Title: Shadows of Winter (The Curse and the Crown Book One)
Publisher/Author: Lindsay Buroker
Pages: 388pp
Price: $14.99 / $4.99

Kaylina Korbian has one dream: to be the best meadmaker in Port Jirador. Hailing from far southern islands that have only recently been annexed by the kingdom of Zaldor, Kaylina has little interest in or knowledge of the politics of the capital and wealthier classes — though it sure would be nice if the Queen wrote about Kaylina’s meadery in her cuisine and culture column. No sooner do Kaylina and her brother Frayvar arrive, though, then they are duped by a con artist, locked in a cursed castle, arrested by Rangers, caught up in a prison break, and nearly killed by explosives-happy revolutionaries. Things only get worse when Kaylina earns the ire of Lord Ranger Vlerion of Havartaft; he’s handsome enough, but rude and arrogant and Kaylina just cannot seem to stop goading him. But Vlerion has secrets — secrets that threaten himself, Kaylina, and even the entire kingdom ….

I’ve been a fan of Buroker since I discovered her Rust and Relics series in a multi-author boxset some ten years ago. While she’s best known for writing science fiction and urban fantasy, she occasionally lends her talents to weaving tales of epic fantasy. And, I have to say, I love her epic fantasy.

In Shadows of Winter, Buroker builds a complex world of competing political ideals and ancient magic; a world in which a young woman from an unimportant corner of the globe can have her simple dreams upended by events out of her control, only too find herself an essential player in those same events. Kaylina just wants to make mead, but royals, revolutionaries, Rangers, and a very old and cantankerous magic have other plans.

Religion and magic play an interesting role in the story. It is said that the Gods left the world long ago, and now live on the moon. Why they left is not explained, but humans still honor the Gods. Magic has also mostly left the world. Humans are (supposedly) incapable of performing magic. Only the druids could cast spells, and they considered humans to be a menace; any magic is therefore likely to be a highly dangerous relic.

In addition to the rich world-building and terrific protagonist, the supporting cast are just as well-developed and interesting. Vlerion is an excellent foil for Kaylina. He’s ruthless, but not cruel; he might be loyal to the Rangers and the crown, but he is not blind to the suffering that drives the revolutionaries. He has a dry sense of humor, and is more than capable of joking around with his commanding officer (Captain Targon; also fun); but he is well-aware of how treacherous nobles and revolutionaries alike can be, and just how much danger Kaylina is in.

And can I just say that I adore Frayvar? What a delight to see a neuroatypical character in an epic fantasy, and one who plays such an important role in the story.

Shadows of Winter is a fun first volume in a new epic fantasy/romance/adventure series. While there are references to sex (and one attempted assault), it’s a clean romance. Recommended to fans of Shari L. Tapscott’s Riven Kingdoms series, Maid and Minstrel by Kate Stradling, The Herbwitch’s Apprentice by Ireen Chau, The Tales of Inthya series by Effie Calvin, Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr, and Helen Harper’s Thrill of the Hunt series.