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Winds and Whispers
Not yet published
Expected 1 May 26In a kingdom where magic means death, Princess Alina Everglen has spent her life behind gilded walls—safe, privileged, and deeply alone. When a violent storm and a daring rebel raid tear her from the palace, she is thrust into the hidden world of the Gifted, people with elemental magic who have been hunted for generations.
Among the rebels, Alina begins to uncover her own suppressed power—and the unsettling truth behind her family’s reign. Drawn to their charismatic leader, Kael Stormborne, she hopes to find belonging for the first time in her life. Instead, she finds secrets, fractured loyalties, and a group that never fully lets her in.
As tension within the rebellion grows and trust begins to fracture, Alina is forced to confront a painful truth: neither love nor power can come from others. To survive, she must learn who she is when she stands alone—and what she is willing to risk for the people she cares about.
Winds and Whispers is a slow-burn romantasy about loneliness, found family, and the strength it takes to claim your own place in a world determined to cast you out.
Among the rebels, Alina begins to uncover her own suppressed power—and the unsettling truth behind her family’s reign. Drawn to their charismatic leader, Kael Stormborne, she hopes to find belonging for the first time in her life. Instead, she finds secrets, fractured loyalties, and a group that never fully lets her in.
As tension within the rebellion grows and trust begins to fracture, Alina is forced to confront a painful truth: neither love nor power can come from others. To survive, she must learn who she is when she stands alone—and what she is willing to risk for the people she cares about.
Winds and Whispers is a slow-burn romantasy about loneliness, found family, and the strength it takes to claim your own place in a world determined to cast you out.
1 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 1, 2026
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Rina Thorne
1 book5 followersRina Thorne is author of The Gifted Series, including her debut novel Winds and Whispers.
Find a free reading sample here: https://www.rinathorne.com/text-sample
When Rina is not writing she is usually reading, preferrably with a cat on her lap.
Find a free reading sample here: https://www.rinathorne.com/text-sample
When Rina is not writing she is usually reading, preferrably with a cat on her lap.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
In a nutshell, be ready for a slower, meaningful, story driven narrative. A journey of self and inner learning and discovery. “Who are you? Where do you belong? Who do you chosen to have as family? Who do you chose t love”?. Most of us can relate to that journey.
MFC- Alina -loneliness was mostly what she had ever felt, and it was palpable (and relatable). Her journey was illuminating. It was a real “hero’s journey” and a very challenging one, most of it done by herself. She had friend assisting her. Kael was a solid pillar of support with that he could do at those moments, with how he knew to be and act at those moments (which changed).
Alina underwent an inner journey of self discovery and I believe that many people will relate to it. It was beautiful, it was lonely, it had much confusion related to feelings, suffering, letting those inner dark voices telling you all of the things you think you are not. When she finally left for her “final journey” was when the final transformation took place. The joinery of finding out who she really was, and come back the person she had chosen to be; be with the people she chose to stay with, and love. A journey of acceptance that we are all broken and flawed, but that we can be broken together and that make us stronger.
MMC- Kael: a broken man, but with a good heart. His journey has been a very demanding and difficult one until the very end of what we see in this book. He was a true support for Alina, giving her what she needed to grow and not just tucking her away in protection, decreasing her power. He pushed her to become her own self, within her own power. He started to become complete when Alina was back at his side.
THAT ending… omg!! What a backstab to come!
ARC reader- thank you for this wonderful author for letting me ARC review this beautiful work. In return I'm leaving a free honest feedback.
MFC- Alina -loneliness was mostly what she had ever felt, and it was palpable (and relatable). Her journey was illuminating. It was a real “hero’s journey” and a very challenging one, most of it done by herself. She had friend assisting her. Kael was a solid pillar of support with that he could do at those moments, with how he knew to be and act at those moments (which changed).
Alina underwent an inner journey of self discovery and I believe that many people will relate to it. It was beautiful, it was lonely, it had much confusion related to feelings, suffering, letting those inner dark voices telling you all of the things you think you are not. When she finally left for her “final journey” was when the final transformation took place. The joinery of finding out who she really was, and come back the person she had chosen to be; be with the people she chose to stay with, and love. A journey of acceptance that we are all broken and flawed, but that we can be broken together and that make us stronger.
MMC- Kael: a broken man, but with a good heart. His journey has been a very demanding and difficult one until the very end of what we see in this book. He was a true support for Alina, giving her what she needed to grow and not just tucking her away in protection, decreasing her power. He pushed her to become her own self, within her own power. He started to become complete when Alina was back at his side.
THAT ending… omg!! What a backstab to come!
ARC reader- thank you for this wonderful author for letting me ARC review this beautiful work. In return I'm leaving a free honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's a bit heavy on narration rather than the story flowing through the characters. It is also prose heavy.
I really struggled with the narrative writing style, but im used to reading from a person perspective rather than 3rd person, so im not sure if it's just my personal preference.
At the start, alina is presented as the perfect proper princess, always needing to be poised and not show a hint of humanity. But she struggles with that, wanting to break out of perfection. her character was thoughtful and has huge empathy for others despite her lonely upbringing. the characters she meets each are indevidual and have their own unique personalities that give a wholesome and loyal feeling.
The plot was strong, but it just fell flat for me with interaction. I found myself scimming through it to get to the interactions and diologue to see the progression.
Unfortunately, this did end up being a dnf for me around halfway. However, what i did read was promising. It just didn't grip me with the writing style. That is, no way, a bad thing, just my own reading preference.
I really struggled with the narrative writing style, but im used to reading from a person perspective rather than 3rd person, so im not sure if it's just my personal preference.
At the start, alina is presented as the perfect proper princess, always needing to be poised and not show a hint of humanity. But she struggles with that, wanting to break out of perfection. her character was thoughtful and has huge empathy for others despite her lonely upbringing. the characters she meets each are indevidual and have their own unique personalities that give a wholesome and loyal feeling.
The plot was strong, but it just fell flat for me with interaction. I found myself scimming through it to get to the interactions and diologue to see the progression.
Unfortunately, this did end up being a dnf for me around halfway. However, what i did read was promising. It just didn't grip me with the writing style. That is, no way, a bad thing, just my own reading preference.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! One of the best reads so far this year.
If you are reading only for the spice and a superficial story, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a story where you have to go on an emotional journey of self awareness, revolution and found family then this IS the book for you!
The growth of the FMC is really the heart of this book. She starts as a pampered and isolated princess and ends up as so much more.
Kael is one of my favorite MMC’s because he is certainly not perfect and he has his own growth arc and many more secrets to be revealed.
I liked the banter and chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I felt their connection right away and got emotionally connected with the characters early on.
Once the story got going I couldn’t put it down and I am about to start a re-read. I know I missed things the first time through because I was reading quickly and wanted to see where the story went.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. For me - this book was a winner and I can’t wait for the next installment!
If you are reading only for the spice and a superficial story, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a story where you have to go on an emotional journey of self awareness, revolution and found family then this IS the book for you!
The growth of the FMC is really the heart of this book. She starts as a pampered and isolated princess and ends up as so much more.
Kael is one of my favorite MMC’s because he is certainly not perfect and he has his own growth arc and many more secrets to be revealed.
I liked the banter and chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I felt their connection right away and got emotionally connected with the characters early on.
Once the story got going I couldn’t put it down and I am about to start a re-read. I know I missed things the first time through because I was reading quickly and wanted to see where the story went.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. For me - this book was a winner and I can’t wait for the next installment!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC READER REVIEW
Winds and Whispers is a book centred around Alina, a princess who once kidnapped, realises the extent of the hurt her family has caused the citizens of the realm. A lot of the story is surrounded by loneliness and longing to fit in and find out the truth.
I wanted to love this so badly. I'm at the 45% mark and I don't think I want to continue.
There are a few plot holes I personally found really hard to look past, there are scenes that are similar to what I've read in other romantasy novels.
I am really sad that this wasn't for me but I really hope this is wonderful for others.
Winds and Whispers is a book centred around Alina, a princess who once kidnapped, realises the extent of the hurt her family has caused the citizens of the realm. A lot of the story is surrounded by loneliness and longing to fit in and find out the truth.
I wanted to love this so badly. I'm at the 45% mark and I don't think I want to continue.
There are a few plot holes I personally found really hard to look past, there are scenes that are similar to what I've read in other romantasy novels.
I am really sad that this wasn't for me but I really hope this is wonderful for others.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews