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A review by katerzjoy
The West Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I really didn't like this book, and it put me in a reading slump. I had to give myself little rewards just to get through a chapter. I had the first book in the series on my to be read list, but I took it off after finishing this one.
The beginning started off okay, with some funny lines that seemed promising. But by the time I was a quarter through, there were a lot of gaps in the story and things that didn't quite make sense. I hoped things would get better and that the characters would really grow and change by the end, but by half the way through, I had lost that hope.
The storyline felt aimless and repetitive, and it never really led anywhere satisfying. There were many inconsistencies and unanswered questions by the end.
The main character had confusing beliefs and actions that she never really addressed. The male lead was pretty forgettable. He was supposed to go through some character growth, but I didn't see any real change from the beginning to the end of the book.
The book had a strong Catholic influence, even if it didn't directly say so. Themes like guilt, purity culture, and religious trauma were everywhere. Although the main character tried to challenge these ideas, she didn’t really deal with her issues. As someone who has faced similar challenges, I was let down by how Brielle handled her struggles.
While I appreciated the representation of a more accepting world regarding queer identities, it made the romance feel off. It seemed like both characters were actually better suited for relationships with the same sex or different characters altogether. The romantic connection felt forced and lacking in chemistry. The sex scene was confusing; it wasn’t terrible, but it felt wrong, especially for a character who was raised in a strict purity culture. The MMC was self serving.
I'll give the book two stars (though it's really more like 1.5) just for the representation of plus-size characters, skilled labor, the descriptions of the setting, and somewhat decent queer representation.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest and authentic review
The beginning started off okay, with some funny lines that seemed promising. But by the time I was a quarter through, there were a lot of gaps in the story and things that didn't quite make sense. I hoped things would get better and that the characters would really grow and change by the end, but by half the way through, I had lost that hope.
The storyline felt aimless and repetitive, and it never really led anywhere satisfying. There were many inconsistencies and unanswered questions by the end.
The main character had confusing beliefs and actions that she never really addressed. The male lead was pretty forgettable. He was supposed to go through some character growth, but I didn't see any real change from the beginning to the end of the book.
The book had a strong Catholic influence, even if it didn't directly say so. Themes like guilt, purity culture, and religious trauma were everywhere. Although the main character tried to challenge these ideas, she didn’t really deal with her issues. As someone who has faced similar challenges, I was let down by how Brielle handled her struggles.
While I appreciated the representation of a more accepting world regarding queer identities, it made the romance feel off. It seemed like both characters were actually better suited for relationships with the same sex or different characters altogether. The romantic connection felt forced and lacking in chemistry. The sex scene was confusing; it wasn’t terrible, but it felt wrong, especially for a character who was raised in a strict purity culture. The MMC was self serving.
I'll give the book two stars (though it's really more like 1.5) just for the representation of plus-size characters, skilled labor, the descriptions of the setting, and somewhat decent queer representation.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest and authentic review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Slavery, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse