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A review by plantbasedbride
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
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