This was a very fun read. The slow burn was sweet and worthwhile, and I’m glad it handled partner abuse the way that it did. I thought the world was very interesting, and open enough to leave room for more books.

I was expecting a fun romantic space opera and while I absolutely GOT a fun romantic space opera I also got complex interstellar politics and cool new technology and important conversations surrounding trauma and abuse. I got STRESS and STAKES! I got HEART-MELTING CHARM! So, basically everything I could want in a thrilling new piece of science-fiction.

The story follows a prince of the Iskat Empire, Kiem, who has recently been thrown into an arranged marriage with his cousin's recent widower, Jainan, in order to preserve the complex treaty between their planets. The story switches between Kiem and Jainan as they navigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding Jainan's former husband's death, the growing political tensions between their planets, and their unexpected relationship.

While this story leans a bit on established tropes, it generally stood on its own as a unique piece of science fiction. I really loved Maxwell's take on gender here especially. In this society, gender is indicated not by physical traits but by chosen external indicators (things like stone or glass worn as jewelry) that you choose to adorn yourself with to display--or not display--your identity. This story is also fine example of how it is possible to create a fictional world where homophobia does not exist and queer characters can have struggles distinct from their identities. Our characters deal with a lot of heavy issues--I will note a trigger warning for domestic abuse in particular, also noted below--but none of their struggles have to do with their gender identity or whom they love. It is refreshing amid the tendency of some science fiction and fantasy to heavily enforce these norms even when their manufactured universes otherwise break established convention.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. The politics were compelling, the science was interesting, and the romacne was sweet. It was cool to learn that this novel was originally published as an original work on AO3--it definitely has some trope-y aspects to it but it defied a lot of my expectations and it speaks to the amazing talent of writers online.

tw: domestic abuse

Review will be posted on bookofthegay.com on January 19th, 2021
Review will be posted on Instagram around the same date with review edited to include link at that time
Review has been posted to goodreads
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Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell is a m/m romance with a queernorm sci-fi world. As soon as I saw gay political marriage, I knew I had to request an arc. Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for granting my e-arc request, Winter’s Orbit was a joy to read! Winter’s Orbit is available February 2nd, 2021.

The Iskat Empire rules a seven planet space system through treaties upheld by political marriages. But things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. Some of the planets, including Thea, are beginning to rebel, and the timing couldn’t be worse. The overarching galactic empire has sent an Auditor to verify Iskat’s treaties.

Prince Kiem is the least favourite of the Iskat Emperor’s grandchildren and a constant disappointment. He finds out about his political marriage the day before the ceremony. While the ceremony goes mostly to plan, Kiem worries about his new husband, the quiet and grieving Count Jainan of Thea. It has only been a month since Jainan’s last partner, Prince Taam, died in an accident. Kiem doesn’t want to push his own feelings onto the grieving widower, but their marriage must appear strong to keep the hostilities between the two planets under control.

Winter’s Orbit introduces engaging characters and a fast moving plot that kept me turning pages. Kiem and Jainan’s relationship is at the forefront of the story. There is definitely enough plot between the treaty, possible murder, and military conspiracy to land the book solidly in the sci-fi category. But, the plot really drives the changes in their relationship. The details of their feelings is prominent throughout the book.

I honestly think that the tagline comping Red, White & Royal Blue does a disservice to Winter’s Orbit. Here, the themes are more mature, the characters more developed, and the relationship is complex and ultimately rewarding. To be fair, I love angst and pining, and Winter’s Orbit delivers a great deal of that. Sometimes I just wanted to scream at Kiem and Jainan to talk to each other. But, each time they tried it often just made things more complicated in a way that never felt over done. It made sense for the characters and their histories.

Kiem and Jainan both go through strong character arcs. Kiem is a somewhat reformed fuck-up who stills sees himself in a negative light. He might be charming, but he doesn’t see his own worth. Jainan suffers from anxiety relating to his past trauma. He defers to Kiem regardless of his own wishes and never gives himself freedom. Both characters complement each other and develop and grow through their interactions with each other over the course of the story.

While some areas of the book felt a little stilted - there were parts where I wondered if I had missed a segue between different actions of scenes - it was overall a really enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it!

This book was exactly what I needed while feeling down during the pandemic. With a sweet, heartwarming romance with a setup that's straight out of fanfic (and I mean that in the best way), Winter's Orbit is simultaneously light and cute and yet has lots of serious elements to its plot. I expected something breezy and fanfic-like and what I got was that and more - realistic portrayals of PTSD, interesting worldbuilding that touches on how cultures react to one another, and lots of details and side characters that I hope are further fleshed out in future books. Highly recommended for fans of sci fi and romance., or fans of one who are willing to explore the other.

I went into this hoping for a lighthearted space romance & I absolutely got that with a bit more tossed in for good measure.

-Kiem is a Royal Prince of Iskat and an embarrassment to the Emperor
-Count Jainan is a representative from Thean, one of Iskat vassal planets

The Iskat Empire controls 7 planets in loose federated empire upheld through treaty arrangements that are solidified through marriage via an Iskat prince. Jainan's first husband Taam (also Iskat Prince) has died suddenly leaving a vacancy that would help solidify Thean/Iskat relations right as the treaty is being renegotiated. Kiem is informed that he will be married off to Jainan within 24 hours, no questions asked. What could possibly go wrong?

At Jainan & Kiem navigate a very tumultuous start to their marriage, it becomes clear that Jainan's recently deceased husband's death may not have been an accident at all. As the two investigate & begin to pull threads, a complex mystery unravels that is not fully revealed until the end.

I absolutely love 'thrown together' romances & while this one was not typical in so many ways, it was delightful to read. I think this book is a bit genre defying; it pulls romance and sci-fi into its' orbit in a way that I think would be pleasing to fans of both genres because you get both elements measured throughout. Is it a romance set in space or a science fiction with romance? It's both!

Character development was tops for me in this one. Kiem's jovial, puppy eyed personality just begs for you to love him. Jainan's character unfolds in a much more complex manner due to a very complicated past which was unsettling at times to read. There were a few parts that got a little confusing as the plot developed, but I felt very satisfied with the ending.

4/5 stars for me & would totally recommend to someone (perhaps like me) that needs something a little more lighthearted in their sci-fi