The Winter Duke

I loved this book - the writing is intricate, delicate and beautiful... like the winter roses of the court. The characters are gender-diverse and sufficiently different for this not to feel as if it follows known tropes (when the heroine’s wife challenges the Bad Guy to a series of archery/fencing competitions... she doesn’t wipe the floor with him, which is good). The ‘whodunnit’ at the heart was neatly tied up with some good plot twists. What I don’t understand is why this was made a YA novel with a 16 year old protagonist when it could as easily have been an adult novel and explored the central relationship in more depth.But that’s not a reason to dislike it, I just think it would have been stronger. As is it, it’s beautiful, and I’d love to know more of the world Below.

I wasnt so sure about the book after reading the reviews but i loved it. It wasn’t to fast you didn’t know what was happening but it wasn’t too slow you got bored. It had everything a great book should have. I hope to read more from the author soon 👍🏼

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-copy. I really enjoyed Claire Eliza Bartlett’s ‘The Winter Duke’. I’ve read most of it in one sitting.‘The Winter Duke’ follows Ekata, one of the royal family members who doesn’t wish to be a rival for her siblings to become of an heir to the dukedom of Kylma Above. Instead, she wishes to escape her family’s troublesome (and bloodthirsty) relations, and become a scholar. With the passion for books and experiments, she definitely has not imagined herself in charge. But when her family falls under a sleeping sickness, she must do everything in her power to survive and protect her Kingdom.I really enjoyed the world of ‘The Winter Duke’, with winter, snowy and freezy landscape dominating the landscape, and creating a great and dark atmosphere. The split between Kylma Above and Below, and quite interesting magical system have been the most interesting elements of the book for me, and I wished that at moments, they have been explored in greater depth.I have also really liked genre-fluid the roles have been in ‘The Winter Duke’. While mostly surrounded by men, Ekata has been put in charge and question rather being of her capabilities than her gender. Her marriage to Inkar has also added to the story, and while it wasn’t explored in great depth – possibly because of the characters being quite young – I enjoyed Inkar’s presence and what she brought to ‘The Winter Duke’.I also felt that the first part of ‘The Winter Duke’ was almost slow, with the action picking up towards the end of the story. While it is not necessarily a bad thing, especially in longer series, I felt like there has been something missing in the first half of ‘The Winter Duke’. But on the overall, I have enjoyed the story, and I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

I’m rounding this one up to 4 stars.This was a YA fantasy with a historical feel. It had some foundations in Russian royal history and I enjoyed that element and this was some brutal family right here. The dukedom were out to kill one another for power, and the protagonist Ekata, felt justifiably out of the running as an insignificant daughter about to travel away to university. A curse hit and she found herself in a new position.“Long live Her Grace.” Impossible, impossible. I was a middle child of thirteen.This read had some great strong points, it was definitely a feminist tale. The title of Duke was genderless, power could be held equally between men and women but there’s a but. In reality, Ekata was surrounded by men who made her feel like a fool, wielded their power over her and used their gender to quash her thoughts, words and ideas."All my life, these men had ignored me. It had never bothered me until now."Those contrasts of what seemed to be equality and in acutality wasn’t, were frustrating for Ekata and the reader but this was the story, how Ekata navigated this. All this happened in the middle of a bride parade and Ekata chose her consort, a young woman. The romance and LGBTQ+ elements were a little weak but the protagonist was only 16 and so that did feel in the background somewhat. I would have liked this to have felt more developed, however.I enjoyed the worlds of above and below and honestly, I read this over two days whenever I could; it had an unputdownable feel. There were elements to this story that felt unique, the magic was vague, unfathomable and mysterious, which I liked. Overall this was a good read and bonus, it was a standalone.Thank you to Titan Books for the very pretty hardback review copy.

Ekata is left sole heir after her parents and siblings are all struck down in an endless sleep. She must find the cause and culprits all while managing the kingdom and fighting off a challenge on her crown.The most likeable character was definitely Inkar, warrior princess. She and Ekata shared a sweet chemistry. However Ekata being 16 and with the weight of the world on her shoulders it left little time for romance.The who done it plot was left right and centre and accused everyone along the way ending in a lackluster reveal at the end. If Ekata hadn't tried to solve everything herself things might have gone quicker. Though it is her loyality and good morals that endear her to the reader.Read this for the humourous writing and lovable characters not the story.