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The Archer at Dawn

(The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy #2)

Swati Teerdhala (Goodreads Author)

4.03 · Rating details · 407 ratings · 107 reviews

The Sun Mela is many things: a call for peace, a cause for celebration, and, above all, a deadly competition. For Kunal and Esha, finally working together as rebel spies, it provides the perfect guise to infiltrate King Vardaans vicious court.

Kunal will return to his role as dedicated Senap soldier, at the Sun Mela to provide extra security for the palace during the peace ...more

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Hardcover, 449 pages

Published May 26th 2020 by Katherine Tegen Books

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Start your review of The Archer at Dawn (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy, #2)

Oct 12, 2020 Jananie (thisstoryaintover) added it

Shelves: books-i-own

THAT ENDING ! oh ! my ! god !
didn't love this as much as the first book but still loved all the twists and turns and sneaking and lies. excited to see how it's all going to end in the last one!

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Jul 27, 2020 Sahitya rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy-and-scifi, romance-and-or-relationships, 4-star, 2020-read

I was pretty sure it was gonna be a 3.5 but I cant deny that the ending deserves its own rating, so Im rounding up.

Just like The Tiger at Midnight, I had a lot of fun reading this sequel but I also cant deny that I saw stuff coming a mile away - if not the exact events, atleast the possible twists and who would be involved. For someone like me who never guesses anything and is totally ignorant of how to analyze any foreshadowing, I would have been happy about this except it was all a bit too ...more

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Apr 18, 2020 julia ♥ rated it really liked it

✧ﾟ: *✧ﾟ:* 　 Read the full REVIEW on my BLOG! ✧ﾟ: *✧ﾟ:* 　

Based on ancient hindu mythology and Indian history comes the second instalment in the Tiger at Midnight series by Swati Teerdhala. The series follows assassin Esha, nickname 'The Viper' who sets out to kill the general. Insert Kunal, the general's nephew, and a devoted soldier to the kingdom. When the two of them meet, they fall into an interesting cat-and-mouse game that will have unforeseen consequences.

The Archer at Dawn continues ...more

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May 10, 2020 Shealea rated it really liked it

Shelves: recommended, arc-review

I just think that this sequel tried to be so many things and do so many things that, ultimately and unfortunately, it delivered things in half-measures.

Full review to follow.

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May 19, 2020 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fantasy, review-copy, young-adult, mythology

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/24/...

I adored the first book, The Tiger at Midnight, and thought it was an incredible intro to the gorgeous, resplendent world created by Swati Teerdhala. Inspired by the culture of ancient India and Hindu mythology, this story takes readers to a kingdom in rebellion, and at the heart of the conflict are two charactersonce at oddswho are now slowly becoming friends and perhaps something more.

Esha, known as The Viper, is an 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/24/...

I adored the first book, The Tiger at Midnight, and thought it was an incredible intro to the gorgeous, resplendent world created by Swati Teerdhala. Inspired by the culture of ancient India and Hindu mythology, this story takes readers to a kingdom in rebellion, and at the heart of the conflict are two characters—once at odds—who are now slowly becoming friends and perhaps something more.

Esha, known as “The Viper”, is an assassin for the rebels. Kunal was a soldier for the empire, tasked to hunt her down. However, fate had other ideas, and now they find themselves on the same side, fighting to retrieve a long-lost princess from the clutches of her captors. The Archer at Dawn picks up where the first book left off, with our characters planning a daring mission to infiltrate the Sun Mela, an event that is both a celebration and a competition of wills held at the grand palace. Kunal’s experience in the Senap Guard puts him in position to be the perfect spy; he will return and take up his old post, providing security during the festivities while keeping his eyes and ears open for news of Princess Reha. Esha, on the other hand, will don a disguise and play advisor to Prince Harun, who needs to make a visible presence at the Sun Mela to recruit more allies to the resistance.

Unfortunately, problems arise not long after their operation begins. Esha discovers that those who murdered her family are in attendance and is overcome with the desire for revenge, even though it will jeopardize the rebels’ mission. As well, they are not the only faction with a hidden agenda, as the Crescent Blades learn of other players pulling the strings in this deadly game. Kunal also returns to the guard and finds that things are no longer the same between him and his former comrades now that his eyes have been opened to the truth of his commanders as well as rebellion’s cause. Not to mention, as the situation between him, Esha, and Harun grows more complicated, difficult questions are raised and loyalties are tested.

All told, The Archer at Dawn was a proficient sequel, though I feel it is quite common for second books to struggle to maintain the same momentum. This one doesn’t suffer the same way, per se, but I did find it just a shade less engaging as The Tiger at Midnight. The storytelling wasn’t as tight this time around, nor was it as exciting, though given how significant the theme of subterfuge was for the premise, perhaps that’s understandable. Admittedly, I was also a tad annoyed with the love triangle that was being teased here. Granted, it wasn’t overpowering, and I appreciated the author’s attempt to make it subtle. Still, it begs the question, then why bother have it at all? The plot would have been perfectly fine without it, and we wouldn’t have had to put up with Esha’s constant whining about her tortured feelings for Harun as she and Kunal grew closer. It just seemed like an unnecessary point of drama.

That piece of criticism aside though, I enjoyed seeing our characters continue to grow and find themselves. Kunal probably went through the most drastic change here; he has so much honor and discipline, but his time with Esha and the rebels has made him see that things are not so simple. Although he has a new reason to fight, there are still ties to his past that can’t be forgotten so easily, especially when he finds himself back in his old life trying to play at being the loyal soldier. Esha also continues to grow on me, despite her hemming and hawing over her relationships issues. We knew from the start the romance between her and Kunal would be a journey fraught with obstacles, but it was definitely handled better in the first book when it was a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse replete with innuendo and sexual tension. I do enjoy the progress they’ve made in their relationship, but at the same time I don’t want this tug-o-war of emotions to get too stale.

Still, there’s so much to get excited about. The world-building is superb as always, and we’re showered with even more historical and mythological elements in this sequel. The Sun Mela celebrations and games provided many opportunities to showcase the people and cultures of the world, and Teerdhala deftly weaves magic and wonder into the mix. There were also some rather cool revelations towards the end, which certainly ratcheted up the pacing and interest in the next installment.

Bottom line, if you were a fan of the first book, you owe it to yourself to pick up The Archer at Dawn to find out how the story continues. I found myself amazed and delighted, even though this novel took the series in a slightly different direction by emphasizing subterfuge and political intrigue. Ultimately, it was done in a clever and compelling way, and I am eager to see how the trilogy will wrap up in the next book. ...more

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May 27, 2020 Cait (Caitsbooks) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 2020-releases, to-be-reviewed

*Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change. All opinions are my own.*
Check out this review (and more) over on my blog!

Quick Stats:
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Archer at Dawn wasnt quite as amazing as The Tiger at Midnight, but it was still a solid sequel, and Im very excited to see where this ...more

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May 14, 2020 Shelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fantasy, 2020-release, arc-edelweiss

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

The Archer at Dawn is the second installment in author Swati Teerdhala's The Tiger at Midnight trilogy drawing inspiration from ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology. The story takes place in the lands of Jansa and Dharka, two lands bound together by magic that descended from twins Naria and Narian. The land requires a blood ritual from their bloodline, but thanks to a coup by the pretender King, Dharka is suffering. A ...more

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May 24, 2020 Nandini | Novels and Nebulas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read this early! I received an e-ARC from the author and Harper Collins.

✨ Reasons to Love ✨
✔ A+ romance
✔ Ancient Indian-inspired world
✔ Political intrigue
✔ Rebels, spies and secrets
✔ Explosive plot-twists

✨ Characters ✨
Since this is the sequel and I was already in love with the characters in The Tiger at Midnight, I was looking for more development and that's what I got. The romance goes down the love triangle route but I surprisingly was on-board with that. ...more

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Apr 24, 2020 USOM rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

(Disclaimer: I received this book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

The Archer at Dawn gave the characters I loved space to grow. It asks us if we can ever truly change and how one tries to change. Can we go back to what we knew a completely different person? One moment can change our life and The Archer at Dawn is all about the moment after. Whether it be living with the consequences of our actions or using our past to make ourselves a new future, ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Sarah M rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I think I've gathered my thoughts enough to finally write a review for this AMAZING book. With this second installment, Swati Teerdhala has not only met my expectations for a great book- she has exceeded them! One of my favorite things about this book is the characters. Swati does such an excellent job of writing compelling characters that I can't help but to love all of them. Even the ones I hate, I still love. And some of the characters...*cough* Alok *cough* I would without a doubt DIE for. ...more

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Apr 29, 2020 Ms. Woc Reader rated it liked it

I was given this arc courtesy of Harpercollins and Swati Teerdhala in exchange for an honest review. I will preface this review by stating I have not The Tiger at Midnight. Despite not having read the first book in the series I found it pretty easy to follow this story line.

I thought it started out at a very good pace. Despite being thrown into the action it wasn't hard for me to figure out some of the back story from the first book I missed.

I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of everything from ...more

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May 23, 2020 Milena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss

The Archer at Dawn is the second book in The Tiger at Midnight trilogy by Swati Teerdhala. I enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to reading the sequel. I was a little worried that it wouldn't live up to the first book because I've been disappointed in many sequels, but The Archer at Dawn was just as good as The Tiger at Midnight.

We get a lot more political intrigue in this book, and we get to know Esha's rebel team better, which what I wanted since reading The Tiger at Midnight. I ...more

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Apr 26, 2020 Leah rated it really liked it

Well! Wasn't this just a spectacular follow up to what was already a highly entertaining series!

Full review at Write, Read, Repeat

This book kicks off pretty soon after the end of The Tiger at Midnight. Kunal has turned his back on his Jansa soldier roots and has joined Esha and the Dharkan rebels, the Crescent Blades. Tensions are still high between both nations, but a tenuous peace may be on the horizon. Time is running out before the dying bond created by the gods fails completely, and its ...more

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May 02, 2020 Madison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

The Archer at Dawn is the second book in the Tiger At Midnight trilogy. Its packed full of intrigue, planning, action and court politics. There are secret kisses, secret alliances and big secrets revealed. Its also slightly torturous as it seems the closer Esha, Kunal and the Blades move toward their goal the more obstacles there are in their paths and the further they are from achieving anything.

As I was drawing near the conclusion of the book I wasnt sure I was going to be up for reading the The Archer at Dawn is the second book in the Tiger At Midnight trilogy. It’s packed full of intrigue, planning, action and court politics. There are secret kisses, secret alliances and big secrets revealed. It’s also slightly torturous as it seems the closer Esha, Kunal and the Blades move toward their goal the more obstacles there are in their paths and the further they are from achieving anything.

As I was drawing near the conclusion of the book I wasn’t sure I was going to be up for reading the third book. So much of this book’s plotting and scheming seemed about to come to nothing. But, at the last minute, one final reveal that comes out of nowhere had me hooked again and wanting to know what comes next. There’s a lot happening in in this book but I was a little disengaged as it seems like the characters aren’t going to achieve anything.

I like the characters. Esha and Kunal are exploring a new romantic relationship, while also testing the boundaries of their alliance and trust, introducing Kunal to the Blades and relying on him and his new found powers to help them complete the next part of the plan for reclaiming their country.

There is also a slight love triangle and Esha is torn between her new feelings for Kunal and the old, unrequited feelings for Harun. Esha is also torn between her desire for revenge on the people who killed her parents and the safety of the Blades’ mission. It means she makes some silly choices, but you can’t deny the depth of her hurt and yearning for recompense.

There is a warrior competition Kunal must enter that provides the action in the majority of the book, and Esha and Harun’s scheming provide the political tension. There are lots of near misses, secret alliances and sneaking around places they aren’t meant to be.

If you enjoy Indian inspired fantasy, you’ll love this series. The characters are strong and complex and the plot intriguing. You need to read book one in the series first before picking up this second book. It will be interesting to see how the story is brought to conclusion in book three.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library ...more

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May 05, 2020 Anandi Puritipati rated it really liked it

4.25/4.5 ish?

5 star ending tho BHAI

Update (17/06/2020):

The Archer at Dawn is the sequel to The Tiger At Midnight, and its the second book in the trilogy. After the end of the first book, this one starts off on a high-action point with Kunal and Esha following the leads they obtained in the last book in search of the lost princess of Jansa, Reha. I cant really say much without spoiling the first book, but, essentially, Kunals secret is still a secret, the romance is still a will they, wont they, 4.25/4.5 ish?

5 star ending tho BHAI

Update (17/06/2020):

The Archer at Dawn is the sequel to The Tiger At Midnight, and it’s the second book in the trilogy. After the end of the first book, this one starts off on a high-action point with Kunal and Esha following the leads they obtained in the last book in search of the lost princess of Jansa, Reha. I can’t really say much without spoiling the first book, but, essentially, Kunal’s secret is still a secret, the romance is still a “will they, won’t they”, and there’s still a lot that we’re yet to find out.

Filled to the brim with secrets and drama, political intrigue and action, heartbreak and romance, this book is perfect for a weekend off when you just want to be engulfed into a story and world that is so different from your own.

My favourite aspect in this story is definitely the atmosphere and the world-building. No surprises for anyone there, to be honest. I am a sucker for a good setting, and I am a double-sucker when that setting involves any bit of Indian history or mythology. I think it’s really hard to capture the true essence of any culture, especially one that is but a mosaic of thousands of other subcultures, Swati did an amazing job of it. You could taste the air of Jansa in the words that she wrote, and it was just wonderful to experience something like that.

The writing in this series definitely straddles the line between flowery and stoic, in my opinion. I would definitely have preferred a style that leans into its purple-ness, but that’s totally a personal preference thing. I do see why this kind of style was chosen, though, and I totally find that it fits perfectly with the action-filled nature of the story. The Archer At Dawn is not a slow-burn in any way, shape or form. There are a lot of plot points happening in tandem, and it definitely needed a writing style that would focus less on the shape of flowers and more on letting you know what’s happening in the story. Which is what the writing style here did. I’m rambling, but what I mean to say is that while the style fits the story perfectly well, I, personally, wouldn’t have minded some long-winded descriptions here and there and some nonsensical philosophizing thrown in for fun! xD

The characters in the story are also pretty well-crafted. My favourite was definitely the local cinnamon roll that was Kunal. Swati, in one of her interviews, talked about how she took inspiration from all the virtuous heroes in the Indian epics to build this beautiful baby boy, and you know what? It definitely shows! He’s this annoyingly virtuous fellow, but he’s not a self-righteous prick (well, not anymore), and he’s so kind and humble and loving that you can’t help but fall in love with him. I did not like Harun because he was a pretty nice guy and that meant he was the thorn in my side, meddling with my damn OTP and I wasn’t happy about that. And Esha. OH, ESHA! I have never met a more flighty, impulsive badass than this weird hoe right here. I don’t even know what I feel about her. Do I love her? Yes, kinda. Do I hate her? Also, yes, sometimes. She’s confusing and annoying, but also I would protect her with my soul and that’s all I can say. My favourites outside of the main cast in this book were the Queen from the neighboring kingdom, Yamini, Laksh and Alok, obviously, and Arpiya for that one scene where she flirted with Laksh in front of Kunal, and he just went “EXCUSE ME WTF MA’AM?!” Ah, favourite scenes, I tell you.

My internal tendency to reduce every epic fantasy to its romance takes over here as well, and I definitely found myself doing the same here. Kunal and Esha are just perfect together. THEIR SHIP NAME IS KESHA FFS!! And I just couldn’t handle the anxiety of that love triangle. Also, I felt like because whatever was happening between Harun and Esha was rooted in a past we weren’t privy to, the relationship really just felt like a weak thing even if there were words telling you otherwise. We could totally have benefited from some backstory and emotional manipulation, because I don’t see myself rooting for Harun and Esha AT ALL!

The second book really helped fill a lot of holes in the mythology that was introduced in book one, and I am sure book three will expand on it more. I still have a few doubts about the whole janma bond thing and the relationship between the twin kingdoms of Jansa and Dharka. Little inconsistencies here and there aside, The Archer and Dawn was just a super fun ride, and it gave me all the right feels! ALSO THAT ENDING LIKE I WAS SCREAMING BECAUSE THE ALREADY FAST PACE OF THE BOOK LIKE DOUBLED AND A LOT HAPPENED IN LIKE FIFTEEN PAGES AND I DON’T HAVE BOOK THREE AAAAAHHH!

I’m super grateful to Swati Teerdhala and Harper Collins for having me on her street team for this book, and for providing me with an early copy of it! I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for it to make its way into people’s bookshelves! Waiting eagerly for book three now!
...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Athena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fave-book-series, 2020-hot-release, own-voices, 2020-arc

The publisher kindly offered me an advanced reader copy via Edelweiss. Yet, this is an honest review of the book expressing my unbiased opinion.

The first book in the trilogy was great, and I loved it so much I couldn't wait for the sequel. But let me tell you that The Archer At Dawn is phenomenal. Along with Holly Black's The Wicked King, The Archer At Dawn is one of the best and most enthralling sequels I've ever read.

The book is told in Esha's and Kunal's points of view, and we have gay The publisher kindly offered me an advanced reader copy via Edelweiss. Yet, this is an honest review of the book expressing my unbiased opinion.

The first book in the trilogy was great, and I loved it so much I couldn't wait for the sequel. But let me tell you that The Archer At Dawn is phenomenal. Along with Holly Black's The Wicked King, The Archer At Dawn is one of the best and most enthralling sequels I've ever read.

The book is told in Esha's and Kunal's points of view, and we have gay representation which I squealed over!! It was wonderful to see that perfect pair coming together.

The world-building was stellar, as always. The setting descriptions were vivid and full of life; I could see the Pink Palace and taste Esha's mangoes. This series features world-building (in all aspects) at its best. Folklore and tales and mythology, all weaved together in a sweet package that makes you want more.

After some big changes in The Tiger At Midnight, our group of characters are adjusting, both emotionally and practically. It was a delight to see their growth. The way the characters interacted with each other, the banter, the wit, the giving and taking, the challenges they presented for each other was magnificent. If I had to pick one favorite thing from this book, it will be the outstanding ensemble cast and their interaction with each other. I loved them all. The overprotective Bhandu, the charming Harun, the firecracker Arpiya, and some characters that surprised me like Alok and Farhan.

Esha was magnificent, as always. She struggled with some decisions and made other hard choices, but her intellect and drive for justice remained true and fierce. Esha is everything I love in a main character. I'd follow her anywhere. I'm Team Esha all the way.

Kunal struggled the most with the changes, and I don't blame him. His thoughts and his perspective never dulled, however, and they always made sense. He changed a lot, but at the same time, he stayed true to who he is at his core, and I loved how the author managed this. It's another sign of how masterful the author is when it comes to character development.

Overall, I have nothing else to say except BUY THIS TRILOGY. Excellent world-building, incredible story-lines, amazing characters, blades, and mangoes. I swear you'll be as obsessed as I am with this series. I have the ARC, but I'll definitely preorder the hardcover to match The Tiger At Midnight. Swati Teerdhala is an author you don't want to miss.

5 stars – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Author: Swati Teerdhala
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books / HarperCollins
...more

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May 24, 2020 Solace_In_Reading rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, best-books-i-ve-read, fave-authors, favorites, yarc-2020, 2020-books, asian-author, series, female-role-models, will-blow-your-mind

5.24.2020
Thank you Swati Teerdhala for providing this ARC as part of the TigerWraith Warriors Street Team! I really appreciate it.

This is an amazing sequel with a lot of twists and turns that I did not expect at all. While the first book was a chase, this is a maze. The political intrigue was very well done and it was interesting to see Esha and Kunal's motivations change over time.

Basically, Esha and Kunal are working to rescue the lost princess, but encounter a lot more than they were ...more

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May 26, 2020 Pragati Chaudhari rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, romance, fantasy, mythology, arc, badass-women, mystery, indian-authors, royalty, magic

As seen on - The Archer At Dawn on The Inked In Book Blog

*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review. The thoughts are entirely my own and in no way biased.*

HOLY. FREAKING. SHIZ. I need a moment, or ten. Thats really all I can say. I did NOT see any of that coming. At all. None of it. Wow. Im gonna gather my thoughts for a second here because there is so much to say, but I dont even know how to say it.

So talking about the book. This picks up almost immediately after the end of TTAM and follows As seen on - The Archer At Dawn on The Inked In Book Blog

*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review. The thoughts are entirely my own and in no way biased.*

HOLY. FREAKING. SHIZ. I need a moment, or ten. That’s really all I can say. I did NOT see any of that coming. At all. None of it. Wow. I’m gonna gather my thoughts for a second here because there is so much to say, but I don’t even know how to say it.

So… talking about the book. This picks up almost immediately after the end of TTAM and follows our favourite couple (idc about anything else, Kunesha ARE a couple) on their new journey, this time in Jansa. New alliances are forged, new enemies surface, and in the midst of all the conspiracy are Kunal & Esha, trying to do the right thing.

One of the first things I noticed in this book is how much Teerdhala has improved in every aspect writing – from the plotting of this book to the characterization. Everything was much more vivid in this book as compared to the last one. I loved that!

We got to see the development of Kunal, Esha, and even Harun in this book. I was really surprised by how much I got to see Harun in this one. He grew as a character a lot. We got to learn more about him as a person, and his motivations behind doing what he did, behaving the way he did. His relationship with Esha was explored too, and I really liked their dynamic.

But, coming to our main characters – Kunal & Esha. I really liked how Esha shaped in this book. She was still the Esha we’d seen in the first book, but she was much more intense here, with respect to everything. It took me a while to get used to the actual depth of her emotions, but once I did, I could see why she would do the things she did. Her relationship with her best friend, Arpiya, whatever he is, Harun, and even her handmaid, Aditi, was pretty well fleshed out. It wasn’t just Kunal and Esha like it was in the majority of the last book. In fact, come to think of it, Esha had the fewest scenes with Kunal. Yet, their relationship was pretty well done, and we got to see them grow closer, trust each other more, and rely on each other to get them through the whole ordeal.

In this book, we got to see Esha struggling with balancing her identity as the Viper, as a leader of the Blades, and who she was herself. The conflict was really nicely put across, and we could see how difficult it was for Esha to exist as all three at the same time. She always felt like she couldn’t do anything without jeopardizing her role as someone else. I really liked the whole narrative where she tried to balance everything, and decide who she wanted to be. While she’s not completely there yet, she’s moving forward and I love that.

Coming to Kunal, he was still the same ole righteous Kunal who was only trying to do the right thing, but at the same time, not. Kunal’s sense of duty as a soldier conflicted a lot with the mission he had taken on. On top of that, forces other than the other soldiers and the Blades came out to play and made things even more difficult for him. He did make a lot of questionable decisions in this book, but the motivation behind doing so was always noble, which is why I’m not as mad at him as I should be. Keeping myself in his shoes, the possibility that I would have done what he did are pretty high, so I do see where he’s coming from, even though I wish he had handled things better.

The other minor characters that came into play in this story – Aditi, Esha’s handmaid, Lord Mayank, a nobleman, King Mahir, Harun’s father, and Princess Yamini of another neighbouring kingdom, as well as the rest of the Blades – all brought a lot of spin to the story and steered it in directions that I hadn’t even imagined. I will freely admit that I did not see about 70% of the plot twists coming in this one. That made the reading experience so much better for me. Something would happen and I would just gape at the screen like for 5 minutes, trying to process that it actually happened. It was so amazing!

We even go into more of world building in this one, ancient history being explored, more kingdoms coming into picture, and learning more about the janma bond. I really liked how all of it was explored and brought to the attention of the reader in bits and pieces as the story unfolded. Another really good aspect of this story was the court politics, which I never thought would play such a crucial role in this book, but it did. And it was really well done too.

All things considered, I think that The Archer At Dawn surpassed all my expectations after having read The Tiger At Midnight. The second book in itself is reason enough for you to pick this series up! I absolutely cannot wait to read the third book after how the second book closed, and I’m sure you’ll be the same! ...more

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May 27, 2020 Marzie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-edelweiss

The second installment in the Tiger at Midnight trilogy, The Archer at Dawn deepens the complexity of the relationship between Esha, a rebel fighter also known as Viper, and Kunal, her childhood friend, raised to become a military man for Jansa and its ruler Verdaan. Esha and Kunal found each other, and in spite of their differing political positions, are quickly falling in love. But just because a person was been your friend long ago in childhood doesn't mean you know really still know them, ...more

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Jun 01, 2020 Kali Cole rated it really liked it

What an end! I am so excited to see if there will be another book because things are ramping up!

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Feb 01, 2020 Minca Huiberts (My Winged Books) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-as-ebook

Thanks to Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

In the first few chapters it felt a little like I was reading A Tiger at Midnight again. But this is ofcourse is a new book, with a new storyline and after a few chapter it did took a different path. Eventhough I didnt want to lose the feeling of the first book, it happened. The story took a new turn, a different different path and I had to get used to it a little bit. The whole adventures cat and mouse Thanks to Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

In the first few chapters it felt a little like I was reading A Tiger at Midnight again. But this is ofcourse is a new book, with a new storyline and after a few chapter it did took a different path. Eventhough I didn’t want to lose the feeling of the first book, it happened. The story took a new turn, a different different path and I had to get used to it a little bit. The whole adventures cat and mouse game from the first story disappeared and now the characters started looking for the lost princess. More and more new characters are introduced, which made it a little harder to follow because the names that are used, aren’t quite common. Some characters even have nicknames or double identiteis which made things a little more complicated. But all those different characters did make the story more interesting because duet o the double identities and deserters it was hard to tell who to trust or who not to trust.

Despite the different setting and amount of characters, the writingstyle stayed the same just like I was used to from the first book. And this is a positive thing, because the first book was pretty nice to read. Now the second book is too. Because there were far more characters involved in book two, there were a lot more dialogs too. Sometimes I wondered if all of the dialogs were relevant to the story, but they kind of gave the story a little more dynamics. They were often alternated with other events and descriptions, but sometimes I missed a good amount of action. Luckily for me, in the second half of the book, there was more action, which increased the speed of the story. So the second part was more interesting and thrilling than the first part and the actual ending of the story caught me by full surprise. Probably because I didn’t know who to believe or who to suspect because of the higher amount of characters.

The second book in A Tiger at Midnight trilogie might be a little less adventures or exciting as the first book, but it is more interesting and unpredictable. Even though we have to wait a while for the third book, but after reading this ending, you want to read the final book for sure! ...more

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Jun 22, 2020 Megara Ryan rated it liked it

Shelves: kiss-or-kill, fantasy, romance, enemies-to-lovers, forgiveness-can-you-imagine, i-hate-love-triangles, royalty, artist, oh-no-i-skimmed

3.5 stars

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Aug 01, 2020 Sammie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: blog-tour-arc

You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.

Many thanks to JeanBookNerd and Katherine Tegen Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review and for inclusion on this blog tour.

Im always a little hesitant going into book two of a series, because the book two slump of a trilogy is real and sometimes frustrating, and that was my biggest concern when I picked up this book. Honestly, I enjoyed The Tiger at Midnight, but I LOVED The Archer at Dawn. Why was I even You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.

Many thanks to JeanBookNerd and Katherine Tegen Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review and for inclusion on this blog tour.

I’m always a little hesitant going into book two of a series, because the book two slump of a trilogy is real and sometimes frustrating, and that was my biggest concern when I picked up this book. Honestly, I enjoyed The Tiger at Midnight, but I LOVED The Archer at Dawn. Why was I even worried? Look at me being all silly and ridiculous.

The Archer at Dawn is a fast-paced, heisty book, filled to the brim with strong women, secrets, and betrayal. If the lush, Indian-inspired setting doesn’t get you, the witty character banter will.

I don’t usually make these comparisons, but the best way I can think to describe this book is an Indian Six of Crows, because the main plot of this felt very heisty and complex and I was so here for it.

Also, the title for book three hasn’t been released yet, but I’m totally going to make a prediction here. I’m gunning for The Chariot at Dusk. You heard it here first. I mean, come on, that would be a kickass title, right? We’ll have to come back in several months to see how close I was, so you have something fun to look forward to.

UPDATE: I NAILED IT, GUYS. The third title was released and it IS The Chariot at Dusk, so I win! What do I win? I dunno, just throw cookies at me and I'll be happy.

My Thoughts:

- I admit that I had a little trouble getting into The Tiger at Midnight because it felt a little slow, but that was so not a problem here. The Archer at Dawn starts with a bang, and once the action gets going, it just doesn’t let up. I do believe the action in this book would be considered a heist, and this is a trope that I absolutely live for. The stakes are high, and there’s action and manipulation around every turn. In short: these are my people. The big theme in this book is trust no one, because everyone has secrets. Even the people you thought you knew. There ends up being reveal after reveal in this book, to the point where it’s clear that there are so many sides to every story that things get twisted and no one actually knows the “truth” of any matter. I just adored the complexity this brought to the story!

- Somehow, despite all the dark themes of the book, this book is filled with a lot of hope and soul searching and just devastating realities and reveals that will crush readers. But … in a good way? I’m pretty good at guessing plot twists. I did guess a couple plot twists here, but I was also blindsided by a few others and just … phew. I had no more nails by the end of this book, because I’d chewed them all off. I expected, going in, that there would be backstabbing and betrayal, given the first book, and I wasn’t disappointed. But I was pleasantly surprised by the character arcs and some of the big reveals. The history in this world is so complex and convoluted, and it’s really starting to piece together in this book that not everything is quite as it seems. Perhaps my favorite part about that is how it impacts the characters, who have to come to grips with the realization that everything they’ve based their lives on wasn’t quite true.

- The found family in this is just … *chef’s kiss* Since all the characters have basically lost family members or are separated from their family, they’ve built up this support system, as you do. We got a brief glimpse of them in the first book, but here? They really shine. They actually take the spotlight, and I am so okay with this, because I loved them all. I absolutely love banter, and the interactions between the characters really did me in here, and I found that I couldn’t help but love them. There are still a lot of mysteries about them, which is understandable given the line of work they’re in as spies and assassins, but this book does a wonderful job of peeling back the curtain, just a little, and showing the team working together.

- Remember how I said I’m tired of love triangles, especially in YA, and really didn’t need this one? I take it back. It’s gotten interesting now. Okay, I will admit that the love triangle that had me so exasperated in the first book took a really freaking interesting turn in this book, and I’m so on board again. The thing about love triangles is that they often feel shoehorned in to add conflict, and the one in this book certainly does that … but in a way that feels much more genuine, more tied into the plot, and in a way that actually makes me stop and take notice because, gosh, emotions are complicated. I loved the more realistic turn the romance took in this book, where Esha really has cause to doubt her own heart and figure out what she wants, which is easier said than done. That’s all I’ll say on that, because honestly, it was a slow turn for me throughout the book, and I think it’s one of those things that you just have to read and experience yourself. ...more

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Aug 18, 2020 Shenwei rated it it was amazing

Shelves: asian-reads, by-and-about-poc

very rude that book 3 isn't out yet☹

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Jun 05, 2020 Xerxes rated it it was amazing

This is one of the most UNDER-RATED gems of the fantasy novel settings that Ive picked up. In the fantasy world which is traditionally Medieval European, we are increasignly seeing Chinese/Japanese fantasy is coming onto the forefront, along with African/Arabian inspired fantasy novels, this is another fantastic addition. This book is a combination of Avatar the Last Airbender and Game of Thrones mixed into one. It has the elements of YA tropes and it doesnt attempt to change it. Which I like. This is one of the most UNDER-RATED gems of the fantasy novel settings that I’ve picked up. In the fantasy world which is traditionally Medieval European, we are increasignly seeing Chinese/Japanese fantasy is coming onto the forefront, along with African/Arabian inspired fantasy novels, this is another fantastic addition. This book is a combination of Avatar the Last Airbender and Game of Thrones mixed into one. It has the elements of YA tropes and it doesn’t attempt to change it. Which I like. Why do I like it? Because the relationship between the two characters, Kunal and Esha will pay off at some point.

Throughout the novel, there is an intrigue of politics and backstabbing by rival factions trying to depose of a King. There’s exiled princes and long lost princesses trying to get their throne back. There is excellent world building on a scale that I am really impressed with. I can see the splendour of Ancient Indian cities similar to be described in Ancient Sangam Poetry. (Ancient Sangam Poetry refers to the Tamil Poetry of the South, in Ancient times around 1300 AD, where the Chola Empire conquered parts of South-East Asia) It is only a similarity, as the Pink City is inspired from the Pink Palace of Jaipur. There is definitve elements from Rajasthan and Rajput Culture as well.

I was not impressed with Kunal and Esha’s relationship, because as much as I wanted them to be together…Esha is the Viper, an assassin style character that has lost much in her life. Kunal is a Senap, a solider who found his uncle assassinated in the previous book. And they are both young. Esha has never forgetten her love for Harun, and it seems before meeting Kunal, they would have been in an adequate relationship. Hence, I was always thinking that Kunal needed to find someone else because Esha’s past is complicated. I disliked Harun the most, but I understood his motives. There’s a whole bunch of complex relationships playing along here that I leave it to you – it all makes sense in the end. There’s a massive pay off at the end. I did feel that they are still too young and not mature enough yet to figure what they truly want. I get what Kunal did…and I really want to see how their relationship will work out in book 3.

This novel should be celebrated for the fact, that with such ease it incorporates chariot races and shows the splendour of society. I like the new combination of a mythology that is very clearly inspired from Hindusim. In terms of characters that I think needed more scenes: Alok, Laksh, and King Mahir. I really liked them and felt they needed more scenes. Vaardan was an alright character, but I really felt I needed to see way more of his cunning. The pacing was slow in some cases, but towards the end it really felt me wanting to read on more. It’s def got the right pace and the right elements in hand.

But I did agree with Kunal. All his life he’s been a solider, yet he wants more out of his life. What else can he achieve? I wonder how it will play out with Esha…but the way I’ve read this book feels like I can compare to this Kingdom of Liars by Nick Martell. Not in terms of plot, but the fact that the characters all are asking the same thing which reminds me of Iroh’s quote to Zuko:

Who are you? And what do you want?

Overall, a fantastic addition that I think needs way more attention. It’s a 10/10 from me and I do you to read this. Read Book 1 first, and then this.

The payoff at the end of Book 2 will make your mind ponder with many questions.

Oh and one more thing. As I am a reader that likes listening to music when reading. I was listening to Games of Thrones Soundtrack Dragons Theme (S7-8) and when I read through the ending, it fitted PERFECTLY. Every last moment. Every last word. The soundtrack Against all Odds fits rightly. I was hooked onto it. I just feel sadness for Kunal and Esha, and yet I still wonder: Harun will not stop at getting Esha back. Something tells me that this book series will grow much darker (not too dark) but just enough to make the heroes of this book become the villains. That’s my prediction. I hated it when at the end of Season 8, John Snow had to kill the Queen he loved. In this sense, the ending feels similar, but not too much.

This is the start of an epic journey across an fantasy land that feels unique and something I haven’t read before – I feel immersed, and feel like there’s much more to this story than what is being shown. Book III will be the unraveling of this. ...more

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May 14, 2020 Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: advanced-reader, from-publisher

This is a book two and there will be spoiler for book one (The Tiger At Midnight) in my review.

I was a bit nervous to start this 450 page sequel, but I flew through it. The pacing is great from the start.

Kunal is working on his shifting and senses while he and Esha are hoping to stop the caravan they believe Reha to be in. Things don't go as planned and Esha decides that they need to meet up with the team, Bahandu, Arpiya, Aahal, Frahan, and Harun. They need to come up with a plan. The ...more

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Jun 10, 2020 Rich in Color added it

Shelves: fantasy

Review copy: ARC via publisher

I greatly enjoyed Swati Teerdhalas first novel The Tiger at Midnight and was bouncing on pins and needles waiting for the second installment to the series. I had high expectations for The Archer at Dawn and I can honestly say every single one of them were met.

The strength of both Tiger at Midnight and The Archer at Dawn are the main characters Esha and Kunal. Both have very strong voices and are characters that everyone can relate to. Both have their own agenda to Review copy: ARC via publisher

I greatly enjoyed Swati Teerdhala’s first novel “The Tiger at Midnight” and was bouncing on pins and needles waiting for the second installment to the series. I had high expectations for “The Archer at Dawn” and I can honestly say every single one of them were met.

The strength of both “Tiger at Midnight” and “The Archer at Dawn” are the main characters Esha and Kunal. Both have very strong voices and are characters that everyone can relate to. Both have their own agenda to changing their world, which sometimes comes in conflict between the two of them and sometimes is aligned. And that is the beauty of their relationship. Of course, this causes tension in their romance and makes them really fight for each other, for what they really want. The push and pull between Esha and Kunal that was established in the first book is taken to another level in this second book as the two work to establish their relationship and what they really mean to each other.

While “Tiger at Midnight” was more of a quest-like fantasy, “Archer at Dawn” is all the palace intrigue that allows us to learn more about the world. We get to know Esha’s fellow Crescent Blades more as well as her relationship with Prince Harun. We also meet King Vardaan and learn is not quite what his reputation is, which makes him a complicated villain. The court politics in play are so multi-faceted that there is no real way to predict who might even win. Then there comes a wonderful plot twist that was not telegraphed at all that made me just revel in how it caught all the main characters (and the reader) by surprise. It upped the tension ten-fold and led us into the third book which I wish I had already.

I’m loving the world that Teerdhala has created, from all the characters, to the palace intrigue, the mythology that shapes the character’s beliefs, the setting descriptions, everything. I get so immersed in Teerdhala’s world as her storytelling is a blend of action and deep character moments. I loved “Archer at Dawn” just as much as “Tiger at Midnight” and I can’t wait for the next book. ...more

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Jul 10, 2020 Tim rated it really liked it

"Mangoes. I bet he has mangoes."

I'm calling 'The Chariot at Dusk' as the title of the third book. That phrase passed through this book and it's entirely fitting with the rest of the series.
The Archer at Dawn is one of those in-between books, although not entirely as you'd expect. It has its good and its bad sides.
Mainly, the setting and plot line differ enormously from Book 1. Instead of travelling all over the continent, seeing how two people keep meeting one another, this book is set in one ...more

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Oct 29, 2020 Madhumita Kumar rated it liked it

Mixed feelings for this one; didn't enjoy it as much as Tiger at Midnight. A lot of the elements I liked in Tiger at Midnight weren't there in Archer at Dawn. Even though the book is more than 400 pages, I felt like not much really happened until the very end. I think I had about 50 pages left when all the real action started happening. Also, I felt that there was really little chemistry between Kunal and Esha in this one, especially since they had such few interactions, and I actually liked her ...more

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Oct 29, 2020 Geena rated it it was amazing

4.5/5

This was a good sequel to follow up the Tiger at Midnight. The character interactions and dialogue flows seamlessly and Teerdhala does an amazing job with setting up a scene with vibrant descriptions. We see more advancement in Esha and Kunal's relationship, and just how tangled it gets when they start keeping secrets from each other. Each think they're doing it for the other's good but folks, open communication in relationships is how you solve problems TOGETHER.

Compared to the first book ...more

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About Swati Teerdhala

Swati Teerdhala

408 followers

Swati Teerdhala is a storyteller and writer.

After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. Shes passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of chai, the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell.

She currently lives in New ...more

Other books in the series

The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy (3 books)

Books by Swati Teerdhala

The Tiger at Midnight (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy, #1)

The Chariot at Dusk (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy, #3)

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Quotes from The Archer at Dawn

“When I think of you, Esha, I imagine the monsoon. Warm and life-giving. Fierce and powerful.

A contradiction, just like a
warrior poet.” — 1 likes

“Kunal made a noise between a grunt and a sigh. "We need to move."

"Is he like this around you too?" Alok said, whispering.

"All honorable and brooding?"

"Oh, I like that description.” — 1 likes

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