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Daughter of the Wind
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Darkness lurks in the shadows as a betrothed princess wrestles with a dangerous new magic that threatens her bond with her beloved horse—and a forbidden love for the enemy sworn to protect her.
Zara has never felt worthy of her title as First Daughter. Though next in line to lead her people, she hasn’t inherited what matters most—her mother’s sacred earth magic. While her people are tied to the land and their soul-bound horses, Zara has always felt a pull toward the wind.
As war rages against the enemy empire’s deadly Eagle Riders, her people edge closer to defeat. When a rider attacks Zara herself, she unleashes a wind magic strong enough to tear giant eagles from the sky. This power could turn the tide of the war—but at a terrible the slow unraveling of her psychic bond with her horse.
So when a marriage treaty is offered in exchange for peace, Zara agrees, sacrificing herself to protect her people. But the emperor’s palace is more treacherous than any battlefield. Hidden behind its gilded walls is a monstrous being long buried—and her power-hungry betrothed is determined to set it free.
Sworn to protect the future empress, Commander Talon soon realizes Zara is more than a political pawn—she’s the key to stopping the emperor’s dark ambitions. As their forbidden desire grows, they must face an ancient evil stirring beneath the throne. Even if it costs them everything.
Zara has never felt worthy of her title as First Daughter. Though next in line to lead her people, she hasn’t inherited what matters most—her mother’s sacred earth magic. While her people are tied to the land and their soul-bound horses, Zara has always felt a pull toward the wind.
As war rages against the enemy empire’s deadly Eagle Riders, her people edge closer to defeat. When a rider attacks Zara herself, she unleashes a wind magic strong enough to tear giant eagles from the sky. This power could turn the tide of the war—but at a terrible the slow unraveling of her psychic bond with her horse.
So when a marriage treaty is offered in exchange for peace, Zara agrees, sacrificing herself to protect her people. But the emperor’s palace is more treacherous than any battlefield. Hidden behind its gilded walls is a monstrous being long buried—and her power-hungry betrothed is determined to set it free.
Sworn to protect the future empress, Commander Talon soon realizes Zara is more than a political pawn—she’s the key to stopping the emperor’s dark ambitions. As their forbidden desire grows, they must face an ancient evil stirring beneath the throne. Even if it costs them everything.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 14, 2026
8031 people want to read
About the author
Nora Carmody
1 book18 followersNora Carmody lives in South Carolina with her husband and six kids. Before she became an author, Nora worked as a psychotherapist. An avid horsewoman, she grew up riding and competing on her Arabian mare. Her horse riding days may be over, but she’s still a horse girl at heart! When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Nora takes care of a constantly growing menagerie of pets, including (but not limited to) 2 dogs, 4 cats, 11 chickens, and a bearded dragon.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a book I recommend to anyone who loved horses as a kid and was then forced to grow up. This absolutely captures the imagination from the first page, and takes you along for a wonderful adventure.
This book has some of the best world building that I have read! It explores diverse cultures in the book from the nomadic horse riders of the Children of the Earth to the mountain terrain of the Zephyrians, whose warriors ride into battle on the backs of giant eagles.
The main characters, Zara First Daughter of the Children of the Earth, and Talon commander of the Eagle Riders of the Zephyrian Empire, are likable and you want to root for them throughout the book. Their animal companions though, Shazeera a blood bay mare bond to Zara from childhood, and Neo a giant battle Eagle, are the ones who really steal the show! (Got to admit there were moments where I was more worried about them, then I was about the main characters.)
All four must come together to defeat an ever growing darkness that's growing in the Golden Eagle Palace of the Zephyrian Empire, where mysteries abound and danger lurks behind every shadow. Can Zara defeat this growing evil while containing a new magic inside of her, and keep the terms of a treaty that is the only thing keeping her people safe?
Well, you'll have to read to find out :)
Overall ratings:
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Spice: None (Some steamy bits, but nothing longer than a page)
The plot needs a bit of work in the second half, because it starts telling the plot rather than showing it.
But!
This book has awhile before it comes out, (as of writing this review) and I am hoping it gets the rough edges all polished out before that.
If you're looking for a book that's full of beautiful landscapes, telepathic animal companions, and adventure, this is the book for you! Will definitely be picking this book up when it releases!
This is a book I recommend to anyone who loved horses as a kid and was then forced to grow up. This absolutely captures the imagination from the first page, and takes you along for a wonderful adventure.
This book has some of the best world building that I have read! It explores diverse cultures in the book from the nomadic horse riders of the Children of the Earth to the mountain terrain of the Zephyrians, whose warriors ride into battle on the backs of giant eagles.
The main characters, Zara First Daughter of the Children of the Earth, and Talon commander of the Eagle Riders of the Zephyrian Empire, are likable and you want to root for them throughout the book. Their animal companions though, Shazeera a blood bay mare bond to Zara from childhood, and Neo a giant battle Eagle, are the ones who really steal the show! (Got to admit there were moments where I was more worried about them, then I was about the main characters.)
All four must come together to defeat an ever growing darkness that's growing in the Golden Eagle Palace of the Zephyrian Empire, where mysteries abound and danger lurks behind every shadow. Can Zara defeat this growing evil while containing a new magic inside of her, and keep the terms of a treaty that is the only thing keeping her people safe?
Well, you'll have to read to find out :)
Overall ratings:
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Spice: None (Some steamy bits, but nothing longer than a page)
The plot needs a bit of work in the second half, because it starts telling the plot rather than showing it.
But!
This book has awhile before it comes out, (as of writing this review) and I am hoping it gets the rough edges all polished out before that.
If you're looking for a book that's full of beautiful landscapes, telepathic animal companions, and adventure, this is the book for you! Will definitely be picking this book up when it releases!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my God—Daughter of the Wind completely swept me away. This is one of those fantasy reads that pulls you fully into the world and doesn’t let go. Zara is such a compelling main character: strong, conflicted, and incredibly easy to root for as she tries to prove herself in a world where magic and power define everything.
The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, with beautifully imagined elemental magic and a culture deeply bonded with their horses. I absolutely LOVED this aspect of the book. The relationship between Zara and her horse was probably my favorite part, and the tension between Zara’s wind magic and her psychic bond adds an emotional depth that really elevates the stakes.
And let's talk about the romance! This is such a fantastic slow burn—full of longing, tension, and very real obstacles. The chemistry is so good.
This is a must-read for fans of fantasy with elemental magic, strong characters, political intrigue, and forbidden love. I can’t wait for more from this world!
The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, with beautifully imagined elemental magic and a culture deeply bonded with their horses. I absolutely LOVED this aspect of the book. The relationship between Zara and her horse was probably my favorite part, and the tension between Zara’s wind magic and her psychic bond adds an emotional depth that really elevates the stakes.
And let's talk about the romance! This is such a fantastic slow burn—full of longing, tension, and very real obstacles. The chemistry is so good.
This is a must-read for fans of fantasy with elemental magic, strong characters, political intrigue, and forbidden love. I can’t wait for more from this world!
December 9, 2025
I’m a sucker for a good animal companion story, so I am the desired audience for this book. Starting with the basics, the writing is solid, the world building is well done — if a bit simplistic — and the pacing was good. However … I don’t think the animal companions hit quite the way I wanted them to. Shazeera and Neo never felt like animals, or even like actual characters. They were cheerleaders, cute sidekicks, but don’t quite stand on their own.
Talon and Zara have a good friendship going on, but I didn’t feel any romantic chemistry between them. That’s just me, though; others may well have different opinions on the matter. On the whole I think this is a fun YA for people who like animal companions and super-special and unique main characters who can do things no one else can do. It’s a bit tropey, but it’s still a good time and an easy read.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Talon and Zara have a good friendship going on, but I didn’t feel any romantic chemistry between them. That’s just me, though; others may well have different opinions on the matter. On the whole I think this is a fun YA for people who like animal companions and super-special and unique main characters who can do things no one else can do. It’s a bit tropey, but it’s still a good time and an easy read.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
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December 25, 2025Early copy for a Review for LJ..
I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow burn true enemies to lovers. However the main focus was acceptance of oneself and the uniqueness that the FMC brings to those around her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow burn true enemies to lovers. However the main focus was acceptance of oneself and the uniqueness that the FMC brings to those around her.
January 7, 2026
Real rating: 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews