Winter’s Orbit
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant
Genre: Science Fiction/ Romance
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? The Iskat Empire hangs on by a thread as a member of an intergalactic super power known as the Resolution. Every twenty years, the Resolution auditors visit and judge if the Iskat Empire is worthy enough to have interstellar protection and trading rights in the known universe. Without the Resolution, any number of intergalactic “Megapowers” would topple Iskat like a house of cards. The Empire’s newest province world, Thea, was represented by the married couple Count Jainan and General Taam. Jainan being a Thean diplomat and Taam an Iskat military man. Things for Iskat are thrown into a loop, however, when General Taam is killed in an aircraft “accident,” leaving the Emperor to figure out a way to keep good relations between the two planets and to keep their precious membership within the Resolution. Thus, the Emperor’s dead-weight, playboy of a grandson, Kiem, is arranged into marrying Jainan for the sake of the Empire. Little do either of them know, is that there’s a murder investigation of General Taam. Jainan and Kiem will have to pull tooth and nail to get the answers behind this investigation and what it means for the future of the Empire.
My Review: Phew, what an intense book! I must say, there are very few science fiction novels quite like Winter’s Orbit. Most science fiction revolves around the depravity of new technology or straight-up action scenes. This book has some of these elements, but it also has more! Winter’s Orbit almost reads like a mystery/romance novel with heavy bouts of political intrigue. It follows some traditions found in Red, White and Royal Blue, and yes, The Duke and I. It also follows some traditions found in Dune and Lois McMaster Bujold books like Shards of Honor. There are two characters who are placed together by fate, and their families, an obstacle they must overcome together, and along the way love blossoms between the two aristocrats. All in a space opera future!
There are cultural nuances between Kiem and Jainan, being from two different planets, which flavors the story with a degree of believability. Kiem is constantly on the go and looking for the newest and greatest adventure to conquer, even if he isn’t good at it. A typical spoiled prince, Kiem is also the most rebellious individual in the entire book. Jainan, on the other hand, is obsessed with duty to the empire and duty to his people. Having studied astronomical engineering at university, he has a laser-focused mind but can be quite awkward when introduced to social affairs. With Kiem’s bravado and Jainan’s perfectionist persona, the two are perfectly matched to unravel the universe’s greatest conspiracy.
The imagery and world-building in this book are also feats to marvel. There is no shortage of details, no imagery too bland, and no dialogue too tedious. Winter’s Orbit is a bouquet of descriptions and valued subtleties that spans worlds.
Three Words that Describe this Book: romance, sci-fi, political intrigue
Give This A Try if You Like… Dune, Collapsing Empire, Red, White and Royal Blue, Shards of Honor (by Lois McMaster Bujold), Jupiter Ascending (film)
Rating: 4/5
