I absolutely devoured this book in about 6 hours truthfully. I feel like it had so much to offer as far as world building and character development. I felt the end was a little rushed but without a doubt would read the second one, that I’m genuinely hoping will be released after this one! All in all, I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

This book was a quick and fun read, though the pacing threw me off a little. The beginning of the book moved very quickly with a lot of exposition (but the author did a great job of giving readers information without data-dumping). However, it felt rushed to have Mev enter the fae realm. The entire book felt rushed with insta-love and fortuitous coincidences. Luckily, the author’s immersive writing style made up for them.

The banter between Mev and Kael as well as Kael’s POV were my favorite parts of this book. The author did a great job describing the characters through other people’s perspectives, story elements, and the plot. It was a cute romcom type book with a fantasy flair.

Super impressed with this book. A great story, perfect romantasy. Page turner and always leaves you wanting more. Absolutely fantastic

I was really impressed by this romantasy book! It was fast paced, had great characters, and I really enjoyed the world building and romance. Definitely recommend to fans of this genre!

I rated this book 4 stars because it's that good and I couldn't put it down for a second. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.

What's not to love about a book that starts in York where you then get transported to a world of magic?!

I got this as an ARC and it's been a while since I dived into a book where if not for work could have easily read this in a day it hooked me so quickly.

Follow Mev as she starts to find her true self after being transported to another world and finally starts to find answers she's been looking for, for years.

Whisper of War and Storms is a great debut into a wonderful world of magic. I felt that the story was fast paced and loved the relationship between Mev and Kael. I enjoyed the world building, though did feel that this could have been expanded on and wouldn't have taken away from the story.

I'm hoping that as we continue to follow Mev and others that we will learn more of the differing clans of Elydore and get more world building and intrigue!!

Can't wait for more in this series.

⭐️/4
🌶/1

The modern world meets old fae in this new story by C.L. Mecca. This book has it all. Secrets, portals, magic, and clan feuds.

I loved Mev. She was a character. And she brought a whole twist to Elydor with her new age ways. Kael is your regular dark prince, and watching him bend to Mev was a fun trip. This is like a slow enemies-to-lovers. I gave the spice a 1, but honestly, it could also be a .5 as well.

I'm a sucker for good world building, and it was delivered. There were some points that could have been expanded on, but the gist was there.

There were a lot of secrets left to be uncovered, and I'm very interested to see where this goes. I'll be on the lookout for the next book!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was an really good read. I enjoyed the story and am hoping for more. This was a good read with really well written characters and good world building.

This book had a unique take on magic, amazing world-building and a fantastic plot. when it said perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Callie Hart, Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L Armentrout., it was spot on.

"Whisper of War and Storms" by C.L. Mecca offers an engaging fantasy adventure filled with intrigue and magic. The novel's rich world-building and complex plotlines draw readers into a realm where conflicts brew and alliances are tested.

Mecca's strength lies in her ability to craft compelling characters and weave intricate relationships that add depth to the story. The narrative is well-paced, though occasionally predictable, and the blend of action and emotional stakes keeps the reader invested.

While some elements may feel familiar to seasoned fantasy readers, "Whisper of War and Storms" stands out with its vivid setting and strong character arcs.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Your destiny is waiting. Mevlida & her best friend Clara are visiting York to find out what happened to her mother all those years ago. She has tried talking to her mother but it never ends well. Will she be able to find out the truth? She doesn’t really believe the pub owner but she takes the chance and steps through the door.
Prince Karl can’t believe that someone has come through the gate after all this time and he knows that the person will be in danger. He wasn’t expecting Mev to step through. She knows that she has to pretend to be someone else as she fears this man that has taken her.
Kael realises that he needs to stay away from her as she is the lost princess and they are sworn enemies.
But can they fight this attraction or is it too late?
Great characters and storyline. The main characters Mev & Kael suit each other as they are both fiercely protective of the ones that they love & they will fight to be together.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

The reader follows Mev who is a long lost princess of another world and she's trying to find her footing in this new world after falling through a portal. She encounters friends, foes and even love throughout this book.

I personally felt like this book had a lot of potential in terms of the world building, plot and even characters because the world building was beautiful, the plot was understandable and the characters were very likeable. I enjoyed reading about the differences between Earth and the other world which makes it interesting.

However, the romance in this book felt very rushed. I didn't feel any chemistry with the fmc and mmc and I do admit that the pacing of this book was rather slow. I grew rather bored when the 60% mark had hit and nothing much was happening and even when things were happening, it resolved so quickly that it didn't seem to be a problem or an issue. There wasn't any climax in this book, nothing that makes me want to read it faster.

It's an enjoyable read if you want something light and a story that is short and kind of instalove between the characters.

C.L. Mecca’s Whisper of War and Storms is a riveting tale of love, loyalty, and the devastating cost of war, set in a richly woven fantasy world brimming with intrigue. Demonstrating a clear flair for character-driven narratives, Mecca delivers a story that kept me turning the pages long into the night (I was definitely still gripped at 3am)!

The novel introduces us to Elena, a fierce warrior haunted by a dark prophecy, and Kael, a brooding mage struggling with the limits of his power. Together, they form an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth behind an ancient war threatening to resurface. The chemistry between them is electric, their banter sharp and laced with hidden vulnerability. As they navigate political betrayals, battles against otherworldly creatures, and their own inner demons, the stakes grow impossibly high.

Mecca’s world-building shines, with vivid descriptions that transport readers into storm-ravaged cities and enchanted forests. The pacing is dynamic, with moments of introspection balancing the pulse-pounding action. One of the book’s highlights is its exploration of moral ambiguity - heroes and villains blur, leaving you questioning what "victory" truly means.

One of the standout moments occurs during the climactic battle, as Elena reflects “We were not born for peace, nor forged in it. War is the storm that shapes us, the fire that burns away what we were too afraid to let go.” This line encapsulates the book’s somber tone and its meditation on sacrifice and resilience.

The only drawback is that some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, leaving a few subplots unresolved. However, this doesn’t detract significantly from the story’s impact overall.

Whisper of War and Storms is a compelling read for fans of epic fantasy and poignant romance. It’s a tale that lingers, and has left me eager for the next instalment in what is sure to be a gripping saga!

This was a really good start to a series. Lots of world building and background of political landscapes. Good character development and introductions on the group dynamics. I loved that even though Mev is completely out of her familiar element, she's just embracing everything and going with it to learn as much as she can.

Kael is an interesting character. We don't know his motivations right away and then when we think we do theres a twist! The two of them being together though and learning about each other and how they work was a really great thing to see unfold.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Seeing that this was on the shorter side resolved some of the issues I struggled with. I think this would probably be a great fit for someone who wants a lighter fantasy. The magic system was pretty cool and I would have loved to have seen more from it. It felt a little instalove to me and I would have liked to see their relationship build up more.

Step into a dual-perspective tale where an immortal prince from a magic-infused alternate world crosses paths with a determined woman from Earth, both searching for answers in their intertwined destinies. This elemental fantasy romance offers a light, entertaining read, earning a 3.2/5 ⭐️ from me.

While the dialogue occasionally veers into cheesy territory, pulling readers out of the immersion, the story’s foundation holds promise. The world-building teases an intriguing backdrop, though it could benefit from more depth and subtlety to truly captivate. There’s a tendency to “tell” rather than let the narrative organically unfold, which might leave some readers wanting more vivid descriptions.

The characters are likable enough to root for, but their development feels underexplored. More inner dialogue and richer relationship-building would elevate their arcs and deepen emotional connections.

Overall, this is a light, enjoyable read for fantasy romance fans seeking a casual escape. If you enjoy worlds filled with magic and budding romance, this one’s worth a look—keep in mind it’s more of a snack than a full-course meal.

This was an honest review, sponsored advanced reader copy through NetGalley.

A great introduction to a series. World building is great but not overly complicated and the characters have room to grow and I love the dual POV

I really liked the flow of this book. I haven’t read many with dual POV like that. It made me feel like I could really get to know the characters. The world building was great and I really liked the elemental magic system. While there was tension and build up between the two main characters, I wish it was a little more intense and drawn out. She was certain he was going to kill her, but easily fell asleep at night in the same camp/room, etc. She just accepted her fate of not getting away and that was that. I mean it’s smart, I wouldn’t wanna push my luck if that was real life, but since this is a story, I would have liked her to maybe try to escape at least once. And the ending did seem a bit rushed as well.

HOWEVER, I really liked the story and I am excited to read the next one. Kael character arc was really great, I think he is so great. I feel this story can go in many different directions. This was a very fun read and I am thankful I got to be an arc!

The only clue that Mevlinda has as to who her father is is a photo of her mother outside an English pub. When she goes looking for answers, she finds that she is a missing princess in another world on the brink of civil war.

I have read a lot of romantasy recently with incredibly complex worlds, and I really appreciate how clear Mecca made the world of Elydor and its elemental magic. At no time was I lost about where we were and what the stakes were for Mevlinda and Kael.

I also really enjoyed Kael's journey as a character - someone who unthinkingly holds prejudices and acts on them to someone who is more thoughtful about how he relates to others. Often MCs in fantasy books are guiding others to believe in equality, and I really appreciated that Kael did have some learning and growing to do and we were able to see that journey on page.

Finally, this book has great side characters: the bond of Lyra as Mevlinda's mentor, the mysterious human Rowan and the complicated relationship of Kael and his brother (twin?) Terran really drew me in and I'm excited to see more in the next book in the series. I will definitely be reading the next book.