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A Silent Song in Winter

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Dragon. Prince. Survivor.

A spy is sending vital information about the war to the Dark Mages. Only the dragon twins can unravel the truth.

Still wrestling with the horror of his recent captivity, Mikoneh finds himself in the foreign kingdom of Simynshin, seeking out the traitor hidden within Elenth Castle. With great reluctance, he and his twin sister must accept their royal titles and learn how to navigate court politics to accomplish their mission.

Juggling dragon lessons, ballroom dancing, and fighting off nightmares, Mikoneh’s best hope of uncovering the traitor is by gaining high-ranking allies.

But that will mean entering the famed Winter Tourney—and becoming betrothed to a princess he’s never met.

541 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2025

4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read

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M.H. Woodscourt

29 books142 followers

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Tala Gilbert.
197 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2025
I received an advanced readers copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow! All I can say is wow! This book is so packed full of everything. Amazing elemental battles, conspiracies, assassins, you name it, oh and did I mention the Dragon King and his kids?? The Rokahn dragons are in the Elanth realm attempting to bring this kingdom to sign on to help in the fight against the Mages and the Mage Queen behind all the evil in the world. Mikoneh and Maya are coming into their dragon selves and training in their elements. Add a sham betrothal on for good measure with Princess Latta and what could possibly go wrong??!! There is a leak to the mages in the kingdom and this leak is determined to steal Latta’s voice to use for evil and to destroy the Rokahn twins. Who is this person? Well you’ll have to read the book to find out!

I can’t recommend this book any higher. M H Woodscourt is a master storyteller who knows how to pull on heart strings and make you laugh out loud as well. I’m so ready for book 3 and the continuation of this amazing story!
Profile Image for André.
239 reviews21 followers
June 25, 2025
A Silent Song in Winter is a great follow-up to the first book in this series. We continue to follow siblings Mikoneh and Maya, former rebellions in a small kingdom, now children and heirs of the infamous Dragon King.



Now, their father asks them to help uncover a traitor in the kingdom of Simynshin which will hopefully allow him to form an alliance with them. Reluctantly, the twins need to learn how to navigate court life and – even more importantly – court politics. Which is especially difficult for Mikoneh who had always been biased against nobles. And if that is not enough to wrap his head around, Mikoneh learns that he has been unknowingly engaged since childhood to the princess of Simynshin…

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. The story is more fast-paced and flows smoother, there is hardly a moment for characters and reader alike to catch their breath. The only respites they seem to find are in the siblings' bond to each other and their relationship to the few friends around them. I enjoyed to learn more about the world the siblings live in and the people now surrounding them. Especially their complicated relationship with their father is very well done.
Despite everything, fights, intrigue, backstabbing, the aftereffects of Mikoneh’s captivity, etc., A Silent Song in Winter feels exactly like the title suggests: Not as cold and dark, but with the promise of something better to come, a light at the end of the tunnel.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Heidi G.
123 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2025
I am SO happy to be an ARC reader for this book, becuz I got to read it before its release date. Curb your jealousy and go get it on preorder.
I'm not kidding. This series is fantastic and I enjoyed the second installment so much!!
Second books are usually plagued by dark sludge. They re-emphasize problems without giving a lot of the joy that hooked you into the series in the first place.
I am happy to report that this particular series did NOT suffer from Book Two Syndrome! In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this book is even BETTER than the first! We spent time with characters who continued to learn and grow, characters who were introduced and had actual depth, history, I mean DANG this was so fun to read.
Throw in the author's descriptions of food, clothes, and fighting and this was a treat. I didn't want it to end! And I need a cookbook inspired by this series. The end of the book left me wanting more, but not in an angry way, more like a happy anticipation! I can't wait for the next book!
341 reviews8 followers
June 18, 2025
4.5 stars! I really enjoyed book 2 of this series! It had more depth to each character and had so much more impact. Creating a new world and magic system isn't an easy task, so I fully grasp that the first book is more informative than just character based, but book 2 really throws you into the story. I was fully invested in Mikoneh and Maya, the twin dragon heirs of Rokahn. Mikoneh struggles to embrace the newness of his powers and against his PTSD. While his twin is sunshine and healing, his balance. The author did a fantastic job weaving each of the additional characters into the story, and I love the friendships that have been forged in fire. I look forward to what happens in the spring!
Profile Image for Beba Andric.
1,585 reviews114 followers
June 8, 2025
Another exceptional read by this exceptional author! I personally think Melissa captures a true reflection of a real person's thoughts in her characters, the uncertainty, the musings, the inner turmoil, to perfection! She "allows" us to feel what her characters are feeling, to experience the heartache, the angst, the joy with them. She crafts a story that embodies a beautifully complex story, where the characters are unlike ones I've met before, crafted skilfully, highlighting their uniqueness and individuality. One only has to be exposed to Minno to discover a rarity. My word, what an enigmatic character! Good.... bad... good....bad, but which one is he? Even he can't decide! So much around Minno, what he does, why he does whatever it is, is shrouded in heavy veils of mystery. One thing I can say in all honesty though, I really feel so much sympathy for him. He plays a very large role in this book, I keep getting the impression that he's instrumental in the outcome and I, for one, am dying for his past, reasoning and story to unravel.

But it's the twins who captured me from the previous books, they and Owenekiras, their biological father, held me captive throughout this book too. Maya is a lot more forthcoming, forgiving, than Mikoneh is. He's broody, he's got tonnes of PTSD trauma but shoot, after what he endured, it's no wonder! The author handled Mikoneh and all of Mikoneh's.... musings, uncertainty, mistrust, fear, insecurities, anger, with the utmost sensitivity. I easily found myself sympathising with him, I understood all that was mulling around in his head and, honestly, I wanted to give him the biggest hug to chase his demons away. Oh boy, and then another spoke hits the wheel in the form of Latta, his unknown betrothed....yeah, too much is hitting him from all angles, he's carrying too much pain, he needs to heal from all the trauma inflicted on him, from his newfound parentage, the awakening of his magic...see? A LOT! Seeing him slowly, VERY slowly, evolve through the book, seeing him start to heal, well, my heart was full! This is how riveting Ms Woodscourt pens her tale, I'm enspelled.

Maya, on the other hand, couldn't be more different. She's absolutely delightful! I adore her character! She's so positive and lively and just the best sister and friend one could want. I love her compassion and caring. I just love her exuberant, caring, loving nature, her protectiveness of Mikoneh and those she loves and her ability to turn everyone's frown into a smile. The bond Mikoneh and Maya have, the love they have for each other, transcends sibling/twin bonds. She's stronger than she thinks, she's more resilient than she thinks, and I love her openness.

The cast is large, but it needs to be in the sweeping, like Jensirin, who I adore! My word did the author tug hard on my heartstrings with Mikoneh and Jensirin! I felt every scar, every inch of their pain and suffering. Melissa's introduction of characters is awesome, in the true sense of the word, they all fit like pieces in an elaborate puzzle, beautiful, raw, emotions exposed, even the baddies were excellent villains, each one felt real to me, so even though I "disliked" them, they brought a realism to the story. They all shone, some blindingly, some scathingly. The interaction, the banter, in this magnificently paced tale, was lightened by unexpected humour. The storytelling of this author leaves me in awe, I felt everything, saw everything, smelt everything, the vividry of the story is excellent. There were many scenes that had me in their tight grip, like a vice, notably the shock of a betrayal, and I sobbed in utter horror at THAT twist! Like NO!!!!

Clean, vibrant, vivid, gut wrenching, awesome action, phenomenal pacing, emotional, comical.... that's why I relish a Melissa read, I'm immersed with a Melissa read, I'm drawn in to a Melissa read, I simply can't get enough of a Melissa read! And this book? Well HECK! I'm teary when I reach the end of her books, all I want is more!!!!
Profile Image for Sherry Cammer.
196 reviews15 followers
June 12, 2025
Wow, when I was offered an ARC by Ms. Woodscourt to read and give an honest review, I had no idea how this series was going to hook me; hook, line and sinker. I was a new reader of her works, so she also provided the first book to this series for me to read beforehand. A Silent Song in Winter starts where "When Darkness Hunts the Dawn" left off. The twins, Mikoneh and Maya had just discovered their dragon status and met their biological father, The Dragon King. Owenekiras Rokahn has a reputation for being very stern and an exceptional ruler, and he will protect his heirs at any cost.

Mikoneh discovers he has been betrothed since birth to Princess Latta in the kingdom of Simynshin. He is still trying to recover from the torture he suffered from the Mage General, Sathe. He suffers terrible nightmares of the torture he endured, so this latest discovery just adds to his worries. He isn't ready to marry anyone. Their father tells Mikoneh and Maya they must travel to Simynshin because there is an evil spy in the midst; and they need to find out who it is before more bloodshed occurs. Mikoneh must be introduced to Princess Latta and the Kingdom must believe their betrothal is legitimate to forge an alliance between the kingdoms.

When they arrive they are told someone has stolen part of Princess Latta's voice. Her voice has the song of magic. When Latta sings it creates magic and someone in the kingdom has stolen her ability to sing. They plan to use the magic of the songs to create evil in the Kingdom. War is expected to break out against the Dark Mages and their evil Queen. Mikoneh and Maya must find the traitor in the kingdom to save bloodshed and to save Princess Latta. There are many characters throughout the book that will cause you to raise your suspicions. Many will have you wondering are they friend or foe. And the author keeps you guessing throughout the entire book.

Many of the characters from the first book are in this book too, and it was so fun to revisit with all of them. Minno is a character that really intrigues me. I keep wondering what his secrets are. And we learn more about Penn the Viscount in this book too. The author describes everything in such great detail that when reading you can see everything in your mind. At least I could, and that is what makes a great book. I felt like I was right there in the kingdom of Simynshin with them, watching the twins learn more about their magic; and how to use this elemental magic to protect themselves and others.

This story has everything you want in a fantasy. Magic, dragons, evil queens, battles, swords and sorcery, and best of all evil versus good. The author has created an amazing series and I cannot wait for book 3. The book releases on June 16th. Make sure to add it to your list. You won't regret it. And of course read When Darkness Hunts the Dawn first if you haven't read it.

Profile Image for Margaret Gaffney.
Author 2 books45 followers
June 21, 2025
What a story!!

Oh my goodness, I enjoyed this book so much. Whereas the first installment felt like a coming of age/world-building work, this read like a mystery! The reader is tossed into the middle of fantasy and political intrigue, and the mix is quite satisfying.

Mikoneh and Maya are growing in strength, and the cast of characters around them are solid. I had a little trouble remembering who some people were at first, like Akonn, but that's partly because I read WDHTD a while ago.

I'll admit, the fake engagement storyline had me thinking things were going to go differently, but I was intrigued by the unexpected twists. Mikoneh is doing better, mercifully, considering his long torture plot of book 1, and Maya is thriving as a princess, let's be honest. Also, I thought some stuff might be different for her based on book 1, but now I'm changing my mind :D

The world's problems seem SO big, with the Mage Queen and her underlings, as well as Owen's sister and the whole disaster with Rokahn. So many concurrent conflicts, it has been wondering how it's all going to tie together.

The finale TRULY took me by surprise. I was heartbroken, then shocked, then heartbroken again by the story beats, and some salt was rubbed in right at the end. But I hope for better things to come, and I can't wait for the twins to spend more time as dragons!
Profile Image for Giselle Schneider.
Author 19 books24 followers
May 18, 2025
War is on the horizon. The people are split between Dragon King Owenekiras Rokahn and the Mage Queen. Then there is the issue of who rules the island of Rokahn, Oceana's recent fall, Lintha's hold on Simynshin, and Mikoneh's surprise betrothal to a Simynshin princess. To make matters more difficult, there is a huge Wintertide Festival around the corner. Mikoneh is going to have to play nice to earn allies and locate a betrayer, all while he learns to dance, prepare for a tourney, and heal from torture.

Then Mikoneh gets framed for murder. Twice. Minno, with his peculiar pet duck, is being rude and a nuisance. Penn is disappearing a lot. Being reminded that he is a Rokahn is becoming annoying. And it turns out the betrayer is closer than they appear. No one can be trusted.

Oh, and can't forget there also remains the mysterious threat after Mikoneh. Who hates Mikoneh so bad they want to destroy his life? They don't want him dead, just suffering. Why? Mikoneh has no enemies outside the war that he knows about. He has never done anything to anyone.

The second installment to the Dragons of Rokahn series is one fans of M.H. Woodscourt won't want to miss.
Profile Image for Shawn.
15 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2025
If character-driven epic fantasy with dragons, magic, and kingdom-shaking intrigue excites you, A Silent Song in Winter (book two of Dragons of Rokahn) deserves a spot on your TBR shelf.

Set in a world rich with magical creatures and political tension, this installment drew me in with its emotionally grounded storytelling. While there are bursts of action, the heart of the story lies in personal growth, evolving relationships, and the slow reveal of a world more complex than it first appears.

Following twin protagonists Mikoneh and Maya was a highlight. I appreciated their growing magical abilities, increasing maturity, and the way they begin to claim their place in a wider world. Maya, especially, is a character I hope to see gain more independence and agency as the series progresses.

What stood out most to me was how Woodscourt handles the aftermath of trauma. Too often, fantasy skips past emotional fallout in favor of plot momentum. Here, characters are given space to heal and grow, making their resilience feel earned—and their heroism more powerful.

This is a story for readers who value depth, dragons, and the kind of hope that glows brightest in the shadows.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
Profile Image for Cathryn deVries.
Author 2 books9 followers
June 16, 2025
If you love traumatised protagonists, then this is the read for you. In this sequel to ‘When Darkness Hunts the Dawn’, learning to live with woundedness is a big theme, and I liked that no easy answers were presented–but good friends were. Through secrets, lies and betrayals galore, the enduring bonds of friends and family shone through.

In this book, Mikoneh shares the spotlight with Maya and Jensirin, and I liked that. I also really liked that Maya played an important part in the climax this time. The action was intense and well-maintained here, with some very tense moments. But there’s also plenty of heart in this book, and I especially loved the developing relationship between the twins and their father.

A great read!
Profile Image for Stacey Markle.
629 reviews36 followers
August 27, 2025
Another wonderful epic fantasy! This second book in the series delivers more of everything I loved in book 1. Epic adventures, dark dealings, political intrigue and characters that leap off the page.
While this book may seem slower in pace, it makes up for it in heart. Well written scenes of humour, strife and magical battles abound. There are also pages of relationship building, friendship, support and even love.
Some of my fav characters get more page time...I see you Reven (Jensirin) and Ter plus we got some new ones that I definitely want more of in Kalet our Corpse Poet! Minno is still on my no fly zone but he does redeem himself somewhat in this story!
I'm so excited to read book 3 whenever it's ready!
Profile Image for Yael.
219 reviews7 followers
May 28, 2025
This installment in the Dragons of Rokahn series is an exquisite example of what court intrigue should look like. Though very different from the first book in tone (the first was more of an epic adventure), M. H. Woodscourt delivers a captivating, well written, amazing characters, addition to the series. Can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Marilu Coelho.
71 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2025
A Silent Song in Winter is slower paced compared to When Darkness Hunts the Dawn. Slower paced than any other book by M.H. Woodscourt. This doesn't hinder the world-building or character development or plot, though. There is still plenty of action, excitement, and emotion to go around. Still enough anticipation, secrets, and deceit to leave readers at the edge of their seat... or staying up all night to find out what happens next. I can't wait for book 3.
Profile Image for Alder Blacksmith.
52 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2025
M.H. Woodscourt really knows how to keep readers hooked. Dragons of Rokahn is one of her best works, right alongside Record of the Sentinel Seer. And her covers are AWESOME!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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