Why read Winter's Orbit?

Book cover of Winter's Orbit

Book description

'A chilling account of a dark past wrapped in the warm blanket of a promising future . . . A pleasure to read' Ann Leckie

'Sparks fly' NPR

'A stunning new space opera debut' K. B. Wagers

The Iskat Empire rules its vassal planets through a system of treaties -…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Winter's Orbit as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Claire Barner

Author

This book feels like a warm hug. Disreputable playboy Prince Kiem must marry his cousin’s windower, Jainan, to keep the interplanetary peace. I loved watching Kiem and Jainan’s relationship unfold and was SO HAPPY when they finally admitted their feelings to one another. And I loved seeing a variation of my favorite trope—there was only one tent—that played an important role in getting them together.

Maxwell doesn’t shy away from dealing with heavy topics like domestic violence and imperialism, while keeping the tone fun. From the podcast My Word as Vorkosigan, I learned that Everina Maxwell is a fellow…

From Claire's list on sci-fi romance that will make you think.

Kellie Doherty

Author

Winter’s Orbit has one of the sweetest romances I’ve read thus far. The characters have trauma to work through and they do so beautifully. I love how broken Jainan is and how he discovers he’s worthy of love. The push and pull between him and Kiem was masterful! Raw. Compelling. And it’s set against a backdrop of a galactic-level political mystery! (But honestly, I read it for the romance.)

From Kellie's list on science fiction featuring queer characters.