Review by Booklist Review
Ever since humans enacted the Cull in Anwyvn and killed the fae two hundred years ago, the land has been blighted and magic eradicated. A prophecy says that Remnants will be born over and over until all four of them are once again bound together to restore the balance. In a small seaside village lives Rhya Fleetwood, a fae halfling in hiding, with a strange birthmark that has always left her with questions. When events put her in the hands of Prince Pendefyre, Rhya learns that she is the Remnant of Air--a Wind Weaver. As she learns to hone her elemental powers, Rhya discovers that they could break her. But will her growing feelings for Pendefyre break her first? For he is the Remnant of Fire, and together they could fan the flames of passion--or burn it all down. The first in a new series, The Wind Weaver has everything romantasy readers love: morally gray heroes, angsty romance with spice, and a fantasy world worth exploring. Fans will be anticipating the next installment.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Johnson (At Last Sight) dips into epic romantasy with this formulaic opener to her Reign of Remnants series. Fae halflings like Rhya Fleetwood have been prosecuted and put to death in Anwyvn since the Cull of magical beings 200 years earlier, so when she's captured, it seems like the end of the line. But her execution is halted by the mysterious and cantankerous Commander Scythe, who throws her on the back of his horse for a long and dangerous journey to the Northlands. Along the way, she discovers that her odd birthmark means she is a Remnant, imbued with the powers of Air and fated to be part of the restoration of her war-torn world. Johnson's prose moves at a decent clip and the story is adventure-forward, with perilous terrain, exciting battles, and courtly drama. Unfortunately, the reveals are easily guessed, protagonist backstories are unsubtle, and the inevitable fated romantic connection between Rhya and Scythe lacks spark. Johnson leaves the primary conflict unresolved, with Rhya still learning how to control her powers, and the romance dynamic unsettled. Here's hoping book two will turn things up a notch. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Fae and halflings are being hunted in Anwyvn, and after weeks of being on the run, Rhya Fleetwood is captured and about to be executed when Commander Scythe abducts her. Scythe takes Rhya to the remote and frigid Northlands, where Rhya encounters more life-threatening obstacles, but Scythe remains uncommunicative and hostile. When Rhya uses her elemental power to control the wind for the first time, she blacks out, and only once she is a guest of another powerful fae in the north does she get some cryptic answers. She finds she is a Remnant, one of only four who can control on of the elements: earth, fire, wind, or water. Once back in Scythe's homeland, she finds that although she is no longer considered a prisoner, she is still closely monitored. Despite the confusing treatment from Scythe, Rhya is drawn to him and his own power. The action is constant and with a band of humorous brothers-in-arms for Rhya to interact with, readers will enjoy Rhya's adventures once she is in the Northlands, but unfortunately, the romance is less satisfying, as the hero remains controlling and irritable throughout. VERDICT Johnson's (Bad Luck Charm) series launch is an action-packed romantasy with an engaging plot but a disappointing romance.--Eve Stano
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