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Princess Yulana has a few problems. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens to tear the Morning Realms apart, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. On top of all of that, Kho, her former best friend turned rival, is getting under her skin. A struggle for power divides the north, and the outcome rests on the winner of the Grand Game―a competition that will determine not just the future of her people, but the course of the entire empire.
When the world is out of balance, the Guardians of Dawn are reborn.
As the Guardian of Wind, it is Yuli’s responsibility to bring order to chaos, along with the Guardian of Fire and the Guardian of Wood. But can she restore balance to the Morning Realms when she can’t even win the political games being played at home? The fate of the Morning Realms depends on the Guardians of Dawn, and whether Yuli can manage both the demonic and political chaos at once.
When the world is out of balance, the Guardians of Dawn are reborn.
As the Guardian of Wind, it is Yuli’s responsibility to bring order to chaos, along with the Guardian of Fire and the Guardian of Wood. But can she restore balance to the Morning Realms when she can’t even win the political games being played at home? The fate of the Morning Realms depends on the Guardians of Dawn, and whether Yuli can manage both the demonic and political chaos at once.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2025
25 people are currently reading
6857 people want to read
About the author
S. Jae-Jones
10 books2,923 followersS. Jae-Jones, called JJ, is an artist, an adrenaline junkie, and the NYT bestselling author of Wintersong. 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 75 reviews
August 19, 2025
"Kho was the compass by which she set her heart, and she would do whatever it took to live up to being worthy of her. Even if it meant doing the hard thing"
"Balance is not peace. Balance is not stasis. It is fluid and ever-changing. Balance requires constant maintenance, constant vigilance, constant diligence. It is not a war that is fought once and then won forever. Not even real-life wars are won forever."
another installment of my favorite written anime! I feel like I can picture S. Jae-Jones writing so clearly in my head, and it's Sailor Moon vibes but I sub out the characters for the Guardians of Dawn. LOVE that this was SAPPHIC RIVALS (and sort of second chance/best friend).
The little nuggets of info about book 4 at the end have me SO EXCITED! Cannot wait for November of next year 😭
"Balance is not peace. Balance is not stasis. It is fluid and ever-changing. Balance requires constant maintenance, constant vigilance, constant diligence. It is not a war that is fought once and then won forever. Not even real-life wars are won forever."
another installment of my favorite written anime! I feel like I can picture S. Jae-Jones writing so clearly in my head, and it's Sailor Moon vibes but I sub out the characters for the Guardians of Dawn. LOVE that this was SAPPHIC RIVALS (and sort of second chance/best friend).
The little nuggets of info about book 4 at the end have me SO EXCITED! Cannot wait for November of next year 😭
January 19, 2025
ARC Read- releases August 2025
Book 3 of the Guardians of Dawn Series - continues the story from the previous two, definitely not a standalone. Asian inspired fantasy about elemental warriors in a world divided fighting against ancient demons.
We see Ami, Gaden, Zhara and Han continue their quest against the evil forces in their world and continue to find more information on the demons that plague their world and on the portals they must close. Meanwhile, Yuli is trying to figure out a new evil waking illness, that leaves people apart from their souls and possessed. While also being the heir to an important family in a city on the edge of civil war. While also competing in a competition against her former best friend and flame to be the new leader of the Golden Horde to prevent another prominent family from taking power. Also while figuring out how her power as guardian of the wind fits into the guardians of dawn.
I wish I could explain this in a simplified way but it’s just not possible. Out of the books in the series, I find this one the least focused and most confusing. There are so many plot points and secondary adventures and tasks ongoing, not to mention heavy world building that is lacking some context. I just felt pulled in too many directions. Plus I have a hard time when it gets to 4-5 POVs. I think this story had a lot of great ideas - but too many ideas in one book. As per usual, the writing is good, nice flow to the story, very descriptive.
Book 3 of the Guardians of Dawn Series - continues the story from the previous two, definitely not a standalone. Asian inspired fantasy about elemental warriors in a world divided fighting against ancient demons.
We see Ami, Gaden, Zhara and Han continue their quest against the evil forces in their world and continue to find more information on the demons that plague their world and on the portals they must close. Meanwhile, Yuli is trying to figure out a new evil waking illness, that leaves people apart from their souls and possessed. While also being the heir to an important family in a city on the edge of civil war. While also competing in a competition against her former best friend and flame to be the new leader of the Golden Horde to prevent another prominent family from taking power. Also while figuring out how her power as guardian of the wind fits into the guardians of dawn.
I wish I could explain this in a simplified way but it’s just not possible. Out of the books in the series, I find this one the least focused and most confusing. There are so many plot points and secondary adventures and tasks ongoing, not to mention heavy world building that is lacking some context. I just felt pulled in too many directions. Plus I have a hard time when it gets to 4-5 POVs. I think this story had a lot of great ideas - but too many ideas in one book. As per usual, the writing is good, nice flow to the story, very descriptive.
August 26, 2025
Yuli is the third installment of the Guardian’s of Dawn series. It follows The Guardian of the Wind, Yuli as well as the other guardians as they try to uncover why there are sleepers and how to help them. Yuli while trying to find the Moth Demon causing the sleepers to happen is also trying to save her kingdom by appearing in three trials against her former best friend Kho.
Going into this story, I was very excited to see more of Yuli. We saw pieces of her in the first two stories, but never got to see much. I really love her character. Her magic is so cool how she can unbind her soul from her body. We get to see more of how she uses her magic day to day as well as delving more into her relationships with the other guardians and her former friend Kho.
Her and Kho’s relationship was honestly my favorite part of this story. I really enjoyed how they navigated once being each other’s person to now being strangers. I liked that we got both perspectives throughout the story as the push and pull of the plot finally led to everything unraveling and the truth coming out. While I really appreciated the build up, I wish we got more of them. Everything after happened so fast, it felt like a blink and then the story was over. Aside from them, I always really like the other Guardians. I really enjoy Ami and how she was trying to create her own encyclopedia. She is so relatable to me and I appreciate every second I spend with them.
The plot was interesting. I don’t know if I enjoyed it more than the others. It was definitely interesting and I appreciate how it helped Yuli find her full potential. Trials can feel just so lackluster to me sometimes and the sleeper plot didn’t truly pick up until a little more than halfway through. I appreciate how everything let up to the end which was very crazy, but I definitely found it hard to pick this up for a bit.
Overall, I am so excited to meet the fourth guardian. The last installment should be very cool. Thanks Netgalley and Wednesday books for an eArc. All opinions are my own.
Going into this story, I was very excited to see more of Yuli. We saw pieces of her in the first two stories, but never got to see much. I really love her character. Her magic is so cool how she can unbind her soul from her body. We get to see more of how she uses her magic day to day as well as delving more into her relationships with the other guardians and her former friend Kho.
Her and Kho’s relationship was honestly my favorite part of this story. I really enjoyed how they navigated once being each other’s person to now being strangers. I liked that we got both perspectives throughout the story as the push and pull of the plot finally led to everything unraveling and the truth coming out. While I really appreciated the build up, I wish we got more of them. Everything after happened so fast, it felt like a blink and then the story was over. Aside from them, I always really like the other Guardians. I really enjoy Ami and how she was trying to create her own encyclopedia. She is so relatable to me and I appreciate every second I spend with them.
The plot was interesting. I don’t know if I enjoyed it more than the others. It was definitely interesting and I appreciate how it helped Yuli find her full potential. Trials can feel just so lackluster to me sometimes and the sleeper plot didn’t truly pick up until a little more than halfway through. I appreciate how everything let up to the end which was very crazy, but I definitely found it hard to pick this up for a bit.
Overall, I am so excited to meet the fourth guardian. The last installment should be very cool. Thanks Netgalley and Wednesday books for an eArc. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2024
OMG ON MY BIRTHDAY????? YES PLEASE
August 14, 2025
I’d like to preface my review by stating that I had no idea this was part of a series when I accepted a widget for this book- I assumed it was a standalone set in a universe. This is my own fault alone.
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli stars Princess Yulana, the Guardian of the Wind. Princess by day, protector of the people of the steppes by night, it’s her responsibility to help find the last pieces of the puzzle needed to stop the Mother of Demons from rising again. But with a mysterious illness causing people to fall asleep for unknown amounts of time, only to wake up empty, it’s clear that demonic energy is afoot- and she and the other guardians must work with her former best friend, Kho, to put an end to this.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve never read a single book in this series before, but all of the characters just felt…stiff. They had people they loved and cared for, but while in most books you can find yourself going through the emotions with them, I felt nothing. None of the bonds they had carried any emotional weight to me. There was also so much going on, but so little at the same time.
At any rate, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli releases on August 19th! If you like magical girls, considering checking this series out! Thank you to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for sending me the widget through Netgalley to read in exchange for my review!
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli stars Princess Yulana, the Guardian of the Wind. Princess by day, protector of the people of the steppes by night, it’s her responsibility to help find the last pieces of the puzzle needed to stop the Mother of Demons from rising again. But with a mysterious illness causing people to fall asleep for unknown amounts of time, only to wake up empty, it’s clear that demonic energy is afoot- and she and the other guardians must work with her former best friend, Kho, to put an end to this.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve never read a single book in this series before, but all of the characters just felt…stiff. They had people they loved and cared for, but while in most books you can find yourself going through the emotions with them, I felt nothing. None of the bonds they had carried any emotional weight to me. There was also so much going on, but so little at the same time.
At any rate, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli releases on August 19th! If you like magical girls, considering checking this series out! Thank you to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for sending me the widget through Netgalley to read in exchange for my review!
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August 12, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli by S. Jae-Jones is the third person multi-POV Sapphic continuation of YA romantic fantasy series Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is the Guardian of Wind and is getting ready to take her place among the Guardians of Dawn along with Ami and Zhara. One problem: her former friend, Kho, has arrived to challenge Yuli’s aunt for leadership of the Golden Horde and only Yuli can step up to keep the leadership in the family.
Yuli and Kho have a clear attraction to each other that has been building for a long time but the both of them struggle to do much about it after their falling out. They notice each other’s bodies and strengths and weaknesses and there's yearning there whenever in the silent moments between them. It's made more complicated by the fact that they are competing against each other for the Horde and yet they are still on somewhat friendly terms.
Han and Gaden actually leave early on to go take care of things in other parts of the Morning Realms, which leaves Zhara and Ami with Yuli. This does allow more room for Yuli and Kho’s relationship to unfold and take center stage and also for Zhara and Ami to find their place as Guardians independent of their love interests and deepen their friendships with each other and Yuli. It is a bit sad to not see more of Ami and Gaden and Zhara and Han’s romances in this book, but it felt like the right choice in terms of plot and character arc progression.
Snow White is the fairy tale used this go around. There's Huntsmen and a Paper Wolf and a box for a heart. It's not quite as obvious as it was with Zhara and Ami’s books, but the references do show up and fit together as the book moves forward and we get more and more pieces of what is happening from Kho’s POV.
I would recommend this to fans of Sailor Moon and fairy tales and readers of YA Romantasy looking for a Sapphic twist on Snow White
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli by S. Jae-Jones is the third person multi-POV Sapphic continuation of YA romantic fantasy series Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is the Guardian of Wind and is getting ready to take her place among the Guardians of Dawn along with Ami and Zhara. One problem: her former friend, Kho, has arrived to challenge Yuli’s aunt for leadership of the Golden Horde and only Yuli can step up to keep the leadership in the family.
Yuli and Kho have a clear attraction to each other that has been building for a long time but the both of them struggle to do much about it after their falling out. They notice each other’s bodies and strengths and weaknesses and there's yearning there whenever in the silent moments between them. It's made more complicated by the fact that they are competing against each other for the Horde and yet they are still on somewhat friendly terms.
Han and Gaden actually leave early on to go take care of things in other parts of the Morning Realms, which leaves Zhara and Ami with Yuli. This does allow more room for Yuli and Kho’s relationship to unfold and take center stage and also for Zhara and Ami to find their place as Guardians independent of their love interests and deepen their friendships with each other and Yuli. It is a bit sad to not see more of Ami and Gaden and Zhara and Han’s romances in this book, but it felt like the right choice in terms of plot and character arc progression.
Snow White is the fairy tale used this go around. There's Huntsmen and a Paper Wolf and a box for a heart. It's not quite as obvious as it was with Zhara and Ami’s books, but the references do show up and fit together as the book moves forward and we get more and more pieces of what is happening from Kho’s POV.
I would recommend this to fans of Sailor Moon and fairy tales and readers of YA Romantasy looking for a Sapphic twist on Snow White
August 16, 2025
The third installment of the Guardians of Dawn series delivers a breathtaking tale of political intrigue and supernatural chaos through Princess Yulana's compelling perspective. Thrust into a power vacuum after her grandfather's death, Yuli navigates treacherous political waters while embracing her destiny as the Guardian of Wind, a responsibility that couldn't come at a more complicated time.
S. Jae-Jones masterfully balances Yuli's internal struggles with external threats looming over the Morning Realms. The waking dreamer sickness sweeping through the land creates an eerie backdrop as hungry ghosts roam the steppes, adding urgency to Yuli's quest. What truly captivated me, though, was watching her transformation from reluctant royal to determined Guardian who recognizes her own power beyond her family's expectations.
The complicated dynamic between Yuli and Kho sizzles with tension on every page. Their evolution from best friends to rivals carries emotional weight that perfectly complements the high-stakes Grand Game determining the empire's future. Their interactions are layered with unresolved feelings that had me completely invested in their relationship's outcome.
This book brilliantly advances the series' overarching mission to find the fourth guardian and confront the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons while still delivering a satisfying, self-contained arc for Yuli. The seamless integration of the other guardians into the narrative maintains connection to earlier books without overshadowing Yuli's journey.
Fans of the previous installments won't be disappointed, this might be the strongest entry yet. The convergence of political maneuvering and supernatural elements creates an irresistible blend of fantasy that kept me turning pages late into the night. I'm now desperately waiting to discover the fourth guardian's identity in the next book and see how these remarkable characters will finally confront their ultimate nemesis.
Special thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
S. Jae-Jones masterfully balances Yuli's internal struggles with external threats looming over the Morning Realms. The waking dreamer sickness sweeping through the land creates an eerie backdrop as hungry ghosts roam the steppes, adding urgency to Yuli's quest. What truly captivated me, though, was watching her transformation from reluctant royal to determined Guardian who recognizes her own power beyond her family's expectations.
The complicated dynamic between Yuli and Kho sizzles with tension on every page. Their evolution from best friends to rivals carries emotional weight that perfectly complements the high-stakes Grand Game determining the empire's future. Their interactions are layered with unresolved feelings that had me completely invested in their relationship's outcome.
This book brilliantly advances the series' overarching mission to find the fourth guardian and confront the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons while still delivering a satisfying, self-contained arc for Yuli. The seamless integration of the other guardians into the narrative maintains connection to earlier books without overshadowing Yuli's journey.
Fans of the previous installments won't be disappointed, this might be the strongest entry yet. The convergence of political maneuvering and supernatural elements creates an irresistible blend of fantasy that kept me turning pages late into the night. I'm now desperately waiting to discover the fourth guardian's identity in the next book and see how these remarkable characters will finally confront their ultimate nemesis.
Special thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
August 12, 2025
The third book was easier for me to read than the second now that I have become better acquainted with the newly added characters. In book two we met so many new faces that I was overwhelmed to say the least, but this broadens what we know about them and what makes them unique. These are absolutely NOT advised to be read as standalones because you get information you need to understand the overall plot in each book as well as an understanding of the characters.
In book one we are introduced to Yuli and she is probably my favorite character of the series. Her personality is so great! This book follows multiple point of view with a lot going on, but everything does connect into each other eventually. Yuli's main obstacle is that she needs to win the Grand Game--because the future of her people are at stake as Kho's mother is trying to seize power. Kho is a newly introduced character and we learn early on that they are responsible for a tragic fate the beheld her cousin and someone that used to be the best friend of Yuli--someone Yuli wanted more with. Now Kho's back, Yuli is angry but confused.
The romance in Yuli is present but it's more swoon and I miss yous vs that more intense romantic feelings we had in Zhara. This is definitely more action and planning.
In book one we are introduced to Yuli and she is probably my favorite character of the series. Her personality is so great! This book follows multiple point of view with a lot going on, but everything does connect into each other eventually. Yuli's main obstacle is that she needs to win the Grand Game--because the future of her people are at stake as Kho's mother is trying to seize power. Kho is a newly introduced character and we learn early on that they are responsible for a tragic fate the beheld her cousin and someone that used to be the best friend of Yuli--someone Yuli wanted more with. Now Kho's back, Yuli is angry but confused.
The romance in Yuli is present but it's more swoon and I miss yous vs that more intense romantic feelings we had in Zhara. This is definitely more action and planning.
August 30, 2025
I really enjoyed the first two Guardians of Dawn books and was very excited for Yuli’s because she’s been present in both previous books, plus we love a sapphic princess! But I think this one doesn’t hold up as well? I really struggled with staying focused (was it the book or the world around me? Idk) and it took me a long time to read, even though I was anticipating it. I do really enjoy Yuli and the continued world building and I am still excited for the fourth book and finding the fourth guardian. But this one just didn’t work for me as much, especially with romantic elements. That ending, both epilogue and bit with Bangtan Brothers, has my interest piqued, but not enough to eliminate disappointment with how things went with Kho and sacrifice.
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August 7, 2024I can't wait for the new books!
August 23, 2025
To view on Rainy Day's Books, Video Games and Other Writings: https://rainyday.blog/2025/08/23/book...
Rating: 4 stars
I received a digital copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review.
After reading this book’s predecessors, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli does a wonderful job of picking up where they left off, and keeps me, as a reader, hooked to find out what happened next. I already knew I’d enjoy reading a book from Yuli’s perspective because I’ve enjoyed her character since she was introduced in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara. And this book confirmed that, because her perspective was what I was expecting. However, I also enjoyed it because she’s an enjoyable character in this series to me. What makes her enjoyable as a character is how relatable she is. I also enjoyed getting to see her use her magic as the Guardian of Wind.
What I also enjoyed about reading this book was the perspectives of the other characters. I especially enjoyed reading Yuli’s best friend Kho’s story. Like Yuli, I found her to be enjoyable to read about. I especially enjoyed reading the chapters that had both of them in it, as I enjoyed seeing their interactions with each other. At the same time, though, I also felt bad for Kho in this book. She has a lot that’s expected of her to do in the name of her family, and then a lot of bad things happen to her family as the story progresses. I also enjoyed seeing Zhara and Ami again here and seeing what they were up to after the events in Guardians of Dawn: Ami. It was nice getting to see them again and having them all work together with Yuli and Kho.
What I also enjoyed about Guardians of Dawn: Yuli was the fantasy elements in the story, as well as learning about the Grand Game. In this book, there’s a waking dreamer sickness infecting people in the Morning Realms that only Yuli’s magic as the Guardian of Wind can help heal. But she has something else to deal with while this is going on because the Morning Realms are currently under threat of war. This is due to the death of her grandfather, who didn’t name a successor to the realm, and she volunteers to compete in the Grand Game to prevent the empire from falling into the wrong hands. I enjoyed this aspect of the story because I felt like, as a reader, I was getting to see what was going on in Yuli’s life and what she would have to do as the Guardian of Wind to help protect the world from evil.
If there’s anything with Guardians of Dawn: Yuli that I didn’t enjoy, it would have to be how predictable certain moments in the story were, and the ending. When I was reading, I felt like I knew pretty early on which character was the demon responsible for the waking dreamer sickness that Yuli would have to face. And as the story continued and events happened, I felt like I was just receiving even more confirmation that this character was responsible for what was going on here. While I don’t necessarily mind, I feel like it did take away from me wanting to find out who it was because of how it would impact one of the characters’ lives. I also didn’t like the ending too, because I feel like it left a lot unresolved. Granted, I know there’s going to be another book in this series, as I know the last Guardian hasn’t been revealed yet. But I feel like it left so many things open that I’m having a hard time visualizing how the next book will wrap everything up. I also didn’t like it because of how it’ll impact Yuli and Kho’s relationship in the next book.
But overall, I enjoyed reading this book just as much as I enjoyed reading the rest of the books in this series. And I highly recommend this book to anyone else who’s already read Guardians of Dawn: Zhara and Guardians of Dawn: Ami and found they enjoyed those books in this world and want to read more of the characters’ story. I also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that focuses more on the fantasy elements in the plot than romance, as while there’s romance in this series, it’s pretty light in comparison to other book series I’ve read. So if you love reading books with fantasy and romance but focus more on fantasy, I think you’ll really enjoy reading this. Guardians of Dawn: Yuli was published on August 19, 2025, for those interested in continuing to read the Guardians of Dawn series.
Rating: 4 stars
I received a digital copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review.
After reading this book’s predecessors, Guardians of Dawn: Yuli does a wonderful job of picking up where they left off, and keeps me, as a reader, hooked to find out what happened next. I already knew I’d enjoy reading a book from Yuli’s perspective because I’ve enjoyed her character since she was introduced in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara. And this book confirmed that, because her perspective was what I was expecting. However, I also enjoyed it because she’s an enjoyable character in this series to me. What makes her enjoyable as a character is how relatable she is. I also enjoyed getting to see her use her magic as the Guardian of Wind.
What I also enjoyed about reading this book was the perspectives of the other characters. I especially enjoyed reading Yuli’s best friend Kho’s story. Like Yuli, I found her to be enjoyable to read about. I especially enjoyed reading the chapters that had both of them in it, as I enjoyed seeing their interactions with each other. At the same time, though, I also felt bad for Kho in this book. She has a lot that’s expected of her to do in the name of her family, and then a lot of bad things happen to her family as the story progresses. I also enjoyed seeing Zhara and Ami again here and seeing what they were up to after the events in Guardians of Dawn: Ami. It was nice getting to see them again and having them all work together with Yuli and Kho.
What I also enjoyed about Guardians of Dawn: Yuli was the fantasy elements in the story, as well as learning about the Grand Game. In this book, there’s a waking dreamer sickness infecting people in the Morning Realms that only Yuli’s magic as the Guardian of Wind can help heal. But she has something else to deal with while this is going on because the Morning Realms are currently under threat of war. This is due to the death of her grandfather, who didn’t name a successor to the realm, and she volunteers to compete in the Grand Game to prevent the empire from falling into the wrong hands. I enjoyed this aspect of the story because I felt like, as a reader, I was getting to see what was going on in Yuli’s life and what she would have to do as the Guardian of Wind to help protect the world from evil.
If there’s anything with Guardians of Dawn: Yuli that I didn’t enjoy, it would have to be how predictable certain moments in the story were, and the ending. When I was reading, I felt like I knew pretty early on which character was the demon responsible for the waking dreamer sickness that Yuli would have to face. And as the story continued and events happened, I felt like I was just receiving even more confirmation that this character was responsible for what was going on here. While I don’t necessarily mind, I feel like it did take away from me wanting to find out who it was because of how it would impact one of the characters’ lives. I also didn’t like the ending too, because I feel like it left a lot unresolved. Granted, I know there’s going to be another book in this series, as I know the last Guardian hasn’t been revealed yet. But I feel like it left so many things open that I’m having a hard time visualizing how the next book will wrap everything up. I also didn’t like it because of how it’ll impact Yuli and Kho’s relationship in the next book.
But overall, I enjoyed reading this book just as much as I enjoyed reading the rest of the books in this series. And I highly recommend this book to anyone else who’s already read Guardians of Dawn: Zhara and Guardians of Dawn: Ami and found they enjoyed those books in this world and want to read more of the characters’ story. I also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that focuses more on the fantasy elements in the plot than romance, as while there’s romance in this series, it’s pretty light in comparison to other book series I’ve read. So if you love reading books with fantasy and romance but focus more on fantasy, I think you’ll really enjoy reading this. Guardians of Dawn: Yuli was published on August 19, 2025, for those interested in continuing to read the Guardians of Dawn series.
March 3, 2025
A short disclaimer: Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is the third in a series - there will be spoilers for books 1 and 2 ahead, and I also do not advise reading this book as a standalone. Certain plot points, relationships, and worldbuilding elements rely heavily on an understanding of the previous 2 books. Disclaimer over - now I can gush about how much I loved this book.
After cherishing cameos from Princess Yulana, aka Yuli, in both the previous books, I was so thrilled to see her have her own adventures and romance in the third installment of Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is a strong heroine, a warrior inside and out, and someone who cares deeply about her friends. She's a delightful main character and can more than carry her own book (something I had struggled with a bit in Zhara's book). Kho, Yuli's love interest, is her former friend and the daughter of a rival clan leader; their paths unexpectedly cross again when the patriarch of the five ruling families dies, and a competition (The Grand Game) is called to determine who shall take the throne next. As daughters of the two strongest contenders, Yuli and Kho must endure three trials--one physical, one mental, and one spiritual--to determine who is most fit to take the throne. That alone is enough plot to carry the book, but intertwining with the Great Game plotline is the other side of Yuli's life--the Guardian side. While Yuli is trying desperately to win the Grand Game, she's also trying to figure out the mysterious sickness plaguing her continent: the Waking Dreamer sickness. As the Guardian of Wind, only Yuli can see that those afflicted by this sickness have become empty vessels, their souls wandering untethered from their bodies like ghosts. But why is this? And could this mysterious affliction be connected to the Moth Demon, the next villain the Guardians know they must defeat?
Like in previous installments, I think S. Jae-Jones does a great job of balancing the multiple plotlines and the multiple POV characters. As in Guardians of Dawn: Ami, the other Guardians get a few chapters here and there, but the majority of the book is spent on Yuli and Kho, and I like both of them a lot. Their arcs are beautifully done, and I especially like Kho's tangled relationships with her family. Although her family's tie-in to the larger plot is a bit obvious, I thought the arc itself was fantastic. Being someone who really, really likes plague books, I absolutely ate up the Waking Dreamer sickness scenes, and I enjoyed the twist with those as well. I really like how the series is progressing in terms of each individual book's Demon, and their connection to the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons (who I assume is Book 4's villain).
For me, the biggest weakness here is I wanted so much more from the romance. It's not bad by a long stretch, but I guess I just wish the characters had spent more time on the page together -- of the 3 main couples in the series, I'd say that Yuli and Kho were physically with each other the least, although they do have the most history as childhood friends/rivals. I feel like the book would've actually benefited from being longer, just so there's more room for the romance -- it's tautly plotted in every other aspect, so I can't even say that something should get cut. That is such a little nitpick, though.
I know reviews for this series are kind of inconsistent, but I've found myself consistently enjoying every book. It's not a perfect series, not by far, but it perfectly fills that Magical Girl niche that YA is seriously lacking. As someone who grew up on Sailor Moon, Winx, and W.I.T.C.H, this feels nostalgic in all the right ways, and reading a few chapters after a rough day totally transported me to the Guradians' world.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! I really love how this series is shaping up and cannot wait until we get to meet (fingers crossed) the Guardian of Water in Book 4.
After cherishing cameos from Princess Yulana, aka Yuli, in both the previous books, I was so thrilled to see her have her own adventures and romance in the third installment of Guardians of Dawn. Yuli is a strong heroine, a warrior inside and out, and someone who cares deeply about her friends. She's a delightful main character and can more than carry her own book (something I had struggled with a bit in Zhara's book). Kho, Yuli's love interest, is her former friend and the daughter of a rival clan leader; their paths unexpectedly cross again when the patriarch of the five ruling families dies, and a competition (The Grand Game) is called to determine who shall take the throne next. As daughters of the two strongest contenders, Yuli and Kho must endure three trials--one physical, one mental, and one spiritual--to determine who is most fit to take the throne. That alone is enough plot to carry the book, but intertwining with the Great Game plotline is the other side of Yuli's life--the Guardian side. While Yuli is trying desperately to win the Grand Game, she's also trying to figure out the mysterious sickness plaguing her continent: the Waking Dreamer sickness. As the Guardian of Wind, only Yuli can see that those afflicted by this sickness have become empty vessels, their souls wandering untethered from their bodies like ghosts. But why is this? And could this mysterious affliction be connected to the Moth Demon, the next villain the Guardians know they must defeat?
Like in previous installments, I think S. Jae-Jones does a great job of balancing the multiple plotlines and the multiple POV characters. As in Guardians of Dawn: Ami, the other Guardians get a few chapters here and there, but the majority of the book is spent on Yuli and Kho, and I like both of them a lot. Their arcs are beautifully done, and I especially like Kho's tangled relationships with her family. Although her family's tie-in to the larger plot is a bit obvious, I thought the arc itself was fantastic. Being someone who really, really likes plague books, I absolutely ate up the Waking Dreamer sickness scenes, and I enjoyed the twist with those as well. I really like how the series is progressing in terms of each individual book's Demon, and their connection to the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons (who I assume is Book 4's villain).
For me, the biggest weakness here is I wanted so much more from the romance. It's not bad by a long stretch, but I guess I just wish the characters had spent more time on the page together -- of the 3 main couples in the series, I'd say that Yuli and Kho were physically with each other the least, although they do have the most history as childhood friends/rivals. I feel like the book would've actually benefited from being longer, just so there's more room for the romance -- it's tautly plotted in every other aspect, so I can't even say that something should get cut. That is such a little nitpick, though.
I know reviews for this series are kind of inconsistent, but I've found myself consistently enjoying every book. It's not a perfect series, not by far, but it perfectly fills that Magical Girl niche that YA is seriously lacking. As someone who grew up on Sailor Moon, Winx, and W.I.T.C.H, this feels nostalgic in all the right ways, and reading a few chapters after a rough day totally transported me to the Guradians' world.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! I really love how this series is shaping up and cannot wait until we get to meet (fingers crossed) the Guardian of Water in Book 4.
August 29, 2025
As per usual, I fell in love with the latest installment of the Guardians of Dawn. This one had a bit of a Snow White twist, which I was rather surprised about. I knew the previous two had fairytale elements, so I knew this one would as well. I just was not expecting it to be Snow White.
Out of the three books, this one was my least favorite. It oddly makes sense that it had Snow White elements, as that is also my least favorite fairytale. Now, I am not saying this book is a dull read. In fact, I still loved this book! I just don't connect with spirit-magic fighting and ki forces the same way I do with other kinds of magic/fighting.
Similar to the other two, this one also featured a bit of a romance. It's one of those friends-to-enemies-to-lovers (second chance) romances. Granted, they hadn't pursued a relationship prior to this book. In fact, they still haven't technically pursued a relationship. We just know they're interested in one another. While book 1 was a heterosexual relationship and book 2 was a pansexual/asexual relationship, we find that book 3 is a lesbian relationship! It makes me wonder what book 4 will be. Poly? That would be something for a YA book. Perhaps bisexual? Either way, I'm enjoying the representation.
Throughout the book, we are tasked with the plight of obligation and expectation - of doing what is right and good. Yuli and Ko both approach the weight of responsibility differently. Ko has been taught a more certain path, one that is more black and white. Meanwhile, as we know, Yuli sees that there is never one clear answer. In fact, she historically evades all major decisions; especially if they are part of that gray area. She prefers to let somebody else more capable make such decisions. As you might expect, their understanding obligations/expectations grows over the course of the book. Yuli's change is more important to the series, but Ko's change had more impact to this particular book.
In one particular part, Ko muses - "But what was order at the cost of strife and oppression? Of genocide? One could not forget the human cost. She must not forget the human cost."
The lands in the north (where Yuli and Ko live) are full of oppression, particularly against the magicians. The northern people held no qualms in burning magicians at the stake. This is the life Ko grew up in. But as she is exposed to Yuli's truth and all that is happening in their world, Ko accepts that magicians ARE people, and are not worthy of such violent outcomes.
By the end of this book, we are left with some major cliffhangers. This is unsurprising as the next book sounds like it'll be the finale. Our heroes are all spread out, but something tells me they'll all be at the same place when they determine who shall take the Sunburst Throne.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this book!
Out of the three books, this one was my least favorite. It oddly makes sense that it had Snow White elements, as that is also my least favorite fairytale. Now, I am not saying this book is a dull read. In fact, I still loved this book! I just don't connect with spirit-magic fighting and ki forces the same way I do with other kinds of magic/fighting.
Similar to the other two, this one also featured a bit of a romance. It's one of those friends-to-enemies-to-lovers (second chance) romances. Granted, they hadn't pursued a relationship prior to this book. In fact, they still haven't technically pursued a relationship. We just know they're interested in one another. While book 1 was a heterosexual relationship and book 2 was a pansexual/asexual relationship, we find that book 3 is a lesbian relationship! It makes me wonder what book 4 will be. Poly? That would be something for a YA book. Perhaps bisexual? Either way, I'm enjoying the representation.
Throughout the book, we are tasked with the plight of obligation and expectation - of doing what is right and good. Yuli and Ko both approach the weight of responsibility differently. Ko has been taught a more certain path, one that is more black and white. Meanwhile, as we know, Yuli sees that there is never one clear answer. In fact, she historically evades all major decisions; especially if they are part of that gray area. She prefers to let somebody else more capable make such decisions. As you might expect, their understanding obligations/expectations grows over the course of the book. Yuli's change is more important to the series, but Ko's change had more impact to this particular book.
In one particular part, Ko muses - "But what was order at the cost of strife and oppression? Of genocide? One could not forget the human cost. She must not forget the human cost."
The lands in the north (where Yuli and Ko live) are full of oppression, particularly against the magicians. The northern people held no qualms in burning magicians at the stake. This is the life Ko grew up in. But as she is exposed to Yuli's truth and all that is happening in their world, Ko accepts that magicians ARE people, and are not worthy of such violent outcomes.
By the end of this book, we are left with some major cliffhangers. This is unsurprising as the next book sounds like it'll be the finale. Our heroes are all spread out, but something tells me they'll all be at the same place when they determine who shall take the Sunburst Throne.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this book!
August 13, 2025
The Guardians of Dawn continues in the third book, this time starring Princess Yulana. Like the other books, this one primarily takes place in a different part of the world from the others, expanding the magical environment these books take place in. Yuli has to balance being a Guardian of Dawn as well as trying to manage political pressures, a sickness, hiding her magical powers, and dealing with her former best friend who now is one of her enemies. The fairy tale of this book is less pronounced than with the others in the series, but there are still plenty of hints.
This book matures a bit from the first two in that the ending is more complicated than the others. The first two books had their conflicts wrapped up somewhat easily, the romance be mostly smooth sailing once the initial awkward stage passed, and the bad guys defeated without a lot of sacrifice or suffering. That isn’t so much the case with this one, making the next book feel way too far from its release!
All of the books have had multiple POV characters, but this is the first time it’s felt really overwhelming to me. Even though we’ve gotten to know most of the characters in the previous books, it’s getting harder to keep track of everyone and to feel invested in the newer characters. Part of that is alleviated by some of our favorite characters from previous books not being there for the majority of the book, but that also meant that I missed them quite a bit. I did like that we were able to grow Zhara, Ami, and Yuli’s relationship more when Gaden and Han were gone.
I didn’t connect with the new characters as much in this book, and I wasn’t as invested in the romance. It’s more of a long-time friend romance than a falling in love romance, but I didn’t pick up as much chemistry from them. They aren’t with each other very often, so the reader has to do more trusting that they’re great together instead of seeing it.
This book felt the most difficult to follow of the series so far. I don’t know if it was because of the multiple characters or because there are worldbuilding gaps that are showing through in this new part of the world. It also felt like the competition, which should have been high stakes and center stage, took such a backseat that I kept forgetting it was supposed to be a huge deal.
Like with the others in the series, this book certainly has its weaknesses, but it’s still a delightfully fun adventure. In spite of its flaws, I enjoyed it very much, and I love our continued girl power stories with strong female characters in charge of saving the world. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book matures a bit from the first two in that the ending is more complicated than the others. The first two books had their conflicts wrapped up somewhat easily, the romance be mostly smooth sailing once the initial awkward stage passed, and the bad guys defeated without a lot of sacrifice or suffering. That isn’t so much the case with this one, making the next book feel way too far from its release!
All of the books have had multiple POV characters, but this is the first time it’s felt really overwhelming to me. Even though we’ve gotten to know most of the characters in the previous books, it’s getting harder to keep track of everyone and to feel invested in the newer characters. Part of that is alleviated by some of our favorite characters from previous books not being there for the majority of the book, but that also meant that I missed them quite a bit. I did like that we were able to grow Zhara, Ami, and Yuli’s relationship more when Gaden and Han were gone.
I didn’t connect with the new characters as much in this book, and I wasn’t as invested in the romance. It’s more of a long-time friend romance than a falling in love romance, but I didn’t pick up as much chemistry from them. They aren’t with each other very often, so the reader has to do more trusting that they’re great together instead of seeing it.
This book felt the most difficult to follow of the series so far. I don’t know if it was because of the multiple characters or because there are worldbuilding gaps that are showing through in this new part of the world. It also felt like the competition, which should have been high stakes and center stage, took such a backseat that I kept forgetting it was supposed to be a huge deal.
Like with the others in the series, this book certainly has its weaknesses, but it’s still a delightfully fun adventure. In spite of its flaws, I enjoyed it very much, and I love our continued girl power stories with strong female characters in charge of saving the world. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2025
Book review: 3.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: YA fantasy
Themes: elemental warriors, demons, Asian-inspired
📖 Read if you like: Avatar: the Last Airbender, Blood Scion, Sailor Moon
Princess Yulana is living in a world of the brink of change. With her grandfather and warlord passing, the Morning Realms has been left leaderless with a game of power dividing the north. Then there is the strange sleeping sickness sweeping in with a wave of refugees leaving a trail of hungry ghosts in their wake. In order to keep power out the hands of a tyrant, Yuli must compete in the Grand Games, but as one of the reborn Guardians of Dawn it is also her responsibility to bring order to the chaos along with her fellow guardians.
Having the Guardian of the Wind a channel to the spirit realm made this an otherworldly story. It questioned the essence of a human and created a landscape of ghosts and empty shells, corrupted beings and pure souls. It was a coming of age story with the main characters finding their own identities and purpose outside of the roles they were born to play, as it was an adventure. The rise of the Moth Demon creating political discord and the sleepers a silent army kept this an action packed plot. I also rather enjoyed the three guardians having their own personalities and dynamic.
It had all the makings of a great creative historical fantasy with guardian animals and powers that are unique. While the personal transformations matched the context of the story, the romantic element seemed out of place. I didn’t connect with it, or perhaps I just didn’t like Kho as a character. How much does intention matter when actions have consequences, some of which are deadly. For someone glorified for her intelligence she has a lot of “I don’t know” lines, and whether she told her father or her brother she must have known what her betrayal of Joshi would mean for the boy. I couldn’t jump over this emotional hurdle, nor could I see her as a moral compass given all her past decisions. Duty and doing what is right are two different things, and she clearly had difficulty differentiating the two. It would have been much more powerful if the focus was on friendship, healing and autonomy, because the blooming romance was too naive. It also distracted from what was otherwise a well built world and multiple exciting storylines. This element unfortunately downgraded my rating, but I think many YA readers will enjoy it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC for review. It was well written with an easy flow so I was able to fall into the story. It isn’t really a standalone, so I spent the first couple of chapters rather confused, but I got into it eventually.
Genre: YA fantasy
Themes: elemental warriors, demons, Asian-inspired
📖 Read if you like: Avatar: the Last Airbender, Blood Scion, Sailor Moon
Princess Yulana is living in a world of the brink of change. With her grandfather and warlord passing, the Morning Realms has been left leaderless with a game of power dividing the north. Then there is the strange sleeping sickness sweeping in with a wave of refugees leaving a trail of hungry ghosts in their wake. In order to keep power out the hands of a tyrant, Yuli must compete in the Grand Games, but as one of the reborn Guardians of Dawn it is also her responsibility to bring order to the chaos along with her fellow guardians.
Having the Guardian of the Wind a channel to the spirit realm made this an otherworldly story. It questioned the essence of a human and created a landscape of ghosts and empty shells, corrupted beings and pure souls. It was a coming of age story with the main characters finding their own identities and purpose outside of the roles they were born to play, as it was an adventure. The rise of the Moth Demon creating political discord and the sleepers a silent army kept this an action packed plot. I also rather enjoyed the three guardians having their own personalities and dynamic.
It had all the makings of a great creative historical fantasy with guardian animals and powers that are unique. While the personal transformations matched the context of the story, the romantic element seemed out of place. I didn’t connect with it, or perhaps I just didn’t like Kho as a character. How much does intention matter when actions have consequences, some of which are deadly. For someone glorified for her intelligence she has a lot of “I don’t know” lines, and whether she told her father or her brother she must have known what her betrayal of Joshi would mean for the boy. I couldn’t jump over this emotional hurdle, nor could I see her as a moral compass given all her past decisions. Duty and doing what is right are two different things, and she clearly had difficulty differentiating the two. It would have been much more powerful if the focus was on friendship, healing and autonomy, because the blooming romance was too naive. It also distracted from what was otherwise a well built world and multiple exciting storylines. This element unfortunately downgraded my rating, but I think many YA readers will enjoy it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC for review. It was well written with an easy flow so I was able to fall into the story. It isn’t really a standalone, so I spent the first couple of chapters rather confused, but I got into it eventually.
August 25, 2025
In the latest Guardians of Dawn novel, S. Jae-Jones focuses on Yuli, the Northern Princess, who first appeared in the debut novel.
Princess Yulana has responsibilities at home that are taking her away from her job of protecting the Morning Realm. As a Guardian of Dawn, she is supposed to be working with Zarah and Ami to keep the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons from arising and destroying the world as they know it. But her homeland needs her. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens the Morning Realms, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. Plus, when she stands to fight for control of the Golden Horde (in part to save her family’s line, to have power behind her for the epic battle in front of her), she finds she must battle her former best friend, someone that she used to love before she was betrayed in the worst way. All this while she is supposed to help the other Guardians find the Moth Demon as well as complete their knowledge of exactly how they are supposed to beat the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
We finally get the story about the Princess from the North that we have been wondering about since book one, and my favorite, what a story it is. Jae-Jones digs down in this book to truly look into Yuli’s life, what she left behind, and why she feels so strongly about taking care of her home. While I wish we knew more about her family and how she interacted, the story between her and Kho becomes the focus, and Yuli’s inner turmoil. We see more Yuli and less Guardian of Dawn. But there is still plenty of time for the Guardian of Wind to show her powers. The story is action-packed as the Guardians must take on the Moth Demon and deal with the new sleep sickness.
My only issue with this one is that this book didn’t truly move the overall story forward as much as the first two books. The ending, of course, affects the next book, and it’s a whopper. But by this time, we usually know who the next girl is. There is a breadcrumb for who she will be; any astute reader will pick up the Snow White reference. But this was basically just Yuli’s story with a pinch from the other ladies and their ingredients. I needed a better balance of the current tale and overall saga.
As we approach the end, I worry that Guardians of Dawn: Yuli has left readers with a rushed ending. But I did enjoy this adventure with our Guardian of Wind.
I received an ARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
Princess Yulana has responsibilities at home that are taking her away from her job of protecting the Morning Realm. As a Guardian of Dawn, she is supposed to be working with Zarah and Ami to keep the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons from arising and destroying the world as they know it. But her homeland needs her. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens the Morning Realms, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. Plus, when she stands to fight for control of the Golden Horde (in part to save her family’s line, to have power behind her for the epic battle in front of her), she finds she must battle her former best friend, someone that she used to love before she was betrayed in the worst way. All this while she is supposed to help the other Guardians find the Moth Demon as well as complete their knowledge of exactly how they are supposed to beat the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
We finally get the story about the Princess from the North that we have been wondering about since book one, and my favorite, what a story it is. Jae-Jones digs down in this book to truly look into Yuli’s life, what she left behind, and why she feels so strongly about taking care of her home. While I wish we knew more about her family and how she interacted, the story between her and Kho becomes the focus, and Yuli’s inner turmoil. We see more Yuli and less Guardian of Dawn. But there is still plenty of time for the Guardian of Wind to show her powers. The story is action-packed as the Guardians must take on the Moth Demon and deal with the new sleep sickness.
My only issue with this one is that this book didn’t truly move the overall story forward as much as the first two books. The ending, of course, affects the next book, and it’s a whopper. But by this time, we usually know who the next girl is. There is a breadcrumb for who she will be; any astute reader will pick up the Snow White reference. But this was basically just Yuli’s story with a pinch from the other ladies and their ingredients. I needed a better balance of the current tale and overall saga.
As we approach the end, I worry that Guardians of Dawn: Yuli has left readers with a rushed ending. But I did enjoy this adventure with our Guardian of Wind.
I received an ARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
January 1, 2025
The saga continues!
As Zhara and Ami travel north to reunite with Yuli and close the portal to Tiyok, Yuli is dealing with her own brewing battle. After her Grandfather, the Warlord’s, death the five ruling families are in chaos. The Lady of the Wild Things, the mother of her childhood best friend, seizes her chance of taking control of the Golden Horde, the army of the North, to make her play for the Imperial Throne. To stop her, Yuli must compete against Kho, her former best friend in three challeges. But there is something worse afoot as the demons have started possessing anti-magicians in a bid to create their own army to release the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
I absolutely loved all the new lore we got in this third installment of Guardians of the Dawn. It continues to grow and expand while still giving the nostalgia of the magical girl animes we grew up loving.
It was harder for me to connect with Yuli, more of a tomboy who alwaya grew up privileged, than it was for me with Ami, the scholar, or Zhara, the dreamer. She still has the personality and qualities of a teenage girl, but her interests didn’t align with mine like the other girls. For this reason I struggled to finish this book as quickly as I did the other two. However Yuli is headstrong and brave, compassionate, with a spiritual power unlike the other Guardians. She was a lot more serious in this book, despite Kho’s disbelief that she could take anything seriously, and perhaps I enjoyed her playful attitude in the previous books a bit more? Either way it was nice to have a deeper look into her character and see her bonding in person with Ami and Zhara.
The stakes are higher, the romance has taken a back seat (for the most part as the previous couples have split to take care of different plot arcs), and there are many more characters to keep up with now. I loved the foreshadowing of discovering the Guardian of Water in the Azure Isles (not going to spoil anyone with my theories) and the heartbreaking ending as the world around them tumbles into civil war. I feel like book four will be a lot darker than the previous three; but that makes sense as the girls grow not only into their powers but mature as their experiences can only force them to do. I eagerly await it (soooo long!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭). In the mean time everyone go read this series immediately!
As Zhara and Ami travel north to reunite with Yuli and close the portal to Tiyok, Yuli is dealing with her own brewing battle. After her Grandfather, the Warlord’s, death the five ruling families are in chaos. The Lady of the Wild Things, the mother of her childhood best friend, seizes her chance of taking control of the Golden Horde, the army of the North, to make her play for the Imperial Throne. To stop her, Yuli must compete against Kho, her former best friend in three challeges. But there is something worse afoot as the demons have started possessing anti-magicians in a bid to create their own army to release the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
I absolutely loved all the new lore we got in this third installment of Guardians of the Dawn. It continues to grow and expand while still giving the nostalgia of the magical girl animes we grew up loving.
It was harder for me to connect with Yuli, more of a tomboy who alwaya grew up privileged, than it was for me with Ami, the scholar, or Zhara, the dreamer. She still has the personality and qualities of a teenage girl, but her interests didn’t align with mine like the other girls. For this reason I struggled to finish this book as quickly as I did the other two. However Yuli is headstrong and brave, compassionate, with a spiritual power unlike the other Guardians. She was a lot more serious in this book, despite Kho’s disbelief that she could take anything seriously, and perhaps I enjoyed her playful attitude in the previous books a bit more? Either way it was nice to have a deeper look into her character and see her bonding in person with Ami and Zhara.
The stakes are higher, the romance has taken a back seat (for the most part as the previous couples have split to take care of different plot arcs), and there are many more characters to keep up with now. I loved the foreshadowing of discovering the Guardian of Water in the Azure Isles (not going to spoil anyone with my theories) and the heartbreaking ending as the world around them tumbles into civil war. I feel like book four will be a lot darker than the previous three; but that makes sense as the girls grow not only into their powers but mature as their experiences can only force them to do. I eagerly await it (soooo long!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭). In the mean time everyone go read this series immediately!
August 5, 2025
As Zhara and Ami travel north to reunite with Yuli and help close the portal to Tiyok, Yuli is facing a brewing battle of her own. After the death of her grandfather—the Warlord—the five ruling families are thrown into chaos. The Lady of the Wild Things, mother of Yuli’s childhood best friend, seizes the opportunity to take control of the Golden Horde, the army of the North, as she makes her play for the Imperial Throne.
To stop her, Yuli must face off against Kho, her former best friend, in three intense challenges. But something even more dangerous is looming: demons have begun possessing anti-magicians in a terrifying bid to build their army—and ultimately release the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
This was such an action-packed novel! I loved how all three guardians converge in this installment while maintaining their individuality. Since this is a continuation, I definitely recommend reading the first two books before diving in so you don’t get lost.
S. Jae-Jones’ world-building is immersive—the mental images she creates are vivid and cinematic. The stakes are higher in this book, and while the romance takes a bit of a back seat (as the previous couples split to follow different plot arcs), the character development remains strong. There are more characters to keep track of now, which adds depth, though it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
I especially loved The Grand Game—it was a fun addition to the story that allowed Yuli’s personality and skills, some less impressive than others, to shine. The tension between Yuli and Kho was heartbreaking. I understood Yuli’s point, but their interactions were emotionally tough to read—raw, personal, and beautifully written.
Honestly, I’d love to read The Songs of Order and Chaos, which is referenced often throughout the book. It would make a fantastic novella and a pleasant interlude before Book 4.
The ending was very satisfying—and now I’m on edge, eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for the ARC of this exciting installment in the Guardians of Dawn series and for allowing me to share my honest opinion.
📚 This book releases August 19, 2025.
To stop her, Yuli must face off against Kho, her former best friend, in three intense challenges. But something even more dangerous is looming: demons have begun possessing anti-magicians in a terrifying bid to build their army—and ultimately release the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons.
This was such an action-packed novel! I loved how all three guardians converge in this installment while maintaining their individuality. Since this is a continuation, I definitely recommend reading the first two books before diving in so you don’t get lost.
S. Jae-Jones’ world-building is immersive—the mental images she creates are vivid and cinematic. The stakes are higher in this book, and while the romance takes a bit of a back seat (as the previous couples split to follow different plot arcs), the character development remains strong. There are more characters to keep track of now, which adds depth, though it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
I especially loved The Grand Game—it was a fun addition to the story that allowed Yuli’s personality and skills, some less impressive than others, to shine. The tension between Yuli and Kho was heartbreaking. I understood Yuli’s point, but their interactions were emotionally tough to read—raw, personal, and beautifully written.
Honestly, I’d love to read The Songs of Order and Chaos, which is referenced often throughout the book. It would make a fantastic novella and a pleasant interlude before Book 4.
The ending was very satisfying—and now I’m on edge, eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and S. Jae-Jones for the ARC of this exciting installment in the Guardians of Dawn series and for allowing me to share my honest opinion.
📚 This book releases August 19, 2025.
March 19, 2025
While *Guardian of Wind* continues the sweeping fantasy narrative of *The Guardians of Dawn* series, it struggles under the weight of its own world-building and political intrigue—an issue that feels particularly frustrating given that this is the third installment. Rather than building on the momentum of previous books, a significant portion of the story is dedicated to explaining the empire’s political structure, court dynamics, and historical context, often at the expense of character development and plot progression.
Yulana’s struggles—ranging from the civil war to the supernatural threats—should provide a compelling foundation for the narrative, but much of the book is bogged down in the mechanics of governance rather than the emotional stakes of her journey. While some readers may appreciate the depth of the world-building, it often feels like the story pauses to deliver dense exposition, making the pacing drag. Given that this is book three, one would expect the political and historical framework to be more integrated into the action rather than repeatedly re-explained.
The Grand Game, which should be a thrilling, high-stakes competition, is undermined by its own complexity. Instead of offering a tightly woven, suspenseful conflict, the competition often feels secondary to prolonged discussions of alliances, treaties, and bureaucratic maneuvering. Yulana’s relationship with Kho—one of the most intriguing elements of the book—is unfortunately sidelined in favor of more political posturing, leaving emotional beats underdeveloped.
The novel does have its strengths—Jae-Jones’ prose remains evocative, and the blend of mythology and political fantasy is ambitious—but *Guardian of Wind* ultimately feels more like an extended history lesson than a climactic continuation of an epic saga. For readers already invested in the series, it may still be rewarding, but those looking for a more balanced mix of action, character depth, and world-building may find themselves wading through too much setup with too little payoff.
Yulana’s struggles—ranging from the civil war to the supernatural threats—should provide a compelling foundation for the narrative, but much of the book is bogged down in the mechanics of governance rather than the emotional stakes of her journey. While some readers may appreciate the depth of the world-building, it often feels like the story pauses to deliver dense exposition, making the pacing drag. Given that this is book three, one would expect the political and historical framework to be more integrated into the action rather than repeatedly re-explained.
The Grand Game, which should be a thrilling, high-stakes competition, is undermined by its own complexity. Instead of offering a tightly woven, suspenseful conflict, the competition often feels secondary to prolonged discussions of alliances, treaties, and bureaucratic maneuvering. Yulana’s relationship with Kho—one of the most intriguing elements of the book—is unfortunately sidelined in favor of more political posturing, leaving emotional beats underdeveloped.
The novel does have its strengths—Jae-Jones’ prose remains evocative, and the blend of mythology and political fantasy is ambitious—but *Guardian of Wind* ultimately feels more like an extended history lesson than a climactic continuation of an epic saga. For readers already invested in the series, it may still be rewarding, but those looking for a more balanced mix of action, character depth, and world-building may find themselves wading through too much setup with too little payoff.
April 21, 2025
"You told me once that I could never make the hard decisions. I'm making it now. For the greater good."
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for an ARC of Guardians of Dawn: Yuli in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions that follow are my own.
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli continues the story of the previous two books in this series, this time focusing on Princess Yulana of the North, who has the power to spirit=walk. Yuli has returned home to the far north alongside Zhara and Ami in order to close the northern portal to the demon realm as well as to find the northern portion of the Songs of Order and Chaos. Little does she know that one of the other Five Golden Families is making a play to take power in the north as well as taking control of the Sunburst Throne. To ensure that her kang remains in power, Yuli has to compete in the Grand Game, a series of trials to prove her worthiness, against the First Daughter of the Maltak Kang while at the same time, searching for the demon portal.
I loved this book so much! It is by far my favorite in the series right now and Yuli is my absolute favorite character. She was not afraid to do whatever she had to in order to ensure that her family remained in power for the safety of the entire Morning Realms. Her relationship with her former best friend, Maltak Kho, was full of twists and turns from beginning to end and kept me rooting for them both. I thought that the Grand Game was an interesting addition and added a fun element to the overall story, showing a little bit more of Yuli's character, skills, and personality. I was kind of sad that Gaden and Han didn't get a whole lot of page time in this book but I also understood why they didn't. The last 5=10 chapters of this book had me in an absolute chokehold and I loved every minute of it. I would definitely rate this book 5/5 stars!
I cannot wait for the next book in the series! If you enjoyed Zhara and Ami, check out Yuli's story when it hits shelves on August 19, 2025!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for an ARC of Guardians of Dawn: Yuli in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions that follow are my own.
Guardians of Dawn: Yuli continues the story of the previous two books in this series, this time focusing on Princess Yulana of the North, who has the power to spirit=walk. Yuli has returned home to the far north alongside Zhara and Ami in order to close the northern portal to the demon realm as well as to find the northern portion of the Songs of Order and Chaos. Little does she know that one of the other Five Golden Families is making a play to take power in the north as well as taking control of the Sunburst Throne. To ensure that her kang remains in power, Yuli has to compete in the Grand Game, a series of trials to prove her worthiness, against the First Daughter of the Maltak Kang while at the same time, searching for the demon portal.
I loved this book so much! It is by far my favorite in the series right now and Yuli is my absolute favorite character. She was not afraid to do whatever she had to in order to ensure that her family remained in power for the safety of the entire Morning Realms. Her relationship with her former best friend, Maltak Kho, was full of twists and turns from beginning to end and kept me rooting for them both. I thought that the Grand Game was an interesting addition and added a fun element to the overall story, showing a little bit more of Yuli's character, skills, and personality. I was kind of sad that Gaden and Han didn't get a whole lot of page time in this book but I also understood why they didn't. The last 5=10 chapters of this book had me in an absolute chokehold and I loved every minute of it. I would definitely rate this book 5/5 stars!
I cannot wait for the next book in the series! If you enjoyed Zhara and Ami, check out Yuli's story when it hits shelves on August 19, 2025!
July 16, 2025
I just really enjoy these books, the vibes are for me, specifically with a YA bent. Are they great? no. Are they fun? yes.
The third book in the Guardians of Dawn series brings us to a darker turn as we get closer to the release of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This time we're following Yuli, who has been a presence from the start, and having her both be familiar to the reader and familiar with her powers for the most part mean that it's easier to focus on the shifting politics and rising stakes in the world. As the Guardian of Wind, her power deals with the soul, something that she hasn't found particularly useful, only using her spirit-walking ability. But with the rise of a waking dreamer sickness, where people's bodies seem detached from their souls, leaving them open to demonic possession, she finds herself extremely important in reversing that. Too bad it's also in the middle of a huge political upheaval, with the death of her grandfather and no clear successor and their political rivals chomping at the bit to claim power. Which might have some demonic push behind it, but that's for the Guardians to figure out.
As the third book in the series, the world and the cast has been growing exponentially, and it was one thing that got a little unwieldly for me in Ami's book. Here, the solution to that is having half of Zhara and Ami's group split off to return with Han when he has to go home and claim his throne. This has the benefit of cutting down on the various PoVs, and even when we are switching around, they're at least all on one storyline.
Jae-Jones' writing is still light and fun - it's so clear that this is what she wants to be writing, this mix of East Asian and Western folklore with Sailor Moon vibes, and it still just works /so/ well. Yuli's fairytale is probably the weakest (I think it's Little Red Riding Hood?), but I'm perfectly happy letting the story as JJ has crafted it so far taking the lead. Though it looks like the Guardian of Water will be following Snow White, so I'm very curious to see where that takes everyone.
The third book in the Guardians of Dawn series brings us to a darker turn as we get closer to the release of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. This time we're following Yuli, who has been a presence from the start, and having her both be familiar to the reader and familiar with her powers for the most part mean that it's easier to focus on the shifting politics and rising stakes in the world. As the Guardian of Wind, her power deals with the soul, something that she hasn't found particularly useful, only using her spirit-walking ability. But with the rise of a waking dreamer sickness, where people's bodies seem detached from their souls, leaving them open to demonic possession, she finds herself extremely important in reversing that. Too bad it's also in the middle of a huge political upheaval, with the death of her grandfather and no clear successor and their political rivals chomping at the bit to claim power. Which might have some demonic push behind it, but that's for the Guardians to figure out.
As the third book in the series, the world and the cast has been growing exponentially, and it was one thing that got a little unwieldly for me in Ami's book. Here, the solution to that is having half of Zhara and Ami's group split off to return with Han when he has to go home and claim his throne. This has the benefit of cutting down on the various PoVs, and even when we are switching around, they're at least all on one storyline.
Jae-Jones' writing is still light and fun - it's so clear that this is what she wants to be writing, this mix of East Asian and Western folklore with Sailor Moon vibes, and it still just works /so/ well. Yuli's fairytale is probably the weakest (I think it's Little Red Riding Hood?), but I'm perfectly happy letting the story as JJ has crafted it so far taking the lead. Though it looks like the Guardian of Water will be following Snow White, so I'm very curious to see where that takes everyone.
August 29, 2025
Princess Yulana is the Guardian of Wind, but the Morning Realms are being torn apart by civil war when her grandfather died without naming an heir. In addition, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. The future of the Morning Realms rests on the winner of the Grand Game―a competition that will determine not just the future of her people, but the course of the entire empire.
This is the third book in the series, and it definitely helps if you have read the prior two. There are multiple factions in the north, and Yuli tries to save those with magic from a very public burning by the Huntsmen, and she uses the Bangtan Brothers to help cause distractions. It's a very action-packed and cinematic opening, and it shows us the chaos she was dealing with and why she couldn't directly help in the last book. On top of the chaos in different parts of the realm, a new illness has developed. The waking dreamer sickness is a comatose state, which leaves bodies vulnerable to getting hijacked by demons. The team is being hounded by another Demon Lord, and in Yuli's public life, she faces her former best friend in the Grand Game for leadership in the north.
Ami's search for fragments of The Song Of Order and Chaos is a bridge from the last book, as well as a connection to Kho besides the conflicted past with Yuli. I am amused by the continued light novel references and the Bangtan Brothers. I would have liked to see more boy band heroics on the page, but there's already a lot going on, so I understand it. These references break up the foreboding feeling that the Guardians have. They're desperate to close up the portals and keep the demons at bay, especially the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. As the third book of the series, the stakes are high, with the entirety of the Morning Realms in the balance. There will be a fourth book in the series, and I can't wait to see how that story goes.
This is the third book in the series, and it definitely helps if you have read the prior two. There are multiple factions in the north, and Yuli tries to save those with magic from a very public burning by the Huntsmen, and she uses the Bangtan Brothers to help cause distractions. It's a very action-packed and cinematic opening, and it shows us the chaos she was dealing with and why she couldn't directly help in the last book. On top of the chaos in different parts of the realm, a new illness has developed. The waking dreamer sickness is a comatose state, which leaves bodies vulnerable to getting hijacked by demons. The team is being hounded by another Demon Lord, and in Yuli's public life, she faces her former best friend in the Grand Game for leadership in the north.
Ami's search for fragments of The Song Of Order and Chaos is a bridge from the last book, as well as a connection to Kho besides the conflicted past with Yuli. I am amused by the continued light novel references and the Bangtan Brothers. I would have liked to see more boy band heroics on the page, but there's already a lot going on, so I understand it. These references break up the foreboding feeling that the Guardians have. They're desperate to close up the portals and keep the demons at bay, especially the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons. As the third book of the series, the stakes are high, with the entirety of the Morning Realms in the balance. There will be a fourth book in the series, and I can't wait to see how that story goes.
February 9, 2025
"Yuli" is the 3rd installment in the YA Guardians of the Dawn series and it did not dissapoint! Each book we get to follow a new Guardian of the Dawn as they try to defeat the demons that plague their world.
Yuli's story was great! We see how strong of a woman Yuli has become as she deals with the death of her grandfather, while fighting her former best friend in trials to see who can be the next ruler of the kingdom. Don't worry, we also get to see the perspectives of the other guardians of the dawn (Ami and Zhara) as they do their best to help translate the language of flowers to learn more about sealing the demon portals, and help magicians escape the perils of Yuli's kingdom.
I think this is a great series for teens as it features strong, independent women, and all sorts of romantic entanglements. There is a very large LGBTQ presence in this series - we have a few non binary characters, F/F relationship, a M/F relationship where the guy identifies as asexual/aromantic, etc and I feel like the author is trying to be very inclusive and show to the teens reading this novel that love is love no matter who you're interested in. I also like how different the guardians are from one another-Zhara and Yuli are both headstrong, while Ami is quite and intellectual, and most likely on the spectrum as she often has a difficult time reading people.
I look forward to the conclusion of this series and can't wait to find out more about the final guardian of dawn.
4/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Yuli's story was great! We see how strong of a woman Yuli has become as she deals with the death of her grandfather, while fighting her former best friend in trials to see who can be the next ruler of the kingdom. Don't worry, we also get to see the perspectives of the other guardians of the dawn (Ami and Zhara) as they do their best to help translate the language of flowers to learn more about sealing the demon portals, and help magicians escape the perils of Yuli's kingdom.
I think this is a great series for teens as it features strong, independent women, and all sorts of romantic entanglements. There is a very large LGBTQ presence in this series - we have a few non binary characters, F/F relationship, a M/F relationship where the guy identifies as asexual/aromantic, etc and I feel like the author is trying to be very inclusive and show to the teens reading this novel that love is love no matter who you're interested in. I also like how different the guardians are from one another-Zhara and Yuli are both headstrong, while Ami is quite and intellectual, and most likely on the spectrum as she often has a difficult time reading people.
I look forward to the conclusion of this series and can't wait to find out more about the final guardian of dawn.
4/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
💚💜 Guardians of the Dawn: Yuli ARC Review 💜💚
Thank you so much to S Jae-Jones and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Guardians of the Dawn: Yuli is a YA fantasy and book three in the Guardians of the Dawn series. Princess Yulana has a secret - she has magic and she’s the guardian of the wind. After the death of her grandfather who didn’t name an heir, Yuli feels stuck between political uncertainty and magical duties. When there’s a Grand Game planned to determine the fate of her kingdom, can she manage battling political games and demons at the same time?
This was an interesting read. While I enjoyed Yuli’s story and growth, a lot of this book felt like build up for the rest of the series. It didn’t feel like Yuli and Kho had the same romantic development as the other books, which I kind of missed. It felt like there was a lot going on and unfortunately their relationship was lost among the rest of the story for me
Overall this was a three star read. I love this world and the characters, but this one felt like an in-between read for me with lots of filler. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book didn’t really have much of a romantic subplot, so no ratings for spice will be given
If you’re a fan of YA fantasy with strong characters, beautiful world building and Eastern Asian mythology, then absolutely pick up this series! As this is a continuation of the story started on Zhara, I absolutely recommend reading these books in order.
Thank you so much to S Jae-Jones and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Guardians of the Dawn: Yuli is a YA fantasy and book three in the Guardians of the Dawn series. Princess Yulana has a secret - she has magic and she’s the guardian of the wind. After the death of her grandfather who didn’t name an heir, Yuli feels stuck between political uncertainty and magical duties. When there’s a Grand Game planned to determine the fate of her kingdom, can she manage battling political games and demons at the same time?
This was an interesting read. While I enjoyed Yuli’s story and growth, a lot of this book felt like build up for the rest of the series. It didn’t feel like Yuli and Kho had the same romantic development as the other books, which I kind of missed. It felt like there was a lot going on and unfortunately their relationship was lost among the rest of the story for me
Overall this was a three star read. I love this world and the characters, but this one felt like an in-between read for me with lots of filler. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book didn’t really have much of a romantic subplot, so no ratings for spice will be given
If you’re a fan of YA fantasy with strong characters, beautiful world building and Eastern Asian mythology, then absolutely pick up this series! As this is a continuation of the story started on Zhara, I absolutely recommend reading these books in order.
August 20, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the third book in the Guardians of Dawn series, and trust me—each book keeps getting better and better. In this installment, the story takes us north with Yuli as she faces new demons, political intrigue, romance, and dangerous trials, all while grappling with the revelation of her true identity as a princess.
One thing I especially loved about this book was the multi-POV storytelling. We get to see events unfold not just through Yuli’s eyes, but also Zhara’s and Ami’s, which adds depth to the narrative and keeps the stakes high as the guardians unravel the mystery of who—or what—holds the Northern portion of the Songs of Order and Chaos.
Yuli’s journey is the heart of the story, and her growth was incredible to watch. Even though she’s royalty, she remains a guardian—spirit-walking, battling demons, and facing the mother of demons herself. She’s fierce, loyal, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect Kang’s rule for the good of both the north and the realm as a whole. Her values of trust and respect shine through, and I loved how she wasn’t afraid to “get dirty” when needed.
There’s also the fascinating tension with Kho, her childhood friend turned rival. Their dynamic was written with so much care—their clashes, their words, their unspoken bond underneath it all. The slow build of their tension made me eager to see how things would unfold between them, especially as they faced trials, demons, and the strange “walking dreamers’ sickness” together.
One of the strengths of this series is how each book focuses on a specific guardian’s powers and challenges, while still highlighting the bond of friendship and found family among them all. The action scenes were vivid and thrilling, the world-building continues to be breathtaking, and the ending left me desperate for more. That cliffhanger was brutal—I need book four ASAP!
If you love YA fantasy filled with rich imagery, dynamic character arcs, high-stakes action, and the beauty of loyal friendships, this series is an absolute must-read.
A big thank-you to NetGalley and SMP for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the third book in the Guardians of Dawn series, and trust me—each book keeps getting better and better. In this installment, the story takes us north with Yuli as she faces new demons, political intrigue, romance, and dangerous trials, all while grappling with the revelation of her true identity as a princess.
One thing I especially loved about this book was the multi-POV storytelling. We get to see events unfold not just through Yuli’s eyes, but also Zhara’s and Ami’s, which adds depth to the narrative and keeps the stakes high as the guardians unravel the mystery of who—or what—holds the Northern portion of the Songs of Order and Chaos.
Yuli’s journey is the heart of the story, and her growth was incredible to watch. Even though she’s royalty, she remains a guardian—spirit-walking, battling demons, and facing the mother of demons herself. She’s fierce, loyal, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect Kang’s rule for the good of both the north and the realm as a whole. Her values of trust and respect shine through, and I loved how she wasn’t afraid to “get dirty” when needed.
There’s also the fascinating tension with Kho, her childhood friend turned rival. Their dynamic was written with so much care—their clashes, their words, their unspoken bond underneath it all. The slow build of their tension made me eager to see how things would unfold between them, especially as they faced trials, demons, and the strange “walking dreamers’ sickness” together.
One of the strengths of this series is how each book focuses on a specific guardian’s powers and challenges, while still highlighting the bond of friendship and found family among them all. The action scenes were vivid and thrilling, the world-building continues to be breathtaking, and the ending left me desperate for more. That cliffhanger was brutal—I need book four ASAP!
If you love YA fantasy filled with rich imagery, dynamic character arcs, high-stakes action, and the beauty of loyal friendships, this series is an absolute must-read.
A big thank-you to NetGalley and SMP for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 13, 2025
I really enjoyed learning more about Yuli's background and her culture in this book. I liked her as a supporting character in the other books, especially because she knew she was a mage from a much younger age than the other girls, but this book takes the opportunity to explore what it was like growing up as a princess on the northern steppes where being found out as a mage could be deadly. The book also dives into Yuli's relationship with her former best friend Kho, who Yuli resents for being responsible for the exile of her cousin. Kho appears to be the dutiful daughter of power-hungry clan leader, but she has more rebellion in her than Yuli knows.
The other guardians and their love interests don't have much to do in this book other than wait around for Yuli and decipher the Songs of Order and Chaos. Their partners are written out entirely and sent somewhere else, so we just see pining from Zhara and Ami for the most part. There was some obvious setup for the next book about the Guardian of Water in what looks like a Snow White retelling. I couldn't really tell what fairy tale this book was reenacting other than some similarities to the Pixar movie Brave. However, this didn't bother me since I think the original story should be more important than the fairy tale elements.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley
The other guardians and their love interests don't have much to do in this book other than wait around for Yuli and decipher the Songs of Order and Chaos. Their partners are written out entirely and sent somewhere else, so we just see pining from Zhara and Ami for the most part. There was some obvious setup for the next book about the Guardian of Water in what looks like a Snow White retelling. I couldn't really tell what fairy tale this book was reenacting other than some similarities to the Pixar movie Brave. However, this didn't bother me since I think the original story should be more important than the fairy tale elements.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley
February 9, 2025
Thank you Net gallery for this ARC!
It’s important to know that this is the third book in a series, I was not aware of that when I made the request. I was so confused reading the first two chapters that I had to stop and search the book on Google. I had to find out on Goodreads that this was the third book. It was not mentioned anywhere on the book cover or description. I didn’t want to review a third book without reading the first two and so I did.
In the third instalment,, Yuli has to process the death of her grandfather while having to deal with her ex-bestfriend turned rival in trials.
I loved the world building in this series and the magical lore. I also loved the LGBTQA+ representation in the book, it is so important to have this kind representation in books. Especially in today’s reality.
I liked the pacing of the story but the multiple POV not so much. It felt like we were switching characters every a few pages. I would have preferred longer chapters in the same POV. This is also a very predictable plot. I guessed a lot of what was gonna happen before it did. I still enjoyed my read but this isn’t a reading on the hedge of my seat type of book. This is more turn off my brain and just enjoy the vibes. I will probably give book four a try.
It’s important to know that this is the third book in a series, I was not aware of that when I made the request. I was so confused reading the first two chapters that I had to stop and search the book on Google. I had to find out on Goodreads that this was the third book. It was not mentioned anywhere on the book cover or description. I didn’t want to review a third book without reading the first two and so I did.
In the third instalment,, Yuli has to process the death of her grandfather while having to deal with her ex-bestfriend turned rival in trials.
I loved the world building in this series and the magical lore. I also loved the LGBTQA+ representation in the book, it is so important to have this kind representation in books. Especially in today’s reality.
I liked the pacing of the story but the multiple POV not so much. It felt like we were switching characters every a few pages. I would have preferred longer chapters in the same POV. This is also a very predictable plot. I guessed a lot of what was gonna happen before it did. I still enjoyed my read but this isn’t a reading on the hedge of my seat type of book. This is more turn off my brain and just enjoy the vibes. I will probably give book four a try.
April 28, 2025
I did not realize that this book was part of a well established series and just dove in. Even though I missed the backstory, I was able to keep up with the storyline of this book. I got the impression that a different Guardian of Dawn is discovered and comes into their power with each book, and this book focuses on Yuli. The world building is phenomenal, and the magic blends around the characters and through the community in a delightful way. I got caught up in the battle against the sleeping dreamer sickness, and found this to be a very exciting book. Thank you to Wednesday Books for granting me an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
That said, I was distracted by the overuse of the word 'they.' This may not be politically correct today, but I find it very difficult to follow who is being referenced by this pronoun. When a group of people leave, and someone who stays behind says that she misses them, it should reflect that she misses everyone that left. I understand what the pronoun is supposed to indicate besides a group of people, but I felt that the overuse of the word resulted in a book about a community that is completely gender fluid. I am not homophobic, but this made it hard for me to connect to the characters (despite my similar magical nature).
That said, I was distracted by the overuse of the word 'they.' This may not be politically correct today, but I find it very difficult to follow who is being referenced by this pronoun. When a group of people leave, and someone who stays behind says that she misses them, it should reflect that she misses everyone that left. I understand what the pronoun is supposed to indicate besides a group of people, but I felt that the overuse of the word resulted in a book about a community that is completely gender fluid. I am not homophobic, but this made it hard for me to connect to the characters (despite my similar magical nature).
May 8, 2025
Id like to start off with stating I did like the book; However I am not the target audience. I did read the two previous books and again I enjoyed them but they aren't my favorite. This series is geared to a younger audience, and I do believe that it is good for the Middle grade and Highschool readers.
You do need to read the first two books before reading this one , these are very much a series and not intended to be a stand-alone
What I didn't enjoy in this book was it felt like it lost a tad bit of momentum that the first two books have started to build up.
I do like the blend of mythology and fantasy built up together in the world. I also do enjoy the continuation of the story that the first two books have started to build on.
I do enjoy books with multiple POVs, however this book felt like we were flipping a lot more frequently than I like. I think longer chapters in one POV would have been better.
The story gets a tad predictable, However for a younger reader this may no be the case.
Again I enjoyed the book, however I am 34 and probably not the target audience. This is a series id be happily gift a younger reader and be confident that they would enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the Digital Arc.
You do need to read the first two books before reading this one , these are very much a series and not intended to be a stand-alone
What I didn't enjoy in this book was it felt like it lost a tad bit of momentum that the first two books have started to build up.
I do like the blend of mythology and fantasy built up together in the world. I also do enjoy the continuation of the story that the first two books have started to build on.
I do enjoy books with multiple POVs, however this book felt like we were flipping a lot more frequently than I like. I think longer chapters in one POV would have been better.
The story gets a tad predictable, However for a younger reader this may no be the case.
Again I enjoyed the book, however I am 34 and probably not the target audience. This is a series id be happily gift a younger reader and be confident that they would enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the Digital Arc.
May 15, 2025
"Guardians of Dawn: Yuli" was a really good book. As someone who did not read the prior books, I can definitively say that it did an incredible job of explaining the world enough to where I understood the situation and events of prior books. The worldbuilding almost reminded me of Throne of Glass due to some similar overarching plot details; this would work really well as a middle school alternative to middle-schoolers who want to read TOG. It would also be a huge recommendation for fans of the Winx Club; I primarily imagined them the whole book.
I feel as though the stakes are where this book fell short. I found it hard to connect with the characters whenever they were solely focused on the Mother rising (as foretold in previous books), rather than current issues that were in their face the whole book. I imagine this will be revisited in the next book.
The diversity was where this book shined. I liked the fact that multiple nonbinary characters existed (and that they weren't limited to young/underdog roles). It's important to show adult nonbinary characters for teens who may be questioning their identity and wondering if it's "just a phase."
Overall, I'm excited to see what comes next!
I feel as though the stakes are where this book fell short. I found it hard to connect with the characters whenever they were solely focused on the Mother rising (as foretold in previous books), rather than current issues that were in their face the whole book. I imagine this will be revisited in the next book.
The diversity was where this book shined. I liked the fact that multiple nonbinary characters existed (and that they weren't limited to young/underdog roles). It's important to show adult nonbinary characters for teens who may be questioning their identity and wondering if it's "just a phase."
Overall, I'm excited to see what comes next!
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