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cunningempress 's review for:
The Winter Duke
by Claire Eliza Bartlett
There were plenty of things in this book that I liked
SOME SPOILERS, but nothing that wouldn't already be clear by reading the book description.
1. The Finnish names (that I'm sure most will butcher but whatever).
2. The LGBTQ+ representation. The main character's sexual/romantic orientation is not questioned even once during the whole book when she chooses a bride instead of a groom. It seems that in this magical land people are quite liberal about these sort of things. Not once do any of the characters make a point about the gender of her partner.
Also, one of the ministers is always referred to as they/them despite having a traditionally female name. No one ever makes a point about that either and at first I was a little confused before I realised that the book is talking about a single person, not multiple because no one in the book explains it. I think it's refreshing having LGBTQ+ rep that isn't explained or judged. It just is.
3. The main characters relationship with her bride is casual. A lot of YA books have very intense romantic and/or sexual relationships that sometimes seem out of place in regard to the time span of the book and the characters ages. These two are together for political reasons first and their relationship grows as they spend more time together.
4. There's plenty of politics. The main character is actually involved in the politics in a way that I don't often see in books. There are trade agreements, competition over the crown and demands for a democracy.
But I do have some pet peeves about this book too.
One thing I can't stand in books like this is characters who are born into royalty and despite that know nothing about politics. They don't know about the current state of affairs with foreign countries and their representatives, they don't keep up to date on trade agreements or any gains or losses in possible wars.
Also I find it funny that this dukedom regards a sixteen-year-old getting married so normal. Even if it's the duke and the marriage is political. You'd think her advisors and ministers would find it smarter to wait a while, maybe an engagement at best but their shoving marriage down her throat.
SOME SPOILERS, but nothing that wouldn't already be clear by reading the book description.
1. The Finnish names (that I'm sure most will butcher but whatever).
2. The LGBTQ+ representation. The main character's sexual/romantic orientation is not questioned even once during the whole book when she chooses a bride instead of a groom. It seems that in this magical land people are quite liberal about these sort of things. Not once do any of the characters make a point about the gender of her partner.
Also, one of the ministers is always referred to as they/them despite having a traditionally female name. No one ever makes a point about that either and at first I was a little confused before I realised that the book is talking about a single person, not multiple because no one in the book explains it. I think it's refreshing having LGBTQ+ rep that isn't explained or judged. It just is.
3. The main characters relationship with her bride is casual. A lot of YA books have very intense romantic and/or sexual relationships that sometimes seem out of place in regard to the time span of the book and the characters ages. These two are together for political reasons first and their relationship grows as they spend more time together.
4. There's plenty of politics. The main character is actually involved in the politics in a way that I don't often see in books. There are trade agreements, competition over the crown and demands for a democracy.
But I do have some pet peeves about this book too.
One thing I can't stand in books like this is characters who are born into royalty and despite that know nothing about politics. They don't know about the current state of affairs with foreign countries and their representatives, they don't keep up to date on trade agreements or any gains or losses in possible wars.
Also I find it funny that this dukedom regards a sixteen-year-old getting married so normal. Even if it's the duke and the marriage is political. You'd think her advisors and ministers would find it smarter to wait a while, maybe an engagement at best but their shoving marriage down her throat.