Review by onethousandlunchtimes_jennyfer - The South Wind

onethousandlunchtimes_jennyfer 's review for:

The South Wind by Alexandria Warwick

4.5

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content warning - su!cide, d3ath of a parent, grief, war. References to mental health challenges. A couple of s3x scenes, the most graphic at around the 75% mark

In this third book of the Four Winds saga, we are taken to the city of Ishmar in the realm of Ammara, a desert city suffering from severe drought. The oases are drying up, and Princess Sarai Al-Khatim's life is running out. While she is to be wed to the Prince of a rival kingdom, she also owes her life to the Lord of the Mountain, and on her 25th name day she will be sacrificed to the Labyrinth; both pacts made for her by her father the King.

But when Ammara is threatened by the Darkwalkers that have already plagued the realms of the North Wind and the West Wind, the South Wind is there to protect the realm.

The only problem is - Sarai and Notus, the South Wind, have *history* and their on/off romance is getting in the way of her betrothal to Prince Balior - and their quest to save both the realm and Sarai's life.

This was a fun retelling of ancient myths, that bring together both Beauty and the Beast and the tale of Theseus and the Labyrinth.

Sarai is a fiercely independent woman who both rails against the trappings of royalty and duty.. and who uses it to her advantage when it suits her. Notus is tall, dark and brooding, and says her name a lot (he's a bit one dimensional).

There are major communication issues that woukd be resolved if the people involved would just stop and listen to each other instead of being on their high horses in righteous anger. The main antagonist, the Lord of the Mountain is a fascinating character and he will have a part to play in the next book (spoilers).

Of the supporting characters, I wanted to find out more about Tulleen and Roshar and the blind storyteller - they're characters who deserve more than just a bit part, and their stories would really expand the world of Ammara.

There are some very dark scenes in this book compared to the others in the series, and some readers may find them confronting.

I enjoyed the theme of music being a healer and a way to "soothe the savage beast" as the old adage goes, and the inclusion of both the East and the North Winds, linking the stories together.

I really enjoyed this, and can't wait for the next instalment in the Four Winds series!

~This is a NetGalley Arc. All opinions are my own. I also purchased the audiobook via Audible ~

Content Warnings