The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett Fiona Hartley-Kroeger Bartlett, Claire Eliza The Winter Duke. Little, 2020 [432p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-316-41734-1 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-316-41730-3 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 8-12 On the eve of Ekata's older brother's official designation as heir to the dukedom of Kylma Above, her family falls into a cursed slumber from which they cannot be wakened. As the only remaining legitimate heir, Ekata is quickly maneuvered into place as the next duke, despite her preference for natural history over politics. Now, instead of escaping court to attend university, she must hang onto the throne, try to awaken her stifling, murderous family, and figure out whether the curse is connected with the magic of Kylma Below, a fabulous kingdom underneath the ice the ducal palace stands on. The plot surges along, taking readers between the [End Page 250] winter rose–twined corridors of Kylma Above and into the waters of Kylma Below. Ekata decides to thwart her new would-be suitor, the repellent Sigis, by marrying fierce, beautiful Inkar, one of her brother's prospective brides. The girls' developing friendship and attraction to each other carries a thread of sweetness through the intricate dance of mystery and machinations as Ekata tries both to avoid and consolidate power. Though the political intrigue is under-seasoned, Bartlett (We Rule the Night, BCCB 4/19) nonetheless creates an unusual royal succession crisis in a thrillingly atmospheric fairy-tale world. Sympathetic characters, assured prose, and crystalline imagery make this icy dukedom memorable even after the last page has been turned. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois