A review by biblioseph
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

The blurb said its Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue which is accurate. It's got that intergalactic political intrigue with a dash of WHOA THOSE ARE ALIENS and hurt/comfort. Mostly comfort even when the characters don't know what they're doing. Sex scenes are closed door/fade to black. I really liked how specific body details weren't talked about, gender was 100% cultural symbols or being referred to as a gendered relationship ("sister" for instance, since the noble titles were all masculine: "prince" and "emperor").

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content

The abuse happens before the beginning of the book, however

there is a literal trip into memory and a video (described) where abuse happens

that readers should be aware of. It is important to note that the abuse is not

between the main couple in the romance plot!