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The Midwinter Queen
Three years after marrying to secure a delicate alliance, Queen Asenna flees the palace in the dead of night, desperate to protect her newborn son from the whims of his cruel and fickle father. She learns to rely on strangers and new friends as she searches desperately for her people, whose mystical connection with the kingdom's giant wolves is the only thing her husband fears. Relentlessly pursued by the royal secret police, Asenna confronts her own humanity and destiny as she fights to protect her son, her family, and her home.
In all his years of service, Captain Carro Morelake has never disobeyed an order from his King, but when he is sent to hunt down Asenna and her child, doubts begin to take root in his mind. As he haunts the queen’s footsteps through a vast and mysterious forest, Carro’s memories and instincts are pitted against his loyalties. When he is forced to make an agonizing decision which leaves him at the mercy of those he once hunted, Carro must pass the hardest test of all: learn to trust himself or pay the price.
For fans of:
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Princess Mononoke
The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
In all his years of service, Captain Carro Morelake has never disobeyed an order from his King, but when he is sent to hunt down Asenna and her child, doubts begin to take root in his mind. As he haunts the queen’s footsteps through a vast and mysterious forest, Carro’s memories and instincts are pitted against his loyalties. When he is forced to make an agonizing decision which leaves him at the mercy of those he once hunted, Carro must pass the hardest test of all: learn to trust himself or pay the price.
For fans of:
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Princess Mononoke
The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2024
107 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Linehan
4 books58 followersThe Ulvvori Chronicles, Books 1-3 available now!
- Book 1: The Midwinter Queen
- Book 2: Scars & Sketches
- Book 3: The Oracle King
Book 4 (The Wildcat & the Wolf), coming soon!
Come follow along with me on IG or Facebook :)
- Book 1: The Midwinter Queen
- Book 2: Scars & Sketches
- Book 3: The Oracle King
Book 4 (The Wildcat & the Wolf), coming soon!
Come follow along with me on IG or Facebook :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 3, 2024
EARC review for The Midwinter Queen
This book had me hooked from the start! I absolutely fell in love with the characters right from the get go. I am so glad I was able to read this book and I will definitely be doing a reread!
I loved seeing a mom as a main character! You don’t see a lot of them and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I did predict a couple things that happened right off the bat but I still loved the story so much. There were some time jumps which I didn’t really like just because I wanted to know everything that was going on 😂 I was invested in these characters in a way I’ve never been before. I wanted to know everything that was happening during the time jumps. I understand why they are there but I needed more😂
All in all this is a beautifully written story and I can’t wait for more! I highly recommend this book!!
This book had me hooked from the start! I absolutely fell in love with the characters right from the get go. I am so glad I was able to read this book and I will definitely be doing a reread!
I loved seeing a mom as a main character! You don’t see a lot of them and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I did predict a couple things that happened right off the bat but I still loved the story so much. There were some time jumps which I didn’t really like just because I wanted to know everything that was going on 😂 I was invested in these characters in a way I’ve never been before. I wanted to know everything that was happening during the time jumps. I understand why they are there but I needed more😂
All in all this is a beautifully written story and I can’t wait for more! I highly recommend this book!!
April 24, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to really get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the dire wolves and those with the Wolfsight, that was a neat concept. I loved Carro and Asenna. I was pleasantly surprised with this book.
May 9, 2024
This was such a great story!!!🥰 I loved the pace & the amount of world building was just right, so you understand everything that's going on & are still pulled in to the story wanting to know more. I loved that there were a couple jaw dropping moments & also very emotional scenes as well. Hit all the feels in just the right way❤️🥰 The FMC, Asenna's story was so fun & exciting to follow along & really great character development! When you're introduced to the wolves, that was all super intriguing. & The romance between the FMC & MMC was so sweet! Really really enjoyed The Midwinter Queen! & Looking forward to the rest of the books R.H. Linehan releases next🙌
September 19, 2024
I fell in love with the characters so fast. Such a incredible story and I caught myself tearing up several times. I cannot recommend The Midwinter Queen enough! Slow burn romance, solid villains, epic main characters and direwolves... need I say more? I cannot wait for Scars and Sketches! You've got me hooked, R.H. Linehan!
June 22, 2024
I can't wait for the next volume! I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters felt very real and I often found myself crying right along with them through the triumphs and heartbreaks. Very well written! I look forward to future books from this new author.
July 20, 2024
I think I could have easily gone without reading this to be honest but it was an ok story.
June 6, 2024
Such a refreshing, wonderful read
This book was such a refreshing read. It moves away from the typical books as of late and is different, but in a really good way. I love the wolves and Asenna. As a new mom myself I saw myself in her and it was very touching. Highly recommend!
This book was such a refreshing read. It moves away from the typical books as of late and is different, but in a really good way. I love the wolves and Asenna. As a new mom myself I saw myself in her and it was very touching. Highly recommend!
May 21, 2024
I got this as an ARC review book, and it was honestly such a comfy read! I loved every minute of it and learning more about the characters as I read through, learning small bits of the world history and the wolves and understanding why they are so special. I expected to hate Carro and was so, so pleasantly surprised to love him instead. He walked the line of duty bound and and doing the right thing so beautifully. The characters in general are so thoughtfully written and have a careful depth that feels organic rather than intentional in the best way possible. I look forward to reading more about this world! ❤️
June 4, 2024
I have never been so invested in a book start to finish. The characters are excellent and well executed. No spoilers but if you don't leave this book loving Carro and Gaelin as much as I did, you need to read it again. This author is not only so talented in the way that she writes but in the world she has built with this book. The languages, and imagery, and behaviors all came together to create a perfect happy and sad emotional storm and I enjoyed every second of it! If you are interested in Throne of Glass plus wolves plus a kickass storyline. This series is absolutely for you! I am so excited to be here every step of the way and see what happens in the world of the Ulvorri!
April 14, 2024
I was fortunate enough to arc read The Midwinter Queen by R.H.Linehan and I loved every minute of it. It has no spice and was honestly a great palate cleanser. It definitely gave me Throne of Glass vibes but with some folklore in it. I loved the redemption the MMC got and found myself rooting for him most of the book. And I LOVED their love story. I cannot wait to see what else unfolds in this series.
A little bit about the book:
Asenna marries Azimar to form an alliance and save her people. Three years after they marry, Asenna’s husband decides to do the unthinkable and so she flees with her child to her people in the middle of the night. King Azimar decides to get his son back and orders his right hand man, Carro, to kill her and bring his son back. With Carro not agreeing with King’s order, he is forced to make the decision to obey his order, or disobey the order and help Asenna go to safety.
April 9, 2024
This book was amazing! It captures you right from the start and pins you until the end. Even with the lack of spice, the chemistry between the two MCs is beautiful to watch. I loved that this story follows a badass mom doing what she has to in order to protect her son. The first book isn't out yet, and I'm already itching for a second.
- Romantasy
- Wolf riders
- Bonded mates
- Morally grey
- Romantasy
- Wolf riders
- Bonded mates
- Morally grey
June 30, 2024
One of the best books I’ve read this year. The characters were interesting and the story was engaging. My only mild negative thoughts were the pacing of some of the major events. I also would have appreciated a guide of who the characters were as a reference. Multiple people have similar names and keeping straight who has wolfsight, and which wolf they are paired with would have been helpful, especially near the end. Still a great read and I look forward to any books to come.
June 30, 2024
Absolutely beautiful!
This is truly a tale that reignited a love of fantasy for me. This has all the makings of standing tall with the greats. Once I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down. It felt like an epic movie playing in my mind and is one story that I would love to see made into a movie. I cannot wait to see what’s next.
This is truly a tale that reignited a love of fantasy for me. This has all the makings of standing tall with the greats. Once I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down. It felt like an epic movie playing in my mind and is one story that I would love to see made into a movie. I cannot wait to see what’s next.
April 13, 2024
I absolutely fell in love with this story from the start! The character building was amazing and I would recommend this to anyone.
June 23, 2024
I loved every minute of this action packed book! I loved the redemption and the trials of a first time mother running from abuse!
April 5, 2024
The Midwinter Queen
By R.H. Linehan
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Book 📕
Publication date: April 18th 2024
🌟: 5/5
For the last week I’ve been reading The Midwinter Queen r.h.linehan, her debut novel releasing on the 18th of this month and I am blown away.
The book starts off strong and just keeps getting better, I was in love with so many of the characters in this book. I loved the world building, the magic and folklore elements. It’s honestly just such a beautiful read, there was so many moments that had me blinking back tears.
The pacing is great, I was never bored and always wanted to know more, I’m hoping so much for even more details in future books I am just so invested in the world she’s created.
Having a main charachter who is a new mum was so cool, I loved her story and watching her grow and i wanted her to find happiness so much. The romance is so well done and I loved how the spice was handled, it’s really minimal while still being there and I thought it was all the more powerful for it.
By R.H. Linehan
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Book 📕
Publication date: April 18th 2024
🌟: 5/5
For the last week I’ve been reading The Midwinter Queen r.h.linehan, her debut novel releasing on the 18th of this month and I am blown away.
The book starts off strong and just keeps getting better, I was in love with so many of the characters in this book. I loved the world building, the magic and folklore elements. It’s honestly just such a beautiful read, there was so many moments that had me blinking back tears.
The pacing is great, I was never bored and always wanted to know more, I’m hoping so much for even more details in future books I am just so invested in the world she’s created.
Having a main charachter who is a new mum was so cool, I loved her story and watching her grow and i wanted her to find happiness so much. The romance is so well done and I loved how the spice was handled, it’s really minimal while still being there and I thought it was all the more powerful for it.
June 13, 2024
Wow! Such a beautifully written story! I appreciate that Asenna is a grown woman and a mother (also a baddie). It's refreshing to read a fantasy novel with strong character development, political intrigue, and mythology woven into the plot. The slow burn was *chef's kiss*. I appreciated that while the romance was part of the plot, the main characters' development was the focal point.
May 9, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
No Spice
3/5 adventure
Overall this story is heart warming and a good palate cleanser if you’re into more heavy Romantasy. I enjoyed the aspect of a mother’s love and willingness to sacrifice, though as a nursing mother there were parts I was like “no way did he just latch and go back to sleep that quietly��. I think that if this book had been pushed out a couple hundred of pages, it would have been an easy 4.5 ⭐️ with added necessary detail. I LOVE the wolf ride trope, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of details. I really wanted to see more detail of the ✨ trauma ✨ that both Asenna and Carro suffered at Azimar’s hands. Without these details, the story is left feeling too easy. The romance aspect felt like it was just expected, not fully developed. All of a sudden the MMC just drops the L bomb but the interactions between the two are so few and far between it was like well what do you love about her? What does she love about you? There was plenty of scenes that could have been beefed up that would have Carro being a new book boyfriend. Overall, I did enjoy reading this book and I will likely read any follow up novels though the end seems lackluster. The overall plot was too easy and the ending makes it seem just that, it’s overall. Unsure of what the follow up books will be as this is labeled a chronicle. All in all, I thought the book was cute and wholesome, just lacking the beef that makes a great opener to a series. A solid debut, with room to grow!
No Spice
3/5 adventure
Overall this story is heart warming and a good palate cleanser if you’re into more heavy Romantasy. I enjoyed the aspect of a mother’s love and willingness to sacrifice, though as a nursing mother there were parts I was like “no way did he just latch and go back to sleep that quietly��. I think that if this book had been pushed out a couple hundred of pages, it would have been an easy 4.5 ⭐️ with added necessary detail. I LOVE the wolf ride trope, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of details. I really wanted to see more detail of the ✨ trauma ✨ that both Asenna and Carro suffered at Azimar’s hands. Without these details, the story is left feeling too easy. The romance aspect felt like it was just expected, not fully developed. All of a sudden the MMC just drops the L bomb but the interactions between the two are so few and far between it was like well what do you love about her? What does she love about you? There was plenty of scenes that could have been beefed up that would have Carro being a new book boyfriend. Overall, I did enjoy reading this book and I will likely read any follow up novels though the end seems lackluster. The overall plot was too easy and the ending makes it seem just that, it’s overall. Unsure of what the follow up books will be as this is labeled a chronicle. All in all, I thought the book was cute and wholesome, just lacking the beef that makes a great opener to a series. A solid debut, with room to grow!
July 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
THIS IS A HIDDEN GEM !
Wow I cannot believe this sat on my TBR shelf this long!! I loved this book through and through. It was so unique and refreshing! I loved the lore around the Ulvvori it was so Interesting and different than anything I’ve ever read. I love how Linehan created her own little world without massive world building and over explanations. I honestly want more from this world.
Here’s what I will say about Asenna- the will of a mother can never be underestimated. Asenna was such a great character to get to know. She wasn’t a badass warrior, just a mom trying to protect her son from her ruthless father. And as a mom that hit home. I was crying within the first 10 pages of this book.
Carro- MY MAN. The change he goes through in this book. I’m not gonna say anymore but I loved his character arc 10/10 for me.
The twins- two badass twins? SIGN ME UP. I loved these two so much ! They brought so much to the table and were honestly the best supporting characters.
Overall this books was an easy fantasy read with elements that were so unique. I would recommend this to anyone how wants it read romantasy and honestly anyone that wants to read fantasy. This book had it all: love, war, yearning, a mad king, unforgiving solider and a mother who will never give up.
🌶️
THIS IS A HIDDEN GEM !
Wow I cannot believe this sat on my TBR shelf this long!! I loved this book through and through. It was so unique and refreshing! I loved the lore around the Ulvvori it was so Interesting and different than anything I’ve ever read. I love how Linehan created her own little world without massive world building and over explanations. I honestly want more from this world.
Here’s what I will say about Asenna- the will of a mother can never be underestimated. Asenna was such a great character to get to know. She wasn’t a badass warrior, just a mom trying to protect her son from her ruthless father. And as a mom that hit home. I was crying within the first 10 pages of this book.
Carro- MY MAN. The change he goes through in this book. I’m not gonna say anymore but I loved his character arc 10/10 for me.
The twins- two badass twins? SIGN ME UP. I loved these two so much ! They brought so much to the table and were honestly the best supporting characters.
Overall this books was an easy fantasy read with elements that were so unique. I would recommend this to anyone how wants it read romantasy and honestly anyone that wants to read fantasy. This book had it all: love, war, yearning, a mad king, unforgiving solider and a mother who will never give up.
May 19, 2024
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity and kindness that this author has given me in reading and being a part of this book. <3
I want to be completely honest in my review and transparent that I am friends with the author and also had the privilege of creating the chapter header artwork for this book. Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you on this and do something that I have never done before but is connected to something that I am truly passionate about...reading and art. There's also a sweet mention of me in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that made me tear up. I am so thankful for the opportunity that R.H. Linehan has given me regarding this project. I wish you the very best in your life's journey and I hope that maybe in the future, we can work together again. Thank you. <3
That all being said, here is my honest review of "The Midwinter Queen - Book One"
I can say in all honesty, I had no idea what to expect. I knew this was a fantasy and that it would be multiple parts, but other than that I did not know anything about the book going into it.
I read the first chapter (The Prologue) and was hooked. I am honestly shocked at the high level of writing that the author has shown in this book. (And I hope that does not come across as sounding rude or anything) but we all know kind of what to expect when we read independently published novels. The writing was gorgeous. I was not overwhelmed by the world building or language used (which I usually am in fantasy novels) so I was pleasantly pleased with how easy this was for me to digest. I did not want to put it down.
I did however, force myself to take this book in slowly. I wanted to relish it, understand the story and characters and world better than I normally would. I wanted to understand the author's intent with each chapter. I am so glad that I did..
As someone who is not a mother (at least currently) and possibly will not be able to be a mother, I of course cannot fully relate to the main character in every aspect of the story. But being someone who cares deeply for children and has a mother who raised me on her own, I resonated with her struggle and it made me think of my own mother and what she had to go through in order to raise me by herself. I am so grateful to the people who made me who I am today, and I think this novel will make you think about your roots and how the people around you can shape you into who you are each day that you live.
Characters...I've been trying to figure out who my favorite character is throughout reading. I went between Carro, Tolian, and even Azimar himself. I still cannot fully decide, but I think I would be the most interested in hearing backstories and the absolute downfall and insanity that befalls our King Azimar. I love reading about people losing themselves, and I think that may show how interested I am in his character, along with the choices that he made throughout the novel.
I love the overall message this story sets in. I see the absolute connection between the Ulvvori and the tragedy that befalls them being torn from their own land and home. I think anyone who knows anything about the history of America can see the through lines here and how our countries founders ripped the land from the people who called America, this land their home.
I hope that my words do not sound insensitive and make sense with what I am trying to say here.
Overall, I implore everyone to read this book. I think that if you enjoy fantasy, romance, action, and strong female protagonists, then this is the story for you.
I am not someone who reads high fantasy, but as someone who does enjoy the genre as a whole, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Support indie authors and promote them as much as you can. I am absolutely thrilled that I loved this book. Thank you! <3
I want to be completely honest in my review and transparent that I am friends with the author and also had the privilege of creating the chapter header artwork for this book. Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you on this and do something that I have never done before but is connected to something that I am truly passionate about...reading and art. There's also a sweet mention of me in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that made me tear up. I am so thankful for the opportunity that R.H. Linehan has given me regarding this project. I wish you the very best in your life's journey and I hope that maybe in the future, we can work together again. Thank you. <3
That all being said, here is my honest review of "The Midwinter Queen - Book One"
I can say in all honesty, I had no idea what to expect. I knew this was a fantasy and that it would be multiple parts, but other than that I did not know anything about the book going into it.
I read the first chapter (The Prologue) and was hooked. I am honestly shocked at the high level of writing that the author has shown in this book. (And I hope that does not come across as sounding rude or anything) but we all know kind of what to expect when we read independently published novels. The writing was gorgeous. I was not overwhelmed by the world building or language used (which I usually am in fantasy novels) so I was pleasantly pleased with how easy this was for me to digest. I did not want to put it down.
I did however, force myself to take this book in slowly. I wanted to relish it, understand the story and characters and world better than I normally would. I wanted to understand the author's intent with each chapter. I am so glad that I did..
As someone who is not a mother (at least currently) and possibly will not be able to be a mother, I of course cannot fully relate to the main character in every aspect of the story. But being someone who cares deeply for children and has a mother who raised me on her own, I resonated with her struggle and it made me think of my own mother and what she had to go through in order to raise me by herself. I am so grateful to the people who made me who I am today, and I think this novel will make you think about your roots and how the people around you can shape you into who you are each day that you live.
Characters...I've been trying to figure out who my favorite character is throughout reading. I went between Carro, Tolian, and even Azimar himself. I still cannot fully decide, but I think I would be the most interested in hearing backstories and the absolute downfall and insanity that befalls our King Azimar. I love reading about people losing themselves, and I think that may show how interested I am in his character, along with the choices that he made throughout the novel.
I love the overall message this story sets in. I see the absolute connection between the Ulvvori and the tragedy that befalls them being torn from their own land and home. I think anyone who knows anything about the history of America can see the through lines here and how our countries founders ripped the land from the people who called America, this land their home.
I hope that my words do not sound insensitive and make sense with what I am trying to say here.
Overall, I implore everyone to read this book. I think that if you enjoy fantasy, romance, action, and strong female protagonists, then this is the story for you.
I am not someone who reads high fantasy, but as someone who does enjoy the genre as a whole, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Support indie authors and promote them as much as you can. I am absolutely thrilled that I loved this book. Thank you! <3
April 1, 2024
May contain some spoilers!
This book sucked me in from the beginning! It was so great to see a young mother in the forefront as one of the main characters who manages to take care of her son, yet simultaneously grow and become who she is meant to be. The book starts off with action that leaves you on the edge of your seat, then settles into some world and character building in the middle. It then amps back up the excitement at the end leaving you excited for what’s to come in future books. Some specific points:
Characters: R.H. Linehan does a fantastic job creating such an amazing array of deep characters. You truly fall in love with not just the main characters, but the supporting ones too. The subtlety in Asenna’s strength while still showing her uncertainty and vulnerability makes her a believable and relatable character. Carro’s morally grey beginning sets him up for an epic redemption arc that leaves you wanting to just eat this cinnamon roll of a man up. He is seriously swoon worthy. There are so many other great characters to get into but I won’t or this review will be way too long lol.
The Love Story: The slow burn build up of the two characters made me not want to put the book down. Like will they finally admit their feelings here? No? Ok let’s keep going….now? No? Ok I guess I’m still reading. You root for them the whole time and the pay off is fantastic. It’s not spicy but not fade to black either. I don’t always need spice when I love the characters and story so for me the romance worked
perfectly. “Carro found himself desperate to be even closer to her, to become a drop of blood in her veins, and spend every minute of the rest of his existence making her heart pump, or bringing color to her cheeks when she laughed.” SWOON!
Action and Political Intrigue: There is plenty of both in this book, enough where I could see both women and men truly enjoying this read. You can’t say that about all fantasy romance books but this one I can honestly say could appeal to both!
Setting and overall vibe: the descriptions of the setting and world are detailed and I felt myself truly being transported there. The best way I can describe the overall vibe of the book was like a mist settled over the world the characters were experiencing. At the end the mist lifts a bit but you can tell there might be more challenges ahead for the characters as time goes on.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and especially the characters and can not wait until the next book in the series comes out. I will definitely be reading on to see what happens to these characters I loved so much!
This book sucked me in from the beginning! It was so great to see a young mother in the forefront as one of the main characters who manages to take care of her son, yet simultaneously grow and become who she is meant to be. The book starts off with action that leaves you on the edge of your seat, then settles into some world and character building in the middle. It then amps back up the excitement at the end leaving you excited for what’s to come in future books. Some specific points:
Characters: R.H. Linehan does a fantastic job creating such an amazing array of deep characters. You truly fall in love with not just the main characters, but the supporting ones too. The subtlety in Asenna’s strength while still showing her uncertainty and vulnerability makes her a believable and relatable character. Carro’s morally grey beginning sets him up for an epic redemption arc that leaves you wanting to just eat this cinnamon roll of a man up. He is seriously swoon worthy. There are so many other great characters to get into but I won’t or this review will be way too long lol.
The Love Story: The slow burn build up of the two characters made me not want to put the book down. Like will they finally admit their feelings here? No? Ok let’s keep going….now? No? Ok I guess I’m still reading. You root for them the whole time and the pay off is fantastic. It’s not spicy but not fade to black either. I don’t always need spice when I love the characters and story so for me the romance worked
perfectly. “Carro found himself desperate to be even closer to her, to become a drop of blood in her veins, and spend every minute of the rest of his existence making her heart pump, or bringing color to her cheeks when she laughed.” SWOON!
Action and Political Intrigue: There is plenty of both in this book, enough where I could see both women and men truly enjoying this read. You can’t say that about all fantasy romance books but this one I can honestly say could appeal to both!
Setting and overall vibe: the descriptions of the setting and world are detailed and I felt myself truly being transported there. The best way I can describe the overall vibe of the book was like a mist settled over the world the characters were experiencing. At the end the mist lifts a bit but you can tell there might be more challenges ahead for the characters as time goes on.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and especially the characters and can not wait until the next book in the series comes out. I will definitely be reading on to see what happens to these characters I loved so much!
April 5, 2024
E’shayus virra! - We welcome you home
Asenna finds herself married to the new King after an alliance and a war. The young man she was falling for comes back from the war that he started as someone she no longer recognizes. 3 years later she finds herself married to a tyrant who seems to be losing touch with everything and becoming paranoid.
Captain Carro is the most loyal to the king, his friend, who has been protecting him and helping him advance for years. Suddenly Carro finds himself with an order that changes the course of everything he thought his life would be. Hunt down and kill Queen Asenna and bring back his 1 month old heir to the throne.
Carro takes a group of men to find the Queen. During this daring race across the lands he finds himself losing his men and then suddenly he is given a choice of either killing the Queen or having his youngest recruit murdered. He does not believe that the Queen nor the young man deserve this fate. When it comes down to making the choice of who lives and who dies he choses the young mother and son. He takes the arrows that are meant for her and knows he will die for his choice. When he wakes up in the Ulvvori camp alive but injured he he is forced to make an agonizing decision which leaves him at the mercy of those he once hunted. Can he learn to be who was meant to be and to trust his own decisions?
What will the King do? What will the Queen do? What will Carro do? Will there be another war?
I absolutely loved this story and give it 4 stars. I feel like we really needed more background information. I felt like we were left not knowing enough about the King. I also really would have liked to see more about the Dire Wolves and I hope we get more of them in the next book. I would have been perfectly happy for this book to have been several hundred more pages.
Asenna finds herself married to the new King after an alliance and a war. The young man she was falling for comes back from the war that he started as someone she no longer recognizes. 3 years later she finds herself married to a tyrant who seems to be losing touch with everything and becoming paranoid.
Captain Carro is the most loyal to the king, his friend, who has been protecting him and helping him advance for years. Suddenly Carro finds himself with an order that changes the course of everything he thought his life would be. Hunt down and kill Queen Asenna and bring back his 1 month old heir to the throne.
Carro takes a group of men to find the Queen. During this daring race across the lands he finds himself losing his men and then suddenly he is given a choice of either killing the Queen or having his youngest recruit murdered. He does not believe that the Queen nor the young man deserve this fate. When it comes down to making the choice of who lives and who dies he choses the young mother and son. He takes the arrows that are meant for her and knows he will die for his choice. When he wakes up in the Ulvvori camp alive but injured he he is forced to make an agonizing decision which leaves him at the mercy of those he once hunted. Can he learn to be who was meant to be and to trust his own decisions?
What will the King do? What will the Queen do? What will Carro do? Will there be another war?
I absolutely loved this story and give it 4 stars. I feel like we really needed more background information. I felt like we were left not knowing enough about the King. I also really would have liked to see more about the Dire Wolves and I hope we get more of them in the next book. I would have been perfectly happy for this book to have been several hundred more pages.
July 11, 2024
I was hooked from the first couple pages. And somehow, the story kept getting better. What stood out to me the most about this book was how well done the character arcs were. You really felt the growth of each character and it felt natural. I also loved the redemption arc of the MMC… so well done! I was cheering for him. You will love the MMC, Carro! 🤍 I loved so many of the characters in this book (too many to name!). I am invested in their world and their individual stories. The world-building is simple and easy to understand and follow, which perfectly suits this type of story. The plot flowed wonderfully, and the pacing was great. I was never bored.
I loved the bonds with the wolves! 🤍 The mind speak between the bonded pairs and the Wolfsight was so intriguing to read about. I cannot wait to learn more in book 2. The Midwinter Queen did not end in a cliffhanger, so you are not left hanging. BUT I still want/need more of this new world.
Having the main female character in a fantasy book as a new mom was cool. I think the author wrote her story so well. And I enjoyed watching her grow. Romance is a subplot in the series, but it is so good. I love that there is no true spice, just scenes shown with the right amount of steam. 🤍
The found family trope is beautifully portrayed in the book, with characters like the twins (Tira and Talla), Gaelin, Selissa, Key, and Tolian becoming as important to the reader as the main characters. This element added depth to the story making it even more compelling.
There is a QR code for the map in the ebook. I never used a QR code for this before, but I thought it was perfect. I love a good map!
This was a great debut novel, a good introduction to a new fantasy series and I'm excited to see what will happen next! 🤍
Rating: 4.5/5
I loved the bonds with the wolves! 🤍 The mind speak between the bonded pairs and the Wolfsight was so intriguing to read about. I cannot wait to learn more in book 2. The Midwinter Queen did not end in a cliffhanger, so you are not left hanging. BUT I still want/need more of this new world.
Having the main female character in a fantasy book as a new mom was cool. I think the author wrote her story so well. And I enjoyed watching her grow. Romance is a subplot in the series, but it is so good. I love that there is no true spice, just scenes shown with the right amount of steam. 🤍
The found family trope is beautifully portrayed in the book, with characters like the twins (Tira and Talla), Gaelin, Selissa, Key, and Tolian becoming as important to the reader as the main characters. This element added depth to the story making it even more compelling.
There is a QR code for the map in the ebook. I never used a QR code for this before, but I thought it was perfect. I love a good map!
This was a great debut novel, a good introduction to a new fantasy series and I'm excited to see what will happen next! 🤍
Rating: 4.5/5
April 3, 2024
4.5/5 This book was a feel-good Romantasy with lovable characters, decent to madness, slow burn romance, wolf riders, bonded mates, and a glimpse into young motherhood. Asenna’s story helped me get out of my book hangover from the TOG series. At times, I wished it had more detail and elaboration, extending the book a bit; On the other hand, the formatting and pacing allowed the story to be told putting the spotlight on the major events and it was always interesting. The reader is kind of left to infer during some gaps, but the author was able to give us enough information about the characters so that the inferences were not difficult to make. The ending was satisfying and left me wanting to know more about the aftermath of the events. I will definitely be reading the others in the series.
Asenna is such a kind hearted, empathetic person and easy to love. She had some underlying badass-ery that we saw glimpses of and I so hope we get to see more of that in the next book. I loved how authentic her mothering was, especially when it came to breastfeeding. When my kids were still nursing, the boob fixed EVERYTHING and immediately settled them. So it made me smile when nursing was the way to shush Fen when needed.
Possible spoilers (but not major)
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CARRO IS SO BBG. Major book boyfriend vibes. Love his interactions with Fen and his playful side. Some swoon worthy quotes:
“I was on your side then, and I’m on your side now, alright?”
“I can be whatever you need me to be,”
“You burned so bright that whatever darkness there was in me didn’t stand a chance.”
Like HELLO what a babe🤤
Definitely recommend this one. It is an excellent debut novel and I’m excited to see what else the author has planned.
Asenna is such a kind hearted, empathetic person and easy to love. She had some underlying badass-ery that we saw glimpses of and I so hope we get to see more of that in the next book. I loved how authentic her mothering was, especially when it came to breastfeeding. When my kids were still nursing, the boob fixed EVERYTHING and immediately settled them. So it made me smile when nursing was the way to shush Fen when needed.
Possible spoilers (but not major)
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CARRO IS SO BBG. Major book boyfriend vibes. Love his interactions with Fen and his playful side. Some swoon worthy quotes:
“I was on your side then, and I’m on your side now, alright?”
“I can be whatever you need me to be,”
“You burned so bright that whatever darkness there was in me didn’t stand a chance.”
Like HELLO what a babe🤤
Definitely recommend this one. It is an excellent debut novel and I’m excited to see what else the author has planned.
April 19, 2024
Badass Mom as the FMC in a true slow burn romantasy? Sign 👏🏻 me 👏🏻 up 👏🏻
Read if you like Throne of Glass, Princess Mononoke, and the Immortal Series. With the dire wolves, I got a little bit of a game of thrones vibe, it was like a hint of a hint. (I didn’t actually read the complete series, so don’t take my word on the GoT connection).
This was a beautifully written debut from R. H. Linehan and I am so happy I got to read it. The world building, magic, and folklore elements were well balanced with the story of the MCs. There was some political intrigue and action. This book had everything. It was a bit of an upside down bell curve - starts with action to get you hooked, goes in to the character and world building, and then finishes with more action and the romance reveal. Good flow, great pace. Would recommend and can’t wait for the next book.
R. H. Linehan did an amazing job creating such deep and dynamic characters. Asenna’s vulnerability and self-doubts made her relatable and allowed for her moments of strength to be that much more triumphant. Her authenticity and honesty when it came to being a mother was refreshing. Her ability to change herself, and the moments of self reflection were fantastic. Carro had a morally grey beginning which set up the believable redemption arc that you ended up rooting for him because he became that lovable cinnamon roll guy who also just deserved happiness and peace.
The spice (although minimal) was tastefully done and had a more powerful impact for the slow burn (WHICH IS MY FAV TROPE) which was perfect. The will they, won’t they, omg will they finally tell each other how they feel? Kept me going till the end and the build up was just *chef’s kiss*
Read if you like Throne of Glass, Princess Mononoke, and the Immortal Series. With the dire wolves, I got a little bit of a game of thrones vibe, it was like a hint of a hint. (I didn’t actually read the complete series, so don’t take my word on the GoT connection).
This was a beautifully written debut from R. H. Linehan and I am so happy I got to read it. The world building, magic, and folklore elements were well balanced with the story of the MCs. There was some political intrigue and action. This book had everything. It was a bit of an upside down bell curve - starts with action to get you hooked, goes in to the character and world building, and then finishes with more action and the romance reveal. Good flow, great pace. Would recommend and can’t wait for the next book.
R. H. Linehan did an amazing job creating such deep and dynamic characters. Asenna’s vulnerability and self-doubts made her relatable and allowed for her moments of strength to be that much more triumphant. Her authenticity and honesty when it came to being a mother was refreshing. Her ability to change herself, and the moments of self reflection were fantastic. Carro had a morally grey beginning which set up the believable redemption arc that you ended up rooting for him because he became that lovable cinnamon roll guy who also just deserved happiness and peace.
The spice (although minimal) was tastefully done and had a more powerful impact for the slow burn (WHICH IS MY FAV TROPE) which was perfect. The will they, won’t they, omg will they finally tell each other how they feel? Kept me going till the end and the build up was just *chef’s kiss*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2024
Very enjoyable! By the time I started chapter 5 or so, I became thoroughly invested. All of the characters were written to be strong and they continued to develop that strength through the various difficulties and triumphs they faced. Though there was a romantic scene, it was tasteful and the spice was kept extremely tame. As someone who doesn’t care for a lot of spice, I appreciated this very much!
The author had a big focus on family and the importance of family. Not just blood relation but also family forged through friendship. I love that the main female character is a new mom. You get so see some of the emotional struggles she goes through with trying to balance well rounded care while juggling the adventure she is on. As a mom, it was so great to read this area of life being represented in fantasy.
There is a lot of enjoyable banter and play between characters, which makes up for the more sad and heart hurting parts of the book.
Something unique the author did was major time skips. Anywhere between 3 months to full years are skipped throughout the book. Though I found myself wanting to read some of what happened, I appreciated not having to read through meaningless fluff. Another unique item was the way the author created the bonds between person and wolf. This was something that surprised me and I honestly didn’t care for at first, but by the end of the book, It grew in me and I appreciated the creativity.
At times, I felt like some internal monologues were annoying and redundant but it didn’t take away from the goals of the characters.
All together, I would recommend this adventure for anyone wanting something a bit different in their fantasy reading.
The author had a big focus on family and the importance of family. Not just blood relation but also family forged through friendship. I love that the main female character is a new mom. You get so see some of the emotional struggles she goes through with trying to balance well rounded care while juggling the adventure she is on. As a mom, it was so great to read this area of life being represented in fantasy.
There is a lot of enjoyable banter and play between characters, which makes up for the more sad and heart hurting parts of the book.
Something unique the author did was major time skips. Anywhere between 3 months to full years are skipped throughout the book. Though I found myself wanting to read some of what happened, I appreciated not having to read through meaningless fluff. Another unique item was the way the author created the bonds between person and wolf. This was something that surprised me and I honestly didn’t care for at first, but by the end of the book, It grew in me and I appreciated the creativity.
At times, I felt like some internal monologues were annoying and redundant but it didn’t take away from the goals of the characters.
All together, I would recommend this adventure for anyone wanting something a bit different in their fantasy reading.
September 16, 2024
The story follows Asenna. She enters into an arranged marriage to help her people form an alliance to overthrow the king. He has been a tyrant over the lands and has abused her people for years. However, soon Asenna realises that her new husband may be just as power hungry and ruthless as the late king, and he will stop at nothing to exploit her people's ability to speak to the dire wolves for his own gain.
This book is so nicely written and sets the scene perfectly. It had me invested early on, and the story was well developed with plenty of world building/backstory to give it depth. I enjoyed the dynamics between characters and how these relationships were complex and changed throughout the story. Asenna is a likeable main character, although she does not always have the best judgement!
I loved the dire wolves and the story of how they came to be linked to Asenna's people. It felt like a different take on shapeshifters, and I was absolutely here for it! The pacing is good with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I will definitely keep up with this series... review of book 2 coming soon!
This book is so nicely written and sets the scene perfectly. It had me invested early on, and the story was well developed with plenty of world building/backstory to give it depth. I enjoyed the dynamics between characters and how these relationships were complex and changed throughout the story. Asenna is a likeable main character, although she does not always have the best judgement!
I loved the dire wolves and the story of how they came to be linked to Asenna's people. It felt like a different take on shapeshifters, and I was absolutely here for it! The pacing is good with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I will definitely keep up with this series... review of book 2 coming soon!
April 22, 2024
Asenna is proof that you do not need to be a warrior to save a country.
At a young age, Asenna is married off to help save her people and unite them with another country. Asenna’s people, the Ulvvori, ride fire wolves and are bonded with them. At this time, there’s a leader that is taking the Ulvvori at a young age to conscript them in his army. The Ulvvori unite with the Esmadia in revolt to bring this leader down. When the revolt is over, Asenna realizes who she has actually married and takes a chance.
Asenna is not a weak character, but she is not what a reader typically gets as a heroine. Her passion and willingness to see the good in people, opens up many characters that would not have been given a second chance.
One of those characters is Carro. A member of the Black Guard (aka her husband’s personal body guards/mini army). I won’t say much more, so that I won’t ruin anything by.
There are so many characters and this story is well written. Definitely grab it the next time you see it.
At a young age, Asenna is married off to help save her people and unite them with another country. Asenna’s people, the Ulvvori, ride fire wolves and are bonded with them. At this time, there’s a leader that is taking the Ulvvori at a young age to conscript them in his army. The Ulvvori unite with the Esmadia in revolt to bring this leader down. When the revolt is over, Asenna realizes who she has actually married and takes a chance.
Asenna is not a weak character, but she is not what a reader typically gets as a heroine. Her passion and willingness to see the good in people, opens up many characters that would not have been given a second chance.
One of those characters is Carro. A member of the Black Guard (aka her husband’s personal body guards/mini army). I won’t say much more, so that I won’t ruin anything by.
There are so many characters and this story is well written. Definitely grab it the next time you see it.
May 6, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book. First, I want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I read the whole book in one sitting. I loved the characters. Asenna's resilience is inspiring and Carro's sincerity, endearing. I found the twins to be both hilarious and relatable.
The world is solid, with a good foundation of both history and mythology that I sincerely hope the author weaves into future books. It's clear that a lot of work went into the world-building, even if there aren't pages upon pages of it in the book itself.
This was not a hard read, and fairly fast-paced. As I mentioned before, I read it in an afternoon. But everything was written so beautifully, and the characters thoughts and emotions described so clearly, that I was able to connect with them effortlessly.
Overall, it's a wonderful story with relatable characters in a well-developed setting. I hope there will be more stories about Asenna and her family in the future, because I very much want to read them.
The world is solid, with a good foundation of both history and mythology that I sincerely hope the author weaves into future books. It's clear that a lot of work went into the world-building, even if there aren't pages upon pages of it in the book itself.
This was not a hard read, and fairly fast-paced. As I mentioned before, I read it in an afternoon. But everything was written so beautifully, and the characters thoughts and emotions described so clearly, that I was able to connect with them effortlessly.
Overall, it's a wonderful story with relatable characters in a well-developed setting. I hope there will be more stories about Asenna and her family in the future, because I very much want to read them.
June 29, 2024
This is the first book in the Ulvvori Chronicles and Author R.H. Linehan's debut novel
Ooooh my goodness GOSH, this book had me glued to the pages from the start - I started reading it yesterday afternoon and finished it in one single setting (no breaks)!
It had me feeling AAAALLLLL the emotions from screaming at my phone, crying, laughing, some more screaming etc
The world building is excellent and really detailed and the Author incorporates new and unique mythologies that keeps you interested and want to know more. The characters are extremely well written and you literally form a bond with each of them - even the bad guys
I'm not going to spoil anything about the relationships in the book... BUT the love story is epic, tragic, sweet and soooo romantic
I loved the story of the dire wolves and it was so well written that I actually miss them now that I am finished with the book
One of my favorite reads of the year!
Ooooh my goodness GOSH, this book had me glued to the pages from the start - I started reading it yesterday afternoon and finished it in one single setting (no breaks)!
It had me feeling AAAALLLLL the emotions from screaming at my phone, crying, laughing, some more screaming etc
The world building is excellent and really detailed and the Author incorporates new and unique mythologies that keeps you interested and want to know more. The characters are extremely well written and you literally form a bond with each of them - even the bad guys
I'm not going to spoil anything about the relationships in the book... BUT the love story is epic, tragic, sweet and soooo romantic
I loved the story of the dire wolves and it was so well written that I actually miss them now that I am finished with the book
One of my favorite reads of the year!
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