The Winter Duke

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.


My Review

This is the first book I have read by this author. After finishing this book, I plan to go back and read this author's prior novel. To by honest, when I picked up this book, I had my concerns as there are so many books like this that I kind of think they are over played. Yet, this book was really good.

Author, Claire made the characters come alive with an engaging storyline and a magical world. Ekata did not come off as juvenile. This is great and part of the reason why I really enjoyed this book. There are so many adults reading the young adult genre that authors need to play to both audiences. Therefore, I was able to engage with Ekata. She was the heroine that everyone wanted.

There is a bit of romance that transpires between Ekata and Inkar. However, it is sweet. Plus, it does not distract from the main storyline. The Winter Duke is one book that you will want to make sure is in your cart for purchase!