I wanted to love this book. I love elemental stories and I thought the beginning was super interesting. Rhya is about to be killed and is saved by a mysterious man who take her with him. Unfortunately, Penn is one of the major reasons I really disliked this book. The first halfish of this book is Rhya’s journey to the north with Penn and then with his guild. It takes so long to get anywhere and no one is telling Rhya anything at all, which makes no sense. They hit pretty much every setback imaginable, which got exhausting when it takes up almost half the book. Penn is very unpleasant to her for most of the journey, which also makes no sense because if he wants her help with the prophecy, you wouldn’t think he would treat her like either a sack of potatoes or a child. Him treating her like a child happens throughout the book. He never wants to tell her anything and will physically grab her or move her like a toddler.

Rhya is incredibly generic. She’s sort of perfect at everything (except in her knowledge of the world, which comes and goes depending on plot convenience) and everyone loves her. In fact, it was super easy to pick out the bad people because they just didn’t like Rhya. It was also extremely easy to spot who was going to die because it was also the most obvious answer.

I really dislike Penn. The writing tries to explain why he’s so bad tempered, but it feels more like an excuse than anything. He would constantly jump to conclusions, especially in jealousy, especially when another specific character showed up and he wouldn’t give Rhya ten seconds to explain what the heck happened. Rhya does stand up for herself sometimes, but he never really gets better about leaving her in the dark or reacting negatively.

The second half of the book is almost slice of life, if slice of life included kidnapping attempts, but it means there is no central point for the story to build up to. Rhya is trying to master her wind powers and also be fawned over by literally every person in the story that isn’t evil. Even if you are here mostly for the romance, it keeps stopping and starting in a way I think is supposed to be slow burn, but instead just comes off as tedious. Penn and Rhya take turns avoiding each other for large swaths of the book.

The romance just doesn’t feel natural. Other than their powers kind of calling to each other, I have no idea why Rhya likes Penn. He basically never stops acting like she’s an idiot. Which, she kind of is, but everyone in this book isn’t super smart.

There was also small things like Penn saying his sister is a good ruler, when we’ve actively been shown that all she cares about is her own court and Penn literally does everything else and the citizens seem to want him as king. Maybe I missed that this was supposed to be written as him doing some kind of lip service or that he believes it but its wrong, but that didn’t feel like how it was written to me. Another thing was that someone who is pregnant lived “within a half day’s riding distance to several midwives” which kind of feels wild when you live in the capital city? I feel like a midwife would be closer than that and they would likely know the woman is super close to giving birth and be ready, but it had to be a moment that showed Rhya being a saint.

I’m sorry, I just didn’t like this book. It was a struggle to finish. I’m happy for anyone who liked it, but I would not recommend it and I won’t be picking up the next one.

3.75 Stars



Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

The first 60% of this book was incredible. I was immediately engrossed in the book, the opening of the book was incredibly unique and really gets you invested in the story. I love the heroine Rhya and the hero “Scythe”. Their journey, their banter, their chemistry and development over this portion of the book was superb. I loved the world as well and the descriptions, I was fully expecting this to be a 5+ star read.

Then around the 70% mark things took a turn. Shortly after they reach their destination, it almost feels like i began reading a different book. I had no idea what the plot was, the timelines didn’t make sense and the book just stopped flowing. It is almost like every chapter was separate. it really bummed me out as the first part was so so so good.

The other thing that i love and hate is the cover of the book. It is stunning…absolutely beautiful, and will definitely catch people’s attention. That being said the bird on the cover has zero relation to this book. I went in fully expecting a magical phoenix-like mythical creature to play a role in the book, but there is nothing.

Thank you for the free book, Berkley Romance.

Alexa, play Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. In this new romantasy series, Rhya is about to be executed for the crime of being a halfling when she is saved by the mysterious Commander Scythe. He sets off with Rhya on a new journey and she is now his prisoner. She learns that she is one of four beings with a special connection to the earthly elements- she is known as the wind weaver.

I absolutely loved this book- couldn’t put it down, basically wanted to eat, sleep, and breathe in this world until I could finish this book. How am I going to wait for book two? The writing and storyline were so addictive and page turning, reminiscent of other romantasy books I’ve enjoyed but yet still unique. I loved some of the mystery that’s left to be uncovered, the early romance, the possibility of a love triangle (maybe? We’ll see?) and so much action and adventure. No notes, I loved it, and I can’t wait for more!

-4.5 stars rounded up-
The Wind Weaver is a romantic fantasy that centers around a girl with one of a kind magic in a dying kingdom. In order to restore life and balance to the kingdom, she must reunite with the others to reunite power with the lands. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to. The characters were so relatable and I loved Rhya’s fire. As for the magic system, it was unique and unlike any magic system I’ve ever read before. Another thing about this book that immediately caught my eye is the cover, which is really gorgeous. Right now, this is one of my top reads this year. Overall, The Wind Weaver is a romantasy with lovable characters that will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Features-
- Enemies to lovers
- Slow burn
- Romantasy
- Unique magic system
- Touch her and die
- Adventure
- Found family
- Prophecies

I felt that despite the length and promising summary, this was not a hit for me. The politics were very underwhelming. The story was very slow paced. It didn't keep me intrigued.

The writing in this book is just beautiful. The pacing is superb. This book had me HOOKED. The found family in this is 10/10. The banter ia excellent all around. And the plot twists. Omg.

Wow what a beautiful Romantasy! This is going to be a hit with booktok! I can already see it. What a breath of fresh air!

I got off-putting vibes from the very first chapter, and the plot never had any meaningful direction.

thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Stars!

I was sucked in to this story from the VERY beginning! I love how the world-building was spread out throughout the whole book rather than dumped all at the beginning. It does make for some frustrating times but that's just because I couldn't wait to get some of the answers we were seeking. We have an FMC with unknown powers being thrust into a world she knew very little about (and really thought most of what she did know was more mythical than reality). She's grown up in a world where her fae heritage has marked her as a very lower-class and undesirable person. We meet her when she is captured and set to be executed but is quickly rescued by an unknown person who has plenty of secrets of his own!

This book starts with a bang with lots of action and adventure. The FMC is feisty but also very gentle (she's been raised as a healer). The MMC is very broody and has lots of trauma from his past that he has to overcome. These two characters together are very volatile and fun to read. Lots of yearning and tension! I felt like the overall pace of the story was solid. It really does start strong and just keeps going for quite a while. There is a bit of a lull in the middle where we're kind of going in circles a bit between the FMC and MMC (lots of "I want you but I can't have you" kind of moments) but it definitely picks up towards the end and finishes strong.

The full cast of characters are great as well, and provide the makings of a found family that the fantasy genre loves to employ. It works well here to provide some lighthearted relief and safety at needed times.

This was (in my opinion) an excellent set up for the trilogy. We have received lots of information, we have set up the big conflict that will need to get resolved, we have started a slow burn relationship that hopefully will continue to catch, and I'm fully invested in how this story will continue and evolve in the next books. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys the romantasy genre and books like Quicksilver, the Artefacts of Ouranos series, etc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I stopped reading this book at 40% due to two main issues: inconsistent pacing and lackluster characters. The story had long travel sequences with little plot or character development, making it hard to stay engaged. The characters were flat and didn’t spark any interest, so I struggled to care about their journey. While the premise had potential, the pacing and character depth were too underwhelming for me to continue.

However, this book still has a lot going for it. If you like a broody, hunky MMC, seems to be a slower burn with elemental magic you may enjoy this book! I just prefer a bit more character development and faster paced plot

5 amazing stars!!! This book just sucked me in!!! Watch out fourth wing- the wind weaver is coming! I sooo loved this genre - romantacy at its best! I savored every page and the ending will leave you speechless! I can’t stop raving about this book and I cannot wait for the next one!

The first book in the Remnants series is a strong start to what could very well be the newest craze in the growing Romantasy trend. While there is a lot of world-building in this book, it never feels confusing, despite it slowing down the plot at various points. The FMC Rhea is early in her character development and at times a little grating, but I love that she has so much room to grow! The MMC Prince Pendefyre is swoon-worthy, brooding, and protective, but also clearly has room for some emotional growth and complexity. Johnson builds out a cast of characters in this first book that establishes a found family you can't help but love. The structure and pacing were reminiscent of ACOTAR but with enough differences and complexities that it doesn't feel derivative. Overall, I don't believe this book works well as a standalone but is setting up a much larger plot line and story that I can't wait to see unfold in the coming books!

2/5 Stars
I enjoyed the premise of Wind Weaver.
Based on the synopsis, I had such high hopes for this book.

I struggled with the main FMC & MMC character development which had no depth and/or dimension.
Rhya was an okay female main character. Nothing to get excited about. Penn was plain boring. I would have liked to have seen more background and personality built into both main characters. Honestly, I loved Soren from his first appearance!

For a Romantasy book, the romance between Rhya and Penn was like... watching paint dry. Seriously? It was totally unbelievable that they had even the smallest feelings for each other.

I am still unclear with what the actual plot of the story was.
For such a long book I kept hoping things would turn around and get better but they only got more confusing.
Sadly, I don't have much interest in continuing the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC.

Julie Johnson's The Wind Weaver is a spellbinding entry into the romantasy genre, seamlessly blending magic, adventure, and romance. Set in the war-torn land of Anwyvn, where fear of maegic leads to the persecution of halflings, the narrative follows Rhya Fleetwood, a halfling whose life takes an unexpected turn when she's saved from execution by the enigmatic Commander Scythe. As Rhya journeys through the treacherous Northlands, she uncovers profound truths about her identity and the destiny that awaits her.

Johnson's world-building is both intricate and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a realm fraught with danger and wonder. The characters are richly developed, with Rhya standing out as a resilient and relatable protagonist. Her evolving relationship with Commander Scythe is a highlight, characterized by a slow-burn tension that keeps readers engaged.

The narrative is well-paced, balancing action-packed sequences with moments of introspection. However, some readers might find certain chapters longer than typical, which can affect the story's rhythm. Additionally, while the romance is compelling, there are instances where it edges into familiar tropes.

Overall, The Wind Weaver is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance alike. Its blend of elemental magic, prophecy, and complex character dynamics makes it a standout addition to the genre.

The Wind Weaver is a slow-burn romance and high-stakes adventure with an FMC who refuses to back down. Rhya is a feisty heroine with a sharp tongue and unwillingness to be controlled by anyone. From the moment she's rescued or taken by the powerful and stoic Commander Scythe, their dynamic is tense and fiery, with unsaid words. It was satisfying that Rhya matched wits with him and never lets him put her in a box.

The prophecy storyline was interesting and created a thrilling fantasy element. When Rhya's discovery of her power and what it means for her world leads to some exciting action. Her character development is full of high personal stakes and loss. The pacing of the whole book builds steadily, and the revelation about her magic is perfect. Due to the slow-burn romance, you will feel it is slower than most other books and be in complete anguish for it to happen. The ending brings about a powerfully climatic action. Rhya's journey is one you won't want to put down.

I was gifted an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing, Ace.

I really enjoyed this book. I will say it does take a bit to get into as the world building takes a bit to develop. But after that the book is very fast paced, very well written and left me longing for more.

Overall this book was well done! I feel that in the beginning the pacing and world building was a bit slow, but did pick up as everything went on. It did take me a bit to get into this story. I felt like the MC was portrayed well and was very relatable. I am excited to see how this story continues

Overall I liked this book by the ending. The first quarter of the book was really slow when it came to the pacing, worldbuilding, and everything that was going on. I kept pushing and I am glad that I did because it got so much better and I'm excited for the next book. I like the magic aspect and how the fmc was still coming into her powers. I liked the fmc and seeing her grapple with her powers and the mmc and all the other stuff was interesting to me once the story started. The romance is a slow burn and there is tension I do think the relationship developed well and there wasn't much steam but it may be coming. The prophecy, adventure, and stakes in this story were high, especially toward the end, I will be awaiting the second book. Thanks to Ace Books for this arc for an honest review.

My most anticipated 2025 read!! I'm thrilled I got approved for the arc because, funny story, I signed up to do arcs because of this book. I am now 40 something books reviewed for netgalley and have LOVED the reading journey and full circle, I was blessed with being approved by the one book I really looked forward to and started doing arcs for. And it did not disappoint. I have been a huge fan of Julie Johnson since her paranormal romance: Bad Luck Charm.
The writing is as beautiful as the cover. My favorite thing being the banter. The banter between the main characters was hilarious and moved the story along. If you liked Kingdom of Lies I think you'd like this as it has the same type of enemies to lovers adventure vibe. The present tense was a little hard to get used to, but once I reached 25%, it felt natural. You also end up getting a better feel for the main character and her personality at that point. I really loved the pacing of the story and the characters. Such a good start to the series. I'm looking forward to see where it's going.

This book is a wild ride from start to finish, fast paced with great world building, slow burn romance, and lotssss of tension (we cheer!!!). The enemies to lovers dynamic is spot on and the found family trope shines so much. Magical creatures, plot twists & a unique prophecy, I literally couldn't ask for anything more