A review by whimsicalmeerkat
The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge

5.0

I was very excited to read this book. Some of that excitement might have come from the fact that it was my nomination that became the BotM. Regardless, I found a fascinating tale that reached back into ancient mythologies to weave a conflict born of and enforced by the time and seasons of a planet. A planet split in two, ruled by a native, but policed by offworlders. A planet proscribed so that no one who leaves can return and no native can leave. Looming over everything is Arienrhod, the Snow Queen and her attempts to make sure Winter never ends. The story also weaves its way through Sparks Dawntreader Summer and his cousin Moon Dawntreader Summer. The world created as backdrop is vibrant and complex in away that makes it almost a character itself.