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Seasons Rising #1
Aspect of Winter
It’s hard enough being gay in high school, but Fay must also deal with hiding his magical ability—powers he barely understands and cannot possibly reveal. His best friend Sam is his only confidante, and even with her help, Fay’s life is barely tolerable.
Everything changes when Janus University, a college for individuals with magical capabilities, discovers the pair. When the university sends a student to test them, Fay and Sam, along with their classmate Tyler, are catapulted headfirst into a world of unimaginable danger and magic. Fay and Tyler begin to see each other as more than friends while they prepare for the Trials, the university’s deadly acceptance process. For the first time, the three friends experience firsthand how wonderful and terrible a world with magic can be, especially when the source of Fay’s power turns out to be far deadlier than anyone imagined.
Everything changes when Janus University, a college for individuals with magical capabilities, discovers the pair. When the university sends a student to test them, Fay and Sam, along with their classmate Tyler, are catapulted headfirst into a world of unimaginable danger and magic. Fay and Tyler begin to see each other as more than friends while they prepare for the Trials, the university’s deadly acceptance process. For the first time, the three friends experience firsthand how wonderful and terrible a world with magic can be, especially when the source of Fay’s power turns out to be far deadlier than anyone imagined.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2014
15 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 2, 2016
This is an enjoyable YA story.
Feayr "Fay" Hansen has the ability to control ice and cold.
Only his parents and his best friend, Samantha Grey, know about his powers though. Which means high school is still pretty rough on Fay, dealing with bullies, and not made easier because he's gay. Luckily, Sam is a no holds barred badass with several martial arts belts and a kick-ass-take-names attitude. When Fay and Sam are approached by a mysterious stranger who informs them they have magical potential and have been selected to undergo specific trials to see if they are worthy of being admitted to the prestigious Janus University, a college for magical beings to learn and hone their crafts, they are both stunned.
Fay and Sam being to learn some spells that will hopefully help them through the "Trials", a magical three part testing process that only a few get through, which will allow them entrance to the university.
Along the way they become friends with Tyler, a boy from their class who is important to Fay on many levels and who becomes integral to their success at the Trials.
The Trials are pretty brutal and there's more going on than just testing the kids. At a certain point it becomes clear this is not just a game or test anymore and they find themselves in real fear for their lives. I was on the edge of my seat for the climax, even finding myself holding my breath a time or two.
I thought this was good for a debut novel, with enough impressive world-building and mythical history thrown in that I happily followed along. It lags a little in the middle and there are some times when the plot veers sharply away which messes with the flow...but not enough to be a huge problem. I was actually pretty enthused that there are enough plot dangles left to continue as a series. I wouldn't mind more stories about Fay and Sam and Tyler in this world.
RECOMMENDED
Advanced Review Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Feayr "Fay" Hansen has the ability to control ice and cold.
Only his parents and his best friend, Samantha Grey, know about his powers though. Which means high school is still pretty rough on Fay, dealing with bullies, and not made easier because he's gay. Luckily, Sam is a no holds barred badass with several martial arts belts and a kick-ass-take-names attitude. When Fay and Sam are approached by a mysterious stranger who informs them they have magical potential and have been selected to undergo specific trials to see if they are worthy of being admitted to the prestigious Janus University, a college for magical beings to learn and hone their crafts, they are both stunned.
Fay and Sam being to learn some spells that will hopefully help them through the "Trials", a magical three part testing process that only a few get through, which will allow them entrance to the university.
Along the way they become friends with Tyler, a boy from their class who is important to Fay on many levels and who becomes integral to their success at the Trials.
The Trials are pretty brutal and there's more going on than just testing the kids. At a certain point it becomes clear this is not just a game or test anymore and they find themselves in real fear for their lives. I was on the edge of my seat for the climax, even finding myself holding my breath a time or two.
I thought this was good for a debut novel, with enough impressive world-building and mythical history thrown in that I happily followed along. It lags a little in the middle and there are some times when the plot veers sharply away which messes with the flow...but not enough to be a huge problem. I was actually pretty enthused that there are enough plot dangles left to continue as a series. I wouldn't mind more stories about Fay and Sam and Tyler in this world.
RECOMMENDED
Advanced Review Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
April 22, 2018
I thought this sounded cool because it's about magic queer kids applying to a magical university. This sounds awesome and it's right up my alley. It didn't work for me on so many levels, unfortunately, and I didn't finish it. The plot and pacing is all over the place and very uneven. The writing is clunky and so is the dialogue. These kids are a bit on TSTL side, and while Fay is kind of boring and uninteresting, I found Sam, Fay's best friend, to be an annoying, angry, violent bully who harrasses her best friend a lot is is generally rude to everyone. I think she's meant to be a staunch badass who takes no shit, but instead she's obnoxious and her mean behaviour is cringe-worthy and unpleasant. The university is extremely dodgy and dangerous (their admissions rep attacks the kids quite violently before introducing himself) and I don't understand why any sensible person would want to attend. There's more, but basically, this book didn't work for me. I love YA fantasy, but not this one.
August 22, 2020
“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus
For as long as he can remember, Fay has been different and being gay doesn't help; but, because his parents want his extraordinary abilities kept secret, Fay tries his hardest to keep his gifts to himself. Often this is tested, like when high school bullies make his life miserable. Fay knows he can easily make them look like fools if he uses his powers but doesn't want to upset his parents. Fay has told only one person, his best friend, Sam, who is just as different, but no one knows except Fay. Sam’s mother is dead, and she's never told her father. When a representative of Janus University, a school for 'magically gifted students,' comes to recruit them, they are both thrilled, but they don't know that their whole world is going to change, and not always for the better.
Fay and Sam are thrilled at the prospect of going to a school where everyone is as unique as they are and where they can learn something practical. Knowing there will be combat trials Fay and Sam must pass to be admitted, they begin a rigorous training program. Since a spell shows Fay that Tyler, his bisexual boyfriend, is his familiar, Tyler needs to train too. Sam is a real slave driver with a hot temper and a violent streak. She doesn't always stop to think before she acts. Sam loves Fay, although it might not seem so at times because of her snarky disposition. Because Fay and Tyler are now bonded, she includes Tyler in her very small inner circle of protection, and the three of them become a force to be reckoned with.
When they are transported to the university, things are far different than they expect. Since Tyler is Fay's familiar, they occupy the same room. Although they push their beds together, it's more for comfort than anything. The expressions of their growing love for each other are limited to cuddling, hugs, and an occasional kiss, emphasizing the emotional part of getting to know each other. During their stay, they are tested in many ways, both purposefully and accidentally; each challenge changes them, making Sam and Fay aware of things they need to improve upon as individuals as well as magic practitioners.
This book is well-written, intense, and obviously well researched and intricately planned. The pacing of the story seemed off in places and sometimes dragged for a while, but I loved Fay's wit and humor so much I persevered to the exciting parts to come. There were lots of reveals in the story and hints of things to come along with some original twists and turns. Although the violence, especially when it came to some of Sam's attitudes, was disturbing at times, she was definitely a strong female role model with a lot about her to be admired, such as her loyalty and devotion to Fay. As in all high fantasy stories, there was a staggering amount of world building that was interesting and well done. Although the battles were disturbing, they were descriptive and detailed as well as the students' familiars. In a way, this is one of those situations in storytelling where you just have to be there to fully appreciate it. If you like a story with teen gay and bi characters with special abilities, arcane universities, mythical beings, and epic battles, you may enjoy this book. Thank you, Tom, for a unique and interesting story.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
For as long as he can remember, Fay has been different and being gay doesn't help; but, because his parents want his extraordinary abilities kept secret, Fay tries his hardest to keep his gifts to himself. Often this is tested, like when high school bullies make his life miserable. Fay knows he can easily make them look like fools if he uses his powers but doesn't want to upset his parents. Fay has told only one person, his best friend, Sam, who is just as different, but no one knows except Fay. Sam’s mother is dead, and she's never told her father. When a representative of Janus University, a school for 'magically gifted students,' comes to recruit them, they are both thrilled, but they don't know that their whole world is going to change, and not always for the better.
Fay and Sam are thrilled at the prospect of going to a school where everyone is as unique as they are and where they can learn something practical. Knowing there will be combat trials Fay and Sam must pass to be admitted, they begin a rigorous training program. Since a spell shows Fay that Tyler, his bisexual boyfriend, is his familiar, Tyler needs to train too. Sam is a real slave driver with a hot temper and a violent streak. She doesn't always stop to think before she acts. Sam loves Fay, although it might not seem so at times because of her snarky disposition. Because Fay and Tyler are now bonded, she includes Tyler in her very small inner circle of protection, and the three of them become a force to be reckoned with.
When they are transported to the university, things are far different than they expect. Since Tyler is Fay's familiar, they occupy the same room. Although they push their beds together, it's more for comfort than anything. The expressions of their growing love for each other are limited to cuddling, hugs, and an occasional kiss, emphasizing the emotional part of getting to know each other. During their stay, they are tested in many ways, both purposefully and accidentally; each challenge changes them, making Sam and Fay aware of things they need to improve upon as individuals as well as magic practitioners.
This book is well-written, intense, and obviously well researched and intricately planned. The pacing of the story seemed off in places and sometimes dragged for a while, but I loved Fay's wit and humor so much I persevered to the exciting parts to come. There were lots of reveals in the story and hints of things to come along with some original twists and turns. Although the violence, especially when it came to some of Sam's attitudes, was disturbing at times, she was definitely a strong female role model with a lot about her to be admired, such as her loyalty and devotion to Fay. As in all high fantasy stories, there was a staggering amount of world building that was interesting and well done. Although the battles were disturbing, they were descriptive and detailed as well as the students' familiars. In a way, this is one of those situations in storytelling where you just have to be there to fully appreciate it. If you like a story with teen gay and bi characters with special abilities, arcane universities, mythical beings, and epic battles, you may enjoy this book. Thank you, Tom, for a unique and interesting story.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 21, 2015
Should the author happen to read this review, he will be dismayed to learn that a number of typos and grammar mistakes have escaped his and his friends' attention, an exhausting search he writes about in his afterword.
That said, they are too few to be disrupting and this is one of the best fantasy I have read in a while together with
While the author seems young (at least young-at-pen), nothing in this M/M urban fantasy is short of professional and well thought of.
The Potter series looms in the background and the trio of leads bears similarities to the more famous one but their psychologies are different enough not to spoil the fun and plot is certainly not derivative. Despite some naive turns of events, not too many, the story is original and compelling and the magic lore feels fresh.
The book is the first in a series and that is apparent in the several loose threads Mr Early starts to weave into the second half. The complexity of references is not comparable to that of the Potter series, where essentially every page has implications that tie it to future events, but it is more than enough to hint at a rather complex and exciting intrigue.
Narrative tension is always there and characters, who appear stereotypical at the beginning, grow up into multi-faceted personalities later on.
Descriptions are long and good, even the ever difficult combat/action scenes. Curiosly enough, this work, though far from short, could easily bear many more pages.
The M/M element is emotionally explicit but never graphic.
While I am writing this review, this title is unavailable on Am. where I got it in the first place. I hope the author is simply revising and adding more pages to it; to retire it from the market would be a real loss.
That said, they are too few to be disrupting and this is one of the best fantasy I have read in a while together with
While the author seems young (at least young-at-pen), nothing in this M/M urban fantasy is short of professional and well thought of.
The Potter series looms in the background and the trio of leads bears similarities to the more famous one but their psychologies are different enough not to spoil the fun and plot is certainly not derivative. Despite some naive turns of events, not too many, the story is original and compelling and the magic lore feels fresh.
The book is the first in a series and that is apparent in the several loose threads Mr Early starts to weave into the second half. The complexity of references is not comparable to that of the Potter series, where essentially every page has implications that tie it to future events, but it is more than enough to hint at a rather complex and exciting intrigue.
Narrative tension is always there and characters, who appear stereotypical at the beginning, grow up into multi-faceted personalities later on.
Descriptions are long and good, even the ever difficult combat/action scenes. Curiosly enough, this work, though far from short, could easily bear many more pages.
The M/M element is emotionally explicit but never graphic.
While I am writing this review, this title is unavailable on Am. where I got it in the first place. I hope the author is simply revising and adding more pages to it; to retire it from the market would be a real loss.
February 28, 2017
Aspect of Winter follows Fay, a young teenager who has the ability to control ice and water. Fay tries to keep his freaky powers under wraps, only his parents and best friend Sam knows. Apart from Sam, Fay has no other friends and is a target to the bullies especially as he is gay and somewhat timid. Sam on the other hand is a martial arts bad-ass and will take on anything and is the complete opposite to Fay.
Fay and Sam are approached by a mysterious stranger informing them that they can join a college for gifted teenagers but to enter they must go through some combat and survival trials. The informant leaves them with a book full of magic and incantations to start studying in preparation for the trials, pretty much left to their own devices they come across some challenging situations.
When I first started reading this book I was a little unsure about it, it felt cheesy and maybe even a little too young for me. For me this had some X-Men vibes to it and bits of snow queen parts which I feel like I have read too much at the moment.
However the book is really interesting when the fantasy starts kicking in. The way Tom Early writes the combat and trials are very vivid and I could picture it all as I was reading. The creatures that were involved in the story were great and I really enjoyed all their different characteristics.
This book is great if you are looking for some diversity in your current reads as Fay is homosexual and you get to read about a male/male romance and Sam is bisexual. The characters in this book are very relatable and Sam is so bad-ass, strong, determined and just a great female character. Whereas Fay is the shy, timid character that needs something important in his life to happen for him to shine.
I would have preferred more of a back story to Fay and Sam’s lives as I think it would have made the story much stronger and better character development. The ending to this book could indicate that the author is working on a sequel as there is plenty of room for another book.
I recommend this to anyone that is interested in Young-adult, fantasy books with some diversity mixed in.
I would say this is a great fun read and would say that is for the younger side of YA. This book is available as e-book version only.
I rated this 3 out of 5 stars
Fay and Sam are approached by a mysterious stranger informing them that they can join a college for gifted teenagers but to enter they must go through some combat and survival trials. The informant leaves them with a book full of magic and incantations to start studying in preparation for the trials, pretty much left to their own devices they come across some challenging situations.
When I first started reading this book I was a little unsure about it, it felt cheesy and maybe even a little too young for me. For me this had some X-Men vibes to it and bits of snow queen parts which I feel like I have read too much at the moment.
However the book is really interesting when the fantasy starts kicking in. The way Tom Early writes the combat and trials are very vivid and I could picture it all as I was reading. The creatures that were involved in the story were great and I really enjoyed all their different characteristics.
This book is great if you are looking for some diversity in your current reads as Fay is homosexual and you get to read about a male/male romance and Sam is bisexual. The characters in this book are very relatable and Sam is so bad-ass, strong, determined and just a great female character. Whereas Fay is the shy, timid character that needs something important in his life to happen for him to shine.
I would have preferred more of a back story to Fay and Sam’s lives as I think it would have made the story much stronger and better character development. The ending to this book could indicate that the author is working on a sequel as there is plenty of room for another book.
I recommend this to anyone that is interested in Young-adult, fantasy books with some diversity mixed in.
I would say this is a great fun read and would say that is for the younger side of YA. This book is available as e-book version only.
I rated this 3 out of 5 stars
September 17, 2020
Exciting plot, well-developed and realistic characters who are all lovable, and a fantastical world of magic. Absolutely adored this story, especially the friendship between Sam and Fay. Great to finally see some accurate LGBTQ+ character representations in the fantasy genre! Highly recommend this book!
July 15, 2017
Not bad, but not great either. I was uncomfortable from the outset with the pervasive influence of Harry Potter, from the dangerous training in a mysterious school of magic where teachers are unconcerned with the security of their pupils to the ensemble cast of friends, the fuzzy plotting and the hero full of secrets brimming beneath the surface. The book ought either to have been advertized as a rip-off or been modified enough to stand on its own. The main characters hesitate between garishness (the tomboy Sam whose violence fed by her seemingly supreme mastery of martial arts is so much unchecked by mere decency that she never comes alive as a true person, just a prop) and blankness (Fay, the feeble hero, next to whose personality Harry Potter seems a prodigy of complexity like Iago; his love interest Tyler); the secondary cast shines by its remarkable lack of presence (do not expect the kind of teachers who make Hogwarts such a fun place to read about ! those few there are in "Aspect of Winter" could have been invisible ghosts, for what little characterization they are given and their impact on the story). Dialogues are uniformly colorless, the plentiful descriptions, especially of magical battles, seldom eschew the pitfalls of exaggeration (sometimes we feel as if in a cheap version of the arc of Dragon Ball in which young Goku must defeat the warriors of Baba the witch inside her palace) and purple prose (too much epithets !), what passes off for a love story plays second fiddle to the magical intrigue, and the third-rate plot stills a lot. Worse yet the book declines to provide any closure beyond the vaguest of HFNs; as no sequel seems to be forthcoming, little interest attaches to this half (or third)-a-story.
November 21, 2018
A fantastic (pun intended) debut from a unique new voice in YA. In this book, ancient folklore and mythology from around the world are brought to life in new and compelling ways, and often with grave consequences for our three teenage protagonists. If you think college applications are tough, try applying to a magical university whose admission process consists of a series of gruelling and dangerous magical trials. Early takes the genre (and its readers) seriously—this is YA that doesn’t pull punches, in which there is no obvious good and evil because most characters (realistically) fall in the grey areas of the moral spectrum, and with a gut-punch ending that left me desperate to start the next book. At the same time, the book avoids YA’s cliched go-to’s for conflict generation: you’ll find no ridiculous love triangles here! Fey, Sam and Tyler each have hardships to overcome, but their friendship is unshakable, and they tackle the obstacles thrown in their path together (often with delightful ruthlessness).
Bonus: a queer romance between protagonists that is sweet and heartwarming and not incessantly angst-ridden :)
Bonus: a queer romance between protagonists that is sweet and heartwarming and not incessantly angst-ridden :)
December 27, 2017
Okay, something is wrong with that story plot. The start was pulling, but it soon became strange. I don't know what but something is bothering me with everything. Also, how can I like the story plot if I don't like some of the characters inside the story plot like Sam.
May 22, 2018
I won't be picking up the next in the series. Too many epithets and the story is jumbled with several unclear plot lines. Also, what is up with the dog? That is not how dog ownership works. The dog could be taken out completely, it was an unneeded plot device.
November 9, 2017
I loved this book! When if the next one coming out?
October 2, 2020
This was light-hearted and fun in the beginning and utterly terrifying in the end. Very well written and entertaining.
May 16, 2021
OMG!!! This book was amazing!!
November 10, 2015
4.25 stars
Originally posted at Prism Book Alliance.
I was a little torn about how to rate this book because there were parts I loved and parts I didn’t like and parts I skimmed through. There were aspects of the book I wanted to see more and aspects I could’ve done without. However, I don’t rate down a book simply it wasn’t because what I wanted it to be. I rate book because of what it is not what it isn’t. Aspect of Winter is a fantasy tale with romantic elements and is certainly not purely romance.
The main character is Feayr “Fay” Hanson whose world is turned upside down when he and his best friend Samantha become involved in a battle of magical abilities. Fay was aware of his water-controlling abilities, but neither one knew Samantha had powers. They battle a guy named Aiden who later reveals he was there to test them to see if they qualify for entrance into a magical school called The Janus Academy.
Fay and Sam start testing their abilities and Sam summons a creature called an ercinee. The author provides a great description of the bird like animal.
It looked like an artist’s interpretation of a heron, with the lines more streamlined and elegant than any real creature’s lines could possibly be. The light seemed to hang in place, forming lines of its own wherever the tails eddied. Where its wings folded in, five separate tails extended beyond, each looking like a luminous golden ribbon. It was floating gently in midair, wings not extended for flight. The ercinee’s long neck curved to one side slowly, and it tilted its head to observe us more clearly. Its eyes were the deepest black, with no irises or pupils. It had a collar of black feathers, and the ends of its wings and tails were also tipped in black.
There is a lot of this type of description throughout the book, along with awesome world-building. If you like that sort of thing, then I highly recommend the book. It’s not something I enjoy, however, and ended up skimming a lot of these parts.
I would’ve liked more of Tyler and Fay’s romance, but we only get bits and pieces of them falling in love. However, I enjoyed every scene with them together both on and off the battle field.
A great deal of the book is taken up with trials for entrance to the school. I liked the first two trials, especially how well Tyler and Fay worked together to stay alive.
I found parts of the third trial drag by. We see a little about every single battle of two on two, not just when Fay and Sam fight their opponents. However, when they are on the battle field I was very drawn in.
I’m a little torn about how the story ended. I don’t want to give anything away but it made it feel like everything that had come before was kind of a waste of time.
I’d recommend this for all fans of fantasy and magical stories. The author is extremely talented.
Originally posted at Prism Book Alliance.
I was a little torn about how to rate this book because there were parts I loved and parts I didn’t like and parts I skimmed through. There were aspects of the book I wanted to see more and aspects I could’ve done without. However, I don’t rate down a book simply it wasn’t because what I wanted it to be. I rate book because of what it is not what it isn’t. Aspect of Winter is a fantasy tale with romantic elements and is certainly not purely romance.
The main character is Feayr “Fay” Hanson whose world is turned upside down when he and his best friend Samantha become involved in a battle of magical abilities. Fay was aware of his water-controlling abilities, but neither one knew Samantha had powers. They battle a guy named Aiden who later reveals he was there to test them to see if they qualify for entrance into a magical school called The Janus Academy.
Fay and Sam start testing their abilities and Sam summons a creature called an ercinee. The author provides a great description of the bird like animal.
It looked like an artist’s interpretation of a heron, with the lines more streamlined and elegant than any real creature’s lines could possibly be. The light seemed to hang in place, forming lines of its own wherever the tails eddied. Where its wings folded in, five separate tails extended beyond, each looking like a luminous golden ribbon. It was floating gently in midair, wings not extended for flight. The ercinee’s long neck curved to one side slowly, and it tilted its head to observe us more clearly. Its eyes were the deepest black, with no irises or pupils. It had a collar of black feathers, and the ends of its wings and tails were also tipped in black.
There is a lot of this type of description throughout the book, along with awesome world-building. If you like that sort of thing, then I highly recommend the book. It’s not something I enjoy, however, and ended up skimming a lot of these parts.
I would’ve liked more of Tyler and Fay’s romance, but we only get bits and pieces of them falling in love. However, I enjoyed every scene with them together both on and off the battle field.
A great deal of the book is taken up with trials for entrance to the school. I liked the first two trials, especially how well Tyler and Fay worked together to stay alive.
I found parts of the third trial drag by. We see a little about every single battle of two on two, not just when Fay and Sam fight their opponents. However, when they are on the battle field I was very drawn in.
I’m a little torn about how the story ended. I don’t want to give anything away but it made it feel like everything that had come before was kind of a waste of time.
I’d recommend this for all fans of fantasy and magical stories. The author is extremely talented.
November 11, 2015
There are a lot of similarities between this story and Harry Potter. A group of young wizards trying to get into a magic school. In Harry Potter, it was Hogwarts; here, it is Janus University. There are travails that go along with the glory of getting into the magical university, and they are presented in this novel, but let's not compare this in quality to anything written by JK Rowling. But, let's start at the beginning . . .
Fay is a wizard in the making, and Sam is a young witch. Fay's powers manifested when he was 5 years old. Sam has had her powers since she can remember. They are "tested" by someone named Aiden who wants them to go to the magic university, Janus University, for further training. Aiden hands over book of spells and the two wannabes start practicing. Enter Tyler, the love interest for Fay. There is a ton of teenage angst, but there is no doubt that there is a lot of chemistry between Fay and Tyler.
One Halloween evening, the three are guarding against an invasion of evil sprits. Fay ends up killing the headless horseman. That purportedly condemns him to take the horseman's place. That story arc just dies on the vine perhaps to be resurrected in a sequel.
The story then becomes all about "trials" that Fay and Sam have to go through to get into a magical school. After some magical incantation, it becomes known that Tyler is Fay's "familiar" which is a kind of magical helper. Sam's familiar is a bird that's made out of light energy.
The trial is three parts, and each candidate must not only pass, but finish in to top 25 percent to get into the University. And what a shock, our main characters pass.
There is an attack at the location of the trials which makes this story seem even more like Harry Potter's death eaters. Cloud like creatures attack the students, and they are destroyed and driven away by intense light. Sound a little familiar Potter fans? And then in the last ten pages of the book, there is a twist for which there was no foreshadowing (and that annoyed me). It seems as though Fay was never magical at all. Instead, he was harboring an evil spirit of winter inside his body. It is like a bad murder mystery when the murderer is not even discussed until the last paragraph of the book. That is just bad writing, and a disservice to readers.
Oh well. Apparently this is lined up for a sequel, but I am telling you, it better be more well constructed than this book. Three stars from me.
Fay is a wizard in the making, and Sam is a young witch. Fay's powers manifested when he was 5 years old. Sam has had her powers since she can remember. They are "tested" by someone named Aiden who wants them to go to the magic university, Janus University, for further training. Aiden hands over book of spells and the two wannabes start practicing. Enter Tyler, the love interest for Fay. There is a ton of teenage angst, but there is no doubt that there is a lot of chemistry between Fay and Tyler.
One Halloween evening, the three are guarding against an invasion of evil sprits. Fay ends up killing the headless horseman. That purportedly condemns him to take the horseman's place. That story arc just dies on the vine perhaps to be resurrected in a sequel.
The story then becomes all about "trials" that Fay and Sam have to go through to get into a magical school. After some magical incantation, it becomes known that Tyler is Fay's "familiar" which is a kind of magical helper. Sam's familiar is a bird that's made out of light energy.
The trial is three parts, and each candidate must not only pass, but finish in to top 25 percent to get into the University. And what a shock, our main characters pass.
There is an attack at the location of the trials which makes this story seem even more like Harry Potter's death eaters. Cloud like creatures attack the students, and they are destroyed and driven away by intense light. Sound a little familiar Potter fans? And then in the last ten pages of the book, there is a twist for which there was no foreshadowing (and that annoyed me). It seems as though Fay was never magical at all. Instead, he was harboring an evil spirit of winter inside his body. It is like a bad murder mystery when the murderer is not even discussed until the last paragraph of the book. That is just bad writing, and a disservice to readers.
Oh well. Apparently this is lined up for a sequel, but I am telling you, it better be more well constructed than this book. Three stars from me.
May 17, 2025
Aspect of Winter was a fun YA story. It follows the teenager Fay, and his best (and only friend) Sam. Fay has the magic of winter which lets them control water and ice. He gets bullied at his high school as he's gay. This is juxtaposed by Sam, who is gutsy, fierce, and has martial arts training.
Although the plot/pacing gets off track at some points, it wasn't too bad to be an issue. The action scenes were the best part: vivid, intense, and riveting! The author also left just enough loose threads for a sequel.
I recommend this book for people who enjoy fantasy books or books in general that have LGBTQ+ characters in them.
Although the plot/pacing gets off track at some points, it wasn't too bad to be an issue. The action scenes were the best part: vivid, intense, and riveting! The author also left just enough loose threads for a sequel.
I recommend this book for people who enjoy fantasy books or books in general that have LGBTQ+ characters in them.
July 27, 2016
I’m a pretty picky reader overall.
It sometimes takes a little while for a book to properly grab my attention, and oftentimes I give up halfway through because what I’m reading just isn’t engaging enough. Aspect of Winter was no exception to this - in the beginning, I had a tough time keeping the book in my hands, because while I certainly liked the characters enough, the start is a little slow, and it was hard to see where the story was going. But shortly after the Samhain Festival, I was suddenly sucked into both the plot and the character development, and afterwards, I honestly couldn’t put it down.
It’s wonderfully refreshing to have a cast of characters with such diverse personalities and sexualities/identities. The reasons I picked up Aspect in the first place were largely because of the fact that the main trio aren’t your typical heterosexual heros/heroines, and the story doesn’t revolve around sex and romance like so many YA novels out there. Fay as a protagonist is fantastic - he’s sensitive, and not the loudest personality in the group by far (that title is obviously Sam’s), but to me, it makes him that much more genuine and real. Here’s a kid who isn’t all that popular, who isn’t great at everything he does, who is soft spoken, a lot sarcastic, and a little chilly ’til you get to know him properly. He’s incredibly relatable, and there were so many times where I found myself smiling down at the pages during a spell of bickering between him and Sam, or a tender moment with Tyler.
Aspect ended with a twist, and I’m very, very excited to see what will happen in the sequel. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who has a love of fantasy, queer characters, and engaging, well-written stories. Can’t wait for more!
It sometimes takes a little while for a book to properly grab my attention, and oftentimes I give up halfway through because what I’m reading just isn’t engaging enough. Aspect of Winter was no exception to this - in the beginning, I had a tough time keeping the book in my hands, because while I certainly liked the characters enough, the start is a little slow, and it was hard to see where the story was going. But shortly after the Samhain Festival, I was suddenly sucked into both the plot and the character development, and afterwards, I honestly couldn’t put it down.
It’s wonderfully refreshing to have a cast of characters with such diverse personalities and sexualities/identities. The reasons I picked up Aspect in the first place were largely because of the fact that the main trio aren’t your typical heterosexual heros/heroines, and the story doesn’t revolve around sex and romance like so many YA novels out there. Fay as a protagonist is fantastic - he’s sensitive, and not the loudest personality in the group by far (that title is obviously Sam’s), but to me, it makes him that much more genuine and real. Here’s a kid who isn’t all that popular, who isn’t great at everything he does, who is soft spoken, a lot sarcastic, and a little chilly ’til you get to know him properly. He’s incredibly relatable, and there were so many times where I found myself smiling down at the pages during a spell of bickering between him and Sam, or a tender moment with Tyler.
Aspect ended with a twist, and I’m very, very excited to see what will happen in the sequel. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who has a love of fantasy, queer characters, and engaging, well-written stories. Can’t wait for more!
November 5, 2015
I received this book from Netgalley and Harmony Ink Press in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my review opinion in any way.Any quotes listed are from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change before publication.
To be honest, this book had me conflicted. The summary made it sound so much like an older version of Harry Potter, but I was happy to discover that that wasn't true. Aspect of Winter took what we think of as a widely-used plot and made it seem new again. The only similarity with the Harry Potter series was that of a magical school, but that was it.
Fay, Sam, and Tyler were interesting-ish characters. I can't say I felt too strongly with them, but Fay and Tyler were a cute couple, and Sam's persona of the strong one- if a bit cheesy- was okay. They just didn't resonate with me.
To go with that, neither did the writing, really. There were some funny parts- "'Shut up,' I muttered. 'I have pale skin and a low tolerance for flattery.'"- but other than that, it seemed kind of bland. It was enjoyable though! I just wouldn't say it's my favorite.
The powers in the story were quite interesting- it seemed like they were supposed to be built on Gaelic tales? Fay was basically science-y, has-limits Elsa, and Sam's incantations were pretty cool. Tyler being Fay's familiar made me frown- especially since there was no later explanation. It seemed like it was stuck in as "Oh, Fay's special" and left it like that. But the other powers were pretty awesome too! Aria's wings and weather control was intriguing as well.
All in all, an enjoyable read, but not the greatest ever.
To be honest, this book had me conflicted. The summary made it sound so much like an older version of Harry Potter, but I was happy to discover that that wasn't true. Aspect of Winter took what we think of as a widely-used plot and made it seem new again. The only similarity with the Harry Potter series was that of a magical school, but that was it.
Fay, Sam, and Tyler were interesting-ish characters. I can't say I felt too strongly with them, but Fay and Tyler were a cute couple, and Sam's persona of the strong one- if a bit cheesy- was okay. They just didn't resonate with me.
To go with that, neither did the writing, really. There were some funny parts- "'Shut up,' I muttered. 'I have pale skin and a low tolerance for flattery.'"- but other than that, it seemed kind of bland. It was enjoyable though! I just wouldn't say it's my favorite.
The powers in the story were quite interesting- it seemed like they were supposed to be built on Gaelic tales? Fay was basically science-y, has-limits Elsa, and Sam's incantations were pretty cool. Tyler being Fay's familiar made me frown- especially since there was no later explanation. It seemed like it was stuck in as "Oh, Fay's special" and left it like that. But the other powers were pretty awesome too! Aria's wings and weather control was intriguing as well.
All in all, an enjoyable read, but not the greatest ever.
June 20, 2016
In the beginning of summer, Aspect of Winter fell into my lap and was a cool and inventive read that kept away heat! I was first off impressed with the characters, far too often YA novels lean heavily on tropes. Instead, Aspect of Winter presents a group of teens that are hardly traditional and their relationships lean away from the usual. I was particularly fond of the friendship between Fay and Sam who give readers a strong platonic bond that is never shaken or questioned throughout the novel. Also, Fay and Tyler's bond strikes me as unique because their relationship as a couple evolves naturally throughout the novel but it is never the focus or the source of drama. They are allowed to have their love and connection without having it threatened by the events and rather gives the reader a healthy relationship between the two teens.
Another aspect (haha) of Aspect of Winter that I loved was the attention to world building. I know little about celtic myth but the addition of these creatures made the world feel more solid. Even where I was lacking in knowledge, I could still follow along with the addition of these creatures through the information given by the characters and the descriptions offered by the author. And the mythology tied in nicely to the new elements Early worked into this novel. My personal favorite, as a sucker for imagery, was the tunics used in the tournament near the end of the novel. It was small, inventive details that brought the novel together for me!
Overall, I would definitely say to give this novel a chance and I'm excited for whatever is in the future for Fay, Sam, and Tyler!
Another aspect (haha) of Aspect of Winter that I loved was the attention to world building. I know little about celtic myth but the addition of these creatures made the world feel more solid. Even where I was lacking in knowledge, I could still follow along with the addition of these creatures through the information given by the characters and the descriptions offered by the author. And the mythology tied in nicely to the new elements Early worked into this novel. My personal favorite, as a sucker for imagery, was the tunics used in the tournament near the end of the novel. It was small, inventive details that brought the novel together for me!
Overall, I would definitely say to give this novel a chance and I'm excited for whatever is in the future for Fay, Sam, and Tyler!
October 7, 2014
I love well written young adults books featuring gay protagonist and this one is just that and more because it is also a great fantasy. I was glued to the book until the last sentence because I just could not tear myself away. It is easy to make comparison to Harry Potter series but this is not Harry Potter. Fay, Sam and Tyler are older characters with their problems. The guys have sexuality and relationship to deal with while Sam never got over the death of her mother. I love the friendship between Fay and "kick-ass" Sam and the romance between the boys is sweet. It is not really a coming out story but I like that the writer treat bisexuality as if it is just a norm. The contrasting personalities between the boys and Sam provides a lot of fun in these three friends' bantering. But this is foremost a fantasy and the plot is really exciting with lots of suspense, action and magics. The battle scenes are captivating and vivid and handled so well. Winter is my favorite season and so Fay's magical abilities is just so cool! Even if this is Book 1, I did not see the final pages coming and therefore the ending really resonates. If this is the writer's debut it is very impressive and bravo indeed. My only problem is when is the next book. As Book 1 ends with "..Behind me, the stones on the beach were covered in a thin layer of frost..", I can't wait to read more of Fay's fate and such a lot of questions to be answered
August 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It starts up like a contemporary realistic teen novel in a typical high school with the usual challenges: fitting in, developing relationships, and getting bullied. These themes are well-developed via loveable, vulnerable characters whose banter and deliciously sardonic wit are guaranteed to provoke the reader to laugh out loud. What sets this book apart from the standard young adult fare, however, is the addition of magical powers, a transition to a Hogwarts-like school for a select few magical teens, and a host of cinematic battle scenes that will set your heart pounding and your fingers flipping pages as fast as you can muster. A wonderful side benefit to this book is the ability to watch the gay protagonist navigate his way through his first romantic relationship. The romance is sweet and accessible to all--this is by no means an LGBTQ-only book (though that audience will revel in the the strength and diversity of Tom Early’s characters). This is a book for all teens who enjoy fantasy, mythology and fast-paced action supported by contemporary, realistic characters. *Disclaimer: my 19 year-old son wrote this book under a pen name. ~ Ms Dimmick
October 22, 2015
This YA story packs one hell of a punch! WOW! Fay, oh that boy! I just love him to pieces. He’s bullied in high school only has his best friend Sam to keep him company. Oh yeah and he’s super powerful. Then you have Tyler…. Well, he’s just something else! The three of them set off on a magical adventure of shadow wielding monsters, rips in the veil, storms, snow, and crazy magic. It seemed like they were in constant danger.
This was like Harry Potter in a sense but with a lot more crazy… the good kind I swear! There were so many twists and turns and quite the little mystery/surprise.
I am hoping this is a series and that I will see more of Fae because there are still so many questions that seriously need answers.
This is everything you look for in a paranormal story… and then some!
This was like Harry Potter in a sense but with a lot more crazy… the good kind I swear! There were so many twists and turns and quite the little mystery/surprise.
I am hoping this is a series and that I will see more of Fae because there are still so many questions that seriously need answers.
This is everything you look for in a paranormal story… and then some!
August 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this. It's easy to make comparisons to the Harry Potter series or Rick Riordan's novels, but the well-realised characters are a little older and dealing with problems like sexuality, relationships and university entrance as well as magic. The magical and the mundane are both handled well and the story zips along at an exciting pace. I thought that this was an extremely impressive debut from a young writer and I am looking forward to reading more of his work.
December 8, 2014
I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. There were some points were I felt like it just dragged on, but was quickly rewarded with a good story line and likeable characters. Im not that well versed in writing a novel but I am glad to see that this book has a strongish gay lead who isn't all sex and parties like most stereotypes out there. I was lucky enough to get this gem free during a promotion the author had, but when part 2 comes out, I will have my money in hand.
July 9, 2018
Ok, definitely wrote a review for this one, as it was a NetGalley read. Goodreads ate it, I guess? Which is fine, as I save all of my NetGalley reviews on my computer lol. I'll stick back up here in a bit.
Want to read
October 9, 201510/9: Gay paranormal MC!!!!!! FY!!!
November 12, 2017
I love reading Aspect of Winter, not only are the main three characters (my loves) phenomenal, but the side characters are all so interesting!
**Minor spoilers below**
The book mixes glimmers of different myths in a refreshing way, we follow Fay, who harbors the Ancient season of Winter within him. And in his burgeoning study of magic, we see him encounter figures from European, Chinese, Japanese, and many other mythologies, not to mention numerous mystical beasts. And in calling upon these age-old stories, Early adds a new perspective--not just by having them interact with the goddess that is Sam--but by having them finally embrace queerness. These myths have always been the uncanny, the outsiders lurking in the peripheries, yet they are the ancient, the ones who came before and will always be, the undeniably queer. And I love seeing them and the magical community accept our wonderful heroes. (Though not without a few intense fight scenes ;)
Can't wait for the rest of the series!!
**Minor spoilers below**
The book mixes glimmers of different myths in a refreshing way, we follow Fay, who harbors the Ancient season of Winter within him. And in his burgeoning study of magic, we see him encounter figures from European, Chinese, Japanese, and many other mythologies, not to mention numerous mystical beasts. And in calling upon these age-old stories, Early adds a new perspective--not just by having them interact with the goddess that is Sam--but by having them finally embrace queerness. These myths have always been the uncanny, the outsiders lurking in the peripheries, yet they are the ancient, the ones who came before and will always be, the undeniably queer. And I love seeing them and the magical community accept our wonderful heroes. (Though not without a few intense fight scenes ;)
Can't wait for the rest of the series!!
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