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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: death, cursing, Domestic Abuse (physical; emotional; minimizing, denying, and blaming; isolation, intimidation, using privelege), violence
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell is a standalone space opera taking place in a queer normative universe. This book was excellent! It had everything I love to see in my scifi: mystery, science, great characters, slow burn romance, and a profound statement on a serious topic.
We follow Prince Kiem of the planet Iskat as he is just learning he is to wed the Thean representative, Count Jainan, since his husband (who happens to be Kiem's cousin) has died. Neither are excited about this political marriage, but both try to make it work, despite how painfully awkward they are around each other. They grapple with figuring each other out as well as fighting against the accusations that Jainan was the one who killed his late husband.
Kiem and Jainan's relationship, though rocky at first, is so sweet! Kiem is your extroverted, overly talkative friend, who just pours kindness. Jainan is more reserved, almost timid, but calculating and focused. As much as I love Kiem, I just want to wrap sweet baby Jainan up in a blanket and take care of him! I loved all the characters in this! They were all so strong, even though they didn't have huge parts. Especially, Bel, I could have used more of her. I also loved how the Iskaners have a system of identifying gender based on what material you use to ornament yourself: wood for men, flint for women, and glass or nothing for nonbinary people. It was great to see casual nonbinary rep on the page. Kiem is also bi or pan.
This was a great, slow burn romance, but it was also a story about healing from abuse. Maxwell did a great job of depicting domestic abuse in all the subtle ways abusers do. It was beautiful and heartbreaking to see it all come together in the end.
If you or a loved one is being abused by a partner, please reach out to one of these resources:
US National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org or call 800-799-7243
Maine State Domestic Violence Helpline: 866-834-4357
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell is a standalone space opera taking place in a queer normative universe. This book was excellent! It had everything I love to see in my scifi: mystery, science, great characters, slow burn romance, and a profound statement on a serious topic.
We follow Prince Kiem of the planet Iskat as he is just learning he is to wed the Thean representative, Count Jainan, since his husband (who happens to be Kiem's cousin) has died. Neither are excited about this political marriage, but both try to make it work, despite how painfully awkward they are around each other. They grapple with figuring each other out as well as fighting against the accusations that Jainan was the one who killed his late husband.
Kiem and Jainan's relationship, though rocky at first, is so sweet! Kiem is your extroverted, overly talkative friend, who just pours kindness. Jainan is more reserved, almost timid, but calculating and focused. As much as I love Kiem, I just want to wrap sweet baby Jainan up in a blanket and take care of him! I loved all the characters in this! They were all so strong, even though they didn't have huge parts. Especially, Bel, I could have used more of her. I also loved how the Iskaners have a system of identifying gender based on what material you use to ornament yourself: wood for men, flint for women, and glass or nothing for nonbinary people. It was great to see casual nonbinary rep on the page. Kiem is also bi or pan.
This was a great, slow burn romance, but it was also a story about healing from abuse. Maxwell did a great job of depicting domestic abuse in all the subtle ways abusers do. It was beautiful and heartbreaking to see it all come together in the end.
If you or a loved one is being abused by a partner, please reach out to one of these resources:
US National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org or call 800-799-7243
Maine State Domestic Violence Helpline: 866-834-4357
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death