Highschooler Genevieve DeWinter finds herself entangled in the throes of adventure, romance, and survival after discovering the existence of a group of magical beings known as Formulists and their co-existing world, Banewind.
With the arrival of several mages in her hometown of Parma, Ohio, Genevieve soon learns that these extraordinary secrets are rooted deep within her family's history and that she comes from a long lineage of female protectors called the Holy Guardians. Now, a vengeful group of Formulists known as the Voidweavers have returned and set their sights on Genevieve, believing she might be the key to awakening their fallen leader, the Void King.
The concept for this book is what pulled me towards wanting to read it. Plus, can we take a moment to talk about the beautiful book cover. Ok, so back to the book. I did enjoy the magical world that is Banewind. I instantly was transported to Banewind. I could see it all in my head.
Another cool aspect about this book is the Holy Guardians. A group of female protectors! Can I get a high five. I don't recall reading many books where there are female protectors. While, I have spoken about the world and one of the aspects that I liked about this book; I have to sadly also speak to what I did not like about this book. It was the characters in general. I found myself struggling to really find that strong connection towards anyone. Therefore, it was more like me going through the motions of reading this book versus it really embracing me. However, I would try this author out again.
Banewind by MB Chapman is about Genevieve, an ordinary girl whose life was once normal with good friends, school, and fighting with her younger brother. Things start looking up when a new guy transfers to her school. Not only does he immediately catch everyone's attention, but Jensen seems to actually be interested in her. Everything is flipped upside down when she discovers the secret magical world of Banewind, uncovers a shocking truth her mother kept hidden, and learns that a group called Voidweavers will stop at nothing until they get her. Her family comes from a line called Holy Guardians with a responsibility to keep the world safe. Now she's gone from a normal teenage girl to running from enemies that want her to resurrect the Void King. The Voidweavers have tricks of their own and a mysterious stranger appears that wants to gain her trust but could he be leading her into a web of lies?
The story starts with Genevieve as a carefree teenager and the events explore her facing a huge burden. She has more on her shoulders than just classes. Now the weight of the world is put onto her and she's directly in the middle of trying to prevent the world from falling into the destruction and chaos the Voidweavers have planned. The plot focuses on her being in the middle between the Voidweavers and the Formulists with both sides complete strangers to her. These two sides come with an assortment of characters that unfold to bring this world to life with allies and enemies that round out her adventure. The two sides manifest within the two guys that she meets, literally from each side, and this creates a tug-of-war for her.
Jensen is the dashing new guy at school with the personality of a knight in shining armor who is perfect on paper. This creates a spark of romance with his heroic presence and Genevieve's strong attraction to him. Scythe has a tragic past and was raised by the Voidweavers so all he's known is the life they built for him but meeting Genevieve gives him a choice for his own path. The characters of Scythe and Jensen represent the two sides that the story is focusing on and the two options that Genevieve has to choose. Good versus evil isn't so simple as MB Chapman creates a gray area for the characters that allows them to make their own choices. Banewind is a coming-of-age journey that is magical and tells a story of a change in destiny, secrets, and the power to prevent the world from falling into chaos.
Banewind, by M.B. Chapman, is a captivating exploration of self-discovery and hidden legacies, following the journey of an ordinary individual who must confront extraordinary challenges to uncover her true potential. The protagonist, Genevieve DeWinter, is an 18-year-old high school senior whose life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her connection to the Formulists, mystical beings tied to her ancestry. Set in the quiet town of Parma, Ohio, Genevieve's world is upended as mages invade, revealing that she is a Holy Guardian, part of a lineage sworn to protect against dark forces. With the malevolent Voidweavers targeting her to resurrect their fallen leader, Genevieve must navigate a perilous path of adventure and hidden truths to prevent a new era of darkness.
One of the most striking elements of Banewind is its vivid imagery. Chapman’s masterful descriptions bring to life the enchanting world of Banewind and the ominous realms of the Voidweavers with stunning clarity. The settings, from the familiar streets of Parma to the mystical landscapes of the Formulists, are depicted in such rich detail that they draw the reader fully into Genevieve’s extraordinary journey. These descriptions not only stimulate the imagination but also evoke strong emotional responses, deepening the reader's connection to the story and its underlying sense of wonder and danger.
Genevieve DeWinter, as the protagonist, is another standout aspect of this novel. Her character is compelling and relatable, offering a fresh take on the classic coming-of-age narrative. As an 18-year-old on the brink of adulthood, Genevieve is portrayed with depth and authenticity. Her evolution from an ordinary high school student to a central figure in an ancient magical conflict is both thrilling and poignant. The novel handles her inner conflicts, resilience, and growth with great sensitivity, making Genevieve a character readers can deeply connect with and root for throughout the story.
The combination of rich imagery and a well-crafted protagonist creates a dynamic and engaging reading experience. Chapman skillfully blends Genevieve’s personal evolution with the broader, fantastical elements of the plot, resulting in a story that is both thought-provoking and immersive. Through Genevieve’s eyes, readers embark on a journey of self-discovery and bravery, set against a backdrop of spellbinding adventure and looming darkness. Banewind is a mesmerizing tale that will captivate anyone who enjoys a blend of fantasy, adventure, and deep character development.
In all honesty, this was a book that reminded me of my youthful fantasies where I would find out that the world I lived in was not the only one in existence. That plain, boring, ordinary me was actually tied to some fantastical realm where magic or the supernatural existed and my mundane life was not what I was destined to experience. Yes, I had a wild imagination while leading a perfectly boring life throughout high school.
In this tale, a girl finds out, rather abruptly, that things are not all that they seem. I think she handles this rather well, considering things were basically exploding around her at the moment. Finding out her mother was a warrior from a long line of protectors in another world would throw any girl off her stride, but she kept moving forward, seeking answers.
The positive is that she has two wonderfully attractive boys that seem to want to be a part of her life. Who doesn't dream about having a couple desirable people trying to get your attention? The negative being that there seem to be other people that want to see her dead. Well, we can't have the good without the bad now, can we!
I felt this book was a fun and quick, at least for me, read that has enough action to keep it rolling along. There are interesting characters that should capture the reader's attention. There is some darkness and a few sad moments, but they enhance the story well. The characters are well written and unique. I found myself reevaluating my initial thoughts of a couple of them as the story progressed. The storyline seems to be well thought out and kept me interested in knowing what is to come. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. The author’s vivid writing style brings the pages to life and made for a great escape. He goes to great lengths to transition between modern day and his fantasy world of “Banewind” effortlessly. And I love how he transports the reader without losing any depth of character or plot. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next as I developed a real kinship with Genevieve. I might have passed this book by since it’s a young adult, but it relates to everyone. It’s a great book, I highly recommend it
Good versus evil, and not everything is as it seems. Let me say, I absolutely adore Genevieve. I can’t imagine my senior year of high school starting off with this much of a bang, and she handles it so well. I felt like I was watching the story unfold before my eyes and I have to admit I wish I could visit Banewind. Packed with adventure, a well-developed world, deep characters, and great pacing, I loved this story. Highly recommend for fans of books like Harry Potter, who love a strong female lead. I’d love to see a sequel!
I was attracted to this book because of the concept and the cover. It didn’t disappoint! I enjoyed all the characters and storyline. It was a good amount of magic, adventure, and even a little romance. Easy read, especially because I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to more from this author! 5 stars
A good start to what seems like a series of fantasy adventures. The story is filled with action and moves quickly along. I didn’t mind the romance in this, although I didn’t find Jensen and Scythe different enough. The story feels like it’s going somewhere but this book seemed a bit short to me. I’ll check out the sequel to see what comes next. Light and entertaining, YA fans will enjoy this.
This book is great from the first page! I couldn’t put it down. The author is so descriptive giving you the sense that you’re actually in Banewind. For those looking for a great young adult fantasy novel, look no further. I cannot wait for the remainder of the series to be published!
I don't think this is a series but it sure could be! The mixture it has sets this into a good read! Especially if you are snowed in. Well written and thought out plot and characters! Very interesting read that you will find yourself completely drawn in and lost from the reality of life!
Enjoyable! I hate it when books end without finishing the story; this one answered some mysteries but left some dangling. Could have used a proofreader / copy editor.