The Winds of War

The Tapestry of the Tarnished #1

by Mosha Winter

THESE THREADS ARE SOAKED IN BLOOD.

The Astaris Empire is fracturing, its realm flogged by war and fanaticism. Empress Seline and her Gold Council vie to maintain control, but what is control for a nation built on blood and lies?

In the east, the storied Rhaavi people cling to their independence, but as the ruinous First Legion of the Empire arrives at their walls, hope is decimated. Even so, Yuei, the dragonrider, and Rizu, the shadow guardian, will lay down their lives to protect their home. And Kirana, High Chieftainess of the Rhaavi, vows to lead her people through . . . no matter the cost.

Elsewhere, the prodigious Hatsun pursues an education at the fabled Great Library of the Awakened. But he quickly learns that curiosity is both a boon and a burden as his studies unveil cataclysmic secrets about the world that could change everything.

This book marks the first chapter of The Tapestry of the Tarnished. Here is a tale spanning the whole of the Ring: A circle of continents rife with war and unrest. A world colored by magics and mythical creatures. A place you will fear, yet not wish to leave.

George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire meets Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen in this burgeoning epic fantasy saga.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dragons, Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic

524 pages, Hardcover

First published July 27, 2025

About the author

Mosha Winter is a budding author living in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains. He is a writer of fantasy and, naturally, loves dragons.

On the internet Mosha often goes by the pseudonym "MoeWanders," and you can find him on various social networks under this handle where you'll likely see him sharing his artwork and photos (he's also a painter and photographer!) or raving about a new game or series that he loves.

He is happily married to Twitch creator TeaWithMandy and can often be found goofing around in her stream chatroom. Together Mandy and Mosha are the proud parents of two very large and very rowdy dogs, and one rather small but equally rowdy cockatiel.

Reviews

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Winds of War is a mature, dark and engrossing epic. Full of complex characters making all kinds of poor decisions.

But that’s what humans do.

And that’s what makes it work.

It’s an empire stretched thin with many skirmishes and uprisings. With hints to ancient ancestry of right to rule. Rune swords, sorcery and dragon riders. There were some characters I thought I’d cheer for only to let me down in the end. Others I thought I wouldn’t but slowly came around to.

Some fantastic battle imagery with animals/beasts used within. I cannot state how much I love this. Using companion creatures on the battlefield always adds so much. The aerial combat with dragons….perfect!

And don’t get me started on how well the leviathans at sea are presented. Grand and terrifying.

Like Clash of the Titans Kraken cool. 😎

If you are a fan of GRRM this should be right up your alley. I’ve yet to read the prequel but will remedy this in short order.

Great stuff.

[Annie♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Winds of War is a gripping and emotionally charged fantasy that pulls you into a world of shifting alliances, subtle but powerful magic, and devastating betrayals. Mosha Winter masterfully balances high-stakes political tension with deeply personal struggles, where grief and loyalty collide in unpredictable ways. It’s a very character-driven story. No one is purely good or evil—they’re layered, complex and flawed.

There are moments where the pacing stumbles or a character’s choices feel frustrating (I was screaming with some of their choices 🥲), but those imperfections add to the raw, unpredictable atmosphere.

This isn’t a story about clean victories or easy resolutions—it’s about survival, consequences, and transformation. Every decision cuts deep and nothing comes without a cost. It’s a haunting start to a series I can’t wait to see unfold. 😆💛

💛I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mosha Winter for the incredible opportunity to read your ARC of The Winds of War. It was an unforgettable experience to witness this story before its release, and I’m truly honored to have been included in the acknowledgments. Thank you for letting me be a small part of something so powerful.💛🫶🏼

✨If you’re looking forward to tense, character-driven fantasy—will The Winds of War be on your reading list? 🥳

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this book prior to release, and honestly *what* a privilege it was. The Winds of War captivated me from the very first sentence. Mosha hit the ground running from the very beginning with scenes that had me shook the entire time. Some of my favorite things about the novel are:

The flawed characters:
I warred with myself on whether or not I liked certain characters because of choices they made or things they said. Mosha does such an incredible job at showing just how complex people can be, especially during wartimes. While I was reading, I took notes berating some of my favorite characters because they made decisions that baffled me, but of course this was done with intent by the author.

The imagery:
Mosha has such a keen eye for writing scenery in his books. For Some of the scenes, I couldn’t help but pause to take a moment and truly imagine the scenes he was describing. I’m such a fan of books that really take into account the uglier sides of world building too. Mosha had instances describing such depraved behavior, and it really just added to everything else in the story.

The romance(s):
I’m new to the genre of romantasy, but honestly this book has it all. From love stories you want to see flourish, to heartbreak from someone the characters trusted. Again, I have so many notes about decisions that characters made in terms of their romantic interest. I was SCREAMING at the book sometimes because I just didn’t understand. Yet, of course, Mosha made these decisions come together at the end to really hit home why those decisions were instrumental in the overall plot.

Truly this is one of the best (if not THE best) books I have read this year. I had to put down my other books to focus my attention on this one because it was just so good. I got through it so quickly, and I was sad that now I haven’t wait for the next book! Really, if you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. It is SO worth it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm married to the author so this review might be bit biased 😉

This book will rip your heart out.

You will fall in love with the characters, especially Lacarii who's essentially a gigantic puppy. You will be unable to stop reading, while simultaneously wanting to throw the book across the room - in the best way!

My *favorite* thing about The Winds of War is hands down, Mosha's incredible talent for world-building. This world is rich and alive. It's full of all kinds of fantastical creatures with deep lore, and a world that continues to exist outside of the story. The kind of world that you can't stop thinking about.

Mosha was BORN to be a writer. He's always been naturally gifted with words & has a beautifully rich imagination, but his hard work in learning this craft has resulted in an insane amount of improvement since releasing Born In Fury (the prequel to TWoW). This book is truly incredible and I can't wait to see where he takes the story in the next book!

Okay now I'm just gushing about him but did you know that he's included gorgeous art pieces in this book as well, and many of them were painted by him including the cover!?

⭐️ Keep your eyes on him, he's special.

[Ovium_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing I have to wait until the next book comes out is painful. This was so good. The prologue set the tone for me. When I read it, I was shaken in the best possible way. Not often does a prologue set a dark tone like this and I was all for it!

The story follows multiple POVs and while I was slightly nervous about being confused with so many characters and names, I found it easy to follow. And these characters are flawed, not perfect, and hard to pinpoint whether you like them or not. The choices, the actions, and decisions made leave you questioning them and sometimes yelling at them. And I loved every second of it. There's betrayal, scheming, and heartbreak with all of these characters and decisions. And all of this was so essential to the plot that towards the end I was screaming with excitement for more.

The world-building and imagery in this is one of my favorite things about it. The descriptions used painted a picture that was easy to grab hold of and be a part of these pages. And not all of it is painted in a pretty light. It gets pretty dark and grim. Just how I like it sometimes in fantasy! The action sequences were fantastic. I ate up every time there was a big battle or just a fight scene.

Did I mention dragons yet? No? Well, there you go! There's an epic fight sequence with dragons in here that had me hyped to read. And again, the imagery with it was epic!

There is so much to love here and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this! I got really big Game of Thrones vibes from this book! From the political intrigue, the world-building, a fanatical religious cult, dragons, war, and so much more, this truly was an epic read. I can not wait to get my hands on book 2 to see where this story goes!

[Megsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like fantastic world building, a dark fantasy setting with a believable magic system with consequences, dragons, death and destruction and interesting characters who make sometimes devastating choices - this is the book for you!

After reading Born in Fury - the prequel to The Winds of War, I was excited for this novel and hoping this would live up to the prequel. I didn't need to worry as Mosha Winter absolutely blew this one out of the water! I thought I couldn't love this world any more than I did but once again Mosha proved me wrong.

Many new viewpoints were introduced, and though I was worried I wouldn't be able to follow who was who, the viewpoints were so well written it was easy to follow. The viewpoints were of both sides of the war. This lead to such a rollercoaster of a ride, never knowing who to root for and what was going to happen next. Sometimes I was questioning characters decisions and wondering why they did certain things, but it was all tied together in the end to make sense.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Winds of War and can't wait to see where the story goes in the next installment!

[Trey Quintero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard a famous author say "Ideas are cheap and execution is everything". Mosha Winter absolutely executes here and to such a degree that it amazes me this book comes from an author so early in their career.

I lean more toward SciFi than fantasy but Winds of War very well might have changed that. Winter's writing leaves the perfect amount of contextual pieces lying on the ground, so to speak, so that the reader can place them together themselves and feel intelligent for taking a hand in the shaping of the world and the cultures within. That type of worldbuilding is wildly engaging and I was happy to see it used here.

So many authors have a lot of trouble creating a cast of characters with unique voices and they can end up all sounding like they stem from the same identity. Luckily Winter has no such problem. Every character, love them or hate them, feels and sounds like a completely encompassed person. Their fears, motivations and flaws feel concrete within the dialogue and body language. At no point did I feel like any conversation existed solely to push the plot along. Every line felt natural and organic.

Another detail that impressed me was how well the writing is describing parents going into battle. The thoughts and concerns that the character expresses toward their children in what could possibly be their final moments really resonated with me as a father and felt entirely accurate.

Also Wickwolves are now my favorite fantasy creature of all time.

I'll say it again, very impressive work from someone so early in their writing career.

Mosha Winter is someone to keep your eye on.

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising start to a new series. Curious to see what happens in later books and how Winter develops as a writer.

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Winds of War is dark, twisted, amd impossible to put down. I devoured it in a single day! (and if I read a 600 page book in 1 day, you will get 5 stars!)

Winter masterfully plays with multiple POV's. Each character is distinct, flawed, and compelling. They are not your one-sided heroes. They are to survive, and manipulate their way through a merciless world. You might not always understand their choices, and sometimes you want to yell that they should not be THIS stupid, but you are rooting for them (or at least have empathy for them)

There is a war raging in the Empire, and while the Empire thinks that their biggest threat are the lands that want to keep their independence, a much bigger danger is lurking within its own borders. The presence of a cult of religious zealots that can give Ramsay Bolton a run for his own money adds a constant tension that skmmers beneath the political tension of rival factions.

I also loved the appearance of the different fantasy creatures. From dragons to giant bats, to basically dino's: they are not just for fun, but they really are a part of the world and story.
The magical system was also very interesting. It is not completely clear how some people have powers, and how they came into them, but it is clear how it works, and that using it has consequenses.

If you are looking for a dark, gritty fantasy, do not sleep on this book!

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to read this book early, and it's amazing! It's so hard to find well-written fantasy books, but Mosha Winters has reminded me why I love fantasy. The book completely exceeded my expectations! Would recommend!!

[Karin (book_scent) · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC!

[Lanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a moment of recklessness, Rizu of the Rhaavi attempts to assassinate Empress Seline and in her failure she is exiled, her Chieftaness, husband, and children taken as hostages to the capital.

Maxon Blackwater prepares for battle, as the successor to the Empire's Aegis he knows he will eventually have to take on the role of War God one he feels he will never be ready for.

Hatsun is on his way to The Great Library an enormous honor not just for himself but for his entire country of Shuhei. His future is bright and he is prepared to take on any challenge put in front of him. At least intellectually, and while his truly unmatched intellect will make a discovery that will rock The Ring to its very core he will also discover that in his pursuit of knowledge, he stumbles across a horrible secret within the halls of The Great Library. One that will make him realize there are things far more important than books.

Empress Seline is trying to hold together a fractured empire, besieged by enemies on all sides when a cult of fanatics rises from within her people, ones willing to commit horrible atrocities in the name of The Matron she knows she must seek allies outside of her council. With the arrival of The Rhaavi Chieftaness and Yuei the Dragonrider she sees an opportunity to take back power, even as the world around her burns.

I first stumbled upon this on Bluesky, Mosha's description of their book immediately hooked me and it topped my list of must-reads and luckily enough I was able to get an eArc, because this was truly phenomenal. Far better than I had imagined it would be for reasons that surprise me.

As always the characters are what I latched onto and what stood out the most for me. But not for the reasons they normally do, I don't necessarily like any of these characters. Hear me out here. These characters spend the vast majority of the book making horrible decisions, backstabbing each other, inflicting cruelty, having cruelty inflicted upon them, and exist in a religion that almost requires its followers to be zealots there is no way they could have been written as wholly likable. It would be disingenuous to do so. They are literally living through the worst times in their lives. Kirana, Yuei, and Riza especially are living with generational PTSD and PTSD of their own, there's just no way anyone can write them as wholly likable heroes and if Winter had even tried this would have been a completely different and far less compelling read. And while yes, these three especially make some very stupid decisions when you take into consideration their past and their people's they are understandably stupid decisions. I will also be honest, you are going to hate Hatsun most of the book. He's obnoxious at best and a straight-up incel at worst. The fact that he really doesn't redeem himself until the end allows for exceptionally done character growth, but also a reasonable expectation of stumbles going forward and that I find wholly believable.

The world-building is top tier. Like genuinely some of the best I have read. And so much of it is gleaned not from the story itself but quotes at the beginning of every chapter. Having Hatsun be a scholar was a stroke of genius as well and I absolutely loved the fact that he just happened to stumble upon one of the world's most important books in some back alley second-hand shop. As a reader, this made me incredibly happy. The magic system is interesting as well. At first, it feels very simple but as we learn more about the Hollows it becomes far more complex and I genuinely can't wait to learn more. Especially with the ending. I have a feeling Kirana is going to be a badass in book 2!

Now, all of this is wonderful it truly is but the thing that makes this story stand out is the vast array of creatures found in this book. Omg, there are so many unique animals that I genuinely lost track of them. Bats, freaking dinosaurs, dragons, giant sea monsters, and more that I can't even begin to do justice describing. The most amazing part though is that many of these animals are used as part of warfare but not as beasts of burden. Their riders have emotional connections with them and are highly regarded seemingly regardless of whatever country they hail from. This incredibly diverse animal kingdom makes for an incredibly unique story from that perspective.

This is a must-read if you enjoy epic fantasy and I can't thank Mosha enough for the eArc!

[Teone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love epic fantasy and I love books that can stir your emotions, so I loved The Winds of War, even if at the end the feeling it left was not too pleasant.
I found Born in Fury amazing, because, apart from the gripping story, and the great characters, it left me with a positive feeling at the end.
Here the mood at the end of the book is the opposite, but nonetheless I believe I've just read a great book and it definitely stirred my emotions.

I loved the worldbuilding, the different cultures and the classic trope of the mysterious ancient past that nobody remembers.
Actually one of my favourite tropes, since as a child I was dreaming to become an archaeologist...
The present instead is not a pleasant place, dominated by war, violence, dirty political scheming and religious fanaticism, so you have all the ingredients for a great epic.

What I loved most, though, are definitely the characters.
One of the main themes of the book is the consequences of choices and here we have very human characters, with their flaws, making choices, taking decisions, most of the times bad ones, and the trying to survive the consequences of their actions.
In such hard world, survival is the main concern for all the leading characters.
Here is where I could see mostly the George R. R. Martin’s influence and that made me almost take 1 star off.
Mr. Winter, you created, not only a great world and an amazing story, but also excellent characters I could relate to, for some reason or the other to all of them, and that for me is a sign a of a wonderful book.
However, why do you need to make all the characters I loved suffer so much?

Despite that, I loved the Winds of War, as I loved Born in Fury, so I'm now looking forward to reading the next chapter of the Tapestry, even if my positive mood is now mostly sour.
I was looking for epic and emotions, and that's what I got, at an excellent level as well, so I can't complain.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a beta reader for this book and I am also related to the author, so there will be an obvious bias here.

That being said, I am in true awe of how well this turned out. With immaculate storytelling, verbose yet concise prose, and clever devices and wordplay utilized consistently throughout, I can say that this is one of the best novels I have ever read.

For those that read Born In Fury, this is a clear step-up, and thus an impactful statement of Mosha Winter's evolution into a seasoned storyteller and author. I gave that novel 5 stars as well, and so I now wish I could give The Winds Of War a 6 or 7, because it is just that impressive as a piece of literature.

I dearly wish I could go into more detail, but to ruin even one of the incredible suprises waiting within this adventure would be an insult to the author's laboured fine-tuning of the work. So instead, I will broadly claim that if you want to experience a fantasy story with engaging and complex characters, original worldbuilding, fascinating politics, intense emotional scenes, unpredictable twists, and everything in-between, then read this novel. You will become hooked from just the first few pages, and will remain hooked until the last page has been turned.

I've said my piece, and so now it's your turn. The Tapestry of the Tarnished will likely be the next big fantasy series of our time, and this is its first true entry. Don't miss out! Read the book!

[Shane Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reviews are often weighted towards books that deliver an emotional punch, so it's no surprised that I fucking loved The Winds of War. Mosha Winter walks a nice balance of telling an epic story with plenty of scale, while zooming in on the characters just enough to rip your heart out when heavy moments happen. And rip he does.

There's a lot thrown in here and you can spot some of Winter's influences, but you never feel like it's too much. Did I mention there's raptors? Yea.. dragons, sea monsters, and battle raptors. It doesn't get much more badass. But all the cool world building wouldn't matter to me if he couldn't make me care about the vast cast of characters. Spoiler: he does. The Winds of War is one of my new favorite Indie books I've read and a definite 5 stars.

-
90/100
5 ⭐️

[Carina_inkdrinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWoW is a dark epic fantasy with a glowing 4,51 star on Goodreads and glowing reviews, and you can see by the very start that this is the book that definitely lives up to the hype.

You have a good handfull of character, and I remember thinking in the start I was a bit worried if it was going to be to many for me to keep track on. But what Mosha did great here was to keep them easy to follow and engaging the reader with all the different personalities, and you get to see so many different angles of the story! 

The worldbuilding is amazing, dark and gruesome just the way I like it. The political parts, war and struggle are incredible and what I like the most is that Mosha don't give us the quick answer to stuff. Like I was waiting so long to find out what made a switch in side character's story and the overall impact to a main character decisions, that I eventually just gave up trying to figure it out and just admitted defeat and missed something.

The Winds of War is definitely something you should read if you love dark epic fantasy with a good amount of Povs to switch between.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for an epic grimdark fantasy like ASOIAF or Dreams of Dust and Steel, look no further than this brutal, powerful start to an awesome series. Featuring multiple POVs spanning the Ring, you'll be sucked deep into political intrigue, gory battles, and a cultist conspiracy. Needless to say, I am fiending for more.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you start this book, make sure you have enough time to finish it because once you start, you will not be able to put it down. Oh my god, what a story. It is a perfect combination of dark fantasy, magic, dragons, and amazing characters.

[Saeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Have yet to read Mosha's first book. Went off his suggestion to read this first.

It was a very fun read. Dark Fantasy. Sometimes it was hard to follow, but made it to the end!

Love the world building. Also the magic systems used was easy to follow.

Highly recommend reading this. Will be reading Born in Fury soon!

[Mosha Winter]

The advice to new authors is usually to keep the scope of their work on the smaller side. One, maybe two, and at most three viewpoint characters, and a word count that is below average.

I agree with that advice. It's a wise approach, even for aspiring epic fantasy authors. Write something safe; save the sprawling, ultra-epic stuff for later when you're more experienced.

And yet ... I ignored the guidance entirely. The Winds of War has six main viewpoint characters and a handful of supplementary ones. It's just over 200K words, which puts it firmly in the chonker echelon of epic fantasy.

It wasn't the wisest decision, but I think it was the right one. This book is big, crazy, and packed to the brim with as much awesome stuff as my imagination could conjure. It's as ambitious as it is authentic. I'm so proud of it because it's totally true to who I am as an author.

And thankfully, if these lovely reviews and ratings are to be believed, it's also a damn fine book.

Thank you in advance to all who choose to add The Winds of War to their TBR. An even bigger thanks to those who dive in and give the book a chance. And the biggest thank you to those who finish the story and take the time to leave a rating or a review.

As cliche as it sounds, it's true: your support means the world to me.

And I'm just getting started. Stay tuned, because the best is surely yet to come!

[Cate - Catethereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank the author for sending me a free e-arc copy of the book.

“The winds of war” will be a hit for fantasy readers, especially if you’re a beginner of the genre. It has so many fantastic elements, you can see that the author is a reader and it was nice seeing that. For the whole book I felt like he knew what he’s writing about and he made his research for “The winds of war”.
The book is the first in Tapestry of Tarnished” series and I can already say that I will continue reading whatever he comes out with.

Let’s start with things that I liked and enjoyed immensely.
The worldbuilding. Ohhh I love a good story, but a perfect story it has perfect worldbuilding. I liked seeing where the authors takes us. We don’t spend time in the same place for a long time, because the world is huge and interesting. We travel together with Rizu in the desert, with Hatsun to the Great Library and we even see the ocean thanks to him, and we go to the capital with Yuei and HIS DRAGON, because yes, we have DRAGONS!!
The book focuses on the political situation as well, with a cult that does awful things to everyone they met and with a queen that it’s not what she seems. The conflicts are on a large scale and they are a problem for everyone across the Ring world. The Ring is made of all these continents, each region having it’s own identities and culture.

I loved the characters so much. We have Yuei, who’s like an elf except the pointed ears. He’s a dragon rider and a hero for the Rhaavi people and he’s very liked by everyone. I loved following him while meeting new people and he won my heart until the end of the book.
Rizu is his wife and, while I didn’t agree with her choices, I loved following her and happy to see how her character developed. Also, they both are gorgeous, with white hair and purple eyes. And they can live for a long time.
Hatsun is the scholar of the book, his POVs were always fun to read, even if they weren’t funny because man, I had some moments when I was angry with him. I loved how he was an important aspect for the other characters, even if he wasn’t present in their life.
We see Empress Seline through other people’s eyes and POVs, and I won’t lie, I don’t like her. At all. I am sympathetic towards her, but at the same time she’s a small villain and a victim at the same time. She’s the morally grey character of the book.
We have Maxon as well and man, his POV broke my heart so many times, especially at the end of the book. I liked him and the fact that his animal companion is a wolf made everything better.
Kirana is the Rhaavi’s chief and she’s liked by everyone (as most of the Rhaavi people are). I liked her as well, even if her choices from one point in the book were so wrong. My heart broke for what she went through, but loved how her character was done. The ending was chef’s kiss!!
We have Arevenon as well, and I don’t know what to think about him yet. I feel like he’s just very brainwashed by religion.

My favourite part was when all the characters meet through different occasions, I let out a small yelp everytime that happened!

The plot and pacing. “The winds of was” has a well-structured pacing. I can’t say it’s a fast paced book, because it has some moments where it’s dragging, as most fantasy books do. But that didn’t mind me at all, we needed some backstory for a lot of occasions, and the author gave us exactly that. Throughout the whole book, I didn’t have any kind of questions that weren’t answered.
The plot is engaging and, even if it took me some while to get into it, it was easy to understand what’s happening after the first 60 pages. A short warning, don’t read it while you’re reading other fantasy books.
As magic elements, we have dragons, a magical school, characters that can control wind, water, they can create shields with their abilities, and so many other incredible powers.
It’s an easy book to read, the writing is eligible and easy to understand.
We even have some intimate scenes, but the book doesn’t have romance as a main theme. Everything is mature and beautiful, with vulnerable and emotional characters.
It’s actually a very dark book, the consequences of war are very graphic. It’s violent, where people are killed and tortured and taken slaves. So please, check the trigger warnings or just ask the author about them.

I can’t say that “The winds of war” is something new in the fantasy genre, but it’s something that will be better with every book in the series. It’s a solid epic fantasy, with engaging and compelling characters and stories. The e-book has some art of different characters and elements that are beautifully drawn. I love when authors do that, it’s so easy to imagine the story coming to life.
The only thing that I didn’t like was that it was a little bit predictable, due to the inspiration from “A song of ice and fire”. There were some moments where I felt like I was reading “A game of thrones”.
I know that “Tapestry of the tarnished” will be its own story with the next books, but this is just the only negative thing that I found. It will grown and it’s going to be an amazing epic adventure.

[Erica (Cynical) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Winds of War not only builds upon Winter’s strong prequel Born in Fury but exceeds it in every single way.

Despite the many new characters and perspectives, they all possess very distinct voices and are easily distinguishable from each other. These characters are not simply good or evil but morally grey, making them both realistic and complex. I at times found myself conflicted on which characters I liked or aligned with most as they were flawed but many times even their worst decisions felt understandable or justified.

Winter truly has a way with words and a talent for writing that not only entertains or immerses but consumes you. His descriptions are so vivid and colourful that I often felt like I was within the book witnessing and feeling the scenes that he painted in real time. Further, the grief that Winter has woven throughout the book is so incredibly well-done that it not only afflicts the characters themselves but also the reader that is seeing it all unfold. There were several times where a character expressed something about grief or experienced something that forced me to pause and just reflect for a moment.

Never have I found myself so strongly invested and emotionally clinging to the next pages, desperate to find out what happens next. I would even go as far as to say that this book restored my love of reading after several years of studying literature made reading feel more like a chore than a beloved hobby.

I am honoured to have had the opportunity to be an advanced reader, and I cannot wait to see what Winter has in store for us next. If you love dark fantasy, dragons, political intrigue, and romance and want to read something that will simultaneously wreck you and put you back together, please pick up a copy of this book! You will not regret it!

Note: I received an advanced reader copy from the author, but all thoughts and opinions herein are my own.

[Azrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

[This review can also be found on my BLOG]

CW: violence, blood, gore, injury, body mutilation, murder, death, war, religious bigotry, slavery, trafficking, sexual assault, xenophobia, mention of genocide, grief
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I haven't been reading a lot of Epic Fantasy titles of late but The Winds of War both had the feel of a classic as well as something fresh! It had me recalling the sweeping tale, stakes and ruthlessness that ASOIAF has however, there is a darker vibe to it at times and the more spiritual/faith linked plotline reminded me a lot of Richard Swan's Empire of the Wolf books too.

There is so much that goes on in the story but it centres around an empire on the brink of collapse, darkening the doors of a people they once tried to wipe out in order to bring them and their acclaimed Dragonrider into their fight against bordering armies. All the while a mysterious group is wreaking havoc from within the empire's borders and the uncovering of a piece of buried history could shake the whole world.

"Too often we spend our days wondering what may come, only to find that the way things end up could not have possibly been predicted. What good, then, was all the time spent dwelling?"

Mosha Winter's storytelling is absolutely phenomenal, delivering the multi pov narrative with finesse and throwing you straight into the action and political intrigue, not letting you (or the characters) relax for a second.

The character work is brilliant, I found each perspective easy to follow and was really invested in each and every one of their journeys. Every single one of them at some point or another had me frustrated at their choices as well as concerned for their welfare. I think Maxon and his Wickwolf have taken the spot of favourites in my heart but I did love all the Rhaavi characters quite a bit too (except for you Tensei 😒😤).

This is a story that truly comes for your emotions and the way all the arcs weave together is so well done! I did find myself seeing where the story was going at times, particularly later on in the book but I was hooked all the same!

"Grief does not ever lose its edge, yet it cuts less frequently with time. The cuts hurt the same, yet the spaces between them allow us to breathe."

Then there is the absolutely captivating worldbuilding to accompany it all from the fascinating creatures and magic system to the historical details and wholly immersive descriptions of the different places that the characters find themselves at.

I will admit that the magic was a little complex to understand at first and I was flipping back to the glossary a couple of times to get my head around certain words and phrases that were being thrown around but it was still really cool!

Last but not least i've got to mention the artwork dotted throughout the book, all drawn by Mosha himself! Each piece is AMAZING and truly adds to the immersiveness of the story overall.

I can't wait to read book 2 and will definitely be picking up Born in Fury at some point soon too!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars

[Leonie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! Cant wait for the next book!

I’ve been reading fantasy and science fiction since I was about ten years old, which means this genre has been my companion for nearly five decades. I don’t say that lightly. When you’ve walked through Middle-earth with Tolkien, followed epic arcs with Brandon Sanderson, and devoured modern fantasy from writers like Ryan Cahill, your bar gets set very high.

That’s why discovering this author felt like a small literary lightning strike.

This was the first book I’ve read in the series, and it completely pulled me in. The world-building is confident and immersive, the pacing sharp, and the storytelling reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place. There’s also a fresh, almost mythic quality to the writing that echoes the spirit of writing legends like Robin Hobb, familiar yet entirely its own.

The editing is excellent, the writing flows beautifully, and I found myself genuinely invested from start to finish. I’ve already bought the prequel, and I’m counting the days until the next book is released. Truly. I hope it’s soon.

To the author: good luck, though I suspect you won’t need it. Your work is exceptional, and I’ll be first in line for the next installment.
Cant wait for the next book!

[Ingvild Lockheart Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this my book of the year?
I’m struggling to see what could top this.

I’ve missed this kind of epic fantasy so much!
The prologue alone had me completely hooked. It was brutal, intense, and immediately made me want more.

The writing is so good, pulling you into a complex and layered story that follows multiple strong characters across different parts of a kingdom on the brink of collapse. Each character feels distinct, with their own strengths, flaws, and motivations, which made the shifting perspectives engaging.

This is a dark story, rich with worldbuilding, magic, lies, hidden truths, love and loss, fanaticism, and divine forces.

If you enjoy epic fantasy that demands your attention and fast pace, this is so worth picking up. I already know I’ll be recommending it to as many people as possible.

[Joseph Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely dug its claws into me and did not let go the winds finally settled.

Certified banger of a read.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mosha Winter is in a league when it comes to storytelling!
His Creative voice, paired with such vivid world-building and emotional depth of the characters, makes this book feel like more than just a story, and it becomes an experience!!!

[my_two_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very kindly given an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What a cover—and what a debut!

The Winds of War by Mosha Winter is a sweeping epic set in a fractured empire on the brink of collapse. This story has everything: visceral battle scenes, unexpected romance, political intrigue, flawed and compelling characters, and immersive worldbuilding. Themes of fanaticism and moral ambiguity run deep, adding weight to the narrative.

This is the kind of epic fantasy you dive into and completely lose yourself in. It’s not beginner-friendly—there’s a large cast, a soft magic system that isn’t explained upfront, and a beginning that throws you straight into the chaos. But for seasoned fantasy readers, that’s part of the thrill. I personally loved being dropped into the deep end.

Several scenes are unforgettable, especially the opening chapter, which immediately sets the tone. I enjoyed all four plotlines—each dark in its own way—and appreciated how they connect. The transitions between storylines were handled with finesse, and the way lore and history bleed into the present was particularly well done.

This dark, immersive world completely captivated me. I can confidently place this book in my top three reads of the year. Whether it takes the number one spot... I’ll need more time to pine over that. But I really, really enjoyed it.

[Andrés da Silveira Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Born in Fury, it's fair to say I was excited to read Mosha's second book, The Winds of War, and Oh Boy it did not disappoint!

First and foremost, I personally would recommend people to read Born in Fury before reading The Winds of War, the emotional impact of many things that happen now, it's tripled if you're bearing the past.

Some of the old cast returns, Yuei, Kirana and Rizu among the most notable Rhaavi.

And then we get a vast array of new characters from far and wide in the world.

The smaller scope we had before, is now long gone. The world grew in size and vibrancy. The myriad peoples and places is now a immersive, impressive work of art. Here, Mosha's visual accumen and artistic flair, one we usually witness through his stunning photographies, is o. Full display when he describes the world, its denizens and its creatures.

I want to highlight also the story of the world, one we slowly discover and unveil, along with the characters. Ut's a world with a deep, secret history and story, one that will reshape the present and one that explains why the world is the way it is. It is not a half-assed attempt, but a brilliantly accomplished one.

One aspect of the book that I also want to point as a great accomplishment from Mosha's part, is the use of parallel POVs within the chapters, showcasing a simultaneous happening throughout the World and hinting at interwoven threads that will at one point merge or diverge. All of this makes for a great reading rhythm for pace and flow, once you get used to it... that is.

There isn't a single plot, but multiple and varied, yet one at the same time. It's all connected. Even if Hatsun's storyline was not as compelling as the others, when you're reading him, you can understand the need for his place in the tale we're being told.

The world remains dark, grim and often bleak. We are regularly reminded of the evils of Imperialism, colonialism idolatry and religious zealotry.

The [little] specks of light we get, here and there, are also powerful reminders of the importance of doing what's right and of love.

Mosha's writing remains poignant and wise when it comes to commentary, and it's perfectly woven in the story, not making it feel like a misplaced, falling sledgehammer on your toe.

If I were to point one aspect that didn't quite convince me, it'd be the spiced scenes. While understandable from a writing sense, where the author does not shy away from showing us those links between the people and there's also an importance within the major storyline, the story can be equally told without the explicit nature of the scenes. In short, they felt distracting.

On a major scale, The Winds of Winter is a superb first entry [really second, but who's counting 🤣] into The Tapestry of the Tarnished epic.

4.5⭐️

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard this book was out, my excitement was through the roof. I was so happy I got to be a beta reader for this incredible read. I kid you not when I say the world that was brought to life through Mosha's creativity is just as beautiful to learn as Middle-Earth was in Lord of the Rings. Hard to come by such vast worlds teeming with such amazing detail!

You can tell this world was created with heart and soul. I cannot imagine how hard it would be to create such a vibrant setting...and yet it was done here with such amazing passion. the creatures are so cool to learn about. Not gonna lie, part me wished I lived in this world.

Learning about the characters and their journey was also soul-enriching. I definitely had a favorite character (not saying for spoiler reasons 😃), but they all had fantastic moments.

if you have not picked up this incredible story or Born in Fury, you are missing out! This is now my favorite fantasy novel.

I know this was a bit of a ramble of a review...but I kinda wish I could go back in time and experience it for the first time again! This book reminded me why I love reading 🙂