Title: Winter

Author: Audrey Grey

Pub. Date: October 11, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome to Evermore Academy where the magic is dark, the immortals are beautiful, and being human SUCKS.
After spending my entire life avoiding the creatures that murdered my parents, one stupid mistake binds me to them for four years.
My penance? Become a human shadow at the infamous Evermore Academy, finishing school for the Seelie and Unseelie Fae courts.
All I want is to keep a low profile, but day one, I make an enemy of the most powerful Fae in the academy.
The Winter Prince is arrogant, cruel, and apparently also my Fae keeper. Meaning I’m in for months of torture.
But it only gets worse. Something dark and terrible looms over the academy. Humans are dying, ancient vendettas are resurfacing, and the courts are more bloodthirsty than ever.
What can one mortal girl do in a world full of gorgeous monsters?
Fight back with everything I have—and try not to fall in love in the process.

This will be a spoiler free review.

So, this book is Vampire Academy meets A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Did I convince you to read it with just that? Hopefully!

This is my 4^th Audrey Grey book and I keep coming back for more. I’ve fallen in love with the way she writes her books and tells her stories. You’re always going to get a book that you enjoy reading, has sweet moments, steamy moments, and usually a lot of conflict. This definitely didn’t disappoint.

I will say that there are some really strong parallels to ACOTAR, but honestly, I didn’t mind. Going into this book, I didn’t have any expectations except to enjoy it, so when similar things started happening, I got excited and kind of laughed at the obviousness of it. As long as you don’t take it too seriously, I don’t think it’s a problem. There are really only so many plots you can pull off with Fae. Like with ACOTAR, this book borders Upper YA/NA, so there are some steamy, swoony moments.

I also liked that this was almost dystopian, with a portal fantasy feel. Audrey kind of mixed some of my favorite elements from SF and Fantasy and mashed them together in a way that worked and made for a really enjoyable story. I read Winter in one sitting, couldn’t put it down, and I’m thrilled that book 2 comes out really soon – like, in a month. Means I can read it soon!

I enjoyed Summer. She’s very Feyre, but I think she holds her own. She has her own motivations, her own story. She’s smart and refuses to give up and never backs down from confrontation. I really liked how quickly she was able to adapt, learn and grow. I’m just glad that she’s not just this Chosen One trope, where everything comes easy to her, and she doesn’t learn everything overnight. She’s smart and studious, but she works her ass off to be the best. She took a bad situation and made it work for her.

I did kind of figure out a tad early on what the big secret/reveal was. What happens after it, makes me really excited for book 2.

As for the Winter Prince, jfc, what a moody dude. I get why, with the heart of ice, but damn. Also, I’m trash for that. Despite his chilly exterior, he’s actually the most attentive to Summer, even when he’s ignoring her. He’s the Rhys of this book, and the other guy is definitely Tamlin…you’ll have to read to find out why.

Whereas most other Fae and fantasical beasties treat Summer like the scourge of the world, The Winter Prince treats her like a person. There’s a reason, and I really can’t wait for book 2, because Summer knows what that reason is, and so does everyone else, and it really throws a wrench in things. Also, maybe I’m just starved for ACOTAR (it’s been an age since a reread) but I really cannot wait to watch the bond between the Winter Prince and Summer to grow. I can’t wait to see the ramifications of the past have consequences and I cannot wait for more steamy swoony moments.

I have no idea what to expect next for Summer. But I’m ready for a second year at Evermore, with her, the Winter Prince and Summer’s friends and drunk pixie. If you’re looking for a new story that feels like a favorite, you’re going to want to pick this book up. If you like books set in a school, you’re going to want to pick this book up. If you love Feyre and Rhys as much as I do, let me introduce you to Summer and the Winter Prince (he has a name, but you’ll have to read to find out what it is). Winter is already out, so you have no excuse to not go and buy it. You have time to catch up before Spring is released. Also, make sure you check out Audrey’s other books – they don’t disappoint either.