**Disclaimer: I was given a free ARC in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.**
I’d like to begin by thanking The Fantastic Flying Book Club and the publisher for choosing me to be a part of this tour. Please check out the other stops along the tour for other reviews, playlists, and other fun posts about this book and the author, Swati Teerdhala.
Check out the full tour schedule here!
GIVEAWAY
Prize: Win a copy of THE TIGER AT MIDNIGHT and THE ARCHER AT DAWN by Swati Teerdhala (US Only)
Starts: 26th May 2020
Ends: 9th June 2020
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86506/
Title The Archer at Dawn (The Tiger at Midnight #2)
Author Swati Teerdhala
Release Date May 26, 2020
Publisher Katherine Tegen Books
Description from Amazon
The Sun Mela is many things: a call for peace, a cause for celebration, and, above all, a deadly competition. For Kunal and Esha, finally working together as rebel spies, it provides the perfect guise to infiltrate King Vardaan’s vicious court.
Kunal will return to his role as dedicated Senap soldier, at the Sun Mela to provide extra security for the palace during the peace summit for the divided nations of Jansa and Dharka. Meanwhile, Esha will use her new role as adviser to Prince Harun to keep a pulse on shifting political parties and seek out allies for their rebel cause. A radical plan is underfoot to rescue Jansa’s long-lost Princess Reha—the key to the stolen throne.
But amid the Mela games and glittering festivities, much more dangerous forces lie in wait. With the rebel Blades’ entry into Vardaan’s court, a match has been lit, and long-held secrets will force Kunal and Esha to reconsider their loyalties—to their country and to each other. Getting into the palace was the easy task; coming out together will be a battle for their lives.
Initial Thoughts
I was so excited to be chosen for this tour. I absolutely loved The Tiger at Midnight for so many reasons and I couldn’t wait to read the next arc of this story.
Some Things I Liked
- Less mythology, more Hunger Games. The first book in this series laid the groundwork for an amazing Indian-inspired, mythology based setting and I loved that. The Archer at Dawn spent more time building the political plots and setting up the final book, as all good middle books should. I loved that this book had a tournament element as well as high stakes for all the characters. The mythology element was present, but I liked that we got to explore other themes in this book.
- The romance. The first book focused on that classic enemies to lovers flirting, that I love so much, but this book honed in on the relationship aspect been Kunal and Esha as well as a more developed love triangle. I really enjoyed the evolution we got to see.
- That ending. I am deceased. I am destroyed. I totally did not see that coming and I loved every second of it. The betrayal at the end cut me deep. I had flashbacks to Empire of Storms where I was literally screaming at Lorcan as I was reading. Major props to Swati Teerdhala for keeping me guessing and surprising me with those twists.
- Indian themes. As an Indian-American, I really loved the representation in this book. There were so many familiar words, names, and phrases and I just loved that. Furthermore, I really loved relating to the main character on another level. Every girl wanted to play with a Barbie doll that looks like her and I feel like, for me, books are no different. I love it when characters represent an aspect of my life, in this case, Indian (or Indian-inspired) heritage.
Series Value
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I am completely and utterly hooked and will be eagerly awaiting ARC opportunities **wink wink Katherine Tegen** 😉.
Furthermore, this book has incredible re-read value. I actually re-listened to The Tiger at Midnight before starting The Archer at Dawn and the first book felt fresh (despite having already read it). Re-read value is huge for me. I watch the same episodes of The Office over and over and similarly, I read the same books that I love. I can’t wait to re-read this series in the future.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. I love this series. I really can’t sum it up any more succinctly. In a nutshell, READ THIS BOOK.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
- Untitled (The Tiger at Midnight #3) by Swati Teerdhala – obviously I haven’t read this one yet but I have 100% confidence that the last book in this series is going to be a must read. I am completely obsessed with series.
- We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal — the main male and female characters in both of these books are super similar. There is also a strong element of hidden identities (Esha is the Viper and Zahira is the Hunter).
- The Darkest Bloom by P.M. Freestone — if you liked the mythology and setting found in The Archer at Dawn, give this newer series by P.M. Freestone a try. The second book is set to come out later this year in the US but is already available from the UK on Book Depository
Author Bio
After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BS in finance and BA in history, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart. She currently lives in New York City.
Swati is represented by Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency.
BOOK LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40304179-the-archer-at-dawn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QMNZiL
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-archer-at-dawn-swati-teerdhala/1131574854?ean=9780062869241
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-archer-at-dawn/id1477817005
Book Depository (Audiobook): https://www.bookdepository.com/Archer-at-Dawn-Swati-Teerdhala/9781094159454?ref=grid-view&qid=1585415018514&sr=1-1
Google Play Book: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Swati_Teerdhala_The_Archer_at_Dawn?id=5E6rDwAAQBAJ
AUTHOR LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17649349.Swati_Teerdhala
Twitter: https://twitter.com/swatiteerdhala
Website: http://swatiteerdhala.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swatiteerdhala/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swatiteerdhalabooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/swatiteerdhala/
Tumblr: https://swatiteerdhala.tumblr.com/
May 26th
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post
May 27th
Library if a Book Witch – Review
The Reading Fairy – Review + Favourite Quotes
Stuck in the Stacks – Review + Playlist
Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post
May 28th
Sometimes Leelynn Reads – Review + Playlist
Books Over Everything – Review
Back Shelf Book – Review + Favourite Quotes
Grownup Fangirl – Promotional Posts
May 29th
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review + Favourite Quotes
A Bronx Latina Reads – Review
The Tsundoku Chronicles – Review + Favourite Quotes
May 30th
Nay’s Pink Bookshelf – Review + Favourite Quotes
Adventures and Reading – Review
books_n_sunshine – Review
Bookish Looks – Promotional Posts
May 31st
My Fangirl Chronicles – Review + Playlist + Favourite Quotes
Shut up, Shealea – Review
A Logophile’s Love – Review + Favourite Quotes
Annej Reads – Promotional post
June 1st
Lauren’s Boookshelf – Review + Playlist
The Paperback Voyager – Review + Favourite Quotes
Books and Zebras – Review
Books and Dice – Review + Favourite Quotes
Books Over Everything 