A review by kassielovestoread
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my Goodness I freaking LOVED this book!! I finished it just a few minutes ago but it's easily one of the best, most entertaining books I've ever read. I think if you're a lover of fantasy romance then you can't go wrong with The North Wind. There's something for everyone to love in this story!
The blurb to this book is exactly right. This novel is part Beauty and the Beast, part Hades and Persephone. Wren, our main character, is a woman not to be fucked with. She's got one goal: to survive so she can provide for her sister. A Nobel cause, one I felt kinship with immediately. Wren is far from perfect though- she's an alcoholic with a violent tendency to self destruct. Alls said and done, I thoroughly enjoyed her as she was. She's deeply flawed but thats what makes her development so satisfying to read. You can literally track how she becomes a better person and comes to certain terms with the wrongness in her life. But does she lay down and accept that things can't be better, so why bother trying? NO! She fights hard for every possible solution and earns the deeply satisfying ending she got.
Listen, I loved the Frost King too! Buuuuuuut, it did take a while for him to grow on me, which I'm sure was exactly the intention the author intended.
I'm not sure how I feel about book two though. I loved The North Wind so much that I'll likely pick up The West Wind anyway- however, Zephyrus is on my shit list and I'm not sure that little weasel deserves a HEA of his own! Definitely need to get my hands on the matching edition so I can get into the story sooner rather than later.
The blurb to this book is exactly right. This novel is part Beauty and the Beast, part Hades and Persephone. Wren, our main character, is a woman not to be fucked with. She's got one goal: to survive so she can provide for her sister. A Nobel cause, one I felt kinship with immediately. Wren is far from perfect though- she's an alcoholic with a violent tendency to self destruct. Alls said and done, I thoroughly enjoyed her as she was. She's deeply flawed but thats what makes her development so satisfying to read. You can literally track how she becomes a better person and comes to certain terms with the wrongness in her life. But does she lay down and accept that things can't be better, so why bother trying? NO! She fights hard for every possible solution and earns the deeply satisfying ending she got.
Listen, I loved the Frost King too! Buuuuuuut, it did take a while for him to grow on me, which I'm sure was exactly the intention the author intended.
Spoiler
His love for Wren was very quiet, only that it materialized (at first) in stolen glances and sometimes stilted conversations. It felt a little frustrating to read, just because I was eager for him to showcase how deserving him and Wren are for a better life. However, it's a slow burn for a reason! And when the walls around their hearts come tumbling down, the resolution is sooooo worth it. The spice was excellent and aplenty, which I always think is the perfect addition to any story. His backstory with his deceased wife and child broke my heart :( especially considering the Gray + Deadlands decaying environment was timed to his never-ending grief.I'm not sure how I feel about book two though. I loved The North Wind so much that I'll likely pick up The West Wind anyway- however, Zephyrus is on my shit list and I'm not sure that little weasel deserves a HEA of his own! Definitely need to get my hands on the matching edition so I can get into the story sooner rather than later.