Winterthorne’s Shards

by Emily Almanza

The games we play are deadly.

War isn’t only on the horizon, it has arrived at Amaria and Theodmon’s gates. Theodmon has been fighting at the Morrian front against Lynette and her dark forces while Amaria has been with the faeries.

Amaria has changed, and she’s not quite accustomed to those changes yet. Her magic is stronger, but it’s different. And if the fight against Lynette and dark magic wasn’t enough, there will be war in Rindria due to Amaria’s previous actions there. There's discontent brewing in the empire.

Theodmon and Amaria must come to terms with what they have done. Can they do this and survive the war they created?

Paperback

Published September 29, 2024

Reviews

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winterthorne Shards is an expected sequel in a politically charged fantasy that pulls at your heartstrings. Amaria underwent a dramatic change at the end of the first book and, due to unfortunate events, spends much of this book trying to change her job as an extractor for a farther into something that doesn't have her quaking in fear. Her father inflicts a lot of emotional and physical harm on his daughter, trying to push her beyond what she has suffered. Amaria and Theodmon come out of their battles scarred but triumphant, with just a little help from the gods and the faeries.
I am looking forward to seeing where their paths lead them next.

[Sweetpea4me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amaria is undergoing some changes. She also comes into an important position. Her and Theo's story continues. Revelations come to light. There's more more battles, more magic, new creatures, new characters, all the adrenaline, etc.

[Juliana Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Curoria Chronicles picks up right where the first one left off. This book was JAM PACKED with war, political intrigue, scheming, drama and major changes for Amaria and Theo. The growth of both characters over this book was immense. Amaria fights to overcome the dark magic she acquired unwillingly and ultimately wins the battle after some help from the fae. Distance puts her and Theo’s relationship to the test during a war they’re trying to win (after their scheming led to its inception). Can’t wait to see what’s next for them in book 3 now that Amaria is back and badder than ever. Highly recommend if you love political intrigue, cunning MCs and partners who ensure their love conquers all.

[Shannon Kleinknecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Winterthorne’s Shards was incredibly well done. Full of politics, battles for kingdoms, and the sweetness of Amaria and Theo. They’ve become one of my favorite couples. While I can’t wait to see what comes next for them, I’d love to delve more into the other kingdoms as well. Knowing their history would give even more depth to such a beautifully crafted story. Thank you for sharing your writing with us.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly the sequel I needed! I enjoyed seeing Amaria's growth while she battled with changes. Like the first book, this one is politically charged and action-packed, and I love the dynamic between Theodmon and Amaria!

[Bevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: violence, gore, @busive family dynamics, some others.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “Winterthorne’s Shards” is available now.

I don’t know if I’m bordering on a slump or if book 1 was just that rough for me, but I absolutely could not get into this book.

War looms for Amaria and Theodmon. As plans to topple Rindria develop, both the Marquis and the Spymaster struggle to keep their feet in the tidal wave of change approaching them.

Coming out of “The Guileful Rose” into “Winterthorne’s Shards”, I was bracing for a DNF. “Rose” was just so repetitive and hard to get through that I was fully prepared for “Shards” to be just as structurally problematic. I always try, though, to give a series a second chance, because often what doesn’t work in book 1 can be remedied in book 2. Fortunately, that was the case here, and “Shards” had very, very few repetition issues. The ones that I did encounter seemed more like the sentence had just been revised and then the first try not cleared out, and since this was an ARC some editing glitches are normal and expected. What we eliminated in repetition was replaced with continuity issues, though, and in a quantity that could not be overlooked. Again, it’s entirely possible these were just edits that hadn’t been made yet (since advance copies usually are not the final versions), but I can only review what I have.

Our FMC is, thankfully, far more bearable to read about than she was previously. Don’t get me wrong, she’s still kind of a terrible person, but it feels much more consistent and fitting. There’s still a major ick-factor regarding the (non-k!nk-oriented) use of the term ‘breeding’ by a god-awful number of characters, but at least Amaria’s insistence that all proper women follow societal expectations and do their wifely duties felt more on brand for her personality and beliefs. Maybe it was just explained better, but it felt less jarringly off for her as a person. She also still has major issues, and she’s not overly likable, but her thinking and rationale helped significantly. There are no ‘good’ people in this story, but at least they’re fairly constant.

The actual plot for this book was fine, but I had a hard time getting into it. A lot of political maneuverings and a lot of battle strategy, which is not my personal favorite, but executed with enough interesting interpersonal dynamics to make it more bearable. The pacing was okay, and we got to skip large swathes of time in which not much would have happened, but there wasn’t anything that really grabbed my attention and held it; I didn’t have strong feelings about any of the events, and I wasn’t dying to jump back in and finish the story. An intriguing ending did wonders but ultimately couldn’t entirely salvage a book that otherwise dragged.

I am 100% certain that this story is going to really appeal to the right reader, it’s just not me. I don’t have the patience (or desire) to comb through a lot of low key politics, the ‘war is both pointless and futile’ take is not one I can easily focus on, and I have a strong preference for FMCs who toss propriety and societal norms out of the highest window they can find with as much blatant disregard for such things as one person can possibly embody. Obviously, this makes me and this book a less than stellar fit.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️

Book 1 lured you in, left you shocked at its end, and then made you wait for book 2…which is finally here. As this is a series, , you definitely need to read The Guileful Rose to fully grasp and appreciate this series. On the verge of w@r, Amaria and Theodmon find themselves dealing with a lot. Amaria has changed and Theo is still fighting.

Amaria is definitely a morally gray FMC, who I love. There is so much more to her than that. Especially now as she is coping with her transformation and learning what this means for her. She is strong, intelligent, and driven. She is complex, layered, and dynamic and her character growth in this book only strengthens these characteristics.

Theo is dealing with his own scars and inner demons as well in this book. As he is far from Amaria, their relationship is tested, another battle to fight and win. We see more of his perspective in this book, which helped round out his character and made him a bit more relatable.

Almanza puts so much real and raw emotion into this book. The journey is not easy for our MCs as they battle for the kingdom and their way back to each other, but with returning and new allies, they prove they are stronger together. I loved meeting new characters, learning new schemes, and just gave up trying to figure out what was coming next. Great second book in the series and I can’t wait for the third.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
💕Fantasy Romance
💕Dark Magic
💕Politically Charged
💕Kingdom at \/\/ar
💕Emotional

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Emily since "The Guileful Rose" was released last year and was so excited to see that she written "Winterthorne's Shards" which was the continuation of book 1 and Amaria's story.
I reread book 1 before jumping into Winterthorne's Shards as a refresher and ready to bring the review!

I preferred "Winterthorne's Shards" over "The Guileful Rose". While both books are INCREDIBLE, I loved the perspective that Emily took with book 2 to include all the politics and overall intensity of the storyline. From the ending of book 1, you can tell that things will be a bit intense in Winterthorne and Amaria has gone through a lot to get to where she is now. The overall world-building while everything is being rebuilt around her was a 5/5. Amaria is extremely intelligent and has such great drive in this book that I really liked (YES for a strong female leader). Emily really paid attention to the smaller details that are often overlooked, introducing new characters, new allies that at one point I gave up trying to map out what will be coming next. While she continued to build a beautifully intricate storyline that will suck you in, you will forget all that you thought was about to come your way. I don't pick up a ton of fantasy books often anymore, but where there is an Emily Almanza book, you will find me! I can't wait to dive into more of her amazing books again soon.

[Jess Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️:5 of 5 🌶️: 1 of 5 📚: 420 pages

Read it if you like:
✔️ Fantasy romance
✔️ Dark magic; Faes; Creatures
✔️ Politically charged
✔️ Kingdom at war
✔️ Book 2 of the series
✔️ Raw/heavy emotions

''War has arrived at Amaria and Theodmon’s gates. Theodmon has been fighting at the Morrian front against Lynette while Amaria has been with the faeries. Amaria's magic is stronger, but it’s different. And if the fight against Lynette and dark magic wasn’t enough, there will be war in Rindria due to Amaria’s previous actions there. There's discontent brewing in the empire. Theodmon and Amaria must come to terms with what they have done. Can they do this and survive the war they created?''

✨ My thoughts: I loved the political schemes of this book! It's so interesting to see all their plans in motion and to watch the consequences of these plans to play out plus all the betrayals, fights and secrets, it's truly a full action packed book! I also loved the romance and all the raw emotions so clear and to see the characters develop those feelings, Amaria and Theo are just so perfect together I loved them! Such and amazing, gripping story and I can't wait for what's next!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all honesty- I haven’t finished the book about 35% in. I don’t leave many books unfinished, I don’t plan on leaving it NF. But I’ve been working on this read since 9/2024, time to let our readers know…

1- this book is a slow read, slow build, high detail forcing the reader to a slower pace that’s hard to maintain focus.

2- theres a lot of scheming, plotting, thought (it’s good, again just slow)

3- FMC and MMC have a great relationship, definitely a match marriage but high chemistry is still lacking

This book is definitely entertainment but not for those who like fast paced bingers with high action.

This second book, I already find better than the first but unless something highly addicting occurs in the next half of the book I anticipate this book will continue to be a solid 3 star. Keep you posted when I finally finish.

**thank you to the author and Bookfunnel for this ARC opportunity, this by no means indicates poor quality work. It is about it finding its right demographic***

[Bell Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Winterthorne’s Shards is a gripping and unforgettable read that pulled me in from the first page. The story picks up with war already at their doorstep, and both Amaria and Theodmon are dealing with the fallout of everything they’ve done. The tension is high, the danger feels real, and the magic is more powerful and more complicated than ever.

I loved watching Amaria struggle with her new powers and try to figure out who she is now. Theodmon’s journey is just as strong, full of guilt and quiet strength. The writing jeeps you interested, making it easy to care about every twist and turn.

I really can’t wait to see what happens next with Elisa and Henri. Their dynamic is so interesting, and I have a feeling it’s going to get even better. Also, Aaron is the kind of character I love to hate—and I just know he’s going to cause even more trouble in the next book. I’m so ready for it.

E.A. Almanza has created a story full of magic, war, and emotion that sticks with you. I’m already excited (and nervous) for what comes next.

[Melody DeLeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fact that no one is either all good or all bad. E. A. Almanza has deftly woven her characters in such a realistic way that you have to take a breather every now and then. Amaria & Theo & the other characters have to come to terms with loss, grief, anger, revenge while pretending to be what society expects of them.
These aren't your benevolent leaders, but they could bring about positive change - for their own rewards. Are they bad? Not exact. Are they good? So-so. Morally grey fits the characters so well. The plot and character development are woven together like a skein of yarn that you have to tug on it to see where it goes. It's a compelling read. It's about war, politics, tragedy, and overcoming... so emotionally charged.
Better than the first book - it delves deep into emotions we're all familiar with while giving us what I believe is a realistic view of what royalty/courts used to be like.
Excellently written and paced, you won't be disappointed if you like political fantasy with realistic, rounded, morally grey characters.

[Nicole Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel covers another few years in Amaria and Theodman's lives. A child is born, the machinations are in full swing, and the Raulets and Chauvignons are in full strategy mode. Amaria is trying to reconcile her year away with the fairies that physically and mentally changed her as well as trying to deal with the haunting memories of the torture she received at Bria Hall. People fall in love, people get married and people die but what goes on in the background is what is most intriguing. We meet new siblings, allies, and enemies along side a war for an emperor who does not join the battle ever but expects others to die for him while he takes the credit. There are so many things happening that I did not see the ending coming-it is a bit of a cliffhanger!! Highly recommended especially those who like maneuvering and political intrigue in a fantasy setting!!

[Emily Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment of this series absolutely blew my expectations out of the water. Unlike the slow lead in for the first book this one leads you straight into an action packed battle that will leave you missing pieces of your heart once it’s over. Between the appreciation I’ve gained for some of the characters and the absolute shock factor behind some of the events it was a no brainer to wanna pick and read again. I may have possibly already read it twice 😅 again I recommend this to those looking for something a little more politically advanced than ACOTAR and a little less Rebel bound than the Fourth Wing. A round of applause is due for the author. Thank you again for a great read!

[Mingui Bleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What an epic story of war and the toll it takes on even the strongest warriors. What a detailed, in depth, believable world, comparable to the world of the Grishaverse for all you fans of Leigh Bardugo. The characters find themselves called upon to handle the dirty work of destroying and restructuring a nation and live up to the challenge, while still remaining relatable as they endure the tragedies and hardships such a burden places on them. Amaria and Theodmon come out of their battles scarred but triumphant, with just a little help from the gods and the faeries. I am definitely looking forward to seeing where their paths lead them next.

[Kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

From start to finish, this book was packed with political intrigue in a fantasy setting. This second novel was much faster paced than the first book, thankfully. While I thought book 1 was good, this was great. The first book’s slow pacing and world building had me on the fence for a while, but book 2 had me sucked in.

There’s so many things and people and their importance to keep track of the entire time. It’s like a great big chess board in book form.

While I think the series could end here and it not make people mad, I’m intrigued to see what’s to come in the next book.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winterthorne’s Shards had some good moments, but in my opinion didn’t improve much from the first book. I felt like the characters motivations were a little inconsistent. However, I enjoyed most of the plot and the development of the magic in the FMC. As a character who is used to doing everything thing naturally in the first book, seeing some struggle and growth was interesting. Again, the characters in this book are very morally grey, and if that’s something you’re into, it’s a great book for that!

[⭐️ mrs_munken_555 ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Guileful Rose, enjoyable but a little more political than my usual cup of tea!
Characters developed even further, more insights into their relationships and where the story is going, as well as the introduction of new characters and where they fit into it all.
Enjoyable yet again and I look forward to the assumed third book!!

[Erin Jarabeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continues the trend of the 1st book trying to pack a lot of different tropes into one novel. It also focuses on the romance that started in the first book of the series, though the romance continues to feel very controversial/forced. I wasn't compelled to finish the series after I finished this book.

[Scarlett Vine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second entry of this political fantasy picks right back up where it left off and doesn't stop. If "Prince of Thorns" was a fairy princess, Almanza takes the powerful savior princess trope and turns it on its head. As it says in the content warnings, there are no heroes in this quest for power.

[Brooke Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this book is packed with political fantasy, raw/heavy emotions and high stakes that left me eager to stay up late to finish each chapter. I can’t end this review with out mentioning the cover… it’s beautiful!!

[Nicole Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up right where The Guileful Rose endes and jumps straight into it. It was faster paced than the first, and packed with political fantasy, lots of emotion, and dark magic. Thank you for the ARC copy :)

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in a series and still action packed and interesting. It is easy for series to begin to lose steam and fall apart, but this one keeps up the action. I love the political system and all the players and sub-plots and intrigue.

[Emily Almanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thrilled that everyone will be able to read this book! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

[Faith Loves to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish I loved this book! Its filled with political fantasy, emotional and enthralling couldn't put it down!

[MellissaMae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready for a rollercoaster! Emily Almanza's sequel is packed with magic, war, and growing pains. Amaria and Theo’s struggles are ridiculously compelling – I'm loving this series!

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is full of political intrigue, fantasy, war, magic, and scheming. I absolutely adored this second installment of Amaria and Theodmon! ✨✨✨✨✨ read! We are introduced to new characters as well as reoccurring characters. This was action packed filled with war, fights, tragedy, revenge, traitors, and hopeful moments though few it still brings a lightless to the story where you can hope for a better world for Amaria and Theodman. I could feel the heartbreak and devastation in the sad moments and anger at Aaron. I cried for Alysious. There is so much to unpack but it flows beautifully through the entire book! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[EP Gazette · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐
1 🌶️ sexual references
3 ☠️ several triggers apply

I loved the dual POV! Seeing Theodmons perspective rounds out the story well. Both his and Amaria's growth is inspiring. I feel for them, wanting to enjoy their family yet bound by the duties of their titles.

I adore Henri, he's such a great soul! I hope he does well in his new position.

[Frankie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, where to start? This book had everything! Political fantasy oozing everywhere! Raw emotions screaming that made you stay on the edge of your seat the whole time you read this book! Each character you meet you can form a connection and almost relate to them! Ugh my emotions are all over the place and to be honest I’m okay with it! I cannot wait to see what happens next! I’ll probably be talking about this book to my husband who will be rolling his eyes and wishing he could duct type my mouth shut! Definitely worth the read I promise!!!!!