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Castors of Wrynford #1
Whisper of Weapons: The Castors of Wrynford Saga
If she succeeds, the life of her dreams is within reach. If she fails, she loses everything.
Sixteen-year-old Mella's future among the aristocracy of her medieval city rests on a single test to produce a strong and beautiful animal familiar. However, when she fails to produce any creature at all, she loses everything in one crushing blow.
But then she gets a second chance.
Working with teenagers from the lowliest of places, Mella begins to learn that status isn’t everything. With their help, she trains an impressive avian in the shadows and passes her off as her familiar.
She’s constantly terrified someone might realize the creature isn’t what she seems.
If they’re caught, the avian’s life will be forfeit and Mella will lose her new friends and the last hope of a future she has left.
If you like cutthroat competitions, medieval settings, and found family, you’ll love Whisper of Weapons !
Grab your copy of Whisper of Weapons today!
Sixteen-year-old Mella's future among the aristocracy of her medieval city rests on a single test to produce a strong and beautiful animal familiar. However, when she fails to produce any creature at all, she loses everything in one crushing blow.
But then she gets a second chance.
Working with teenagers from the lowliest of places, Mella begins to learn that status isn’t everything. With their help, she trains an impressive avian in the shadows and passes her off as her familiar.
She’s constantly terrified someone might realize the creature isn’t what she seems.
If they’re caught, the avian’s life will be forfeit and Mella will lose her new friends and the last hope of a future she has left.
If you like cutthroat competitions, medieval settings, and found family, you’ll love Whisper of Weapons !
Grab your copy of Whisper of Weapons today!
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2024
15 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Savannah J. Goins
5 books47 followersEntrepreneurial speaker and fantasy novelist Savannah J. Goins teaches creatives how to value failure, enjoy the journey, and know when they've arrived. She uses her background in dragon wrangling as an exotic animal veterinary technician to encourage and inspire audiences with entertaining stories and unforgettable lessons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 11, 2024
This book was super engaging from the first chapter. We’re dropped into this brand new world, having no idea what is happening and I really enjoyed discovering how this world works throughout the entire story.
Two of the major impacts to this story were it being told in first person POV and it having four different perspectives. Because the characters are all split up, the multiple perspectives helped paint a bigger picture of what is happening throughout the kingdom as other things were taking place. The first person narrative really put me in a place where it felt like those characters were talking directly to me as they recounted their experiences. It’s something that I haven’t been seeing a lot in recent books, specifically in fantasy, but I think story really needed to be told in first person through multiple perspectives.
The large cast of characters was intimidating at first, but it really wasn’t hard to keep track of each character, especially with their different personalities as well as the author using the internal dialogue of the narrators to essentially remind the readers of who the characters are…not sure if it was intentional or not, but the way the information was delivered was helpful.
The concept of the castor/castling relationship is super cool and I love how the castlings manifest. I won’t go into any real spoilers, but the castlings aren’t just animal companions/familiars and there is a lot of intentionality that is involved.
The only thing I really didn’t care for about the book was the prevalence of “not real” curse words. In the beginning it felt a little juvenile reading “muck” instead of something that rhymes with that, but I got used to it and eventually it was just a part of their world and it wasn’t detracting too much from the overall story and feel of the book.
The characters all have some sort of trauma, backstory, old ways of thinking, biases, etc that they work through in order to develop into the characters they are at the end of the book but the books doesn’t describe these in deep, dark detail although some have a darker past and is inferred.
Lots of secrets and mysteries, lies, and betrayals that occur throughout the book and they kept me in my toes for a while…with the secrets I really just wanted to shake some sense into a few characters, but they are really just teens.
There’s no language or any romance beyond sweet kissing in this book, though there is reference to a character wanting to take a relationship further physically. There are fight scenes but no brutal descriptions of any sort of violence. I would say that this book is a proper YA novel and may even be suitable for middle grade readers.
The last 100 pages had me experience the whole range of emotions and I’m excited for its sequel.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I appreciate receiving an early electronic copy of the book.
(I did not receive any financial compensation for reading this book. These thoughts are my own and are left voluntarily).
Two of the major impacts to this story were it being told in first person POV and it having four different perspectives. Because the characters are all split up, the multiple perspectives helped paint a bigger picture of what is happening throughout the kingdom as other things were taking place. The first person narrative really put me in a place where it felt like those characters were talking directly to me as they recounted their experiences. It’s something that I haven’t been seeing a lot in recent books, specifically in fantasy, but I think story really needed to be told in first person through multiple perspectives.
The large cast of characters was intimidating at first, but it really wasn’t hard to keep track of each character, especially with their different personalities as well as the author using the internal dialogue of the narrators to essentially remind the readers of who the characters are…not sure if it was intentional or not, but the way the information was delivered was helpful.
The concept of the castor/castling relationship is super cool and I love how the castlings manifest. I won’t go into any real spoilers, but the castlings aren’t just animal companions/familiars and there is a lot of intentionality that is involved.
The only thing I really didn’t care for about the book was the prevalence of “not real” curse words. In the beginning it felt a little juvenile reading “muck” instead of something that rhymes with that, but I got used to it and eventually it was just a part of their world and it wasn’t detracting too much from the overall story and feel of the book.
The characters all have some sort of trauma, backstory, old ways of thinking, biases, etc that they work through in order to develop into the characters they are at the end of the book but the books doesn’t describe these in deep, dark detail although some have a darker past and is inferred.
Lots of secrets and mysteries, lies, and betrayals that occur throughout the book and they kept me in my toes for a while…with the secrets I really just wanted to shake some sense into a few characters, but they are really just teens.
There’s no language or any romance beyond sweet kissing in this book, though there is reference to a character wanting to take a relationship further physically. There are fight scenes but no brutal descriptions of any sort of violence. I would say that this book is a proper YA novel and may even be suitable for middle grade readers.
The last 100 pages had me experience the whole range of emotions and I’m excited for its sequel.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I appreciate receiving an early electronic copy of the book.
(I did not receive any financial compensation for reading this book. These thoughts are my own and are left voluntarily).
July 6, 2024
If you like YA fantasy, animal familiars, floral-based magic, interesting world building, coming-of-age, no-spice romance and multiple POVs, the Castors of Wrynford Saga is for you. The first book in the series starts with a bang as a class of young misfits learns to summon ‘castlings’, spar effectively and establish themselves within society, and a few of them happen upon a suspicious plot as they do so.
The magic system is interesting – a blend of floramancy and summoning – and you can never quite trust people’s actions because memories and thoughts can be compromised. The rumours and tension between kingdoms build as the story goes on (a really effective way of subtly world building), leaving me eager to find out more in book two.
I also really like how each character’s growth is noticeable. Ambitious Mella learns that there’s more to life than social standing, secretive Dane learns to trust others with his past and even entitled Selverine learns not to jump to selfish conclusions about others. And the best bit about the character development is that it stems from realisations of what real, accepting and honest friendship and found family look like. The pages are filled with good examples of support and camaraderie, and it warms the heart.
I do think that at times the reactions of the characters are a little unrealistic or over exaggerated, but I realise that this story is aimed mostly at a readership much younger than I am. And I did find myself a little confused at the start about which POV was which, since there are so many of them, but this was much less of an issue towards the end and I’m a fan of the different perspectives we see throughout the novel.
A massive thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The magic system is interesting – a blend of floramancy and summoning – and you can never quite trust people’s actions because memories and thoughts can be compromised. The rumours and tension between kingdoms build as the story goes on (a really effective way of subtly world building), leaving me eager to find out more in book two.
I also really like how each character’s growth is noticeable. Ambitious Mella learns that there’s more to life than social standing, secretive Dane learns to trust others with his past and even entitled Selverine learns not to jump to selfish conclusions about others. And the best bit about the character development is that it stems from realisations of what real, accepting and honest friendship and found family look like. The pages are filled with good examples of support and camaraderie, and it warms the heart.
I do think that at times the reactions of the characters are a little unrealistic or over exaggerated, but I realise that this story is aimed mostly at a readership much younger than I am. And I did find myself a little confused at the start about which POV was which, since there are so many of them, but this was much less of an issue towards the end and I’m a fan of the different perspectives we see throughout the novel.
A massive thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2024
What is your spirit animal? In this story world, young sorcerers spend years forging weapon representing their own skills, values and dreams, before using it to cast an animal familiar called a Castling. This animal, which is tied to the weapon (and lives inside it like a Pokemon), joins their castor as both a lifelong companion and a powerful sidekick in battle.
The ability to cast could mean a chance at moving up the ranks of the highly segregated society; alternatively, the playing of music is barely legal and tolerated only among the lowest of classes. So it's a BIG problem when Mella accidentally casts her animal familiar from her handmade mandolin!
Told from various perspectives, I found myself coming to care more and more about the characters, from the desperate Mella to the insecure Dane and the jealous Selverine. Everyone's subplot ties into those of the others, slowly raising the stakes as the decades-old conspiracy is steadily unravelled. My favourite, though, was Acres - his plot twist blew me away and now I NEED the sequel!
I read this book during my daughter's bedtime and naptime routine each day while I waited for her to fall asleep and found myself hanging back long after she'd dropped off, still sitting there reading! A very engaging and fun read, with a clever and original magic system. I'll definitely read the rest of the series!
The ability to cast could mean a chance at moving up the ranks of the highly segregated society; alternatively, the playing of music is barely legal and tolerated only among the lowest of classes. So it's a BIG problem when Mella accidentally casts her animal familiar from her handmade mandolin!
Told from various perspectives, I found myself coming to care more and more about the characters, from the desperate Mella to the insecure Dane and the jealous Selverine. Everyone's subplot ties into those of the others, slowly raising the stakes as the decades-old conspiracy is steadily unravelled. My favourite, though, was Acres - his plot twist blew me away and now I NEED the sequel!
I read this book during my daughter's bedtime and naptime routine each day while I waited for her to fall asleep and found myself hanging back long after she'd dropped off, still sitting there reading! A very engaging and fun read, with a clever and original magic system. I'll definitely read the rest of the series!
July 16, 2024
An amazing, and refreshing YA Fantasy with Romance.
Whispers of Weapons holds a lot of twists and turns, especially the last 100 pages or so, and it made it nearly impossible to put it down. The only time I could be torn away from it was when I was forced, and I would still try and get back to it as soon as possible.
The take on animal familiars is unique and something I quite enjoyed throughout the story. Finding out how they came into existence was so interesting and I love how everything was well developed The way the author can write 4 different POVs while allowing them each to have their own true voice within the first person perspective was a feat not many have been able to do in my opinion. Most of the time they do not feel like different characters are speaking even if the POV tells you it is, however, Stephanie does not have that issue. Each POV was distinct and it was so nice to be able to see what the others were going through, even if I did lean more toward Mella's POVs haha.
I love the romance within the pages, and it was a nice break from the open-door/spice-heavy romances I read, as this one was closed-door/no spice but with cute moments between.
This is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves YA Fantasy, Romance (no spice), He'd burn the world for her, and cute animal familiars!
Thank you to Savannah J. Goins and Behind The Pages PA for the gifted earc. I left this honest review voluntarily.
Whispers of Weapons holds a lot of twists and turns, especially the last 100 pages or so, and it made it nearly impossible to put it down. The only time I could be torn away from it was when I was forced, and I would still try and get back to it as soon as possible.
The take on animal familiars is unique and something I quite enjoyed throughout the story. Finding out how they came into existence was so interesting and I love how everything was well developed The way the author can write 4 different POVs while allowing them each to have their own true voice within the first person perspective was a feat not many have been able to do in my opinion. Most of the time they do not feel like different characters are speaking even if the POV tells you it is, however, Stephanie does not have that issue. Each POV was distinct and it was so nice to be able to see what the others were going through, even if I did lean more toward Mella's POVs haha.
I love the romance within the pages, and it was a nice break from the open-door/spice-heavy romances I read, as this one was closed-door/no spice but with cute moments between.
This is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves YA Fantasy, Romance (no spice), He'd burn the world for her, and cute animal familiars!
Thank you to Savannah J. Goins and Behind The Pages PA for the gifted earc. I left this honest review voluntarily.
July 18, 2024
This is a unique fast-paced young adult fantasy. In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to a competition where a group of characters compete to produce the best castling (animal familiar). When Mella fails - or so it seems- her life drastically changes.
Mella finds herself training amongst a group of people for the grand tournament, all so different and unlike the other. And they all seem to be carrying a secret.
The author has created a very captivating magic system, and diverse characters who undergo a lot of character growth. The story is told by several different point of views, which in my opinion makes the book flow faster and lets us get to know each character’s backstory even better. There’s also a bit teen drama sprinkled in, and a little romance. Also, a few plot twists that I did not see coming!! Overall I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read book 2!
This is the perfect read if you like YA fantasy, competitive competitions, found family, he falls first, and a medieval setting.
Mella finds herself training amongst a group of people for the grand tournament, all so different and unlike the other. And they all seem to be carrying a secret.
The author has created a very captivating magic system, and diverse characters who undergo a lot of character growth. The story is told by several different point of views, which in my opinion makes the book flow faster and lets us get to know each character’s backstory even better. There’s also a bit teen drama sprinkled in, and a little romance. Also, a few plot twists that I did not see coming!! Overall I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read book 2!
This is the perfect read if you like YA fantasy, competitive competitions, found family, he falls first, and a medieval setting.
July 17, 2024
First of all, I wanna thank the author for the opportunity to read her first book from the “Castors of Wrynford” series, it was an adventurous story, with interesting teenagers and unusual animal familiar.
I was captivated from the beginning and also a little confused, to be honest, until I got used to all the POVs. I’m a sucker for multiple POVs and this book gave it all to me. I was thrilled to follow each of the characters, to find out their thoughts, and to see them in action, but also to watch them build new relationships, and have trust in one another although they are strangers to each other.
I loved the idea of castling. I don’t think I’ve read stories with this concept before; the strong bond between a person and an animal felt realistic and I appreciated that.
The story has a medieval setting and combines coming of age, first love butterflies, he falls first and falls hard (teenage edition), animal familiars, troubled pasts, found family, competitions, a lot of magic, and it promises to offer you an adventure you will not forget anytime soon…
July 17, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I wasn’t too sure about the multiple POVs at first but it was done so well!
The characters individual POVs and growth and the found family dynamics were definitely one of the best aspects! The sweetness and protectiveness everyone had for each other was amazing.
Acres is definitely my favorite, Anti-social, prefers to stay home and read books all night, super sweet to the people he comes to care for. And his relationship with starstinger was one of my favorites. Definitely ship him and Selverine and hope we get to see more of them in book 2.
I loved Mella’s character development through the story, everything was done so well. Her journey made sense and the lessons she learned were well done.
Dane, an absolute cinnamon roll, I love him so much. His POVs were so sweet and I was rooting for him the entire time!
Definitely loved the world idea of castors and castlings, and now I want one! The idea is that when someone is 16 they get to summon an animal that shares a part of their soul that becomes their animal companion for life. This is done by spending time crafting a weapon that hints at what animal you want to cast, then saying a casting call. The animal is summoned by their castors weapon (imagine Pokémon sort of) and retreats back into the weapon when they’re tired. Super cool idea and I need more of if!
The story is about a group of teenagers that find themselves in the same cohort after casting their castling for the first time and are training to compete in the grand masters tournament, where the winners will basically never have to work another day in their lives.
The main character is Mella and everything goes wrong for her once she fails to cast her castling. Her whole future crumbles and she tries to gain her upper class status back by competing in the competition with an illegal castling.
Super easy read, perfect for after a reading slump. Throughly enjoyed the entire thing, there wasn’t a single pov I had to struggle through as is super common with multiple povs. I loved every single one of them! This might just be my favorite ensemble cast! Although maybe it’s tied with On Wings of Ash and Dust cuz that ensemble was really great too!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters individual POVs and growth and the found family dynamics were definitely one of the best aspects! The sweetness and protectiveness everyone had for each other was amazing.
Acres is definitely my favorite, Anti-social, prefers to stay home and read books all night, super sweet to the people he comes to care for. And his relationship with starstinger was one of my favorites. Definitely ship him and Selverine and hope we get to see more of them in book 2.
I loved Mella’s character development through the story, everything was done so well. Her journey made sense and the lessons she learned were well done.
Dane, an absolute cinnamon roll, I love him so much. His POVs were so sweet and I was rooting for him the entire time!
Definitely loved the world idea of castors and castlings, and now I want one! The idea is that when someone is 16 they get to summon an animal that shares a part of their soul that becomes their animal companion for life. This is done by spending time crafting a weapon that hints at what animal you want to cast, then saying a casting call. The animal is summoned by their castors weapon (imagine Pokémon sort of) and retreats back into the weapon when they’re tired. Super cool idea and I need more of if!
The story is about a group of teenagers that find themselves in the same cohort after casting their castling for the first time and are training to compete in the grand masters tournament, where the winners will basically never have to work another day in their lives.
The main character is Mella and everything goes wrong for her once she fails to cast her castling. Her whole future crumbles and she tries to gain her upper class status back by competing in the competition with an illegal castling.
Super easy read, perfect for after a reading slump. Throughly enjoyed the entire thing, there wasn’t a single pov I had to struggle through as is super common with multiple povs. I loved every single one of them! This might just be my favorite ensemble cast! Although maybe it’s tied with On Wings of Ash and Dust cuz that ensemble was really great too!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 15, 2024
What it’s about:
in the medieval city of Wrynford, societal status depends on a test to produce an animal familiar. when mella fails, she goes back to playing the music she loves - which is outlawed for casters - and gets a second chance at success.
What I liked:
the magic system, combining music and weaponry, was intriguing. the plant magic that we witness in the story is also fascinating, and I wish there was more about it. also, this does end on a happy note but is still fast-paced and has some suspense.
What could have been better:
at some points I wished the characters were better developed. in some places they came off as one-sided: one character's disdain towards lower classes, another's insistence on appearing tough and independent, etc. however, the romance was cute and I think this book would really appeal to lovers of young adult fiction.
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
in the medieval city of Wrynford, societal status depends on a test to produce an animal familiar. when mella fails, she goes back to playing the music she loves - which is outlawed for casters - and gets a second chance at success.
What I liked:
the magic system, combining music and weaponry, was intriguing. the plant magic that we witness in the story is also fascinating, and I wish there was more about it. also, this does end on a happy note but is still fast-paced and has some suspense.
What could have been better:
at some points I wished the characters were better developed. in some places they came off as one-sided: one character's disdain towards lower classes, another's insistence on appearing tough and independent, etc. however, the romance was cute and I think this book would really appeal to lovers of young adult fiction.
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2024
This was such a fun read!
Something I really enjoyed was the first person point of view from the different characters. Usually, when there are multiple POVs, it's in third person. But I felt really connected to the characters and their surroundings in first person 🫶🏼 I love a good cast of characters and getting to be in their heads!
The setting, the casting, and the unique take on animal familiars were all so beautifully done.
If you're looking for a YA series with found family, mystery, betrayal, intriguing world building, and spice free romance, definitely pick this one up when it releases tomorrow!
Something I really enjoyed was the first person point of view from the different characters. Usually, when there are multiple POVs, it's in third person. But I felt really connected to the characters and their surroundings in first person 🫶🏼 I love a good cast of characters and getting to be in their heads!
The setting, the casting, and the unique take on animal familiars were all so beautifully done.
If you're looking for a YA series with found family, mystery, betrayal, intriguing world building, and spice free romance, definitely pick this one up when it releases tomorrow!
July 16, 2024
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book, and I'm so excited that it's now out on the world!
I loved Savannah Goins' Odan Terridor Trilogy, but Whisper of Weapons was the ensemble fantasy I didn't know I needed! Strong friendships, fascinating rivalries, charming characters, and a creative magic system are just some of the many strengths of this multi-POV novel.
I truly loved the animal characters in OTT, but what Savannah does with the castlings is so much fun, and so cute, and you'll immediately want a castling of your own. I'm already looking forward to book two!
I loved Savannah Goins' Odan Terridor Trilogy, but Whisper of Weapons was the ensemble fantasy I didn't know I needed! Strong friendships, fascinating rivalries, charming characters, and a creative magic system are just some of the many strengths of this multi-POV novel.
I truly loved the animal characters in OTT, but what Savannah does with the castlings is so much fun, and so cute, and you'll immediately want a castling of your own. I'm already looking forward to book two!
July 13, 2024
This was an absolutely spectacular read. Fun YA story that was so incredibly unique. I've never read anything like it. I loved the castor/castling dynamic, realizing who your real friends are and all the different profanities. Also, I really enjoyed the multiple POV perspectives. It was perfect. I really fell in love with Mella. The plot twists at the end were crazy and I never saw them coming. The villains were really dislikable. It's all over super fantastic!! Can not wait for Book 2!!
July 7, 2024
Whisper of Weapons is such a great YA fantasy. The characters are well developed and likable, the world-building is great and the magical aspects of the story are amazing. I absolutely loved the friendship bonds and growth throughout the book. I wasn't sure at first about the multiple POV's but in this case, I think it worked very well for the story, and, as a reader, you gain more insight into the issues and problems of each character. My favorite part would have to be that the underdog(s) (Archer and Trinka) save the day! Overall, Whisper of Weapons is a great and fast-paced YA fantasy.
Troupes Included:
Found family
He falls first
Confessions of love
Witty banter
Deep friendships
Animal familiars
Rivals to allies
Floramancy
Thank you so much to Savannah J. Goins for providing the eARC for an honest review!
Troupes Included:
Found family
He falls first
Confessions of love
Witty banter
Deep friendships
Animal familiars
Rivals to allies
Floramancy
Thank you so much to Savannah J. Goins for providing the eARC for an honest review!
July 1, 2024
I received an ARC for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.
“Whisper of weapons” by Savannah J. Goins is a medieval fantasy that captures the essence of a found family, full of magical animals.
This is a young adult book. The heart of the story lies in its exploration of found family. Characters come together from different backgrounds, forming a tight-knit group that provides mutual support. The story had multiple POVs, so we get to see everyones story and way of thinking.
I loved the simplicity of the story and the fast-paced plot, filled with action, intrigue, and plot twists, kept me engaged from start to finish.
Mella is our main character. Her journey of personal growth and self-discovery is compelling and inspiring. The small banter between her and Whisper, her familiar, is hilarious and some of the best parts of the book.
My favorite character is Acres, he’s all of us: nerdy, introvert, prefer books, I couldn’t ask for a better character. Surprisingly, I also like Selverine. She has a huge potential to grow and is going to be fun to see where her story is going.
This is the kind of book you can read in one sitting, and I strongly recommend it.
The book is available starting 16.07.2024
“Whisper of weapons” by Savannah J. Goins is a medieval fantasy that captures the essence of a found family, full of magical animals.
This is a young adult book. The heart of the story lies in its exploration of found family. Characters come together from different backgrounds, forming a tight-knit group that provides mutual support. The story had multiple POVs, so we get to see everyones story and way of thinking.
I loved the simplicity of the story and the fast-paced plot, filled with action, intrigue, and plot twists, kept me engaged from start to finish.
Mella is our main character. Her journey of personal growth and self-discovery is compelling and inspiring. The small banter between her and Whisper, her familiar, is hilarious and some of the best parts of the book.
My favorite character is Acres, he’s all of us: nerdy, introvert, prefer books, I couldn’t ask for a better character. Surprisingly, I also like Selverine. She has a huge potential to grow and is going to be fun to see where her story is going.
This is the kind of book you can read in one sitting, and I strongly recommend it.
The book is available starting 16.07.2024
May 24, 2024
Whisper of Weapons is the first in a brand new YA fantasy series. Mella and her friends prepare for the castling year by forging weapons and training to cast their very own Castling on the day of the Casting Ceremony. After casting, they will spend their year training with a cohort to prepare themselves and their new Castlings for the tournament. Only things go very wrong for Mella and she must figure out how to hide her secrets while dealing with her personal life problems at the same time. She finds out that there are much bigger issues in Terrenthyrs.
This story has everything my younger self would have loved - and in my 30s I still love a good clean YA series with magic and talking animals and corrupt kingdoms.
-Medieval setting
-He falls first
-Animal familiars
-Witty banter
-No spice romance
-Found family vibes
Mella had so much growth throughout this book. She started off caring more about her social status than anything else. Throughout her struggles she learns that social status isn’t everything and makes friends she didn’t expect to make. She makes the right choice in the end to ditch the upper-class.
I wasn’t expecting some of the twists in this book. It’s told in multiple POVs so we get a lot of information from different perspectives. I loved that and it really helped everything come together. After the cliffhanger at the very end, I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
I’m so grateful for Savannah J. Goins for allowing me to be a part of cover reveals and early access to this series!
This story has everything my younger self would have loved - and in my 30s I still love a good clean YA series with magic and talking animals and corrupt kingdoms.
-Medieval setting
-He falls first
-Animal familiars
-Witty banter
-No spice romance
-Found family vibes
Mella had so much growth throughout this book. She started off caring more about her social status than anything else. Throughout her struggles she learns that social status isn’t everything and makes friends she didn’t expect to make. She makes the right choice in the end to ditch the upper-class.
I wasn’t expecting some of the twists in this book. It’s told in multiple POVs so we get a lot of information from different perspectives. I loved that and it really helped everything come together. After the cliffhanger at the very end, I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
I’m so grateful for Savannah J. Goins for allowing me to be a part of cover reveals and early access to this series!
July 17, 2024
"He dumped Mella Yarinelle for someone else. Unbelievable. Clearly, he was the most astoundingly dense waste of existence ever borne."
TROPES
Multiple POVs, Found Family, He Falls First, Animal Familiars, Young Adult
REVIEW
This was a confusing read for me, especially in the beginning. There are four different POVs and a lot of characters to keep track of, especially if we include their familiars. I think it’s the first time I’ve read a book with familiars, and I quite like the concept. Overall, this book was okay, but I won’t be reading it again.
SPOILERS
What I liked
I like the idea of the plot and how the concept of familiars was included. I quite liked how the “found family” played out especially as we get to see the FMC learn what real friends are. I also enjoyed the “he falls first” and I found the MMC adorable, being head-over-heels in love and all.
What I didn’t like
There were just too many POVs, and I didn’t find all of them necessary. For me it would have been fine with just Mella and Dane’s which are in my opinion the FMC and MMC. The multiple POVs along with the many characters kept me confused for at least the first 30% of the book. Additionally, the FMC was shallow, which was completely the point, but it still annoyed me.
I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and comments are my own.
TROPES
Multiple POVs, Found Family, He Falls First, Animal Familiars, Young Adult
REVIEW
This was a confusing read for me, especially in the beginning. There are four different POVs and a lot of characters to keep track of, especially if we include their familiars. I think it’s the first time I’ve read a book with familiars, and I quite like the concept. Overall, this book was okay, but I won’t be reading it again.
SPOILERS
What I liked
I like the idea of the plot and how the concept of familiars was included. I quite liked how the “found family” played out especially as we get to see the FMC learn what real friends are. I also enjoyed the “he falls first” and I found the MMC adorable, being head-over-heels in love and all.
What I didn’t like
There were just too many POVs, and I didn’t find all of them necessary. For me it would have been fine with just Mella and Dane’s which are in my opinion the FMC and MMC. The multiple POVs along with the many characters kept me confused for at least the first 30% of the book. Additionally, the FMC was shallow, which was completely the point, but it still annoyed me.
I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and comments are my own.
July 31, 2024
This book is a clean YA read I'd recommend for all.
The story is based around a group of teenagers who all have a misfit personality, and all just secretly want to fit in.
It's full of unique magic systems, animal companions, and deep hidden meaning.
I loved the characters Mella, Dane & Acre and the world building. I wasn't entirely sure about the multi POV to begin with, it was hard to identify who was who with no indication on each chapter start, but luckily this is less of a problem later in the book.
The journey the characters face throughout the story was deep and held my attention. We learn so much more about the characters and how they open up, and learn to trust.
I've been unwell recently, and unable to read as much, so diving into something like this was a much needed respite for me.
I still dislike certain characters. But I think that's because I had 'friends' like them in school, I'm a little sensitive with unintentionally mean girls. 😂
The overall story here was lovely, and I really do recommend it, I think I would have given it 5*, if it hadn't been for the confusing chapters in multiple POV like I mentioned above.
So give it a read, this saga is a must for YA fantasy fans.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
The story is based around a group of teenagers who all have a misfit personality, and all just secretly want to fit in.
It's full of unique magic systems, animal companions, and deep hidden meaning.
I loved the characters Mella, Dane & Acre and the world building. I wasn't entirely sure about the multi POV to begin with, it was hard to identify who was who with no indication on each chapter start, but luckily this is less of a problem later in the book.
The journey the characters face throughout the story was deep and held my attention. We learn so much more about the characters and how they open up, and learn to trust.
I've been unwell recently, and unable to read as much, so diving into something like this was a much needed respite for me.
I still dislike certain characters. But I think that's because I had 'friends' like them in school, I'm a little sensitive with unintentionally mean girls. 😂
The overall story here was lovely, and I really do recommend it, I think I would have given it 5*, if it hadn't been for the confusing chapters in multiple POV like I mentioned above.
So give it a read, this saga is a must for YA fantasy fans.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
July 16, 2024
Whisper of Weapons is the start of a refreshing new fantasy series with unique animal companions and relatable, easy-to-root-for characters. Told from four points-of-view, this story will have you wishing you had your own castling to join you on this sprawling adventure.
July 15, 2024
So many aspects of this book that I love. Such a great story the way all the characters stories are told and tie in is great. The castlings are perfect. The growth of the main character is so refreshing. Such a fun story.
September 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 - 4.5/5
📍Initial Thoughts
This book was not even on my TBR, but I decided to read it cuz it sounded interesting and I loved it! I have to say I haven't read such an emotionally satisfying book in a while and I love the characters and development. That's probably why I'm giving it 4 or maybe 4.5 stars. It's not a perfect book and is lacking in some places, but overall I personally enjoyed it.
✍🏼Writing/Pacing
The writing was good. There was nothing about the prose that made it stand out which was a little disappointing because I like good vocabulary and verbs. At least it didn't feel like a middle-grade which was a relief. I think more than anything it just served as a good voice for each character and their POV, which in this case, is what it needed to do.
The four POVs were probably not all necessary, but I didn't mind it too much. The thing that bothered me though was how often the POVs changed.
The pacing was also good. The only problem I have is that the passage of time was a little hard to determine when the POV switched.
✨World-building
I think the premise of the world was good -- the whole casting thing, and how social standing plays a roll in society. But it felt lacking. I didn't fully understand how the castor thing worked and I needed more about floramancy and just the world in general lol.
Also, quick note. This book is advertised as being in a "medieval setting" and I did not get those vibes at all when reading this. I've read medieval fantasy and this was not it. 😂 It felt like a more modern setting with the restaurants, the fact passes are required for the library, the way some of the houses and the palace were described.
⚔️Plot
This book was very character driven. I really liked that because each character had their own agendas and goals and it was their decisions that drove the story forward. Though I wish there was more to the story, I still enjoyed it and I loved seeing how all these seemingly unrelated characters came together in the end.
👤Characters
This was certainly the strongest part of the book. While you're following four different characters, you feel attached to all of them and actually care about what they care about. A lot of the time I had no idea what was going on, but that 's what I think was done well -- it hooked me and kept me reading till the end to figure out what was going on, lol!
I loved Mella especially and thought she was a very likable character. She felt like an actual girl who could be tough and wield weapons, but was also kind, compassionate, and thoughtful and could actually have a cute crush on someone. XD
💕 Romance
(**Spoiler Warnings**)
I LOVED THE ROMANCE SMMMM.
I think if it was not part of the book it wouldn't be very interesting, but Mella and Dane are absolutely adorable. It's not a main part of the book, but I love how the author keeps the romance plot present throughout the entire story, even when the admiration is only one-sided for a while.
I loved seeing Dane's sweet crush grow and the emotions and feelings he has for Mella.
And let me be honest - the love confession at the end was SO WHOLESOME. I was literally up at midnight, finishing the book and screaming internally because it was SO SWEET. And even just the little sweet moments throughout the book that weren't even supposed to be romantic were so cute and I would die for it.
Such a refreshing read.
⚠️Content⚠️
🤬Language: Lots of made-up cuss words. A*s, b*tch and b**tard I think were the only actual cuss words used and were only used a couple times throughout the book. P**sed and b*lls were also used. Kinda rude, but okay lol
🌶Spice: A few detailed kisses but nothing too steamy IMO, a couple sensual references (including people calling each other "hot" and "sexy" a few times, but there's a story behind it. I'm not gunna spoil lol). And then there was this guy who has an awkward moment where he runs into a tall girl's breasts. And then there's a toxic character who wants to "get a room" with another character, but she says no because she doesn't want his "hands all over her."
❗️Other Content: References to physical/child abuse, fantasy violence (very light on description), talk of murder and imprisonment. I can't think of anything else rn that might be TW for this book but other than the language and few rude references, this book wasn't too bad. I'd say 14+
📍Initial Thoughts
This book was not even on my TBR, but I decided to read it cuz it sounded interesting and I loved it! I have to say I haven't read such an emotionally satisfying book in a while and I love the characters and development. That's probably why I'm giving it 4 or maybe 4.5 stars. It's not a perfect book and is lacking in some places, but overall I personally enjoyed it.
✍🏼Writing/Pacing
The writing was good. There was nothing about the prose that made it stand out which was a little disappointing because I like good vocabulary and verbs. At least it didn't feel like a middle-grade which was a relief. I think more than anything it just served as a good voice for each character and their POV, which in this case, is what it needed to do.
The four POVs were probably not all necessary, but I didn't mind it too much. The thing that bothered me though was how often the POVs changed.
The pacing was also good. The only problem I have is that the passage of time was a little hard to determine when the POV switched.
✨World-building
I think the premise of the world was good -- the whole casting thing, and how social standing plays a roll in society. But it felt lacking. I didn't fully understand how the castor thing worked and I needed more about floramancy and just the world in general lol.
Also, quick note. This book is advertised as being in a "medieval setting" and I did not get those vibes at all when reading this. I've read medieval fantasy and this was not it. 😂 It felt like a more modern setting with the restaurants, the fact passes are required for the library, the way some of the houses and the palace were described.
⚔️Plot
This book was very character driven. I really liked that because each character had their own agendas and goals and it was their decisions that drove the story forward. Though I wish there was more to the story, I still enjoyed it and I loved seeing how all these seemingly unrelated characters came together in the end.
👤Characters
This was certainly the strongest part of the book. While you're following four different characters, you feel attached to all of them and actually care about what they care about. A lot of the time I had no idea what was going on, but that 's what I think was done well -- it hooked me and kept me reading till the end to figure out what was going on, lol!
I loved Mella especially and thought she was a very likable character. She felt like an actual girl who could be tough and wield weapons, but was also kind, compassionate, and thoughtful and could actually have a cute crush on someone. XD
💕 Romance
(**Spoiler Warnings**)
I LOVED THE ROMANCE SMMMM.
I think if it was not part of the book it wouldn't be very interesting, but Mella and Dane are absolutely adorable. It's not a main part of the book, but I love how the author keeps the romance plot present throughout the entire story, even when the admiration is only one-sided for a while.
I loved seeing Dane's sweet crush grow and the emotions and feelings he has for Mella.
And let me be honest - the love confession at the end was SO WHOLESOME. I was literally up at midnight, finishing the book and screaming internally because it was SO SWEET. And even just the little sweet moments throughout the book that weren't even supposed to be romantic were so cute and I would die for it.
Such a refreshing read.
⚠️Content⚠️
🤬Language: Lots of made-up cuss words. A*s, b*tch and b**tard I think were the only actual cuss words used and were only used a couple times throughout the book. P**sed and b*lls were also used. Kinda rude, but okay lol
🌶Spice: A few detailed kisses but nothing too steamy IMO, a couple sensual references (including people calling each other "hot" and "sexy" a few times, but there's a story behind it. I'm not gunna spoil lol). And then there was this guy who has an awkward moment where he runs into a tall girl's breasts. And then there's a toxic character who wants to "get a room" with another character, but she says no because she doesn't want his "hands all over her."
❗️Other Content: References to physical/child abuse, fantasy violence (very light on description), talk of murder and imprisonment. I can't think of anything else rn that might be TW for this book but other than the language and few rude references, this book wasn't too bad. I'd say 14+
September 26, 2024
Whisper of Weapons is an engaging YA fantasy perfect for readers who enjoy stories with found families, animal familiars, and light, heartwarming romance. Set in a medieval world where young sorcerers summon Castlings -magical animal familiars 🦅🦊 FMC Mella’s journey is full of heart, growth, and second chances.
When Mella’s future as an aristocrat is crushed after she fails her casting test that seems to seal her fate, but she discovers that status isn't everything, an unexpected second chance allows her to explore the idea of status, friendship, and identity in ways she never imagined. With the help of rivals turns allies, she trains in secret to reclaim her dreams—but the stakes are high. One wrong move and she could lose everything—her friendships, her familiar, and the life she’s rebuilt.
The world-building is incredible—unique potion magic, floramancy, and a society full of intrigue and hidden conspiracies! Mella’s character growth from status-obsessed to finding her true path was so satisfying. The Castlings—I NEED a magical companion now! Their connection to weapons gave serious His Dark Materials vibes. The last 100 pages were a wild ride with twists I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait for the sequel! 👀
The multi-POV storytelling, while initially disorienting, eventually blossoms into one of the book's biggest strengths. Each character—Mella, Dane, Selverine, and Acres—has a distinct voice, and their growth feels meaningful. Acres’ storyline specifically, added to the excitement and emotional investment in the story.
Found family is a major theme, and it shines through in how the misfit characters come together to support each other. This element of camaraderie adds warmth and emotional depth to the story.
Whisper of Weapons was an easy 5🌟 for me, and I’m so excited for where the next book will take us!
Tropes you’ll love:
👫🏽 Found family
❤️ He falls first
🌿 Floramancy
🦅 Animal familiars
🏰 Medieval vibes
⚔️ Rivals to allies
When Mella’s future as an aristocrat is crushed after she fails her casting test that seems to seal her fate, but she discovers that status isn't everything, an unexpected second chance allows her to explore the idea of status, friendship, and identity in ways she never imagined. With the help of rivals turns allies, she trains in secret to reclaim her dreams—but the stakes are high. One wrong move and she could lose everything—her friendships, her familiar, and the life she’s rebuilt.
The world-building is incredible—unique potion magic, floramancy, and a society full of intrigue and hidden conspiracies! Mella’s character growth from status-obsessed to finding her true path was so satisfying. The Castlings—I NEED a magical companion now! Their connection to weapons gave serious His Dark Materials vibes. The last 100 pages were a wild ride with twists I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait for the sequel! 👀
The multi-POV storytelling, while initially disorienting, eventually blossoms into one of the book's biggest strengths. Each character—Mella, Dane, Selverine, and Acres—has a distinct voice, and their growth feels meaningful. Acres’ storyline specifically, added to the excitement and emotional investment in the story.
Found family is a major theme, and it shines through in how the misfit characters come together to support each other. This element of camaraderie adds warmth and emotional depth to the story.
Whisper of Weapons was an easy 5🌟 for me, and I’m so excited for where the next book will take us!
Tropes you’ll love:
👫🏽 Found family
❤️ He falls first
🌿 Floramancy
🦅 Animal familiars
🏰 Medieval vibes
⚔️ Rivals to allies
August 18, 2024
Felt immersed in the world-building due to the complexity of the characters and the environment layered in this book.
First thing I noticed was the future of the main character, Mella, is dependent on her ability to create a magnificent creature.
Next, I noticed her covered or veiled way of cursing. It was so funny hearing "skunking" instead of the f bomb. It certainly gave twinge of personality as did the clothing described to provide an individual just trying to do their best. Eventually a word of two does slip. Making me see that the character saves such words for times of major upset.
Her dedication to her family during a time of struggle was good.
Next we meet Dane. Secretive in nature but with a plan we don't find out at first.
The world-building is another thing to behold aside from the brilliant cast of characters & multiple points of view.
The castlings reminding me of the Dæmons of the His Dark Materials books of which I have yet to read (have however watched The Golden Compass movie when it came out).
The castings however have a unique set of differences in the facts of their creation rather than pre-existing manifestation the external physical of a person's "inner-self".
They're cast with purpose & in connection also reflect the caster's societal standing based of what they're capable of casting.
Beautifully written was the personal growth of characters, found family, social classism nods, and relatability.
I'm especially fond of the Acres & Starstinger duo because of the bookish relatability as well as the communication between the castor & castling.
Was an ARC copy. My review is voluntary and of my own opinions.
First thing I noticed was the future of the main character, Mella, is dependent on her ability to create a magnificent creature.
Next, I noticed her covered or veiled way of cursing. It was so funny hearing "skunking" instead of the f bomb. It certainly gave twinge of personality as did the clothing described to provide an individual just trying to do their best. Eventually a word of two does slip. Making me see that the character saves such words for times of major upset.
Her dedication to her family during a time of struggle was good.
Next we meet Dane. Secretive in nature but with a plan we don't find out at first.
The world-building is another thing to behold aside from the brilliant cast of characters & multiple points of view.
The castlings reminding me of the Dæmons of the His Dark Materials books of which I have yet to read (have however watched The Golden Compass movie when it came out).
The castings however have a unique set of differences in the facts of their creation rather than pre-existing manifestation the external physical of a person's "inner-self".
They're cast with purpose & in connection also reflect the caster's societal standing based of what they're capable of casting.
Beautifully written was the personal growth of characters, found family, social classism nods, and relatability.
I'm especially fond of the Acres & Starstinger duo because of the bookish relatability as well as the communication between the castor & castling.
Was an ARC copy. My review is voluntary and of my own opinions.
November 3, 2024
I love stories with animal familiars, so the fact that they’re featured in this book made me excited to read it.
Initially I wasn’t sure how I felt about having the story told from so many points of view, but the more I read the more I began to understand why it was important for the unfolding of the story. Once I understood that, I enjoyed fitting the “puzzle pieces” of the story together since no one POV had a complete picture of what was going on in the overarching storyline. Do I understand why so many POVs might be off-putting? Absolutely; in an ideal world I don’t think there would be so many. However, I think it made sense given the way the author revealed some significant facts in the story. Along those lines, I thought the author crafted the overall storyline very well and enjoyed the way the book ended and sets up perfectly for book two.
I understood the need for Mella, the main character, to grow throughout the course of the book. However, as someone well past my teenage years, her lack of maturity in the beginning made it tough for me to really like her as a main character. I appreciate a flawed FMC (no one is perfect, after all), but the fact that her flaw was that she cared too much about status and was initially snobby to other “lesser” castors made it hard for me to like her.
The author also made the choice to make up curse words for the world she created, and that was a little too cheesy for me.
Spice level: kissing only. I think this would be a good read for a young teen! Ultimately there were too many things that made it hard for me to really connect with it as a woman in my 30s.
Initially I wasn’t sure how I felt about having the story told from so many points of view, but the more I read the more I began to understand why it was important for the unfolding of the story. Once I understood that, I enjoyed fitting the “puzzle pieces” of the story together since no one POV had a complete picture of what was going on in the overarching storyline. Do I understand why so many POVs might be off-putting? Absolutely; in an ideal world I don’t think there would be so many. However, I think it made sense given the way the author revealed some significant facts in the story. Along those lines, I thought the author crafted the overall storyline very well and enjoyed the way the book ended and sets up perfectly for book two.
I understood the need for Mella, the main character, to grow throughout the course of the book. However, as someone well past my teenage years, her lack of maturity in the beginning made it tough for me to really like her as a main character. I appreciate a flawed FMC (no one is perfect, after all), but the fact that her flaw was that she cared too much about status and was initially snobby to other “lesser” castors made it hard for me to like her.
The author also made the choice to make up curse words for the world she created, and that was a little too cheesy for me.
Spice level: kissing only. I think this would be a good read for a young teen! Ultimately there were too many things that made it hard for me to really connect with it as a woman in my 30s.
March 30, 2024
Whisper of Weapons by Savannah J. Goins became one of my favorite books pretty fast while I was reading it. There are so many different elements in the book that make it unique but yet a great classic YA novel. We are introduced to multiple characters and read chapters in their POV. Some books with multiple POV become confusing but not this one. It was set up nicely and easy to follow. The only little drawback I had was that the names of people and places are definitely not names we find today so I stumbled with them a little bit. I loved the names and they really fit the story.
The story itself is fascinating and moves at a great pace. We start the story with Mella, a teenage girl about to go to the Castling Ceremony for her very own castling. She constructed a scythe by hand to use it to call her castling which she hopes is a tiger. We're introduced to the world she's in, the social setting and society, just wonderful world building overall. Unfortunately for Mella things go wrong. After that point we are introduced more in depth to some characters that all have such unique personalities. Throughout the book there are twists and turns that you don't see coming nor can predict. You'll think one thing is happening and it might be but there's so much more to it, so many layers. I put off reading the end for a few days because I didn't want it to end!
I definitely recommend Whisper of Weapons by Savannah J. Goins, especially if you're in a reading slump like I was. It's a five star read for me.
The story itself is fascinating and moves at a great pace. We start the story with Mella, a teenage girl about to go to the Castling Ceremony for her very own castling. She constructed a scythe by hand to use it to call her castling which she hopes is a tiger. We're introduced to the world she's in, the social setting and society, just wonderful world building overall. Unfortunately for Mella things go wrong. After that point we are introduced more in depth to some characters that all have such unique personalities. Throughout the book there are twists and turns that you don't see coming nor can predict. You'll think one thing is happening and it might be but there's so much more to it, so many layers. I put off reading the end for a few days because I didn't want it to end!
I definitely recommend Whisper of Weapons by Savannah J. Goins, especially if you're in a reading slump like I was. It's a five star read for me.
August 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️
A YA Fantasy with clean romance, magical elements, and Pokemon vibes on how they call their animal familiars forward.
As young sorcerers trained for their Castling day, giving them an opportunity to move up the ranks of their very segregated society. These animal familiars, if earned, are tied to the sorcerer’s weapon of their choosing, and live inside of said weapon until called upon. Now you seeing the Pokemon vibes?
This is my first read of a book by Savannah and I enjoyed it a lot. Written in four different POVs she did a great job finding a voice for each character and staying true to that voice throughout the book. You could tell she took great care in making sure the voices were consistent throughout the story, but different enough that it wasn’t just a new character on the chapter heading page.
I enjoyed the clean romance aspect too. I’ve come to embrace that YA is about falling in love at a time where love has the purest definition. It’s a welcome break from hard hitting romances. This book was definitely a palette cleanser I didn’t know I needed.
As always review trigger warnings before reading.
Tropes:
🗡Clean Romance
🗡Friendly Sparring
🗡Dark/Troubled Pasts
🗡He Falls First
🗡Medieval Setting
🗡Animal Familiars
🗡Magic Potions
A YA Fantasy with clean romance, magical elements, and Pokemon vibes on how they call their animal familiars forward.
As young sorcerers trained for their Castling day, giving them an opportunity to move up the ranks of their very segregated society. These animal familiars, if earned, are tied to the sorcerer’s weapon of their choosing, and live inside of said weapon until called upon. Now you seeing the Pokemon vibes?
This is my first read of a book by Savannah and I enjoyed it a lot. Written in four different POVs she did a great job finding a voice for each character and staying true to that voice throughout the book. You could tell she took great care in making sure the voices were consistent throughout the story, but different enough that it wasn’t just a new character on the chapter heading page.
I enjoyed the clean romance aspect too. I’ve come to embrace that YA is about falling in love at a time where love has the purest definition. It’s a welcome break from hard hitting romances. This book was definitely a palette cleanser I didn’t know I needed.
As always review trigger warnings before reading.
Tropes:
🗡Clean Romance
🗡Friendly Sparring
🗡Dark/Troubled Pasts
🗡He Falls First
🗡Medieval Setting
🗡Animal Familiars
🗡Magic Potions
October 2, 2024
Thank you for giving me the arc in exchange for my honest review and for waiting for so long. I'm so sorry for making you wait this much.
Everyone in this country has to cast a castling out of their casting weapon. Mella intends to cast a tiger but unfortunately her casting weapon doesn't cast that night and she made a fool of herself. But later that night she unintentionally casted an avian out of a musical instrument which was not possible. Now she can't talk about this because music is for only the lesser class. But why is that? She just said she casted again later that night and she joined a training group to train their castling. There she met some beautiful people and Dane. But everything is not easy and doesn't go as planned and there's a grave secret and manipulation going on in this country. Who's doing this?
The story was slow paced for the first 30-40% but I wanted to finish it and thank god that I did. Ultimately I kind of liked the story and it was not worth DNFing. I loved how everyone in Mella’s cohort is such good hearted people and care for each other so much. Mella, at first joined it for her own benefit but later she valued those people. Dane loved Mella but Mella wanted someone else who turned out to be a pervert. I loved how the story and twists came out. Loved the story building.
Everyone in this country has to cast a castling out of their casting weapon. Mella intends to cast a tiger but unfortunately her casting weapon doesn't cast that night and she made a fool of herself. But later that night she unintentionally casted an avian out of a musical instrument which was not possible. Now she can't talk about this because music is for only the lesser class. But why is that? She just said she casted again later that night and she joined a training group to train their castling. There she met some beautiful people and Dane. But everything is not easy and doesn't go as planned and there's a grave secret and manipulation going on in this country. Who's doing this?
The story was slow paced for the first 30-40% but I wanted to finish it and thank god that I did. Ultimately I kind of liked the story and it was not worth DNFing. I loved how everyone in Mella’s cohort is such good hearted people and care for each other so much. Mella, at first joined it for her own benefit but later she valued those people. Dane loved Mella but Mella wanted someone else who turned out to be a pervert. I loved how the story and twists came out. Loved the story building.
July 18, 2024
Man, I forgot how much I enjoyed YA! It's been awhile! I love the multiple PoV so I can really get into the heads of all the characters! The magic system is so unique and the world building is fantastic! It's well written and not confusing which I appreciated!
There's twists and turns, betrayals, and found family which is my fav!! Thank you Savannah and Sarah for my arc! It was such a great read!!
Sixteen-year-old Mella's future among the aristocracy of her medieval city rests on a single test to produce a strong and beautiful animal familiar. However, when she fails to produce any creature at all, she loses everything in one crushing blow.
But then she gets a second chance.
Working with teenagers from the lowliest of places, Mella begins to learn that status isn’t everything. With their help, she trains an impressive avian in the shadows and passes her off as her familiar.
She’s constantly terrified someone might realize the creature isn’t what she seems.
If they’re caught, the avian’s life will be forfeit and Mella will lose her new friends and the last hope of a future she has left.
If you like cutthroat competitions, medieval settings, and found family, you’ll love Whisper of Weapons!
There's twists and turns, betrayals, and found family which is my fav!! Thank you Savannah and Sarah for my arc! It was such a great read!!
Sixteen-year-old Mella's future among the aristocracy of her medieval city rests on a single test to produce a strong and beautiful animal familiar. However, when she fails to produce any creature at all, she loses everything in one crushing blow.
But then she gets a second chance.
Working with teenagers from the lowliest of places, Mella begins to learn that status isn’t everything. With their help, she trains an impressive avian in the shadows and passes her off as her familiar.
She’s constantly terrified someone might realize the creature isn’t what she seems.
If they’re caught, the avian’s life will be forfeit and Mella will lose her new friends and the last hope of a future she has left.
If you like cutthroat competitions, medieval settings, and found family, you’ll love Whisper of Weapons!
August 28, 2024
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages PA for the gifted copy.
Whisper of Weapons was an interesting concept. Teenagers create their own weapons of which they use to call upon or “cast” an animal. Kind of like a familiar, but they have to learn to fight together to be the best…in case of war.
There are a lot of points-of-view here, so it takes a little while to get to know the large cast of characters (cast…pun intended). Our main character is Mella, who grows from the shallow “I want to be part of the rich and popular kids’ clique” to a loyal friend. After she fails spectacularly at the casting ceremony, she finds herself part of a ragtag bunch, who accept her with no questions asked. It’s there she grows and learns the true meaning of friendship.
I loved the world-building and the variability of the characters. Getting the perspective from so many characters made the story more engaging, as I got to see more of what was happening behind the scenes.
The romance was a bit instalove-y, but it was cute and sweet. Lastly, I never expected the twist at the ending but the storyline was so engaging. I’m super ready for the next in the series and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Whisper of Weapons was an interesting concept. Teenagers create their own weapons of which they use to call upon or “cast” an animal. Kind of like a familiar, but they have to learn to fight together to be the best…in case of war.
There are a lot of points-of-view here, so it takes a little while to get to know the large cast of characters (cast…pun intended). Our main character is Mella, who grows from the shallow “I want to be part of the rich and popular kids’ clique” to a loyal friend. After she fails spectacularly at the casting ceremony, she finds herself part of a ragtag bunch, who accept her with no questions asked. It’s there she grows and learns the true meaning of friendship.
I loved the world-building and the variability of the characters. Getting the perspective from so many characters made the story more engaging, as I got to see more of what was happening behind the scenes.
The romance was a bit instalove-y, but it was cute and sweet. Lastly, I never expected the twist at the ending but the storyline was so engaging. I’m super ready for the next in the series and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
October 1, 2024
If you’re a YA fantasy lover, you’ll adore The Castors of Wrynford Saga! 🌟✨ This series kicks off with a class of young misfits learning to summon animal familiars, spar, and find their place in society. But things take a twist when they stumble upon a mysterious plot!
The romance is a refreshing break from the open-door, spice-heavy reads I usually enjoy—it's closed-door but filled with sweet moments that make your heart flutter. 💖
With unique magic systems and multiple POVs, the characters come to life, and I fell for Mella, Dane, and Acre as their stories intertwine. This is a must-read for anyone who loves YA fantasy, romance (no spice), and adorable animal companions!
A very special thank you to the author and Sarah with @behindthepagespa for a copy of this wonderful book for the book tour! My review is my own.
The romance is a refreshing break from the open-door, spice-heavy reads I usually enjoy—it's closed-door but filled with sweet moments that make your heart flutter. 💖
With unique magic systems and multiple POVs, the characters come to life, and I fell for Mella, Dane, and Acre as their stories intertwine. This is a must-read for anyone who loves YA fantasy, romance (no spice), and adorable animal companions!
A very special thank you to the author and Sarah with @behindthepagespa for a copy of this wonderful book for the book tour! My review is my own.
August 22, 2024
Savannah Goins' Whisper of Weapons is a captivating fantasy novel featuring a young heroine whose destiny hinges on her ability to summon a powerful and majestic animal familiar. The stakes are high—failure could alter the course of her entire life.
The novel is enriched with multiple points of view and blends coming-of-age elements with a romance that remains refreshingly free of explicit content. Goins excels in her vivid world-building, creating an immersive experience with intricate details, well-developed characters, and a magical setting that immediately draws readers in. I was thoroughly enchanted by how Goins crafted the storyline, skillfully weaving together every aspect to capture and maintain my attention from start to finish.
The novel is enriched with multiple points of view and blends coming-of-age elements with a romance that remains refreshingly free of explicit content. Goins excels in her vivid world-building, creating an immersive experience with intricate details, well-developed characters, and a magical setting that immediately draws readers in. I was thoroughly enchanted by how Goins crafted the storyline, skillfully weaving together every aspect to capture and maintain my attention from start to finish.
October 2, 2024
I was a little taken back since it’s a YA fantasy book, but it was everything that I wanted. It has a little bit of fluffy romance, which is perfect because I needed a pallet cleanser from my normal rates the building this is a chefs kiss is beautiful in every way. The twist in this book had me completely shocked and I was dying to know what was going to happen next the last probably 150 pages maybe absolutely shocked me. I’m still thinking about this book regularly because of the ending. This book had amazing pacing throughout the whole book. I was thoroughly entertained and enjoyed everything about it. I am honored that I was one of the ARC readers.
If you like a good fantasy then you need to pick this baby up!
If you like a good fantasy then you need to pick this baby up!
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