Review of ‘The Wind Weaver’ by Julie Johnson. Discover the wind-swept romantasy where a feared halfling, a brooding commander, and a long-lost prophecy collide in a journey that’s as magical as it is heart-pounding. Julie Johnson’s The Wind Weaver launches a new romantasy series full of elemental magic, ancient legacies, and found family dynamics that will leave you reaching for book two.
The wind, the prophecy, and the commander: ‘The Wind Weaver’ is a spellbinding start to Julie Johnson’s romantasy series
Synopsis
Magic and adventure swirl through this spellbinding romantasy where a young woman reignites the embers of an ancient prophecy, unleashing a storm that could save her realm or doom them all.
Fear of maegic plagues war-torn Anwyvn. Halflings like Rhya Fleetwood are killed on sight. But Rhya’s execution is interrupted by an unexpected savior—one far more terrifying than her would-be killers. The mysterious and mercenary Commander Scythe. In the clutches of this new enemy, Rhya finds herself fighting for her life in the barren reaches of the Northlands. Yet the farther she gets from home, the more she learns that nothing is as it seems—not her fearsome captor, not the blight that ravages her dying realm, not even herself.
For Rhya is no ordinary halfling. The strange birthmark on her chest and the wind she instinctively calls forth means she is a Remnant, one of four souls scattered across Anwyvn, fated to restore the balance of maegic…or die trying.
But mastering the power inside her is only the beginning. Desire for the Commander—a man she can never trust, a man with plans of his own—burns just as fiercely as the tempests beating against her rib cage for release. Rhya must choose: smother the flames…or let them consume her.
Review
In The Wind Weaver, we follow Rhya Fleetwood, a halfling whose existence is a death sentence in the war-torn land of Anwyvn. When her execution is thwarted by none other than the ruthless Commander Scythe, Rhya’s journey takes a sharp turn into the desolate and dangerous Northlands. As secrets unravel and magic begins to stir, she discovers she’s not just different. She’s one of the fabled Remnants, born to rebalance the world’s shattered maegic. But while learning to control the wind swirling inside her is one challenge, resisting her fierce captor and the spark between them is a whole other storm.
Okay, let’s talk about the beginning. I won’t lie, it dragged a little for me. It felt like it took forever for Rhya and Scythe to actually arrive somewhere, and during those first few chapters, I found myself checking the page count more than once. But the good news? Once Scythe’s companions enter the picture, the story really hits its stride. The pacing picks up, and from there, I was much more engaged.
And speaking of the Commander’s companions, can we talk about how much I loved this group? These men brought such good banter, tension, and heart to the story. Following their travel across the Northlands felt like being part of a ragtag little family, and I genuinely enjoyed their dynamic. More of them in the sequel, please.
Rhya and Scythe as a duo? Definitely intriguing. I liked them both, but I do think Rhya felt a bit too naive and closed off at times. She often came across as a little childish, especially considering the high stakes she’s thrown into, and I found myself wishing she had a bit more awareness of the world around her. That said, her growth potential is huge, and I’m hopeful we’ll see more of that development in the next book.
Now let’s gush about the maegic system. I was obsessed. It’s such a unique take on elemental power, and the whole concept of the Remnants and their fated roles adds a fascinating layer to the plot. It felt fresh, creative, and full of promise. Combine that with the overarching mystery and prophecies, and I’m 100 percent curious to see where Julie Johnson is taking this series.
I will say, parts of this book gave off some YA energy. It’s marketed as romantasy, and while the romance is definitely there (and simmering), the tone sometimes felt more young adult than adult fantasy. Not a dealbreaker for me, but something to keep in mind depending on your vibe.
All in all, The Wind Weaver is a fun, windswept start to what looks to be an exciting romantasy series. While the beginning could’ve been tighter and Rhya had her frustrating moments, the magic, adventure, and team dynamic totally won me over. I’m definitely sticking around to see what storms lie ahead.
Final thoughts
If you’re into elemental magic, slow-burn romance, and that classic “you’re the chosen one” energy with a twist, you’ll want to pick this one up. A promising series kickoff with tons of potential.
Rating
8/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Violence, execution attempt, war themes, captivity, death, mild romantic tension with power imbalance
- Themes: Prophecy and destiny, elemental magic, trust and betrayal, forbidden romance, identity and self-discovery, found family
- Representation: No explicit queer or BIPOC representation noted; features a female protagonist navigating a world that fears her heritage and powers
- Genre: Romantasy
- Pages: 544
- Publication date: April 8, 2025
- Publisher: Penguin
- About the author:
JULIE JOHNSON is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wind Weaver. When she’s not writing, Julie can most often be found sitting on the beach near her home in her native Massachusetts, adding stamps to her passport, drinking too much coffee, and avoiding reality by disappearing between the pages of a book. She published her debut novel on a lark, just before her senior year of college, and she’s never looked back. Since, she has published twenty other novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen different languages and appeared on bestseller lists all over the world.
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