Free Spirits: Queen of Storms

by Giada Carini

A multi-pov high-fantasy book with elemental magic, sirens & demons, political intrigues, romantic subplots and found family. Perfect for fans of Game Of Thrones, The Last Airbender and Throne of Glass.

Ready or not, the storm is coming

Hiraeth, Chris, and Aletha are Free Spirits—humans blessed with the power to control the elements and vested with the duty to protect them. When their village is consumed by fire, the guardians are torn apart and thrust into the courts of Olydrisil, stripped of the very abilities that once defined them.

But Hiraeth knows who is responsible.

Driven by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance, she is willing to challenge anyone who stands in her way. Even Chris.

Damian, young lord of the Metal Land, is haunted by a question that could change everything. Aletha's arrival may finally provide the answers he seeks—or deepen the resentment simmering between them.

For four years, James has survived the horrors of Morieris Prison. He remembers nothing of the life he lived before his capture, yet vivid dreams and fractured memories hint at a past someone desperately wants buried.

Kay is a pirate who has never desired anything but the freedom of the open sea. Yet fate has already begun to rewrite the course of her life.

Nydia has spent her life despising demons. But when humans deal her their cruelest blow, the only refuge left is the court of the very creatures she was taught to hate.

As ancient races, forgotten secrets, and conflicting ambitions collide, the balance of Olydrisil begins to fracture.

And while some fight desperately to prevent a war, others have been waiting for it.

One thing is ready or not, the storm is coming.

Genres: Fantasy

560 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 📚

Genre/Themes: ❄️🌊🌪️⚡️⚔️🔥👻👹🏴‍☠️🧜🏾‍♀️
Tropes: Domme Heroine, Friends to Lovers, Tortured Hero, Widow, Demons, Ghosts, Merfolk, Elemental Powers, Conspiracy, Home Invasion, Mastermind Villain, Murder, Revenge, Vigilante Justice, Evil Sorcerer, Grand Sieges, Immortal Beings, Orphan Hero, Hidden Truth, Morally Grey Characters, Set in a Magical Realm
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌘

✍🏻 Full Review - RISK OF SPOILERS 🛑

What Worked for Me ✅
I really got immersed in this story, especially in Thalassa. The secrecy of the Free Spirits and their powers, and the sacrifices they had to make to be accepted as one, was really interesting. I loved the scenes involving the water wielding, from ice platforms to water orbs. The overarching plot line of Queen Aira Storm, and the slow unravelling of how she was chipping away at different parts of the world to gain power, was engaging and I definitely want to know what happens. Chris’ father’s palace felt so intimately real, and I could picture perfectly the blacksmith built into the cliff or the gardens representing the different Land elements. I loved the grittier aspects of the world that Lisa and Jack experienced, in fact I wished there had been more. I would say despite how many POVs there were, I was generally able to follow the story and keep up with the parallel narratives. The novel has been translated from Italian, and has been translated very well. There were multiple slow burn romance pairings, with Aletha and Damian being my personal favourite. Hiraeth was generally my favourite character, Jack a close second. There were some great gothic/horror elements too which I hope the author leans in to more in sequels.

Room for Improvement 🔎
While I was definitely impressed by how immersed I felt and how well I was able to follow the intricate story, 9+ POVs was too many. I tried to see how many names I could remember by memory and not from checking the book, and 3 were missing. 2 of which were the demons. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because you can’t possibly give each character enough development and each plot line enough detail to make them of equal quality. The female characters all felt very similar to me in personality. For me, Hiraeth and Kay were the only POVs that had a satisfactory (but not perfect) level of depth, while the storyline of the 2 demons - one escaping prison and the other being the female demon he bumped in to on the way - were definitely the weakest. I understand at some point they will be relevant, with the demons being targeted and manipulated by Aira Storm, but I couldn’t help but feel they needed to be introduced later, or there be fewer overall POVs and one being dedicated to a demon. I think the novel would have worked fine with POVs limited to Hiraeth, Kay, the male demon (James? I think?) and then Aletha or Chris to keep up with the castle while Hiraeth was away. I really didn’t feel Lisa’s plot had enough relevance quite yet, nor did I feel Catherine or the female demon needed individual POVs at all. While I liked Damian, he didn’t really need a POV either. These unnecessary narratives made the demon world far too vague to the point I had no real idea what was going on, and The Demon King didn’t feel like a very intimidating character. I felt the general world-building lacked somewhat because of it as well. It felt strange that Lightning was considered an element and had its own land, or that a Norse creature lived with the Merfolk, for example.
There was also an over-reliance on dream sequences. I’d say 90% of the chapters started with one, and I couldn’t help but feel they were used as a crutch to try and pack in backstory and world-building where the excessive POVs caused them to lag.
Pacing wise, the novel felt a bit uneven. Super fast first couple of chapters, then very slow for a big chunk of the middle, then a little too fast again towards the end. The siren storyline felt rushed and the lore was quite confusing. Merpeople who grew legs out of water and had to be in ‘their human form’ to reproduce, it taking two months to grow their tails back back being the only difference to ‘hybrid’ Kay who grew hers instantly… I wouldn’t consider them merpeople then? I’d consider a mer-person to be someone who couldn’t live on land at all, but there we are. Mermaid and siren was used interchangeably too even though I think they’re arguably slightly different.
Prose wise there was a little too much telling not showing at times or detail lacking where it was needed, plus some of the very modern technical words felt a little out of place in a fantasy world that wasn’t supposed to have that sort of advancement (I don’t think), although now that I say it I realise it was unclear how primitive the world was supposed to be with the water Free Spirits capturing and studying marine life but then pirates existing. There were occasional slips in consistency, too, such as the point being hammered home that Free Spirits stop aging but then a character being described as ‘now going grey’.
And one final point is that the cover really does this novel an injustice. I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t AI generated because it has that look, plus I honestly think it cheapens the first impression of a genuinely quite complex novel.

Overall if you like epic fantasy with mythological creatures, demons and pirates with political intrigue this could be for you.

[Megan Gunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories within this book. I enjoyed reading about all the characters. I liked the found family dynamic.

I do feel like this book seemed like more of a prequel. It focused a lot on the set up. I was hoping that things would tie together eventually and that the story was building up to something big. I don't feel like I got enough answers in this book to maintain my interest.

There was a lot going on and sometimes it was hard to keep track of everything. Every chapter was about a different character and most chapters went back and forth between present tense, past tense, and dreams. This made me lose interest a little bit and it pulled me from the plot.

I do think a lot of people will enjoy this read. If you like multiple storylines with fantasy vibes then you will enjoy this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, I struggled to get into Free Spirits at first. There are a lot of characters and the POV changes quite often, so every time I felt like I was starting to connect with someone, we would switch to somebody else. It took me a while to remember who everyone was and where they fitted into the story.

Once I got past that though, I definitely started to enjoy it more.

There’s a lot going on in this world and once I understood the characters better, everything started coming together and I found myself much more invested.

I still think I would have preferred a little more time with each character before changing POV, especially near the beginning. I’m someone who really needs to get attached to the characters for a fantasy book to completely pull me in, so the constant switching made that harder for me.

But if you enjoy fantasy books with a big cast, multiple POVs and lots of different storylines eventually coming together, I think you’ll probably get into this much quicker than I did.

It wasn’t one that hooked me immediately, but I’m glad I stuck with it because I enjoyed it much more once I found my feet in the world.

Thank you to Giada Carini 🖤

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lara Rafaël Cabrales-Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Form the moment that I read the title I knew that I would love this book. And when I read more about what was waiting for me, I got even more excited : A fantasy book with a hundred stories that will finish by meeting, magical creatures. AND THAT WAS 500 pages (I got very sad when my KOBO turned it into a 390 pages read instead but it's fine I guess) with NINE POV, this felt like paradis already. And then I continued reading : romance, betrayal, and political intrigue. This was exactly the book that I wanted to read to celebrate the start of this beautiful fall. And I was not disappointed. I read exactly what I was waiting and it was A-MAI-ZING.

FREE SPIRITS : QUEEN OF STROMS starts with a beautiful prologue, where Giada Carini, in the from of a fairy tale, tells us about how the world first was doomed, and ends in a tragical short epilogue where we are gifted the moment that we have been waiting for : The storm has started, it is time… to fight. I truly believe that for the first book, Giada Carini truly did honour to the GREATS of the fantasy like Holly Black (a personal favourite) and others, while writing this book. It was simply absolutely amazing, I will never stop recommending it to everyone ;) I could spend hours yapping about it, no fucking joke.

I was simply amazed by the worldbuilding done by Carini, I truly felt that I stepped in a whole other universe. It made me heavily think about Black which is wonderful because, as said previously I love her work. I loved seeing a lot of mythologique creatures : sirens, angels and even demons and of course the FREE SPIRTS that come from her own imagination. I think they were all very well represented. It was a little difficult to follow without the map, so definitively use that if you care where the characters are going :]

One other thing that I love other than the world building was of course, the characters and their relationship. Every single time that I saw one of them interacting with each other, I slowly melted in my bed : my favourite duos are, James and Nydia, Jack and Lisa and of course Chris and Cat. Not forgetting, Dam and Atheala, which have been making me go insane ever since the start of the book. It felt wonderful to fall in love with her characters, each and every one of them (starting by THE FOX that I have mourned during the whole book, and that I fell in a way definitely hunted the narrative, which is great because I love this trope) and with the world. I felt extremely invested in the story and the only reason that I didn't finish late that night was because my eyes were closing by themself. Giada truly did a marvellous job creating a universe where the greed of humans, and of an evil queen change the fate of an entire world… for the worst.

I can not wait to read the second part of this books. I can not wait to uncover everything that is still hidden from us. I hope that I can soon meet again those characters that I got so attached in the span of three days and see them heal. For their life have been sad, but they are strong and they will help each other heal… they have too. I can't wait to learn how the story of Lisa, Jake, Nydia and James connect with those of all the others.

Only little point is that I wanted sooo much more, I could take a book twice this seize and I still would not be satisfied. I had really a lot of fun reading this book, and each time that I would finish a characters chapter I went in grieving mode because I knew, I would need to wait at the very least 6 chapters for them to come back.

THANK YOUUUU SOOOOO MUCH GIADIA CARINI FOR OFFERING ME THE CHANCE OF READING YOUR BOOK FOR FREE (ARC) !!!!! I REALLY LOVED WRITING THIS REVIEW, I WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK :)))

[Pucay Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

​First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Giada Carini for giving me the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book prior to its publication. It is truly an honor to be part of the ARC team for

Most fantasy novels typically revolve around two or three main characters who drive the plot forward. However, Giada Carini takes a different approach in Free Spirit - Queen of Storms. By weaving a complex multi-POV narrative, the story builds tangible goals and deep values through a wide cast of characters. While this approach creates a rich world, the shifting perspectives occasionally place the plot in a limbo state before reaching its core conflict.
The interconnected POVs showcase brilliant character dynamics, though certain plot threads feel slightly uneven. The primary conflict—where Hiraeth, a Free Spirit and Guardian from the Secret Land, seeks vengeance against Queen Moira for destroying her homeland—is sometimes overshadowed by side conflicts like Lord Tywood's political schemes and the looming threat over the Water Land. Because of these unresolved multi-faction tensions, the book clearly leaves room for a much-anticipated sequel.
​What stands out most is how each character reveals their true "skin" when pushed to survive or seek revenge:
​Hiraeth: Possesses a big ego, fiercely loyal, caring, yet stubborn and quick to act without weighing risks. Through Hiraeth, I learned resilience—how to stay tough and make high-stakes decisions in limbo situations before everything falls apart.
​Chris: Deeply loyal and protective of Hiraeth, willing to do anything to keep her safe despite his past strain with his father, Lord Morhalt. Chris taught me the weight of making cautious choices when protecting loved ones, especially as he hides the burden of an impending war while Hiraeth searches for allies.
​Lisa: Initially unstable and directionless after losing her lover, Lisa struggles to accept Jack's (Honey-Eyes) feelings. Her journey reminded me that we cannot fight our fears completely alone; having a purpose is essential when navigating grief and resilience.
With its well-structured execution and steady strength-building, Free Spirit - Queen of Storms is a highly recommended read for fans of intricate, multi-POV romantasy.
Favorite Annotations:
​Chris: "People often disappoint expectations."

​Hiraeth: "You don't owe anyone anything. No expectations were forced onto you."

​Lisa: "People often don't grow at the same pace as the ones they believe they love when they're young."

​Kay: "People do foolish things when they're afraid."

​Catherine: "Every choice has consequences."

Disclaimer : it's contains explicit sexual content, violence, suicide. It's intended for mature and adult audiences only.

[Layla Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Free Spirits: Queen of Storms" by Giada Carini is a remarkable fantasy story, set in an intriguing world, following nine different characters. From incredible magical creatures to complex political plots, the story grips the reader from the beginning, making it impossible to put the book down.

I must admit that I thought it would be challenging to follow so many different PoVs, especially because the chapters weren't extremely long, so I wasn't sure if I would be able to get attached to them. I was glad to be proved wrong. Giada's writing style beautifully presents the stories of each character, and I found it quite easy to keep track of who is who and what their storyline is.

The pace felt quick, but it didn't feel exactly rushed, so it actually invested me more in the story because I couldn't get bored, so it was impossible for me to put the book down. Despite this, the world-building wasn't very hard to grasp once the story started, though different things were introduced quite quickly.

My favourite character was definitely Nydia. From the very start, I resonated with her story more than anyone else's. Her first chapter was very close to making me cry, poor Nydia.

I think the only problems I had were with Hiraeth, she was a bit too arrogant from the start, and I didn't like her. All the other characters were great, their PoVs were easy to distinguish and their storylines were engaging.

I loved the world-building, especially how all of the storylines were tied together slowly till the end, seeing all of the similarities between pretty different characters. Every character was complex and well-written. Also, the slow burn and yearning of some of these characters... Simply amazing!

Warning: the story ends in the cruelest cliffhanger, so be ready for that, though, of course, I won't give anyone any spoilers. Just be ready to lose your minds as you wait for book two like I'm going to do.

Overall, "Free Spirits: Queen of Storms" by Giada Carini is a perfect recommendation for fans of Game of Thrones, Throne of Glass and The Last Airbender. So, if you like any of those, what are you waiting for? Get this book!

[Monica Petcu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review 💕 So, let's start! ✨️

At first, I honestly thought this book was a collection of short stories. The different storylines didn't seem connected at all, and with every chapter jumping to another character or scene, it was difficult to keep track of everything. I often found myself trying to remember what had happened previously, and the beginning felt a bit chaotic because of how often the perspective changed.

Another issue I had was with the dialogue. Sometimes it wasn't very clear who was speaking, as some conversations weren't properly marked, which made it easy to confuse which character was saying what.

As a side note, when Lord Tywod was first described, all I could picture was Slade from Teen Titans. 😂

This was my first time reading a book with so many different points of view that barely overlapped. Even though it was confusing at first and I kept forgetting parts of each storyline, it gradually grew on me. Before I knew it, I was excited to return to every character's perspective to see what would happen next. Lisa and Jack were definitely my favorites. 👀💕 I couldn't wait for their chapters! I also loved how fast-paced the story was. There was always something happening, and I never found myself getting bored.

Watching all of the storylines slowly come together was incredibly satisfying. With every chapter, I became more invested in the characters and their journeys. I especially appreciated how complex they were and how each of them struggled to overcome their own trauma.

That being said, I was really hoping this book wouldn't leave me with so many unanswered questions. 😭 I need to know what happens to some of these characters!

And finally, as a League of Legends player, I couldn't help but smile when I saw so many League of Legends songs in the recommended playlist. 💕

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review - Copy gifted by the author

Firstly, I would like to thank Giada Carini and her team for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication date. I received this copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

I loved the worldbuilding and magic elements within this book, however it did take me a while to get used to a lot of the terminology in order to appreciate them fully. The characters each had their own charms, my favourites being Nydia and Hiraeth. What I have judged to be the main storyline, which follows Hiraeth and eventually includes some of the other POV characters, was captivating and definitely what motivated me to finish this book.

However, the beginning of the book felt rather chaotic, with a new character and storyline introduced in every chapter, and it took me about a third of the book until I felt as though I knew what was going on. The use of the 9 POVs/narrators, while very ambitious, did make the book feel very choppy. Further, the need for plot progression and cliffhangers in each chapter (since you weren't going to read another chapter from that POV for a little while) made it feel as though character growth and some events were stated rather than described.

All in all, I mostly enjoyed this book but feel as though it could have been better developed with fewer POVs and more details surrounding the main plot. It may be that some of the side plots become necessary in book 2, but many of the storylines are left unresolved and disconnected at the end of this book, which did leave me somewhat dissatisfied.

[Ava Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from author

There was so much going on in this book and I loved it. It took me a little while to get past the first couple chapters, but after that I read it in just a couple days.

The book is split into nine different points of view all following very different, very separate storylines that eventually converge. I have never read any book with that many POVs and I thought it would be hard to keep track of all the characters, but they were each so different and had such engaging storylines that I didn't have any trouble remembering who was who.

Everything happens very quickly in this book. There is so much action on every page. Zero filler chapters. Major events happen one right after the other. Almost every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, and then there are several chapters from other characters before the resolution comes around. There is also a lot of information and world-building thrown out at the beginning which was a bit confusing but it wasn't too hard to understand the world and the magic system once I was farther into the book. I loved all the different creatures throughout the book and how there was a mix of magical and nonmagical/human characters. The writing style was beautiful, especially the descriptions of rooms and buildings. I feel like a lot of times descriptions can take me out of the story and become tedious, but the author did a great job of incorporating them without being too long-winded.

Overall, This book was exciting and pulled off the ambitious nine-POV structure very well.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Right from the start, we readers are thrust into this world full of magic, strange creatures, and political intrigue without having the knowledge to make sense of anything, which made me very frustrated and confused. However, the fact that I had all these confounding thoughts are proof that this author knows what she is doing. This book made me feel like I was inside this world alongside the characters and was trying to make sense of everything with them. Throughout the whole book I could not choose which one I loved the most (although I have to say I got particularly excited when we got to Nydia’s POV). Their stories and personalities made them feel so real. I love the character building and the fact that we not only got to know who they were, we also got to really witness how they changed throughout the book.
Lastly, I loved the plot itself. The way the different mysteries and revenge plots of each individual character eventually intersected was incredibly satisfying and beautifully done, not at all forced. The only note I have is that, because the story was extremely fast paced, I could not form a deep emotional connection to the characters. I think if given more time to just feel the characters, everything would have hit much stronger. I know it would mean a longer book, but I personally would love that that.

Moreover, I truly enjoyed this book. Thank you to the author for the advance copy and PLEASE write the next book soon!! I have so many unanswered questions!

[✿ Raloudi | A Biblio-Traveller · Rating 4 out of 5]

*An ARC was provided by the author in exchange of a honest review*

I'm so damn glad that I took the chance on it. From start to finish, this story transcended me and made me feel a part of its world and its characters. The multiple povs - and they are MANY - put me off a bit at the beginning and it was a bit of a challenge to keep up with eveyone, but after awhile, I was hooked.

I loved how, even though each character got to say its own story, they were also part of a duo. Him & her in a way. And every duo had its own dynamic. The subtle and slow-burn elements of love that existed for some of them, made my hopeless romantic heart even more happy.

Also, there were so many Greek works used for the world building and many of the creatures of the story, which I loved so much as a Greek. And they were used correctly!! That alone got me even more attached to the book and made me love the story even more.

The writing was incredible. All the elements were so beautifully interwined and the flow is taking you with it just like a waterfall - slow at first and it crescendo-ed as the story progresses. And the playlist that accompanies it, with every chapter having its own unique song, was simply impeccable. I have it on repeat.

I honestly can't wait for the next book because that cliffhanger was so cruel.

Definitely recommend you grabbing that book when it releases and add Giada on the authors-to-watch-out. I definitely have.

[Evie_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ARC REVIEW📚

Honestly this was an amazing read.
I didn’t know going into this that it had 9 POV’s and I was kinda scared that I wasn’t going to be able to keep up. It actually wasn’t that hard to remember the characters and their own storylines. Some of them are connected already such as Hiraeth, Aletha, and Chris, who were all in the same village for Free Spirits before it got burned down.
I love how everyone’s story is interconnected to each other in one way or another. I think there’s something deeper to this story that we don’t know yet because it leaves on a cliffhanger and not every plot twist has been explained. The politics in this are also easy to follow and it’s actually very intriguing especially with all the different races involved. Considering this, I would say it’s very plot heavy with minimal romance, or at the very least not centered around it.
I would say the only character who really irritated me was Hiraeth, but that was just because she was very broody and impulsive and wasn’t thinking things through, but she grows from that. Otherwise, I genuinely loved every character in this.
Every relationship is so beautiful in this, whether it’s love, friendship, sisterhood or companions. There is so much going on in this book that it’s hard to predict what’s happening and how it’s connected to other factors, but that also made it really fun for me.
Need book 2 ASAP!!

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wanted to start out by saying thank you to Giada for giving me an early copy. This review is my personal opinion.

I have NEVER read a book with 9 POVs, so when I signed up for this ARC I was excited but I’m not going to lie, once I actually started reading, I was a little intimidated. Nine POVs?! How was I going to keep everyone straight?!

But WOW. The world building was amazing, and I loved the way each chapter followed a different character and slowly brought everything together. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found myself falling in love with these characters, and every chapter left me wanting MORE.

We have Free Spirits, mermaids and pirates, demons, winged creatures, a queen on the hunt, hidden identities, secrets, and so much happening throughout this world.

Kay was definitely my favorite. Our pirate girl goes through SO much, and finding out that her true identity had been hidden from her made me even more invested in her story. I also absolutely loved Lisa and Honey Eyes and the way their story unfolded and how well they worked together.

And THAT ENDING?! Be prepared because this ends on an EPIC cliffhanger. I genuinely don’t know if I’m going to get over it until I have book two in my hands.

This went from a book I was intimidated to start to a 5 star read that has me dying for the next one.

Add this one to your TBR!
Free Spirits: Queen of Storms
Releases September 15, 2026

[MisguidedBread]

First of all I would like to thank Giada Carini for letting me ARC read her book! 🥰📚

This is an amazingly written story, told in the line of 9, that's right, 9 POV's and honestly, it is so well written! I was a little confused now and again trying to remember people in the first couple of chapters remembering who was around, where they'd come from and their origins, but once I'd gotten further in, it flows beautifully! The characters are well written, the story is compelling, the different perspectives, seeing how people grow, how their relationships change and develop over the course of this book! I love a good fantasy and when it can grip me from page one I know I'm in for an amazing ride! The pain you feel, the giddy moments when thongs go right and the FINALLY times when characters finally sort their shit out with each other is brilliant! The politics throughout and seeing how, even though not everything has a finality to it in the book, the links are there, and they're all pointing to one name, it leaves the stroies open for the next part of the series which I love, it left me wanting more, I could never once predict what could happen which is hard for me as I like trying to know and pick stuff up, but my days am I hooked! I hope that the next installment of the series is as beautiful as this one and I cannot wait to dive in again with the multiple POV's, if that's the route it goes!

[No One Asked · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great introduction to the kingdom of Olydrisil. Every POV had me captivated from the very beginning, and the story flowed fairly well. It was fast paced, and engaging, and honestly did not lull. I do feel like it could have been slowed down a *little* bit so that the scenes could have a little more depth; all in all the prose was simple and easy to follow.

The author does a very good job of getting you into the characters, and each of their individual plot lines. I loved every one of the MC’s, and their unique stories. And I was in fact tearing up as early as chapter three.

The main criticism I have is the lack of dialogue tags. I found that often I couldn’t immediately tell who was speaking, and I’d have to reread a scene a couple times to fully grasp what was happening. Conversations would ping back and forth, and the scene would break, just for the same character to continue talking (without a dialogue tag). I would not say that it hindered my enjoyment of the book, but it did get a little confusing at times.

I really liked how all of the POVs came together in the end. The way that each plot line and character interwove was done very well. The story had enough intrigue to keep me on my toes, (holy cliff hanger??), and I cannot wait to continue with these characters and their stories!

[Sarah Cubero · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I knew I was going to love this book. A fantasy filled with magic, mythical creatures, romance, betrayal, political intrigue, and multiple POVs? It had everything I was looking for, and it completely pulled me in.

The worldbuilding was definitely one of my favorite parts. I loved how detailed and unique the world felt, especially with all the different mythological creatures and the Free Spirits. It genuinely felt like stepping into another universe, and I had so much fun discovering more about it as I read.

I also really enjoyed the different POVs and how they slowly allowed the bigger picture to come together. There were so many secrets, twists, power struggles, and connections that kept me interested throughout. The pacing made it very easy to keep saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly I had read way more than I planned.

Overall, this was such a fun and immersive fantasy read, and I’m really excited to see where the story goes next. I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone who loves fantasy, mythology, romance, and a good amount of political intrigue.

Thank you so much, Giada Carini, for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! I had such a great time reading it and I’m wishing you the best of luck!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Issabellareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, THANK YOU to Giada for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC I am honoured to have had this experience! ❤️

I would first of all say that if you are someone who enjoys being “thrown into” action and a fast paced fantasy world then this book would be perfect for you! It is a multi POV story spanning across several characters, (for me this took some adjustment as the most amount of POVs that I have read in one book is 4) which means that so much action and emotion are all happening at once.

Giada has you feeling things alongside the characters which is wonderfully done and creates an immersive reading experience. However, for me personally I couldn’t rate it above a 3.5 stars out of 5 simply because at times, with so many things happening simultaneously I was left feeling a little bit confused on who was saying what and what was happening to who. I do however feel like if you are a big fan of the Game of thrones books or other fantasy series that have many POV this probably would not be as big of any issue for you!

All in all, I would reccomend!☺️

[Pixiefrostreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

To begin with I would like to thank Giada for taking a chance and choosing me as an ARC reader since this was my first time. 💓
For someone who likes to delve into a high fantasy🏰🏴 right away without beating around the bush in the initial chapters, this book is definitely for you.

Honestly for me, I felt the name dump to be overwhelming and as I progressed further it got even more puzzling to keep track of who is who simultaneously with the world building.

The confusion was what kept me from turning the page over and read a new chapter as it became exhausting after a while. (DNF) ❌️
But for someone who is good with names you won't find it troubling.

Also one minor detail I would like to point out that irked me a bit were the modern names that were used for some characters. In my opinion a high fantasy book like this one should avoid them because it takes you right out of the fantasy and into the modern persona of some other character you have read in some other book. But this wasn't the major issue.


Overall, for pure fantasy readers, give this book a try ✨️

[Ember P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a wildly diverse cast ranging from a marooned pirate girl to the son of a lord. The main core of the cast is the village of Free Spirits ( people who have been gifted with extremely powerful elemental magic) who were living peacefully until an unprovoked attack by the Queen of Storms. As the free spirits are cast across the land with different kingdoms, with their powers suppressed, Hiraeth the water spirt vows revenge. The story jumps to a new viewpoint with each chapter, some telling of the struggles of the free spirits and others of people spread across the land who's story hasn't been connected yet with the main plot. The story is fast moving and explores things each person is facing like rage, loneliness, past trauma and depression. Some of the people have hidden destinies that will change their futures forever. And almost all of them have been touched in some way by the cruel Queen Aria Storm. Future books might provide more insight into how these people will interact and how they will unite against the tyranny of a power hungry queen

[Cossette Bautista · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thank you Giada for allowing me to get an ARC for this book. It is greatly appreciated

I would like to preface that this book has a very good concept. It has political intrigue, fantasy, elemental magic, and romance subplots. However, I don’t think the pacing and the way the dual POVs were written in a way to keep my interest. Out of the multiple POVs, I found that only 2 of the POVs kept me interested in the book, whereas the main POVs were a bit scattered and too fast paced. Like, you’d get small hints to build something up and then suddenly a random character would come in a lore drop a similar experience or what they know about the issue. It’s as if you are walking on a path, then you fall through a hole that suddenly opened up, and in that hole you have a path that goes in a whole different direction that somehow comes back up to the main path.

TLDR; Book has an awesome concept, just not for me. I would suggest it to people who like Game’s of Thrones!

[Tamara Mussio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Reader review - No spoilers
I loved the story, the magic system and the idea. Free spirits of the elements, fighting for their freedom, the connection to nature as a base for their power, I think it's just great.
The only things that didn't convince me were:
- The multiple POV. As a reader, I felt it was confusing and, more often than not, I had to go back and remember who was talking.
- The execution felt rushed. A lot of information has been dumped quickly, some others were left there for the reader to assume/deduct.
I feel like this could have easily been two books, slowed down to give the reader the time to acknowledge the story, the lore and to connect with the characters.

If you love very fast paced stories, this is the book for you! It will throw you in the midst of action, you can't catch a breath and the vibe is just great.

[Maddie Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely blew my mind! I had never read a book with more than two POVS before, but Giada Carini proved that not only is it possible-it can be done brilliantly.
Every character had their own unique story, yet each one tied seamlessly into the main plot, keeping me invested from beginning to end. The world-building, elemental magic, and political intrigue made the story feel incredibly immersive, while every POV added another layer to the larger picture.
I loved how I could truly feel each character's emotions and dive into their individual journeys without ever feeling confused or lost during the transitions. That takes incredible storytelling, and Giada executed it flawlessly.
Thank you for trusting me with an early copy of your story. I can't wait to add this beautiful book to my shelves after release day!

[Norina · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

I was really excited to read this book, but sadly it wasn't really for me.
I really liked the concept, the magic, and the worldbuilding. The writing was very emotional, and I enjoyed learning about the characters and their backgrounds.
Unfortunately, I found the story confusing at times. The scene changes were very fast, and I often wasn't sure what was happening or who was speaking. New characters were introduced quickly, which made it even harder for me to follow the story. Because of this, the book felt a bit rushed.
Even though it didn't work for me, I can understand why other people love this book. It just wasn't the right fit for me, but it might be perfect for someone else. ✨💕

[Kat | WhenSheReads.SheReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such an interesting and unique book. Originally written in Italian and now being released in English with NINE different POVs, the plot slowly pieces itself together like a puzzle. It starts off with a captivating hook and then switches to another. Then another. It is a fascinating writing style and kept my curiosity piqued.

A story about elemental guardians known as Free Spirits and the various eays the world is out of balance with a mysterious Queen in thr background, fans of epic fantasy are sure to enjoy this promising beginning.

I thoroughly enjoyed the poetic nature of the writing. Seeing line breaks amidst paragraph was unique and set this book apart from every other fantasy novel I've read to date.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly given this as an ARC. This book did not disappoint and the author done a fantastic job in her first instalment of the Free Spirits book series!

Queen of Storms has everything a fantasy book should have. The elemental magic was great. This book does have political plots throughout the book, which were easy to follow.

There are 9 POVS which are first I thought would be a lot but the author done a great job and as the book goes on you can see why all these POVs are essential!

The character building was superb and learning about them all individually made the book even better, and you can see how all their stories will intertwine. By the end of the book some of their stories have already started to interconnect. I will 100% be reading the second instalment of this series!📚📚

[Lettie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I received a complimentary or free Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.”

This book is very obviously the first book in a series, because there are so many unanswered questions right from the prologue. There are also a lot of characters introduced early on, and then those characters bring even more people into the story. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but eventually the focus settles on five main characters.

I don’t give spoilers in my reviews, so you’ll have to read the book to learn the specifics for yourself. What I will say is that the main characters are essentially what the title suggests: free spirits connected to the four elements. Each of them also has a special ability that is unique to them.

Once you get through the prologue and the first four or five chapters, the structure of the book starts to make a lot more sense. Each chapter focuses on one of the main characters and the person or people they are paired with. Their individual stories are interesting and distinct, but you can tell they are all building toward something bigger and will eventually tie together.

Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Will I continue reading this series? Yes.
Do I recommend it? Yes.

[Thejdeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

At first when I saw the number of POVs I was overwhelmed. But after reading some chapters it was really easy to understand . I really liked the different POVs . Generally in multiple POVs I usually don't like some POVs but in this book i liked all of them. And the world was just fantastic and beautiful. The way all POVs tie together is just wow. Each character and their story are really good. The pacing is also suitable for me. I can't wait for the next book. I want to read the next one already. The magic and magical people and creatures are just intriguing. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

[Emily Domenici · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really lucky to receive this book for free as an arc, so I wanted to share my totally honest review.

I found the story really interesting, and I really liked all the characters. I found it hard at the beginning because there quite a few different POVs where I'm used to there being 2, maybe 3. But as the story goes on and each POV fills out more of the plot it was easier for my brain to hold everything together, and I loved when characters ended up in the others' chapter! The romance was more low-key, which made the adventure stand out a bit more and also gives the yearning vibe we all love. I'm so intrigued about where these characters are going next and am really excited for the next one!

[Ziana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Giada and Book Sirens for the ARC of Free Spirits Queen of Storms. This novel is a complex and intricate story that is told in 9 different POV's. The different POV's can be a little hard to follow at times, but stick with it, because it does all start to weave together. There is a significant amount of world building that allows you to picture the world that Giada has built. There's magic, mystical creatures, strange beings, and political intrigue, As the story progresses, you find your favorites, and then you find a character that you love even more! This book ends on a cliff hanger, and I look forward to reading the next installment to answer some of these lingering questions!

Also, the included playlist is a nice touch :)

[Jamie Rebarick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved an arc read in return for an honest review. Thank you Giada!

Honestly where do I even begin with this?! Spirits, demons, mermaids, pirates. I loved the magic and world building. At times I did have to reread certain parts to fully grasp some of the terms but I really enjoyed reading this one. It does have 9 Povs so if you arent big on multiple pov it might not be for you. Usually I dont like multiple pov but I think this was well done.

Every single character was unique and interesting. I kept wanting to learn more and know what secrets they were hiding.The pacing in this book was just right. I didnt feel like it was rushed or too slow. I cant wait to see what happens in the next book!