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_carly_'s review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dea080020's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sdbrewst's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
Brielle of Thornbrook has dedicated her life to the abbey. She spends her days forging iron and studying the Text, all in preparation of becoming an acolyte—a shepherd of the Father. Twenty-one years on this earth and she has never touched a man. And she never will.
Yet dark things uncoil beyond Thornbrook's high stone walls. Brielle has a chance encounter with an alluring stranger: Zephyrus, Bringer of Spring, with eyes of green. Zephyrus leads her to Under, where the air breathes rot and the roots grow black.
In Under, those Brielle can trust are few, least of all Zephyrus. But never has a man so thoroughly ensnared her. When faith and heart collide, Brielle learns how quickly threads unravel, even her most sacred vow: thou shalt not forsake the Father. For He is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory. Forever and ever. Amen.
Yet dark things uncoil beyond Thornbrook's high stone walls. Brielle has a chance encounter with an alluring stranger: Zephyrus, Bringer of Spring, with eyes of green. Zephyrus leads her to Under, where the air breathes rot and the roots grow black.
In Under, those Brielle can trust are few, least of all Zephyrus. But never has a man so thoroughly ensnared her. When faith and heart collide, Brielle learns how quickly threads unravel, even her most sacred vow: thou shalt not forsake the Father. For He is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory. Forever and ever. Amen.
kariniwonderland's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second installment in the Four Winds series. I loved the first book, so I was looking forward to reading this one. Brielle and Zephyrus are an intriguing yet somewhat dysfunctional couple. And their time spent in the mysterious and treacherous world of Under was very entertaining. However, the heavy religious aspect of the story wasn't to my liking. Also, the numerous mentions that Brielle was bigger, softer, taller... we get it. She's "different." But who cares? For me, feisty heroines come in all sizes and shapes. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
stace_elizabeth's review against another edition
1.0
In theory, this maybe could have been good. Unfortunately It really wasn’t. the writing, the plot, the characters (I did not like a single character) it all felt beyond juvenile for a book branded as an Romatasy.
I received it as a OUABC bookbox and the gifts were phenomenal so that was the redeeming quality. I would have dnf’d 30 pages in if the gifts weren’t getting me through.
I received it as a OUABC bookbox and the gifts were phenomenal so that was the redeeming quality. I would have dnf’d 30 pages in if the gifts weren’t getting me through.
maddieandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
4.5 stars
This book was really good! I think I might like it more than The North Wind (though I enjoyed both books). Brielle was a fabulous main character; she was strong, good, kind, and stubborn, and I loved her. She and Zephyrus made an interesting couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their story. I can't wait for the next book! :)
I love the author's writing style; it's very easy to follow and get absorbed into. There's a good amount of description, but it's not an overwhelming amount, and the plot went very quickly once everything was set in motion. The beginning 15% was a bit slow, but after that, everything sped up quite a bit. There was a bit too much of a religious aspect to the story, but despite that, I enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed book one!
4.5 stars
This book was really good! I think I might like it more than The North Wind (though I enjoyed both books). Brielle was a fabulous main character; she was strong, good, kind, and stubborn, and I loved her. She and Zephyrus made an interesting couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their story. I can't wait for the next book! :)
I love the author's writing style; it's very easy to follow and get absorbed into. There's a good amount of description, but it's not an overwhelming amount, and the plot went very quickly once everything was set in motion. The beginning 15% was a bit slow, but after that, everything sped up quite a bit. There was a bit too much of a religious aspect to the story, but despite that, I enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed book one!
duhitskatie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a book I received in a romance fantasy book box. It was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what book I would get when I ordered it. It’s a standalone so it’s quite thick and a little too long in my opinion. I did not read the first book which was centered on another couples related to this one in this book. It was not necessarily, I still understand this story. There were a few easter eggs I missed but I plan to read the first one soon as it comes. The FMC was a pleasure to read about. She really grew into a very strong and likable character. She did annoy me at little with her narrow minded approach about faith. I don’t typically read books that have religious in its main plot. But I thought this book did it well without sounded too preachy. I really loved the MMC. He was very flawed and didn’t change his behavior as soon as he met the FMC. He grew into the man she knew he could be. I really enjoyed how their relationship progressed. It was extremely slow burn. But I thought it was paced well considering she was breaking her beliefs to be intimate with him. I think it took the subject seriously and didn’t rush the inner debate she had about her morals. The spice was well timed and fit in the story very well. I also loved how it explored the legends about Fae. Fae were hideous creatures that were brutal and behaved completely different than the previous fae books I’ve read. I love my sexy fae protective characters that have become popular nowadays. But I thought this was something different to read about when it comes to fae. The love interest was a god so he wasn’t even fae. The FMC also became somewhat of friends with some fae. It was a very different perspective and I thought the author did it well. The side characters were also intriguing and I found myself rooting for them also. It helped when I reached certain pages I got to open gifts that came with my book box. Definitely recommend giving this a try if you’re looking for a different perspective on fae.
sbehr's review against another edition
3.0
the following is an honest review after receiving an arc from netgalley
In In 2022 I had the pleasure of reading Warwick’s debut novel, The North Wind. In addition to a beautiful book design, the story kept me intrigued with a feisty main character, a slow burn romance, and an interesting world of a pantheon of gods.
In contrast, The West Wind focuses on what is known in our world as a hopeful-to-be a vowed nun. The Christian undercurrents and devotion to Brielles faith as the only form of “love” she could have due to being overweight were triggering to me personally. I did make it 40% through but as Brielle travels with a literal god she continues to have conviction in her single god (who is referred to as the father the son and the Holy Spirit. So a Christian god). She travels with another acolyte, Harper, who is incredibly abusive to her even when she is on the brink of death. Brielle continues to be pious and guard this abusive companion to please Him and walk the good path. So to speak. Both of these prominent characters do have pasts but remain one dimensional. I was overjoyed to receive this ARC from Netgalley but have been disappointed. It does not remind me of the first book and leans so heavily into the Christian religion I am unable to continue. I am hopeful that the after Brielle opens her eyes is that being pure and dedicating one’s life to serving an entity that has done her not a single favor in life is pointless. I hope for Brielle’s sake that she finds that love and companionship are not earned by pious holiness. And that being of a larger physical size does not mean that she is unworthy of any love other than that from the Christian god. I am very sad for who she is. Maybe I will bring myself to finish it beyond 40% some day. But this brought a great deal of religious trauma to the surface and I am unable to continue at this time. I can see this book being a great fit for an expansive group of people. The writing is detailed and vivid and I think readers will enjoy that.
In In 2022 I had the pleasure of reading Warwick’s debut novel, The North Wind. In addition to a beautiful book design, the story kept me intrigued with a feisty main character, a slow burn romance, and an interesting world of a pantheon of gods.
In contrast, The West Wind focuses on what is known in our world as a hopeful-to-be a vowed nun. The Christian undercurrents and devotion to Brielles faith as the only form of “love” she could have due to being overweight were triggering to me personally. I did make it 40% through but as Brielle travels with a literal god she continues to have conviction in her single god (who is referred to as the father the son and the Holy Spirit. So a Christian god). She travels with another acolyte, Harper, who is incredibly abusive to her even when she is on the brink of death. Brielle continues to be pious and guard this abusive companion to please Him and walk the good path. So to speak. Both of these prominent characters do have pasts but remain one dimensional. I was overjoyed to receive this ARC from Netgalley but have been disappointed. It does not remind me of the first book and leans so heavily into the Christian religion I am unable to continue. I am hopeful that the after Brielle opens her eyes is that being pure and dedicating one’s life to serving an entity that has done her not a single favor in life is pointless. I hope for Brielle’s sake that she finds that love and companionship are not earned by pious holiness. And that being of a larger physical size does not mean that she is unworthy of any love other than that from the Christian god. I am very sad for who she is. Maybe I will bring myself to finish it beyond 40% some day. But this brought a great deal of religious trauma to the surface and I am unable to continue at this time. I can see this book being a great fit for an expansive group of people. The writing is detailed and vivid and I think readers will enjoy that.