What an amazing book!! Highly addictive! I spend through this so fast, sadly I lost my log in for netgalley or I would have posted the review sooner because this book was perfect in every ways!

Thank you to Ace & PRH Audio for the review copy!

DNF

I’m really excited that traditional publishing is so invested in the romantasy genre, I want to give every single one a try. Unfortunately, The Wind Weaver was a miss for me. I am not often a fan of amnesia type books, so if you are, you might really like this one! I found the pacing to be pretty slow, which can be normal for the beginning of a book - we need to learn the world, and that can take some time. What really began to bother me was that the FMC’s captor (and eventual love interest, I assume) knew more about her than she did. It bothered me that not only did she not have agency in the situation, being bound and captured, but she didn’t even have agency over her own self-identity. I think if the book had chosen to just explore one of those elements - Rhya learning who she is from her love interest OR being his captive - I could have enjoyed this. Based on the blurb, I think she’ll gain a lot more agency as she comes into her powers, so many readers may enjoy this one.

This wasn’t bad, but it seems like a mashup of all the Romantasy that came before it. Even some of the names or places seem a little too close to other books. If this is your first jump into the genre, I’d imagine you’d love it. A young girl who doesn’t know her power, stumbles into grumpy royalty. A kingdom on the brink of war. You know the drill. Overall not bad, but not all the unique either.

THE WIND WEAVER by Julie Johnson

Thank you @berkleypub & @acebookspub for my gifted copy. 💖 #berkleypartner #berkleyig
#penguinrandomhousepartner

✨ The Wind Weaver is the first book in the Reign of Remnants trilogy.

📖 In The Wind Weaver, magic and destiny collide in a war-torn realm where maegic is feared, and halflings like Rhya Fleetwood are hunted. Saved from execution by the ruthless Commander Scythe, Rhya is thrust into a perilous journey through the Northlands. As her powers awaken, she discovers she's a Remnant—one of four elemental beings destined to restore balance to their dying world. But harnessing her magic isn’t her only challenge—desire and danger blur as her connection to Scythe deepens. Rhya must decide whether to fight her fate… or embrace the storm within.

💭 This debut novel was a step outside my comfort zone, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. With lush, lyrical prose, Julie Johnson masterfully blends romance, fantasy, and adventure, crafting a fast-paced, high-stakes story that never drags. At nearly 550 pages, it’s longer than my usual reads, but I was fully hooked and completely invested in Rhya’s journey from start to finish.

If you're a romantasy fan who craves epic world-building, elemental magic, and sizzling tension between a fierce heroine and a morally gray love interest, The Wind Weaver absolutely belongs on your TBR. 🌬️

📌 Available now!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
4.5/5 Stars

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🌪️ Chosen One
☁️ Slow Burn
🌪️ Found Family
☁️ Enemies To Lovers

𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

ˋ°•*⁀➷” Fear only means you have something left to lose”

ˋ°•*⁀➷”’I thought you did not care what I thought,’ I whisper-voice stark, eyes fixed on his, heart thundering at twice its normal speed. …
‘I would give anything not to care.’”

ˋ°•*⁀➷”’Rhya,’ Penn whispers, his voice cracking. ‘Don’t you understand? You . . . You have undone me completely. I look at you, I touch you, I sense you near me, and I . . .’ His voice pitches lower, barely audible. ‘I pride myself on staying in control of all things. I am a master at it. But these days, I hardly recognize myself. I am a raw nerve, run ragged from trying to keep myself in check each time I’m near you.’”

ˋ°•*⁀➷” Wanting you is all I do, Rhya. Waking or dreaming, avoiding you completely or seeking out your presence. I want and I want and I want . . . And . . . It. F*cking. Terrifies, Me.”

💭 Thoughts-
I absolutely loved this book I thought it was so great and that the characters were all so great and each had their own emotions and stories which sometimes is definitely not the case, so I always appreciate when an author is able to do that and not just have the charters be cardboard cutouts of each other. I loved the plot and the whole story and idea of the book, I do only wish it had just more world building and plot because sometimes I felt that it just could have dived more deeply into different aspects of the pot and world building that was going on well I was reading it. All in all though, an amazing book that I would totally recommend!

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(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

I loved this one!.

I immediately fell into this world, the authors writing is captivating and filled with vivid imagery. I was hungrily moving through the pages wanting to know more, more about the world, about the main characters, about their secrets, and about their pasts. A tantalizing slow burn heavier in the fantasy elements of high was right up my alley.

I also loved the elemental magic and witty banter through out.

I actually loved this one so much that when I wasn’t able to finish by pub day I went back and got the audiobook which I thoroughly enjoyed and felt the narrator did an impecable job of.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and love the elemental magic. I love the tension. I love the world. I loved the magical creatures/ monsters. I am very interested in where this story will go.
Now, it says adult enemies to lovers. I will say that the main characters acted more like teenagers in their will-they-won’t-they romance. And it was more reluctant allies to lovers than enemies. And I wanted a bit more world building.
But overall I think this is a promising story and I will definitely be on the lookout for book 2!

I loved this book so much! I could not stop reading it, except for sleep and I am in need of book 2. The magic, the world, the characters, all of them were so well done and kept me immersed.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Am I a slow burn girlie now?

Why yes I am!

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC. This is my first time reading a book by this author, so I'm new to her writing. I love reading fantasy and the theme of this book stood out to me with the four elements, which is not something I read about very often. I'm used to vampires, and werewolves, witches, ghosts, etc. This story did have the same magical feel that many of the books I read and enjoy in the fantasy genre. At the beginning of the story I had a hard time becoming completely engaged. I became interested in the main male character, Penn, but there were moments when it felt like the story was dragging and I wanted it to speed up a little. The romance between the main characters Penn and Rhya was definitely a slow burn, but I would have liked more tension between the two before the build up. The way Penn treated Rhya at the beginning and then became to have feelings for her made it feel like I missed something I would have liked to see some of the small ways that made him want her. Overall, this was a decent read. I know there is more to come. I am curious about the fourth element and where they are. I have a feeling Soren will have a bigger role tied in with the fourth element in the next book/books to come.

This unfortunately wasn't a hit for me, and no one is more upset than I am. The premise sounded so intriguing to me and the magic system itself is awesome. I'm always a sucker for elemental magic. However, it was difficult for me to connect with the main character, and after the way the MMC treated her, it was almost impossible for me to be able to see him as any sort of romantic love interest. The only other female character was horrendous to the FMC which was disappointing as I think female friendships and connections are important in fantasy books like these.

Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

“You are the sentinel at the threshold of chaos. You will not yield. You will not fall.”

Unique magic systems, love triangles, he falls first, fae lore - what more could you want?! Windweaver was phenomenal with excellent prose and extensive world building. The only reason it wasn’t a 5 star for me is because I felt like there wasn’t a ton of things that actually happened in the plot per se, it was mostly world building which is great for a first book to turn into a series. The start was just a bit slow! Overall though this is a solid fantasy read and about to be a new booktok hit.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I liked the overall story. I liked the magic system, the world, and some of the side characters. Rhya's ability to manipulate wind is nice. I even like how it developments by the end of the book. With that being said, I wasn't particularly drawn to Rhya herself, or Scythe. I wasn't into the romance either, unfortunately. For maybe half of the book, she thinks she's in the hands of an enemy. I would think so, too, because Scythe didn't seem to care much about her well-being unless it suited him. I didn't think they had much chemistry. I felt like Rhya had more chemistry with the characters accompanying Scythe. Not to mention, there was more telling instead of showing when it came to how good of a guy he is. The side characters were vouching for Scythe, but it seemed like he couldn't, and wouldn't, show Rhya his better qualities until late in the book. I honestly felt like he didn't have much of a personality. By the time the two started sharing real romantic interest, Scythe's interactions with Rhya just didn't feel great to me. I am interested enough in the story to read the next book.

The Wind Weaver swept me away from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final breathless chapter. As someone who’s always drawn to stories with strong, emotionally complex heroines and rich, immersive fantasy worlds, this book was everything I hoped it would be—and more.

Julie Johnson’s writing is stunning. The way she builds tension, atmosphere, and character relationships had me fully invested in every twist, betrayal, and spark of romance. The world-building was lush without being overwhelming, and the pacing struck a perfect balance between action, political intrigue, and personal growth.

The protagonist is fierce yet vulnerable, navigating power, destiny, and identity in a world that constantly underestimates her. I found myself rooting for her not just in battle, but in every moment of self-discovery and defiance. Her journey felt personal—like something I could feel in my bones—and I loved watching her come into her own.

The magic system was unique and seamlessly integrated into the world, and the romantic elements were chef’s kiss—angsty, slow-burn, and absolutely worth the wait. The emotional depth between the characters made their bonds feel real and earned.

This book is perfect for fans of romantic fantasy who crave high stakes, rich lore, and heroines who rise from the ashes stronger than before. I was already impressed by the first book in the series, but The Wind Weaver has solidified Julie Johnson as an auto-buy author for me.

4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers fantasy! I loved the magic and romance. It's also such a pretty book!

A book cover can definitely influence me into purchasing a book, which was the case when it came to The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson. Just look at it! Isn’t it gorgeous? The next thing that grabbed my attention was the synopsis, which made me realize this book is right up my alley since I’m in my Fantasy Era for 2025. I also enjoy discovering new authors, and Julie Johnson is a New-To-Me Author.

The second I started reading The Wind Weaver, I was captivated by the story and its characters, especially in the beginning. The story is told solely from the perspective of the FMC, Rhya Fleetwood. Right from her introduction, she is in danger, with people attempting to kill her because she is a halfling. Fortunately, someone comes to her rescue just in time; however, her savior soon becomes her captor, and their relationship is anything but friendly at first. Throughout her journey, she finds herself in danger multiple times, but it’s her captor who ultimately comes to her rescue. Along the way, she meets and befriends many people and begins to uncover the truth about her identity, realizing that she is part of a prophecy that could save the realm. The challenge is that she has no knowledge of how to use her magic, and it will take her captor, along with another ally, to help her learn how to harness her powers.

I really enjoyed getting to know the FMC, Rhya, and the MMC, Pendefyre, as well as the magic system in this book when it came to the Remnants. It differs from others I’ve read in this subgenre. The story started strong, but unfortunately, it began to drag in the middle, and the pacing slowed down for me as I struggled to keep up with everything being introduced. I found myself setting the book down several times. At times, it felt overwhelming to follow along with what was happening with the characters.

Don’t get me wrong; I loved learning about Rhya and her powers when Pendefyre wasn’t trying to hold her back from learning how to harness them. There is someone else who actually helps Rhya more in finding out more about the prophecy and herself. He’s a character I hope plays an even bigger role in the next book.

When it comes to the romance between Rhya and Pendefyre, it’s a slow burn, and there isn’t much but kissing in this book and potentially one steamy scene that is interrupted. I’m not entirely convinced that the romantic relationship between Rhya and Pendefyre is strong, mainly because of how Pendefyre treats her. He is often absent and seems to view her as fragile. Rhya herself is unsure about her feelings for him, and the same goes for his feelings for her, even though others seem to notice a connection. I’m not sure what they see that I may have missed in the book, but perhaps things will change in the next installment of the series.

I’m actually more leaning for her to have a relationship with another character, especially with how the book ended. This character is more there for her than Pendeyre, especially when they are in a battle with the Reavers and Ice Giants. Yes, this potentially means a love triangle, but Julie Johnson may be playing with my feelings a bit.

Although I found myself putting down the book several times, I remain invested in the story and the characters, particularly with the way it ended. I need to know what happens next. I hope the next book is more gripping and filled with action-packed scenes, along with a deeper romantic connection for Rhya. Perhaps Pendefyre will pay more attention to her and trust her abilities more in the upcoming installment. Here’s hoping!

Overall, it was a decent read, and I would rate this book 3.25 stars. Although it didn’t completely capture my attention, I believe other readers might find it more enjoyable. Therefore, I recommend it to those who are in their Romantasy era, just like I am.

Audiobook Recommendation: I listened to the audiobook of this book (thanks to Libby) more than I read the physical copy, and I really enjoyed the narrator. Billie Fulford-Brown did a fantastic job narrating the story. If you enjoy listening to your books, I highly recommend the audiobook of The Wind Weaver.

What to Expect:
✔️Fae & Maegic
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Touch Her and I’ll ☠️ You
✔️Found Family
✔️Slow Burn

Ancient prophecies, a realm in doom, enemies to lovers… yes please!
I think this book is a well-executed epic fantasy with a higher-than-average romantic subplot. The book starts out with a bang and keeps you interested while providing in-depth worldbuilding and a magic system that will keep you surprised. Rhya was a halfling orphan in a world that hates faeries. She was raised by a kind soul, but when danger comes to her hometown she is forced on the run. Escaping a near death situation leads her into the arm of strong and silent, Scythe. He has her prisoner and takes her north, but enemies are on their tail and danger is around every bend. As their time together continues, she begins to feel like less of a prisoner and more of an equal. Rhya is a strong and dynamic female lead that can dish the witty banter as well as she shoots her arrows. Scythe may be of imposing physical stature but beneath his muscular form beats a heart of gold. The dialogue between the two is top notch, even if their communication skills leave a bit more to be desired. The world that Johnson has created is vibrant and is a place you want to get lost in for as long as possible. The side characters will easily win your hearts and leave you feeling invested in the outcome of this series. I know this book has just come out, but I am already eagerly waiting for book two. This was an action-packed fantasy with an enemy to lover’s romance and hints of epic love triangle in its future. Fans of romantasy will enjoy this book but it is more tension than release. I see bright things for the future of this series.

Julie Johnson starts a tale about a world falling apart after the death of the king of elves. Halflings like Rhya Fleetwood are hunted to death, but Rhya bears a birthmark making her the Remnant of Air. There are four remnants and if all come together, they can restore peace and tranquility to Anwyvn. In this first part of the tale, Rhya has to learn to become The Wind Weaver (hard from Ace) She has to work with the remnant of Fire, Penn, who had loved the previous remnant of air, and Soren, the remnant of water. Sequels will bring the remnant of Earth. The romance is hot and heavy, and unrealized so far. Lots of fun.

3.75 stars - This was a lot of fun! It was a quick read that hooked me immediately and I'm so intrigued by the magic system, the political intrigue, and the potential this series has. While it wasn't the most original story, I still thought it was well written, the pacing was decent and it was such a fast and easily digestible fantasy. I did think that the relationship between Rhya and Penn (his full name being Pendefyre is a true ridiculous tragedy) felt a bit surface level, I wasn't totally sure why they liked each other beyond trauma bonding and a magic elemental pull but I'm curious what will happen next. I also cannot wait for more of Soren - he was such a dynamic character and I immediately fell for him. The delicious tension between him, Rhya, and Penn is going to excellent.

Overall, would absolutely recommend this one - thank you so much to Berkley and Ace Books for the eARC, all opinions are my own!

The Wind Weaver is the first book in the Reign of Remnants fantasy series, and what an incredible introduction it is! The story follows Rhya, a fae halfling on the run who is saved from execution by a mysterious mercenary, Penn. She discovers that Penn is determined to deliver her to safety because she is one of the four elemental remnants destined to restore magic to their dying world.

This gripping tale masterfully blends magic, mythology, adventure, and slow-burn romance. The rich world-building and unique elemental magic system were exceptionally well done. Not only do we have compelling main characters but the side characters are unforgettable and bring the most heartwarming touch of found family to the story. The angst, banter, and longing between the two MCs was swoon-inducing and Johnson had me kicking my feet with hints of a potential love triangle. I adored every minute of this one and I’m eagerly awaiting the second book in the series! Highly recommend for the romantasy babes.