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The Windward King
He can change how he looks—but not who he is.
All his life, Shara has struggled to keep up with the rest of his shapeshifter clan. A poor shifter with little talent and even less confidence, he excels only at inadequacy.
When his determination to prove himself results in the brutal injury of a clanmate, Shara flees his home in shame. Taking refuge in the human capital city, he resolves to become as inconsequential as possible—until the prince regent is abducted days before his coronation and Shara is forced to take his place.
Thrust into a world of controlling advisors, scheming pirates, and calculating dignitaries, Shara fumbles through his royal duties. His next mistake could spell disaster for the entire kingdom, but he may also be the only person capable of seeing beyond old prejudices to the truth of the prince’s disappearance.
But if he’s going to stop a war, find the prince, and return to his life of invisibility, he’ll have to rely on the one person he knows for sure he can’t trust—himself.
All his life, Shara has struggled to keep up with the rest of his shapeshifter clan. A poor shifter with little talent and even less confidence, he excels only at inadequacy.
When his determination to prove himself results in the brutal injury of a clanmate, Shara flees his home in shame. Taking refuge in the human capital city, he resolves to become as inconsequential as possible—until the prince regent is abducted days before his coronation and Shara is forced to take his place.
Thrust into a world of controlling advisors, scheming pirates, and calculating dignitaries, Shara fumbles through his royal duties. His next mistake could spell disaster for the entire kingdom, but he may also be the only person capable of seeing beyond old prejudices to the truth of the prince’s disappearance.
But if he’s going to stop a war, find the prince, and return to his life of invisibility, he’ll have to rely on the one person he knows for sure he can’t trust—himself.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2021
3 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
K.T. Ivanrest
6 books39 followersK.T. Ivanrest wanted to be a cat or a horse when she grew up, but after failing to metamorphose into either, she began writing stories about them instead. Soon the horses became unicorns and the cats sprouted wings, and once the dragons and their riders arrived, there was no turning back. When not writing, she can be found sewing, editing, bookbinding, and drinking bubble tea.
She has a PhD in Classical Studies, which will come in handy when aliens finally make contact and it turns out they speak Latin.
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(Author account only; I don't post reviews.)
She has a PhD in Classical Studies, which will come in handy when aliens finally make contact and it turns out they speak Latin.
website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | newsletter
(Author account only; I don't post reviews.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 20, 2025
*I received an ARC, and this review represents my honest and sincere opinion.*
After arguing with a friend about whether or not this book would make my favorites list, I'm here to inform you that she was right. It definitely makes the top ten. (I mean, I read a novel in five busy days. That just doesn't happen unless the novel is EXCELLENT.)
CHARACTERS:
Every once in a while, there comes a book that points the finger at me and says, "YOU. YOU NEED this book", shoving it in my face, making me feel very called out. This was that book. And why? Because of the characters.
SHARA- I loved this absolute misfit of a character. He constantly doubts himself and his abilities. He is the definition of the underdog or outcast character. He doesn't fit in anywhere and that makes him miserable. It's like someone pinned me down and stuck the male (shapeshifter) version of me in a book. As the main character. I spent the first half of this book squirming and frankly wanting to hide because I can relate so hard.
KORITH - Everyone needs a Korith in their lives. The sweet, bubbly person who's 100% on your side, and won't let you aim mean words at yourself. The person who sees you for you. Korith had his own struggles, but that never led him to forget the others in his life, or use his struggles as an excuse to play the victim.
TISHEL - Okay, so this epic person didn't play as big a part as either Shara or Korith, but she was great just the same and deserves a mention. She needs her own story. Just saying.
WORLD-BUILDING:
In one word: EPIC. In several words? Vivid, expansive, 3-dimensional and immersive.
PLOT:
Heart-stopping, blood-pounding, thrilling fun. It never dragged, but kept a good pace, ramping up the tempo at the end until I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Go out and get this book as soon as you can. But set aside some time to read it on days that you don't have much going on, because once you start, you won't want to stop.
After arguing with a friend about whether or not this book would make my favorites list, I'm here to inform you that she was right. It definitely makes the top ten. (I mean, I read a novel in five busy days. That just doesn't happen unless the novel is EXCELLENT.)
CHARACTERS:
Every once in a while, there comes a book that points the finger at me and says, "YOU. YOU NEED this book", shoving it in my face, making me feel very called out. This was that book. And why? Because of the characters.
SHARA- I loved this absolute misfit of a character. He constantly doubts himself and his abilities. He is the definition of the underdog or outcast character. He doesn't fit in anywhere and that makes him miserable. It's like someone pinned me down and stuck the male (shapeshifter) version of me in a book. As the main character. I spent the first half of this book squirming and frankly wanting to hide because I can relate so hard.
KORITH - Everyone needs a Korith in their lives. The sweet, bubbly person who's 100% on your side, and won't let you aim mean words at yourself. The person who sees you for you. Korith had his own struggles, but that never led him to forget the others in his life, or use his struggles as an excuse to play the victim.
TISHEL - Okay, so this epic person didn't play as big a part as either Shara or Korith, but she was great just the same and deserves a mention. She needs her own story. Just saying.
WORLD-BUILDING:
In one word: EPIC. In several words? Vivid, expansive, 3-dimensional and immersive.
PLOT:
Heart-stopping, blood-pounding, thrilling fun. It never dragged, but kept a good pace, ramping up the tempo at the end until I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Go out and get this book as soon as you can. But set aside some time to read it on days that you don't have much going on, because once you start, you won't want to stop.
February 6, 2025
2025 Reread:
I still love this just as much the second time around! If you'll excuse me, I'll be over here wishing I could eat sunspots with Shara and Korith. 🥰
Original review (2022):
Hmm, what to say about The Windward King?
Well...
I loved it.
Ok, I think that about sums it up!
Actually, that does NOT sum it up, because when I say I loved it, what I really mean is that Shara is my new favorite shapeshifter, and it was both heartwarming and heartrending to see the world through his eyes. Oh, and Korith is my new favorite noble. And Tishel is—well, a bit prickly, but she's got the right idea with that flask of chocolate.
There were a couple of things I found confusing, and I didn't care for the inclusion of little figurines that represented the world's deity. But these minor issues did nothing to lessen my enjoyment of the story.
With a plot that kept me turning pages, and themes that were touching and relatable, this book will most likely find its way onto my bookshelves before long!
I still love this just as much the second time around! If you'll excuse me, I'll be over here wishing I could eat sunspots with Shara and Korith. 🥰
Original review (2022):
Hmm, what to say about The Windward King?
Well...
I loved it.
Ok, I think that about sums it up!
Actually, that does NOT sum it up, because when I say I loved it, what I really mean is that Shara is my new favorite shapeshifter, and it was both heartwarming and heartrending to see the world through his eyes. Oh, and Korith is my new favorite noble. And Tishel is—well, a bit prickly, but she's got the right idea with that flask of chocolate.
There were a couple of things I found confusing, and I didn't care for the inclusion of little figurines that represented the world's deity. But these minor issues did nothing to lessen my enjoyment of the story.
With a plot that kept me turning pages, and themes that were touching and relatable, this book will most likely find its way onto my bookshelves before long!
March 12, 2022
This is one of those books I just want to hug. It was also exactly what I needed to read right now. 💜 The characters are so amazing, I have all the love for Shara and Korith, Shara's struggles with self-worth and self-compassion are so relatable, the character arcs are outstanding, the twists and turns and rising stakes are so intriguing and at points super intense, the worldbuilding and magic are cool, and the book is just fun. I laughed out loud so many times. Plus it has some great disability rep. I definitely recommend!
December 7, 2024
My #1 top-favorite book I read in 2023! 😍🥰 Buddy story, characters I adored (Shara! Korith! Tishel!), shapeshifting, castles, pirates, royalty...this has it all! Plus delicious twists, snark and humor, and a heartfelt theme of self-worth. I reference Shara and Korith pretty much every week, honestly. I just love this book so much! I never feel adequate to review books I love this much--how will I find the words to express my adoration? SO. Bottom line...READ THIS BOOK. JUST DO IT. Everybody must meet Shara and Korith and experience this stupendous adventure. <3
November 30, 2022
I wasn't sure what to expect from The Windward King. Shapeshifting isn't my thing, and I'm not usually into super "fantastical" fantasy. But this story was so good, I really enjoyed it!
Shara was such a sweet character, and his storyline is so touching. His journey throughout the story, from constantly distrusting himself and his abilities, to finally realizing his worth... It was beautiful. There were definitely some lines in there that I needed to hear.
I love chaos characters. It's no secret. The ones who joke around and do crazy things, and in general are the biggest craziest cheerleaders. That was Korith to a tee, and I loved every moment that he was on the page. He was so sweet and kind, and although he did make some mistakes, he owned up to them. Also appreciated the representation of chronic illness, which he seemed to have!
Tishel was a great character too. The tension & banter between her and her brother was great! Ashai, and Lady Masar, and the Prince were all really great characters.
The plot was suspenseful, and I did not see the plot twist coming. It hit me out of nowhere, but then made a lot of sense! Overall, I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more by this author.
Shara was such a sweet character, and his storyline is so touching. His journey throughout the story, from constantly distrusting himself and his abilities, to finally realizing his worth... It was beautiful. There were definitely some lines in there that I needed to hear.
I love chaos characters. It's no secret. The ones who joke around and do crazy things, and in general are the biggest craziest cheerleaders. That was Korith to a tee, and I loved every moment that he was on the page. He was so sweet and kind, and although he did make some mistakes, he owned up to them. Also appreciated the representation of chronic illness, which he seemed to have!
Tishel was a great character too. The tension & banter between her and her brother was great! Ashai, and Lady Masar, and the Prince were all really great characters.
The plot was suspenseful, and I did not see the plot twist coming. It hit me out of nowhere, but then made a lot of sense! Overall, I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more by this author.
February 17, 2022
This book was so good! It held my attention from chapter one. The main character (a skin changer and not human) had a lot of self-doubt and was kind and awkward and quiet and so very cute. I wuv him! And his best friend, crazy guy, I love him too.
There are so many great quotes in this book, but this one has come back to me, paraphrasing: "we will make better mistakes next time." Perfectionism and guilt are things I struggle with, so that is encouraging to me. :)
Random thoughts:
I like the world.
The characters and their relationships (friendshiiiiiiip)
The feels.
The food (I want.)
There were no bad words (thank you, thank you!!)
Minor stuff:
I did feel like the actual villain didn't quite match my believe-ability.
I wished I could see more physical descriptions at times.
And sometimes the friendship between the boys could be taken a little awkward in modern world, but I hate that I thought that and I will see it how it actually is: just two cool bros.
I wuv these beans.
I gotta get this book on my shelf and not just in kindle form!
If you like Jace from the Ilyon Chronicles, you are going to love this. *applauds*
There are so many great quotes in this book, but this one has come back to me, paraphrasing: "we will make better mistakes next time." Perfectionism and guilt are things I struggle with, so that is encouraging to me. :)
Random thoughts:
I like the world.
The characters and their relationships (friendshiiiiiiip)
The feels.
The food (I want.)
There were no bad words (thank you, thank you!!)
Minor stuff:
I did feel like the actual villain didn't quite match my believe-ability.
I wished I could see more physical descriptions at times.
And sometimes the friendship between the boys could be taken a little awkward in modern world, but I hate that I thought that and I will see it how it actually is: just two cool bros.
I wuv these beans.
I gotta get this book on my shelf and not just in kindle form!
If you like Jace from the Ilyon Chronicles, you are going to love this. *applauds*
August 19, 2025
Before I attempt a coherent and thorough review of this surprising gem that has immediately claimed a place as one of my favorite books ever, let me just say WOW THIS WAS GOOD. 😍 Everything you want a YA fantasy adventure about brotherhood to be and MORE. Read this immediately or sooner!!!
Ahem. Now on to the review.
Many words came to mind while reading this story: Clever. Heartfelt. Charming. Genuine. Adventure-packed. I picked it up on a whim after seeing a single post about it on the author's Instagram, and I'm proud to say my instincts were completely correct (maybe I'm part alvithi? 👀). This is the perfect story for me. It has:
👉 Brotherhood (done so, so well)
👉Grumpy sunshine (as platonic guy friends 😍)
👉A hidden identity plot in the style of The Prince and the Pauper (again, masterfully done)
👉 Expansive and natural world building that's incorporated seamlessly throughout the plot
👉 A fascinating mystery with great plot twists
👉 Hilarious dialogue
👉 A meaningful message that feels genuine and relatable
👉 Satisfying character growth from many characters, and especially the MC
👉 SHIFTERS IN THE COOLEST WAY I'VE EVER SEEN IT DONE
Ok, so to expand on these points a bit more, I truly was in love with the world Ivanrest has built from the first page. The alvithi, the shifter species that Shara belongs to, are complex and diverse and interesting. Their true forms are all based on trees and they have antlers that grow leaves??? Are you kidding? That's so cool!! And imagine my delight when Shara reaches the human world and it has its own form of magic called "wind sense" which the author proceeds to incorporate in really cool ways throughout the story. It is mad difficult to not only create a rich fantasy world but then incorporate it into your story in a way that feels natural and not forced or textbook-ish, and yet this is exactly what she did. I'm just heartbroken the story is a standalone because I want to spend more time in Barath.
Shara is an incredibly lovable main character. He's the only POV, written third person limited, and I felt so connected to him (this is probably my favorite style), and while I enjoy multiple POVs as much as the next reader, it's becoming so popular I consider it a treat to read a single POV like this one, especially so well done. Shara's struggles with tremendous self doubt and even loathing weigh him down throughout the story and while his arc was slow in developing, it felt real and believable every step of the way. I have never rooted for a character so hard! And he made me immensely proud 🥹
And then there's Korith: faithful cave-brother, optimist prime, ray of sunshine. I was pleasantly surprised to see an accurate and thoughtful inclusion of EDS (a connective tissue disorder that causes chronic pain and sometimes joint dislocations) as well! Korith is a wonderful advocate for chronic illness sufferers with his resilience and determination. I adore this man. And his friendship with Shara is utterly precious. He's so sweet and encouraging and energetic, just takes everything in stride... They make a great pair and I don't think I'll ever get over this brotherhood. 🥰
It seems like every character (and there were quite a few) has at least a little development or moment of redemption and I genuinely enjoyed all of them (other than Faresh... ugh). As a beginner ASL learner, I was also delighted to see a deaf/HOH princess with a sign language interpreter featured! And she's a total baddie 😌
Last but absolutely not least, the plot was excellent. The pace moved well, pausing as needed for fun and warmth, without ever stagnating. And by the end, the action was POPPING 👏OFF👏 I admit, in the final scenes I got a bit confused about who was who and which side everyone was on, but that climax was just so satisfying and exciting!! The mystery kept me so intrigued and I was very proud of myself for collecting a few breadcrumbs of my own, but still felt surprised at the twists.
I just cannot say enough about this book, even in this very long review, so I hope you'll read it yourself because Korith and Shara are friends worth having, and once you visit Farna, you'll never want to leave.
Ahem. Now on to the review.
Many words came to mind while reading this story: Clever. Heartfelt. Charming. Genuine. Adventure-packed. I picked it up on a whim after seeing a single post about it on the author's Instagram, and I'm proud to say my instincts were completely correct (maybe I'm part alvithi? 👀). This is the perfect story for me. It has:
👉 Brotherhood (done so, so well)
👉Grumpy sunshine (as platonic guy friends 😍)
👉A hidden identity plot in the style of The Prince and the Pauper (again, masterfully done)
👉 Expansive and natural world building that's incorporated seamlessly throughout the plot
👉 A fascinating mystery with great plot twists
👉 Hilarious dialogue
👉 A meaningful message that feels genuine and relatable
👉 Satisfying character growth from many characters, and especially the MC
👉 SHIFTERS IN THE COOLEST WAY I'VE EVER SEEN IT DONE
Ok, so to expand on these points a bit more, I truly was in love with the world Ivanrest has built from the first page. The alvithi, the shifter species that Shara belongs to, are complex and diverse and interesting. Their true forms are all based on trees and they have antlers that grow leaves??? Are you kidding? That's so cool!! And imagine my delight when Shara reaches the human world and it has its own form of magic called "wind sense" which the author proceeds to incorporate in really cool ways throughout the story. It is mad difficult to not only create a rich fantasy world but then incorporate it into your story in a way that feels natural and not forced or textbook-ish, and yet this is exactly what she did. I'm just heartbroken the story is a standalone because I want to spend more time in Barath.
Shara is an incredibly lovable main character. He's the only POV, written third person limited, and I felt so connected to him (this is probably my favorite style), and while I enjoy multiple POVs as much as the next reader, it's becoming so popular I consider it a treat to read a single POV like this one, especially so well done. Shara's struggles with tremendous self doubt and even loathing weigh him down throughout the story and while his arc was slow in developing, it felt real and believable every step of the way. I have never rooted for a character so hard! And he made me immensely proud 🥹
And then there's Korith: faithful cave-brother, optimist prime, ray of sunshine. I was pleasantly surprised to see an accurate and thoughtful inclusion of EDS (a connective tissue disorder that causes chronic pain and sometimes joint dislocations) as well! Korith is a wonderful advocate for chronic illness sufferers with his resilience and determination. I adore this man. And his friendship with Shara is utterly precious. He's so sweet and encouraging and energetic, just takes everything in stride... They make a great pair and I don't think I'll ever get over this brotherhood. 🥰
It seems like every character (and there were quite a few) has at least a little development or moment of redemption and I genuinely enjoyed all of them (other than Faresh... ugh). As a beginner ASL learner, I was also delighted to see a deaf/HOH princess with a sign language interpreter featured! And she's a total baddie 😌
Last but absolutely not least, the plot was excellent. The pace moved well, pausing as needed for fun and warmth, without ever stagnating. And by the end, the action was POPPING 👏OFF👏 I admit, in the final scenes I got a bit confused about who was who and which side everyone was on, but that climax was just so satisfying and exciting!! The mystery kept me so intrigued and I was very proud of myself for collecting a few breadcrumbs of my own, but still felt surprised at the twists.
I just cannot say enough about this book, even in this very long review, so I hope you'll read it yourself because Korith and Shara are friends worth having, and once you visit Farna, you'll never want to leave.
May 27, 2024
[I received an ARC, and this review represents my honest opinion.]
There aren't a lot of books where I see myself in the main character, but The Windward King is one of them, and I love it.
The story follows Shara, an alvithi (a shapeshifter) who can't seem to do anything right or really find his place in his world. After a horrific accident, Shara flees to the human city, where he meets ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS HUMANS TO EVER EXIST.
I mean. He meets Korith, a guy who sees more to Shara than Shara sees in himself. And gives advice that hits close to home for me too.
When the soon-to-be king turns up missing, Shara finds himself as the replacement. But how can an underconfident alvithi who can't even shift smoothly like his people do hope to play the part of royalty?
And thus you have one of my favorite books. <3
I read TWK in its early stages, and I loved it then. I love it even more now.
The world is rich and alive. I loved exploring both the human and alvithi worlds, and their different cultures and how life is lived. I enjoyed seeing even the small bits of life, like seeds in tea, or the names of different drinks.
But what I loved more were the characters. They were all different, in voice, personality. They all had their own goals (for example, Lethir's goal is to be murdered by me).
Shara feeling like he's not enough is something I struggle with sometimes, and I loved how his arc progressed, and how characters often didn't let him reverse into self-deprecation (at least not for long). I loved how while he had no idea what he was doing, he did it anyway, because he's loyal, and when people he cares about need help, he wants to try, even if he doesn't think he can do any good.
Korith. Ahh, be still my heart. Korith was probably my favorite character. He's funny, confident, and sees people in a deeper way than others might not. He has his own struggles and pains, but doesn't let that stop him from doing what he can to help others when they struggle. It's his heart that makes me swoon and I don't care who knows it. XD
The other characters are also all fantastic. Tishel is an Epic Boss, Faresh can go jump off a cliff (but in his own way he's kinda cool?), Thosena is very relatable when she's avoiding paperwork. XD Nashai is really fun, and I loved how smoothly she took the developments of the plot.
The plot keeps you on your toes, with the danger starting off with a bang and keeping the characters themselves on their toes. There are times when it feels like you're *right* at the edge of figuring out the mystery, but there's always that one piece of the board that's missing, and you and the hero don't know what it is. So you have to keep reading, because maybe you'll figure out what it is the next time the characters try to review what they know. Just maybe.
All in all, I will never stop fangirling about this book, you all HAVE to read it. If you like brotherly friendships, (very) reluctant heroes, squirrel-dragons, and amazing character growth and intense plots with high stakes...
You'll probably like this. So don't hesitate to get a copy.
But I've called dibs on Korith, so... beware.
There aren't a lot of books where I see myself in the main character, but The Windward King is one of them, and I love it.
The story follows Shara, an alvithi (a shapeshifter) who can't seem to do anything right or really find his place in his world. After a horrific accident, Shara flees to the human city, where he meets ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS HUMANS TO EVER EXIST.
I mean. He meets Korith, a guy who sees more to Shara than Shara sees in himself. And gives advice that hits close to home for me too.
When the soon-to-be king turns up missing, Shara finds himself as the replacement. But how can an underconfident alvithi who can't even shift smoothly like his people do hope to play the part of royalty?
And thus you have one of my favorite books. <3
I read TWK in its early stages, and I loved it then. I love it even more now.
The world is rich and alive. I loved exploring both the human and alvithi worlds, and their different cultures and how life is lived. I enjoyed seeing even the small bits of life, like seeds in tea, or the names of different drinks.
But what I loved more were the characters. They were all different, in voice, personality. They all had their own goals (for example, Lethir's goal is to be murdered by me).
Shara feeling like he's not enough is something I struggle with sometimes, and I loved how his arc progressed, and how characters often didn't let him reverse into self-deprecation (at least not for long). I loved how while he had no idea what he was doing, he did it anyway, because he's loyal, and when people he cares about need help, he wants to try, even if he doesn't think he can do any good.
Korith. Ahh, be still my heart. Korith was probably my favorite character. He's funny, confident, and sees people in a deeper way than others might not. He has his own struggles and pains, but doesn't let that stop him from doing what he can to help others when they struggle. It's his heart that makes me swoon and I don't care who knows it. XD
The other characters are also all fantastic. Tishel is an Epic Boss, Faresh can go jump off a cliff (but in his own way he's kinda cool?), Thosena is very relatable when she's avoiding paperwork. XD Nashai is really fun, and I loved how smoothly she took the developments of the plot.
The plot keeps you on your toes, with the danger starting off with a bang and keeping the characters themselves on their toes. There are times when it feels like you're *right* at the edge of figuring out the mystery, but there's always that one piece of the board that's missing, and you and the hero don't know what it is. So you have to keep reading, because maybe you'll figure out what it is the next time the characters try to review what they know. Just maybe.
All in all, I will never stop fangirling about this book, you all HAVE to read it. If you like brotherly friendships, (very) reluctant heroes, squirrel-dragons, and amazing character growth and intense plots with high stakes...
You'll probably like this. So don't hesitate to get a copy.
But I've called dibs on Korith, so... beware.
October 20, 2021
(Note: I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) for this book and this is my honest review.)
I loved this book! It was such a delightful story about a sharp shifter who ends up getting stuck filling in for a crown prince when said prince goes mysteriously missing. One of my favorite stories is The Prince and The Pauper, and this story gave me all of those vibes without ruining the original tale or even trying to copy that old fairy tale. There was plenty of original story to this and the main character, Shara, was someone that I could totally relate to. That whole “I can’t do anything right. I always mess it up, even when I’m trying to stay out of the way.” yep been there. And Shara’s growth in those subtle moments throughout the book made his ultimate transformation there at the end so satisfying. I swear if I ever get a cat that looks like a lynx, I’m naming it Shara.
Okay, now you’re wondering why I only gave this wonderful book four stars. First you have to understand I don’t give five star reviews very often and the bar for that is really high. That said, this book was set to get five stars until about 80% of the way through when we had… ***WAIT, possible spoiler alert, turn back now if you don’t want to know, or continue reading, it’s not a biggie.*** The thing that cost this book that last star was the villain monologue. You know what I mean, that moment in a story (I see it on TV shows all the time) where the villain has the hero at gunpoint and spills all his/her schemes and plans instead of just shooting the hero and actually finishing said plans. Yeah, this book has one of those.
But that one issue aside, this book was absolutely wonderful. It made me want to read it for the pure enjoyment of reading a good book with all the adventure and world-building a seasoned fantasy reader could want. And can I just say on the whole world-building side? I feel like Ms. Ivanrest was able to pour the same amount of rich world-building experience into this book as you will find in any of Brandon Sanderson’s books. And she does it in fewer words!
If you’re looking for a fun adventure with beautiful world-building, deep friendships, a diverse cast of characters, and all the sweet sunspots (mochi balls) you could want. Then this is a book you will truly enjoy!
I loved this book! It was such a delightful story about a sharp shifter who ends up getting stuck filling in for a crown prince when said prince goes mysteriously missing. One of my favorite stories is The Prince and The Pauper, and this story gave me all of those vibes without ruining the original tale or even trying to copy that old fairy tale. There was plenty of original story to this and the main character, Shara, was someone that I could totally relate to. That whole “I can’t do anything right. I always mess it up, even when I’m trying to stay out of the way.” yep been there. And Shara’s growth in those subtle moments throughout the book made his ultimate transformation there at the end so satisfying. I swear if I ever get a cat that looks like a lynx, I’m naming it Shara.
Okay, now you’re wondering why I only gave this wonderful book four stars. First you have to understand I don’t give five star reviews very often and the bar for that is really high. That said, this book was set to get five stars until about 80% of the way through when we had… ***WAIT, possible spoiler alert, turn back now if you don’t want to know, or continue reading, it’s not a biggie.*** The thing that cost this book that last star was the villain monologue. You know what I mean, that moment in a story (I see it on TV shows all the time) where the villain has the hero at gunpoint and spills all his/her schemes and plans instead of just shooting the hero and actually finishing said plans. Yeah, this book has one of those.
But that one issue aside, this book was absolutely wonderful. It made me want to read it for the pure enjoyment of reading a good book with all the adventure and world-building a seasoned fantasy reader could want. And can I just say on the whole world-building side? I feel like Ms. Ivanrest was able to pour the same amount of rich world-building experience into this book as you will find in any of Brandon Sanderson’s books. And she does it in fewer words!
If you’re looking for a fun adventure with beautiful world-building, deep friendships, a diverse cast of characters, and all the sweet sunspots (mochi balls) you could want. Then this is a book you will truly enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2021
Wow! This was the first I’ve read from this author (I believe that it may be her first full length novel too?). I love fantasy, so I expected to like this. But it was so good it surprised me! Incredibly well done characters (I love Shara so much, matched only by how much I love Korith), excellent world building, scope for future books, and great plot. It was gritty without too much gore, clean as far as language and romance are concerned, and such great dialogue. The friendship between Shara and Korith is just too good! Definitely worth a read!
Authors with a similar “feel” as this story: Nicole Conway, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Jennifer Neilson
Rated PG-13 for some violence
—some violence
—mild to no language
—minimal romance (clean)
I received this ebook ARC free from the author with no expectation of a review. My opinions are my own.
Authors with a similar “feel” as this story: Nicole Conway, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Jennifer Neilson
Rated PG-13 for some violence
—some violence
—mild to no language
—minimal romance (clean)
I received this ebook ARC free from the author with no expectation of a review. My opinions are my own.
October 25, 2021
(I received an Arc, but opinions are my own, etc)
The Windward King is about an insecure shapeshifter who has to take the place of a missing prince and can I just say: IT’S BEAUTIFUL.
Characters! Plot! World building!! It’s all AMAZING.
I guess we should start with the characters, right?
Shara. Shara, my sweet, fluffy, shapeshifting, ADORABLE SHARA. There were times where I wanted to shake him and hug him and tell him just how amazing he is and can he please stop being so hard on himself??? But then again, all his deprecating behavior made for his growth to be all the more satisfying. When he embraced his own unique strengths and finally believed in himself?? Chills. AHH.
Korith. Ah, the mentor character and best friend to Shara. Saddled with his own problems, he is ever the optimist and never fails to show just how much he believes in Shara. I want a best friend like Kor. I think the whole world needs a best friend like Kor. WHERE CAN I FIND A BEST FRIEND LIKE KOR?? (Also he’s hot and has white hair and is super nice and the mentor character bar has just gone way up with his existence)
And that’s just the two main characters. Then there’s the whole rest of the cast and they’re all complex and amazing too. Tishel and Nashai to name a couple. (Strong women without it being shoved in your face that they’re strong women. They’re just strong and happen to be women. YES.)
Then there’s the antagonist type characters and CAN I STRANGLE LETHIR AND FARESH PLEASE. Just…they can go fall off a cliff. (And no shape shifting allowed for Lethir cause that kinda defeats the point of the whole falling off a cliff thing >.>)
Then there’s the plot. It kept me engaged and guessing and I didn’t guess who the bad guy was but once I knew, THE CLUES HAD BEEN THERE ALL ALONG. Plus seeing Shara try to navigate the human world while pretending to be royalty? Ah, just quality content ❤️
World building. Dang, the world building!! So original and immersive and beautiful. Just wow. I want to visit Barath please and thank you. And also go on a dragon ride. And eat sunspots. And sit with Kor as he sketches. And cuddle lynx-form Shara.
All in all, The Windward King is a fantastic debut, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy in my hands that I can read ❤️❤️
Thank you, Kate, for allowing the world to read this beautiful book!!!
The Windward King is about an insecure shapeshifter who has to take the place of a missing prince and can I just say: IT’S BEAUTIFUL.
Characters! Plot! World building!! It’s all AMAZING.
I guess we should start with the characters, right?
Shara. Shara, my sweet, fluffy, shapeshifting, ADORABLE SHARA. There were times where I wanted to shake him and hug him and tell him just how amazing he is and can he please stop being so hard on himself??? But then again, all his deprecating behavior made for his growth to be all the more satisfying. When he embraced his own unique strengths and finally believed in himself?? Chills. AHH.
Korith. Ah, the mentor character and best friend to Shara. Saddled with his own problems, he is ever the optimist and never fails to show just how much he believes in Shara. I want a best friend like Kor. I think the whole world needs a best friend like Kor. WHERE CAN I FIND A BEST FRIEND LIKE KOR?? (Also he’s hot and has white hair and is super nice and the mentor character bar has just gone way up with his existence)
And that’s just the two main characters. Then there’s the whole rest of the cast and they’re all complex and amazing too. Tishel and Nashai to name a couple. (Strong women without it being shoved in your face that they’re strong women. They’re just strong and happen to be women. YES.)
Then there’s the antagonist type characters and CAN I STRANGLE LETHIR AND FARESH PLEASE. Just…they can go fall off a cliff. (And no shape shifting allowed for Lethir cause that kinda defeats the point of the whole falling off a cliff thing >.>)
Then there’s the plot. It kept me engaged and guessing and I didn’t guess who the bad guy was but once I knew, THE CLUES HAD BEEN THERE ALL ALONG. Plus seeing Shara try to navigate the human world while pretending to be royalty? Ah, just quality content ❤️
World building. Dang, the world building!! So original and immersive and beautiful. Just wow. I want to visit Barath please and thank you. And also go on a dragon ride. And eat sunspots. And sit with Kor as he sketches. And cuddle lynx-form Shara.
All in all, The Windward King is a fantastic debut, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy in my hands that I can read ❤️❤️
Thank you, Kate, for allowing the world to read this beautiful book!!!
November 14, 2022
This book was incredibly unique, exciting, and full of heart. The main character Shara struggles against severe self-doubt, and to watch him grow into himself was immensely satisfying. Aside from Shara, Korith was the character who truly shines in this novel. Confident, loyal, loving: he is the best friend that everyone could use! His and Shara’s bromance was one of the greatest elements of this book.
But the plot was just as well crafted as the characters. Constant action, mystery after mystery, and some truly epic moments allowed for me to read this book in just a few days! If you like reading about close friendships or just fantasy in general, do not pass this book up! It’s a perfect standalone that’ll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
But the plot was just as well crafted as the characters. Constant action, mystery after mystery, and some truly epic moments allowed for me to read this book in just a few days! If you like reading about close friendships or just fantasy in general, do not pass this book up! It’s a perfect standalone that’ll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
October 30, 2021
I received an ARC, and this review represents my honest opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy mystery! It stars an alvithi named Shara, who has such low self-esteem, you can’t help but love him from the first page. As an alvithi, he’s a shape-shifter, but not a very good one. In his attempt to run from the long list of mistakes he’s made, he finds himself forced to impersonate an abducted prince. What can go wrong?
This story has great world-building and a neat magic system. I especially loved Shara’s species and all the specific differences between him and his human form. It was especially sweet when he met his best friend Korith, who immediately saw through Shara’s low opinion of himself to something greater. Korith was such a great, fun character, full of sass and encouragement, and I love how these two dove after mysteries together.
Or at least, got into some big trouble. The real plot surrounds Prince Iliath’s abduction. Who abducted him? Why? Is he dead, and will Shara have to fake his way as prince forever? The mystery is full of twists and turns, suspects and deeper intrigue, and I honestly loved how messy it got for Shara and Korith. Even when it would have been easier for Shara to play his simple role and do as he’s told, he still lets himself get carried away into solving the mystery, and he definitely grows in confidence along the way.
I took off one star for some minor plot holes, a little convenient villain monologuing, and some confusion regarding humans and their ability to use magic, but altogether I really enjoyed this story.
If you like fantasy mystery, cute best friend relationships, adventures on land and at sea, and sweet, broken heroes, this is definitely a book to read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy mystery! It stars an alvithi named Shara, who has such low self-esteem, you can’t help but love him from the first page. As an alvithi, he’s a shape-shifter, but not a very good one. In his attempt to run from the long list of mistakes he’s made, he finds himself forced to impersonate an abducted prince. What can go wrong?
This story has great world-building and a neat magic system. I especially loved Shara’s species and all the specific differences between him and his human form. It was especially sweet when he met his best friend Korith, who immediately saw through Shara’s low opinion of himself to something greater. Korith was such a great, fun character, full of sass and encouragement, and I love how these two dove after mysteries together.
Or at least, got into some big trouble. The real plot surrounds Prince Iliath’s abduction. Who abducted him? Why? Is he dead, and will Shara have to fake his way as prince forever? The mystery is full of twists and turns, suspects and deeper intrigue, and I honestly loved how messy it got for Shara and Korith. Even when it would have been easier for Shara to play his simple role and do as he’s told, he still lets himself get carried away into solving the mystery, and he definitely grows in confidence along the way.
I took off one star for some minor plot holes, a little convenient villain monologuing, and some confusion regarding humans and their ability to use magic, but altogether I really enjoyed this story.
If you like fantasy mystery, cute best friend relationships, adventures on land and at sea, and sweet, broken heroes, this is definitely a book to read!
February 4, 2023
This has vibes of The Goblin Emperor in some ways, mixed with The Prince and the Pauper. I really loved the writing style, the worldbuilding, and the main character was so easy to root for. He started with such a painful sense of self-image and his growth was so satisfying. I wanted there to be more, but I also think it ended very well where it did.
October 25, 2021
This was a perfect feel-good read. It started off slow, but it was well worth persevering with.
The main character is adorable. The heart of the story is Shara's development from insecure and downtrodden to someone confident in his own decisions. Shara is so well characterised and so unique - I was especially struck by all the analogies he uses which demonstrate his non-human culture, it made the book feel so rich and textured. And he eats flowers when he's nervous, which makes me want to hug him.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to boost their self-esteem and believe in their potential. Shara is the perfect companion for that journey!
The main character is adorable. The heart of the story is Shara's development from insecure and downtrodden to someone confident in his own decisions. Shara is so well characterised and so unique - I was especially struck by all the analogies he uses which demonstrate his non-human culture, it made the book feel so rich and textured. And he eats flowers when he's nervous, which makes me want to hug him.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to boost their self-esteem and believe in their potential. Shara is the perfect companion for that journey!
February 6, 2025
Clean, uplifting fantasy
If you want friendship focused fantasy that includes a shapeshifter impersonating royalty and a mystery to solve, this is the book for you.
If you want friendship focused fantasy that includes a shapeshifter impersonating royalty and a mystery to solve, this is the book for you.
April 21, 2022
The Windward King is a wonderfully charming tale full of heart and wit, with rich characterization and snappy writing that made it an absolute joy to read.
The story follows Shara, a shapeshifter with poor confidence and no self-esteem who certainly doesn't feel capable of taking on any kind of important role. You know, like impersonating a prince who has disappeared, for example. And yet, that's exactly the situation he finds himself reluctantly thrust into. Everyone wants and expects something different from him, from the scheming advisors with their own agendas to foreign dignitaries to Shara's newfound friend Korith. All Shara wants is to disappear, somewhere he can't mess anything up, because that's unfortunately all he really thinks he's capable of.
I really appreciated the growth and development of Shara as a character as he slowly comes into his own. It felt natural and realistic, and it fit perfectly with the plot events of the story so that by the end, Shara felt like someone who was driving the plot forward rather than simply being directed and steered by everyone else and everything around him. He does things in his own Shara way, and I loved seeing how that played out. I also really appreciated the ways that Shara's alvithi (shapeshifter) culture and sensibilities were woven into the story that showed the contrast (and sometimes the similarities) between him and the human society he finds himself living in. The author did a great job of portraying those ideas in a way that felt natural to the story and became an important piece of Shara's character and the story as a whole.
I also really enjoyed some of the secondary characters, including Korith, Tishel, and Nashai. I did find that there were a few too many named secondary characters for me to really wrap my head around who everyone was and what their importance was (I often struggle with that in books with large casts), but the more important ones stood out and were distinct and well-developed. The dynamic between Korith and Shara was especially entertaining and well-written.
The plot is somewhat unique in that it focuses more on one individual character than a huge, world-altering conflict, as is common in a lot of fantasy novels. The smaller scale was very refreshing for me as I felt it allowed the author to focus more on the POV character, who is this book's greatest strength. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a standalone fantasy novel with relatable characters.
The story follows Shara, a shapeshifter with poor confidence and no self-esteem who certainly doesn't feel capable of taking on any kind of important role. You know, like impersonating a prince who has disappeared, for example. And yet, that's exactly the situation he finds himself reluctantly thrust into. Everyone wants and expects something different from him, from the scheming advisors with their own agendas to foreign dignitaries to Shara's newfound friend Korith. All Shara wants is to disappear, somewhere he can't mess anything up, because that's unfortunately all he really thinks he's capable of.
I really appreciated the growth and development of Shara as a character as he slowly comes into his own. It felt natural and realistic, and it fit perfectly with the plot events of the story so that by the end, Shara felt like someone who was driving the plot forward rather than simply being directed and steered by everyone else and everything around him. He does things in his own Shara way, and I loved seeing how that played out. I also really appreciated the ways that Shara's alvithi (shapeshifter) culture and sensibilities were woven into the story that showed the contrast (and sometimes the similarities) between him and the human society he finds himself living in. The author did a great job of portraying those ideas in a way that felt natural to the story and became an important piece of Shara's character and the story as a whole.
I also really enjoyed some of the secondary characters, including Korith, Tishel, and Nashai. I did find that there were a few too many named secondary characters for me to really wrap my head around who everyone was and what their importance was (I often struggle with that in books with large casts), but the more important ones stood out and were distinct and well-developed. The dynamic between Korith and Shara was especially entertaining and well-written.
The plot is somewhat unique in that it focuses more on one individual character than a huge, world-altering conflict, as is common in a lot of fantasy novels. The smaller scale was very refreshing for me as I felt it allowed the author to focus more on the POV character, who is this book's greatest strength. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a standalone fantasy novel with relatable characters.
March 5, 2023
4.5 / 5
A heart warming story centered around two friends.
It gave me all the feels, and the story wrapped itself up nicely for a standalone book. (Although I wouldn't say no to more adventures... *hint to the author*)
The basic plot is the ruler of a town goes missing and the advisors decide to replace him with a shapeshifter to avoid war. Chaos ensues.
I'm not a big fan of the fake royalty trope, nor of intricate political intrigue, which is why I liked this book, but didn't love it. (I got lost with all the names near the end because I didn't connect with any of the other characters very much.) I did, however, LOVE love *love* Korith and Shara. I would read a thousand stories about them and their shenanigans, and I have enjoyed the author's snippets of their interactions outside of the novel in her Facebook group and page, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to pick up this story in the first place.
Because of that I enjoyed the worldbuilding and insight into Shara's world at the beginning more than the latter half of the book, simply because it was more interesting and unique to see a shapeshifter's life and upbringing.
Personal preference. I know other people will love the court setting more than I did.
The strength of the author is hands down the dialog between character. K.T. Ivanrest does an amazing job of capturing casual conversations and banter. I also really love the food mentioned in this story (recipes, please?) and admire the artistic talents and skills of the characters. It's always nice seeing the softer side of characters instead of always seeing 'strength' as swords and fighting.
I felt a bubble of pride at Shara's growth throughout this book (even though at times you want to shake him). It's not often we get to see a character who is so hard on themselves and fights to find their worth with the help of a devoted friend. <3
A heart warming story centered around two friends.
It gave me all the feels, and the story wrapped itself up nicely for a standalone book. (Although I wouldn't say no to more adventures... *hint to the author*)
The basic plot is the ruler of a town goes missing and the advisors decide to replace him with a shapeshifter to avoid war. Chaos ensues.
I'm not a big fan of the fake royalty trope, nor of intricate political intrigue, which is why I liked this book, but didn't love it. (I got lost with all the names near the end because I didn't connect with any of the other characters very much.) I did, however, LOVE love *love* Korith and Shara. I would read a thousand stories about them and their shenanigans, and I have enjoyed the author's snippets of their interactions outside of the novel in her Facebook group and page, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to pick up this story in the first place.
Because of that I enjoyed the worldbuilding and insight into Shara's world at the beginning more than the latter half of the book, simply because it was more interesting and unique to see a shapeshifter's life and upbringing.
Personal preference. I know other people will love the court setting more than I did.
The strength of the author is hands down the dialog between character. K.T. Ivanrest does an amazing job of capturing casual conversations and banter. I also really love the food mentioned in this story (recipes, please?) and admire the artistic talents and skills of the characters. It's always nice seeing the softer side of characters instead of always seeing 'strength' as swords and fighting.
I felt a bubble of pride at Shara's growth throughout this book (even though at times you want to shake him). It's not often we get to see a character who is so hard on themselves and fights to find their worth with the help of a devoted friend. <3
November 14, 2021
This was a sheer delight. Probably among my top five reads for the year. Beautiful worldbuilding. Loveable characters with relatable arcs. Court intrigue, pirates, and dragon-shifting adventures galore! Excellent!
December 27, 2022
Such a fun and wholesome read. I loved Shara's arc and the shapeshifters are awesome. If you like political intrigue, unwilling heroes, missing kings, and plots to overthrow a kingdom, then you'll definitely enjoy this tale of courage, heroism, and honor.
February 20, 2025
This younger-end-of-YA coming of age tales was a complete and utter surprise. While I didn't feel overly engaged to begin with, the story of a shapeshifter boy and his struggle to find himself while being forced to be someone else made a wonderfully sweet fantasy read.
We follow Shara, an alvithi - a shapeshifting species that can become anything up to and incuding dragons, but seem to favour an elemental themed semi-human appearance (Shara's of the woods, so has tree branch horns) - as he flees the shame of not being as skilled as his fellow youngsters. Arriving in the human lands of Barathi, he makes an accidental friend and ends up entangled in the kingdom's politics. The prince regent is missing just as a truce between warring kingdoms is about to be signed. Who better to stand in than someone who can literally become anyone?
In all honesty, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this book at first. It starts off very middle-grade-slash-young-adult with Shara, aged 22, being bullied mercilessly by his peers in a way that seemed very high school mean kids. Ah, I thought, a book that will feel too young for me.
But no. Anyone who has similar thoughts at the first 10%, please persist. It is indeed a youthful adventure, but it is in no way too young to be enjoyed by an adult looking for a fantasy that's about friendship and finding ones own identity.
Once we reach the human lands and meet the wry optimist that is Shara's new best friend Korith, things really start picking up. The lead up to the political section is slowly sprinkled with foreshadowing, and emphasises that very relatable feeling of never being quite enough. Inside the castle, everything changes again as we are forced to guess characters' motives.
While I did come to like Shara and his initiative, Korith's comedic relief as well as being a strong character in and of himself made him my favourite. We all need someone to help us when we can only see the negatives, and the way he's written with his own background and problems (he seems to have a chronic pain condition; while it may limit him it doesn't define his character) lets you see there's a real personality behind the cheeky humour.
The plot is simple to follow but with enough surprises to keep you guessing, and is a great fantasy political drama. Shara's own personal story arc adds to the positive message of self acceptance which I really appreciated.
There were things that confused me, mostly regarding alvithi terminology (Having toresh? Playing the gryphon?) I love the originality of the shapeshifter species and their little quirks that sets them apart from normal storybook creations.
All in all Windward King is an enjoyable adventure, reminding us of the power of the right kinds of friendships, and that while we might not be able to change ourselves, we can come to understand our differences.
We follow Shara, an alvithi - a shapeshifting species that can become anything up to and incuding dragons, but seem to favour an elemental themed semi-human appearance (Shara's of the woods, so has tree branch horns) - as he flees the shame of not being as skilled as his fellow youngsters. Arriving in the human lands of Barathi, he makes an accidental friend and ends up entangled in the kingdom's politics. The prince regent is missing just as a truce between warring kingdoms is about to be signed. Who better to stand in than someone who can literally become anyone?
In all honesty, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this book at first. It starts off very middle-grade-slash-young-adult with Shara, aged 22, being bullied mercilessly by his peers in a way that seemed very high school mean kids. Ah, I thought, a book that will feel too young for me.
But no. Anyone who has similar thoughts at the first 10%, please persist. It is indeed a youthful adventure, but it is in no way too young to be enjoyed by an adult looking for a fantasy that's about friendship and finding ones own identity.
Once we reach the human lands and meet the wry optimist that is Shara's new best friend Korith, things really start picking up. The lead up to the political section is slowly sprinkled with foreshadowing, and emphasises that very relatable feeling of never being quite enough. Inside the castle, everything changes again as we are forced to guess characters' motives.
While I did come to like Shara and his initiative, Korith's comedic relief as well as being a strong character in and of himself made him my favourite. We all need someone to help us when we can only see the negatives, and the way he's written with his own background and problems (he seems to have a chronic pain condition; while it may limit him it doesn't define his character) lets you see there's a real personality behind the cheeky humour.
The plot is simple to follow but with enough surprises to keep you guessing, and is a great fantasy political drama. Shara's own personal story arc adds to the positive message of self acceptance which I really appreciated.
There were things that confused me, mostly regarding alvithi terminology (Having toresh? Playing the gryphon?) I love the originality of the shapeshifter species and their little quirks that sets them apart from normal storybook creations.
All in all Windward King is an enjoyable adventure, reminding us of the power of the right kinds of friendships, and that while we might not be able to change ourselves, we can come to understand our differences.
March 5, 2022
THE BASICS
I didn't know much of this lovely little novel, but upon receiving it as a Christmas gift, I promptly devoured it in a few days' time. It had such a refreshing feel to the writing, the characters, & the story itself---I wholly enjoyed it!
Shara is the sweetest little cinnamon roll. He lacks all kinds of self-confidence & is bullied for his deficiency of skill when it comes to shifting, though he manages to hold his own in serious situations. But he runs away in shame when an innocent mistake causes severe injury to a peer. Life gives him another chance in a new world & he learns to fit in by running away. And the rest you'll have to discover for yourself. *sly grin* I will only add that his character arc was BEAUTIFUL, and the storyworld complex, but simple enough to understand. In short, I loved this story!
VIOLENCE
Quite mild, if I recall correctly. It's been a few months since I've read this (and just now getting to the review, haha)...
A clanmate is seriously wounded by a monster-like creature called a neeka---bloody wounds and impaled by a tree limb.
A house fire nearly claims a man's life. A man is found stabbed in the side---blood covers his clothing.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT
A character prays in a chapel.
The Alvithi people (the shapeshifting race) pray to the Eagle. The Barathi humans pray to the Guide. (Both can be likened to the One God, I believe.) One man has a small shrine to the Guide in his home.
LANGUAGE // ALCOHOL & DRUGS
None, other than the more original, slang words like, "hills," and "burrs."
Some drink a nearly black-colored wine, known as "Sailor's Blood."
A character's health is questionable due to some kind of immune or muscular disease---I don't recall it ever being said what he had exactly, but he suffered from fatigue, would be bed-ridden (unwillingly, but couldn't be helped), & used a cane as a last resort (pride thing).
ROMANTIC CONTENT
None to speak of, really.
The phrase "half-breed whore" is used in reference to a character with illegitimate ties.
Shara, disguised as the king, finds himself attracted to one of the noble ladies. They chat quite easily, but nothing really comes of it. At least in this story...
CONCLUSION
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this story from an unfamiliar author. I enjoyed the story, the world-building, and the CHARACTERS. Shara was wonderful---I mean, COME ONNNN. Shapeshifting!! I LOVED it. And he grew so much in character & personality. And KORITH. Absolutely EVERYONE needs a mentor-friend like him!!! Also, those are just the two main characters! Seriously, I would highly recommend this clean, thrilling fantasy to all my fellow bookdragons. Go on. Add to your TBRs!! ;D You know you want to.
I didn't know much of this lovely little novel, but upon receiving it as a Christmas gift, I promptly devoured it in a few days' time. It had such a refreshing feel to the writing, the characters, & the story itself---I wholly enjoyed it!
Shara is the sweetest little cinnamon roll. He lacks all kinds of self-confidence & is bullied for his deficiency of skill when it comes to shifting, though he manages to hold his own in serious situations. But he runs away in shame when an innocent mistake causes severe injury to a peer. Life gives him another chance in a new world & he learns to fit in by running away. And the rest you'll have to discover for yourself. *sly grin* I will only add that his character arc was BEAUTIFUL, and the storyworld complex, but simple enough to understand. In short, I loved this story!
VIOLENCE
Quite mild, if I recall correctly. It's been a few months since I've read this (and just now getting to the review, haha)...
A clanmate is seriously wounded by a monster-like creature called a neeka---bloody wounds and impaled by a tree limb.
A house fire nearly claims a man's life. A man is found stabbed in the side---blood covers his clothing.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT
A character prays in a chapel.
The Alvithi people (the shapeshifting race) pray to the Eagle. The Barathi humans pray to the Guide. (Both can be likened to the One God, I believe.) One man has a small shrine to the Guide in his home.
LANGUAGE // ALCOHOL & DRUGS
None, other than the more original, slang words like, "hills," and "burrs."
Some drink a nearly black-colored wine, known as "Sailor's Blood."
A character's health is questionable due to some kind of immune or muscular disease---I don't recall it ever being said what he had exactly, but he suffered from fatigue, would be bed-ridden (unwillingly, but couldn't be helped), & used a cane as a last resort (pride thing).
ROMANTIC CONTENT
None to speak of, really.
The phrase "half-breed whore" is used in reference to a character with illegitimate ties.
Shara, disguised as the king, finds himself attracted to one of the noble ladies. They chat quite easily, but nothing really comes of it. At least in this story...
CONCLUSION
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this story from an unfamiliar author. I enjoyed the story, the world-building, and the CHARACTERS. Shara was wonderful---I mean, COME ONNNN. Shapeshifting!! I LOVED it. And he grew so much in character & personality. And KORITH. Absolutely EVERYONE needs a mentor-friend like him!!! Also, those are just the two main characters! Seriously, I would highly recommend this clean, thrilling fantasy to all my fellow bookdragons. Go on. Add to your TBRs!! ;D You know you want to.
June 29, 2022
What are some of your favorite comfort reads?
For me, its usually anything that involves wholesome characters, a fantasy setting, and a classic hero's journey that has a happily ever after
And I'm happy to say, The Windward King by K.T Ivanrest is my new favorite comfort read!
If you're a fan of adorable characters, a very reluctant hero, a mentor figure who will do anything to help the hero shine, all with a dark and complex political drama underneath it all, then this is the book for you!
Shara is the most adorable character ever, and I found myself constantly hoping for him to find the courage and confidence he needed to shine.
And with Korith serving as a courageous foil, this wholesome found family duo had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat until the very last page!
Guys, I can't stress this enough, if you love The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, you'll love this book. If you're a fan of Star Wars or any classic hero coming of age story, you'll love this book!
Buy it. It's soooooo good!!! This is definitely my top read of 2022 so far!!!
But seriously, buy it, this wholesome novel feels like the perfect gradual, slow-burn read, that builds and builds, and it is definitely worth a reread to catch all the foreshadowing you missed the first time around!
*Now for my Content Disclosure*
The language is very clean, with just some mild PG language sprinkled in. There is no sexual content. In terms of thematic content, abduction and political framing for warfare are present. For theological content, there is a single deity referenced called the Eagle, and there are shrines and icons built to this deity. There is also some pretty intense action scenes, with blood and murder, all in the low to mid PG-13 range. For this reason, I'd give this novel a PG-13 rating, but only for the violence. Overall, definitely a clean novel.
If you love fantasy, found families, and a wholesome narrative full of adorable cinnamon buns that must be protected, then this is the novel for you!
Seriously, buy it, now! You won't regret it!
I hope you have a blessed day!
For me, its usually anything that involves wholesome characters, a fantasy setting, and a classic hero's journey that has a happily ever after
And I'm happy to say, The Windward King by K.T Ivanrest is my new favorite comfort read!
If you're a fan of adorable characters, a very reluctant hero, a mentor figure who will do anything to help the hero shine, all with a dark and complex political drama underneath it all, then this is the book for you!
Shara is the most adorable character ever, and I found myself constantly hoping for him to find the courage and confidence he needed to shine.
And with Korith serving as a courageous foil, this wholesome found family duo had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat until the very last page!
Guys, I can't stress this enough, if you love The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, you'll love this book. If you're a fan of Star Wars or any classic hero coming of age story, you'll love this book!
Buy it. It's soooooo good!!! This is definitely my top read of 2022 so far!!!
But seriously, buy it, this wholesome novel feels like the perfect gradual, slow-burn read, that builds and builds, and it is definitely worth a reread to catch all the foreshadowing you missed the first time around!
*Now for my Content Disclosure*
The language is very clean, with just some mild PG language sprinkled in. There is no sexual content. In terms of thematic content, abduction and political framing for warfare are present. For theological content, there is a single deity referenced called the Eagle, and there are shrines and icons built to this deity. There is also some pretty intense action scenes, with blood and murder, all in the low to mid PG-13 range. For this reason, I'd give this novel a PG-13 rating, but only for the violence. Overall, definitely a clean novel.
If you love fantasy, found families, and a wholesome narrative full of adorable cinnamon buns that must be protected, then this is the novel for you!
Seriously, buy it, now! You won't regret it!
I hope you have a blessed day!
May 22, 2025
Shara is a poor shapeshifter, and after things go badly, he decides to leave his shapeshifter clan and live in the human world. But when the prince is abducted, he is forced to take his place.
Find the prince. Stop the war. While pretending to be someone you're not. How hard could it be?
A fantasy mystery adventure with plenty of political intrigue. The book features an insecure shapeshifter, coming-of-age plot, and found family.
I couldn't put this book down!!! The plot was wonderfully busy and twisty-turny. The beginning was a more relaxed pace but still very interesting as Shara was learning about himself and about living in the human world. Once the political intrigue started, the pace kept picking up in a classic one step forward, two steps back pattern. At one point, getting close to the end, I found myself wondering, "How much more could POSSIBLY go wrong?" Answer: Don't worry, the author still has a few tricks up her sleeve. And the villain... actually made some sense with motives and all. Kind of nice.
There were a few things I wished the author had gone into more detail on, like the sign language and some of Shara's shapes. I'm still not clear on his natural shape. I think it's the dragon? But he prefers a feline shape, and that's why Korith calls him furball? It was hard for me to follow, but also doesn't change the overall plot of the story.
Content: Clean overall. Some fight scenes, nothing graphic or gory. Plenty of action and suspense. No strong language that I recall, and if there was, it was in-world. No romance with the main character, and only hints of romance between supporting characters, so no steam or spice. Appropriate for YA on up but I suspect the plot and themes won't appeal as much to the younger YA audience.
Find the prince. Stop the war. While pretending to be someone you're not. How hard could it be?
A fantasy mystery adventure with plenty of political intrigue. The book features an insecure shapeshifter, coming-of-age plot, and found family.
I couldn't put this book down!!! The plot was wonderfully busy and twisty-turny. The beginning was a more relaxed pace but still very interesting as Shara was learning about himself and about living in the human world. Once the political intrigue started, the pace kept picking up in a classic one step forward, two steps back pattern. At one point, getting close to the end, I found myself wondering, "How much more could POSSIBLY go wrong?" Answer: Don't worry, the author still has a few tricks up her sleeve. And the villain... actually made some sense with motives and all. Kind of nice.
There were a few things I wished the author had gone into more detail on, like the sign language and some of Shara's shapes. I'm still not clear on his natural shape. I think it's the dragon? But he prefers a feline shape, and that's why Korith calls him furball? It was hard for me to follow, but also doesn't change the overall plot of the story.
Content: Clean overall. Some fight scenes, nothing graphic or gory. Plenty of action and suspense. No strong language that I recall, and if there was, it was in-world. No romance with the main character, and only hints of romance between supporting characters, so no steam or spice. Appropriate for YA on up but I suspect the plot and themes won't appeal as much to the younger YA audience.
March 23, 2024
Back in the day, I remember people referring to characters as a cinnamon roll. Shara is a cinnamon roll of a character. The characters were fantastic, and the setting was great. I loved the interaction between the different characters and the wholesomeness of some of that interaction. Shara's development, in particular, was great.
The plot was good too, but it did feel like the pacing was just a little off. The powers of different characters were a bit confusing and not well-developed, except that of Shara. There is a lot of different words being used that meant specific things in this world that were not explained, and it does take a bit of time before it becomes clear to the reader what they mean. I think a glossary might have helped in this case. I also found the reference to love interests entirely pointless and unnecessary. It kind of felt like the reference to love interests was there in order to prove that Shara and Korith were not gay - at least that's how it came across to me. It was truly unnecessary.
Fluffy and light fantasy with just good characters (and no romance.)
The plot was good too, but it did feel like the pacing was just a little off. The powers of different characters were a bit confusing and not well-developed, except that of Shara. There is a lot of different words being used that meant specific things in this world that were not explained, and it does take a bit of time before it becomes clear to the reader what they mean. I think a glossary might have helped in this case. I also found the reference to love interests entirely pointless and unnecessary. It kind of felt like the reference to love interests was there in order to prove that Shara and Korith were not gay - at least that's how it came across to me. It was truly unnecessary.
Fluffy and light fantasy with just good characters (and no romance.)
September 10, 2025
Actual rating: 3.75*
This was a really fun, kinda wholesome story.
It took me a little while to get into it, because the pacing was a bit weird in the beginning. It made any story beats feel like they were starting and ending really abruptly, but after a while I got pulled in and ended up really loving it.
Mainly because the characters started to grow on me. The main character is very lovable and the friendship that develops between him and another character was really cute and heart-warming.
The shape-shifting aspect is also something I pretty rarely read about. Probably because it would almost be too powerful under usual circumstances. It brought forth some interesting ideas and a unique story.
Overall, I would almost describe this story as quite cozy, because of the story‘s strong focus on the characters‘ relationships and the main character‘s insecurities that ended up developing into a sort of quiet confidence.
This book was a nice reprieve from some of the darker themes of the books I‘ve read recently.
This was a really fun, kinda wholesome story.
It took me a little while to get into it, because the pacing was a bit weird in the beginning. It made any story beats feel like they were starting and ending really abruptly, but after a while I got pulled in and ended up really loving it.
Mainly because the characters started to grow on me. The main character is very lovable and the friendship that develops between him and another character was really cute and heart-warming.
The shape-shifting aspect is also something I pretty rarely read about. Probably because it would almost be too powerful under usual circumstances. It brought forth some interesting ideas and a unique story.
Overall, I would almost describe this story as quite cozy, because of the story‘s strong focus on the characters‘ relationships and the main character‘s insecurities that ended up developing into a sort of quiet confidence.
This book was a nice reprieve from some of the darker themes of the books I‘ve read recently.
January 16, 2022
If you want a sweet, feel-good, coming-of-age story with one of the most unique characters and worlds you've ever experienced, you've got to read The Windward King.
I love that I both cheered Shara on throughout the story and became incredibly frustrated with him - because the author managed to make me as a reader see the greatness and potential within him the same as his friends did.
The pace and flow of the book was perfect, the humor witty and a little dry, and the side characters and supporting roles both genuine and memorable. On top of that, the author's imagery and descriptions capture you with their unique perfection - they encapsulate something one of my writing professors always focused on; find a way to describe something that no one thought of before, but is exactly right. She's done it, over and over and over again. A book I'll never forget!
I love that I both cheered Shara on throughout the story and became incredibly frustrated with him - because the author managed to make me as a reader see the greatness and potential within him the same as his friends did.
The pace and flow of the book was perfect, the humor witty and a little dry, and the side characters and supporting roles both genuine and memorable. On top of that, the author's imagery and descriptions capture you with their unique perfection - they encapsulate something one of my writing professors always focused on; find a way to describe something that no one thought of before, but is exactly right. She's done it, over and over and over again. A book I'll never forget!
December 12, 2024
Okay, I read this waaaaay back when it first came out, but I didn't have a Goodreads account back then. So consider this a long overdue review, and also an explanation for why it might be lacking in more specifics.
But I really loved this book. The author's style is so unique and interesting to me, because first, her prose makes me feel like I'm snuggled in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea. But then she beautifully weaves in these tense and difficult moments that give a story the complexity and challenges it needs to propel to a satisfying ending. The writing was also very clear and well-polished. The plot twists I truly didn't see coming, and yet it all fit perfectly together.
I also loved Shara and Korith's relationship. Shara was deeply relatable, and Korith was such a bright, kind person, a rarity in books these days, sadly. I highly recommend this.
But I really loved this book. The author's style is so unique and interesting to me, because first, her prose makes me feel like I'm snuggled in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea. But then she beautifully weaves in these tense and difficult moments that give a story the complexity and challenges it needs to propel to a satisfying ending. The writing was also very clear and well-polished. The plot twists I truly didn't see coming, and yet it all fit perfectly together.
I also loved Shara and Korith's relationship. Shara was deeply relatable, and Korith was such a bright, kind person, a rarity in books these days, sadly. I highly recommend this.
March 27, 2023
High quality writing with a great flow to it. Ridiculously sympathetic characters you can't help but love (solid mental health rep and disability rep). Lovely worldbuilding. Great pacing. A plot that manages to feel cozy and action-y at the same time. All in all, a superbly enjoyable read!
I particularly enjoyed the contrast between alvithi and human characteristics, like how Shara eats flowers and hates closed doors and wants to nuzzle in greeting. These were such unique and immersive details. I also just love Korith. <3
I particularly enjoyed the contrast between alvithi and human characteristics, like how Shara eats flowers and hates closed doors and wants to nuzzle in greeting. These were such unique and immersive details. I also just love Korith. <3
November 1, 2021
I haven't fallen in love with a group of characters like this in a LONG while. It gave me ATLA feels. KTI definitely crafted original, yet familiar characters in this whirlwind of a story. I only wish it had kept going. But I guess that's why authors write more than one book. If you're ready for an adventure with unique shapeshifters, then check this book out!
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