Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

A political marriage meant to preserve an interstellar treaty becomes something far more complicated when a suspicious death threatens to tear an empire apart. Winter's Orbit entwines romance, diplomacy, and mystery into a tender, high-stakes space opera.

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Love Winter's Orbit but unsure what to read next?

These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.

In Winter's Orbit, did you enjoy the gradual, heartfelt evolution of two strangers into lovers amid political tension?

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

If you were captivated by the slow, vulnerable way Kiem and Jainan navigated their arranged marriage in Winter's Orbit, you'll fall for Velasin and Caethari's journey in A Strange and Stubborn Endurance. This novel excels at character development, showing both leads grow past trauma, mistrust, and cultural barriers to find genuine partnership. The emotional intimacy and personal growth are deeply satisfying.

In Winter's Orbit, did you enjoy political maneuvering and courtly intrigue in a unique fantasy setting?

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Did you love the delicate dance of secrets, power plays, and alliances in Winter's Orbit? In The Goblin Emperor, you’ll follow Maia, an unexpected emperor thrust into a labyrinthine court filled with hidden agendas and dangerous plots. The intrigue is deeply woven into every page, and much like Kiem and Jainan, Maia must rely on wit and heart to survive and thrive.

In Winter's Orbit, did you enjoy diverse queer characters and relationships in science fantasy?

Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

If you appreciated the diversity and queer representation in Winter's Orbit, you'll be delighted by Gideon the Ninth. Tamsyn Muir creates a cast bursting with LGBTQIA+ characters—Gideon and Harrow’s dynamic is as complex and compelling as any in the genre. The book’s unapologetically queer narrative and inclusive worldbuilding make it a must-read.

In Winter's Orbit, did you enjoy rich worldbuilding with detailed cultures and interstellar politics?

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

If you loved exploring the intricate cultures, languages, and customs of Iskat in Winter's Orbit, A Memory Called Empire will immerse you in the dazzling, complex Teixcalaanli Empire. The world is meticulously built, from etiquette to politics to poetry, making every aspect feel alive and immersive.

In Winter's Orbit, did you enjoy romantic connections blossoming amid cosmic conflict?

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El Mohtar, Max Gladstone

If you were swept away by the tender, slow-burn romance woven through galactic stakes in Winter's Orbit, then This Is How You Lose the Time War will enthrall you. Through poetic letters exchanged across time, two agents on opposite sides grow from enemies to something much deeper. The emotional, romantic core is simply unforgettable.