#Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell

[betterbooksandthings]

"Romances in space are just out of this world. Love in the dangerous, endless expanse of space isn’t easy. Traveling far distances in ships that you often cannot leave is challenging in the best of conditions. In space, the door is locked and you have to make it work. Interplanetary travel, adventure, and romance are not for the faint of heart. Good thing I have some entertaining books to pick up instead of making the trip yourself.

My favorite romances in space involve a level of mystery, political intrigue, and danger. There is just something about a romantic pairing in trouble that really sells me on their mutual respect, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. When you are in space and in trouble, sometimes love is part of the answer, and I think that’s fun."

[vkelleyart]

“Just because it’s not important doesn’t mean it’s not important to someone.” - Winter’s Orbit by @avoliot / Everina Maxwell

What a treat to have another excuse to draw Kiem and Jainan! This piece was commissioned by Sanctum Flames Candles for their upcoming Winter's Orbit scented candle, which I have been told smells DELICIOUS. This moment after the flybug crash was especially lovely to draw, as the scene grants Jainan a bit of insight into Kiem's generous spirit and makes Jainan fall that much more in love with him. * swoon *

I should have details soon on how to get your own limited edition candle and print! In the meantime, Happy Spring to all!

[beartrice-inn-unnir]

10. What is your favorite genre book to recommend to someone who doesn’t usually like that genre?

Usually when people ask me for a rec for a genre they don’t usually like, they are asking for sci-fi, and I start by trying to figure out different access points based on what they already like. I’m not much of a hard sci-fi person, tending more to the space opera and political thrillers, so here’s a few “if you like x, maybe try y”:

If you like romance, give Everina Maxwell’s Winter’s Orbit a try. It’s definitely sci-fi in setting and plot, but it also hits nicely in the formulaic patterns of a arranged-marriage, strangers-to-lovers story that will help you through it even if the sci-fi elements are throwing you off. The author has another similar book that increases the sci-fi elements and is enemies-to-lovers as well, so if you like Winter’s Orbit, Ocean’s Echo is a good next step.

If you like non-fiction, The Martian by Andy Weir is a great pick. I have multiple friends who got into reading again as adults via The Martian. It’s well-written, well-grounded, funny, and very sci-fi. If you’ve already read it, then maybe give To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers a try. It can be described with all the same adjectives, plus it’s a short novella, so if you’re hesitant, it’s less intimidating.

If you like mysteries or political thrillers, boy is there a lot of great sci-fi out there for you. The crux of a lot of sci-fi is space or high-tech settings with a plot that asks questions about personhood, and that mixes really well with detectives and spies wandering around trying to solve problems and find truths. Try Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (it’s partway through a series of great books and novellas, but that one’s the most traditional mystery plot) or A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (ambassador solving her predecessor’s mysterious death while trying to do his job)(I’d also recommend this one if you read a lot of classics) EDIT: just realized I mistyped - book 1 by Arkady Martine is A Memory Called Empire.

If YA/ Bildungsromanen/ New Adult figuring the world out through trial and error is often your jam, try Provenance by Ann Leckie (for the kid who really wants to do things right) or The Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (for another kid who wants to do things right, but is also a high-energy chaos gremlin).

If you like fantasy, you probably already have read some sci-fi; it’s all under the speculative fiction umbrella and genres are vague anyway. All the same, I know this is the Locked Tomb Website, but give Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir a shot (it’s got magic and mayhem and an epic locked-room whodunnit mystery). The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord is also good - it has a team of people traveling together and thinking about morals and discovering new abilities, plus some romance.

I’m sure there’s lots of genres I’m forgetting right now, but feel free to send me another ask for any specific one!

[vxlinart]

“Your Grace?” “Your Highness.”

Redraw of this post for my annual reading of Winter’s Orbit because I can never get enough of Kiem and Jainan

[lucrezianoin]

my favorite fantasy/sci-fi books with M/M romance

[oblivionsdream]

I am super excited to share my redesigned covers of both Winter’s Orbit and Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell!

These are both going to be available in @//dazzlingbookishshop on Insta! 😉

[suni2flower]

Read Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell and really enjoyed it :D

Wanted to draw Kiem and Jainan ✨🫶

———————

“You’ll be the best,” he said.

“You don’t know that,” Jainan said.

His eyes reflected the light from the hall; behind him, beyond the void, the stars burned in enduring points; far beyond them, a telescope could have seen the maelstrom of the link, and a million more stars beyond that; and this tiny station spinning around a tiny jeweled planet like the fulcrum of the universe.

“I do,” Kiem said. “You’ll see.”

———————

[redwhiteandroyalbluesuggestions]

Be compared with many, many other books that come after you

[haveyoureadthisbook-poll]

[asexualbookbird]

Have You Read My TBR? round seven!

Another book I got hyped for during my twitter days, but after its release people said it was Very YA so I've been hesitant to start it....

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Character, book, and author names under the cut

Shen Qiao- 千秋/Qian Qiu/Thousand Autumn by Meng Xi Shi

Elliot Schafer- In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Alec Campion- Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Tennalhin (Tennal) Halkana- Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell

[betterbooksandthings]

"Opposites attract romance novels bring out the best in characters. By all accounts, these are characters who shouldn’t be friends, let alone romantically involved. But, because they are going to fall in love anyway, we might as well read about it.

Let me be completely honest. Opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes. I love it when unlikely people are falling in love. Sure, at first I gasp and say, “It will never work.” All the while, I secretly know it will, though. Somehow, these two silly beans are going to find out why their opposing attitudes, interests, and/or behaviors are fascinating. They are going to fall in love. It’s just up to the readers of opposites attract romance books to see how it’s all going to happen."

[kay-claire]

I made some Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell memes, because I think my favourite thing about the book was the names of the wildlife not actually fitting the descriptions of the wildlife lmao

[tali-zorahs]

read ocean's echo recently and NOW i have brain worms.

[skygemspeaks]

one of the things i really appreciate about winter's orbit is how it shows that just because an abusive relationship is over, it doesn't mean that the victim is no longer affected. even though he knows his abuser can never hurt him again, the relationship has changed him. it's changed how he sees the world, and what he expects from his current partner. it shows how he was isolated from his support system, and how hard it is for him to start rebuilding those relationships.

and more than that, it shows the healing! it shows how his current partner works to meet him where he is, how his current partner makes space for him in his life, and encourages him to do what he wants.

it's really lovely, and i highly recommend it!

[haveyoureadthisscifibook]

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