Wind Flowers

by Lina C. Amarego

A lost thief in need of a cure. A lonely princess in search of a cause. A continent on the brink of chaos.
Shin Koishi learned long ago how to listen to the language of the wind. Living in the dregs of Hiku City, the seedy capital of the Sora air kingdom, Shin always provided for his sickly little sister and the band of scrappy young orphans called the Lost Ones by stealing, swearing, and living on the back of a breeze.
Princess Catirina of Dunyas, on the other hand, has never left the ornate Anastova Palace walls, a sheltered flower barely given the sunlight to bloom. After years of grieving her deceased brother in silken solitude, the time has come for Irina to be married off to the first prince her oppressive parents deem worthy enough to rule their kingdom-and her.
But when Shin steals from the wrong princeling, he catapults himself into the dark world of the corrupt nobility. To save his sister, he must become their political pawn- and kidnap the reclusive Princess during the annual masquerade ball. And when Irina is offered the opportunity to flee her gilded cage, her whole world is turned upside down. As they both navigate unfamiliar terrain, avoid terror around every corner, and uncover dark secrets buried throughout the continent of Babylon, they discover a destiny-and a history-entwined. And the fates of their friends, their families, and their kingdoms rest on whether they blow apart like dandelion flowers in the wind...or learn to soar together.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, High Fantasy

470 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Growing up on the east coast in small-town New Jersey, Lina spent her early days playing pretend and making up stories for her friends and family, a pastime that would soon turn into a lifelong passion for storytelling in all its forms. A recovering theatre kid at heart and a therapist by profession, Lina loves the study of human behavior and relationships, infusing both into her writing craft. When she's not scribbling ideas about fictional worlds into the margins of her notebooks, Lina spends her time reading anything she can get her hands on, driving her husband crazy with her wild daydreams, and snuggling her adorable pup.

Reviews

[Cass Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lost thief in need of a cure.
A lonely princess in search of a cause.
A continent on the brink of chaos...
...
Cass Says: "A magical world and a breath of fresh air..."
...
Book Type: ARC Copy

I had the honor of reading this book early and there is something that sets my heart alight when I get the opportunity to devour one of Lina C. Amarego's books before the rest of the world. It's that feeling of knowing a secret and getting to keep it all to yourself (at least for a little while).

Of course, I can't wait until this secret is out in the world. This story was lyrically inviting, painting a world that is both familiar and forgotten within the genre of fantasy most popular today. Amarego crafts a story of human lives, the expert insights of the broken and beautiful pieces that live within our souls splayed out upon the page raw and real.

This was adventure from start to finish. That rush of escaping into a world you wish was your own. I adore our two leads, both voices crisp and unique, balanced in a way that makes it impossible to pick a favorite POV. Shin is mischief and magic while Irina brings a warmth and hope back into the genre of fantasy. Their romance is a whirlwind, soft and consuming and one that will mark it as one of my favorites for always.

Windflowers is a must read for readers who enjoy adventure fantasy, fish out of water protagonists, secret histories, and the female gaze in abundance. Found family is a major theme in this story, and I encourage you to join the Lost Ones when this book releases on 03.01.24.

👍 Cass Recommends

Rating breakdown:

Writing/Prose: 5/5 stars
- The style is perfect for anyone who enjoys living and breathing within the atmosphere of a story. Amarego brings each new scene to life with her rich descriptions and magical energy surrounding the words, settings, and emotions flooding the page.

Characters: 4.5/5 stars
- This book is filled to the brim with interesting and inviting characters, each with their own unique voice, quirks, and emotions. Amarego never leaves you wondering who each of these characters are, a true feat for larger casts. Shin and Irina are our main characters and will be adored by readers looking for characters who are coming into their own, growing and exploring themselves as well as the world around them. Shin and Irina are charismatic and together they are electric and their voices truly bring you into their minds throughout the course of each of their internal and external obstacles.

Pacing: 5/5 stars
- This book never feels rushed or bogged down for my reading preferences. I was sucked in from the first chapter and felt like I was on the journey with the Lost Ones until the very end. While there is exciting action, it does not overshadow the softer and quiet moments where readers will get a chance to catch their breaths (or hold their breaths). An easy read but definitely for those who don't mind savouring prose and emotional exploration.

World-building: 4.5/5 stars
- I'm always going to want to know more about this world (to no fault of the author). She builds a unique and beautifully flawed universe and characters who fit into these rich settings, making it feel lived in and thriving. I would love to spend more time in those spaces, but there are only so many pages in a book. Recommended for people who enjoy the Avatar the Last Airbender universe (and yes, this book has a great map).

Romance: 5/5 stars
- This book is not a "romantasy" so to speak, but it captures a whirlwind romance so refreshing I never wanted to stop reading Shin and Irina's moments together. There is adventure, action, magic, court intrigue, etc., but the romance is equally as important throughout Shin and Irina's journeys. From the moment Shin lays eyes on Irina, Amarego's delicious prose had my jaw on the floor. The female gaze is rich within this story and I found it comfortable and beautiful to read about two characters who fit so beautifully together. I recommend for lovers of fantasy with a warm romantic subplot. Readers who are searching for soft love, healthy and teeming with intimate moments outside of only the physical will adore these two. I cannot recommend them enough.

Plot/Structure: 4.5/5 stars
- The plot is neat and tidy, with enough intrigue and mystery about the secrets kept hidden beneath the surface to keep you guessing. Amarego keeps the readers hooked with the effortless weaving of different elements within the story that seamlessly keep the plot easy to follow and leaves you wanting more with each chapter's end. Recommended for readers who want to sit at home and binge read a book that feels like a the memory of a fairy tale but designed for you as an adult.

Overall Rating & Why
- 5 Stars - This is a five star read for me because it is clear that the writer's heart and soul went into the creation of this story. Amarego's rich story-telling is so much fun and I will be re-reading this multiple times without hesitation. This hits a lot of key elements for me including, but not limited to, beautifully written and flawed characters, unique perspectives, intriguing world-building, exciting adventure, and delectable prose I could disappear into.

Major thanks to the author for allowing me the opportunity to read this early and for letting me find a story that connected with my heart and soul. Now go read Windflowers.

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

༻❥☆☘️☆❥༺
📖🄱🄾🄾🄺•🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆📖
──────☆☘️✨☘️☆──────
📚🧚‍♀️🌸✨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒✨🌸🧚‍♀️📚
☘️𝚆𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝙵𝙻𝙾𝚆𝙴𝚁𝚂 𝙱𝚈 𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙰 𝙲. 𝙰𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙴𝙶𝙾
☘️𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟷 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙰𝙱𝚈𝙻𝙾𝙽 𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙻 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
☘️𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙽𝙰 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
☘️𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙷 𝟷𝚂𝚃 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
☘️𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
☘️𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🌶️ || 𝟻
──────☆☘️✨☘️☆──────
✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨
Thank you so much to @lina_amarego_writes & @bookofmatchesmedia for my gifted eARC of 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒!

Wins Flowers was such a wonderful and delightful read! It has so many amazing elements to it that pulled me in from the very beginning and didn’t let go. Found family, grumpy X sunshine, and only one bed…. I mean, what more can I say?!

I absolutely loved Shin as a MMC! He is definitely one of the good ones and you can tell he is fiercely protective of his found family and is such a strong and respected leader. The love he has for his sister is so pure and genuine and you really just can’t help but love him as a MMC. Irina, our FMC, underwent some amazing character development from beginning to end and I loved seeing her go from quiet to feisty. She is living in a world where everything is decided for her, but she wants so badly for things to change. These two MCs together created the most amazing dynamic and I loved their interactions so much! Shin and Irina complement each other perfectly. I absolutely loved their romance!

This book was such a captivating read that I couldn’t and didn’t want to put down. I loved everything about it and thought it was beautifully written and wonderfully paced. The world building and magic system was so unique and descriptive. I loved Amarego’s writing style, and she wrote in such a way that you feel totally immersed in this book and the world. I loved every minute of it!

Overall, I definitely recommend!

☘️✨𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄...✨☘️
❥Kidnapping
❥Masquerade Ball
❥Only One Bed
❥Hidden Identities
❥Found Family
❥Opposites Attract
❥Princess x Thief
❥Grumpy x Sunshine.
──────☆☘️✨☘️☆─────

[L.E. Reiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticked all my boxes as far as fantasy goes. I typically like the darker side of things, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I dove into this story because it's pitched as a more wistful, "Howl's Moving Castle" kind of story. I can say confidently that it definitely has influence of Howl in the pages, as well as Peter Pan and Aladdin, and I was excited to find that it actually nourished my inner child in a way I wasn't quite expecting. I really admire the author's ability to take this picturesque, whimsical world and organically infuse the dark underbelly of political warfare, blight, and hidden agendas. The different kingdoms and magic systems were so fascinating, and if you liked Avatar the Last Airbender, you'll love this book because ELEMENTAL MAGIC. It also features a sunshine x grumpy trope (my personal favorite) so there was no shortage of fun to be had between the two main characters. The author's ability to write such a fully-fleshed cast of characters is really something to be studied and admired. Do read with tissues, friends. This one's a tear-jerker.

[Taylor Lust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 😊

One last secret. One last smile. One last ruse. One last look. One last dance. One last breath. One more adventure.
✨
🌬️Elemental magic
👥Dual pov
💕Lovable found family
👑A princess and a thief
🌄Avatar the last airbender vibes
💚Standalone
🔥Forced proximity
⛰️Adventure
☠️Royal conspiracy

Lush worldbuilding thrusting you right into the action and chaos of the most precious little band of thieves 🥹 The family they found with each other one of the best parts of this book, seeing them all interact and seeing the love they have for each other was amazing! And when they go on this adventure to save one of their own and end up inadvertently welcoming in the Princess too, well it will break your heart and put it back together again… mostly 😭 I was a crying mess at the end!! So much so that my husband caught me crying and was very concerned before I explained in blubbering words that it was the book I was reading 😭😭😭 such a sweet ending but sad too and full of grief

Shin and Irina are absolutely fantastic together. I loved their dynamic a lot and how they brought the best out in each other; Irina needed a purpose and Shin needed hope and someone to lead with him. He always did everything on his own and he was basically the father of the Lost Ones and I think he really needed someone who wasn’t looking to him for that sort of love and guidance, he needed a partner and someone he could drop his mask for.
Irina finally finding confidence in herself was beautiful to watch. She struggled so much with her appearance and what her own family had told her that she was useless and not who they wanted for the throne. She also dealt with body issues being a bigger girl and I appreciated having another midsize/plus size character in a book!! I could go on and on with these two but instead here’s a quote from Shin and I about choked when I read it 😂 saucy boy:

“The woman at the bar looked like she sipped life straight from the source. And despite my better judgment, all I wanted was a taste of her on my tongue.”

This was a surprisingly heavy book with themes of death and grief and family trauma, but it also had so many bright and sweet moments and that just made it feel so REAL 🥹

TW: fatphobia, violence, alluding to SA, blood & gore, death, grief, sickness (similar to cancer)

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover photo of the book is absolutely gorgeous and I was intrigued into reading it. I received an ARC copy of the book and I would like to thank the author for that.

The writing skills of the author are flawless and I was engaged throughout the book without getting bored at all. Through her Captivating writing style I could visualise myself in that world and immerse myself into the characters. It has been a very cozy read for me. The characters of Shin and Catirina were quite relatable and I really enjoyed reading their character developments. The side characters were also quite good and interesting to read.

In conclusion, "Wind Flowers" seems to be a richly textured novel that delves into themes of love, loss, family dynamics, friendship and personal growth, all within the framework of a captivating rural setting. The characters, each with their own complexities and emotional depths, contribute to a narrative that is likely to resonate with readers on a profound level.

[Maddie Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a whimsical romantasy that gives off the same vibes as the Anastasia movie and has that fairytale feeling, look no further! This book brings back that nostalgia in the best ways, with some absolutely unforgettable characters and a story that will stay with you even after you've finished reading.

It's hard to even say who my favourites are, since I adore Irina and Shin and their sweet dynamic. Not only are the main characters well fleshed out with clear motivations of their own, but the side characters also steal the show (I would die for Via and I need more of her at all times).

The magic system and the world itself feel well thought out, without being too complex to follow.

Also I hope that you're ready to cry because this book will tug at your heartstrings.

[EmeraldFae13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Windflowers is a stunning book. The prose is beautiful, the world is unique, and the characters are lovable. I enjoyed the sweet romance and seeing the coming of age growth of the characters throughout the book. Windflowers is a standalone fantasy with elemental magic, Anastasia, and Peter Pan vibes. This book gave me all the feels, I couldn’t recommend it enough. 💚

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

War was a game that nobles played, but peasants suffered

Shin Koishi has become well versed in the language of the wing, leader of the Lost Ones, children let down by the monarchy of Sora, left in the gutters to starve, the Lost ones are a ragtag band of thieves who've found a family within each other. However, when one of his marks turns out to be the prince of one of the Northern Kingdoms, Shin finds himself and his family thrust into the sinister and dark world of corruption and political intrigue. Shin will do anything to protect those he holds dearest, none more than his little sister Aya, whose slowly succumbing to the Blight that wiped out so much of the population many years ago. To save her life, and start a new one for him and his team, Shin becomes a political pawn, tasked with kidnapping the reclusive Princess Catrina.

Catrina is the Princess of Dunyas and new heir to the throne she never wanted. Sheltered from life outside the palace walls, she longs to escape her gilded cage, and be free. Never feeling good enough, and having no choices of her own to make, she wants more, determined to be treated as more than the spare heir, and given the opportunities her brother was before his passing. However, as time nears closer to her impending marriage to solidify an alliance with a neighbouring Kingdom, one her oppressive parents deign most palatable and profitable, she escapes to Hiku City as a last ditch attempt at freedom, and these choices and events slowly domino into an adventure Irina could never dream of.

Holy hell. This was..... AMAZING

Shin had my absolute heart from the first line. Cocky, charismatic, and so full of banter, he had me GIDDY with his hilarious and witty remarks and remarkable penchant for getting himself into fights.

"Did I accidentally smash that little walnut you use for a brain? The lady said let go, but I'd be happy to keep you entertained"



Underneath his immovable facade though, he hides a deep pain, he longs for a life where he and his found family don't have to thieve and live hand to mouth, but actually live, and be comfortable and safe. The love he holds for his sister, and his family is unparalleled and palpable, it bleeds through the pages and is so deeply evocative and moving, I cannot say enough good things about this man, he is a gentle-hearted, beautiful soul, who fears the loss of anyone close to him so viscerally it takes over his entire being, he would sacrifice himself over and over to protect them, and grapples with gut wrenchingly loneliness that he hides as leader of the group. He deserves the world and I'll die on this hill.

Catrina is a sweetheart whose trapped in a world full of oppression, where every aspect of her life is dictated to her by her parents, especially her cold and unfeeling mother. She never wanted to be heir to Dunyas, and with her mother's constant jibes, she longs to escape, especially with her arranged marriage looming precariously above her head. Catrina is determined to make a difference, and marry for love rather than a political advantage, but the patriarchal world does not sway in her favour. I loved watching her feisty side come out, especially once she's thrust into the world of thieves and corruption. She soon realises that the world she thought she knew is a lot more dark and dreary, the struggles of her kingdom become plain, something she finds overwhelming, and difficult to digest, but that only seems to drive her determination to make a difference to the Kingdom and protect her people when her time comes. Watching her development and confidence grow was exceptional and so moving.

Shin and Catrina find kindred spirits in each other, both lonely and forced into roles they never wanted, expected to mature way before their age, and carry the burden and pressure to protect others. They soon realise that the lives they lead are not as different as they first appear. I loved seeing their relationship develop throughout the story, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and open in a way they've never been able to before, being fully seen and accepted, even if their goals are drastically opposing to each other.

Don't even get me started on the thief crew... they hold my entire heart.


Their personalities are just so vivid and vibrant and REAL . Malina is a bad-ass, take no shit, spitfire, second in command, who finds it hard to trust, and just wants to keep everyone around her safe. Kas, Malina's younger brother is mischievous, charming and exudes a child like wonder with everything he encounters that he's just utterly endearing. Naveen, oh this man gives Shin a run for his money, with his quick wit and banter, his one liners had me roaring with laughter, and he is just one hell of a cheeky, arrogant, no filter, bad-ass. The there's sweet baby Aya, Shin's younger sister, whose a sweet, gentle angel, she's full of compassion, and kindness, approaching everything with a warm and open heart. However, she battles the blight that weaves through her body intensely, putting on a brave face to protect the others, but she also has a fiery side that was a joy to witness, especially when targeted at Shin. Lastly we have the troublesome twins, Ren and Riku. Ren is brazen, hilarious, flirty, and the more optimistic of the twins, always donning a smile, whereas Riku is a realist, he keeps to himself, and rarely cracks a smile, struggling to let anyone under his skin. Their loyalty to each other was so warming and moving. I would burn the earth down for this crew, they deserve the entire world and then some.

'Wind Flowers' is a lush and gorgeously crafted story that immediately entranced me, immersing me in the rich world and culture, brimming with vibrant characters who are so beautifully real, raw and exude personality. The writing was so atmospheric and bewitching, you feel seamlessly transported into this world, overflowing with a refreshing and unique magic system, intense and thrilling adventure, astounding character growth and development, found family, and intriguing politics.

If you love action packed, thrilling, edge of your seat drama, with deep secrets, court intrigue, and insane twists, then you will ADORE THIS STORY . I can't stop thinking about it, it was so emotional, evocative, and so profoundly moving, you feel everything the characters feel so viscerally, and become so invested and attached to the remarkable characters that they feel like home. It will hurt so be prepared for that, I was sobbing and pacing at points, but I'm in awe of Lina, and her astounding writing, and completely obsessed with this story and it's world.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King’s Masque is approaching when the royals come to the Masquerade and is where Irina may have to select her husband. Since her older brother Nikolaj, the heir died, she is now responsible for marrying. Irina decides to go to Hiku City one last time as she used to with her brother once a year to experience life and have fun one last time.
Irina is accosted by men from Nahir, when suddenly a boy rescues her from them.
Irina is drawn to this boy, but goes home that evening wishing for more.
During the Masquerade, the boy is there, and he asks her to meet her later. She does, but things don’t go the way Irina thought they would.
Shin has only ever made sure to protect his family, his sister Aya and the Lost Ones. One evening, after rescuing a girl from some men of Nahir, their hideout is found out by none other than Queen Ecei of Nahir and gives them the choice to help her or they all die. Since Shin only wants to protect his family, he agrees to her terms feeling he has no choice, especially if it means saving his sister Aya from the Blight.

This world is so big and in depth. There’s four different kingdoms with their own abilities and magic. There are different levels of magic users, and there’s different elemental users. It was so fascinating and I loved learning about the world and the different magical abilities. I will say I wish there was more focus on the magic because it fell on the back burner as the story progressed, but still really interesting!

The story itself is very slow at first and then I felt like it became a bit rushed. I really liked the characters and the found family that forms. The romance wasn’t as believable as I wanted it to be. I wanted them to be endgame, but I also was okay if nothing came of it because it seemed a bit forced. Nonetheless, it was still a sweet romance.

I think I loved the family aspect of this story more than anything! I loved the found family, and the extra one that joins them as the story progresses and it was just lovely to read, and of course makes any betrayal later even harder and more shocking.

There are some twists in here. There was only one that truly shocked and surprised me because I didn’t expect it, and it was very heartbreaking, but it made for a very good and riveting story at that point!

Overall, I really enjoyed and loved the world and look forward to more in this world!

I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I stilled, the world coming in and out of focus. A choice. An adventure."

You know that book hangover feeling? Where you have to sit and let your thoughts just be after reading an incredible story? That's how Wind Flowers affected me! I finished it a week ago but I had to let my thoughts settle before I could write this review. I really want to do this book justice!

The writing is magical, lyrical, and beautiful!! Sometimes I'd pause in my reading just to let the words settle in my soul. They touch your soul. I love Shin and Irina as our MCs. They're both flawed and real. They tug at your heartstrings with their broken pasts and hurts. I loved seeing them grow as characters. Irina - stronger and able to stand up for herself, to find her purpose in life. Shin - to not run away and face his past and responsibilities. The side characters are fully fleshed out and each so individual. I loved Naveen's quick wit and banter! Nikolaj's guidance. Hana's softness. The twins - one soft and one hard. Aya's optimism and joy. Kas's enthusiasm. Mal's loyalty. Ecei is pure evil - like I hated her character in the best way. I want to spend an afternoon hanging out with The Lost Ones. Their found family was everything!!!

"But home wasn’t a place, it was a people. These people. And they would all survive this. No matter what it cost me."

The world building was fantastic and epic and unique. It really all comes together so well and I had no problems imagining it all in my mind. It was easy to understand and didn't bog down the story. This was fast paced and exciting. I couldn't put it down! I was too sucked into the story and had to know what was going to happen next. I enjoy that this is a series of standalones so the story comes to a finish without a brutal cliffhanger. And I still can't wait to get then next book in my hands!!!

"Sometimes, we just had to walk the path we were given, and find a way to make it bend toward where we actually wanted to go."

I highly recommend Wind Flowers!! It is such a beautiful read!! It has all the feels - love, laughter, loss, heartbreak, joy, adventure, action, and excitement!! I enjoy the good vs evil trope. It makes you want to back the characters even more! I ended up highlighting so much!! It was hard to narrow down my fav quotes for this review! This was truly a joy to read!!! Please go pick this one up!!

[LR Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utter magic. Absolute masterpiece. Wind Flowers sweeps you off your feet and takes you on the most glorious, breathtaking adventure.

I’ve been a friend, fan, and reader of Lina for years and she still never ceases to amaze me. With the CoL series, I fell in love with her prose style and wit, and with Wind Flowers, I see how the seeds of her writing have grown into the most beautiful garden.

Wind Flowers is intelligent and witty, magical and dangerous, and as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. I picked up the book expecting a fun, lighthearted romp with a sweet romance; days later, I read the final word and was forever changed. I wasn’t prepared for how deeply I would care for her characters, gasp at the plot twists and betrayal (I threatened to throttle this beautiful book more than once), and speed read through most of it because my eyes, mind, and heart were hungry to devour more. This book is so much more than a romp—it’s a full blown waltz that captivates you from the moment the music begins.

Lina is a master at conducting large casts of characters without letting a single one slip through the cracks into obscurity. I envy her word play, the strength and brilliance of her literary themes, and her penchant for political intrigue. She understands how *people* work, how their minds war with their emotions, how they can be hurtful and impulsive and do or say destructive things, and yet she still sees the good in them and pushes them towards redemption. I love how she took classic beloved tropes and turned them into something new. It’s so refreshing to find an author who truly understands the craft of writing. Wind Flowers is a breath of fresh air.

Maestro, I’m ready for another dance.

[Meg (bookish.apothecary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much even though it has torn my heart out. Or maybe because the writing evoked such strong emotions.

Wind Flowers has found family vibes reminiscent of Six of Crows with our crew of mischievous orphan thieves who are ride or die for one another. And a sweet, yearning romance between Shin and Irina. Shin’s love and dedication to his adorable younger sister Ava stole my heart. Gods I cried. So much. Irina’s character development was so damn satisfying. This flower has grown her roots. All our supporting characters are fleshed out so well with their unique backgrounds and personalities. My one grievance being how quickly two particular characters changed their personalities and beliefs, how they suddenly became loving, apologetic parents.

We slowly explore the alluring world and the magic system unfolds page by page without any info dumping. A truly immersive and beautifully written read.

eARC provided for honest review. Thoughts are my own.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Death of a child, predatory behavior, kidnapping, depictions of panic attacks, depictions of traumatic responses, mentions of sexual assault (off page), mentions of childhood abuse, fatphobic dialogue, gore, blood, violence, familial death, depictions of chronic illness, references to addiction.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a unique and fascinating story that held my interest the entire time. I was rooting for the characters and when they were in danger I was scared and nervous. This book had a fantastically thought-out plot and little details came together in the best ways. Somehow this book managed to surprise me, and twists happened in ways that I truly didn’t predict. (Which is unusual). The characters were very developed and complex, with unique backstories and motivations. I appreciated that other characters' motivations weren't changed with the introduction of our main female character. Irina is a strong, and yet super sweet and kind main character who I really enjoyed reading about. She is trying to do the best she can for our people, and she has a strong sense of commitment to them. I liked her with our main lead Shin, however, he was a total ass at times. I understand that Shin was going through stuff, and how his motivations were mainly the same throughout the book. While sometimes their differences made me sad, I understood their choices. I think that they have an epic love story that doesn’t detract from the loss experienced throughout the book. I really enjoyed this and think others will as well.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

TAGLINE: A lost thief in need of a cure. A lonely princess in search of a cause. A continent on the brink of chaos.

If you like tropes of:
🌸 Runaways
🌺 Found family
🌼 Magical powers
🌸 One Bed
🌺 Light spice
🌼 A journey that keeps going
🌸 A lot of twists
🌺 Musical elements
🌼 Dual POV

💭 💭 My thoughts: 💭 💭
Windflowers starts of with quite a bang and pulls you along. This one had me up turning pages at midnight to finish it.
If you take Peter Pan and swirl it with some Aladdin and then mix in an evil queen and a few reveals that are jaw dropping, that is what this book is and more!

We follow Shin and his band of Lost Ones as they stay alive on the streets. His run in and saving of Irina twists his life around. Not to mention what it does to her - a princess bethrothed only because her brother, the heir, has died from The Blight.

The journey to save Shin’s sister Aya from The Blight, Irina and Shin’s lives are intertwined and changed.

The world of fantasy and magic is so well put together and the characters are so full, I was devastated at some of the turns this book took. (Lina!!! How dare you with Aya and Ren and Malina!!! I love them all!)

[London Romeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5/5*

Wind Flowers is sweet, heartbreaking and joyous simultaneously. It's the perfect fairy tale for an older audience with elements reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle, Avatar the Last Air Bender and anyone who enjoys the found family trope.

The dialogue is witty and fun, and the prose is delectable, as with anything Amerego writes. Further, the character dynamics were fun to watch, and the character growth was compelling. While I could see some plot twists, I couldn't see others coming, which was gratifying but compelling enough for me to stay engaged.

If you want a fairy tale with the same energy as childhood stories that simultaneously carries mature themes, consider Wind Flowers.

[Rebelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me guessing right until the very end. I cried and smiled and laughed and held my breath and overall, it was such an emotionally satisfying story. The character development was perfect and the plot flowed so smoothly. The deaths of certain characters were shocking yet spurred the story onward in a natural way, not just there for shock value but for true purpose. Even after all the time I just spent getting to know Shin, I still couldn’t tell you how he would react in a certain situation and that makes him feel so real!! Irina is such a great FMC; I love how her personality grows and matures. I also loved ALL of the Lost Ones and the young nobles. Every one of them!! Easily five stars!!!

[Aliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well! I'm crying! I thought I was getting a Disney movie after the first few chapters (a little bit of Aladdin with Princess Irina checking out the big city, a little bit of reverse Cinderella with the ball, a feeling of sweet enchantment with Irina and Shin's budding romance), but then! There's a whole plotline of poisoning the water and causing cancer, there's heartwarming found family, and there is DEATH. Much more death than I was expecting. I was legitimately concerned at the end thinking there wouldn't be a happily ever after with Irina and Shin, and I started cursing some of these reviews for leading me astray, but phew, we got there in the final chapter 🙌 they're in love your honor 🙌 but I guess Shin needed to take a gap year or something

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to participate in the beta read for my honest feedback, any and all opinions are solely my own. I cannot wait to reread the final version of this tale. The arc of these characters is breathtaking and life-giving. The way this story starts and where it concludes is such an unexpected whirlwind. I loved not entirely knowing what was going to happen next. The way Lina breather life into these characters and makes you want to know EVERYTHING about them shows her excellent craft as a storyteller. One of my favorite indie fantasy authors of this era!

While this is an excellent stand alone. I am holding out for a spin off with ANY of the side characters. *please*

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so thankful to the author and @bookofmatchesmedia for sending over an early arc to read of this whimsical book. This Day fantasy features Irina, our sheltered princess just looking to be freeDayand Shin, a thief who listens to the wind. With the book being told from each of their pov's, we get a glimpse into their lives and how they intertwine and ultimately have to work together. The world building and magic system in this story is well thought out and pulls you right in.

Think of this book like Dance of Theives meets Once Upon a Broken Heart with found family, hidden identities, princess x thief, and only one bed.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 550 ish page book okay, I started it last week to read slowly.. and then I binged it all in one day 😭 the writing is amazingly fast paced and addictive, and the characters are soo >>>

It was very much peak found family and all its love, and the main romance was so slow-burn-y wholesome.

++ Plot of fixing all the corruption in a kingdom, and heists and adventure 😭

TWs - murder, death, death of close family, arson/fire accident

-- ty to the author and @lattebooktours for an advanced copy!

[Jennie (goodvibes_and_happiness) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a unique fantasy story that had elements of Avatar the Last Airbender and Aladdin! Shin is a wind wielder and Princess Irina has the ability to heal people! I loved all the elements of magical powers that each character had. It really added to the story and made for an action packed book!

The romance was swoon worthy and I was rooting for Shin and Irina the whole time!

Forbidden romance is one of my favorite tropes and it was done so well!

Also the found family trope was a big part of this book and the whole time I wanted to join the lost ones and run around Hiku City with them all!

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read it again.

[J. L. Linn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully written story with delectable prose and characters. Amarego is a delightful storyteller who created an interesting world with fleshed out characters. It has the grumpy X sunshine trope which is a favorite and creates such nice banter. I really enjoyed the elemental magic and fantasy aspects of this story. The author touches on important dynamics such as love, loss, family, and growth and will pull at your heartstrings.

[Eryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Did I enjoy this book? I mean, yeah I guess. It wasn’t terrible by any means but it wasn’t as engaging as I thought it would be when I read the summary. The characters were just okay, and they could have definitely been fleshed out more. Usually I can find at least one character to cling onto for dear life but in this book no one really stood out. All in all not a bad read, but nowhere near my top books of the year.

[Sweetpea4me · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a high stakes story with a Princess, a thief, and a star crossed destiny. There's also found family, arranged marriage, hidden identity, political intrigue, a masquerade, etc. I found all the kingdoms and their magic systems and different levels fascinating. So unique. It was written so beautifully.

[Lucy Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of beta reading this book a few months ago (setting it to today because I can’t remember the right dates) and I loved every second of it. I sobbed at the end which, to me, is always an indication of a great book.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun

I give this book 4 1/2⭐️ I really enjoyed this book it is written so magically attention grabbing details, so gripping that jump off the page, political interest, the sweet romance the happily ever after just a fun book

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not have words when it comes to describing this book except to say that I loved it with everything that I've got. From the characters, subplots to the magic system, everything about this book is breathtakingly beautiful! A must read for anyone and everyone!! Highly recommend:)

[Ana Arellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's a standalone but it stays with you after reading. So good! If you love political intrigue and adult ATLA vibes then this is definitely the read for you.

[Sam Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke my heart and hen fixed it over and over! The characters and their relationships were so well written that you fall in love with all of them just a little bit.
And the tropes are some of my favourites! Sort of Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Hidden Identities, Forced Proximity, One Bed…so perfect!
Shin is an amazing MMC! He cares so much for his found family, he’s a strong leader, he accepts his mistakes, he listens to others ideas, he puts his feelings aside to help others, he knows his limits, and he’s willing to make hard choices that are best for everyone. He lives fiercely, whether they are related by blood or not. He’s the perfect leader for a the Lost Ones!
Irina starts off quiet, obedient, and unassuming. And her character development is phenomenal! It really shows off the real Irina, the Irina that is wants to be and is capable of being.
Together they are *chef’s kiss*
I love the world building. The different kingdoms and cultures were interesting to read about and able to be pictures clearly with the descriptive writing.
It’s really the characters that shine in this book and all of the relationships, old and new. All of their interactions with each other made me want to keep reading and I would love to read more about all of them!
This book was, for me, wonderful and heartbreaking and hopeful and exactly what I love ❤️

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to read for the Latte Book Tours for their Book Tour of Wind Flowers.

This book gave me adult Avatar the Last Airbender vibes, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that the author mentioned it as inspiration for her book of fairytales and whimsy. It took me a minute to figure out the different levels of magic, but once I did, I was swept up into the story. It was hard to put down once I started to love the characters and hope for their futures.

I love when a book brings out my emotions. This book was full of found family, grief, love, and friendship. The author wasn’t afraid to tackle really hard moments in these characters lives, and I found myself crying during the book because of what Irina, Shin, and their found family were going through. I felt heartbreak and grief along with bittersweet moments that reminded me that life isn’t always fair. Keep an eye on those trigger warnings, as this book isn’t afraid to delve into hard topics.

If you are looking for a good book with characters that are easy to love, this is a book that you should add to your TBR shelf.