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The Redwinter Chronicles #3
Witch Queen of Redwinter
Having been saved from execution at the hands of the Draoihn – powerful magic users Raine used to count as allies – Raine finds herself in the Fault, a vast magical wasteland, which is falling apart before her eyes.
Alongside her two closest companions, they are searching for the only person Raine believes can help them get back home: the enigmatic and infuriatingly elusive Queen of Feathers.
But what home are they trying to get back to? Ovitus LacNaithe, power-hungry traitor that he is, has taken control of the Draoihn and is unwittingly doing the bidding of a darker master. He is soon to take control of the Crown of Harranir and plunge the land into unending darkness.
The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. The stakes have never been higher. It's going to take Raine's dark, terrible powers, as well as the unbreakable bond of three friends, to ensure everyone lives to see the dawn.
The epic conclusion to Ed McDonald's Redwinter Chronicles, Witch Queen of Redwinter brings together breathtaking magic, unflinching fellowship and the gruesome spectacle of war in the most thrilling of fantasy adventures.
Alongside her two closest companions, they are searching for the only person Raine believes can help them get back home: the enigmatic and infuriatingly elusive Queen of Feathers.
But what home are they trying to get back to? Ovitus LacNaithe, power-hungry traitor that he is, has taken control of the Draoihn and is unwittingly doing the bidding of a darker master. He is soon to take control of the Crown of Harranir and plunge the land into unending darkness.
The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. The stakes have never been higher. It's going to take Raine's dark, terrible powers, as well as the unbreakable bond of three friends, to ensure everyone lives to see the dawn.
The epic conclusion to Ed McDonald's Redwinter Chronicles, Witch Queen of Redwinter brings together breathtaking magic, unflinching fellowship and the gruesome spectacle of war in the most thrilling of fantasy adventures.
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First published November 11, 2024
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About the author
Ed McDonald
16 books1,472 followersEd McDonald is a UK born fantasy writer.
Ed is a medieval historian and swordsman by training. He currently lives in London, UK.
Ed is a medieval historian and swordsman by training. He currently lives in London, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
June 17, 2024
This series is like Gideon the Ninth meets The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, but with wayyyy more teen angst and fantasy rather than sci-fi. But still the end of the world.
Raine, Esher, and Sanvaunt have escaped to another realm, a place of myth known as the Fault, even as the king of Harranir passed on and the power of the Crown was lost. The power that stabilised the world or otherwise saw its end.
In the Fault, a darker place filled with monsters no one can imagine, the trio track the Queen of Feathers to find a way to escape the nightmare world.
’Find me a trouble in the world and I'll show you a frightened, self-absorbed man behind it,’ Esher said.
There’s a major love triangle going on here, and similar to my complaints from book two, way too much focus was put on this rather than the, you know, actual end of the world doom and gloom.
I get that they’re teenagers or young adults, but I feel you would have less time to be so jealous and caught up in pity tantrums when facing your destruction around every bend. It just felt extremely childish and annoying.
It is slightly disappointing as I LOVED book one so much and had high hopes that book three would pull itself back from the slightly disappointing book two. Yet, McDonald seems to have more of a focus on teen drama than the more interesting necromantic elements.
That’s not to say the darkness was ever downplayed. This is a dark and gritty world with such an interesting magic system consisting of souls and Gates and energy!
Not to mention, McDonald’s writing skills is not to be underestimated. How he uses language to evoke emotions and puts into words an amalgamation of thoughts and feelings previously inexpressible.
We're made of the things that happen to us as much as we are our father and mother. Bits of the world embed themselves, become prints against our skin. They become scars on our bones, words that we speak and the shadows beneath our eyes. We're all of those experiences, good and bad, and they make us anew with every dawn and leave us changed with the setting of every sun.
I was let down by the ending and felt slightly cheated, but it also felt quite apt and circular, so I feel like this will just depend on personal preference and expectations.
Thank you to Tor Books for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
Raine, Esher, and Sanvaunt have escaped to another realm, a place of myth known as the Fault, even as the king of Harranir passed on and the power of the Crown was lost. The power that stabilised the world or otherwise saw its end.
In the Fault, a darker place filled with monsters no one can imagine, the trio track the Queen of Feathers to find a way to escape the nightmare world.
’Find me a trouble in the world and I'll show you a frightened, self-absorbed man behind it,’ Esher said.
There’s a major love triangle going on here, and similar to my complaints from book two, way too much focus was put on this rather than the, you know, actual end of the world doom and gloom.
I get that they’re teenagers or young adults, but I feel you would have less time to be so jealous and caught up in pity tantrums when facing your destruction around every bend. It just felt extremely childish and annoying.
It is slightly disappointing as I LOVED book one so much and had high hopes that book three would pull itself back from the slightly disappointing book two. Yet, McDonald seems to have more of a focus on teen drama than the more interesting necromantic elements.
That’s not to say the darkness was ever downplayed. This is a dark and gritty world with such an interesting magic system consisting of souls and Gates and energy!
Not to mention, McDonald’s writing skills is not to be underestimated. How he uses language to evoke emotions and puts into words an amalgamation of thoughts and feelings previously inexpressible.
We're made of the things that happen to us as much as we are our father and mother. Bits of the world embed themselves, become prints against our skin. They become scars on our bones, words that we speak and the shadows beneath our eyes. We're all of those experiences, good and bad, and they make us anew with every dawn and leave us changed with the setting of every sun.
I was let down by the ending and felt slightly cheated, but it also felt quite apt and circular, so I feel like this will just depend on personal preference and expectations.
Thank you to Tor Books for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
December 7, 2024
😐
I don't even know what to say.
I think blurb gives enough information to grasp the main points of the story, but trust me: it's heavy on info-dump and esoteric explanations on magic and a few weird flexes of ~it's destiny trope with different planes of existence that transcendent logic. Basically.
I am not a fan of scenes where characters sit in circle and one of them is explaining to others how magic works and it's actually an explanation for the reader. I just find it boring and my eyes tend to glaze over and it takes me out of the story. That is a "me" issue" and it's not the main reason for my disappointment. In regards to that, I will just add I am a bit miffed that Scottish mythology didn't play some huge part of the worldbuilding in the end. If you blink you would miss it, in fact, but I digress.
No, the entirety of disappointment is reserved for characterization.
Raine was never a super likable character, but I didn't mind it as much because she is a teenager and romantic emotions can be messy in general. I actually fond it endearing, this flaw in her character. I preferred the volatile, unwise behavior of book #2 over the cold and uncaring Raine from book #1 which was the result of Ulovar sealing her emotions in an effort to prevent trauma. But the trauma was there and Raine is not very good at handling trauma, something that once again comes to play in this book with similar solution and not a much better result. But you know who was a good balance to her character? Everyone else! Dreamy Sanvaunt and lovely Esher were so likable I totally understood why Raine held a torch for both of them. I was on board for whatever the outcome of this romantic mess turns out to be. And Castus was always my favorite. I like them broken and sarcastic and he had the best lines.
So... the amounts of fuck Raine had for these three in the end came as an unwelcome development, or better said: devolution of entire story. She just didn't care for them and it was glossed over like we all got Ulovar's "forget that" special and previous books with all the emotional drama didn't happen. Like what the hell was that?! They all deserved better. Castus deserved better.
I have no idea what was the point of this story at the end and why tie it to such young characters if the final result was what we got. Found family aspect of the story was what kept me going back to Redwinter, not really the meandering drama of the crown that is actually not a crown and edgelord Witch Queens who walk around menacingly dressed in latest Diablo IV armour. I don't care about them, because author didn't make me care for who they were.
There were always parts in previous novels I enjoyed more than others, but devoid of "found family" trope, I have no idea what was the point. The evil, overpowerful character set to save the world? I've read Black Stone Heart series for example and it shares similar themes with Witch Queen in that regard, but much better laid out. Was this the attempt of "the real treasure are the friends you meet along the way"? I don't think so, it reads more machievelian than that.
So, that's it. Simply said, I didn't like the story and it frankly ruined the enjoyment of previous novels. The futility of characters I was invested in in contrast to the main character I made an effort to care for is the reason.
____________
With the fate of entire world in question and succession, I hope Raine, Sanvaunt and Esher will have their priorities straight which is, of course, to save Castus from that dreadful company he is forced to endure.
I don't even know what to say.
I think blurb gives enough information to grasp the main points of the story, but trust me: it's heavy on info-dump and esoteric explanations on magic and a few weird flexes of ~it's destiny trope with different planes of existence that transcendent logic. Basically.
I am not a fan of scenes where characters sit in circle and one of them is explaining to others how magic works and it's actually an explanation for the reader. I just find it boring and my eyes tend to glaze over and it takes me out of the story. That is a "me" issue" and it's not the main reason for my disappointment. In regards to that, I will just add I am a bit miffed that Scottish mythology didn't play some huge part of the worldbuilding in the end. If you blink you would miss it, in fact, but I digress.
No, the entirety of disappointment is reserved for characterization.
Raine was never a super likable character, but I didn't mind it as much because she is a teenager and romantic emotions can be messy in general. I actually fond it endearing, this flaw in her character. I preferred the volatile, unwise behavior of book #2 over the cold and uncaring Raine from book #1 which was the result of Ulovar sealing her emotions in an effort to prevent trauma. But the trauma was there and Raine is not very good at handling trauma, something that once again comes to play in this book with similar solution and not a much better result. But you know who was a good balance to her character? Everyone else! Dreamy Sanvaunt and lovely Esher were so likable I totally understood why Raine held a torch for both of them. I was on board for whatever the outcome of this romantic mess turns out to be. And Castus was always my favorite. I like them broken and sarcastic and he had the best lines.
So... the amounts of fuck Raine had for these three in the end came as an unwelcome development, or better said: devolution of entire story. She just didn't care for them and it was glossed over like we all got Ulovar's "forget that" special and previous books with all the emotional drama didn't happen. Like what the hell was that?! They all deserved better. Castus deserved better.
I have no idea what was the point of this story at the end and why tie it to such young characters if the final result was what we got. Found family aspect of the story was what kept me going back to Redwinter, not really the meandering drama of the crown that is actually not a crown and edgelord Witch Queens who walk around menacingly dressed in latest Diablo IV armour. I don't care about them, because author didn't make me care for who they were.
There were always parts in previous novels I enjoyed more than others, but devoid of "found family" trope, I have no idea what was the point. The evil, overpowerful character set to save the world? I've read Black Stone Heart series for example and it shares similar themes with Witch Queen in that regard, but much better laid out. Was this the attempt of "the real treasure are the friends you meet along the way"? I don't think so, it reads more machievelian than that.
So, that's it. Simply said, I didn't like the story and it frankly ruined the enjoyment of previous novels. The futility of characters I was invested in in contrast to the main character I made an effort to care for is the reason.
____________
With the fate of entire world in question and succession, I hope Raine, Sanvaunt and Esher will have their priorities straight which is, of course, to save Castus from that dreadful company he is forced to endure.
December 4, 2024
Witch Queen of Redwinter? More like Whiny Bitch Queen of Redwinter.
I really enjoyed the first two books of the series. I was really looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. This was such a disappointment to end off the series with. To spend 50% of the book whining about love, not being in love, not being able to be in love, or being jealous of other people maybe being in love felt so excessive. But how else to end off 50% of the story being a whiny little bitch fest? Obviously with a threesome. Only obvious answer.
Raine went from a strong, interesting character to a character straight out of a bad YA romance novel that spends all their time and energy moaning about how dating is hard.
The last 50% of the book still had an awful lot of whining, just from a somewhat different perspective. If this had been the primary focus of the book, maybe I wouldn’t have been so upset by the quality of this book. But the first half dragged me down, and I just couldn’t bring myself to care much about the second half. Some of the ending should have been upsetting after growing to care about these characters in the first two books, but instead I just wanted the story to end. I didn’t love all of the directions the ending took either, but I might have felt differently about it if I cared more in general. It also made the actual ending feel really abrupt, despite it being what the trilogy is leading up to and being what the main focus of this book was.
I hope other readers get a lot more out of this than I did, because I really did enjoy the first two books. I want others to like it more than I did, but this really did just leave me feeling a bit whiny myself due to the disappointment of it.
But still, my thanks to NeGalley for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the first two books of the series. I was really looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. This was such a disappointment to end off the series with. To spend 50% of the book whining about love, not being in love, not being able to be in love, or being jealous of other people maybe being in love felt so excessive. But how else to end off 50% of the story being a whiny little bitch fest? Obviously with a threesome. Only obvious answer.
Raine went from a strong, interesting character to a character straight out of a bad YA romance novel that spends all their time and energy moaning about how dating is hard.
The last 50% of the book still had an awful lot of whining, just from a somewhat different perspective. If this had been the primary focus of the book, maybe I wouldn’t have been so upset by the quality of this book. But the first half dragged me down, and I just couldn’t bring myself to care much about the second half. Some of the ending should have been upsetting after growing to care about these characters in the first two books, but instead I just wanted the story to end. I didn’t love all of the directions the ending took either, but I might have felt differently about it if I cared more in general. It also made the actual ending feel really abrupt, despite it being what the trilogy is leading up to and being what the main focus of this book was.
I hope other readers get a lot more out of this than I did, because I really did enjoy the first two books. I want others to like it more than I did, but this really did just leave me feeling a bit whiny myself due to the disappointment of it.
But still, my thanks to NeGalley for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2025
This was a decent but uneven conclusion to the Redwinter trilogy. The strongest part of the book remains the characters, Raine, Esher, and Sanvaunt and their bond is what kept me reading. I enjoyed the darker tone and some of the emotional moments, but the pacing dragged in places and the larger stakes never fully landed.
The ending was solid and reasonably satisfying, though I wish there had been more buildup to make it feel impactful. Overall, an okay finale with good character work, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential.
The ending was solid and reasonably satisfying, though I wish there had been more buildup to make it feel impactful. Overall, an okay finale with good character work, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential.
October 11, 2024
Well this was certainly a gothic tale of epic proportions. The new ways that necromancy plays out in this book are incredible. If you are looking for a series with a bold new magic system, this is it.
I do wish there was a bit more logic to the 6th gate magic. Every time I thought I understood it, Ed McDonald pulled some new 6th gate spell reveal way out of left field. You have to suspend a tiny bit of disbelief to accept the hail marys that Raine pulls out of her pocket. They are punk rock though, so it's worth it. This was my favorite book in the trilogy. It has a lot more action that the first two.
All the loose threads of the series pull together in a way that is truly impressive. I've read some fantasy that is fairly simple, this is complex and I'm impressed. I could however have done without the love triangle. The ghosts and zombies and wild magic would have been enough without the teen angst thrown in.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinons are my own.
I do wish there was a bit more logic to the 6th gate magic. Every time I thought I understood it, Ed McDonald pulled some new 6th gate spell reveal way out of left field. You have to suspend a tiny bit of disbelief to accept the hail marys that Raine pulls out of her pocket. They are punk rock though, so it's worth it. This was my favorite book in the trilogy. It has a lot more action that the first two.
All the loose threads of the series pull together in a way that is truly impressive. I've read some fantasy that is fairly simple, this is complex and I'm impressed. I could however have done without the love triangle. The ghosts and zombies and wild magic would have been enough without the teen angst thrown in.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinons are my own.
December 8, 2024
I was a huge fan of Mcdonald's Raven's Mark trilogy. This one...not so much. There were parts that I really liked and there were some great twists, but I'm not a fan of one of the central components of this story.
Dear aspiring and current authors, this is a PSA: If you are even thinking of including a love triangle in your story...DO. NOT. DO. IT!!! For the love of God. Don't do it! Easily half of each of the last two books in this series could've been eliminated by not having the love triangle in this story. Instead, we're subjected to Raine whinging and moaning about how much she likes Saunavant, but she also likes Esher! What's a girl to do?! I guess she should be absolutely shitty to both of them and push them both away. But don't worry, Tweeners, she gets them both in the end via a ten-hour marathon orgy!
Seriously, what the fuck was Mcdonald thinking? How did his editors, friends, family, not firmly tell him, "No."?
Ruined an otherwise decent story.
End rant.
Dear aspiring and current authors, this is a PSA: If you are even thinking of including a love triangle in your story...DO. NOT. DO. IT!!! For the love of God. Don't do it! Easily half of each of the last two books in this series could've been eliminated by not having the love triangle in this story. Instead, we're subjected to Raine whinging and moaning about how much she likes Saunavant, but she also likes Esher! What's a girl to do?! I guess she should be absolutely shitty to both of them and push them both away. But don't worry, Tweeners, she gets them both in the end via a ten-hour marathon orgy!
Seriously, what the fuck was Mcdonald thinking? How did his editors, friends, family, not firmly tell him, "No."?
Ruined an otherwise decent story.
End rant.
November 29, 2024
2.5. This is a pretty harsh rating, but it’s because I’m so mad at this book. I enjoyed the first two books so much but this one was devastating. There is no coming back from this. This is the last book. This is what we’re left with and it’s a pile of nonsensical excrement.
I wish I hadn’t read this so I could still pretend the series would have a satisfying ending.
I wish I hadn’t read this so I could still pretend the series would have a satisfying ending.
August 10, 2025
Stars: 2 out of 5
I don't think I have ever been this disappointed by the conclusion of a series before. This book was a huge letdown both as a standalone and as a book destined to wrap up Raine's story. It was messy, it was dragging, and it lost all of my goodwill by the time we arrived at the end.
The biggest issue is the fact that the stakes went sky-high in between book 2 and book 3, even though only about six months passed between the events of book 2, when Raine and companions ended up in the Fault, and the beginning of this story. Yet all of a sudden, the world is ending, all other nations have fallen, the Fault is bleeding back into the real world, and ancient monsters stalk the forests and mountains again.
How did that happen so quickly? We didn't even know this danger was looming on the horizon. It was never forshadowed in the previous books. As far as I know, the stakes in the previous books were localized to Redwinter and this one particular Crown. There were no hints of a bigger conflict brewing anywhere. When I picked up this book and started reading about all of these catastrophes happening, I really thought I had missed at least one more book in the series that would have built up to this conflict. You simply can't introduce such huge portions of new lore in the last book and not leave your reader lost and dissatisfied.
And even despite all these new revelations piling up on top of me from the beginning of the book, this story is boring and feels like an ever-ending road trip of little significance. I understand why the author decided to split Raine into two; otherwise, there would have been no way of showing what was happening in the real world while she stumbled her way through the Fault, feeling sorry for herself.
But the unintended consequence is a disconnect between the reader and the two Raines. Who am I supposed to care about? Who is the real Raine and who isn't? Also, neither of the two is particularly likable.
This split narrative also kills any forward momentum in this book. The moment you get invested in something happening to emo-Raine in the Fault, the chapter ends, and we are thrown back into the real world and dominatrix Raine being awful and not caring about anyone or anything. It's hard to follow two separate stories when they constantly switch places, but also when you are less and less invested in either one.
The other issue is that I didn't particularly like what Raine has become in this book. Neither of her two incarnations was likable. The one in the Fault continues to be whiny and woe-me, my destiny is so hard, I love those two people, but I can't have them. Doom and gloom, and somebody, please, put her out of her misery!
And the author's solution to this dilemma? A trisome... Yeah, no. Hard pass.
The Sarathi Raine in our world is everything wrong with death witches in the first place. The way she throws away lives like kindling is simply disgusting. And I will can't forgive what they did to Castus, who was the best character in this quagmire, hands down. He deserved better.
By the time the ending finally arrived, I was done with this book and mentally exhausted. Also, any connection or ties I had to these characters were long gone. Yes, I was glad that Ovitus finally got what he deserved, but the rest of them? Couldn't care less.
I also didn't need this chapter-long excursion into the past to show us how the Queen of Feathers interacted with all other Dark Queens to set up the tools of the last battle. Those were just names and voices in Raine's head in the previous books. I had no connection to them. Why did I have to waste time on this?
I am sad. I loved the first book in this series. It was well-written and hinted at an interesting world to explore. Then book two focused on teenage feelings instead of developing the lore and foreshadowing the events to come. Now, book three tried to stuff too much information into one book and failed horribly.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think I have ever been this disappointed by the conclusion of a series before. This book was a huge letdown both as a standalone and as a book destined to wrap up Raine's story. It was messy, it was dragging, and it lost all of my goodwill by the time we arrived at the end.
The biggest issue is the fact that the stakes went sky-high in between book 2 and book 3, even though only about six months passed between the events of book 2, when Raine and companions ended up in the Fault, and the beginning of this story. Yet all of a sudden, the world is ending, all other nations have fallen, the Fault is bleeding back into the real world, and ancient monsters stalk the forests and mountains again.
How did that happen so quickly? We didn't even know this danger was looming on the horizon. It was never forshadowed in the previous books. As far as I know, the stakes in the previous books were localized to Redwinter and this one particular Crown. There were no hints of a bigger conflict brewing anywhere. When I picked up this book and started reading about all of these catastrophes happening, I really thought I had missed at least one more book in the series that would have built up to this conflict. You simply can't introduce such huge portions of new lore in the last book and not leave your reader lost and dissatisfied.
And even despite all these new revelations piling up on top of me from the beginning of the book, this story is boring and feels like an ever-ending road trip of little significance. I understand why the author decided to split Raine into two; otherwise, there would have been no way of showing what was happening in the real world while she stumbled her way through the Fault, feeling sorry for herself.
But the unintended consequence is a disconnect between the reader and the two Raines. Who am I supposed to care about? Who is the real Raine and who isn't? Also, neither of the two is particularly likable.
This split narrative also kills any forward momentum in this book. The moment you get invested in something happening to emo-Raine in the Fault, the chapter ends, and we are thrown back into the real world and dominatrix Raine being awful and not caring about anyone or anything. It's hard to follow two separate stories when they constantly switch places, but also when you are less and less invested in either one.
The other issue is that I didn't particularly like what Raine has become in this book. Neither of her two incarnations was likable. The one in the Fault continues to be whiny and woe-me, my destiny is so hard, I love those two people, but I can't have them. Doom and gloom, and somebody, please, put her out of her misery!
And the author's solution to this dilemma? A trisome... Yeah, no. Hard pass.
The Sarathi Raine in our world is everything wrong with death witches in the first place. The way she throws away lives like kindling is simply disgusting. And I will can't forgive what they did to Castus, who was the best character in this quagmire, hands down. He deserved better.
By the time the ending finally arrived, I was done with this book and mentally exhausted. Also, any connection or ties I had to these characters were long gone. Yes, I was glad that Ovitus finally got what he deserved, but the rest of them? Couldn't care less.
I also didn't need this chapter-long excursion into the past to show us how the Queen of Feathers interacted with all other Dark Queens to set up the tools of the last battle. Those were just names and voices in Raine's head in the previous books. I had no connection to them. Why did I have to waste time on this?
I am sad. I loved the first book in this series. It was well-written and hinted at an interesting world to explore. Then book two focused on teenage feelings instead of developing the lore and foreshadowing the events to come. Now, book three tried to stuff too much information into one book and failed horribly.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2024
Best of the trilogy I thought. What a great world and I love the witch queens and Raine. This book hurt my heart the most though.
August 8, 2025
3.5 stars for a largely disappointing trilogy finale. I thought the ending was quite perfect, but honestly I really only cared about the last quarter of this one, and the solid ending only made me more disappointed that the journey to get there wasn't more impactful.
This is a very slim high-stakes epic fantasy trilogy that comes in at a little over a thousand pages total, and I couldn't shake the thought throughout this book that everything was developing too quickly without enough set up of the worldbuilding, history, and non-human antagonists for there to be proper payoffs. It felt like I had missed at least a book's worth of development of the plot and world for what was happening to not feel random and rushed, and indeed after looking up an author interview about the series it seems we missed out on even more than that.
McDonald said his initial idea for the series was for 7 books, but that the publisher only signed him to a 3-book deal so he was forced to condense it. Cuz that's what sells apparently? All Tor managed to do was thin out a promising series to the point where it has no shot of becoming any kind of classic. How bout taking some big swings and letting authors do what they want! DAW almost made the same mistake with Sun Eater, but now you better believe they're thrilled that Ruocchio stayed true to his expansive vision. Now they are raking in the $, and we the reader get to experience an epic tale as the author envisioned it.
Secondary world stories with world-shaking stakes need page time to blossom, especially if the author is taking a character-driven approach as McDonald does with this one. He is pretty obviously inspired by Robin Hobb's Fitz books, as he has his messy first-person narrator's internal life front and center. Unfortunately this means we don't get a ton of worldbuilding thrown at us nor much focus on side characters or antagonists, which made it hard to care about the setting or the larger overarching plot beyond the effect it had on the main character.
For deeply character-driven fantasy readers who enjoy a nuanced and complicated POV character with a lot of intense emotions, this could really hit the spot. I'm moving further and further from enjoying this kind of writing though which focuses so heavily on repeated emotional introspection, and I don't think a lot of authors realize how just a little of that can go a long long way with diminishing returns the more they do it. Even so, I have grown attached to Raine over the past couple years and think most of the side characters came to life as distinctive and interesting people even if we didn’t get to spend enough time with them. McDonald is clearly an extremely talented writer with a way with words and the ability to craft nuanced, 3-dimensional characters within a coherent and satisfying plot architecture -- I just wish we got the 7-book series version of this story instead of the condensed version the publishers forced down our throats.
This is a very slim high-stakes epic fantasy trilogy that comes in at a little over a thousand pages total, and I couldn't shake the thought throughout this book that everything was developing too quickly without enough set up of the worldbuilding, history, and non-human antagonists for there to be proper payoffs. It felt like I had missed at least a book's worth of development of the plot and world for what was happening to not feel random and rushed, and indeed after looking up an author interview about the series it seems we missed out on even more than that.
McDonald said his initial idea for the series was for 7 books, but that the publisher only signed him to a 3-book deal so he was forced to condense it. Cuz that's what sells apparently? All Tor managed to do was thin out a promising series to the point where it has no shot of becoming any kind of classic. How bout taking some big swings and letting authors do what they want! DAW almost made the same mistake with Sun Eater, but now you better believe they're thrilled that Ruocchio stayed true to his expansive vision. Now they are raking in the $, and we the reader get to experience an epic tale as the author envisioned it.
Secondary world stories with world-shaking stakes need page time to blossom, especially if the author is taking a character-driven approach as McDonald does with this one. He is pretty obviously inspired by Robin Hobb's Fitz books, as he has his messy first-person narrator's internal life front and center. Unfortunately this means we don't get a ton of worldbuilding thrown at us nor much focus on side characters or antagonists, which made it hard to care about the setting or the larger overarching plot beyond the effect it had on the main character.
For deeply character-driven fantasy readers who enjoy a nuanced and complicated POV character with a lot of intense emotions, this could really hit the spot. I'm moving further and further from enjoying this kind of writing though which focuses so heavily on repeated emotional introspection, and I don't think a lot of authors realize how just a little of that can go a long long way with diminishing returns the more they do it. Even so, I have grown attached to Raine over the past couple years and think most of the side characters came to life as distinctive and interesting people even if we didn’t get to spend enough time with them. McDonald is clearly an extremely talented writer with a way with words and the ability to craft nuanced, 3-dimensional characters within a coherent and satisfying plot architecture -- I just wish we got the 7-book series version of this story instead of the condensed version the publishers forced down our throats.
June 4, 2024
Don’t have my actual review done yet. Just wanted to say that if you liked Gideon the Ninth you should give this series a try.
http://aminoapps.com/p/q56hp3
http://aminoapps.com/p/q56hp3
May 28, 2024
Oh, this was such a fantastic read, and such a great end to the series!
Read
November 3, 2024What an ending to an incredibly compelling and original fantasy trilogy! I can say this wasn't the ending I expected at all when I finished the first book, or the one I expected when I finished the second. New things were brought in that mostly were teased all the way along, and I found it INCREDIBLY satisfying. I grieved many times in this pages as characters died and new ones were brought into life, and ultimately where this ended simply worked for me. I don't know if I can call it a fully happy ending, given everything this book is about and has in it, but I would say it's as happy as it can get despite the grief and fear and horror inside. There were parts I wanted to be so different, but you know... so did Raine, and the story just didn't compromise like that.
There was one thing that didn't quite work for me, and even that was fully set up in advance. But ultimately I can see every mechanical thing that McDonald did to make it make sense within the course of the story, so I can't be mad at it even if it didn't fully work for me.
Solid, solid writing, a great trilogy. I'm glad I read it.
Thank you to Tor.com and to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There was one thing that didn't quite work for me, and even that was fully set up in advance. But ultimately I can see every mechanical thing that McDonald did to make it make sense within the course of the story, so I can't be mad at it even if it didn't fully work for me.
Solid, solid writing, a great trilogy. I'm glad I read it.
Thank you to Tor.com and to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2024
I opened this last instalment of the Redwinter series worried how author Ed McDonald would wrap up this big story. Well, I needn't have been concerned, as McDonald keeps tight control over his narrative, and brings home the conclusion with confidence.
Book three opens with Raine, Esher and Sanvaunt stuck in another dimension called the Fault, full of terrifying monsters and demons. They've survived for six months, or so they think as they have no clear sense of how much time has truly passed, fighting hard to the point that the trio make a highly efficient killing unit. They’re desperate to get back home to Redwinter, as they know that a powerful demon from the Fault has started war in their land as a way to break through into it, but they can't find a way out. Then, Raine decides they need to find the Queen of Feathers who might be able to get them out or aid them against the demon, so they begin their quest, travelling through much danger, meeting a cyborg who gives them some rest and weapons, and a chance to rest.
It's at this point that Raine manages to break partly through back into their world, and sees a place riven by civil war, with Castus leading a rapidly dwindling army against Ovitus' forces. Desperate to save him, Raine splits herself in two, stripping off all that is soft and compassionate of herself so that the part she leaves in her home dimension can be utterly pitilous against the enemy. The Raine left in the Fault is now without access to her magic, but is all softness, kindness and love, and finally able to express her feelings for her two close companions.
Back at home, Raine, now just known as the Witch of Redwinter, fights and fights, and all the while, she and Castus' army gain ground on Ovitus' forces, though lose shocking numbers of troops.
These two story threads both charge towards a massive conflict in each dimension, with horrors and heartbreak on each side. But, a critical decision is made in the Fault by the three friends (that I had surmised might be the answer to one of Raine's biggest questions since book one), and allow Raine, and the Witch, to conclusively deal with the outrageously strong foes harming her land.
McDonald wraps up the story (leaving a few small things open) in a way that makes a lot of sense, and that was totally satisfying, but also left me feeling a sense of melancholy. I've come to love this series and this world, and the characters in it, and was not ready to say goodbye by the time I got to the very end.
Was I impressed McDonald :
-kept the pacing efficient? Yes.
-gave the characters numerous opportunities to shine? Yes
-gave Raine a chance to finally deal with her baggage? Yes
-gave me the romance and adventure I wanted? Yes
-paid off the stakes and tension that have been built from book one? Yes
Needless to say, I loved this series. I listened to this instalment and voice actor Samara MacLaren, who has narrated the previous entries also, does an outstanding job inhabiting the characters. I loved how she used a subtle approach to distinguish between Raine and the Witch, while Castus' wry humour and confidence came through nicely, again. MacLaren (and McDonald's writing) made me fall in love with Esher and Sanvaunt, and though I won't get to read about them again (until I return to this series), their frustration, anger, and love were beautifully charted by McLaren over the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review,
Book three opens with Raine, Esher and Sanvaunt stuck in another dimension called the Fault, full of terrifying monsters and demons. They've survived for six months, or so they think as they have no clear sense of how much time has truly passed, fighting hard to the point that the trio make a highly efficient killing unit. They’re desperate to get back home to Redwinter, as they know that a powerful demon from the Fault has started war in their land as a way to break through into it, but they can't find a way out. Then, Raine decides they need to find the Queen of Feathers who might be able to get them out or aid them against the demon, so they begin their quest, travelling through much danger, meeting a cyborg who gives them some rest and weapons, and a chance to rest.
It's at this point that Raine manages to break partly through back into their world, and sees a place riven by civil war, with Castus leading a rapidly dwindling army against Ovitus' forces. Desperate to save him, Raine splits herself in two, stripping off all that is soft and compassionate of herself so that the part she leaves in her home dimension can be utterly pitilous against the enemy. The Raine left in the Fault is now without access to her magic, but is all softness, kindness and love, and finally able to express her feelings for her two close companions.
Back at home, Raine, now just known as the Witch of Redwinter, fights and fights, and all the while, she and Castus' army gain ground on Ovitus' forces, though lose shocking numbers of troops.
These two story threads both charge towards a massive conflict in each dimension, with horrors and heartbreak on each side. But, a critical decision is made in the Fault by the three friends (that I had surmised might be the answer to one of Raine's biggest questions since book one), and allow Raine, and the Witch, to conclusively deal with the outrageously strong foes harming her land.
McDonald wraps up the story (leaving a few small things open) in a way that makes a lot of sense, and that was totally satisfying, but also left me feeling a sense of melancholy. I've come to love this series and this world, and the characters in it, and was not ready to say goodbye by the time I got to the very end.
Was I impressed McDonald :
-kept the pacing efficient? Yes.
-gave the characters numerous opportunities to shine? Yes
-gave Raine a chance to finally deal with her baggage? Yes
-gave me the romance and adventure I wanted? Yes
-paid off the stakes and tension that have been built from book one? Yes
Needless to say, I loved this series. I listened to this instalment and voice actor Samara MacLaren, who has narrated the previous entries also, does an outstanding job inhabiting the characters. I loved how she used a subtle approach to distinguish between Raine and the Witch, while Castus' wry humour and confidence came through nicely, again. MacLaren (and McDonald's writing) made me fall in love with Esher and Sanvaunt, and though I won't get to read about them again (until I return to this series), their frustration, anger, and love were beautifully charted by McLaren over the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review,
January 12, 2026
I really had to force myself to finish this one and I suppose I'm glad I did, because I liked the battle scenes. Everything else was a brutal slog, even from page 1. I loved book #2 because there was a lot of pay off in terms of the characters we got to know in the first book and lots of satisfying lore drops and relationship development alongside an unfolding mystery. Nearly all of that was wiped away for the second book, with many of the characters I liked to read about (both good and evil) either being absent due to getting killed off or just getting shunted to the sidelines of the plot. Our surviving protagonists are unceremoniously dumped in another dimension from the get-go so we don't even have Redwinter itself as a character. Aside from that, the plot was mooshy and I got really confused when the storyline split and the Big Bad was totally underdeveloped and the lore dump that was supposed to build towards the ultimate resolution of the story was also mooshy and inconsistent. Really, I wouldn't be so hard on it if the previous books hadn't been so exciting. The prose was still good and there were some really good ideas scattered about. I would be happy to read more from this author, I was just disappointed by the conclusion to this trilogy.
January 16, 2025
Listened to the audio, which may have contributed to my 3 star rating. I liked the narrator, but she was very slow with her reading, making the story very long and drawn out. 17 and a half hours is a long listen at any rate, so I found my mind drifting frequently. There was a dual reality to keep track of too, which is sometimes difficult when just listening. I did enjoy books one and two, however this instalment seemed too grim, with the main characters losing their appeal from the previous books.
November 8, 2024
Wow. This is a great series finale to the three books. I'll be honest here and say I wasn't particularly looking forward to it as I had really struggled with book 2, however the beauty of this book is that the stage had been set and everything was primed for an awesome finale. You had Raine and her two companions in the fault and then the witch queen in the real world. Perfectly set up. The book really shows you the good and and bad from both sides and even in Raine and how she struggles with her different sides and the best bit is it shows how love between three people can make a difference and it doesn't shy away from LGBT issues and love and indeed has a little dig at the church. Excellent work.
Without giving away too much you need to read the book and discover if Riane stays evil he she turns good, does she find the feather queen, does the one half get her power back.. or does she in fact destroy the world or save it.
So yeah go read this book it's wonderful and lots of excellent battle scenes and the magic system is very unique.
Without giving away too much you need to read the book and discover if Riane stays evil he she turns good, does she find the feather queen, does the one half get her power back.. or does she in fact destroy the world or save it.
So yeah go read this book it's wonderful and lots of excellent battle scenes and the magic system is very unique.
February 6, 2025
I'm giving the trilogy as a whole 3.75 stars - for all the action I found the last part of book 3 a bit lack lustre.
Unfortunately I think I kept comparing this series to Crowfall etc (which I absolutely loved) even though they were total different types of fiction.
Raine, Esher and Sanvaunt were marvellous characters and they certainly carried this book, especially whilst in the Fault.
Unfortunately I think I kept comparing this series to Crowfall etc (which I absolutely loved) even though they were total different types of fiction.
Raine, Esher and Sanvaunt were marvellous characters and they certainly carried this book, especially whilst in the Fault.
January 19, 2025
All love ends. What matters is that it existed.
Wow, never thought I could hate a dog so much but here we are.
February 27, 2025
Phenomenal ending to the series. Gripping from first to last.
June 18, 2025
fantastic end to a great trilogy
June 19, 2025
Absolutely brilliant conclusion to an amazing trilogy...🔥🔥🔥
October 31, 2024
The book is dark, unsettling and terrifying. Some characters realises their true potential and the two worlds hangs in the balance. A magical wasteland is crumbling down and new challenges are waiting for Raine, Esher, and Sanvaunt. And They are on a quest to find the Queen of Feathers. Not only the fate of the two worlds will determine the odyssey of three of them but they go through love, loss, friendship, tragic turn of events and many more emotions. Some realisations hit hard and the dark turn of events turns everything upside down. Power hungry traitor is way ahead of them, they must do something before it’s too late. I felt the characters emotions were portrayed so well and this was such a powerful dark read. I loved all the terrifying descriptions of the dead, of the fault, traitor, the darkness and powerful dark magic that took control of everything. The world building is so dangerous. There are some twists, revelations and battles. The book is perfect for spooky season and this is an epic and powerful conclusion to the series.
Thanks to the publisher
Thanks to the publisher
January 5, 2025
2.5/5 stars - rounded down because of my sadness.
This brings the Redwinter Chronicles to a close with a war that threatens to unravel everything. But while the plot hurtles toward its conclusion with incredible intensity and high stakes, the character-driven heart of the series feels sidelined in favor of the resolution. Honestly, most of this book was me understanding and appreciating the choices that McDonald made to close out this trilogy, but not liking them.
I do want to note that the narrator, Samara MacLaren, is exceptional here as always. I do not think I would have enjoyed this series nearly as much without her amazing voice work. Highly recommend the audio (tandem with physical or ebook is always my favorite option).
One of the strengths of the earlier books was their focus on Raine and her relationships with incredible characters, both romantic and platonic. I was excited to see how these relationships would be developed in this final book. But the characters here seemed so far removed from what I had grown to love about them. Perhaps the point was that these were characters battered by war and that they had grown tired, but their spark has been snuffed out entirely here. These don't feel like the same characters that I've grown to love.
And while I loved that Raine was given the OT3 she deserved, it felt like the focus on their dynamic took a backseat to the overarching plot. Don't get me wrong - once Raine gets over her drama, the trio's connection is beautifully written, but the characters didn't feel like themselves, so it just felt disappointing.
Another aspect that left me conflicted was Raine’s emotional state. and while it works conceptually, it still felt like a HUGE step back in her character arc. I understand why McDonald made this choice, and on paper, it makes sense. But emotionally, it created a distance between Raine and the reader that made it even harder to stay connected to her journey.
That said, one thing I have zero complaints about is Ovitus. What a vile, entitled villain—one of the most infuriating antagonists I’ve ever come across, and I loved how his story concluded. It was pitch-perfect, no notes, exactly what he deserved. McDonald absolutely nailed it with his ending, and I have nothing but applause for how his arc was wrapped up.
The transition from character-driven storytelling to something far more plot-centric wasn’t necessarily bad—it just wasn’t what I loved most about this trilogy. The stakes are undeniably massive, the magic is fascinating, and the world continues to feel richly built and deeply atmospheric. But the emotional core that tethered me to the story didn’t hit as hard here.
There’s no denying McDonald’s skill at crafting tension and immersive worldbuilding, and the darker, bleaker tone fits the narrative stakes perfectly. But I wanted more time with Raine as a person, not just as a catalyst for the plot. Her character arc didn’t feel as satisfying as I’d hoped, and the quieter moments of connection and reflection felt fewer and farther between.
That said, the resolution WORKS? The ending ties things up in a way that feels purposeful and meaningful, even if it wasn’t a home run for me personally. Would I still recommend this trilogy? Absolutely. Would I say the conclusion fits the story being told? Yes. But did it leave me fully satisfied? Not even close.
For fans of dark, emotionally complex fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, this trilogy is still worth the journey. It’s bold, intense, and filled with memorable moments: I just wished for a more emotional ending to say goodbye to these characters.
Thanks SO much to Tor and Netgalley for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This brings the Redwinter Chronicles to a close with a war that threatens to unravel everything. But while the plot hurtles toward its conclusion with incredible intensity and high stakes, the character-driven heart of the series feels sidelined in favor of the resolution. Honestly, most of this book was me understanding and appreciating the choices that McDonald made to close out this trilogy, but not liking them.
I do want to note that the narrator, Samara MacLaren, is exceptional here as always. I do not think I would have enjoyed this series nearly as much without her amazing voice work. Highly recommend the audio (tandem with physical or ebook is always my favorite option).
One of the strengths of the earlier books was their focus on Raine and her relationships with incredible characters, both romantic and platonic. I was excited to see how these relationships would be developed in this final book. But the characters here seemed so far removed from what I had grown to love about them. Perhaps the point was that these were characters battered by war and that they had grown tired, but their spark has been snuffed out entirely here. These don't feel like the same characters that I've grown to love.
And while I loved that Raine was given the OT3 she deserved, it felt like the focus on their dynamic took a backseat to the overarching plot. Don't get me wrong - once Raine gets over her drama, the trio's connection is beautifully written, but the characters didn't feel like themselves, so it just felt disappointing.
Another aspect that left me conflicted was Raine’s emotional state. and while it works conceptually, it still felt like a HUGE step back in her character arc. I understand why McDonald made this choice, and on paper, it makes sense. But emotionally, it created a distance between Raine and the reader that made it even harder to stay connected to her journey.
That said, one thing I have zero complaints about is Ovitus. What a vile, entitled villain—one of the most infuriating antagonists I’ve ever come across, and I loved how his story concluded. It was pitch-perfect, no notes, exactly what he deserved. McDonald absolutely nailed it with his ending, and I have nothing but applause for how his arc was wrapped up.
The transition from character-driven storytelling to something far more plot-centric wasn’t necessarily bad—it just wasn’t what I loved most about this trilogy. The stakes are undeniably massive, the magic is fascinating, and the world continues to feel richly built and deeply atmospheric. But the emotional core that tethered me to the story didn’t hit as hard here.
There’s no denying McDonald’s skill at crafting tension and immersive worldbuilding, and the darker, bleaker tone fits the narrative stakes perfectly. But I wanted more time with Raine as a person, not just as a catalyst for the plot. Her character arc didn’t feel as satisfying as I’d hoped, and the quieter moments of connection and reflection felt fewer and farther between.
That said, the resolution WORKS? The ending ties things up in a way that feels purposeful and meaningful, even if it wasn’t a home run for me personally. Would I still recommend this trilogy? Absolutely. Would I say the conclusion fits the story being told? Yes. But did it leave me fully satisfied? Not even close.
For fans of dark, emotionally complex fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, this trilogy is still worth the journey. It’s bold, intense, and filled with memorable moments: I just wished for a more emotional ending to say goodbye to these characters.
Thanks SO much to Tor and Netgalley for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
November 1, 2024
I enjoyed this book (and the entire series). The magic is super interesting along with the world building. This book focuses much more on the interpersonal relationships of the characters and how those relationships can shape the world. Overall, I would definitely recommend this series.
C/o Netgalley
C/o Netgalley
November 18, 2024
Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW/CW Death | Murder | Violence | War
Witch Queen of Redwinter is the conclusion to the Redwinter Chronicles. A trilogy I have had my issues with but that I did continue to read. While I don't care much for our main character, there is something in the world building and magic system that pulled me back. It had potential. Unfortunately this installment did not fulfil this potential either.
Raine and her two friends have been taken into a magical wasteland. When we find them again, 6 months have already passed. They don't quite know how to leave and they don't know what they are really doing there. They are focusing on the tower to find the person that has appeared to Raine multiple times. Even if they aren't really sure if she is there.
Honestly, this book was quite a slog to get through. For the first part Raine is jealous and a bit insufferable. It wasn't fun to read. There is also a lot of focus on the relationshp between Raine and her companions. I am all in for a polyarmorous relationship if they are done well. Raine had her relationship with each of them but between the companions the tie wasn't quite so well established. I just didn't feel like it could truly work for them, that it had been build up well enough. And it was all a bit to idealistic.
But more so I struggled with the plot decisions. It almost recycles a point from the first book. Raine divides herself. The part of herself that returns to the 'real' world is without most of her emotions. I hated her not having her emotions in book 1 and I hated reading it again in this book. It was also just such a convenient way to work around the little hole the author had written himself in. Because we had no idea what was happening in their world while they were in the wasteland. But now we did, and hey did we really need a Raine with emotions for a war? It didn't help that 3 years had already passed for everyone else.
It did not make for a pleasant read. I felt so far removed from everything that I stopped caring at all about any of the side characters that I had liked.
TW/CW Death | Murder | Violence | War
Witch Queen of Redwinter is the conclusion to the Redwinter Chronicles. A trilogy I have had my issues with but that I did continue to read. While I don't care much for our main character, there is something in the world building and magic system that pulled me back. It had potential. Unfortunately this installment did not fulfil this potential either.
Raine and her two friends have been taken into a magical wasteland. When we find them again, 6 months have already passed. They don't quite know how to leave and they don't know what they are really doing there. They are focusing on the tower to find the person that has appeared to Raine multiple times. Even if they aren't really sure if she is there.
Honestly, this book was quite a slog to get through. For the first part Raine is jealous and a bit insufferable. It wasn't fun to read. There is also a lot of focus on the relationshp between Raine and her companions. I am all in for a polyarmorous relationship if they are done well. Raine had her relationship with each of them but between the companions the tie wasn't quite so well established. I just didn't feel like it could truly work for them, that it had been build up well enough. And it was all a bit to idealistic.
But more so I struggled with the plot decisions. It almost recycles a point from the first book. Raine divides herself. The part of herself that returns to the 'real' world is without most of her emotions. I hated her not having her emotions in book 1 and I hated reading it again in this book. It was also just such a convenient way to work around the little hole the author had written himself in. Because we had no idea what was happening in their world while they were in the wasteland. But now we did, and hey did we really need a Raine with emotions for a war? It didn't help that 3 years had already passed for everyone else.
It did not make for a pleasant read. I felt so far removed from everything that I stopped caring at all about any of the side characters that I had liked.
October 30, 2024
I loved both previous books in this trilogy, but my gods, the first third of Witch-Queen is such a slog, drowning in telling-telling-telling, and Raine’s stupid whiny angst smeared over everything, and the not-underworld she’s trapped in is so bloody boring, and let’s not forget the six month timeskip between books!
I cannot make myself care. Even with a potential poly endgame on the table. Even with all the mysteries yet to be un-mysteried. Even with Ovitus needing to get his just desserts. I just do not care. Too much is too convenient; too much is coming out of nowhere; too much is relationship drama and woe-is-me.
I skipped to skim the ending, and that only reinforced my decision to call it quits - so many huge things that the groundwork was never laid for (in the earlier books, I mean, which is where the groundwork should be laid for your epic finale revelations - you can't just start introducing this stuff at the last minute!), and hi, hate what you did with the three-way romance! Hate it! The actual fuck was that? Urgh!
I’m done. Incredibly disappointed, and done.
I cannot make myself care. Even with a potential poly endgame on the table. Even with all the mysteries yet to be un-mysteried. Even with Ovitus needing to get his just desserts. I just do not care. Too much is too convenient; too much is coming out of nowhere; too much is relationship drama and woe-is-me.
I skipped to skim the ending, and that only reinforced my decision to call it quits - so many huge things that the groundwork was never laid for (in the earlier books, I mean, which is where the groundwork should be laid for your epic finale revelations - you can't just start introducing this stuff at the last minute!), and hi, hate what you did with the three-way romance! Hate it! The actual fuck was that? Urgh!
I’m done. Incredibly disappointed, and done.
September 17, 2025
You may recall that in my review of the third installment of The Raven's Mark trilogy, I claimed that Ed McDonald had the potential to be the next Joe Abercrombie. Sadly, I quickly realized that the Redwinter Chronicles was a totally different beast. Especially the YA style and tone, which feel ill-suited for the story the author is trying to tell. And yet, despite its flaws, I felt that Daughter of Redwinter marked the beginning of a promising new series. I was hoping that McDonald could step up to the plate and deliver like he did in the past.
Alas, Traitor of Redwinter proved that it wasn't meant to be. I don't know if it was a case of the middle book syndrome, or if there simply wasn't enough material here to warrant a full novel, but not much happens during a rather big chunk of that book. In the end, it turned out to be a slog to finish.
At the time, I was wondering if I'd read the final volume, Witch Queen of Redwinter. I've invested a lot of my time reading the first two volumes, so a part of me wanted to discover how it would end. However, another part of me couldn't even think of spending another minute reading Raine's POV. So it took a while, but ultimately I elected to give this one a shot. And though it was better than its predecessor, taken as a whole this trilogy can be nothing but a disappointment for me.
Here's the blurb:
Having been saved from execution at the hands of the Draoihn—powerful magic users Raine used to count as allies—Raine finds herself in the Fault, a vast magical wasteland, which is falling apart before her eyes.
Alongside her two closest companions, they are searching for the only person Raine believes can help them get back home: the enigmatic and infuriatingly elusive Queen of Feathers.
But what home are they trying to get back to? Ovitus LacNaithe, power-hungry traitor that he is, has taken control of the Draoihn and is unwittingly doing the bidding of a darker master. He is soon to take control of the Crown of Harranir and plunge the land into unending darkness.
The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. The stakes have never been higher. It’s going to take Raine’s dark, terrible powers, as well as the unbreakable bond of three friends, to ensure everyone lives to see the dawn.
In my review of Daughter of Redwinter, I bemoaned the fact that McDonald came up with lots of fascinating concepts and ideas, yet à la Mark Lawrence he played his cards way too close to his chest and did not elaborate much on them. He was a bit more forthcoming in Traitor of Redwinter, and those revelations are likely the only reason why I managed to reach the end of that book. We did learn a bit more about Raine's grave sight and its repercussions, and we also discovered that she's not the first person the Queen of Feathers has groomed for some nebulous objective. This third installment finally unveils the truth about Maldouen, the Crowns, the Fault, the Sarathi, the Riven Queen, Empress Song Seondeok, Empress Serranis, and the Queen of Feathers. McDonald finally provides answers to our ever-growing list of questions, yet I often felt that it was a case of too little, too late. Still, in Witch Queen of Redwinter at least, the author delivered on the worldbuilding front. Having said that, the facet which continues to sink this story is the incredibly weak political intrigue that has to do with Ovitus seizing control of the kingdom and everything that follows.
In my opinion, first-person narratives are always tricky things and can easily make or break a novel. And unfortunately, I feel that Raine's perspective could well be the most detrimental aspect of this series. Two volumes into this trilogy, she has become hard to root/care for. In my review of Traitor of Redwinter, I said that there is only so much self-loathing monologues one can take and I've reached my breaking point in that regard. There is such a thing as character development, and then there's flogging a dead horse. To his credit, Ed McDonald did something quite unexpected about that in this final installment. I'm not going to reveal what it is, because it would be a major spoiler. But it does help a little. Once again, the three-way romance between Raine and the other Draoihn apprentices is full of the teenage angst that so characterize most SFF YA works and things don't improve in that regard. Once more, I can't help but feel that multiple POVs would have given more depth to this series.
Although he failed to do so in the first two volumes, in the past Ed McDonald was known for closing the show with style and aplomb. Both Ravencry and Crowfall featured exciting endgames that led to thrilling finales which packed a surprisingly powerful emotional punch. Again, though Witch Queen of Redwinter is by no means a great read, the author came up with a gripping endgame and a totally unanticipated finale. Whether or not this is enough to save the trilogy as a whole, your mileage may vary. The open-ended conclusion may not please everyone, but I feel that it works rather well.
When all is said and done, though the Redwinter Chronicles show some signs of brilliance from time to time, I believe that the YA style and tone are what made this series a failure to launch for me. Which is not to say that other readers might not love everything about it. It just wasn't for me. . .
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Alas, Traitor of Redwinter proved that it wasn't meant to be. I don't know if it was a case of the middle book syndrome, or if there simply wasn't enough material here to warrant a full novel, but not much happens during a rather big chunk of that book. In the end, it turned out to be a slog to finish.
At the time, I was wondering if I'd read the final volume, Witch Queen of Redwinter. I've invested a lot of my time reading the first two volumes, so a part of me wanted to discover how it would end. However, another part of me couldn't even think of spending another minute reading Raine's POV. So it took a while, but ultimately I elected to give this one a shot. And though it was better than its predecessor, taken as a whole this trilogy can be nothing but a disappointment for me.
Here's the blurb:
Having been saved from execution at the hands of the Draoihn—powerful magic users Raine used to count as allies—Raine finds herself in the Fault, a vast magical wasteland, which is falling apart before her eyes.
Alongside her two closest companions, they are searching for the only person Raine believes can help them get back home: the enigmatic and infuriatingly elusive Queen of Feathers.
But what home are they trying to get back to? Ovitus LacNaithe, power-hungry traitor that he is, has taken control of the Draoihn and is unwittingly doing the bidding of a darker master. He is soon to take control of the Crown of Harranir and plunge the land into unending darkness.
The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. The stakes have never been higher. It’s going to take Raine’s dark, terrible powers, as well as the unbreakable bond of three friends, to ensure everyone lives to see the dawn.
In my review of Daughter of Redwinter, I bemoaned the fact that McDonald came up with lots of fascinating concepts and ideas, yet à la Mark Lawrence he played his cards way too close to his chest and did not elaborate much on them. He was a bit more forthcoming in Traitor of Redwinter, and those revelations are likely the only reason why I managed to reach the end of that book. We did learn a bit more about Raine's grave sight and its repercussions, and we also discovered that she's not the first person the Queen of Feathers has groomed for some nebulous objective. This third installment finally unveils the truth about Maldouen, the Crowns, the Fault, the Sarathi, the Riven Queen, Empress Song Seondeok, Empress Serranis, and the Queen of Feathers. McDonald finally provides answers to our ever-growing list of questions, yet I often felt that it was a case of too little, too late. Still, in Witch Queen of Redwinter at least, the author delivered on the worldbuilding front. Having said that, the facet which continues to sink this story is the incredibly weak political intrigue that has to do with Ovitus seizing control of the kingdom and everything that follows.
In my opinion, first-person narratives are always tricky things and can easily make or break a novel. And unfortunately, I feel that Raine's perspective could well be the most detrimental aspect of this series. Two volumes into this trilogy, she has become hard to root/care for. In my review of Traitor of Redwinter, I said that there is only so much self-loathing monologues one can take and I've reached my breaking point in that regard. There is such a thing as character development, and then there's flogging a dead horse. To his credit, Ed McDonald did something quite unexpected about that in this final installment. I'm not going to reveal what it is, because it would be a major spoiler. But it does help a little. Once again, the three-way romance between Raine and the other Draoihn apprentices is full of the teenage angst that so characterize most SFF YA works and things don't improve in that regard. Once more, I can't help but feel that multiple POVs would have given more depth to this series.
Although he failed to do so in the first two volumes, in the past Ed McDonald was known for closing the show with style and aplomb. Both Ravencry and Crowfall featured exciting endgames that led to thrilling finales which packed a surprisingly powerful emotional punch. Again, though Witch Queen of Redwinter is by no means a great read, the author came up with a gripping endgame and a totally unanticipated finale. Whether or not this is enough to save the trilogy as a whole, your mileage may vary. The open-ended conclusion may not please everyone, but I feel that it works rather well.
When all is said and done, though the Redwinter Chronicles show some signs of brilliance from time to time, I believe that the YA style and tone are what made this series a failure to launch for me. Which is not to say that other readers might not love everything about it. It just wasn't for me. . .
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
July 28, 2025
Teenage drama queen becomes dark lord.
The exciting conclusion to the Redwinter chronicles ends here, mostly because everybody dies, or is resurrected as something else. There is room for more chronicles or a spin off. Troubled teen / young adult Raine is with her besties trying to fight an ambiguous evil. There are some distinct plot holes, troubling tangents, and a lot of action. A fairly unique world with a habit of killing off key characters makes this story a nail-biter.
Raine Sanvaunt, and Esher escaped Ovitus, the frumpy traitor of Redwinter. But they landed themselves in a very dark world that exists between their world and the Nightmare Below realm. In the Fault lie monsters of many descriptions. McDonald elaborates on some of these, but largely leaves them to the reader to imagine. This is very much a character driven story. And the Fault does not want them there. They spend a lot of time fighting wave after wave of monsters. In so doing they build their skills and strengths. Time is relative in the Fault and they have been gone from their world for years. They eventually run into the Iddin, king of the Fault. It is not clear where he comes from, but he is god-like and just as terrible as anything else from the Fault. From that point on, the trio race against Iddin (and time) and escape the Fault and stop Iddin from taking over their world.
But they have time to stop and screw. Teen angst and sex are a centerpiece of this book, much like Book 2. There is no real erotica. This is all soft core erotica. Again, he leads it up to the reader to imagine. In a way it is a lot like Sims in which you pick and choose your love life. Naturally, Raine, Sanvaunt and Esher break up and come together every imaginable way. Other readers observed how odd it would be for three heroes to face the apocalypse, but stop everything just to bicker about past hurts and self pity. Good grief! No wonder Raine takes such drastic actions in both the Fault and the real world above.
The world is broken and getting worse and worse. Great cities and kingdoms are falling apart. Monsters and the dead walk the earth. Iddin is coming. The great traitor Ovitus is both antagonist and pitiful patsy. His ultimate fate is both horrifying and satisfying. The fates of others is less rewarding. I confess that I stopped caring about most of them. Spoiled rich kids, even Raine who came from humble beginnings, is just as unlikable as the rest. In a way I understand Ovitus, the odd ball kid who did not fit in with the other rich kids - and he is the bad guy. McDonald spends so much time and energy crafting each character; and he does not realize that his readers do not like them, much less sympathize with them. Raine saves the world and (sort of) finds love.
The action is delightful. McDonald does not waste time on the action. Even at the climactic battle, his focus is on Raine who is sitting on an island waiting for Ovitus to come to her. There is an enormous battle nearby and McDonald leaves it at that. Dragons. Nothing. It is both refreshing and frustrating. It is hard to write a battle or fight scene. Raine versus the traitors is the closest he comes. It is brief, brutal, and clear. But the results of the battles are not hard to miss. McDonald writes communication and emotion. The results of a fight are much more important to him than the actual combat, movements, or styles. The relief, suffering, wisdom are important. Battles have been fought throughout time, but Raine is changing things. Bit by bit.
It says something that the most popular titles in the 2020s are dark fantasy. Monsters are rising, the world is falling apart, and God is either absent or wicked. There is a lot of Harrow IX in this book, or the tv series Supernatural. Again, the main cast are facing hopeless odds. They are self-absorbed gods or god-like. Their own feelings and grievances are more important than the doom coming for them. It is not much different than the Witcher. Again, the lead characters are self-absorbed and focused on each other rather than the constant march towards doom. What does that say about the American zeitgeist? These are not stories of Bilbo Baggins or Harry Potter. They are totally dark and selfish.
Overall, it is a great story and a fascinating conclusion to the series. It is refreshing that McDonald had created an original ending to go along with his dark universe. I disliked the teen angst. There was too much banter and philosophy. It is important because both lead to the beautifully crafted ending. I am mixed about taking down a god / God. But, again, that is where our cultural sewer has led us. Too bad our writers cannot balance beauty and horror.
The exciting conclusion to the Redwinter chronicles ends here, mostly because everybody dies, or is resurrected as something else. There is room for more chronicles or a spin off. Troubled teen / young adult Raine is with her besties trying to fight an ambiguous evil. There are some distinct plot holes, troubling tangents, and a lot of action. A fairly unique world with a habit of killing off key characters makes this story a nail-biter.
Raine Sanvaunt, and Esher escaped Ovitus, the frumpy traitor of Redwinter. But they landed themselves in a very dark world that exists between their world and the Nightmare Below realm. In the Fault lie monsters of many descriptions. McDonald elaborates on some of these, but largely leaves them to the reader to imagine. This is very much a character driven story. And the Fault does not want them there. They spend a lot of time fighting wave after wave of monsters. In so doing they build their skills and strengths. Time is relative in the Fault and they have been gone from their world for years. They eventually run into the Iddin, king of the Fault. It is not clear where he comes from, but he is god-like and just as terrible as anything else from the Fault. From that point on, the trio race against Iddin (and time) and escape the Fault and stop Iddin from taking over their world.
But they have time to stop and screw. Teen angst and sex are a centerpiece of this book, much like Book 2. There is no real erotica. This is all soft core erotica. Again, he leads it up to the reader to imagine. In a way it is a lot like Sims in which you pick and choose your love life. Naturally, Raine, Sanvaunt and Esher break up and come together every imaginable way. Other readers observed how odd it would be for three heroes to face the apocalypse, but stop everything just to bicker about past hurts and self pity. Good grief! No wonder Raine takes such drastic actions in both the Fault and the real world above.
The world is broken and getting worse and worse. Great cities and kingdoms are falling apart. Monsters and the dead walk the earth. Iddin is coming. The great traitor Ovitus is both antagonist and pitiful patsy. His ultimate fate is both horrifying and satisfying. The fates of others is less rewarding. I confess that I stopped caring about most of them. Spoiled rich kids, even Raine who came from humble beginnings, is just as unlikable as the rest. In a way I understand Ovitus, the odd ball kid who did not fit in with the other rich kids - and he is the bad guy. McDonald spends so much time and energy crafting each character; and he does not realize that his readers do not like them, much less sympathize with them. Raine saves the world and (sort of) finds love.
The action is delightful. McDonald does not waste time on the action. Even at the climactic battle, his focus is on Raine who is sitting on an island waiting for Ovitus to come to her. There is an enormous battle nearby and McDonald leaves it at that. Dragons. Nothing. It is both refreshing and frustrating. It is hard to write a battle or fight scene. Raine versus the traitors is the closest he comes. It is brief, brutal, and clear. But the results of the battles are not hard to miss. McDonald writes communication and emotion. The results of a fight are much more important to him than the actual combat, movements, or styles. The relief, suffering, wisdom are important. Battles have been fought throughout time, but Raine is changing things. Bit by bit.
It says something that the most popular titles in the 2020s are dark fantasy. Monsters are rising, the world is falling apart, and God is either absent or wicked. There is a lot of Harrow IX in this book, or the tv series Supernatural. Again, the main cast are facing hopeless odds. They are self-absorbed gods or god-like. Their own feelings and grievances are more important than the doom coming for them. It is not much different than the Witcher. Again, the lead characters are self-absorbed and focused on each other rather than the constant march towards doom. What does that say about the American zeitgeist? These are not stories of Bilbo Baggins or Harry Potter. They are totally dark and selfish.
Overall, it is a great story and a fascinating conclusion to the series. It is refreshing that McDonald had created an original ending to go along with his dark universe. I disliked the teen angst. There was too much banter and philosophy. It is important because both lead to the beautifully crafted ending. I am mixed about taking down a god / God. But, again, that is where our cultural sewer has led us. Too bad our writers cannot balance beauty and horror.
February 5, 2025
*copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*
Witch Queen of Redwinter is the finale in Ed McDonald's Redwinter trilogy. And it has a looot to wrap up, given that the last instalment saw the start of the end of the world, and saw our heroine flung into an entirely different level of reality, whilst her ex-friend, now nemesis started the apocalypse, and her two best friends, both of whom she carrying a torch for, are less than pleased with her for some rather shoddy behaviour. So...lots to do. Does the story pull it off? Well, I think so. I had a good time with this one, and particularly enjoyed that even three books in, it was capable of surprising me. I think, on balance, that the series delivers on its promise, and this final novel sticks the landing pretty well to get us there.
Which brings us to Raine. The protagonist of the series, now wrapped up in seven shades of trauma. She's been betrayed, sacrificed friends, seen other friends murdered. She's fought demons from out of time and space, and dealt with the fact that some of her own magic is both deeply unpleasant, and would see her put to death if anyone knew about it. Raine has, honestly, had a bit of a time of it. Equally, that's shaped her, often not for the better. She can be cold and hard and lethal, uncaring and closed off, while at the same time yearning for some humanity, compassion and friendship. The Raine we have here is almost two people. One who thinks they need to do "what must be done", be it mass murder, using people like tools, or, you know, more discriminate, artisanal murder. That Raine is desperate to be an island alone, pushing her friends and connections aside in order to stop them from stopping her. On the other hand there's the Raine who knows that she needs those friends in order to be a person, in order to do anything worth a damn, in order to bring some humanity to being, you know, a necromantic magic user who can rip your soul out of your body and use it as a doormat. The tension between these two halves is a struggle for her, and it's hard not to empathise - though she's more able to realise her own agency here, Raine is still a creature of her past, of old hurts and old loves casting shadows from the past into the now. Her journey toward catharsis, toward recognising and absolving her own pain (whilst coincidentally causing her enemies to explode) has been a joy, and, well, a pain, and seeing it play out, seeing the shape that Raine pulls herself and the world into, in the end, is very much worth it.
Speaking of the world. We get to see all kinds of fun places this go around. Mostly notably the Fault, a weird not-reality filled with murderous undead, strange beasts, and shattered ruins from elsewhere and elsewhen. There's a crawling, sterile dread here, a sense that the other shoe is always about to drop, a sense that just existing in this space is inimical, is draining vitality and love and life from everything inside it, which either dies or turns homicidal as a result. Those of you who've read McDonald's other series, Blackwing may see some similarities here, in the eerie wasteland that is essentially a misery to get through. Still, the journey gives Raine time to try and deal with her baggage, and to work on her relationships with her friends, whom she absolutely definitely isn't in love with. And we also get to see more of the environs around Redwinter and the north, a place filled with peat glens and deep lochs, where all sorts of monsters and ancient legends lurk in the mist, ready to fuck up Raine's day - or those of her enemies, they aren't that picky.
Speaking of Raine's enemies - oh, they really are a bunch of small minded, awful people who just can't stop trying to make the universe all about their wants and needs, as opposed to just letting it be. Ovitus, in particular, returning for another round of being a terrible person, just has so much main-character syndrome it's untrue. And I am here to tell you that the story delivers on Raine's efforts to both save the world and get revenge. It has towering monsters. It has bloody, kinetic, occasionally unpleasantly graphic battles that don't flinch away from the cost, and show how glory is always soaked in blood. It has romance and found families, and the kind of raw emotion that makes your heart ache. And it wraps the whole story up with a denouement that left everything feeling, if not settled, then, well, done. The story delivers on tying up all the loose ends, on making us care, and on giving us a tale that puts your heart in your mouth and lets you sob and cheer in equal measure.
Anyway, it was a good time, and well worth the read!
Witch Queen of Redwinter is the finale in Ed McDonald's Redwinter trilogy. And it has a looot to wrap up, given that the last instalment saw the start of the end of the world, and saw our heroine flung into an entirely different level of reality, whilst her ex-friend, now nemesis started the apocalypse, and her two best friends, both of whom she carrying a torch for, are less than pleased with her for some rather shoddy behaviour. So...lots to do. Does the story pull it off? Well, I think so. I had a good time with this one, and particularly enjoyed that even three books in, it was capable of surprising me. I think, on balance, that the series delivers on its promise, and this final novel sticks the landing pretty well to get us there.
Which brings us to Raine. The protagonist of the series, now wrapped up in seven shades of trauma. She's been betrayed, sacrificed friends, seen other friends murdered. She's fought demons from out of time and space, and dealt with the fact that some of her own magic is both deeply unpleasant, and would see her put to death if anyone knew about it. Raine has, honestly, had a bit of a time of it. Equally, that's shaped her, often not for the better. She can be cold and hard and lethal, uncaring and closed off, while at the same time yearning for some humanity, compassion and friendship. The Raine we have here is almost two people. One who thinks they need to do "what must be done", be it mass murder, using people like tools, or, you know, more discriminate, artisanal murder. That Raine is desperate to be an island alone, pushing her friends and connections aside in order to stop them from stopping her. On the other hand there's the Raine who knows that she needs those friends in order to be a person, in order to do anything worth a damn, in order to bring some humanity to being, you know, a necromantic magic user who can rip your soul out of your body and use it as a doormat. The tension between these two halves is a struggle for her, and it's hard not to empathise - though she's more able to realise her own agency here, Raine is still a creature of her past, of old hurts and old loves casting shadows from the past into the now. Her journey toward catharsis, toward recognising and absolving her own pain (whilst coincidentally causing her enemies to explode) has been a joy, and, well, a pain, and seeing it play out, seeing the shape that Raine pulls herself and the world into, in the end, is very much worth it.
Speaking of the world. We get to see all kinds of fun places this go around. Mostly notably the Fault, a weird not-reality filled with murderous undead, strange beasts, and shattered ruins from elsewhere and elsewhen. There's a crawling, sterile dread here, a sense that the other shoe is always about to drop, a sense that just existing in this space is inimical, is draining vitality and love and life from everything inside it, which either dies or turns homicidal as a result. Those of you who've read McDonald's other series, Blackwing may see some similarities here, in the eerie wasteland that is essentially a misery to get through. Still, the journey gives Raine time to try and deal with her baggage, and to work on her relationships with her friends, whom she absolutely definitely isn't in love with. And we also get to see more of the environs around Redwinter and the north, a place filled with peat glens and deep lochs, where all sorts of monsters and ancient legends lurk in the mist, ready to fuck up Raine's day - or those of her enemies, they aren't that picky.
Speaking of Raine's enemies - oh, they really are a bunch of small minded, awful people who just can't stop trying to make the universe all about their wants and needs, as opposed to just letting it be. Ovitus, in particular, returning for another round of being a terrible person, just has so much main-character syndrome it's untrue. And I am here to tell you that the story delivers on Raine's efforts to both save the world and get revenge. It has towering monsters. It has bloody, kinetic, occasionally unpleasantly graphic battles that don't flinch away from the cost, and show how glory is always soaked in blood. It has romance and found families, and the kind of raw emotion that makes your heart ache. And it wraps the whole story up with a denouement that left everything feeling, if not settled, then, well, done. The story delivers on tying up all the loose ends, on making us care, and on giving us a tale that puts your heart in your mouth and lets you sob and cheer in equal measure.
Anyway, it was a good time, and well worth the read!
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