THAT’S HOW IT ENDS? The ending is sweet enough and we could’ve definitely had more of those moments. KIEM. JAINAN. I love these two even if I was very confused for a good portion of this book.

Trigger warnings include domestic abuse (from a relationship that takes place before the book starts but is heavily alluded to and experienced in detail later in the book), blackmail, vehicular crash, brainwashing/attempted brainwashing, kidnapping, and violence.

On the surface, this book has an awesome premise. Space gays!! An arranged marriage! This was once an Ao3 original story that got published! However, this was a LOT darker than it’s been marketed and I would definitely had been taken by surprise if I didn’t see comments about this book beforehand.

We first meet Kiem, a prince of Iskat in his mid-twenties. His grandmother, referred to only as the Emperor, has decided he’s going to get married. His betrothed is Count Jainan of Thea, a man who was previously married to one of Kiem’s cousins only a month ago before said cousin died.

Kiem is super social amd charming. He’s a reformed bad boy who does charity events and gets along seemingly with everyone. He’s immediately intimated by his new fiancé because Jainan is (very slightly) older but also very intelligent. On paper, they have nothing in common, but they wind up fitting together perfectly.

What’s interesting to note is that both characters are POC? Kiem is described as having deep brown skin and Jainan as having brown skin a shade lighter than Kiem’s. Did not know that going into this book, and I actually like that we have two POC leads for once! Both the US and UK covers are ambiguous about this and I don’t like that they did the covers in a way that would to hide it.

Kiem is bi (or maybe pan) and even though they don’t have the words for that in this world, I liked that this book effortlessly lets the reader know this from the start. There are also nonbinary characters in the story, where one character plays a notable role.

And so we get to the confusing bit. The plot.

I highly recommend paying attention to the first chapter where you’re getting a bit of an info dump? What I think I got from it is that Iskat is a big planet who has smaller vassal planets (one being Thea) and there’s something called a Resolution that’s like a contract everyone agrees to about how these planets decide to govern themselves and work together. They sign this agreement, a treaty if you will, every 20 years and signing day is known as Unification Day? And then there’s the Auditor who oversees the treaty and makes sure everything is in order. Without the signed treaty by the deadline, everything is thrown into chaos (for whatever reason) and sets all their planets being at war from those outside their planetary “link”. There’s also something to do with “remnants” that’s super important, but please don’t ask me what any of that means or what it has to do with anything because I have nothing.

That’s the politics piece of it. I don’t actually understand any of it? I was reading all this Resolution stuff with a “no thoughts, just vibes” mentality to be honest. It’s not like I don’t read books with complex story points, but this book was very weird on this front. It has the appearance of complex worldbuilding and political intrigue, but without actually going in-depth enough to make it easy to understand what’s going on or enough to show me how anything works. It’s very strange.

There’s also a whole colonizer aspect of things where Iskat has literally taken over all these vassal planets and forced them to bend to Islat’s rule? That’s hinted at but it made me wonder if we’re supposed to even like Iskat enough to care about the treaty, and by extension, Kiem? This book doesn’t dive into the greater implications of what and how Iskat controls these “lesser” planets and what that means for their people. I think we get a very clumsy resolution and an attempt at airily tying everything into a neat bow. This involved apologies being made to Jainan for their mistreatment towards him, and both Jainan and Kiem having to force Iskat’s hand at negotiations in order for all the other planets in their link to get a seat at the table.

Well. That’s my understanding of the plot anyways. Like I said, the worldbuilding left a bit to be desired when you try to wrap your brain around it all. If you put all the confusing political intrigue aside, there’s actually a really slow burn relationship between Kiem and Jainan (and if you, um, ignore the colonizer stuff).

I knew before getting into this book that the domestic abuse storyline was going to play a huge part in this book, but I didn’t realize how long and drawn out it was going to be.

*****A LITTLE SPOILER, SO LOOK AWAY*****

It’s HARD to read about how awful Taan (Jainan’s ex-husband) is, but what’s worse is seeing a lot of this from Kiem’s perspective where you SEE the little things that Jainan does (flinching away, always being on high alert of Kiem’s moods, etc.) and Kiem IS NOT PUTTING IT TOGETHER and all I wanted to do was wrap Jainan in a hug.

*****END OF SPOILERS*****

I appreciated how this was a slow burn romance where Kiem and Jainan actually got to know each other little by little and have a chance to fall in love even if they’re already married. Anything earlier between them wouldn’t have worked. If I had one thing that left me baffled, it’s that this book has one(!) sex scene and it’s…closed door?? Wasn’t expecting that at all and I am disappointed? I’m not saying books NEED sex scenes, because they certainly don’t, but a notice that there wouldn’t be one would’ve been nice.

THE bear scene though? *chef’s kiss* That scene is my FAVORITE.

The last…oh, 25% of this book, went over my head. I don’t understand the reasoning behind remnants and what it has to do with the Resolution or the importance of the Auditor really. So from that side of the story, I never felt the tense situation the characters were explaining about the upcoming Unification Day or why the Auditors are so intimidating or even why they wear their swirly color helmets.

The story is left open ended but with a presumed HEA. I wish there was more scenes after where this book chose to end though, so we could see and experience the happy moments between Kiem and Jainan after they took so long to get here.

Overall, though, the story was enjoyable in the parts just between Kiem and Jainan and their friends, but everything else was a bit of a wash for me. That’s why this book gets a 3 out of 5 stars for me. There’s definitely a very messy part of Iskat and their place in the galaxy that is conveniently glossed over in this book that should’ve been addressed or reworked. The worldbuilding felt underdeveloped and only complex in all the wrong ways.

***Thanks to the publisher for approving me for this ARC on NetGalley.***

I really enjoyed this, and I wanted to give it a five star rating, but I think the beginning lagged for me. I couldn't wrap my head around all the Planets and who each character was and what Clan they belonged to.
I adored the slow burn romance between Jainan and Kiem. The awkwardness of a new relationship, especially in an arranged marriage, was written really well and I loved how their relationship developed.
The second half of this book really ramped up the pace as the mystery started to unravel and Jainan and Kiem's relationship got stronger. 
I would love to reread this again some day to fully grasp all the intricacies so I can fully give it five stars as I think it deserves it.

OH MY GOSH!! This book was simply wonderful. It took a few chapters to get into the world but once I was there I didn't want to leave. The romance is sweet, there's adventure, and political intrigue. I honestly didn't want it to end!

I absolutely loved this MM romance.

Such a great book with a solid storyline and great characters.

I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

A definite recommend!

This was what I have been looking for in science fiction. A fun trope that turns into a deeply nuanced story where each character grows and changes. The plot keeps everyone on their toes and second guessing who is on their side and how everything will get resolved. I enjoyed it immensely and I cannot wait to see more from this author.

A sunshine extrovert and a grumpy introvert have to make an arranged marriage work or risk destroying the peace treaty that keeps their planets safe from the rest of the universe. Political, twisty, and romantic!

3.5 stars to this really sweet yet dramatic scifi political romance. I really liked the characters and the story was good but it really did rely on a lack of communication between the lead characters. Both of them are smart and capable so the fact that the big reveal was a surprise was a little annoying. But I enjoyed it none the less and am looking forward to more from the author.

(3.5)

hello this was VERY good!!! the lowish rating is mostly because this was sci-fi and because of memory problems i!!! really struggle with sci-fi/fantasy books BUT i did like this book a lot and it was a sci-fi that didn’t hurt my brain?? what?? also a sci-fi where i actually cared about what was happening and the characters and romance in it???? WHAT??????

a reason i really wanted to read this is that i’ve been looking for a sci-fi romance where the romance does take up a major part of story, rather than just a sci-fi with some romance on the side somewhere and this absolutely had that which was VERY very good

also mutual pining!! slow burn!! it’s a book that makes you yell ‘just talk to each other you goddamn idiots’ and god, isn’t that jus the BEST kind of book

gay pining! gay pining! gay pining! 

(though a big tw for domestic abuse throughout the book!!)

This is quite literally RED WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE or BOYFRIEND MATERIAL but in space. I loved it. The slow-burning romance was delicious, and I want to just jump into this world!!

Winter's Orbit had a promising start. It's focused around an unwanted political romance/marriage. The characters are great. Prince Kiem is the guy always getting into trouble with his hijinks and the media. Jainan is a cinnamon roll. The romance, which should've been the main focus, is surrounded by political drama that was complicated and unenjoyable. 

I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Having read the very cozy-feeling fantasy novel The Goblin Emperor last year, I got similar warm-fuzzy-comfort vibes from this story, and it was exactly what I needed right now.

I especially enjoyed the way tropes like the arranged marriage were used but still felt fresh and not overdone. I was impressed with how gender and sexuality were expressed in a variety of ways in several different cultures and yet was never the focus or the obstacle of the story; it felt very natural and never forced for the sake of diversity and was also not the source of conflict nor the only personality/identity any character had, it was just an aspect of each character.

If you like (softer) sci-fi, don't let the romance deter you, this has enough interplanetary intrigue, empire and colonization and trade and smugglers and sci-fi Macguffins to keep you happy. If you like romance, don't let the sci-fi elements deter you, this is a sweet story with strong characters.

I loved Winter’s Orbit and couldn’t put it down! Prince Kiem is commanded by his emperor to do something useful: marry Count Jainan and cement the treaty between planets. Count Jainan recently lost his partner under strange circumstances, with some officials suspecting him of murder. Kiem resolves to help Jainan find out the truth behind what happened to his partner. When the status of the treaty is cast into doubt, they must work together to preserve the peace. 

This was such a delightful romance! Characters shine, Jainan in particular stole my heart. Seeing Jainan grow and find his strength was so beautiful to see. Kiem is also lovely, stealing scenes with his wit and kindness.  Kiem has such a warm, accepting personality and he is perfectly paired with the brilliant and loyal Jainan. The pacing was stellar, with a blend of heartfelt and action-packed moments. The inclusive and witty writing style makes me very excited to see what Everina Maxwell writes next. If you love an arranged marriage, soft cinnamon roll characters, and political twists then you need to read Winter’s Orbit! I highly recommend you check it out. Winter’s Orbit is available now. Thank you so much to Everina Maxwell, Tor Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is absolutely adorable! I haven't read a relationship like this that I have rooted so hard for. The story is also very good.

When I requested Winter's Orbit, I was completely sold on the tagline of Red, White and Royal Blue meets space. It delivered and then some. 

I am finding it so hard to write a review for this novel because I adored it so much. I just want to gush about how cute it was. The writing is good. The story is intriguing but the romance put this book over the top for me. I will be recommending it to everyone.

The Iskat Empire had dominated the system and not all the other world are pleased about it. To avoid rising hostilities, recently widowed Jainan, is rushed into an arranged marriage with his deceased husband Prince Taam’s cousin. Prince Kiem has a less than stellar reputation but when duty calls, he finds himself married to a man he has never met. The two of them know their marriage is necessary to keep treaties and political alliances in place and a bid to keep the rising hostilities between the two worlds under control. When Prince Taam’s death turns out it may have not been and accident. In fact, Jainan is a suspect. Now the pair must overcome their uncertainties and learn to trust one another as they navigate the perils of the court while trying to solve a murder to prove Jainan’s innocence

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell was surprisingly good and I devoured it in one sitting. Really not what I expected at all. If you are looking for a science fiction story, this isn’t it. It is more of a romance, of the arranged marriage variety, set on another planet. Not a lot of the technical flavor but there is definitely interplanetary conflict. You know almost from the beginning Jainan has a secret. He seemed just too subservient for it to be a personality thing. His over thinking his actions and words hinted at something dark. As for Kiem, I think he was painted to be a playboy of sorts. We are meant to not take him seriously, almost a complete joking disappointment by the court when really underneath it all he has a heart of gold. Kiem is the perfect match for Jainan, to help heal the ugly he has endured. 

There’s a quite a few stories here that all mesh together. First, there is the mystery behind Taam’s death. Was it an accident or murder and the big question of why. Next there is the political aspect. Court, interplanetary dealings, and will war be averted. Last but not least, the relationship between Kiem and Jainan. Each story I found exciting to read and meshed together well. It was the fragile relationship between Kiem and Jainan that really did it for me. These two I just liked from the get-go. The wounded and the disappointment. Not necessarily a great combination but as their relationship began to grow you can see they were able to heal one another, to form a bond. 

Author Everina Maxwell has done a spectacular job with the storyline, characters and world building. I look forward to reading more from this author. There wasn’t anything about Winter’s Orbit I didn’t like and feel this is a book worth recommending.


Stars: 4

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this book so badly -- it fits all of my interests, and a couple people specifically told me they thought it would be perfect for me. Unfortunately, though I liked it, I did find the writing fell a bit short. I wasn't invested in the characters until about 75% of the way through. I did think Jainain's past was what he had been through was handled really well, and Kiem was super loveable. But so much time was spent on the political side of things, and I had to push myself through those parts. I think someone who likes that kind of book will enjoy this!

This book has stereotypical main characters who have zero chemistry that are forced into an arranged marriage, and they somehow fall for each other immediately. They don't really develop any chemistry along the way, so it just wasn't believable to me. I couldn't really picture the sci-fi world much, as it is likely there. 

I think this is a great book for romance readers who want to try out a sci-fi, and don't mind stereotypical couple personalities.

Everina Maxwell’s debut is a space delicacy of operatic and gay delights. It started out that way.

When Prince Taam dies, Prince Kiem is set to marry into a political marriage to the beautiful yet bashful Count Jainan. On the cold planet Iskat, with its snowy mountains and glittering ultramarine seas, Kiem and Jainan must solve its imperial treaty with Thea to access their link network. 

When the emperor makes the final decision that Kiem is to marry Prince Taam’s widower, Count Jainan, Kiem is shocked by that pesky romantic thing called attraction. It’s the marriage ceremony that caught me. A prince spilling ink and stealing gazes over his new husband while trying to sign a contract is just so endearing. The way Maxwell slows down a scene is like a cameraman carefully zooming in just so lightly as to get the right emotion hit at the right time. 

In Kiem, we find the puppy dog version of a space prince. He talks too much when he’s nervous and overthinks every little thing. He doesn’t know how to act around his beautiful new husband. Kiem misinterprets his new husband’s ‘shyness’ and ‘nervous’ behavior at every turn.

In the midst of attraction and romance, Kiem and Jainan must solve a mystery. They must restore the treaty but first they must sort out the culprits and corruption current in their surroundings. As the cards laid out before them start to make more sense, Kiem and Jainan iron out their personal relationship. Kiem has a hard time listening to Jainan’s body language. Kiem is one of those people that does not listen to when someone is having difficulty with their past. Eventually, he finds out just how much he did not listen, and continues to disregard his new husband’s space.

 With dialogue as fresh as orange juice and the political atmosphere of Star Trek, Everina Maxwell’s abilities are magnificent. Or they could have been.

The miscommunication trope is hinged upon Kiem misunderstanding Jainan and his behavior. I love the miscommunication trope for being such a relatable addition. But with all tropes, it depends on what is being said or misinterpreted. If, for example, that author interprets an abuse victim’s trauma as an easy thing to misunderstand than I’m not a happy camper. This is where we have to have a conversation on how an author perpetuates stereotypes about abuse. Everina Maxwell makes me torn between loving and hating this book. It’s just such a fun read and yet I felt like I was being flung into all the old and overused tropes about abuse. I am between that place of being a fantasy romance reader and an abuse victim. I love the yearning in between two characters with the backdrop of a breathtaking secondary world. Transforming awkwardness into a story of abuse is an underhanded tactic. It is an easy way to build up drama.

Writing abuse takes expertise and sensitivity. If not done well, it seriously lacks the nuance of real people’s lives that have been impacted by this. Abuse victims have a hard time wanting to publicly address our trauma. Talking to a therapist is difficult but having the world know is something that invites panic attacks, shock, and even more traumatic experiences. It is irregular to see a character do this, not only that but it is insulting that the abuse victim is doing more work than their partner. To even consider such a public display requires a massive amount of work. This type of trauma transforms your mind and nervous system. In order for Maxwell to deserve this storyline she needed to not only put Jainan and Kiem’s relationship on hold but do some emotional work with her characters. Trauma is not fixed with a bandaid.

Just to clarify, I am a romance reader in addition to a science fiction & fantasy reader. I love romances that feature trauma victims fighting for their right to deserve healthy love. But, I don’t see that in Winter’s Orbit. It is on the sidelines and unrecognizable to the reader. Trauma is never well written when it is done so with a bandaid.

Maxwell could have added abuse in her novel but she needed to understand how to depict abuse before throwing a love interest that cannot comprehend why his partner would take such abuse and deliberately disrespect an abuse victim’s space. Narrative perspective allows us to understand the failings and bias of the characters. This book proposes a large backstory of mental health and fails to actually pull through on that promise.

I am deeply disturbed by how much I loved the rest of the novel versus the trauma, something that effectively lifts the entire book up. The characters and perspective fail to analyze the characters faults. Ultimately this is the part that destroys everything else of worth in Winter’s Orbit.

Winter’s Orbit takes off beautifully but crash lands with a poorly executed story of trauma and abuse, unfortunately taking the whole book down. Ultimately Everina Maxwell’s debut is overwhelmed by such a heavy subject matter, leading to a book lacking in nuance and any possiblity of a well written romance. I do look forward to what else Maxwell has in store in the future but this one is a disappointment.

Winter's Orbit is usually not I book that I would gravitate to reading but I really enjoyed reading this sci-fi romance.  I loved the world building throughout as well as the characters. The themes of murder and politics are there but I liked the way they were handled. This was an easy read for which I always enjoy.

I read and thoroughly enjoyed Winter's Orbit when it was originally serialized on the Internet, so I was very pleased to learn that it was going to be traditionally published, and also curious to see whether the story had changed significantly.  Though some subplots have been tightened, the world-building expanded, and the overall stakes raised, Winter's Orbit is very much the same story with the same characters as the internet-published version, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around!  

The obvious comp title is likely to be Red, White, and Royal Blue (but in SPAAAACE) although I personally think the two are rather different in tone, in addition to the science fiction vs. contemporary distinction.  Winter's Orbit has a bit more seriousness and melancholy (and a murder-mystery subplot!) and is written in tight-third rather than 1st person POV.  Still, it's much closer to RW&RB in spirit than to, say, darker fantasy LGBTQ romances such as Captive Prince. Readers who relish the peanut butter of science fiction in the chocolate of romance will enjoy this warm-hearted tale.  Heat level: Medium-low.

Slow-burn space opera romance. Period.

While I wish the story got off to a start a bit more to my liking- I guess I wanted the story to slap me off my seat- but once I got over myself, I found that Everina Maxwell can write one hell of a politically intriguing story full of characters you can root for. I highly recommend Winter's Orbit. Love.