Notes from the Shelf

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This post contains spoilers.

Book Summary

In The West Wind, Brielle of Thornbrook has spent her life devoted to the abbey, with a heart focused on faith and discipline. But everything changes when she finds an injured stranger in the forest, leading her into the mysterious realm of Under. There, she discovers the stranger is Zephyrus, the West Wind, a dangerous and irresistible force of nature who stirs feelings Brielle has never allowed herself to experience.

As Brielle navigates the eerie world of Under, where danger and deception lurk at every turn, she must confront the conflict between duty and desire. Her growing attraction to Zephyrus puts her in a perilous position, forcing her to question everything she believes about faith, love, and sacrifice. With Greek mythology woven into a dark fantasy romance, The West Wind will captivate fans of magical realms and forbidden love.

My Thoughts

While I still enjoyed The West Wind, I didn’t find myself as captivated by it as I was with the first book in the series. Zephyrus, the West Wind, just didn’t quite hit the mark for me as much as Boreas, the North Wind, did. Zephyrus’ charming yet reckless nature, though undeniably compelling at times, bordered on being a bit more annoying than endearing. I felt like his constant push and pull with Brielle added a level of frustration, especially when compared to the more brooding, intense energy of Boreas.

That said, one of the elements I still really appreciated was the forbidden love aspect of the story. Brielle’s internal conflict between following her heart and adhering to the strict traditions she’s been raised with was beautifully portrayed. It’s such a compelling dilemma—one that many readers can relate to when faced with the tension between desire and duty. The emotional stakes were high, and Brielle’s journey of discovering who she truly is, beyond the confines of tradition, made the romance element both heart-wrenching and powerful. The push-pull between these two forces—heart vs. tradition—was one of the most moving parts of the story for me.

I couldn’t resist buying the special edition again from Once Upon a Book Club so it would match my first one. This time, I didn’t read ahead, but I still enjoyed the book quite a bit. The items in the box were actually a bit more to my liking than the first set, which was a nice bonus!

Final Thoughts

Overall, The West Wind was an enjoyable follow-up, though I found myself longing for the intensity of the first book. Zephyrus wasn’t my favorite love interest, but the themes of love versus duty and the emotional depth of Brielle’s journey made the story worthwhile. It’s a great choice for readers who love complex relationships set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world.

I’m really excited for The South Wind, which is releasing on May 27 in the U.S. Once Upon a Book Club has announced their limited edition box, and I’ll definitely be grabbing it again to keep the series matching. I’m intrigued by the brief glimpse we got of the South Wind in The West Wind, so I can’t wait to dive into the next installment. Plus, I’m curious to see what goodies will be included in the box! Unfortunately, I won’t receive it until September, so I may end up reading the book ahead of time if my library offers it!

If you’re ready to immerse yourself in a world of forbidden love, magical realms, and mythological twists, consider grabbing a copy of The West Wind through Bookshop.org. Your purchase supports independent bookstores and helps keep this blog thriving!

Read My Other Alexandria Warwick Reviews:

Book Review: The North Wind

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