Wayward Reviews

---

This story follows three emotionally rich characters through a vividly imagined world touched by elemental magic. While the plot falters, especially in its rushed final act, the character depth and atmospheric setting offer moments of warmth and intrigue. Familiar, but comforting.

Book 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.

*Please note I do use affiliate links occasionally

---

Review

* Non-Spoiler Review*

Another FairyLoot subscription pick completed, and I have to say, I’m quite proud of myself this year. I’ve managed to stay on top of my reading pile, which feels like a small triumph in itself.

Now, onto the book. From the outset, it felt familiar, like a story I’d encountered before. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; I don’t expect every plot to reinvent the wheel. If the writing is strong and the characters compelling, I’m usually content. But in this case, the plot didn’t quite hold up its end of the bargain.

Let’s start with what worked:

✨ Character Development
The three main characters were well fleshed out. I felt like I truly understood them. Even the supporting cast had enough depth to feel real, which is always a win.

🌍 World-Building
The setting was vivid and immersive. I could easily picture the terrain and the people who inhabited it, which added a nice layer of texture to the story.

🔮 Magic System
The magical elements were enjoyable, though I definitely craved more detail. A deeper dive into how the magic worked would have elevated the experience.

Now for the less-than-magical parts:

📉 Plot Pacing
While the character arcs were clearly the focus, the plot itself felt uneven. The final 100 pages were a whirlwind, rushed and clearly designed to tee up the sequel. In a 530-page book, that imbalance left me feeling a bit shortchanged.

Final thoughts? I closed the book feeling underwhelmed, yet curious enough that I might pick up the next installment. We’ll see.

Spice Rating: 2/6 – See my rating system here

Book Rating: 3/5