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A review by dragontomes2000
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
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