals a non-magician, who ends up dying (similar to the magician), but then is able to bring back to life. This than brings up questions, why does her healing kill certain people but not others? Why isn’t she able to bring back the other dead characters in the story? The principles behind the magic just seems very inconsistent. There is no constraint or limits which than brings into questions some of the plot lines. Also, I felt the Guardian of the Wood’s celestial companion was underutilized. It was mention they have the power to heal all illness, but we never see that in the story.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this novel. I thought it was a great continuation of the “Guardian of Dawn” series. I definitely loved the development of the characters and the relationships. I do hope the magic does become more defined and that the mythical creature play more of an active role later on in the series. However, I do love the direction that the story is heading, so I am excited to continue with this series and I can’t wait to meet the other Guardians.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2024
The sequel shifts gears from the playful campiness of its predecessor, opting for a slightly darker and more serious tone—which, in my opinion, is a bit of a letdown? What I loved most about the first book was its slightly over-the-top and silly moments, and I found myself missing that sense of fun. That said, this installment does introduce some really intriguing elements, especially for fans of zombies and necromancy (big fan myself). I feel that necromancy magic is underutilized in fantasy, so I was thrilled by the body horror aspects and, well... the curry horror too, which was pretty quirky.
The diversity in this book is beautifully woven in. It’s refreshing to see such a broad range of identities and orientations, and it adds authenticity to the world and characters. The new characters, especially the "Beast" figure, are interesting. Their struggle with fear, and how it limits their interactions and changes their choices, is one of the most compelling parts of the story.
That said, I desperately needed a summary of the previous book. Without it, I felt lost at the start, and it negatively impacted my experience—seriously, ALL series should include a recap at the beginning! PLEASE, publishers and authors. It is so useful.
Though the book has its high points it also feels a bit too predictable at times. It leans heavily towards the younger adult side, but without the delightful campiness that made the first book so memorable. It’s enjoyable, but for me, it doesn’t quite live up to the fun of the original even if I liked the new characters more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity and complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The diversity in this book is beautifully woven in. It’s refreshing to see such a broad range of identities and orientations, and it adds authenticity to the world and characters. The new characters, especially the "Beast" figure, are interesting. Their struggle with fear, and how it limits their interactions and changes their choices, is one of the most compelling parts of the story.
That said, I desperately needed a summary of the previous book. Without it, I felt lost at the start, and it negatively impacted my experience—seriously, ALL series should include a recap at the beginning! PLEASE, publishers and authors. It is so useful.
Though the book has its high points it also feels a bit too predictable at times. It leans heavily towards the younger adult side, but without the delightful campiness that made the first book so memorable. It’s enjoyable, but for me, it doesn’t quite live up to the fun of the original even if I liked the new characters more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity and complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
August 7, 2024
ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones
“You are enough, came a different voice through the bond. And where you are not, I shall be there.”
Book 2 picks up right where Zhara ended. Zhara and the Bangtan brothers are traveling west to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This book introduces new character POVs Ami, and the Beast. When the two stories intertwine, they will have to work together to save the realms.
Magical Girl anime fans, this series is for you! It’s so cute, with magical girl power, friendship, and animal companions to boot. Book 2 in the Guardians of Dawn really hit its stride! It was actioned packed and heartfelt, with a fast pace and interesting plot. The addition of Zombies and a hilarious abomination(I won’t spoil what it is) brought a necessary lightness to the story. It’s not all serious, and I think that lends to the genre. I love that each character is loosely based on fairytales, Zhara as Cinderella, and Ami as Beauty and the Beast. The glimpse of the next Guardian we meet in book 3 has me so ready for it.
You can get a copy Ami today!
Thank you #netgalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones
“You are enough, came a different voice through the bond. And where you are not, I shall be there.”
Book 2 picks up right where Zhara ended. Zhara and the Bangtan brothers are traveling west to save the world from the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This book introduces new character POVs Ami, and the Beast. When the two stories intertwine, they will have to work together to save the realms.
Magical Girl anime fans, this series is for you! It’s so cute, with magical girl power, friendship, and animal companions to boot. Book 2 in the Guardians of Dawn really hit its stride! It was actioned packed and heartfelt, with a fast pace and interesting plot. The addition of Zombies and a hilarious abomination(I won’t spoil what it is) brought a necessary lightness to the story. It’s not all serious, and I think that lends to the genre. I love that each character is loosely based on fairytales, Zhara as Cinderella, and Ami as Beauty and the Beast. The glimpse of the next Guardian we meet in book 3 has me so ready for it.
You can get a copy Ami today!
Thank you #netgalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
August 15, 2024
Han gripped his bo staff even tighter, slowly moving his feet into a defensive stance. “Something’s not right here,” he said in a low voice. “It all feels very . . . ghoulish.”
And that was when the undead attacked.
Oh yes, this book had zombies.
This was the fast-paced sequel to Zhara, book 1. We follow Zhara across the land on her journey to find the missing scrolls. That journey eventually leads to Ami, her father, and the Beast.
I still liked Zhara, she’s not the best character, but the best out of all the others. The new characters, Ami and Gaden (aka Beast) fell flat to me.
This series has good diversity, Ami is, what I assume Autistic, Gaden is non-binary trans, Han is demisexual (which is nice, that’s not represented nearly enough), and people are assumed non-binary until confirmation (pronouns are they/them until it’s known, which is actually the way it should be irl). All these good representations don’t make up for the fact that Ami and Gaden were one-dimensional to me. I couldn’t picture them in my head. Ami was supposed to be the most beautiful person but there were not many descriptions that allowed me to picture anything, and Gatans nickname had me picturing them as this obscure literal beast instead of a person. I couldn't get a reading on their physical description at all, so they were mostly a blob in my mind. I also did not like Gaden as a character, they were awful but I won’t get into that because it'd spoil the reveal/ending, but no, there were decisions they made that I did not like.
Han was still an idiot. Pretty sure an attempt was made to blame his stupidity and naivety on being demi, which was the worst, and I didn’t like that.
The plot was resolved easily like in book one, too easily. It screamed YOUNGADULT, which I know it's young adult, but no need to be so obvious lmao
Book three will follow princess Yulana and from the epilogue, will be an FF pairing, which hasn’t been done in the book yet, so more nice representation. However, I’m liking this series less and less so I’m not sure if I’ll bother with the next.
Thank you to the publisher, who needs to do so much better with their marketing department (like, come on), for the PR package and finished signed copy.
And that was when the undead attacked.
Oh yes, this book had zombies.
This was the fast-paced sequel to Zhara, book 1. We follow Zhara across the land on her journey to find the missing scrolls. That journey eventually leads to Ami, her father, and the Beast.
I still liked Zhara, she’s not the best character, but the best out of all the others. The new characters, Ami and Gaden (aka Beast) fell flat to me.
This series has good diversity, Ami is, what I assume Autistic, Gaden is non-binary trans, Han is demisexual (which is nice, that’s not represented nearly enough), and people are assumed non-binary until confirmation (pronouns are they/them until it’s known, which is actually the way it should be irl). All these good representations don’t make up for the fact that Ami and Gaden were one-dimensional to me. I couldn’t picture them in my head. Ami was supposed to be the most beautiful person but there were not many descriptions that allowed me to picture anything, and Gatans nickname had me picturing them as this obscure literal beast instead of a person. I couldn't get a reading on their physical description at all, so they were mostly a blob in my mind. I also did not like Gaden as a character, they were awful but I won’t get into that because it'd spoil the reveal/ending, but no, there were decisions they made that I did not like.
Han was still an idiot. Pretty sure an attempt was made to blame his stupidity and naivety on being demi, which was the worst, and I didn’t like that.
The plot was resolved easily like in book one, too easily. It screamed YOUNGADULT, which I know it's young adult, but no need to be so obvious lmao
Book three will follow princess Yulana and from the epilogue, will be an FF pairing, which hasn’t been done in the book yet, so more nice representation. However, I’m liking this series less and less so I’m not sure if I’ll bother with the next.
Thank you to the publisher, who needs to do so much better with their marketing department (like, come on), for the PR package and finished signed copy.
August 9, 2024
Ami (Guardians of the Dawn #2) picks up right were we left off with Zhara introducing two new characters to the story- Ami and Gaden. This is a multi-point of view novel. It goes in between Zhara and Ami. I thought this book was a lot more complex in the story telling and in the characters overall. I really enjoyed Ami and her character arc. She was a very convoluted/perplexing character in which made her more vulnerable and recognizable to the reader. I also liked how they carried Zhara throughout the book to tie in the first book. I hope that continues to the next books that she writes. The activity in this book is crazy! It’s like one thing after another which engages the reader. There was a LOT more storytelling of the folklore and mythology that surrounds the entire two books. I thought the authors writing style grew ten fold in this book. This book showed that she is just stretching her feet and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2024
Book 2: Guardians of Dawn Ami keeps up the momentum that started with book 1.. The battle against the mother of all demons continues.
I absolutely adored getting to know Ami, also known as the Guardian of Qood in this fast past addicting of a novel. S. Jae Jones knows how to create such captivating characters with a plot that keeps you flipping through pages at a break neck pace. I can’t tell you how many times I had my heart pounding with the events Ami and Zhara were facing on their journey to restore balance in a chaotic world.
I now know that I need a physical copy of this book. That’s how good it was.
If you like:
Realistic Characters
Battles of Good and Evil
Magic Abilities
Edge of your seat action
This series is for you! Now I wait impatiently for book 3 lol
Rating: 4 and half stars.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
I absolutely adored getting to know Ami, also known as the Guardian of Qood in this fast past addicting of a novel. S. Jae Jones knows how to create such captivating characters with a plot that keeps you flipping through pages at a break neck pace. I can’t tell you how many times I had my heart pounding with the events Ami and Zhara were facing on their journey to restore balance in a chaotic world.
I now know that I need a physical copy of this book. That’s how good it was.
If you like:
Realistic Characters
Battles of Good and Evil
Magic Abilities
Edge of your seat action
This series is for you! Now I wait impatiently for book 3 lol
Rating: 4 and half stars.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
June 17, 2024
3.5/4
This story has so much promise but I don't think the author's writing style is for me anymore. This story has multiple points of view and brings Ami into the mix of Zhara's story. Zhara's pov is a lot more tolerable with less 'good-look giggles' references in the story which I absolutely hated in the first book. Ami seems to be a more mature and well thought out character. The plot line was interesting but it got a little boring that I once again started to skim the story to get back to actually something happening. It's bringing an interesting set up to what I think will be the final book.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this e-arc. This is my honest opinion
This story has so much promise but I don't think the author's writing style is for me anymore. This story has multiple points of view and brings Ami into the mix of Zhara's story. Zhara's pov is a lot more tolerable with less 'good-look giggles' references in the story which I absolutely hated in the first book. Ami seems to be a more mature and well thought out character. The plot line was interesting but it got a little boring that I once again started to skim the story to get back to actually something happening. It's bringing an interesting set up to what I think will be the final book.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this e-arc. This is my honest opinion
September 24, 2024
Well I liked this one more than book one...I'm not really sure how to feel about these. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't pull me in. Like I just didn't care about the characters if that makes sense. I thought that this book had more of a direction of where it was headed than the first book did. It also was a quick read despite how thick it looked. I'm really just not sure if this series/author is for me, but I'll probably continue it anyways because I'm two books deep.
June 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and this series. As context, I had not read Zhara before being sent this book as an ARC, but as soon as I cracked this book open, I realized I was missing a lot of important context, so I went to the library and read the first book before getting back into this. Wow, my expectations for YA fantasy have diminished significantly over the last few years (either as a function of me maturing or as the genre being over-proliferated), but boy did this series blow my expectations out of the water. I will say, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first, but overall, it is so clear S Jae-Jones is an incredibly talented writer, and I will definitely be continuing this series.
Like the first book, Ami is a well-researched, well-developed book, and the world-building is so intricate and fascinating. Like the first book, there are little snippets of info-dumping, but It's not done in a too heavy-handed manner, so I didn't mind it ~that much. I love stories following 2 main characters where one is asking a lot of questions and the other has all the answers, and Jae-Jones navigated this beautifully. She kept the story lines separate but overlapping long enough to build the angst, but thread them together early enough that you didn't feel the need to bang your head against the wall.
I loved seeing Zhara's growth in this story, and seeing her mature into a lovely young woman and strong and level-headed leader, and Han as our favorite himbo cinnamon roll provided much needed comedic relief when exploring the other darker parts of magic. Ami was an interesting character, and her relationship with her father was beautifully explored and resolved.
My main (nitpicky) point against this book is Beast as a character. I found him to be a little self-absorbed and immature, and some of the emotional developments of the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional/naive. But considering how this is a YA, I think its rather par for the course. YA characters do tend to lack emotional nuance. Since their entire plotlines revolve around discovering their identity, this was a point I could easily concede.
Overall a really well-written book, would definitely recommend.
--
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review
Like the first book, Ami is a well-researched, well-developed book, and the world-building is so intricate and fascinating. Like the first book, there are little snippets of info-dumping, but It's not done in a too heavy-handed manner, so I didn't mind it ~that much. I love stories following 2 main characters where one is asking a lot of questions and the other has all the answers, and Jae-Jones navigated this beautifully. She kept the story lines separate but overlapping long enough to build the angst, but thread them together early enough that you didn't feel the need to bang your head against the wall.
I loved seeing Zhara's growth in this story, and seeing her mature into a lovely young woman and strong and level-headed leader, and Han as our favorite himbo cinnamon roll provided much needed comedic relief when exploring the other darker parts of magic. Ami was an interesting character, and her relationship with her father was beautifully explored and resolved.
My main (nitpicky) point against this book is Beast as a character. I found him to be a little self-absorbed and immature, and some of the emotional developments of the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional/naive. But considering how this is a YA, I think its rather par for the course. YA characters do tend to lack emotional nuance. Since their entire plotlines revolve around discovering their identity, this was a point I could easily concede.
Overall a really well-written book, would definitely recommend.
--
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review
April 18, 2024
The adventure continues in this fun-filled, action-packed sequel to Zhara and the Guardians of the Dawn! Zhara and Han have joined with the Bangtan brothers to find his uncle and cousin who reportedly have the only remaining copy of “Song of Order and Chaos,” the book that will help them seal away the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
The thing I loved most about Zhara—the way it just feels like a 90’s bishoujo magical girl anime— was the nostalgia. It hits you right in the feels: like being a little girl watching Sailor Moon after school. While it is definitely heavily inspired by SM, it also has the feel of a C-drama, which I also enjoy. Naturally I knew I was going to love it. I think that this series would be perfect for someone trying to break into Asian fantasy but is intimidated by the plethora of dramas, the mythos, and the history it can draw from.
The stakes are higher in this book, so it has a more serious tone but doesn’t lose its humor or the wonderful friendships that we experienced in book one. The new characters are delightful, with excellent LGBTQ+ rep (expanding upon book one) but they are natural additions to the story rather than just inserted as bait to draw in new readers. A lot of the feelings and thoughts the characters have are things that kids struggle with while growing up.
Ami is the main pov character for this sequel, though we still get scenes from Zhara’s pov, and the new character Gaden. I loved the way their friendship developed even before we found out that Ami was the Guardian of Wood. I was especially pleased that the author included the scene where she makes up with her father, who she always felt didn’t actually love her, and her confrontation with Gaden about whether or not they could make her love them. It was especially lovely that everyone was able to make their own connections with each other and weren’t just along because they were just involved with the girls, even Yuli!
The ending wrapped up a little quickly for me but I wasn’t upset with it as the story progressed enough to leave the reader wanting more (wow the epilogues!). I will be eagerly awaiting news of book three in the future!
The thing I loved most about Zhara—the way it just feels like a 90’s bishoujo magical girl anime— was the nostalgia. It hits you right in the feels: like being a little girl watching Sailor Moon after school. While it is definitely heavily inspired by SM, it also has the feel of a C-drama, which I also enjoy. Naturally I knew I was going to love it. I think that this series would be perfect for someone trying to break into Asian fantasy but is intimidated by the plethora of dramas, the mythos, and the history it can draw from.
The stakes are higher in this book, so it has a more serious tone but doesn’t lose its humor or the wonderful friendships that we experienced in book one. The new characters are delightful, with excellent LGBTQ+ rep (expanding upon book one) but they are natural additions to the story rather than just inserted as bait to draw in new readers. A lot of the feelings and thoughts the characters have are things that kids struggle with while growing up.
Ami is the main pov character for this sequel, though we still get scenes from Zhara’s pov, and the new character Gaden. I loved the way their friendship developed even before we found out that Ami was the Guardian of Wood. I was especially pleased that the author included the scene where she makes up with her father, who she always felt didn’t actually love her, and her confrontation with Gaden about whether or not they could make her love them. It was especially lovely that everyone was able to make their own connections with each other and weren’t just along because they were just involved with the girls, even Yuli!
The ending wrapped up a little quickly for me but I wasn’t upset with it as the story progressed enough to leave the reader wanting more (wow the epilogues!). I will be eagerly awaiting news of book three in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
Thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the advance reader copy of this book for an honest review.
Ami is the second book in the Guardians of the Dawn series by S. Jae Jones.
I read and enjoyed the first title but did feel that I wasn't necessarily the age demographic for these books. However I was still will to give the sequel a go out of interest for the story and for the Sailor Moon vibes.
Ami has always been on the outside whether that be in friendships or in family. She has devoted her life to books and knowledge as they are easier to read than people. She is taking care of her mentally ill father in the morning realms though this proves challenging when he is arrested for stealing a sacred branch and she must offer up her scrivener services to the castle to someone named Beast to translate a forbidden mythical text to find a cure for the blight that is affecting the land.
Meanwhile Jin Zhara our main character for the first book is travelling across the land to find Amis father Li Eur Shan to help find one of the missing passages of the sacred text and defeat the mother of demons. However she needs the Guardian of Wood to do so. Could Ami's strange powers hold more of a purpose?
I really enjoyed this book once I got into the story it was fun, had a lot more action than the first book and we got perspectives from multiple new characters which was interesting and added to the plot.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Beast and Ami in this book though I found Zhara and Han's dynamic lacking. It seemed almost like they took the chemistry out of the first book and his character possibly being asexual was a twist that I wouldn't have seen from the first story.
I did however enjoy that the good looking giggles was mentioned less this irked me in the first story so much.
Ami's character was really interesting and she had lots of growth throughout the story I was glad we got to see her story through as well as her growth.
The world building I this book was interesting and added so much to the story. The boom is clearly aimed at YA readers however this one had more draw to me than the first one. Maybe it's the sailor moon parallels I did really enjoy seeing those throughout the story.
Overall a fun book for YA readers and sailor moon fans!
Ami is the second book in the Guardians of the Dawn series by S. Jae Jones.
I read and enjoyed the first title but did feel that I wasn't necessarily the age demographic for these books. However I was still will to give the sequel a go out of interest for the story and for the Sailor Moon vibes.
Ami has always been on the outside whether that be in friendships or in family. She has devoted her life to books and knowledge as they are easier to read than people. She is taking care of her mentally ill father in the morning realms though this proves challenging when he is arrested for stealing a sacred branch and she must offer up her scrivener services to the castle to someone named Beast to translate a forbidden mythical text to find a cure for the blight that is affecting the land.
Meanwhile Jin Zhara our main character for the first book is travelling across the land to find Amis father Li Eur Shan to help find one of the missing passages of the sacred text and defeat the mother of demons. However she needs the Guardian of Wood to do so. Could Ami's strange powers hold more of a purpose?
I really enjoyed this book once I got into the story it was fun, had a lot more action than the first book and we got perspectives from multiple new characters which was interesting and added to the plot.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Beast and Ami in this book though I found Zhara and Han's dynamic lacking. It seemed almost like they took the chemistry out of the first book and his character possibly being asexual was a twist that I wouldn't have seen from the first story.
I did however enjoy that the good looking giggles was mentioned less this irked me in the first story so much.
Ami's character was really interesting and she had lots of growth throughout the story I was glad we got to see her story through as well as her growth.
The world building I this book was interesting and added so much to the story. The boom is clearly aimed at YA readers however this one had more draw to me than the first one. Maybe it's the sailor moon parallels I did really enjoy seeing those throughout the story.
Overall a fun book for YA readers and sailor moon fans!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
3.5
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing the earc in exchange for an honest review.
I have so far enjoyed the Guardians of Dawn series. Ami picked up right where Zhara left off and introduced us to some of the new main characters Ami and Gaden. I actually really enjoyed this duo. I felt like they were both shy and more reserved and I felt like they balanced out with Zhara and Han well. I really liked Ami. I found her personality to be soothing and built around her life caring for her father. Some of the scenes with her father made me really emotional and I was moved by them. As for Gaden, I thought their journey was so interesting. They had so much trauma built up over the years, not really fully trusting or relying on the people around them. It was sweet to see them finally begin to let people in and I really enjoyed reading their development.
Overall I think I enjoyed the plot of the first book more, this one didn’t grip me as much. The undead are not necessarily my favorite thing to read about, but I did again enjoy reading about the balance of the ki and how the undead fall into that realm. I sometimes felt like the plot dragged it made it made the journey feel so slow at times. I started to feel more into the plot towards the later half of the book. I think the story started to come together more and the characters started to feel more like a team.
I enjoyed the representation more, I overall felt like this story matured dialogue wise which I personally really enjoyed, it still felt like a YA fantasy adventure without as much of the cringy middle school-esque dialogue which helped me enjoy this more. I think the plot was the main part that fell flat to me, but I am super excited to continue this series with the other guardians of dawn.
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing the earc in exchange for an honest review.
I have so far enjoyed the Guardians of Dawn series. Ami picked up right where Zhara left off and introduced us to some of the new main characters Ami and Gaden. I actually really enjoyed this duo. I felt like they were both shy and more reserved and I felt like they balanced out with Zhara and Han well. I really liked Ami. I found her personality to be soothing and built around her life caring for her father. Some of the scenes with her father made me really emotional and I was moved by them. As for Gaden, I thought their journey was so interesting. They had so much trauma built up over the years, not really fully trusting or relying on the people around them. It was sweet to see them finally begin to let people in and I really enjoyed reading their development.
Overall I think I enjoyed the plot of the first book more, this one didn’t grip me as much. The undead are not necessarily my favorite thing to read about, but I did again enjoy reading about the balance of the ki and how the undead fall into that realm. I sometimes felt like the plot dragged it made it made the journey feel so slow at times. I started to feel more into the plot towards the later half of the book. I think the story started to come together more and the characters started to feel more like a team.
I enjoyed the representation more, I overall felt like this story matured dialogue wise which I personally really enjoyed, it still felt like a YA fantasy adventure without as much of the cringy middle school-esque dialogue which helped me enjoy this more. I think the plot was the main part that fell flat to me, but I am super excited to continue this series with the other guardians of dawn.
November 19, 2024
Ami, Book 2 of the Guardians of Dawn by S. Jae Jones
I absolutely adored and devoured book one of the guardians of dawn saga, Zhara, so when illumicrate made book 2 available, I DOVE on it.
Book one was a cross between sailor moon and cinderella where Zhara became the first guardian. Whereas book 2,Ami, is a cross between sailor moon and beauty and the beast.
I absolutely adored SO much about this book. I loved Ami, I loved her meekness and her innocence and I loved the beast. I liked the fact that although the 'beast' did have physical scars, it was their emotions and internal scars that made people name them so. I like that they were not labelled as he/she and only as they/them, as with book 1: Zhara, people in S. Jae. Jones' books are not gendered unless they introduce themselves as one. There is much in these books about not assigning gender, being the person you are meant to be, not who you were born as or which family you were born into and alot about consent and trust. There's alot about not giving into pressure when the world around you says you HAVE to be or do these things or be sexual with someone when you don't want to be. Those factors alone made me so engaged while reading as its not something I see alot of in books. The world building was great and it felt like you were really there, much to my regret when a certain curry demon appeared 🧟but it was so imaginative it was brilliant and worked with the story. The Guardians of Dawn series is not always fantasy, sometimes it's comedy and some times there's romance. I cannot wait for book 3 which I *THINK* is Yuli's story! 💕
I absolutely adored and devoured book one of the guardians of dawn saga, Zhara, so when illumicrate made book 2 available, I DOVE on it.
Book one was a cross between sailor moon and cinderella where Zhara became the first guardian. Whereas book 2,Ami, is a cross between sailor moon and beauty and the beast.
I absolutely adored SO much about this book. I loved Ami, I loved her meekness and her innocence and I loved the beast. I liked the fact that although the 'beast' did have physical scars, it was their emotions and internal scars that made people name them so. I like that they were not labelled as he/she and only as they/them, as with book 1: Zhara, people in S. Jae. Jones' books are not gendered unless they introduce themselves as one. There is much in these books about not assigning gender, being the person you are meant to be, not who you were born as or which family you were born into and alot about consent and trust. There's alot about not giving into pressure when the world around you says you HAVE to be or do these things or be sexual with someone when you don't want to be. Those factors alone made me so engaged while reading as its not something I see alot of in books. The world building was great and it felt like you were really there, much to my regret when a certain curry demon appeared 🧟but it was so imaginative it was brilliant and worked with the story. The Guardians of Dawn series is not always fantasy, sometimes it's comedy and some times there's romance. I cannot wait for book 3 which I *THINK* is Yuli's story! 💕
March 28, 2025
3.5⭐️
This is a really great sequel, it continues on the with the characters we met in the first book, while introducing us to new pivotal characters in a way that felt natural to the plot. There were a few moments in the middle that felt like they dragged a little bit or were felt like they were being mentioned randomly but I’m sure they will be relevant in the next book.
I like that these are very loosely inspired by fairytales with this one and along inspiration from Beauty and the Beast. I say loosely in this specific scenario as Gaden is also known as Beast, for their temper and because they have scarring across their body, and Ami is a bookish scholar who is consistently referred to as beautiful.
Another aspect of this I liked is that of the three guardians we have met so far, they are all strong in different ways. They are three women who have found their own strengths and are utilising what they know and playing to their strengths. They are distinct people, who have their own powers and knowledge. I appreciate this because so often the FMC falls into the same behaviours time and time again, so having them depicted differently is really lovely.
The representation in this book is really great, nothing feels forced but it also feels like it isn’t trying to be subtle. Han and Zhara have a great conversation about his sexuality and how he doesn’t feel attraction, and that he is navigating being attracted to someone for the first time. Gaden also uses They/Them the whole way through and it isn’t commented on, which is really nice to have in a book. Them having dead name is also touched on and how some characters from their past hadn’t used their chosen name before, but overall I think this book is doing great things for representation.
This is a really great sequel, it continues on the with the characters we met in the first book, while introducing us to new pivotal characters in a way that felt natural to the plot. There were a few moments in the middle that felt like they dragged a little bit or were felt like they were being mentioned randomly but I’m sure they will be relevant in the next book.
I like that these are very loosely inspired by fairytales with this one and along inspiration from Beauty and the Beast. I say loosely in this specific scenario as Gaden is also known as Beast, for their temper and because they have scarring across their body, and Ami is a bookish scholar who is consistently referred to as beautiful.
Another aspect of this I liked is that of the three guardians we have met so far, they are all strong in different ways. They are three women who have found their own strengths and are utilising what they know and playing to their strengths. They are distinct people, who have their own powers and knowledge. I appreciate this because so often the FMC falls into the same behaviours time and time again, so having them depicted differently is really lovely.
The representation in this book is really great, nothing feels forced but it also feels like it isn’t trying to be subtle. Han and Zhara have a great conversation about his sexuality and how he doesn’t feel attraction, and that he is navigating being attracted to someone for the first time. Gaden also uses They/Them the whole way through and it isn’t commented on, which is really nice to have in a book. Them having dead name is also touched on and how some characters from their past hadn’t used their chosen name before, but overall I think this book is doing great things for representation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2024
First off big thank you to S. Jae-Jones, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for hooking a girl up with an eARC and in return, they’ll be getting an honest review.
Things I enjoyed: Zhara and Han always. They are just so stinking cute. The sass of Sajah reminds me so much of Luna for the OG Sailor Moon and it makes me smile. Overall, the story continues to progress and paces in a way that I expect more action in the next installment. And I’ll definitely be a continued fan / reader.
Things that did not resonate with me: overall Ami as a character felt flat. She just wasn’t compelling and did not feel like a great addition to the Guardians of the Dawn. And I’m not going to sugar coat it, but this book had strong sophomore book syndrome. A bit long and also slower than expected.
Final rating from me is: 3 out of 5 stars.
Final thoughts: do I love the concept and the character of Zhara, heck yes. Am I excited to see how this moves into the next stages of the plot, you can bet your bottom dollar. Did I wish Ami was more exciting and had more character development, yes. Overall, still a great story and I’m going to continue with this one. But I need to see more character development and also the flow needs to be consistent
Things I enjoyed: Zhara and Han always. They are just so stinking cute. The sass of Sajah reminds me so much of Luna for the OG Sailor Moon and it makes me smile. Overall, the story continues to progress and paces in a way that I expect more action in the next installment. And I’ll definitely be a continued fan / reader.
Things that did not resonate with me: overall Ami as a character felt flat. She just wasn’t compelling and did not feel like a great addition to the Guardians of the Dawn. And I’m not going to sugar coat it, but this book had strong sophomore book syndrome. A bit long and also slower than expected.
Final rating from me is: 3 out of 5 stars.
Final thoughts: do I love the concept and the character of Zhara, heck yes. Am I excited to see how this moves into the next stages of the plot, you can bet your bottom dollar. Did I wish Ami was more exciting and had more character development, yes. Overall, still a great story and I’m going to continue with this one. But I need to see more character development and also the flow needs to be consistent
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2024
Volume 2 starts with new characters, and with new Guardians to discover. It also continues the journey of the first book exactly where book one stopped. This time they are on the move, meeting more characters and different locations. The tension is higher because apart from abominations they have to deal with a lot of Undead that they don't quite understand how they come to be. They unite forces and search for a way to defeat the Mother villain of demons. The author is careful to remind us of important elements that happened in book one in case it's been a while since we read book 1 or never read. Because this one has a new goal/quest we understand it without having read Book 1.
Sajah is an amazing familiar/mystical
companion. This volume sounded more serious and with lots of action and less cute.
Slow-burn romance with more than one couple now, but still light or even just platonic.
Sajah is an amazing familiar/mystical
companion. This volume sounded more serious and with lots of action and less cute.
Slow-burn romance with more than one couple now, but still light or even just platonic.
November 27, 2025
Out of Zhara and Ami, so far I would have to say that Ami is my favourite guardian ( I'm sure that'll change once we get to Guardian of Water ). She's such a kind character and I really felt myself resonating with her character. This book did feel more serious and got more into the issues that are present due to the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons and I enjoyed seeing the world build more and learn more about the guardians.
I also watch each guardian find love, or even a little romance even if it isn't extremely present it is still there and adds to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I also watch each guardian find love, or even a little romance even if it isn't extremely present it is still there and adds to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2024
Ami was a disappointing follow up to Zhara. The main character was boring and had almost no personality, I was left wondering who I should care about. The story had a lot of pacing problems and could have been a lot shorter as well. I also found that this book was in between middle grade and YA. The author overexplained things or made them too obvious; Ami finding out she was guardian of the wood just made Ami seem stupid for not figuring it out earlier.
January 16, 2025
This book is just as wonderful as the first. We add the characters of Ami and Gaden, both are wonderful . Of course we get to see the continued story of Zhara and crew. This continues the anime style of writing and the fairytale theme of Beauty and the Beast. As the story progresses we get to see more of their world . I'm excited for the next book and can't wait to see what kind of trouble (I mean adventure) they go on next.
March 13, 2025
4,5⭐️
Books evoke all kind of memories. And, some books, evoke memories of a happy childhood, full of dreams, where the good always prevail over the evil. Guardians of Dawn books do that for me. An epic adventure full of magic and hope that, after a charming first book, let me wonder where the story was going… The answer? Zhara was a promise of what this series could be, Ami was the proof of what this series will be.
As a sequel, Ami did its job wonderfully. Not only was as cute, if not more, than the first book, it also took the story to a whole new level. I was fascinated by how complex and interesting this world became with each page. It’s such a unique story, so intricate and whimsical, that I was constantly mesmerized by it. I love how predictable this story seems but it isn’t, at all. I love how cute and joyful is in a moment, and serious and sad in the other. I love how childish it seems at first sight, and then, it isn’t at all.
Just as the story, also its characters are so much more than they seemed. They’re pure, too playful and silly, sometimes. But they all have scars and, even with it, they always see the best in people, they believe in good, they want to save the world. Isn’t that magical? I think it is. I think that, of all their powers, this is the strongest one and the reason why they grew on me.
Guardians of Dawn is a series I recommend to anyone that miss their inner child. It’s such a precious story, with so many beloved vibes in such a rich world that is just getting better.
Books evoke all kind of memories. And, some books, evoke memories of a happy childhood, full of dreams, where the good always prevail over the evil. Guardians of Dawn books do that for me. An epic adventure full of magic and hope that, after a charming first book, let me wonder where the story was going… The answer? Zhara was a promise of what this series could be, Ami was the proof of what this series will be.
As a sequel, Ami did its job wonderfully. Not only was as cute, if not more, than the first book, it also took the story to a whole new level. I was fascinated by how complex and interesting this world became with each page. It’s such a unique story, so intricate and whimsical, that I was constantly mesmerized by it. I love how predictable this story seems but it isn’t, at all. I love how cute and joyful is in a moment, and serious and sad in the other. I love how childish it seems at first sight, and then, it isn’t at all.
Just as the story, also its characters are so much more than they seemed. They’re pure, too playful and silly, sometimes. But they all have scars and, even with it, they always see the best in people, they believe in good, they want to save the world. Isn’t that magical? I think it is. I think that, of all their powers, this is the strongest one and the reason why they grew on me.
Guardians of Dawn is a series I recommend to anyone that miss their inner child. It’s such a precious story, with so many beloved vibes in such a rich world that is just getting better.
June 3, 2024
This one was a little more serious than the first, but then I also found it a little more boring without the Han perspective from the first one. Also the multiple perspectives took away from any developing romance in the new couple as they got much less screen time. Still, I do enjoy this book series - it scratches a certain itch, but I did end up skimming a lot more of this than I prefer.
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