Winter’s Orbit, by Everina Maxwell, is an intricately plotted blend of space opera, court intrigue, and slow-burn romance. When the death of Prince Taam threatens to destroy a peace treaty that protects the Iskat Empire from alien invaders, the Emperor attempts to salvage the treaty by arranging for her grandson, Prince Kiem, to marry Taam’s widower, Count Jainan. Kiem’s happy-go-lucky personality puts him into immediate conflict with the quiet, serious Jainan, but the two men begin to bond when Jainan is accused of murdering his late husband and needs Kiem’s help to clear his name and prevent a war.
This book was a lot of fun! The worldbuilding was fascinating, particularly in regards to gender norms and political structure—my only complaint is that I wish we could have seen more. For me, though, where this book really shines is in the romance. If you like romances full of misunderstandings and mutual pining with a heavy side of plot, this book is an excellent choice.