3.5 stars!
Wasn't quite what I expected but I still enjoyed it.

I really liked the mystery aspect in this and I'm definitely a sucker for a space setting.

I did expect this to have more romance especially with it being compared to red white and royal blue and I do wish the romance was built up more however the main characters were still cute together.

My favourite part of the book was definitely after the plane incident.

I also found the world a little confusing but overall I liked the story and can see a lot of people loving it.

The perfect balance of romance, political intrigue and humour, A Winter’s Orbit is a stunning debut and one of my new favourite books. Filled with charm and lots heart-warming moments but also a lot of tension and angst it strikes the perfect balance between a comforting read and one you just cannot put down. Seriously I read this in a day and refused to do anything but read because I had to know what happened! 

The 2 main characters, Kiem and Jainan are so well crafted and lovable and complement each other so well. They play into the grumpy/sunshine trope (which I am a sucker for), with Kiem being a pretty outgoing charming prince and Jainan is much more reserved and stoic. At the start of the book they are thrust into an arranged marriage in order for a treaty between their two planets. Jainan was previously married to Kiem’s cousin Taam but after he mysteriously dies, Kiem must step up from being a playboy prince to ensure the treaty is upheld.

The mystery of Taam’s death is a major focus of the book, as well as making sure the alliance between the planets is secure as the over-arching galactic force, the Resolution is breathing down their backs. 
We also have a huge focus on Kiem and Jainan relationship which was my favourite part of the book! It played into all my favourite tropes and watching them slowly grow to trust each other ugh I AM SOFT. We soon learn there was a lot more to Jainan and Taam’s marriage than it seemed on the surface, and as a result of this Jainan’s character is very reserved and diminished and it was very clear at least to me/the reader (not so much to Kiem at first lol) it had been an emotionally abusive relationship (spoiler: later it is found out it is physically abusive as well). Watching Jainan slowly heal and come into himself and realise what had happened to him and come to terms with it, as well as learn to stand up for himself was such a joy to watch, whilst also being heart wrenching and I may have teared up a few times. 

Kiem is also such a great character, his kindness and selflessness really shows through and his gentleness with Jainan was so precious. He is also learning to take a bit of responsibility and helping Jainan investigate, getting himself involved in politics when previously he was very care free. His relationship with his aide Bel is also adorable, their banter is god tier and I love strong friendships in books! (Also I’m really hoping for a lesbian spin off featuring bel and gariad). 

The balance of romance and intrigue just made for the perfect book in my eyes, and the way they tied together was perfect, you really felt the stakes that the marriage was important and I also love murder mystery type court drama. The world was also really well crafted, the conspiracy taking place was very well thought out and easy to see how it arose and I actually didn’t see a certain reveal of the “bad guy” coming. I also really liked how we explored how the cultures were different, especially through Jainan and how he had been isolated from his fellow Theans and made to conform himself to exactly what Taam wanted, denying himself a fundamental part of who he is. 

The best way I can describe the book is a cross between red white and royal blue and a memory called empire. 

There is a sequence in the middle of the book in which Kiem and Jainan end up in the wilderness and I have to say this was probably my favourite part of the book! I am a complete sucker for when one character gets cold and then they have to snuggle up together to get warm UWU. I also loved the wintery environment in this part and all the stunning landscape descriptions! 

Overall this book manages to feel light hearted and comforting whilst also being really intense and dealing with some hard topics. I also loved how casually queer it was, I always love lgbtq rep in books and this world seemed so queer friendly which I think is another reason I found it so comforting. This will definitely be a book I will read over and over, and I expect will get so much from each time. Basically if you enjoy gays in space, political drama/conspiracies and grumpy/sunshine arranged marriage romance you will love this book!!!!

Winter's Orbit sees Iskat Empire controlling its political relationships with vassal planets with a system of treaties and often marriage alliances. After the Imperial Prince Taam dies in a freak spaceship accident, his black sheep cousin Prince Kiem is pushed into an arranged marriage with Taam's widow Count Jainan who also happens to be the planet Thean's diplomatic representative. When Taam's death is revealed to may have been a murder, the implications result in the couple's diplomatic privileges hindered (a huge problem for the Empire, as the Auditor's visit is imminent and required for the signing of the Resolution, which will guarantee peace among empires for decades). The two must now work together to solve the mystery before the political ramifications of the possible-murder snowballs into an interplanetary war.

The first thing I noticed about Winter's Orbit is how reminiscent it is to fanfiction a la Archives of Our Own (I later learnt that this was originally published there). Familiar romantic tropes taken to a joyride in longer, self-contained chapters. Winter's Orbit takes said tropes and does them in a refreshing, exciting way. The romance is put into heavy focus with a lot of introspection, emotional connection (at times physical😉), and push-and-pull style yearning bursting at the smallest touches. Forced marriages are such a trope, and watching it unfold in Winter's Orbit was a delight. The chemistry between the jovial, puppy-eyed Kiem and stoic, brainy Jainan was electric — and their slow-burn relationship was developed with just the right pacing. Even the hurdles in their relationship (e.g. miscommunication and insecurity) were navigated with a sensitive manner appropriate for each other's personalities and pasts.

Naturally, this being mainly a romance, the book focuses on the main leads Kiem and Jainan. Maxwell manages to write a couple whom we can definitely root for either individually or together. Easygoing, charming Kiem may not be academically-inclined as Jainan is, but he's more sensitive and perceptive than people tend to give him credit for. He's also "street smart," given that he knows how to use his networking connections to survive in a society full of journalists always ready for the next big scandal. Shy, nervous Jainan, on the other hand, tends to complement Kiem's street smart with his own book smart. He tends to be duty-bound, a trait which influences his attitude and actions based on how they may affect Thean's relationship with the Iskat Empire. Jainan, however, is harder to understand, particularly he withholds a key secret until a good way into the book (though I'm sure readers would have guessed this well ahead of Kiem).

On another note, Winter's Orbit dives into the topic of emotional, psychological abuse and physical violence, which Maxwell analyses and explores in a delicate way appropriate to the sensitivity it requires. Maxwell's portrayal is realistic to the point where its effects are persistent and inherent although the bruises have faded. As often and tragically as most cases are, the victim ends up internalising his long-term pain and blame to himself, shaping his every interaction with others and his expectations for the future. Winter's Orbit is a mature, realistic approach to how such abuse can deeply scar someone; and Maxwell strives to make a point that everyone, abuse victims included, deserve to be loved and that no one deserves to be mistreated as such.

While I understand that Winter's Orbit is a space opera rather than hard science-fiction, Winter's Orbit world/space building left me striving for more details, especially since in terms of world structure certain details are left unsaid. The remnants, for example, I felt was not sufficiently explored as the reader was clued in to their purpose only towards the end of the book. I felt that exploring these, and the Auditors in general, would have helped emphasizing the importance of Kiem and Jainan's mission to the intergalactic politics more appropriate to its high stakes. The book, however, has a beautifully described scenery in which a particularly iconic tent in snowy mountains scene is an imagery hard to forget.

I appreciated how this book has a special emphasis on culture and politics over technology and space battles. They truly bring that grounded feel to space opera while expanding is scope beyond planetary borders (honestly not even I have any idea if that made any sense). What I liked most of all, however, Maxwell's fantastic depiction of gender and sexuality representation. In this world, people’s gender is a choice that they can choose, or not, to express with accessories they wear (like glass or wood) rather than using physical traits. Also, homophobia doesn’t exist simple as that. No need to justify your gender and your sexuality. This aspect was truly refreshing to read and should be appreciated more in the SFF genre.

All in all, I liked Winter's Orbit for what it ended up becoming for me: a fast, action-packed stand-alone read with a delightfully sweet and nuanced romance between two people brimming with history and circumstance. It's a refreshing book with a lot of arsenals up its sleeve: it had the fluff, it had the mystery, the angsty drama fitting for space operas, twisty turns, and heart-clenching moments. It also handles the sensitive, heavy topic it sets out to do in a mature and realistic way. I may have longed for more in terms of world/space-building, but what this book has it does really well.  The diversity in this book is impressive, and I liked how easy and accessible Maxwell's prose is. It's definitely something I would recommend to Science Fiction-Fantasy fans looking for a quick, comforting bite of romance as this book would appeal for fans of both genres.

I don’t generally read Sci-Fi but how could I turn down a premise that is Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue? I couldn’t, and I’m so glad I put my concerns about Sci-Fi aside because this debut was amazing!

So this is a book with an intriguing murder mystery, and some fascinating politics to keep the plot moving–but at its heart it’s a captivating love story, and I just fell in love with this charming slow-burn romance.

The main characters, Kiem and Jainan, were brilliantly multi-faceted creations, whose insecurities and fears were fully explored throughout the book. They play off each wonderfully with Kiem being the charming one, used to socialising and making friends easily, and Jainan being more closed off, always thinking his actions through carefully before he commits to anything. It makes their relationship an interesting one as they slowly uncover each other’s layers and learn to trust one another. Their attraction is definitely a slow burn, even though Kiem does find Jainan handsome from the beginning, those feelings aren’t acted on straight away. I loved that they didn’t jump straight in, they spent the time to really get to know one another first. There are a few misunderstandings along the way but they are quickly cleared up.

The murder mystery took a backseat to most of the politics in the book, there’s a lot of struggles between all the different planets as they volley for power. The action mostly takes place in the second part of the book, and a lot of the first half is made up of conversations, and the subtle power struggles that take place in the palace. The world building was decent, although, like I said, I don’t generally read Sci-Fi but I thought Maxwell did a good job at setting the scene for her space opera. It’s not a hard Sci-Fi by any means but it is a very enjoyable and easy read.

I loved the representation in this story! This is a world that Maxwell has created and it is wonderful in its inclusivity, there are all kinds of sexualities, all kinds of genders, people can choose to display their gender or hide it if they wish. You have a woman called the Emperor, and another called Prince. Both Kiem and Jainan are coloured and it was all just so lovely to read a book where this is all seen as normal. We need more of this in fiction!

It’s hinted at the end that there might be more books in this Universe and I really hope there will be. Even if they’re not about Kiem and Jainan I just crave more in this series, I love Maxwell’s writing and I’m very intrigued to find out more about the planets, the Auditors and the remnants.

All in all Winter’s Orbit is a wonderfully charming love story, an adventure in space, and an experience in space politics. A magnificent debut and I can’t wait to see what Maxwell writes next!

Although Sci Fi is not my most favorite genre, I liked this one! A lot! I pick up Sci Fi books when the premise seems interesting and when I think the Sci Fi part will be easy to understand. From the moment I saw Winter’s Orbit, I loved the cover and the blurb. And it was compared to ‘Red, white and royal blue’! I have to admit I had to get used to the world building at first but when I got used to it, I loved the story.

Kiem and Jainan are wonderful together, complementing each other in a lot of ways. Kiem charming, social and empathetic, always feeling he’s not smart enough and Jainan thoughtful, anxious and distant, always afraid to do wrong. Their relationship builds up slowly, although Kiem immediately thinks Jainan is attractive. They get to know each other pretty quickly and start working together when they find out Taam might be murdered. From the start it’s clear that something happened in Jainan’s past that made him anxious and obedient. The first part of the story is directed to the world building and the growing relationship between Kiem and Jainan while the second half of the story is more fast paced with a lot of action. I guessed quite early in the story what happened in Jainan's past and who was behind Taam's death but that did not detract from the story. 

The representation in this story is fabulous, all kinds of sexualities, different gender, Jainan and Kiem both colored, women who were called Prince and so on. It’s refreshing to read a story where no emphasis is placed on sexuality, race or gender. Instead differences are seen as normal. Love it!

So a wonderful story set in space and I’m ready to read the next story of Evarina Maxwell.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/108960535-marieke-du-pr

I'll be posting my review on Goodreads on January 19.