Windswept (The Mapweaver Chronicles)

I got this book on a whim. A blind date with a book. I saw Kaitlin Bellamy promote her book on Tiktok. A simple, I wrote a book you should read it, little clip. I knew nothing of the story; I did not even read the summary before I bought it. It is quarantine and I ran out of books to read, so why not? Little did I know how completely enthralled I would become by this book. It has been YEARS since I have fallen so deeply in love with a story. I did not want it to end, but I could not put it down. It was like your favorite dessert that you always finish too soon. You try your best to slow down, and savor eat bite (or page in the book's case), but eat bite just has you drooling, craving for more. It is not just the story that kept me coming back for more, it was how real the characters were. Not a single character is just a fragment of a person, a one dimensional personality, who flit in and out of story, just serving the simple purpose of advancing the storyline, never really thought of again. Each character, not just Fox, is full of life, and are so well written that they stay with you, and you cannot wait until they come back. Fox grows throughout this story, and at the end, when he looks back at everything that has happened, he is surprised how much has transpired in such a little amount of time. I was so engrossed in the story, that I found myself thinking and feeling the same thing. I know everything I am saying is generalized, and that is on purpose. Revealing the specific passages, parts of the story line that I LOVED; I feel would take away the chance for you to discover them as you read. Give this book a chance, and you will not regret it. Kailtin Bellamy is the needle in the haystack, and will forever have a place on my bookshelf.

This definitely reads like a first book in a series, so it's a little slower paced than you might think of in terms of fantasy novels, but it makes up for it with beloved characters and a world that you can't help but want to play in. And there are plenty of adventures to be had: from a group of traveling, magical performers called the Shavid, a mischievous pirate god, and the chilling Beneath. It's a great debut with hopefully more adventures to come soon.

Kaitlin Bellamy is an author to keep an eye on. Her stunning debut novel, Windswept, kept me riveted to the story of Fox, his best friend Laila, the Shavid, and other well-developed characters. I came to know and love the characters in this sprawling story. She created a world that I could see, hear, smell, and taste thanks to her descriptive writing. Hopefully Book 2 in The Mapweaver Chronicles will not be not too far away. Highly recommended!

I met the author at, of all places, a comic book and toy convention in Lexington, KY. These conventions are great for finding independent authors with great (and sometimes not so great) stories to tell. After talking to the author, I decided to try out Windswept because it sounded like something I’d like. Boy, am I glad I did! After reading the first chapter in my hotel room that night, I couldn’t wait to get back to her booth the next day and buy the other three in the series. (Spoiler alert: book 5 isn’t out yet but it’s on the way) This book is what I call an “easy read” because it pulls you in and it flows so well that you can read a hundred pages in a blink of an eye. I found every aspect of it immensely enjoyable, from the lovable characters and the beautiful locales to the smooth pacing and the intricate lore. Very few authors have captured my attention on this level and she is one of them. The descriptions of the Five Sides Tavern put you IN the tavern, smelling all the smells from the kitchen and listening to all of the tales from the patrons. (It doesn’t hurt to have the Five Sides candle to burn when you’re reading but I believe they’re convention exclusives lol). If you like adventures with an epic quality, I’d start with this book and set aside some money for the others in the series because this will be a wonderful ride. 10/10 Would buy again!

Absolutely amazing story! I am in love with the characters and had a hard time putting the book down at times. It has just the right amount of magic and the story is so descriptive you can see the story play out in your mind Vividly.

Ms. Bellamy has a way of sucking you in as she builds her world, helping you see through the characters eyes and smell what they smell!

I picked up Windswept after Amazon recommending it to me several times. As a former bookseller, I have read a lot of new authors. Bellamy's strong voice was a welcome change to my usual experience with new authors.

This may be Bellamy's first published novel, but it's clear she's no stranger to strong storytelling. The characters are fully realized, as is the world. She doesn't overexplain or belabor a point; she recognizes her reader's intelligence and ability to navigate the world she has so carefully created. Her prose and writing style are strong, with none of the stylistic errors that plague so many first time authors.

Bellamy writes like a seasoned pro. Her characters already feel like friends, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Love love love these books. Windswept swept me into a whole new world. I find myself day dreaming about what Fox might be up to next and I am itching for the third book in this fantastic series.

Amazing journey through a new fantasy world with awesome magic abilities! Incredible character development and action. A must read for fantasy lovers 💚

This book is amazing, it's the kind of book that will make you want to keep reading and reading. You can't put it down. The details, the story, the characters. Everything is so well worded and written. I honestly believe this is the best book I've read all year.