I love a good world building, it's such a delicate process of balancing the current plot while also giving readers the background they need to envision. This one was really well done and I was engrossed in the story! This is a slow burn romance that packed the adventure and I can't wait to read the next books in the series!

Rhya a captured Fae on the verge of being hanged, is saved by a mysterious soldier who throws her on his horse and doesn’t talk to her for days as he rides on and on. After a fever, a brush with falling off a bridge, a fight with giant centipedes and a severe fire, she wakes up to find a Fae who has a Remnant (mark on his chest) close to her own. And she finally finds out what the Remnant means..

Julie Johnson is a new author to me, and I was really looking forward to starting this one! Unfortunately, I just did not vibe with this at all. Between the romance, and world building, I really struggled to connect with this. I think this would have been better suited as a true YA book and not toeing the line. I can see a lot of people liking this if they are newer to Fantasy though.

While it was a little slow at times I really enjoyed this book. The world building was great and I have so many questions that are answered later in the series. It set things up wonderfully for the coming confrontations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing a DRC of this title for review.

Doesn't totally break the mold, but I think new and seasoned romantasy readers would have a great time with this one! The Wind Weaver totally grabbed me with interesting worldbuilding and characters I can root for, and I devoured it in just a few days. It does a great job of teeing up the rest of the series, and I can't wait to see how the Remnants restore maegic's balance and peace to Anwyvn in the rest of the series.

4.25 stars/5.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

The Wind Weaver captivated me from start to finish. The intricate world-building and complex characters left a lasting impression, and I couldn't help but get lost in the story. From the very first pages, I was drawn into a world brimming with magic, mystery, and an undeniable sense of adventure.An absolute delight from start to finish. The rich world-building and well-developed characters immediately drew me in, and I was hooked throughout the entire story. Johnson’s writing is vivid and immersive, blending magic and emotion in a way that felt both fantastical and relatable. The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the romance was beautifully crafted.

This book is a captivating mix of adventure and heart, and I can't recommend it enough to fans of fantasy. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to revisit this world!

I was in a horrendous reading slump and this book finally broke that spell. It was Romantasy perfection! It also reminded me that I will always be a Romantasy/Fantasy girlie. I devoured this book in 24 hours and was even frustrated when I had to stop reading it to go celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.

This story immediately drew me in. This story starts out strong and was action packed. It had everything that I love in a Romantasy novel. Tons of angsty moments between the FMC and MMC. All of the enemies to lovers, slow burn vibes you could ask for. I also really loved the interactions that Rhya had with the Commander's inner circle. One of my favorite Fantasy tropes is Found Family and there were a ton of moments that really shined in this book. There is also a really unique magical prophecy that I can’t wait to learn more about. This book was an easy five star read for me. I am beyond excited for the next books in this series.

You should read this book if you love the following tropes:
-Enemies to Lovers
-Slow Burn
-Found Family
-Forced Proximity
-Magical Prophecy

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for gifting me for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Given that this is a debut fantasy novel, I will not be as harsh, but the pacing was extremely slow for such a long book. There was not much world building, and the characters had no depth/dimension. Like most people, I am still unclear with what the actual plot of the story was.

There are too many side plots, and not enough distinction on what the main plot will be. The book is too long and drawn out.

Overall, I found this boring, and I really don't have much interest in continuing the series.

The Wind Weaver

Rhya Fleetwood finds her self tied up and awaiting her execution just because of her heritage. Half fae are tormented and killed by overzealous supporters of a mortal king. Rhya finds herself rescued by an unlikely ally, a commander in the kings army who is not the person he claims to be. Their journey to the Northlands is tumultuous, full of more questions than there are answers. Rhya finds she is more than she was raised to believe. The strange birthmark on Rhyas chest is actually part of an ancient prophecy that foretold the Remnants of Air, Water, Earth and Fire, when brought together will restore the balance of maegic across the land. Rhya meets friends who become family, a possible love interest (or 2) and finds more of herself in her power that she’s been unknowingly hiding her whole life.

This story is well told! Action packed at the beginning, it gets a little slow here and there, but the world building is great. Rhya is a strong willed, hot tempered half fae with a witty sarcastic disposition. The chemistry between the two main characters fizzles at times and is full steam at others. The MMC reminds me of Tamlin, the need for control and keeping the ones he loves safe comes at great cost to him and he keeps people at arms length for the “greater good”. I’m intrigued to find out more about the other Remnants. We know a little about Water…he’s a character I’m very invested in. His disposition reminds me of Rhysand. He knows Rhya needs to learn to control her powers before it controls her. I hope book 2 shows more of their story together. I believe their chemistry needs to be explored.

- Strong and sassy FMC
- Powerful and brooding MMC
- Magical lands
- Terrifying creatures
- Political intrigue
- Slow burn
- Found family

Fans of ACOTAR and FBAA, be on the look out for this one in April!

On Sale Date - April 8th, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book gave me all the amazing things I want in a fantasy world! Julie does an amazing job at describing the world and the background for this magical world, such great description and detail. But it does get 4 stars because I felt at times it was TO descriptive on things that weren’t as important and than not a lot of description on things that probably could use more detail or time for the plot to move forward. I’m a sucker for a good high fantasy but it was put out there as a romantasy which confused me because there wasn’t a whole LOT of romance but more fantasy. This is a SLOW burn but I still ate up the story all the same. I feel like it could have been shorter if there wasn’t as much detail in places talking about the scenery or clothes or small things of the sort. But over all i did love the plot and the world is amazing in theory and i hope this series continues. I’m intrigued and love the plot. Also an amazing found family trope which I'm a sucker for.

I’ll start with Julie builds an incredible world and backstory as to why all the fae are being hunted and killed. She is very descriptive of the scenes and you can easily imagine the landscapes.

This is heavy on the fantasy. I don’t know if I’d call this Romantasy. It is an absolute slow burn (like 80% in to figure out what is actually going on between the FMC and MMC; are they actually enemies to lovers? Is there an invisible string theory here?). I couldn’t get into their “banter” and how Penn treats Rhya like a child, when he himself has little self control of his temper. I do not think there is a clear moment or even building of moments that made me think they’d end up together. The whole romance fell flat.

There isn’t strong character development. Maybe it’s because this is the first in a series, and that’s to come. But when someone finds out they have powers and are part of a prophecy, I would think there would be more backstory and focus on them - not the landscapes, tablescapes, clothing… we know more about dressmaking than we do about Rhya’s powers, how she develops them, any actual training.

There are a lot of side plots that become the main plot. It was a long book, with a wonky plot, a poorly represented FMC, and I am left asking myself if I truly enjoyed this book and want to read the rest of the series when it comes out… I can’t tell if this book took place over 3 weeks or 3 years.

Random thoughts:

Mandolorian vibes from Scythe/Penn and the helmet he never seems to remove in the presence of others… until 27% in.

The dialogue is inconsistent; at times they’re speaking in olde English, and other times it’s more modern.

Ray from Star Wars vibes with the whole don’t know my parents bit but I’m powerful.

2.5 ⭐️
.25 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC.

I was lucky enough to win an eARC of THE WIND WEAVER by Julie Johnson through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thanks for the early look, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson is a captivating blend of high-stakes adventure and emotional depth, set in a richly imagined world of elemental magic. Johnson’s vivid prose pulls you into a story brimming with danger, resilience, and the fragile bonds between characters grappling with their destinies. The protagonist’s journey is both harrowing and inspiring, though some plot points feel slightly rushed, leaving a few threads underexplored. Nevertheless, the lyrical writing and compelling character dynamics more than make up for it, making this a must-read for fantasy lovers seeking a fresh take on elemental power and personal growth. Four stars for a spellbinding ride that leaves you eager for more.

The Wind Weaver was intriguing to read. It has danger, and self-discovery, making this fantasy novel a compelling read that doesn't shy away from exploring themes of fear, identity, and the complexity of human emotions.
Rhya is a relatable protagonist whose journey of self-discovery and survival forms the heart of the story. Her initial dire situation—facing execution at the hands of her would-be killers—serves as a gripping hook that draws readers into her plight. Just as she is about to meet her end, she is saved by the enigmatic Commander Scythe, a man whose mere presence radiates both danger and allure. The dynamic between Rhya and Scythe is electric, marked by a tension that is palpable throughout the novel.
The world-building in The Wind Weaver is particularly noteworthy. Johnson paints a vivid picture of Anwyvn, a land marred by fear of magic and swept by war. The Northlands, depicted as barren and unforgiving, become a character of their own, shaping Rhya's journey and forcing her to confront not only external adversities but also the tempest within. The concept of the “Remnants,” beings marked by destiny and power, is fascinating and adds layers to the plot.
Overall, this book is a spellbinding tale of courage, self-discovery, and romance, set against a backdrop of magic and war. Its a must read for fans of fantasy steeped in rich world-building and complex characters.

“you are the sentinel at the threshold of chaos.
you will not yield.
you will not fall.”

in a divided world, where a blight is weakening magic, Rhya learns there’s a lot more to her than she ever thought.

I really enjoyed the story itself. it was exciting to learn about the world through Rhya’s eyes and watch her accept her fate and who she is. I also really loved the variety of characters; it has one of the best found family tropes I’ve ever read!

I really struggled with the pacing though. it’s very much a slow burn, but there were many moments where things were getting over explained and I just wanted to move on. I definitely would have considered a higher rating if it was shorter or at least faster paced.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️

big thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson follows a halfling yanked from execution by a mysterious commander due to her ties to an ancient prophecy that claims she will help restore maegic to her dying realm.

This book started with a bang and didn't let up! I actually was planning on reading a different book, got distracted by the pretty cover, and decided to read the first few chapters to see the vibe. Fast forward a couple of hours and I had completely binge read it! I couldn't put it down! I loved the elemental maegic, our FMC's relationships with the crew of soldiers and local dressmaker, and the nonstop action. The pace never slowed which I think was the main reason I couldn't put it down--I had to know what was going to happen next!

Overall, I gave this five stars because I thought it was well-written, had good pace, and had many unique elements that will make it stand out in the romantasy genre. As a romantasy girlie it was definitely in my wheelhouse, but I also think it would be a good intro to the genre if you haven't read much romantasy.

4.5⭐️
I have been a huge JJ fan so needless to say I could not wait to dive into this book and let me just say- it did not disappoint.
Many fantasy books I find hard to get into until the 20% mark but this story captivates you right from the beginning - there is world building but it’s done so subtly you are just turning pages to figure out what is going on and figure out what’s happening next. The story is so lyrically written- the characters.. chefs kiss. We’re not only given incredible main characters but Penn’s Guild/friends?! Can I be the wind weaver please and thank you because they seem like an incredible time.
You go from mystery with a quest to learning more about the characters to a full blown plot which keeps you as a reader entertained.
Oh and let’s not forget about the chemistry, tension and holy lord the slow burn between our main characters.
If you want a top tier fantasy read- THIS is the book!

This book started with a bang and ended with a bang. The fast pace continues for most of the book, with only a brief slow down towards the two-thirds mark. (I think characters and readers needed to catch their breaths!)

I am also very glad that, unlike a lot of books I have read recently, this one does not end on a cliffhanger. While there is definitely more to the story, this one feels complete.

I actually suspect and hope that the next book features a different MC so that we can see more from a certain side character.

My biggest and only real quibble was the silly spelling of the word "maegic".

Recommended.

3.5/5

This is a very solid fantasy debut, but I found it to be far too slow in pacing to make up for its hefty length. There is a lot of what felt like filler scenes that I wish we had spent instead learning more about the world. At the end of this book, I’m still very unclear as to what the plot will be moving forward because the villains seemed to be very 2-D with the politics of the world very surface level.
Rhya was an okay main character, I felt like she had very little personality.
The magic system was pretty light and not fully developed at this point.
The romance was awful in my opinion. Penn was boring as ash and very controlling. I felt like it was unbelievable that they had feelings for each other based on their interactions.
Soren, on the other hand? My man! Loved him from his first appearance and I pray that he is endgame. He was funny, snarky, intriguing, and I may read the sequel just for him. That is how you write a character.
The side characters as a whole were overwhelming because of how many there were and how similar they all were.
All this being said, I feel that the series has potential, especially if we see more of Soren! ❤️

Mystery, magic, and slow-burn romance!!

Magic is outlawed in Anwyvn, and halflings like Rhya Fleetwood have it worst of all—they’re basically public enemy number one! But just as Rhya’s about to be executed, she’s rescued (or maybe captured?) by the absolutely terrifying Commander Scythe.

Turns out, Rhya isn’t just any halfling. With her strange birthmark and power to call up winds, she’s one of the fabled Remnants, chosen to bring magic back to the world…if she can survive long enough to figure out how.

From page one, this book had me hooked! It’s an amazing start to a new trilogy, and I’m already counting down for the next one.

The world-building is full of surprises that kept me on my toes.

Rhya’s journey is paced perfectly, with one thrilling moment after another. Her growth? So satisfying to watch. And don’t even get me started on the romance—this is slow burn at its finest!

If you love a mix of mystery, magic, and a sizzling but complicated romance, pick this one up!

Thank you Berkley for this free ARC!