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jennifermreads's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A reluctant young, middle daughter, heiress thrust into the role of Grand Duke of her frozen kingdom? Yes, please! I loved Claire Eliza Bartlett’s We Rule the Night and was excited to read another one of her feminist fantasy novels. Toss in the political intrigue and risk of death by magical curse plus the simply divine hardback cover design and I was ready to be on the edge of my seat because of all the drama.
While I enjoyed it overall, each evening as I set the book aside, I kept hesitating, thinking “What is missing? Why am I not reading until my eyes droop and racing to grab it first thing each morning? Why am I not on the edge of my seat?” By the end, I decided that what I was missing was more development. I needed a little more background on the frozen world that is Kylma Above and the watery underworld of Kylma Below. I needed some elaboration on the Grand Duke’s ministers, their backgrounds, roles, and relationship with Ekata’s father, the previous grand duke. Other than Prime Minister Eirhan, I had a difficult time keeping the who-is-who of the ministers straight in my head.
During the first quarter (at least) of 2025, I am reading from-my-shelf with the goal of unhauling the books that I do not see myself ever re-reading. While I do not hesitate in keeping We Rule the Night, I will probably move The Winter Duke into the hands of another reader. I just do not have the shelf space to keep a book because the cover is beautiful, I loved the author’s other work(s), and/or I have a “liked it but” review at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Vomit
thea_elise's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The world building, the refreshing lack of heteronormative views on relationships and interesting character development.
The mystery of who cursed her family had me hooked.
I would also have fallen for Inkar, had I been in Ekata’s shoes!
The mystery of who cursed her family had me hooked.
I would also have fallen for Inkar, had I been in Ekata’s shoes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
miraileah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5. I loved this! I really liked Ekata’s character development, I thought her journey was really realistic and understandable, and I enjoyed reading it (though it frustrated me at times). Inkar was a great supporting character, and Eirhan and Aino were fun to read as well. I did feel that the other council members were sort of samey and hard to tell apart at times, but I also felt Ekata’s confusion was reflected by this choice, so I can respect it. Overall though, I thought the story was really well structured and paced, and I loved the world building and character work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Medical content
buttermellow's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
gremlinboi's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This review has minor spoilers, so read with caution.
I really enjoyed the world building and magical system in this book. I loved the concept of the country being split in two parts. However, I feel like this book could have been condensed by 100pgs or so. The majority of it was the main character fumbling through the politics and felt like filler which made the ending feel rushed and sloppily put together in my opinion. I did like the romance subplot though and it had me rooting for them in the end.
I really enjoyed the world building and magical system in this book. I loved the concept of the country being split in two parts. However, I feel like this book could have been condensed by 100pgs or so. The majority of it was the main character fumbling through the politics and felt like filler which made the ending feel rushed and sloppily put together in my opinion. I did like the romance subplot though and it had me rooting for them in the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Vomit
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
reign_kaur's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The only reason I think this book counts as YA is because the main character is sixteen years old. If she was a bit older, nineteen perhaps, then I would have rated this book 5 ⭐️
The representation in this book is perfect, people of different genders, cultures, religions and sexual orientation. Most importantly is that the LGBTQIA+ didn't distract from the plot, nor was it the focus. In this fantasy world it was just as normal as assasinating your siblings for the throne.
The representation in this book is perfect, people of different genders, cultures, religions and sexual orientation. Most importantly is that the LGBTQIA+ didn't distract from the plot, nor was it the focus. In this fantasy world it was just as normal as assasinating your siblings for the throne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War
angstifies's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the premise and the setting were very interesting and the plot was good enough but i just didn’t connect with the story at all, i didn’t find any of the characters that likable and the main character made very dense decisions almost all the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Gaslighting
wet_towlette's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book has very strange pacing. It was super fast (in a bad way) in the beginning and then completely slowed down for the bulk of the book, and picked up near the end. I also don’t understand most of the characters motivations. Like the only person who makes sense in Aino. This book isn’t bad by any means and I did enjoy quite a bit of it. The plot was very interesting albeit the blurb was a bit misleading. I had fun with it, it’s just aggressively mediocre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Murder
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail