Whisper of War and Storms was a fast-paced journey with Mevlida to find her heritage and her mother’s forgotten past.

One huge boon for the book is the FMC is 28, not 18. The MMC, Kael, is a lovely book boyfriend candidate.

Semi enemies to lovers
Elemental magic
Forbidden romance
The lightest hint of spice near the end

I love the world and characters C.L. Mecca started building. We will very obviously have more books in the series.

This is compared to series by Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. I see the similarity in the feelings the book evokes. You want to know the characters, you want more of the world, you want more of the story. It is a great opening book that really happens over maybe a week-ish period, it seems. I will definitely continue reading Mev’s journey.

'Whisper of War and Storms' is a modern take on the classic portal fantasy that follows Mevlida Brennan as she uncovers her true identity as a lost princess of Aetheria after stepping into a magical realm that she is led to by an old photograph and a ring that her mother won't tell her anything about.

I should say upfront, that as much as I loved the premise of this book, something about the writing style just didn't click with me. I had to restart the book twice as something about it wasn't grabbing me and the characters and plot wouldn't stick in my brain.

Perhaps the main challenge is that the book is a little short for the genre, so there’s less time for character development and exploring the enemies-to-lovers romance between Mev and the brooding prince Kael. The political intrigue and elemental magic add an interesting layer, but the pacing left me feeling some elements were rushed. While the romance has plenty of chemistry, some more development could have made it even more satisfying.

I will revisit this later, as I think I will enjoy it more with the correct expectations and mindset.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC at no cost and with no obligation for me to review.

4.5⭐️ rounded to 5⭐️ on Goodreads and retail sites. WHISPER OF WAR AND STORMS (Heirs of Elydor Book 1) is a new genre for historical and paranormal romance writer C.L. Mecca/Cecelia Mecca/Cissy Mecca/Bella Michaels. It is described as “A spellbinding, epic romantasy adventure of tangled secrets and dark magic for fans of Sarah J Maas, Callie Hart, Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L Armentrout.” Mevlida Brennan headed to York, England searching for clues about her forgotten history after finding a photograph and an unusual ring pointing her there. Her mother had visited the city and left pregnant with no memory of how it had happened. After a fruitless search, they found the pub in the picture, the knowledge that her father was a King in another world, and a portal into that world. She found herself in a world of magic on the brink of war and an undeniable pull to a Prince who was her father’s enemy. This may be the author’s first foray into romantasy, but she definitely nailed it. It is a well written story that immediately grabbed me and kept me spellbound from cover to cover. I loved Mevlida and how easily she adapted to all the changes in her circumstances as the novel progressed. I also really liked Kael, who despite claiming to support his father’s prejudices demonstrated with his actions that he felt differently. The couple were reluctantly drawn to each other, despite the fact that loyalty to their fathers demanded that they be enemies. Kael was left with a choice between this beguiling woman and loyalty to a father who did not show him the same level of trust and support. I cannot wait for the next volume in this series, happy that I took a chance on an author who was new to me. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy spicy enemies to lovers fantasy romance series. It is available in the kindleunlimited program.

I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely mine.

I was really excited about the premise of this book, and I found it to be quite entertaining overall. While some of the dialogue felt a bit cheesy, and I’m not generally a fan of dual POVs (which is more of a personal preference), I still enjoyed the story. The pacing was a bit uneven at times, with certain scenes feeling like they ended too abruptly, and I found parts of the plot to be somewhat predictable. However, I was thoroughly impressed by the world-building and the political intrigue, which kept me hooked. The characters were easy to root for, making it an enjoyable read overall. A solid addition to the fantasy genre!

Our heroine in this romantasy goes searching for answers about her mother's past and finds much more than she bargained for.
She also finds herself changing in ways she would never have believed.
We travel to a whole new world in this story. Magic of various kinds and Clans who are not friendly to each other is what we discover.
Our hero is a warrior with many secrets.
This is the first book in a new series that I will definitely be reading more of.
A magical journey.

I'm in trouble.
There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I'd fall in love with Ms. Mecca's fantasy world!

The world-building, incredible! The visualization!

Her characters, main and supporting, are always people I'd love to have in my life, well, eventually anyway! You'll see!

Mev and Kael's banter...totally awesome!

I was drawn in, and didn't want to leave this world!

Looks like I'm adding this series to my one-click list!

Excellent!

Loved it! I always enjoy reading Cecelia Mecca’s books and this one is no exception! Looking forward to reading the next book!

A delightful beginning to an intriguing new series! This one starts a little slow, but draws you in nonetheless. The world that you are transported to is described beautifully and the characters are well written with layers of personality and the chemistry between Mev and Kael is smoldering. The banter is witty and the supporting characters are a delightful aspect in their own right. Looking forward to what comes next.

The first few chapters of this book will give you a complete backdrop of the world this author has created. A world of separate kingdoms where each have powers to one of the elements. I tried to memorize all the information given but have no worries, the author will remind you as the book rolls along.

Anyone that enjoys a bit of magic will love this book. An otherworldly adventure awaits with a perfect blend of kingdoms, powers, magic, romance, loyalty, deceit, and war.

Mev unknowingly walks into this realm by passing through a portal that had been closed to all other humans only to discover her true identity and a world she had no idea existed.

Kael is a prince from another kingdom, the one responsible for the turmoil she is about to learn about but is so handsome and open-minded that she immediately trusts him to keep her safe, even though he just kidnapped her and they're on horseback racing to escape.

So much unfolds that I dare not go into any detail, I want the reader to discover each aspect of this book as I did. What a great fantasy/romance! I was gifted with an ARC and wanted to post my thoughts and recommend this book highly to anyone loving a great adventure with a bit of magic.

In Whisper of War and Storms by C.L. Mecca, we embark on a journey following an immortal prince from a mystical realm and a resolute woman from Earth, both on a quest for answers when their fates intertwine …

The world-building hints at a rich backdrop, yet it could use more nuance and depth to fully captivate me. The narrative sometimes leans more towards telling rather than showing, which made me wish for a more vivid imagery and emotional resonance.

The characters are endearing, but their growth feels somewhat superficial. A deeper exploration of their inner thoughts and more nuanced relationship development would have enhanced their journeys. An all in all longer book might have provided Mev and Kael with more time for their relationship to grow more organically.

Overall, this book serves as an enjoyable, light diversion for fans of fantasy romance, offering a taste of magic and with an insta-love connection between our two MCs.

### only GR-link due to "only" average rating ###

Incredible Series Starter!!

I honestly don't know what “romantasy” is, but this story has me thinking it is a new favorite of mine! Oh my! So many amazing aspects to this story. It pulls you in immediately and honestly never lets you go.

A new world, only accessible to humans who have magical aptitude. Competing clans, royalty, politics, binding vows and so much more that to describe it further would give too much away.

Just know, this is something very special.

This world was a fantastic draw in. It's not perfect and it could use some work in places but I loved the story and the MC's. Time-travel-ish through a portal to an almost medieval-like realm but whose inhabitants are semi-current on Earthisms and technology!

Mevlida (I'd go by Mev too!) has returned to the scene of her mothers lost time. She's trying to root out what happened to her mother, who her father may be and what caused her mum's memory blackout. Along for the ride is her bestie and fellow history lover, Clara. They make a huge discovery but before Mev can think about what she's doing she finds herself sucked through a portal!

Ah Kael. He's the playboy bad boy of Elydor. He's had centuries under the authority of his father and he now sees the error of his ways. Now if he can just smuggle this human refugee to safety, he thinks he'' be making a dent in the karma overhaul he needs to undertake!

These two are slow-burn, intense enemies to lovers. The MC's and the secondary characters are relatable and friendly. The banter is witty and paced well. And shock horror - these characters actually have to go to the loo! I hate it when characters never need to go to the loo, brush their teeth, etc.

There is spice but it's infrequent and not over the top. It was a tad cheesy in places and could be more telling than showing but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have added book 2 to the TBR!

PS I may be not so subtly hoping for a MM romance between Adren and Rowan, just saying!

Mevlida never could have imagined that her trip to England looking for clues to find her unknown father would end up with her tumbling into an alternate world of magic called Aetheria, but here she is. She also couldn’t have known that her father is none other than a king, and she is the princess the kingdom has been missing since her mother disappeared from Aetheria. Mev’s return sparks tension between kingdoms, bringing her into the clutches of Kael, the prince of an enemy kingdom. As the tension between the two of them begins to mirror the ongoing conflict between their kingdoms, they both need to choose where their loyalties lie.

This was a light, breezy read. The author did a good job of creating a world and characters that I felt invested in as a reader and a premise that sets itself up well for future installments in this series. There were a lot of plot threads set up over the course of this book, and just enough of them were explored to make it a satisfying read while still leaving sufficient material to explore in sequels. The writing style matched the pace of the book well, with enough detail to visualize the characters and scenery but not so much that I felt bogged down reading it. I also appreciated the amount of development that went into the side-characters to make them feel like fleshed-out people.

There was a lot that I liked about this book. The magic system was interesting, and I liked the main character a lot. The story was fast-paced and I never felt bored reading it. That said, it also doesn’t do anything particularly new or different from other Romantasy books. And that’s okay! But I would have liked to have gotten to know the world a little more, and the relationship between Kael and Mev being so fast-paced made it difficult for me to get fully invested in their romance. If you’re looking for a quick Romantasy read with a lighter tone than others in the genre, I think this would be a fun read for you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5/5 A fast-paced romance set in a vibrant fantasy world.

I feel very neutral about this book. I think it could use some extra editing, and I wish it had been a bit longer with more attention to little details. The premise is super interesting, and I liked the characters well enough, it just wasn't anything super remarkable or groundbreaking. It's very much insta lust and insta love and I prefer a slow burn with more chemistry and tension. I feel like so much more could've been done to enhance the story. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining medieval inspired romantasy. It was more plot driven than spice driven and thus allowed more focus on the magic system. There could have been more world building, but what was there wasn’t overwhelming.

Whisper of War and Storms by Cecelia Mecca is a fantasy book with an interesting magic system filled with love, secrets and friendship. The characters were well crafted and the world building was interesting, with a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance to add the cherry on top. There's a delicious banter between the characters and a lot of secrets to be revealed.

This book has time travel, and a romance with medieval vibes and i was hooked from the very start. It was a great way to start a new fantasy series and i hope the author will explore the inner thoughts of the characters to add a bit more depth to it. There's a tiny bit of spice in the story and many secrets and betrayals which was a good thing.

Overall, this book is a light read for fans of romantasy books, having a taste of magic combined with a slow burn romance. This is a fast pace book, with a good plot but a bit rushed at times. I still recommend it to fans of the genre and i cannot wait to see what will come next.

5/5

A phenomenal fantasy novel in my opinion. It has some of my favourite tropes from my favourite childhood fantasy novels (portal fantasy! Lost Princess! The love interest is a prince from the enemy kingdom! Elemental magic!) and I could not get enough of it. The writing style is distinct between the two point of views and both Meg and Kael are AMAZING characters who both have great arcs in this book. I love a good travel fantasy and that was what this was. Just on a horse in nature with 2 characters who have to share a tent like OHH that is just peak fantasy in my opinion. Genuinely everything about this just hit the mark for me, it all brought me feelings of nostalgia in some odd way but I just have to say I loved this book.
The plot is slowly developing and again it’s a classical fantasy plot that I ADORE and haven’t read in ages. I genuinely loved the pure whimsy this novel had.
The romance had me kicking my feet and smiling. THEY WERE SO CUTE TOGETHER!!!!!!
And the side characters were perfect as well. The magic system is cool, the setting is vibrant and vivid….10/10.
I am now DYING for book 2 and praying I get an arc for it because this was amazing! Mev and Kael for life!

First let me say thank you to netgalley, the publishers, and C.L. Mecca for the chance to read this amazing story early!

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️

This is the first book I’ve read by C.L. Mecca and I can confirm I will definitely be back for more because I simply could not put this book down! I fell in love with the world building, the magic systems, the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, the characters both main and side, the hilarious banter, and still I am left with questions that have me counting down the days till book two is released! A time travel, medieval romance you won’t be able to put down! After twenty eight years of no answers and her mother telling her that some things are better left in the past Mev is determined to figure out who her father is, what her background is, and if maybe just maybe finding him might fill in the gaps she feels missing in her heart. So when she finds a strange ring and a photo of he mom outside some strange pub, Mev and her best friend decide to go on a trip to York to see if they can’t hunt down some answers. After a thorough search of every pub and more than one side eye from annoyed bartenders and pub owners Mev has accepted that maybe her longing to find her father truly never will be fulfilled. That is until her and Clara (the bff) walk into the Crooked Key, a pub whose owner spins a fanciful tale of a wild world outside our own that happens to be connected by a portal that was shut and sealed years ago. A portal that when shown to Mev she feels an undeniable draw to. And when she touches it transports her to a new world, a world that seems to be trapped in the medical time with a few modern amenities. Before she even has a chance to get her wits about her though Mev is whisked away by the enemy Prince Kael. What follows is a twisting and turning plot full of mystery, action, slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, a sprinkle of spice and a few secrets and betrayals that may or may not be the downfall of Mev and Kaels budding romance if they can’t put aside their differences and believe in the truth of their love. If that’s the kind of story you’re looking for then don’t hesitate to grab a copy of Whispers of War and Storms today!

This genre is not my usual reading fare, and it took me a little while to get into the book as I found the names and places confusing, probably because I was initially unable to relate to them. However, once I got into the plot, I found myself caught up in the magic, the descriptions, and the relationship between Mevlida and Kael. The novel is the beginning of a new interconnected series of books, and thus the story does not end in the closing chapter, nevertheless, I found that this adventure into hidden realms is well-written and there were no loose ends. I received a copy of this enjoyable novel as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Mevlida grew up with her mom. 28 years ago her mum arrived back in US being pregnant and without much memory about her time in York. All this is changing when Mev finds a ring with strange symbols on it and a picture showing her mum in front of a pub.
With her best friend she is flying to York in hope finding the pub and what once happened to her mum.
What she finds is for sure not what she expected. She learns that her dad is a king from another world who created the portal which was closed after her mum came through it. When she touches this portal she is activating and ends up in the other world and must learn that magic exists there, immortals rule and that not all is as it seems. Political games are played, the tension between two kingdoms are so strong that we are at the verge of war. So when a man is capturing Mev and she finds out he is Prince Kael, no other than the son of the one person responsible for closing the gate, she knows she can´t trust him and most importantly not tell him who she really is.
Kael has sworn to protect his people so he is determined to bring the person who could re open the gate to this father so they can find out how this was possible and to make sure no more humans are able to enter their world. When he finds out she is the long lost princess and must accept the feelings she is awakening in him he knows for sure he can´t bring her to her farther who hates humans. He must decide on what side of this fight he stands.


This is a really good start into a new fantasy series.
I really like the writing style and the mix between our world and one which is similar to ours but on the other hand so totally different. The idea that a human person wants to find out what once happened to her mum, who her father is and then steps via a portal into another realm and a totally different world is well written.
The setting in this world, how the magic abilities changed due to the region they settled, that also human abilities are changed by the magic is a good idea and I liked how the world is built.
Also the characters are well created. I really liked that there is friendship even so they are on different sides.
Also the secrets which get revealed and that there is so much more behind what once happened than was known so far is interesting and was surprising.

Mev is very well adjusting to the fact that she ended up in another realm and this is what I liked most. They way she is acting right from the start, that she is true to herself and how bit by bit she learns and accepts new things about herself is nicely written.
Kael loves his people. He is working hard to make sure they are safe, stands with his father and brother but he is not seeing all the way his dad wants it. Instead he is also making his own decisions even so this can cost him a lot.
When both meet each other they should not trust each other or have feelings but during their journey they can´t ignore the feelings for each other. I really like how they act together, how they learn more about each other, how they feelings change.

For me a really good start into a new fantasy series with the perfect combination of love, secrets, magic, friendship and a realm on the brink of war.