A good start to what is set to be a epic romantsy series. I enjoyed the mediaeval aspect but feel like the plot was missing something. The characters were interesting and I feel like I need to know more about them to get the full picture.

Whisper of War and Storms is a quick read - I read it in a few hours.

Our two main characters are engaging and quite fun, but because the story is so quick, some of the elements of their developing relationship are far too rushed. The enemies-to-lover element is never fully developed. Maybe they don't like each other, or maybe they do - the depths of the potential hatred aren't fully explored and the story really does rely on both of them being far from honest with one another. In that, it feels quite like a Regency Romance.

That said, the storyline and backstory have a lovely Narnia feel, and I very much enjoyed the world-building and how the author has set up the story for subsequent books in what I assume will be a long-running series.

A fun and engaging read.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

Review: Whisper of War and Storms by C.L. Mecca
Rating: 3.5/5

Whisper of War and Storms by C.L. Mecca is a solid start to what feels like an epic romantasy series. The story drops us into the magical kingdom of Aetheria, where Mevlida Brennan, a seemingly ordinary woman, learns she’s actually a long-lost princess. From there, we’re swept into a world of political intrigue, elemental magic, and a sizzling (if a little rushed) romance with Kael, the brooding son of a powerful king.

The world-building is lush, and the premise is intriguing. There’s so much potential here for a story full of epic twists and turns. Mevlida and Kael’s dynamic has some great moments—there’s humor, chemistry, and a bit of edge that romantasy fans will enjoy.

That said, the pacing is where I struggled a bit. The romance, while enjoyable, develops way too fast. One moment Mevlida knows nothing about Aetheria or her place in it, and the next, she and Kael are flirting and joking about their future. Given the captive-captor setup, the “I love yous” and marriage talk came way too quickly. I would’ve loved to see their relationship evolve more naturally.

Additionally, the book doesn’t quite have a big, climactic moment—it feels like it’s setting the stage for something grander in book two. That’s not necessarily bad, but if you’re looking for major twists or epic battles right away, you might feel a little let down.

Overall, Whisper of War and Storms has a lot to offer for fans of romantasy who enjoy steamy tension and intricate world-building. While it didn’t completely hit the mark for me, I’m curious to see where the series goes next!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.

This was an interesting first novel for a saga, but unfortunately did not draw me in as much as I had hoped. I wish the magic system had been more fleshed out as this is always the most fascinating part of any fantasy novel for me!
I enjoyed the inclusion of York and the interwoven medieval history.