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The Stormbound #1
The Source of Storms
To belong is to survive. To be different is to be in danger. But to be more myth than human may be Halja’s greatest power.
Born the daughter of a selkie, Halja is condemned by the folklore of Elvik. Fae-touched, marked by ancient fae influence, she is an outsider—one destined to be hunted. But when she meets Byrgir, a mysterious stranger who sees past her fae-touched appearance, and Eilith, a wise Sourcerer who takes her under her wing, Halja’s world shifts.
Yet, danger is never far. A fanatical High Priestess has set her sights on the fae-touched, blaming them for the monsters that plague the realm. With the king’s ear and the power of an ancient god at her back, she will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who stands in her way. Including Eilith.
Caught in the crossfire, Halja must unlock the full potential of her shapeshifting power—fighting not only to save those she loves but also to protect the fragile future she’s begun to imagine with Byrgir. When myths come alive and ancient conflicts threaten everything, will she choose survival... or the power to change the world?
The Source of Storms is the epic, soulful first installment in The Stormbound Series—a tale of love, magic, and rebellion that fans of Rachel Gillig’s lyrical prose, the thrilling adventures of The Witcher, and the fierce fury of John Gwynne won’t be able to put down.
Born the daughter of a selkie, Halja is condemned by the folklore of Elvik. Fae-touched, marked by ancient fae influence, she is an outsider—one destined to be hunted. But when she meets Byrgir, a mysterious stranger who sees past her fae-touched appearance, and Eilith, a wise Sourcerer who takes her under her wing, Halja’s world shifts.
Yet, danger is never far. A fanatical High Priestess has set her sights on the fae-touched, blaming them for the monsters that plague the realm. With the king’s ear and the power of an ancient god at her back, she will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who stands in her way. Including Eilith.
Caught in the crossfire, Halja must unlock the full potential of her shapeshifting power—fighting not only to save those she loves but also to protect the fragile future she’s begun to imagine with Byrgir. When myths come alive and ancient conflicts threaten everything, will she choose survival... or the power to change the world?
The Source of Storms is the epic, soulful first installment in The Stormbound Series—a tale of love, magic, and rebellion that fans of Rachel Gillig’s lyrical prose, the thrilling adventures of The Witcher, and the fierce fury of John Gwynne won’t be able to put down.
Published February 22, 2025
46 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Angelina Kelly
3 books21 followersAngelina Kelly was born and raised on the edge of land and sea, in a small, remote community in Alaska. She earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in biology, and worked as a biologist for several years. However, a writer and creative at heart, she left her career to pursue life as an author.
She writes fantasy with a weave of romance set in immersive worlds inspired by nature and folklore. Her short fiction has won a short story competition and placed in the top finalists of others, and has been published in genre magazines.
Angelina also writes about her creative life, nature, and shares her short fantasy on her Substack, The Selkie.
She currently lives in British Columbia with her fiancé, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing, she can be found out in the mountains with her dog, at home knitting a cozy sweater, or doing portrait photography with her fiancé and friends.
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The Source of Storms is a dark epic fantasy rooted in nature and mythology, dripping with feminine rage and romance.
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She writes fantasy with a weave of romance set in immersive worlds inspired by nature and folklore. Her short fiction has won a short story competition and placed in the top finalists of others, and has been published in genre magazines.
Angelina also writes about her creative life, nature, and shares her short fantasy on her Substack, The Selkie.
She currently lives in British Columbia with her fiancé, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing, she can be found out in the mountains with her dog, at home knitting a cozy sweater, or doing portrait photography with her fiancé and friends.
ARC Sign Up
Reviews make a huge difference to indie authors, especially for debuts.
The Source of Storms is a dark epic fantasy rooted in nature and mythology, dripping with feminine rage and romance.
If that sounds good to you and you would like a free copy of The Source of Storms ebook in exchange for an honest review, please enter your email below!
https://subscribepage.io/ARCs?fbclid=...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 17, 2025
This is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time, and I can hardly believe it’s the author’s debut novel.
I love fantasy, and that often means enduring poorly written books with predictable, overused tropes, weak plots, and uninspired magic systems - just to find that one hidden gem. BookTok and Bookstagram have led me astray more times than I can count, roping me in with recommendations that turn out to be disappointingly shallow.
That’s why discovering this book was such a rare delight. The magic system felt fresh and well-developed, the plot kept me hooked, and the writing was so beautifully descriptive and immersive that it felt like stepping into another world. I was completely drawn in by the characters and the strong theme of found family, and I especially loved the way nature was woven into the prose with such effortless beauty.
This book doesn’t read like a typical self-published debut - there’s no awkward phrasing, immature plotting, or underdeveloped characters. Instead, it feels polished, compelling, and engaging.
I can’t wait for the next book and to see what happens to the characters I’ve grown to love.
I love fantasy, and that often means enduring poorly written books with predictable, overused tropes, weak plots, and uninspired magic systems - just to find that one hidden gem. BookTok and Bookstagram have led me astray more times than I can count, roping me in with recommendations that turn out to be disappointingly shallow.
That’s why discovering this book was such a rare delight. The magic system felt fresh and well-developed, the plot kept me hooked, and the writing was so beautifully descriptive and immersive that it felt like stepping into another world. I was completely drawn in by the characters and the strong theme of found family, and I especially loved the way nature was woven into the prose with such effortless beauty.
This book doesn’t read like a typical self-published debut - there’s no awkward phrasing, immature plotting, or underdeveloped characters. Instead, it feels polished, compelling, and engaging.
I can’t wait for the next book and to see what happens to the characters I’ve grown to love.
February 19, 2025
The Source of Storms is a rich oil painting: vignettes, characters, emotions are lovingly brushed and sculpted atop a strong foundation of the world Kelly has created. These elements come together to form a wonderfully textured and dynamic story that is all too easy to be consumed by - plainly said, reading The Source of Storms was truly fun. Heartwarming at times, tense at others, I was always eager to find out what would next unfold for the leading cast, what flavours of magic might colour the coming pages.
Each character offered a unique emotional landscape - with the well-established personalities and histories before me, conversations between characters were engaging and emotional as I felt properly equipped to understand each perspective. There were brief moments in which these emotions seemed spelled out to me, pushing me away from the otherwise immersive experience. In spite of this, it did not take long to be pulled back in to Halja's story.
The Source of Storms was a fantastic story that I consumed greedily, and I sincerely cannot wait for more to come - an easy addition to my fantasy favourites. #teamcrow
Each character offered a unique emotional landscape - with the well-established personalities and histories before me, conversations between characters were engaging and emotional as I felt properly equipped to understand each perspective. There were brief moments in which these emotions seemed spelled out to me, pushing me away from the otherwise immersive experience. In spite of this, it did not take long to be pulled back in to Halja's story.
The Source of Storms was a fantastic story that I consumed greedily, and I sincerely cannot wait for more to come - an easy addition to my fantasy favourites. #teamcrow
July 21, 2025
I’m not sure who recommended this but I’m so glad I added it to my TBR! This has so much promise to be a brilliant series and I need to know when the next book will be on the horizon!! It follows Halja as she leaves home and discovers who she is (and what she is)! The world building was brilliant and I loved what developed here, how it was all described! I would say book was was a slow burn but as the story followed Hal it developed found family and her love interest Byrgir is slow and steady with her as their relationship develops. Oh and there are dire wolves!! Two of them! What more could you ask for - I’m a sucker for the animal familiars and loved that they followed her and were there for her shapeshifting at the end! Finding out she is the child of a Fae king and with shapeshifter blood through her mother who is a Selkie. It didn’t end on a cliffhanger as such but on a lovely moment where Hal and Byrgir are bonded in a blood ceremony and how strong their bond is - he is human so will now live as long as she does - and he calls her his queen 👸🏼 😭😭 it ended with a nod to a coming war between the god of light and the high priestess and the fae folk. I need the second book in my life!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
“The Source of Storms” is a fantastic debut novel by Angelina Kelly. It’s exciting and action-packed with a lovely Nordic-inspired world. Kelly’s writing is rich with description. I could easily place myself in Halja’s world and quickly fell in love with her home, the magic system, and her friends - and with Halja, of course! The monsters and antagonist characters are pleasantly terrifying, and Halja’s journey as she faces each horror and obstacle develops her into a resilient and likeable protagonist. I especially liked the unique world-building around the cities of Rhyaneas and Avanis.
This was the kind of book that left me itching to read the next chapter, and I’m genuinely sad that I’ve finished the book. I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes. If you’re a fan of fantasy and Celtic/Norse mythology, then this is a must-read!
This was the kind of book that left me itching to read the next chapter, and I’m genuinely sad that I’ve finished the book. I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes. If you’re a fan of fantasy and Celtic/Norse mythology, then this is a must-read!
February 23, 2025
Rating: 4.6 stars ⭐
The Source of Storms – An amazing debut! ✨
Okay, this book was a ride! The Source of Storms by Angelina Kelly is a fantasy debut that blends Viking vibes, magic, and fae, and I was honoured to receive an ARC read. We follow Halja on her journey of self-discovery, filled with powers, epic battles, prejudice, and ancestral revelations.
📖 What I loved
The writing style: smooth and immersive, with incredible descriptions (especially of Rhyaneas, the fae city—WOW).
The monsters: creepy in the best way possible, I wanted even more shadowfiends! 🖤
The worldbuilding: beautifully crafted, though often explained through dialogue rather than action. A map was needed ASAP, because time jumps and travel distances were sometimes confusing.
The ocean magic: Halja’s connection to water was fascinating, but I felt like it faded away in the second half.
💔 What left me unsure
The side characters: El? Crow? Who are you? I wanted more depth to their stories.
Byrgir: a decent love interest but quite one-dimensional. His romance with Halja felt rushed, and the Blood Bond happened way too fast for my taste.😬
⚠️ After certain non-consensual scenes, the sudden romance progression felt… off. Too fast, too soon.
🔥 Final thoughts
A debut that hooked me with its worldbuilding and Halja’s journey, even if I wished for more development in some aspects. Despite a few things that didn’t fully convince me, the author’s writing and potential are impressive, and I can’t wait for book two!
📚 Recommended for fans of:
✔️ Viking-inspired fantasy with fae magic
✔️ Self-discovery stories and epic battles
✔️ Lush worldbuilding with rich descriptions
The Source of Storms – An amazing debut! ✨
Okay, this book was a ride! The Source of Storms by Angelina Kelly is a fantasy debut that blends Viking vibes, magic, and fae, and I was honoured to receive an ARC read. We follow Halja on her journey of self-discovery, filled with powers, epic battles, prejudice, and ancestral revelations.
📖 What I loved
The writing style: smooth and immersive, with incredible descriptions (especially of Rhyaneas, the fae city—WOW).
The monsters: creepy in the best way possible, I wanted even more shadowfiends! 🖤
The worldbuilding: beautifully crafted, though often explained through dialogue rather than action. A map was needed ASAP, because time jumps and travel distances were sometimes confusing.
The ocean magic: Halja’s connection to water was fascinating, but I felt like it faded away in the second half.
💔 What left me unsure
The side characters: El? Crow? Who are you? I wanted more depth to their stories.
Byrgir: a decent love interest but quite one-dimensional. His romance with Halja felt rushed, and the Blood Bond happened way too fast for my taste.😬
⚠️ After certain non-consensual scenes, the sudden romance progression felt… off. Too fast, too soon.
🔥 Final thoughts
A debut that hooked me with its worldbuilding and Halja’s journey, even if I wished for more development in some aspects. Despite a few things that didn’t fully convince me, the author’s writing and potential are impressive, and I can’t wait for book two!
📚 Recommended for fans of:
✔️ Viking-inspired fantasy with fae magic
✔️ Self-discovery stories and epic battles
✔️ Lush worldbuilding with rich descriptions
March 2, 2025
A huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy of The Source of Storms, the first book in The Stormbound series.
I am honestly stunned that this is a debut novel. The writing style is fluid and engaging, effortlessly pulling you into the story without ever breaking immersion. The world-building is breathtakingly detailed—every scene felt vivid and alive, and I found myself wishing I could step right into the world the author so skillfully created.
The magic system and the history behind it are exceptionally well-developed. it made sense to how those are connected to it can wield its power and was a refreshing take on it all.
Halja (pronounced Hal-ya), the protagonist, is incredibly easy to root for. The story begins with her as a younger and somewhat naive character, but she gradually blossoms into a powerful figure who discovers her strength, purpose, and voice. Watching her grow into her own is so satisfying, and I love seeing a young female heroine who refuses to silence herself for the sake of others.
The side characters are another highlight for me. They’re all wonderfully crafted, each with their own distinctive personalities that shine through. I was so drawn to them that I found myself hoping to see more of them. Plus, the addition of animal companions along the journey was a delightful touch!
While there’s a romance element in the story, it doesn’t overshadows the plot. The romantic relationship is beautifully woven in, with a slow-burn friends-to-lovers dynamic that was simply satisfying. The love interest is this big, lovable warrior—kind and gentle to all, but the moment she is threatened he would burn down an entire city for her and that just got my insides all tingly! His devotion to her had me swooning, and it was a nice change of pace from the typical enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry between them builds naturally, and I found myself eagerly waiting for their next scene together.
Overall, The Source of Storms is a magical and captivating read. If you enjoy Celtic and Norse mythology with a strong female lead, I highly recommend checking this one out. I had a blast reading it!
I am honestly stunned that this is a debut novel. The writing style is fluid and engaging, effortlessly pulling you into the story without ever breaking immersion. The world-building is breathtakingly detailed—every scene felt vivid and alive, and I found myself wishing I could step right into the world the author so skillfully created.
The magic system and the history behind it are exceptionally well-developed. it made sense to how those are connected to it can wield its power and was a refreshing take on it all.
Halja (pronounced Hal-ya), the protagonist, is incredibly easy to root for. The story begins with her as a younger and somewhat naive character, but she gradually blossoms into a powerful figure who discovers her strength, purpose, and voice. Watching her grow into her own is so satisfying, and I love seeing a young female heroine who refuses to silence herself for the sake of others.
The side characters are another highlight for me. They’re all wonderfully crafted, each with their own distinctive personalities that shine through. I was so drawn to them that I found myself hoping to see more of them. Plus, the addition of animal companions along the journey was a delightful touch!
While there’s a romance element in the story, it doesn’t overshadows the plot. The romantic relationship is beautifully woven in, with a slow-burn friends-to-lovers dynamic that was simply satisfying. The love interest is this big, lovable warrior—kind and gentle to all, but the moment she is threatened he would burn down an entire city for her and that just got my insides all tingly! His devotion to her had me swooning, and it was a nice change of pace from the typical enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry between them builds naturally, and I found myself eagerly waiting for their next scene together.
Overall, The Source of Storms is a magical and captivating read. If you enjoy Celtic and Norse mythology with a strong female lead, I highly recommend checking this one out. I had a blast reading it!
February 20, 2025
The Source of Storms is a fantasy debut novel by Angelina Kelly. I was honored to receive the ARC of it and excited to start my journey. The main vibe of the story feels very Viking meets Fae & magic. The Source of Storms follows the journey of Halja and the discovery of who she is. It explored themes of discovery of powers, good vs evil, Speciesism, magic, epic battles, ancestry reveals, apprenticeship and love.
What surprised me a lot was that The Source of Storms definitely does not read like a typical self-published debut (in a good way!). While the turn of events (ending) is not something that suited my tastes, I think this is a very well written debut novel. I especially liked the descriptiveness of the book surrounding the monsters, cities and Halja’s character felt well developed.
I have written some further findings, but beware for spoilers from here on out.
Writing style
A lot of the book’s world building happens via dialogue. This caused a few of the chapters to feel more like an interlude and afterwards the plot would continue. This was especially the case in the beginning. I did in general like the dialogue and writing style and the book was easy to read.
I did not fully understand the passage of time. I felt like the seasons passed really quickly and the distance in traveling to other cities were often difficult to guess since the seasons would suddenly be different as well. I mean how far away can a city be when it also turns from snowy to spring vibes? How is that only 3 days by horse? I think a map would greatly benefit the story but understand that for a debut novel this might be difficult.
Descriptiveness of surroundings
The descriptiveness of the Fae city Rhyaneas was amazing. I loved the idea of the houses in the trees. The description was done so well it felt like I was actually there. I liked the visiting of the shops and talking with others in the city and I think this could have been done more in depth to deliver a more detailed experience. This is also where the author really showed off that they can do world building in descriptiveness instead of dialogue.
I also thought the descriptions of the monsters was very cool. They really made me go like ‘eeeeeek’ which is good! Spooky creatures. Would have loved to see more and get to know more about all these shadowfiends and why they’re bothering villagers. I also think the reason for the High Priestess not liking the Fae due to all the shadowfiends increasing kind of made sense? But was disappointed the story did not dive deeper into this.
Other characters
The side characters felt undeveloped. I don’t remember anything of El except that she’s a Fae and has a big house. What does she do for a living? How does she know Byrgir and Crow? Like, who is she? Same for Crow, all we learn is that he is working for the Ironguard but apart from that we don’t really get to know him.
Magical powers
I loved the focus on the ocean and the power it provided Halja. Especially since her mom is a selkie I expected more ‘ocean-powers’ especially since the meditating / apprenticeship did focus on this. It was sad that Halja kind of lost this along the way.
Halja learns a lot of fighting and has considerable skill in magic but still relies on Byrgir to stand up for her or fight battles along side her. I would have loved a more strong female protagonist – especially in the emotional department.
The love interest
Unfortunately, I think Byrgir felt like quite a one dimensional character (simply ‘a good guy’). He saves Halja and for a long time, that’s all we get to know about him? Eventually they meet up again and dance together, but the growth of their love felt rather insta-lovey. While the yearning from Halja’s perspective was done very well (especially in relation to the jealousy around Byrgir’s relationship with El), it could have used an extra layer. I think the author would have definitely had the power to make me swoon while reading about their developing love for each other.
The nicknames that Byrgir gave Halja just made me ick… Who calls their love interest ‘kid’ or even ‘Little Lamb’ – I found it quite degenerating and not cute at all. Especially when the Dark One also used a similar term with Lamb I was just like nope nope nope…
The turn of events (ending)
I thought the yearning and the storytelling was done extremely well and I actually think it would have payed off if the book would have been Young Adult.
Nonetheless, I am amazed by this being a debut novel and would like to congratulate the author on such an amazing job. Thank you once again for the ARC!
What surprised me a lot was that The Source of Storms definitely does not read like a typical self-published debut (in a good way!). While the turn of events (ending) is not something that suited my tastes, I think this is a very well written debut novel. I especially liked the descriptiveness of the book surrounding the monsters, cities and Halja’s character felt well developed.
I have written some further findings, but beware for spoilers from here on out.
Writing style
A lot of the book’s world building happens via dialogue. This caused a few of the chapters to feel more like an interlude and afterwards the plot would continue. This was especially the case in the beginning. I did in general like the dialogue and writing style and the book was easy to read.
I did not fully understand the passage of time. I felt like the seasons passed really quickly and the distance in traveling to other cities were often difficult to guess since the seasons would suddenly be different as well. I mean how far away can a city be when it also turns from snowy to spring vibes? How is that only 3 days by horse? I think a map would greatly benefit the story but understand that for a debut novel this might be difficult.
Descriptiveness of surroundings
The descriptiveness of the Fae city Rhyaneas was amazing. I loved the idea of the houses in the trees. The description was done so well it felt like I was actually there. I liked the visiting of the shops and talking with others in the city and I think this could have been done more in depth to deliver a more detailed experience. This is also where the author really showed off that they can do world building in descriptiveness instead of dialogue.
I also thought the descriptions of the monsters was very cool. They really made me go like ‘eeeeeek’ which is good! Spooky creatures. Would have loved to see more and get to know more about all these shadowfiends and why they’re bothering villagers. I also think the reason for the High Priestess not liking the Fae due to all the shadowfiends increasing kind of made sense? But was disappointed the story did not dive deeper into this.
Other characters
The side characters felt undeveloped. I don’t remember anything of El except that she’s a Fae and has a big house. What does she do for a living? How does she know Byrgir and Crow? Like, who is she? Same for Crow, all we learn is that he is working for the Ironguard but apart from that we don’t really get to know him.
Magical powers
I loved the focus on the ocean and the power it provided Halja. Especially since her mom is a selkie I expected more ‘ocean-powers’ especially since the meditating / apprenticeship did focus on this. It was sad that Halja kind of lost this along the way.
Halja learns a lot of fighting and has considerable skill in magic but still relies on Byrgir to stand up for her or fight battles along side her. I would have loved a more strong female protagonist – especially in the emotional department.
The love interest
Unfortunately, I think Byrgir felt like quite a one dimensional character (simply ‘a good guy’). He saves Halja and for a long time, that’s all we get to know about him? Eventually they meet up again and dance together, but the growth of their love felt rather insta-lovey. While the yearning from Halja’s perspective was done very well (especially in relation to the jealousy around Byrgir’s relationship with El), it could have used an extra layer. I think the author would have definitely had the power to make me swoon while reading about their developing love for each other.
The nicknames that Byrgir gave Halja just made me ick… Who calls their love interest ‘kid’ or even ‘Little Lamb’ – I found it quite degenerating and not cute at all. Especially when the Dark One also used a similar term with Lamb I was just like nope nope nope…
The turn of events (ending)
I thought the yearning and the storytelling was done extremely well and I actually think it would have payed off if the book would have been Young Adult.
Nonetheless, I am amazed by this being a debut novel and would like to congratulate the author on such an amazing job. Thank you once again for the ARC!
March 19, 2025
4.5/5
This book was beautiful! It’s an indie published book but you could honestly not have told me this and I’d expect it from a best selling author- the story, plot and characters are top tier!!
I was literally 30% into the ebook and bought a paperback I enjoyed it that much.
Angelina tells an amazing tale of Halja learning her ways as the little badass she is, in this messed up world where there’s a fight between light and dark magic but she puts her amazing own twist on it. With fae, selkie (never even heard of these before) and shifters of mad kinds!
Gorgeous world building! She really paints an unreal picture in TSOS, really really good first book in a series I can’t wait to read the next one after that!
This book was beautiful! It’s an indie published book but you could honestly not have told me this and I’d expect it from a best selling author- the story, plot and characters are top tier!!
I was literally 30% into the ebook and bought a paperback I enjoyed it that much.
Angelina tells an amazing tale of Halja learning her ways as the little badass she is, in this messed up world where there’s a fight between light and dark magic but she puts her amazing own twist on it. With fae, selkie (never even heard of these before) and shifters of mad kinds!
Gorgeous world building! She really paints an unreal picture in TSOS, really really good first book in a series I can’t wait to read the next one after that!
February 17, 2025
Angelina has written a beautifully descriptive story that really pulls you into Halja’s world! Her writing paints such a vivid picture in your mind of the characters and their surroundings. Halja’s story is one of found family and finding strength within herself as she navigates a new world beyond the shelter and safety of her family’s home.
I really enjoyed this book! The story was quite different than a lot of the fantasy flooding the market which I found to be quite refreshing. I really liked the main character Halja and her strength throughout the book. I loved the friends to lovers aspect. Byrgir supported her and believed in her from their first meeting which made him easy to love. I’m really excited for the next book! I can’t wait to see how main character develops and how the world expands. I was left with a few questions at the end of the book that I’m excited to see play out over the series.
I really enjoyed this book! The story was quite different than a lot of the fantasy flooding the market which I found to be quite refreshing. I really liked the main character Halja and her strength throughout the book. I loved the friends to lovers aspect. Byrgir supported her and believed in her from their first meeting which made him easy to love. I’m really excited for the next book! I can’t wait to see how main character develops and how the world expands. I was left with a few questions at the end of the book that I’m excited to see play out over the series.
February 17, 2025
Can I give this book more than 5 stars? Because I want to. This book was utterly amazing. The world-building and character development were phenomenal. Angelina wove a story with imagery that took my breath away. I could see the places and characters so vividly in my mind. I am beyond excited to read the rest of the series.
March 26, 2025
Beautiful, funny, character-driven, naturey, angie-y, amazing. Can’t wait to read more :)
February 22, 2025
The Stormbound series 01 The Source of Storms by Angelina Kelly
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
The start out with our main character of Halja. She's a young woman, and she really doesn't get along with her father (but really, that's not a new concept...but there IS something different going on(.
The dynamic between her and her father, her and her mother, and her and her sister. I enjoyed the differences that were in each of these relationships, and how they developed (either strengthening, falling apart, or apathy).
Loved the worldbuilding that has been set up in the Fantasy world.
I was incredibly impressed with how the author was able to show our main character the world, as she also showed us. Having her being so naive is good, for there aren't unnecessary info dumps, for the read needs to learn at the same rate as the main character. That was SO well executed.
This is interesting, for this is the secon book/series that has Selkies and I'm here for it (the other is N.C. Scrimgeour's the Sea of Souls (series & and first book), and Memory of Mist (the second book in the series). Both are really good.
I love how Halja grows and learns about her magic, and how she's viewed in the wider world.
Loved her time with Eilith. Also loved the charactrer of Byrgir...and the collection of people that Hal meets along her journey.
Love the magic and how it is used in this world.
The saddest part, is how people treat her, and their prejudice and manifest within the story. Truly harsh, but love how it is answered by our heroes.
There's some spice in this story, and honestly, it wasn't too bad. I read it to my wife, and we had fun with it.
Overall, I am looking forward to the sequels to this story. Bring it on.
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
The start out with our main character of Halja. She's a young woman, and she really doesn't get along with her father (but really, that's not a new concept...but there IS something different going on(.
The dynamic between her and her father, her and her mother, and her and her sister. I enjoyed the differences that were in each of these relationships, and how they developed (either strengthening, falling apart, or apathy).
Loved the worldbuilding that has been set up in the Fantasy world.
I was incredibly impressed with how the author was able to show our main character the world, as she also showed us. Having her being so naive is good, for there aren't unnecessary info dumps, for the read needs to learn at the same rate as the main character. That was SO well executed.
This is interesting, for this is the secon book/series that has Selkies and I'm here for it (the other is N.C. Scrimgeour's the Sea of Souls (series & and first book), and Memory of Mist (the second book in the series). Both are really good.
I love how Halja grows and learns about her magic, and how she's viewed in the wider world.
Loved her time with Eilith. Also loved the charactrer of Byrgir...and the collection of people that Hal meets along her journey.
Love the magic and how it is used in this world.
The saddest part, is how people treat her, and their prejudice and manifest within the story. Truly harsh, but love how it is answered by our heroes.
There's some spice in this story, and honestly, it wasn't too bad. I read it to my wife, and we had fun with it.
Overall, I am looking forward to the sequels to this story. Bring it on.
October 24, 2025
"Source of Storms" by Angelina Kelly is a refreshing fantasy read. Its Nordic-inspired world, intriguing magic system, and compelling FMC immediately draw you in. The story unfolds at a well-paced rhythm, balancing political intrigue between humans and fae with the FMC's personal journey. Kelly's descriptive writing creates a vivid world without being overly verbose. The magic system is well-defined, and the inclusion of monsters adds exciting tension. While the hints of deeper secrets leave you wanting more, this only strengthens the anticipation for future installments. A great choice for fantasy fans seeking a well-crafted world and a strong female lead. Highly recommended.
February 24, 2025
I was lucky to be a beta reader of this novel and I am thrilled to be able to read it again in its final form.
The author of this novel takes the reader on a rich and layered journey where we follow in Halja's footsteps to self-discovery. Source of Storms is an emotionally charged fantasy novel that immediately pulls readers into a unique and captivating world. Angelina Kelly created a world rich with magic, ancient prophecies, and a fight for survival.
The protagonist’s development is one of the highlights of the book. Halja is a relatable character filled with emotional highs and lows, which makes for a compelling and engaging read.
The story is a balance of action with introspection. While there are plenty of intense, dramatic scenes, the quieter moments, where the characters reflect on their pasts or motivations, add a great deal of emotional weight to the narrative.
The fresh take on elemental magic and the complex conflicts make this an enjoyable read.
The author of this novel takes the reader on a rich and layered journey where we follow in Halja's footsteps to self-discovery. Source of Storms is an emotionally charged fantasy novel that immediately pulls readers into a unique and captivating world. Angelina Kelly created a world rich with magic, ancient prophecies, and a fight for survival.
The protagonist’s development is one of the highlights of the book. Halja is a relatable character filled with emotional highs and lows, which makes for a compelling and engaging read.
The story is a balance of action with introspection. While there are plenty of intense, dramatic scenes, the quieter moments, where the characters reflect on their pasts or motivations, add a great deal of emotional weight to the narrative.
The fresh take on elemental magic and the complex conflicts make this an enjoyable read.
March 1, 2025
I have so much to say after reading this!
First, the writing. Beautifully vivid imagery, quipped dialogue and character interactions. The author’s experiences in nature really shine and make you feel not only that you are witnessing the scene unfold but that you may learn about what surrounds the characters. The acknowledged influence of Women Who Run With the Wolves is evident in both the storytelling and the character development in a mythical setting which, admittedly, I could have used more background about as I was missing some nuance! I can’t wait to read more by this author as I think we need more works that explore these themes of family, self-development, and prejudice through unique settings with characters you can enjoy.
First, the writing. Beautifully vivid imagery, quipped dialogue and character interactions. The author’s experiences in nature really shine and make you feel not only that you are witnessing the scene unfold but that you may learn about what surrounds the characters. The acknowledged influence of Women Who Run With the Wolves is evident in both the storytelling and the character development in a mythical setting which, admittedly, I could have used more background about as I was missing some nuance! I can’t wait to read more by this author as I think we need more works that explore these themes of family, self-development, and prejudice through unique settings with characters you can enjoy.
March 12, 2025
If you like books with an original thoughtful worldview and a gloomy Scandinavian vibe, you should definitely read The Source of Storms.
While reading, you can almost physically feel the smells of the forest and the sea, the presence of mysterious secrets and mystical creatures. The thoughtful, non-trivial characters and events in general impressed and inspired me. I want to read more and more about this incredible world.
I look forward to read more stories by wonderful young author Angelina Kelly who created this fabulous atmosphere.
Friendly advice: it tastes the best by an open fire with a cup of hot herbal mead:)
While reading, you can almost physically feel the smells of the forest and the sea, the presence of mysterious secrets and mystical creatures. The thoughtful, non-trivial characters and events in general impressed and inspired me. I want to read more and more about this incredible world.
I look forward to read more stories by wonderful young author Angelina Kelly who created this fabulous atmosphere.
Friendly advice: it tastes the best by an open fire with a cup of hot herbal mead:)
February 24, 2025
The Source of Storms easily became one of my top reads of the year so far! Angelina created a story so beautiful that often times felt like I was reading mythology rather than a fantasy novel. The world building, character development, and setting were so beautifully detailed it felt as thought I was right there with Halja on her journey. The overall content of the book, along with the magic system, characters, and setting, were so refreshingly different from the current fantasy trends. I can't wait for the next books to see even more character development as the plot unfolds.
April 7, 2025
Tired of all the overdone tropes and fantasy books that are blurring into one story you never remember? STOP AND READ THIS BOOK—NOW.
The storytelling is immaculate. The scenery is so beautiful and wild. The characters are human (and yet not?!) and you get to fall in love with a heroine’s journey of reclamation. The weavings with mythology that some may be familiar with while casting a new spin will leave you wanting more!
For readers who love epic fantasy and crave a strong, FMC, this is for you!
The storytelling is immaculate. The scenery is so beautiful and wild. The characters are human (and yet not?!) and you get to fall in love with a heroine’s journey of reclamation. The weavings with mythology that some may be familiar with while casting a new spin will leave you wanting more!
For readers who love epic fantasy and crave a strong, FMC, this is for you!
March 2, 2025
,,The Source of Storms’’ by Angelina Kelly was a 5 star read for me and definitely one of my year’s highlights.
The world building, the development of the main characters and the side characters were amazing.
Especially the places were described so vividly that I thought I was walking through each scene.
Everything was so beautifully detailed without dragging on.
Angelina truly feels and ,tastes’ nature and this is reflected in her writing.
This was a very refreshing introduction into celtic mythology and a definite page turner.
I can’t wait for book number two to be released!!!
The world building, the development of the main characters and the side characters were amazing.
Especially the places were described so vividly that I thought I was walking through each scene.
Everything was so beautifully detailed without dragging on.
Angelina truly feels and ,tastes’ nature and this is reflected in her writing.
This was a very refreshing introduction into celtic mythology and a definite page turner.
I can’t wait for book number two to be released!!!
March 13, 2025
A phenomenal first work by the amazing Angelina Kelly! I devoured this book, many late nights unwilling to put it down and go to bed despite my early morning of work the next day. The plot kept me hooked effortlessly, I grew very fond of the characters, and the settings were beautifully described at every turn. I cannot wait to see what awaits us in the second book, I will be eagerly anticipating its release! Well done Angie!
March 29, 2025
Slow burn and passionate. Magic forward. Epic fantasy. Lots of goals started many things going on and hinted at and if you read a lot of romantasy like this you can probably figure it out but it is left in a satisfying way and the series is setup well. It got a little muddled at times for me but i still enjoyed the world and j will look for the next book.
March 4, 2025
This book was amazing! Perhaps my favorite from an indie author so far! The last half sucked me in so much I literally couldn’t stop reading….
April 13, 2025
I didn't start out as a fantasy reader, but...
the author's brave choice to start writing pulled me towards a story I knew very little about. And I was not disappointed:
This tale of finding a home, perseverance and a heart beating for the wild and untamed is a wonderful read for anyone who searches for personal power in the face of adversity or feels lost in some way.
This book is like a song to remind us of the wild home within.
the author's brave choice to start writing pulled me towards a story I knew very little about. And I was not disappointed:
This tale of finding a home, perseverance and a heart beating for the wild and untamed is a wonderful read for anyone who searches for personal power in the face of adversity or feels lost in some way.
This book is like a song to remind us of the wild home within.
April 12, 2025
Loved it!!! Great writing, good pacing, recommend.
March 15, 2025
The Source of Storms is a fantastic fantasy debut that's left me excited for the second instalment in the series. The world is well crafted and full of great descriptions, and I especially enjoyed how the monsters and attack/fight scenes are conveyed. The author has a great way of putting you in the middle of the action and making the creatures easily visualized. On this note, her descriptions of ports, ships, and sea life are fantastically written, making me feel like I'm right there and I found myself craving an entire book written by Kelly in this setting. The book can be dark at times, which I appreciate, and doesn't shy away from heavier subject matter or violent descriptions of fight scenes. The magic system is heavily tied to nature and makes sense, and I enjoy the concept of the veil.
If there's one thing I'd like to see more of in book two, it's more adventures with the supporting cast as they all feel like they have lots of potential for me to fall in love with each of them as their own unique character. The book concludes with lots of questions to be answered in book two (as is expected in a series), yet it doesn't do so in a "frustrating cliff-hanger" type of ending. Overall I think that The Source of Storms is a fantastic debut novel, and I'll definitely be first in line for pre-orders on book two!
If there's one thing I'd like to see more of in book two, it's more adventures with the supporting cast as they all feel like they have lots of potential for me to fall in love with each of them as their own unique character. The book concludes with lots of questions to be answered in book two (as is expected in a series), yet it doesn't do so in a "frustrating cliff-hanger" type of ending. Overall I think that The Source of Storms is a fantastic debut novel, and I'll definitely be first in line for pre-orders on book two!
August 6, 2025
Just go read it!
The descriptive work in The Source of Storms has an absolutely perfect pacing. I could just go on and on reading Halja’s training to using Source. It is an art to write an intense scene with deep emotions, and to understand when to reel in those emotions to make the story smaller.
This story, just the way it is, has impact. The story sticks to me. There is something special in these pages. For The Source of Storms to be a debut book, is absolutely mind boggling. I look forward to book 2.
For now, congratulations to the author for this great story!
4/5 stars.
The descriptive work in The Source of Storms has an absolutely perfect pacing. I could just go on and on reading Halja’s training to using Source. It is an art to write an intense scene with deep emotions, and to understand when to reel in those emotions to make the story smaller.
This story, just the way it is, has impact. The story sticks to me. There is something special in these pages. For The Source of Storms to be a debut book, is absolutely mind boggling. I look forward to book 2.
For now, congratulations to the author for this great story!
4/5 stars.
April 19, 2025
I loved this story! I could see and smell and hear everything. Impressive writing talent for sure in Angelina Kelly!
February 22, 2025
The Source of Storms was a real treat to read: 4.5/5. I don’t leave reviews usually, but I do read a LOT of fantasy. Despite being the author’s first novel, it absolutely does not read like a debut–the world-building is richly detailed, characters are fleshed out and nicely developed, and the plot is cohesive and exciting. It was clearly copy-edited and a lot of love and care was put into writing this.
It reminded me of the feeling of Katherine Arden’s “The Bear and the Nightingale” in terms of vibes but also detailed folklore inclusions and a setting where religion and the Old Ways are clashing. And a bit of The Witcher, because I was unsettled at various points by what the creatures encountered, haha! There are also some of the standard romantasy tropes (mostly in the romance, which was written in a lovely way, I was rooting for them!). There’s also spice, for those who love that! I would say it’s comparable to the spice in ACOTAR for those who care about that kind of thing.) This is definitely a romantasy though where the world and fantasy settings are taking more of a forefront to the story, with romance being prominent but not ~ the most prominent ~ plot line. I felt it was a well-balanced mix where both plot and romance was developed at a comfortable pace with neither shadowing over the other.
Setting
Woven in through the narrative are gorgeous descriptions of nature, weather, and magic were beautiful. I loved how Fae were depicted and the magic that they can use was depicted. It felt like a richly imagined world and I won’t be forgetting the fae that were detailed in this novel any time soon. I genuinely felt unnerved and unsettled by the descriptions of some of the fae and this made for a gripping read. I really got the sense of this is how a world with fae would be: some are peaceful, some are… chaotic and dangerous in their own unique ways. And you would do best to stay away and not go out at night. This level of detail was what immediately impressed me upon reading - the folklore feels deeply researched and engagingly woven into this fantasy.
Plot
I think one can argue that the idea of a new religion coming in and warring with old roots and pagan culture has been done before, however, this is a lovely addition to the canon in my opinion. I enjoy this theme and felt this was well executed. I think the two factions that were developed are interesting and I was so hype for the main character’s journey and awakening of her powers. Every time I found myself pausing to think “Hmm, I hope they go into more detail about X!”, a few chapters later it would which felt really satisfying. I think the pacing was well done, it slowed a little in the middle, but nothing too sudden. I felt that the lore was well distributed instead of being info-dumped to us in one chapter, which made for a pleasant read as more information was dolled out over the course of the novel.
Characters
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the core set of female characters. They were all extremely likeable and not irritating (which honestly cannot be said for a lot of fantasy leads lol). The main love interest is sweet, and I hope we get more development for him and Crow in the following books. The main focus was on the main character and her relationships with two other women (and her love interest of course). I liked that the side characters had independent lives of the main character and made decisions outside of her knowledge, leaving her in the dark at several points in the book. Overall, each character felt distinct, realistic, and not just like NPC caricatures of a trope.
Small Critique (Contains Light Spoilers)
Overall
I felt that the conclusion to the first novel was very satisfying. Once I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down. There are still plot-threads yet to be resolved leaving me feeling quite keen for the second. I can absolutely anticipate rereading this when the second book comes out.
TWs: sexual assault (on page, not super detailed, fade to black), family abuse, some spooky monsters if you’re reading at night.
It reminded me of the feeling of Katherine Arden’s “The Bear and the Nightingale” in terms of vibes but also detailed folklore inclusions and a setting where religion and the Old Ways are clashing. And a bit of The Witcher, because I was unsettled at various points by what the creatures encountered, haha! There are also some of the standard romantasy tropes (mostly in the romance, which was written in a lovely way, I was rooting for them!). There’s also spice, for those who love that! I would say it’s comparable to the spice in ACOTAR for those who care about that kind of thing.) This is definitely a romantasy though where the world and fantasy settings are taking more of a forefront to the story, with romance being prominent but not ~ the most prominent ~ plot line. I felt it was a well-balanced mix where both plot and romance was developed at a comfortable pace with neither shadowing over the other.
Setting
Woven in through the narrative are gorgeous descriptions of nature, weather, and magic were beautiful. I loved how Fae were depicted and the magic that they can use was depicted. It felt like a richly imagined world and I won’t be forgetting the fae that were detailed in this novel any time soon. I genuinely felt unnerved and unsettled by the descriptions of some of the fae and this made for a gripping read. I really got the sense of this is how a world with fae would be: some are peaceful, some are… chaotic and dangerous in their own unique ways. And you would do best to stay away and not go out at night. This level of detail was what immediately impressed me upon reading - the folklore feels deeply researched and engagingly woven into this fantasy.
Plot
I think one can argue that the idea of a new religion coming in and warring with old roots and pagan culture has been done before, however, this is a lovely addition to the canon in my opinion. I enjoy this theme and felt this was well executed. I think the two factions that were developed are interesting and I was so hype for the main character’s journey and awakening of her powers. Every time I found myself pausing to think “Hmm, I hope they go into more detail about X!”, a few chapters later it would which felt really satisfying. I think the pacing was well done, it slowed a little in the middle, but nothing too sudden. I felt that the lore was well distributed instead of being info-dumped to us in one chapter, which made for a pleasant read as more information was dolled out over the course of the novel.
Characters
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the core set of female characters. They were all extremely likeable and not irritating (which honestly cannot be said for a lot of fantasy leads lol). The main love interest is sweet, and I hope we get more development for him and Crow in the following books. The main focus was on the main character and her relationships with two other women (and her love interest of course). I liked that the side characters had independent lives of the main character and made decisions outside of her knowledge, leaving her in the dark at several points in the book. Overall, each character felt distinct, realistic, and not just like NPC caricatures of a trope.
Small Critique (Contains Light Spoilers)
Overall
I felt that the conclusion to the first novel was very satisfying. Once I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down. There are still plot-threads yet to be resolved leaving me feeling quite keen for the second. I can absolutely anticipate rereading this when the second book comes out.
TWs: sexual assault (on page, not super detailed, fade to black), family abuse, some spooky monsters if you’re reading at night.
April 13, 2025
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks again to the author, Angelina Kelly! This review won't contain any spoilers.
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There were a lot of things I loved about this book. It's well written and thought through. Several themes are explored throughout, but in particular finding yourself is dealt with great respect.
Magic
The first I want to talk about is the magic system. It felt unique and drew me in from the very start. I won't go into it in great detail to avoid spoilers, but I'm looking forward to learning how the main character, Halja's abilities continue to grow.
The World
The descriptions used to describe each area Halja ventures through are simply beautiful, especially Rhyanaes. All the vivid green woodland were a delight!
I also loved how the author included hobbies in the story that are important to her. As someone who loves to knit myself, this is something I enjoy seeing represented in fiction.
Secondary Characters
This was an area that could have done with more work. I didn't feel a strong connection to other characters in the book besides the main character, Halja. They felt flat to me, and I didn't feel emotionally invested in their development.
Love Interest
This was another aspect of the novel that I didn't enjoy. For me, there wasn't great chemistry between the two main characters, Halja and Bygir. He isn't around for chunks of the novel, and we don't see them grow closer in real time. The development of their relationship also felt rushed, particularly towards the end.
Pacing
The time jumps throughout led to pacing issues for me. It was like the author wanted to advance the plot too quickly, but for me this contributed to the character and relationship issues I mentioned above.
---
This is a book I enjoyed overall, and one I'm looking forward to continuing!
---
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. It's well written and thought through. Several themes are explored throughout, but in particular finding yourself is dealt with great respect.
Magic
The first I want to talk about is the magic system. It felt unique and drew me in from the very start. I won't go into it in great detail to avoid spoilers, but I'm looking forward to learning how the main character, Halja's abilities continue to grow.
The World
The descriptions used to describe each area Halja ventures through are simply beautiful, especially Rhyanaes. All the vivid green woodland were a delight!
I also loved how the author included hobbies in the story that are important to her. As someone who loves to knit myself, this is something I enjoy seeing represented in fiction.
Secondary Characters
This was an area that could have done with more work. I didn't feel a strong connection to other characters in the book besides the main character, Halja. They felt flat to me, and I didn't feel emotionally invested in their development.
Love Interest
This was another aspect of the novel that I didn't enjoy. For me, there wasn't great chemistry between the two main characters, Halja and Bygir. He isn't around for chunks of the novel, and we don't see them grow closer in real time. The development of their relationship also felt rushed, particularly towards the end.
Pacing
The time jumps throughout led to pacing issues for me. It was like the author wanted to advance the plot too quickly, but for me this contributed to the character and relationship issues I mentioned above.
---
This is a book I enjoyed overall, and one I'm looking forward to continuing!
March 24, 2025
I was truly so excited for this book - it sounded like a break from the normal plots that have flooded the Romantasy genre recently.
My initial struggle began with the attempt at world building - the initial chapters were at best, painful, in their efforts to articulate a world with the written word. Every other sentence contained a simile, which I took to be the authors attempt for building a rich world, but instead found it incredibly distracting. I couldn't focus on what was the actual world, and what was a comparison. Phrases like 'the mountains stood tall like ancient sentinels' and 'the river flowed as swiftly as a fleeing deer' appeared so often that they disrupted the narrative flow. This repetitive stylistic choice made it challenging to fully immerse myself in the story initially.
Additionally, it felt like there were a number of out of place words or phrases that had been added after the fact to vary the vocabulary, and yet they were not the appropriate words for the cadence of the story and therefore added to my disjointed feeling.
Once I made it past the initial disjoined prose, the plot did develop into a story that I was compelled to finish. The author does build a rich world and characters you become emotionally invested in. Typically, I would have quit reading when the first chapter was such a struggle, however this one was worth the pain in the beginning to make it to the end.
If you're not one easily distracted by the need for a strong editor and the summary of the story appeals to you, then I believe this is a great fit for your TBR list.
My initial struggle began with the attempt at world building - the initial chapters were at best, painful, in their efforts to articulate a world with the written word. Every other sentence contained a simile, which I took to be the authors attempt for building a rich world, but instead found it incredibly distracting. I couldn't focus on what was the actual world, and what was a comparison. Phrases like 'the mountains stood tall like ancient sentinels' and 'the river flowed as swiftly as a fleeing deer' appeared so often that they disrupted the narrative flow. This repetitive stylistic choice made it challenging to fully immerse myself in the story initially.
Additionally, it felt like there were a number of out of place words or phrases that had been added after the fact to vary the vocabulary, and yet they were not the appropriate words for the cadence of the story and therefore added to my disjointed feeling.
Once I made it past the initial disjoined prose, the plot did develop into a story that I was compelled to finish. The author does build a rich world and characters you become emotionally invested in. Typically, I would have quit reading when the first chapter was such a struggle, however this one was worth the pain in the beginning to make it to the end.
If you're not one easily distracted by the need for a strong editor and the summary of the story appeals to you, then I believe this is a great fit for your TBR list.
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