The North Wind was an enjoyable fantasy romance. It incorporates elements of Beauty and the Beast and the Hades and Persephone myth. Thus it is very trope-filled and there was much that happened that I hadn't easily anticipated, including the villain reveal. It was still entertaining in spite of that, and I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Wren and Boreas. One place where the book fell down a little for me, though, was in the pacing. Things started well, but the final quarter of the story seemed rushed after the slow build up, the ending/final battle over a bit too quickly to feel fully satisfying. But in all other respects I enjoyed it, and I would be interested to read the remaining books in the series in the future. I am giving this four stars, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy trope-filled fantasy retellings with a dose of steamy romance.

Wrens village has been suffering the effects of an ever-lasting winter.
A sacrifice is required of her village in the form of an eligible woman to appease the North Wind whose magic has left the land barren. The shade which is maintained by the North Wind is the only barrier protecting the humans from the Deadlands, but what if that barrier fails?
Wren is about to find out as she makes her own sacrifice to save her sister who was chosen by the North Wind.
But not all is as it seems and Wrens journey is steeped in emotional healing as she battles against her own prejudice.

This book feels incredibly nostalgic as it reimagines Beauty and the Beast while throwing in every fantasy trope known to mankind.
If you love tropes this is a must read fantasy novel. This book is a fun take on some themes that are arguable over saturated in the market.

Wren is fiesty and stubborn. Boreas is the morally grey MC with a traumatic past. Their relationship builds against all odds and Wren learns that she may be more beastly than the lord of the dead.

If you’re after a fun read that is purely fantasy, with slow burn and a snarky female lead you won’t be disappointed.

Will I ever stop simping over emotionally unavailable morally grey men? Absolutely not. The North Wind is a Hades / Persephone retelling and I was obsessed.

The story focuses on Wren, who lives alone with her twin sister after they lost their parents as teenagers. There were strong ACOTAR vibes with the relationship between Wren and her sister. Wren hunts for food while her sister, Elora, doesn't lift a finger.

In this fantasy world, there are four brothers / Gods who control the seasons. This story focuses on Boreas, the North Wind. Every few decades the King (the North Wind) arrives to choose a woman from their village to take back to his kingdom never to be seen again. When he chooses Elora, Wren disguises herself and takes her place to save her sister.

This is a true hate to love story. Boreas is cold hearted and considers himself above mortals with a "I am not a man, I am a God" attitude. Wren attempts to kill him and escape back to her village while Boreas pays her little attention. The slow burn romance is so incredibly well done and the tension between them was perfect.

I also really liked the character development. We watch as Wren battles addiction and Boreas learns to navigate a life where he doesn't have full control. I loved how awkward Boreas was at communicating with mortals and his utter lack of social skills at parties was endearing.

This is a standalone book but I will absolutely be checking out other work by Alexandria Warwick.