Publication Date: March 3rd 2020
Genre: YA, Fantasy, LGBTQ
Synopsis:
An enchanted tale of intrigue where a duke’s daughter is the only survivor of a magical curse.
When Ekata’s brother is finally named heir, there will be nothing to keep her at home in Kylma Above with her murderous family. Not her books or science experiments, not her family’s icy castle atop a frozen lake, not even the tantalizingly close Kylma Below, a mesmerizing underwater kingdom that provides her family with magic. But just as escape is within reach, her parents and twelve siblings fall under a strange sleeping sickness.
In the space of a single night, Ekata inherits the title of duke, her brother’s warrior bride, and ever-encroaching challengers from without—and within—her own ministry. Nothing has prepared Ekata for diplomacy, for war, for love…or for a crown she has never wanted. If Kylma Above is to survive, Ekata must seize her family’s power. And if Ekata is to survive, she must quickly decide how she will wield it.
Part Sleeping Beauty, part Anastasia, with a thrilling political mystery, The Winter Duke is a spellbinding story about choosing what’s right in the face of danger.
* I would like to thank NOVL, LBYRPartner for a copy of this book in return for an honest review*
” You are the throne, and the throne is yours.”
F/F slow burn relationship, great LGBT rep and such a unique fantastical world all wrapped up in an intricately woven plot.
What Bartlett was able to do in this standalone fantastical political mystery drama was amazing. This cut throat family willing to kill for the throne, built on a world of ice in Kylma Above and mermaids and creatures of the deep in Kylma Below.
You are thrust into a world of secrets, lies and everyone with their own agenda. Ekata quickly gets thrown into a world she never wanted to be a part of in a role she was anything but prepared for. She must work to solve the mystery of her family’s aliment, prove her worth as the Grand Duke and find her voice all before her life is taken too.
“My favorite tutor said that other people’s siblings were noisy, argumentative telltales. My siblings tried to murder one another.”
This beautifully, dark, cold world was so detailed and fully immersed the reader throughout each page. Bartlett did not leave anything to question, she was meticulous with her world building down to the strange food. It is definitely a creative world and environment that I enjoyed and would love to see other story set in this world.
Another thing I absolutely adored was how the world was fully accepting of LGBTQIA+ and they were incorporated in every aspect. There was no slurs, hate or head turns for the gender neutral titles, non-binary, queer characters. The brideshow for Lyosha, the next heir in line that was held at the beginning include both men and women. Then there was the main F/F slowburn relationship!
Ekata was an interesting character, she was forced into something she did not want and had to figure out how to emulate her father and make the choices that would be best for her and the kingdom. She had a lot of people trying to decide the rules and her life for her and she does not go quietly. Inkar was a fantastic character, I very much enjoyed her spunky spirit and bravery. She is one who does not know how to be anyone but herself. I adored her relationship with Ekata! Sigis was the worst and like any arrogant male ruler who thinks he deserves and controls everything.
” The stars were a riot across the sky, and the moon a thin, sideways smile.”
Overall this book was an entertaining fantasy story that was filled with political drama, a complicated plot with twists and turns, concluding in a mystery solved with unsuspected results. It was a page turner that packed a punch and concluded with a satisfying ending which is hard to do in a standalone fantasy. It had an adorable f/f slowburn romance that I was behind from the beginning. And a hero I could not help but to fully support! If you love LGBTQIA+ rep, political intrigue on ice and a young woman proving that she can find the solution all on her own, then this is a book for you!
11 comments
Oooh this sounds so interesting and unique! I love the idea of a city above and below but connected. From your review, the world-building sounds rich and immersive, which is always my favorite part in a fantasy. And the characters sound amazing too! I’m excited to explore this one. Gotta add it to my TBR now! Wonderful review! So glad you enjoyed it 😀
I think it’s going to be a sleeper (not talked about in the book community) this year but I think it’s definitely worth the read and hope more people start reading it
I can definitely see that, yeah. I hope that it gets a little more notice along the way too!
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