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kukushka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
imrereads's review against another edition
4.5
I loved this book! I've honestly mostly just read character-driven scifi, and thought that I wasn't interested in more plot-driven stuff, but apparently I've been missing out!
This is essentially a queer space opera. It has quite a heavy political theme, but I felt the balance between that aspect and the interpersonal aspect was done wonderfully.
I love the arranged marriage trope when done right. I'm often sceptical of it in a queer setting, but in this universe it makes perfect sense. I love the diversity in terms of gender and sexuality.
If I have any complaints, it would be that I wish some of thr more tense scenes laster a bit longer. There are also a few time jumps where we skip a week or so, and I wish I had gotten more of the quiet moments in between the drama. There certainly were scenes like that, but I would have loved more.
Overall I thought it was a wonderful book, and I'm sold on the genre. I need more queers in space!!
This is essentially a queer space opera. It has quite a heavy political theme, but I felt the balance between that aspect and the interpersonal aspect was done wonderfully.
I love the arranged marriage trope when done right. I'm often sceptical of it in a queer setting, but in this universe it makes perfect sense. I love the diversity in terms of gender and sexuality.
If I have any complaints, it would be that I wish some of thr more tense scenes laster a bit longer. There are also a few time jumps where we skip a week or so, and I wish I had gotten more of the quiet moments in between the drama. There certainly were scenes like that, but I would have loved more.
Overall I thought it was a wonderful book, and I'm sold on the genre. I need more queers in space!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, and Blood
alyxinthestars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Death
kelseyland'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
I was a bit thrown off by the marketing of this book tbh--I went into it expecting it to be a lot lighter and fluffier than it was but it's a lot heavier on the sci-fi elements than anticipated so that was a pleasant surprise. The issue of a past abusive relationship is a huge source of trauma for one of the main characters which made it a bit of a heavier read for me, but still a good and interesting one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Death
abbysneddon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death
elk_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
dragontomes2000's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.0
3.5
Winter's Orbit is going to be a tricky one for me to review. While I enjoyed my reading experience, I am still left feeling a little unsatisfied in the end. For being a debut, I will say that Winter's Orbit is very promising and I see great potential in Everina Maxwell. I found myself completely immersed in the story and plot, but felt a need for more from the world.
Winter's Orbit takes place in a galaxy that is not our own. It is ruled by an Emperor and she reigns over it all. The most compelling part of the world is that sexuality is very fluid. Actually everything is pretty fluid from sexuality, to royal titles, etc. I enjoyed that very much, while also wanting to dive more into the history of this world. That is where this book falls flat for me. While the plot is very politically and character driven, the political aspect kind of gets bogged down because you never get the sense that you totally understand how the world works. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of promise and potential in the world and I do believe if we were given more time in the sandbox then this could have been a stellar debut.
Now the characters are what sold this story for me. Kiem and Jainan are two very compelling characters who couldn't be more opposites. It is for that same reason though that their dynamic works. This book does start off with the two of them being forced into an arranged marriage. The journey these two go on though is just everything I could have wanted. At the heart it is about these two learning and growing. I would say it is a slow burn romance, kind of, sort of, but it does lean instalove also. I should also mention that this is a M/M romance.
All in all, I think Everina Maxwell's debut is very well done, however I did see room for potential. I will still recommend this book though because it is just an easy, light-hearted read.
Winter's Orbit is going to be a tricky one for me to review. While I enjoyed my reading experience, I am still left feeling a little unsatisfied in the end. For being a debut, I will say that Winter's Orbit is very promising and I see great potential in Everina Maxwell. I found myself completely immersed in the story and plot, but felt a need for more from the world.
Winter's Orbit takes place in a galaxy that is not our own. It is ruled by an Emperor and she reigns over it all. The most compelling part of the world is that sexuality is very fluid. Actually everything is pretty fluid from sexuality, to royal titles, etc. I enjoyed that very much, while also wanting to dive more into the history of this world. That is where this book falls flat for me. While the plot is very politically and character driven, the political aspect kind of gets bogged down because you never get the sense that you totally understand how the world works. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of promise and potential in the world and I do believe if we were given more time in the sandbox then this could have been a stellar debut.
Now the characters are what sold this story for me. Kiem and Jainan are two very compelling characters who couldn't be more opposites. It is for that same reason though that their dynamic works. This book does start off with the two of them being forced into an arranged marriage. The journey these two go on though is just everything I could have wanted. At the heart it is about these two learning and growing. I would say it is a slow burn romance, kind of, sort of, but it does lean instalove also. I should also mention that this is a M/M romance.
All in all, I think Everina Maxwell's debut is very well done, however I did see room for potential. I will still recommend this book though because it is just an easy, light-hearted read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Death, and Murder
azrah786's review against another edition
4.5
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was gifted an ARC by Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: domestic and physical abuse, toxic relationship, violence, death, vehicle crash, psychological/mental torture
In a galactic empire where political partnerships and treaties keep the peace, the renewal of the agreement with The Resolution – the mediator between all ruling powers – is fast approaching. All vassal planets of the Iskat, Empire must be represented.
So when an Imperial Prince is killed in an accident, the Emperor appoints Prince Kiem, her much more wayward, socialite grandson to be thrown into a hasty arranged marriage with his widower - Count Jainan, the diplomat of the planet of Thea - in order to uphold the alliance. But it soon comes to light that the accident may not have been an accident after all… And so Kiem and Jainan must quickly learn to work together and trust one another in order to both keep the peace between their nations and get to the bottom of a potential conspiracy.
I enjoyed this book so much!! It is a light and easy read that predominantly follows the relationship between Kiem and Jainan - miscommunication and yearning at its finest. Though the political intrigue and uncovering mystery are so intricately woven into the narrative that I couldn’t help but get drawn in to that side of the plot too. It really keeps you on your toes until the very end.
Maxwell has crafted some beautifully nuanced characters. Take one playboy prince with a heart of gold and one introverted academic who just wants to follow the rules, both convinced the other can’t stand them and what do you get? The softest space slow-burn romance ever!
I fell in love with these two idiots as I soon as they were introduced and I guarantee both their relationship and their individual personalities will tug on your heartstrings too!
The world building wasn’t overly complicated and definitely gave the feel of cosmic setting. However, I can’t help but wish that it could have been a little more extensive. The cultures and customs of the individual civilisations that were introduced, from Iskat’s gender-neutral society to the Thean clan practices, were really intriguing and it would have been great if we had gotten to further discover some of the other colonies and corners of the Empire.
But I guess there is only so much detail you can go into in a standalone. If Maxwell were ever to return for more adventures in this universe, I’d definitely be down!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
**I was gifted an ARC by Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: domestic and physical abuse, toxic relationship, violence, death, vehicle crash, psychological/mental torture
In a galactic empire where political partnerships and treaties keep the peace, the renewal of the agreement with The Resolution – the mediator between all ruling powers – is fast approaching. All vassal planets of the Iskat, Empire must be represented.
So when an Imperial Prince is killed in an accident, the Emperor appoints Prince Kiem, her much more wayward, socialite grandson to be thrown into a hasty arranged marriage with his widower - Count Jainan, the diplomat of the planet of Thea - in order to uphold the alliance. But it soon comes to light that the accident may not have been an accident after all… And so Kiem and Jainan must quickly learn to work together and trust one another in order to both keep the peace between their nations and get to the bottom of a potential conspiracy.
I enjoyed this book so much!! It is a light and easy read that predominantly follows the relationship between Kiem and Jainan - miscommunication and yearning at its finest. Though the political intrigue and uncovering mystery are so intricately woven into the narrative that I couldn’t help but get drawn in to that side of the plot too. It really keeps you on your toes until the very end.
Maxwell has crafted some beautifully nuanced characters. Take one playboy prince with a heart of gold and one introverted academic who just wants to follow the rules, both convinced the other can’t stand them and what do you get? The softest space slow-burn romance ever!
I fell in love with these two idiots as I soon as they were introduced and I guarantee both their relationship and their individual personalities will tug on your heartstrings too!
The world building wasn’t overly complicated and definitely gave the feel of cosmic setting. However, I can’t help but wish that it could have been a little more extensive. The cultures and customs of the individual civilisations that were introduced, from Iskat’s gender-neutral society to the Thean clan practices, were really intriguing and it would have been great if we had gotten to further discover some of the other colonies and corners of the Empire.
But I guess there is only so much detail you can go into in a standalone. If Maxwell were ever to return for more adventures in this universe, I’d definitely be down!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Car accident, and Torture
difelicj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was just so good. I really loved the characters and the world was really cool. I liked the world building and how this centered around a treaty with multiple planets and cultures.
The character depth was done really well and I really grew to love them.
The plot was really intriguing and kept my rapt attention the whole time.
The character depth was done really well and I really grew to love them.
The plot was really intriguing and kept my rapt attention the whole time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
hound_of_heaven's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Caveat: I’m predisposed to like Winter’s Orbit because I read it in proto-form as Course of Honor (on ao3) several years ago.
That being said - the bones of this story were there and now they’re been fleshed out into a much larger predatory (also possibly venomous) bird of a book.
DO you like arranged marriages? Do you like political intrigue? Do you like romantic pairings between smart people and people who claim to have only one brain cell? Do you like stories where the vastness of space spins on a single tiny human relationship? Read this book.
That being said - the bones of this story were there and now they’re been fleshed out into a much larger predatory (also possibly venomous) bird of a book.
DO you like arranged marriages? Do you like political intrigue? Do you like romantic pairings between smart people and people who claim to have only one brain cell? Do you like stories where the vastness of space spins on a single tiny human relationship? Read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death
Abuse (physical and emotional) is suffered by a POV character prior to the beginning of the book and shapes their behavior. It is discussed non-graphically several times.