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kp_writ's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Winter's Orbit was gearing up to be a 5 star read until the 3/4 mark, but then what was clearly intended as the tense climax where all the plot threads and intrigue came together kinda fell apart for me. The last quarter of this hefty novel was a bit of a drag (that's roughly 120 pages of slogging through) and I think that's because up to this point there was too much intrigue and world building for me to keep up with, and I was skating along with the enjoyment of watching the romance develop. Ended up a 4.25 because I have a feeling a reread would provide a much more satisfying experience, but I really can't get past how difficult it was for me to get through that last quarter.
Overall the story was interesting (if complicated), and the author does a decent job introducing the world through a protag who clearly hasn't paid enough to politics as he should've been (read a bit like the first play through of an RPG when a character born and raised in the universe definitely shouldn't be gathering codex entries to understand the world around them). There is interesting world building around presenting gender, but even though the same point on accessory choices is hammered into the first hundred or so pages, not much was truly done with it. Still nice to have nonbinary characters, though.
One bit of politics I did want to point out was that this book does fall under the trope of "white sci fi doesn't wish to dismantle [dangerous] institutions but reform them," especially with the ending around the Internal Security and its leadership (cops, it's just space cops) and the ending around political structures like the Empire. Not something I'd necessarily mark against the book, but definitely something to consider in analysis.
Overall the story was interesting (if complicated), and the author does a decent job introducing the world through a protag who clearly hasn't paid enough to politics as he should've been (read a bit like the first play through of an RPG when a character born and raised in the universe definitely shouldn't be gathering codex entries to understand the world around them). There is interesting world building around presenting gender, but even though the same point on accessory choices is hammered into the first hundred or so pages, not much was truly done with it. Still nice to have nonbinary characters, though.
One bit of politics I did want to point out was that this book does fall under the trope of "white sci fi doesn't wish to dismantle [dangerous] institutions but reform them," especially with the ending around the Internal Security and its leadership (cops, it's just space cops) and the ending around political structures like the Empire. Not something I'd necessarily mark against the book, but definitely something to consider in analysis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Grief, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
katsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
"Nobody could want more than who you are.”
I really enjoyed this sci-fi. I'm definitely sci-fi "lite" reader. Huge, complex worlds are incredibly daunting to me. This book was slightly intimidating because of the genre alone but felt approachable because it seems to be a stand alone. There's also an element of romance which I know I like. I'd definitely recommend this to people who, like me, are sci-fi beginners. It took me a little bit to understand the world but once I did, the plot moved at a nice pace. I absolutely adored our two main characters, Kiem and Jainan. They were exasperating in the most lovable, muffin-like way. This book balanced political intrigue, mystery and romance quite well. One of my only major critiques is that the resolution seemed a bit more drawn out than it needed to be. The writing could be overly descriptive at times. Ultimately, this book was really great, even more fantastic when you consider that this is the author's debut novel. I'll definitely be looking out more from them in the future.
I really enjoyed this sci-fi. I'm definitely sci-fi "lite" reader. Huge, complex worlds are incredibly daunting to me. This book was slightly intimidating because of the genre alone but felt approachable because it seems to be a stand alone. There's also an element of romance which I know I like. I'd definitely recommend this to people who, like me, are sci-fi beginners. It took me a little bit to understand the world but once I did, the plot moved at a nice pace. I absolutely adored our two main characters, Kiem and Jainan. They were exasperating in the most lovable, muffin-like way. This book balanced political intrigue, mystery and romance quite well. One of my only major critiques is that the resolution seemed a bit more drawn out than it needed to be. The writing could be overly descriptive at times. Ultimately, this book was really great, even more fantastic when you consider that this is the author's debut novel. I'll definitely be looking out more from them in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
axelstudies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Sexual harassment, and Medical content
redbookpanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
A new fave. Can't wait to reread it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Kidnapping and Death
irlchaosdemon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
bi_n_large's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
lovely_lisa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
First of all I liked the book quite a lot but there were some parts that I didn't like that much.
I still think the idea was really good and both Jainan and Kiem were so sweet. I liked the slow Burn romance and that it wasn't too present in the book. I just wished them telling each other that they like each other (at least sort of) would have been a bit later.
In the middle of the book there was a big down for me. And I could read further. And for one second I thought I gonna dnf this book because I was so unmotivated. Well I'm glad that it was only for a second because it got better again.
Also the first time we meet one of the "bad" people I knew the person will be the bad person. That was kind of sad but maybe that was just me being a hobby writer and me thinking about the possibility ways to continue the story. (Just me? Okay 🤣)
I really liked the writing style and I think I would read an other book by the author should the author publish an other book.
I still think the idea was really good and both Jainan and Kiem were so sweet. I liked the slow Burn romance and that it wasn't too present in the book. I just wished them telling each other that they like each other (at least sort of) would have been a bit later.
In the middle of the book there was a big down for me. And I could read further. And for one second I thought I gonna dnf this book because I was so unmotivated. Well I'm glad that it was only for a second because it got better again.
Also the first time we meet one of the "bad" people I knew the person will be the bad person. That was kind of sad but maybe that was just me being a hobby writer and me thinking about the possibility ways to continue the story. (Just me? Okay 🤣)
I really liked the writing style and I think I would read an other book by the author should the author publish an other book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Mezza botta, non è che fosse chissà che storia. I guess this didn't live up the hype for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
I absolutely loved this book! As soon as I started reading, I was invested in the characters and the plot. I love a good arranged-marriage story, and this couple absolutely killed it! I loved watching their relationship grow as they dealt with inter-galactic political intrigue and secret plots! So good.
I also loved the side characters and the fact that this world was so queer-normative! Very good-exactly what I want in my sci-fi!
The plot really had me going and I kept rushing to find out what would happen next!
This book has a LOT of mutual-pining, so if that's not your thing it might get a little bit frustrating.
Loved this book!
I also loved the side characters and the fact that this world was so queer-normative! Very good-exactly what I want in my sci-fi!
The plot really had me going and I kept rushing to find out what would happen next!
This book has a LOT of mutual-pining, so if that's not your thing it might get a little bit frustrating.
Loved this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Violence
plantbasedbride's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
Evelina Maxwell's Winter's Orbit absolutely blew me away with its intricate world-building, complex political structure, layered characters, and twists and turns. I adore Sci-Fi as a genre, and this story slots right in with some of my all-time favourites!
Winter's Orbit begins with the revelation that our protagonist, Prince Kiem, has been promised to widower Jainan in an arranged political marriage to maintain relations between worlds in the grand Iskat Empire. Kiem, an unlikely choice for a diplomatic position due to his frivolous lifestyle, struggles to come to terms with the drastic shift in his circumstances and to connect with his closed-off new husband. But when it becomes clear that Jainan's late partner, Prince Taam, was the victim of a murder of which Jainan himself is suspected, Kiem and Jainan must find a way to trust each other and to protect the security of their respective worlds and the entire Iskat Empire.
I loved the inclusion of various gender identities in this novel and the clever ways gender was identified between cultures. The gender inclusivity of this story, as well as the central relationship between two men, created a solid foundation of much-needed LGBTQIA+ representation in the Sci-Fi genre.
Maxwell put a lot of thought into how the various worlds in the Empire function and relate to each other, and that detail added so much nuance to this story. Traditional dress was referenced throughout and painted a vivid picture of this vast and culturally diverse empire of planets.
While there was much to love about this story, not the least of which being the auditor's disquieting presence as he holds the empire's future in his fist and an intriguing murder mystery, my favourite element, without a doubt, was the slow-burn romance between Kiem and Jainan. Jainan, a reserved man and abuse survivor, is slow to trust, and Kiem, a former playboy, struggles to find the sensitivity and vulnerability required to build a bridge. The gradual development of a deep connection between them was an absolute joy to read and left my heart so full.
I cannot recommend Winter's Orbit enough to my fellow lovers of the Sci-Fi genre. I can't wait to read what Evelina Maxwell writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley for proving an eARC for review. All opinions are my own!
Winter's Orbit begins with the revelation that our protagonist, Prince Kiem, has been promised to widower Jainan in an arranged political marriage to maintain relations between worlds in the grand Iskat Empire. Kiem, an unlikely choice for a diplomatic position due to his frivolous lifestyle, struggles to come to terms with the drastic shift in his circumstances and to connect with his closed-off new husband. But when it becomes clear that Jainan's late partner, Prince Taam, was the victim of a murder of which Jainan himself is suspected, Kiem and Jainan must find a way to trust each other and to protect the security of their respective worlds and the entire Iskat Empire.
I loved the inclusion of various gender identities in this novel and the clever ways gender was identified between cultures. The gender inclusivity of this story, as well as the central relationship between two men, created a solid foundation of much-needed LGBTQIA+ representation in the Sci-Fi genre.
Maxwell put a lot of thought into how the various worlds in the Empire function and relate to each other, and that detail added so much nuance to this story. Traditional dress was referenced throughout and painted a vivid picture of this vast and culturally diverse empire of planets.
While there was much to love about this story, not the least of which being the auditor's disquieting presence as he holds the empire's future in his fist and an intriguing murder mystery, my favourite element, without a doubt, was the slow-burn romance between Kiem and Jainan. Jainan, a reserved man and abuse survivor, is slow to trust, and Kiem, a former playboy, struggles to find the sensitivity and vulnerability required to build a bridge. The gradual development of a deep connection between them was an absolute joy to read and left my heart so full.
I cannot recommend Winter's Orbit enough to my fellow lovers of the Sci-Fi genre. I can't wait to read what Evelina Maxwell writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley for proving an eARC for review. All opinions are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death and Torture