I struggled a little to get through this. It was an okay read. For fans of beauty and the beast or ACOTAR it might be instant love, however it left me a little less than satisfied.

The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick is an enemies to lovers fantasy romance.

Every few years the North Wind, a god, takes a woman from Wren's village to be his wife, but most assume she's a sacrifice. This year the god chooses Wren's beloved twin sister, her only family, and headstrong Wren, the less attractive and scarred sister, takes her place in secret.

She learns she really is to be his wife, but it is a forced marriage to her captor., until her feelings change toward her husband, who is more than meets the eye.

I loved how Wren stayed strong, feisty and independent throughout, never needing rescuing and always being the rescuer, even at the end. I dislike MF romances when the strong heroine becomes needy and clingy in the end when she pines for her strong man. This was not that.

I also loved how Wren wasn't afraid of her husband and challenged him at every turn. I also liked the representation of Wren as an alcoholic, something I don't see often in fantasy.

There was lots to like in this dark Beauty and the Beast retelling about two strong-willed characters who are unable to resist the pull of each other's orbits.

Overall I would highly recommend this book and found it to be a great read!

At first I feared this sweeping romantasy would just read like ACOTAR fanfiction because the opening chapter introduces us to its heroine, a scrappy, independent young woman who hunts with a bow to provide for her sister. I didn't care for ACOTAR and I found Feyre to be a petulant, needy child. While there are similarities to ACOTAR this reads like a more grown-up version of it, with a darker edge, and I loved the FMC, Wren.

Every few years the North Wind, a god, takes a woman from Wren's village to be his wife, but most assume she's a sacrifice. This year the god chooses Wren's beloved twin sister, her only family, and headstrong Wren, the less attractive and scarred sister, takes her place in secret.

She learns she really is to be his wife, but it is a forced marriage to her captor... until her feelings change toward her husband, who is more than meets the eye.

I loved how Wren stayed strong, feisty and independent throughout, never needing rescuing and always being the rescuer, even at the end. I dislike MF romances when the strong heroine becomes needy and clingy in the end when she pines for her strong man. This was not that.

I also loved how Wren had murderous intentions toward her husband, wasn't afraid of him and challenged him at every turn. I also liked the representation of Wren as an alcoholic, something I don't see often in fantasy.

There was lots to like in this dark Beauty and the Beast retelling about two strong-willed characters who are unable to resist the pull of each other's orbits.

The obliviousness and drama of that obliviousness got to be a little annoying and childish at times but overall I rather enjoyed this charming fantasy romance. I only like the oblivious trope if it is done well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The North Wind is coming to their village and leaving with a wife. As the town prepares for the North Wind’s arrival, the single women are forced to draw lots and the North Wind will pick one as his wife. This is in exchange for his protection. When Wren’s sister is chosen, Wren tricks the North Wind into taking her as his wife instead. Wren is forced to leave her small town and everyone she knows, but is determined to find a way back. Inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone, will Wren thaw the North Wind’s heart or will she work with his brother, the West Wind, to escape?

I enjoyed this original story, which had enough magic and just a little spice. The relationships that develop through the book moved at the right pace and kept me turning the pages. If you like mythology and fantasy combined with a great romance, this is a book for you.

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow but overall I enjoyed it. I really like the love story and how it was done. Slow burns are my favorite and this was done well.

*The North Wind* kicks off an epic saga of four brothers—each a god representing one of the winds—and the ways their lives shape their realms and impact the world around them. In this first installment, we meet the North Wind and Wren, a woman taken from her town as a presumed sacrifice, only to find she’s meant to marry this powerful god to strengthen a barrier that protects her home. Inspired by fairy tales and Greek mythology, the author crafts an intricate, thrilling story that draws you in from the first page to the last.

This book was so captivating and riveting! You will not be disappointed in the adventure, and you will not be disappointed in the character development. I fell in love with the characters and I absolutely loved how unique this fantasy romance, fantasy action story was. If you’re looking for a magical world that captivates you and keep you flipping the pages, this is the book for you!

I neither loved nor hated this book, it was... middle of the line, mediocre, at best for me. I can appreciate the author's take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale mixed with Hades/Persephone; however, the plot missed the mark. The pacing felt disjointed and too slow in parts and the plot left me scratching my head in others.

I wanted a fantasy and I got one. Alexandria you are amazing! Clap Clap. Don’t pass this one up. I wanted a casual read and planned on reading a chapter a week but I ended up reading the whole book in a day. Sometimes you just have to know the ending.

"The North Wind" by Alexandria Warwick offers an intriguing blend of Beauty and the Beast and Greek mythology, set against a backdrop of a cold, barren fantasy world rich in detail. As a standalone, it provides a satisfying conclusion, though some subplots felt rushed, leaving me with lingering questions.

This slow-burn romance features an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, with Wren as a flawed but determined protagonist. Her struggles with addiction and a take-charge attitude make her a complex character, though at times, her demeanor can be hard to warm up to. This may be a reflection of her imprisonment, which adds depth to her journey.

The North Wind, embodied by the god Boreas, is a compelling figure—strong and passionate. Their relationship unfolds in a way that is both spicy and heartfelt, appealing to older young adults rather than a teen audience.

While the story felt familiar, echoing themes and character traits from other tales, Warwick’s writing is engaging enough that I found myself wanting to explore her future works. Although "The North Wind" may not break new ground, it is a solid addition to the genre, and I’m curious to see how Warwick continues to develop her storytelling in upcoming titles.

Easy story to get into and get lost in a new world! Loved that the main character was a twin and how protective she was of her sister.

The book I didn’t know I needed!

Alexandria Warwick has a lyrical and beautiful way of storytelling that keeps the reader cativated from the very beginning.

I loved everything about this book, from the characters that had so much depth to them to the world building that was done phenomenally well!

My only critique is that the middle felt like it dragged on a little, but other than that this book was AMAZING!

Thank you to Alexandria Warwick, NetGalley, and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF

A tale as old as time, but starting to turn stale.

Readers who can't get enough Hades/Persephone retellings or trying to fill the Sara J Maas hole in their heart should give this a try. The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks is a similar read.

This book had a lot of promise, I did enjoy some things in this book and those are:
-villain love interest, banter (just a little bit though), and some action.

Most of the book I was just confused what was going on and couldn’t for the life of me connect to the characters. I read this back in May and decided to give it another shot but I just didn’t enjoy it.

This book really just kinda fell flat and missed the mark for me. My biggest issue is that the story line really just made no sense, add that to the pacing which was unbearably slow at times, and I just couldn't get into it fully. The world building didn't seem as flushed out as I was hoping it would be for a book with this grandeur. The only other complaint I had which is my own thing and not really about the book but the alcoholism and how awful it got before it got bigger was a huge trigger. That being said there were a few things that I did enjoy about the story. I liked the majority of the characters and felt that the chemistry between Wren and Boreas was done well and in a genuine way. And although the alcoholism was a trigger for me I do like the way that Boreas handled and supported Wren without being judgy and overbearing. I think this led a lot to their romantic development feeling real and not forced. Over all I do plan on picking up the next book and seeing what is next.

I... personally didn't love this one. Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephone should have been in my wheelhouse, but this read like mediocre fanfiction. That being said, I still think a lot of people are going to enjoy it. While it's not a book I'm likely to hand sell, I would keep a copy on the shelf, because I think the twenty-something romantasy girls will really devour it.

I received an advanced copy of The North Wind from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you tell me a book is a fairy tale retelling, I'm sold. Throw in a dash of Greek mythology, and I'll line up at the door for it. Unfortunately, The North Wind was a solid three-star read for me.

I honestly couldn't tell you what I liked or disliked about this book, which will probably make this a shorter review than usual. It was original enough to interest me, but the plot wasn't very developed. Multiple things were introduced as plotlines but left behind in favor of the romance, which I suppose I should have expected but was disappointing nonetheless.

The characters were okay. I didn't find anything particularly memorable about them. I will say that I did like the way the romance developed. It didn't feel forced or too fast. I'm a sucker for slow-burns, and this book scratched that itch.

I genuinely don't have much to say. I liked The North Wind enough to finish it, but I'm not leaving with anything to remember.

I enjoyed the world and the creatures that reside there. The gods and the different realms and powers. I did see some consistencies of Beauty and the Beast for sure. It’s was just okay for me

A fairy tale for fans of Sarah J. Maas and other romatasies or enemies-to-lovers tropes. The North Wind comes periodically to Wren's village in search of a wife. Wren is overly protective of her twin sister and will do anything to stop the North Wind from choosing her. Wren sacrifices herself in place of her sister. Wren's plan for taking her sister's place includes killing the North Wind and restoring spring to the land. Wren doesn't take into account developing feelings for the North Wind. As the two spend time together, they learn about who they are and their value. Will Wren be able to follow through with her plan?
Although part of a forthcoming series, The North Wind could also be read as a stand-alone novel.
This book includes sexual and adult content.

A little Beauty and the Beast. A little Greek mythology. Strong characters. A fantasy world that is icy could and barren but so rich from the word building. I'm here for all of this and Alexandria Warwick delivers. This is a standalone. I like that because I needed to know what happens at the end. HOW things happen and some loose ends did make it seem rushed left me with questions about subplots
This is slow burn, not smut but still a little spicy. For older young adults but not teens IMO.It is enemies to lovers, which I like. Parts of it I didn't love but you can't like every trope and how it's written every time. Wren, is a flawed character. Not in the writing but her character traits. She's a take action and get it done person. She struggles with addiction. Admittedly it's hard to like her at times, not for the addiction but her attitude. Maybe that's what happened when you become a prisoner though. The North Wind is a god (Boreas). He's strong. He's interesting. When he loves, he loves.
I can't wait for the sending in this series.

From the publisher

Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it’s Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer.

For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind, a dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride.

When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her—even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But mortal or not, Wren won’t go down without a fight…

The North Wind is a stand-alone, enemies-to-lovers slow-burn fantasy romance, the first in a series sprinkled with Greek mythology.