The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

The Winter Duke

by Claire Eliza Bartlett

She survived the curse. Now she must survive the throne.

All Ekata wants is to stay alive--and the chance to prove herself as a scholar. Once Ekata's brother is finally named heir to the dukedom of Kylma Above, there will be nothing to keep her at home with her murderous family. Not her books or her 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, and no one can find a cure.

In the space of a single night, Ekata inherits the title of duke, her brother's captivating warrior bride, and ever-encroaching challengers from without--and within--her 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 magic and power. And if Ekata is to survive, she must quickly decide how she will wield them both.

The Winter Duke is an enchanted tale of intrigue by Claire Eliza Bartlett, author of the acclaimed feminist fantasy We Rule the Night.

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

5 of 5 stars

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The Winter Duke is here, motherfuckers!!!! Ekata is a scientist counting down the days to getting to university and away from her murderous royalty family until she’s the only one able to sit on the throne.

dun

dun

DUN!!!!!

As you’d probably guessed, I fucking LOVED The Winter Duke. It’s queer, it’s nail-biting intense mystery of politics and magic, and and and and it’s so fucking great!!!

RUNDOWN:
-w/w romance…

-….that’s not remarked on or made an ~issue~. It’s just normal and as natural as heteroshit.

-looooove the ending

-romance is sweet and level-headed

-royals as they should be: murderous psychotic white elitists families

-LOVE Ekata & LI!!!

-Interesting worldbuilding & magic

-Under the Sea is TERRIFYING AS IT SHOULD BE



If you want w/w romance in fantasy land or more women kicking toxic masculine ass, this is a must.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 February, 2020: Finished reading
  • 1 February, 2020: Reviewed