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ggcd1981's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Eu tinha expectativas altas para Winter’s Orbit porque a sinopse me interessou bastante, e eu gostei da obra, mas ela não realmente atendeu minhas expectativas. A principal razão para isso foi que esperava que haveria mais tempo de livro dedicado a recuperação de Jainan junto a Kiem, e também que haveria mais momentos emocionais entre o casal. Contudo esses aspectos não foram tratados de forma profunda como gostaria. Outro ponto que não me agradou muito, mas isso é mais uma questão de gosto pessoal, foi a voz que o narrador do audiobook fez para Jainan, dando a ele uma voz grave e alpha que não me permitia enxergar a vulnerabilidade do personagem que passou por traumas e ainda assim tentava navegar uma situação política tão delicada com tantas pressões e responsabilidades. Não consegui sentir muita proximidade a Jainan por causa da narração, mas como disse, isso foi uma questão de gosto. A construção do mundo e cenário político foi, em algumas partes, um pouco confusa. Isso dificultou um pouco a imersão nesses aspectos do livro, que foram mais proeminentes do que esperava. No entanto gostei dos personagens (Kiem era um cinnamon roll como marido), apesar de sentir essa certa distância de Jainan. Gostei da história do casal, apesar de achar que poderiam ter havido momentos mais profundos de cura de trauma e discussões mais vulneráveis e significativas. Neste momento não decidi se vou continuar com a série de companion novels, pois o universo e política da obra não capturaram minha imaginação por serem um pouco confusos. Contudo gostei de ter lido Winter’s Orbit e no geral foi uma experiência positiva. Dou 3.5 estrelas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, and Violence
imskylow's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was good! I enjoyed it. I liked the setting and the imagery, especial when the author described remnants (which human senses can't quite grasp or process). I liked the peeling back of layers for these two characters and the things that they've been through. The mystery of Jainan's past had me sucked in. The only qualm I have about this book is the romance. I understand that Everina Maxwell didn't want this story to be smutty or anything like what most books are about these days, and that's totally fair, I just think we needed a bit more than what is given here. There's so much emotional hesitation and timidness, you honestly can't get me to believe that fade to black sex scene went smoothly. I think it would have been awkward. I think Maxwell could have described that without being explicit about it. You can describe emotions rather than what they're physically doing. Even just a phrase like "Kiem and Jainan were awkward tangle of limbs and sputtering apologies as they grappled close. With the misunderstandings cleared away, nothing was left between them" would have left me feeling more satisfied. It would have gotten five stars if it wasn't for that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Emotional abuse, Violence, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
chris_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Reading more sci-fi this year really seems to be working out for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Confinement, Murder, Medical content, and Xenophobia
fanboyriot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
🔥 Slow Burn
🤝 Mutual Pinning
💍 Arranged Marriage
This book was great for people wanting to read sci-fi but get overwhelmed by the thought of it. Besides few names I had to look up the pronunciation of, it was fairly easy to read. I enjoyed how well the sci-fi and romance mixed with this book, there was also a bit of mystery to the plot as well.
Kiem was honestly such a lovable idiot and worked so well with Jainan. I would have liked a little more romance but the plot was good too. The romance itself is a bit of a slow burn, the main plot, focusing much more on the political scheming, and an alleged murder that might just be a cover-up, and in general dealing with diplomatic relations.
I got this book from Etsy in a Blind Date with a Book from @theannexlibrary and was so happy with it!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1366979807/
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1366979807/
Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Release Date: 28, December 2021
POV: Duel, Third Person
Rep: LGBTQIA+ characters, Domestic Abuse (past)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Torture
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Bullying, Mental illness, Cursing, Murder, Racism, Car accident, and Confinement
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Death, Gun violence, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual content, and War
Vehicle crash. Attack by animal. Abuse only briefly explicitly depicted in flashbacks, though the aftermath is present and discussed throughout. (Attempt at) memory modification.reginacattus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Colonisation, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, War, Violence, Sexual violence, and Confinement
rjbedell's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A gripping, intimate, and profound romance plot line is weakened only slightly by incomplete world-building and repetitive language. The sci-fi component drives the plot, but takes a back seat to the two emotionally embattled and haunted leading men.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Stalking, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Torture
Minor: Murder, Medical content, and War
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A space opera with political scheming, seamless technology integration, and a slow burn strangers to lovers romance?! Sign me the hell up, because this was fantastic.
For a book with lots of tropes (arranged marriage, forced proximity, saving your romantic partner from hyperthermia by getting naked and snuggling) this did not read like a tropey book. The overarching tension of the Resolution, the political dynamic, the murder mystery, and the heartbreaking behavior Jainan displayed throughout the first two thirds of the book allowed the tropes to happen successfully without completely overtaking the rest of the plot. In fact, I could have personally done with more tropey goodness, but it ain’t that kind of book.
The world building here straddled the line between hard and soft science fiction beautifully - there was enough context to set the reader up to understand and to form a complex, obviously alien society, but not so much that it burdened the story down. I loved the breadcrumbs of the Remanants and the forbidden interrogation device, especially when the device proved to be such a character-building MacGuffin later on when Kiem goes into Jainam’s memories.
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, even though some of the misunderstandings between Jainan and Kiem were a little painful to witness as a reader. Jainan’s sense of duty and his pride balanced the fact he developed all kindsof coping mechanisms to survive his abuse. Kiem as a “no one expects anything of me, so why try proving them wrong” character was wonderfully charming and totally unaware of his own value. Bell was freaking badass, and I loved the professor pretending to be a doddering academic while secretly doing whatever it took to find answers. I would have loved a few more scenes of Jainam and Kiem learning to trust one another before the crash in the mountains, but I think that’s my wishful, tropey thinking. I don’t think those extra scenes would have actually added too too much to the story. But the scene when they were in Jainam’s memories and he was like “uh, don’t badmouth my man, it’s the only thing he does I don’t like” I LOVED IT. That whole scene was like candy.
I also loved the character concept of the Auditor, with their crazy eye screen and the moment they took it off to get real with Jainam about the consequences of not being a part of the Resolution. The integration of the media was also an interesting element that got a little close to my reality, but was done in a very believable way.
Was the ending a little saccharine? Absolutely. Do I mind an over the top happily ever after? Absolutely not.
For a book with lots of tropes (arranged marriage, forced proximity, saving your romantic partner from hyperthermia by getting naked and snuggling) this did not read like a tropey book. The overarching tension of the Resolution, the political dynamic, the murder mystery, and the heartbreaking behavior Jainan displayed throughout the first two thirds of the book allowed the tropes to happen successfully without completely overtaking the rest of the plot. In fact, I could have personally done with more tropey goodness, but it ain’t that kind of book.
The world building here straddled the line between hard and soft science fiction beautifully - there was enough context to set the reader up to understand and to form a complex, obviously alien society, but not so much that it burdened the story down. I loved the breadcrumbs of the Remanants and the forbidden interrogation device,
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, even though some of the misunderstandings between Jainan and Kiem were a little painful to witness as a reader. Jainan’s sense of duty and his pride balanced the fact he developed all kinds
I also loved the character concept of the Auditor, with their crazy eye screen and the moment they took it off to get real with Jainam about the consequences of not being a part of the Resolution. The integration of the media was also an interesting element that got a little close to my reality, but was done in a very believable way.
Was the ending a little saccharine? Absolutely. Do I mind an over the top happily ever after? Absolutely not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Murder
exhumedprince's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Blood, and Medical content
evidoe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is one book I really enjoyed but would not indiscriminately recommend. I think its a book that will really appeal to certain readers and may fall flat with others. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance with light sci-fi world building but I think fans looking for pure romance might find the romance a bit slow and may be frustrated with the closed-door nature of the intimacy in the book, while fans looking for a pure sci-fi may find the plotting of the sci-fi world a bit light. I enjoyed the mix. I think there was enough of each for me.
One of the main things that stood out for me was the aching slow burn of the romance, The plotting did rely a bit on miscommunication/misunderstanding, but I think it worked in the novel, The reasons for the misunderstanding were deeply woven into some of the core plot details and character's emotional arcs (Jainan's previous experience of an arranged marriage, and Keim's self-narrative as a disappointing royal).
I really enjoyed the world-building details around gender. Specifically how gender was indicated, not by one's physical body type but presented by what kind of jewellery they wore. non-binary genders were also an accepted and normalized part of this world. I think some of the romance choices, such as the closed-door nature of the intimacy between characters was also done as a choice to preserve this system. We are never given details about the characters that would allow us to place them neatly into our own understanding of cis-normative gender.
The murder mystery was lightly plotted, and easy to figure out, but was more of a backdrop for the character's emotional journey. There are so many aspects of this universe I would love to explore further. I hope the author goes into a little more depth for some of the planets we were introduced to in further books.
I think it helped that I am familiar with its AO3-influenced style plotting and mesh of genre, with romance being the main theme. the focus is on the characters, and there are a few popular tropes in there like the classic "only one bed" and "huddle for warmth" , so was not disappointed or bothered that the plot took us on a scenic meander rather than being tightly packed and fast-paced. Especially because I found the characters endearing. I also liked how the subject of the psychological impact of domestic violence was handled.
One of the main things that stood out for me was the aching slow burn of the romance, The plotting did rely a bit on miscommunication/misunderstanding, but I think it worked in the novel, The reasons for the misunderstanding were deeply woven into some of the core plot details and character's emotional arcs (Jainan's previous experience of an arranged marriage, and Keim's self-narrative as a disappointing royal).
I really enjoyed the world-building details around gender. Specifically how gender was indicated, not by one's physical body type but presented by what kind of jewellery they wore. non-binary genders were also an accepted and normalized part of this world. I think some of the romance choices, such as the closed-door nature of the intimacy between characters was also done as a choice to preserve this system. We are never given details about the characters that would allow us to place them neatly into our own understanding of cis-normative gender.
The murder mystery was lightly plotted, and easy to figure out, but was more of a backdrop for the character's emotional journey. There are so many aspects of this universe I would love to explore further. I hope the author goes into a little more depth for some of the planets we were introduced to in further books.
I think it helped that I am familiar with its AO3-influenced style plotting and mesh of genre, with romance being the main theme. the focus is on the characters, and there are a few popular tropes in there like the classic "only one bed" and "huddle for warmth" , so was not disappointed or bothered that the plot took us on a scenic meander rather than being tightly packed and fast-paced. Especially because I found the characters endearing. I also liked how the subject of the psychological impact of domestic violence was handled.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Colonisation, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Murder