Book review: Mythological retelling of Beauty And The Beast in The North Wind
The North Wind
By Alexandria WarwickFantasy Romance/Simon & Schuster/Paperback/448 pages/$39.12/Amazon.sg (amzn.to/3XEvuQA)
2 stars
In a dark and atmospheric world, elder sister Wren chooses to sacrifice herself to the Frost King in place of her younger sister, Elora, with just one thing on her mind – to kill him, and return to her sister.
Instead, she falls in love with King Boreas – named after the Greek god of the violent North Wind – in this fantasy romance tale where ancient gods rule and humans are mere pawns in their immortal games.
Alexandria Warwick’s TikTok sensation The North Wind – the first instalment in the Four Winds series – follows fierce but flawed Wren’s rash journey into Boreas’ realm in a twisted tale of hate, love and redemption.
In some ways a retelling of classic fairy tale Beauty And The Beast, and with a generous sprinkle of Greek lore, what recommends it is its complex characters and slow-burn romance.
The captive-captor dynamic is crowd-pleasing. Initially a cold, superior immortal who views humans as inferior, Boreas is gradually transformed into a more sympathetic character as he starts appreciating Wren’s loyalty and strength.
Their chemistry is dangerous and palpable, though on the trope-heavy side. Other relationships, like Wren’s with Elora, add complexity.
While first appearing as a sweet, innocent younger sister, Elora is later revealed to be spoilt and selfish, taking everything Wren gives without reciprocating.
However, in the manner of fairy tales, she undergoes a redemption arc that builds to a satisfying confrontation between the sisters. Side characters Orla and Thyamine, who work for the Frost King, and Zephyus, Boreas’ brother and the bringer of spring, provide opportunities for Wren to show her more mischievous and kind-hearted sides, a welcome wedge of vulnerability in her tough facade.
The serviceable plot, however, is let down by Warwick’s writing, which can be reminiscent of fan fiction, predictable and Wattpad-like, just about kept engaging by the competent pacing of the book.
One of the novel’s standout aspects is its deft portrayal of Wren’s struggle with alcoholism.
Warwick handles this theme with sensitivity and realism, depicting how Wren justifies her addiction and its impact on those around her.
Boreas, meanwhile, plays the supportive role in helping Wren acknowledge and overcome her addiction, lending their relationship greater pathos and substance.
But there are other problems with the narrative. The antagonist Zephyrus – the Greek god of the west wind – is underutilised, and subplots like the Shade and Darkwalkers seem more atmospheric than purposeful.
Some aspects of the world-building, such as the gods’ growth, are also confusing and underexplained.
Despite these issues, the novel’s exploration of darker themes, the genuine chemistry between Wren and Boreas, and the detailed world-building should make The North Wind a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy romance.
It hardly blew this reviewer away. But the world is a rich one for genre fans, so long as they accept the simplistic writing and liberal use of tried and tested tropes.
If you like this, read: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (Hachette Book Group, 2018, $16.91, Amazon SG, go to amzn.to/3zuPoDC), the first book of a trilogy set in the faerie world. It follows Jude, a mortal girl who navigates the dangerous politics of the faerie court after being forcibly taken to live among them. She becomes entangled with the cruel Prince Cardan, leading to a complex relationship that evolves into a reluctant romance amid betrayal and intrigue.