pawtory 's review for:

A Midwinter Prince by Harper Fox

4.75

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

I thought this was a beautiful sort of modern fairy tale,  with a hint of mysticism and a dark side.  Harper Fox always writes enrapturing prose and I'm glad this story and its twists kept up since I've been disappointed before w/ other books. The quarter star was taken off for questionable use of the word g*psy, despite acknowledging it as a the wrong word to describe Romani.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Death of parent

Minor: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Trafficking

Be aware of some things: Sasha is Romani and the word g*psy is used occasionally, although it is acknowledged this is not the right word. Sasha engages in some sex work at the beginning of the story as well as mentioning it. He doesn't imply it is nonconsensual but he seems resigned to it.

In addition tov being abusive, it is implied Laurie's father is a pedophile, though he hasn't/ doesn't act on it in the book. The abuse he committed is verbal and physical abuse against Laurie.

Towards the end of the book,

a thug is ready to commit rape and Sasha kills him. It is semi-graphic.