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annmaries's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
An interesting premise that was a little clumsily executed, mostly toward the end, but still a fun and diverting read.
An interesting premise that was a little clumsily executed, mostly toward the end, but still a fun and diverting read.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
After a slow start, Winterwood was a decent read. I liked the elements of English folklore and the descriptions of the cities and towns. I was perhaps less interested in the details of sailing and ship life. I figured out the main mystery on my own, but its unfolding was well done and there were some very good suspenseful moments. I may or may not read the next in the series.
ruthiemacgregor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/09/14/winterwood-by-jacey-bedford/
Winterwood by Jacey Bedford is the first book in the Rowankind series. It features a strong female protagonist, angry fae, and pirates, which are an excellent combination.
Although it’s the first book in the Rowankind series, Winterwood is self-contained and forms a complete story arc. Book 2, Silverwolf, is scheduled for release in January.
Rossalinde (or Ross) Tremayne is a privateer captain. Her husband was Captain Redbeard, and when he died, she started cross-dressing and took up his role on the high seas. She’s having a hard time letting go though, as evidenced by the fact that she’s constantly followed by his ghost.
One day Ross gets called to her mother’s deathbed, and she’s given a winterwood box. The box is magical, and is the key to righting a sin committed by her family several generations ago. It’s also the key to understanding the Rowankind, a race enslaved by the aristocracy on the British Isles. Ross initially tries to run away from the task, in part because she’s got some serious Mommy issues. You see, in this alternate version of history, magic exists but is highly regulated by the Crown. And when Ross discovered that she had magic, her mother became cold and hostile, pushing her away. Ross still hasn’t forgiven her, and has built her own happy life on the high seas.
Then Ross discovers that she has a half brother, her other brother is still alive, and there’s some seriously weird shit going on in her family tree. Oh, and she’s also being followed and hunted by members of a Secret Service type of organization, who are hell-bent to kill her and retrieve the Winterwood box. And this is where the book gets political and philosophical, because the Winterwood box holds the secret as to why the Rowankind are enslaved, and using the box will change the face of England. It’s both the right thing to do, and equally terrifying to Ross, because she has no idea how the Rowankind will react and is afraid of triggering a bloodbath.
Winterwood also has a romantic aspect. In her journey, Ross meets Corwin, a mysterious silver-haired gentleman who awakens long-buried feelings. And in order to pursue a relationship with Corwin, Ross needs to learn how to let go of her husband’s ghost and move on, which is easier said than done.
Winterwood was an excellent vacation read. It’s not a particularly serious book, and has a lot of fun fantasy elements, including magic, ghosts, werewolves, hellish creatures, and of course the fae.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/09/14/winterwood-by-jacey-bedford/
Winterwood by Jacey Bedford is the first book in the Rowankind series. It features a strong female protagonist, angry fae, and pirates, which are an excellent combination.
Although it’s the first book in the Rowankind series, Winterwood is self-contained and forms a complete story arc. Book 2, Silverwolf, is scheduled for release in January.
Rossalinde (or Ross) Tremayne is a privateer captain. Her husband was Captain Redbeard, and when he died, she started cross-dressing and took up his role on the high seas. She’s having a hard time letting go though, as evidenced by the fact that she’s constantly followed by his ghost.
One day Ross gets called to her mother’s deathbed, and she’s given a winterwood box. The box is magical, and is the key to righting a sin committed by her family several generations ago. It’s also the key to understanding the Rowankind, a race enslaved by the aristocracy on the British Isles. Ross initially tries to run away from the task, in part because she’s got some serious Mommy issues. You see, in this alternate version of history, magic exists but is highly regulated by the Crown. And when Ross discovered that she had magic, her mother became cold and hostile, pushing her away. Ross still hasn’t forgiven her, and has built her own happy life on the high seas.
Then Ross discovers that she has a half brother, her other brother is still alive, and there’s some seriously weird shit going on in her family tree. Oh, and she’s also being followed and hunted by members of a Secret Service type of organization, who are hell-bent to kill her and retrieve the Winterwood box. And this is where the book gets political and philosophical, because the Winterwood box holds the secret as to why the Rowankind are enslaved, and using the box will change the face of England. It’s both the right thing to do, and equally terrifying to Ross, because she has no idea how the Rowankind will react and is afraid of triggering a bloodbath.
Winterwood also has a romantic aspect. In her journey, Ross meets Corwin, a mysterious silver-haired gentleman who awakens long-buried feelings. And in order to pursue a relationship with Corwin, Ross needs to learn how to let go of her husband’s ghost and move on, which is easier said than done.
Winterwood was an excellent vacation read. It’s not a particularly serious book, and has a lot of fun fantasy elements, including magic, ghosts, werewolves, hellish creatures, and of course the fae.
mlottermoser's review against another edition
2.0
Ross, a woman masquerading as a male privateer is called to her mothers deathbed. She soon learns her family had more than one secret. She must use her wit, magic, and family to help her set things right.
I enjoyed the magical elements and the moral dilemma at the end, but found the book a little too sexual for my taste.
I enjoyed the magical elements and the moral dilemma at the end, but found the book a little too sexual for my taste.
comicgirl's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. Lot of story, for a first book in a series; probably could have been split into two books. Well written.
melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting fantasy romance, which also managed to be an alternate history novel. As the heroine was a cross-dressing pirate, it's no surprise I jumped on this book as fast as I could. And I was rewarded for that, too. I got action, adventure, magic, mythology, and a pretty good romance. I'm kind of wondering what book 2 will bring, as things wrapped up pretty well in here.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - 4 stars
I thought the world building was very interesting, and I loved the strong protagonist. The pacing was all over the place, though, making it hard for me to stay completely engaged in the story. When the action did kick into gear, the story telling soared. Waiting for these bursts of awesome got a little frustrating.
I thought the world building was very interesting, and I loved the strong protagonist. The pacing was all over the place, though, making it hard for me to stay completely engaged in the story. When the action did kick into gear, the story telling soared. Waiting for these bursts of awesome got a little frustrating.
nelsonseye's review
3.0
After a slow start, Winterwood was a decent read. I liked the elements of English folklore and the descriptions of the cities and towns. I was perhaps less interested in the details of sailing and ship life. I figured out the main mystery on my own, but its unfolding was well done and there were some very good suspenseful moments. I may or may not read the next in the series.