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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Really liked it. It’s kinda similar to the first a court of thorns and roses. Main love interest is Penn but towards the end it kinda feels like Soren (the other elemental) will be her actual love interest. He gives Rhys vibes
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Review: Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson (Remnants #1)
💜💜💜.5 | 🌶️ Mild
Wind Weaver kicks off the Remnants trilogy with a solid blend of elemental magic, shifting alliances, and an intriguing dystopian world where bloodlines and power are tightly woven together. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s a satisfying read for fans of YA fantasy with a dash of romance and rebellion.
The story follows a young woman—your fairly typical semi-reluctant heroine—who begins to awaken to a power she didn’t know she had. As she uncovers truths about her past and her world, the stakes rise and so does her strength, both magically and emotionally. The FMC starts out unsure but becomes more assertive, and watching that progression is one of the highlights of the book.
There are two possible MMCs, and while the love triangle isn’t overwhelming, it’s present enough to create tension. One of them definitely stands out more as a long-term match (I’ve picked my side—curious to see how it plays out in book two).
The world-building is decent—interesting but not overly complex, with political unrest, elemental powers, and an undercurrent of rebellion. The pacing picks up in the second half, and there are a few nice twists along the way.
Overall, Wind Weaver is a good series opener: it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it’s engaging enough to keep reading. If you like character-driven fantasy with light romance and elemental magic, it’s worth picking up.
Bonus: The Fairyloot edition is gorgeous, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Thank you so much Netgalley and publishers for allowing me access to this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rhya Fleetwood (who wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Stevie Nicks) lives in a world torn by war, where humans hate all things Fae and Maegic. Running from those who hunt her but also from herself as well for she is the Wind Weaver, a remnant of Air.
Captured by a group of human soldiers intent on executing her for the crime of simply existing, she gets saved by Commander Scythe who unbeknownst to her has secrets of his own.
I loved.. the fuck out of this book! There were a few things that bothered me a wee bit.. but I was able to look past that and enjoy the story. (we will get back to that later)
I loved the world building was good, and I loved the unique maegic system that was created. I enjoyed knowing that their maegic did in fact have limits and could have deadly consequences if left out of control.
I liked the banter and the newfound family aspect when it came to the future soldiers Rhya runs into.
Even though the book was long, it actually didn't feel like it. There was enough action and things going on in it that I wasn't ever bored which is nice.
When the ending scenes started, I 👏🏻ATE👏🏻 IT 👏🏻UP. It was awesome. I could literally see myself there.
Now to the maybe fun part?
Cons:
I didn't really like the whole "I like him. no, I hate him. Okay I like him again. No we are enemies." the back and forth just irritated me a bit.. cause like he would listen to her wishes and leave her in peace but then her inner monologe is "where is he? I miss him. how dare he ignore me." it was just bothersome.
Also.. what I really didn't like was the fact that the main character is practically, almost useless. It was almost like she was purposely kept useless, pathetic and in constant need of saving to fulfill a white knight mentality. Disliked that.
When she does actually help, she does more damage to herself because no one bothers to teach her how to use her maegic properly. How is she supposed to know, if no one bothers to teach her?! 😫
All in all, would recommend with my whole SOUL! Epic journey with alot of action and laughs.
Plus, one bed trope, one horse trope, found family, hate to Love.
TWs for Mentions of SA, Child Loss.
Murder on and off page. Blood, gore. Mild cursing.
Rhya Fleetwood (who wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Stevie Nicks) lives in a world torn by war, where humans hate all things Fae and Maegic. Running from those who hunt her but also from herself as well for she is the Wind Weaver, a remnant of Air.
Captured by a group of human soldiers intent on executing her for the crime of simply existing, she gets saved by Commander Scythe who unbeknownst to her has secrets of his own.
I loved.. the fuck out of this book! There were a few things that bothered me a wee bit.. but I was able to look past that and enjoy the story. (we will get back to that later)
I loved the world building was good, and I loved the unique maegic system that was created. I enjoyed knowing that their maegic did in fact have limits and could have deadly consequences if left out of control.
I liked the banter and the newfound family aspect when it came to the future soldiers Rhya runs into.
Even though the book was long, it actually didn't feel like it. There was enough action and things going on in it that I wasn't ever bored which is nice.
When the ending scenes started, I 👏🏻ATE👏🏻 IT 👏🏻UP. It was awesome. I could literally see myself there.
Now to the maybe fun part?
Cons:
I didn't really like the whole "I like him. no, I hate him. Okay I like him again. No we are enemies." the back and forth just irritated me a bit.. cause like he would listen to her wishes and leave her in peace but then her inner monologe is "where is he? I miss him. how dare he ignore me." it was just bothersome.
Also.. what I really didn't like was the fact that the main character is practically, almost useless. It was almost like she was purposely kept useless, pathetic and in constant need of saving to fulfill a white knight mentality. Disliked that.
When she does actually help, she does more damage to herself because no one bothers to teach her how to use her maegic properly. How is she supposed to know, if no one bothers to teach her?! 😫
All in all, would recommend with my whole SOUL! Epic journey with alot of action and laughs.
Plus, one bed trope, one horse trope, found family, hate to Love.
TWs for Mentions of SA, Child Loss.
Murder on and off page. Blood, gore. Mild cursing.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
This had so many things I love in a fantasy and I did really enjoy it but there were several things I couldn't get past. Very slight spoilers ahead - this felt like it wanted to be a slow burn but it was instalove after not much time getting to know each other. I felt like we were missing background information on our main characters to really understand their intensions. The plot I also found meandering and it wasn't clear to me what the 'end goal' was going to be. ALL of that being said I did enjoy this and some of my questions may be answered in future books in the series.
Character rating - 3.5.
Plot rating - 2.5.
Setting rating - 3.5.
This had so many things I love in a fantasy and I did really enjoy it but there were several things I couldn't get past. Very slight spoilers ahead - this felt like it wanted to be a slow burn but it was instalove after not much time getting to know each other. I felt like we were missing background information on our main characters to really understand their intensions. The plot I also found meandering and it wasn't clear to me what the 'end goal' was going to be. ALL of that being said I did enjoy this and some of my questions may be answered in future books in the series.
Character rating - 3.5.
Plot rating - 2.5.
Setting rating - 3.5.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
"Can you truly be so sheltered?"
"Can you truly not give a straight answer to a single one of my questions?"
"You try my patience, girl."
"I wasn't aware you had any to try."
____
This book was immediately engaging - I had picked it up from the library, forgot about it until it was blocking my card, and just casually glanced at the opening pages as I was getting ready to run out the door and return it to the library. Ended up canceling the trip to the library and blasting through it instead (and then I returned as soon as I was done and bought my own copy, don't worry). The monsters are creepy, the stakes are high, the revelations are neither blatantly telegraphed way in advance nor come out of nowhere. The tension is sizzling (though I do have some spoiler-y thoughts below on that subject). The banter is bantering. The found family is superb and I am instantly devoted to all of them.
Rating: 4.75/5 (see spoiler-y notes below)
Spice: 1/5
Tropes:
- Chosen one
- Enemies to lovers
- Fae
- One horse
- Deadly magical creatures
- Hidden identities
- Touch her and die
- Forced proximity
- Elemental magic
- Found family
Now, my rating here is a slightly mutable thing, and my reason for this dances dangerously close to the spoilers cliff, so proceed at your own caution. About 50-60% of the way through the book, I suddenly became convinced of a theory that I strongly suspect will be proven true in the next book. If it doesn't, then that honestly would bring down my review for this one because I'm banking on the stuff that frustrated me being rendered moot by this anticipated plot twist:Penn isn't the true MMC, it's going to be Soren. While Penn does make for an engaging MMC for the sake of this first book, there were enough things about him and his relationship with Rhya that didn't quite sit right that if he ends up actually being the end game MMC, barring some MAJOR character development, this book will lower in my esteem. Basically, I think he's Tamlin (hopefully minus the future temper tantrums). Consider (SPOILERS AHEAD): he continues to treat her badly and as a captive far past the point when he knows better. He continues to hide secrets. He prioritizes her safety over her agency or freedom - up to and including keeping her locked in a literal tower at points. He doesn't inspire or teach her the best and truest use of her powers. There's definitely true affection and attraction there on both sides, but is he really acting as a partner?
Compare with Soren (again, SPOILERS AHEAD): who immediately gives her answers, who writes sassy little annotations in the book he gave her so that she can further educate herself on this new world and her role in it, who teaches her how to embrace her magic instead of fearing and fighting it, and at one point literally stands shoulder to shoulder with her to fight the bad guys.
All of which to say: My review goes down if the endgame guy really is the guy who bitched at her for no reason and locked the damsel in a tower. My review stays the same (or perhaps upon a reread even bumps up to a perfect 5-star) if I'm right and she ends up with the guy who brings out the best in her and wants to stand with her as equals.
"Can you truly not give a straight answer to a single one of my questions?"
"You try my patience, girl."
"I wasn't aware you had any to try."
____
This book was immediately engaging - I had picked it up from the library, forgot about it until it was blocking my card, and just casually glanced at the opening pages as I was getting ready to run out the door and return it to the library. Ended up canceling the trip to the library and blasting through it instead (and then I returned as soon as I was done and bought my own copy, don't worry). The monsters are creepy, the stakes are high, the revelations are neither blatantly telegraphed way in advance nor come out of nowhere. The tension is sizzling (though I do have some spoiler-y thoughts below on that subject). The banter is bantering. The found family is superb and I am instantly devoted to all of them.
Rating: 4.75/5 (see spoiler-y notes below)
Spice: 1/5
Tropes:
- Chosen one
- Enemies to lovers
- Fae
- One horse
- Deadly magical creatures
- Hidden identities
- Touch her and die
- Forced proximity
- Elemental magic
- Found family
Now, my rating here is a slightly mutable thing, and my reason for this dances dangerously close to the spoilers cliff, so proceed at your own caution. About 50-60% of the way through the book, I suddenly became convinced of a theory that I strongly suspect will be proven true in the next book. If it doesn't, then that honestly would bring down my review for this one because I'm banking on the stuff that frustrated me being rendered moot by this anticipated plot twist:
Compare with Soren (again, SPOILERS AHEAD): who immediately gives her answers, who writes sassy little annotations in the book he gave her so that she can further educate herself on this new world and her role in it, who teaches her how to embrace her magic instead of fearing and fighting it, and at one point literally stands shoulder to shoulder with her to fight the bad guys.
All of which to say: My review goes down if the endgame guy really is the guy who bitched at her for no reason and locked the damsel in a tower. My review stays the same (or perhaps upon a reread even bumps up to a perfect 5-star) if I'm right and she ends up with the guy who brings out the best in her and wants to stand with her as equals.
fast-paced
It’s not bad, all the characters are just flat to me. If the next book gets good reviews, I’d be open to trying this again.