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The Winter Sun: An Epic Fantasy Romance of Curses, Prophecy, and Forbidden Love
A cursed kingdom. A forbidden bond. A race against the dying light.
Winter has held the kingdom of Ornuv in its fist for far too long.
For Lach, a stableman haunted by the shadows of his past, survival means returning to the royal castle, the place that once shattered his family.
Princess Amaya, heir to a throne slowly freezing under her feet, must protect her people at any cost. Her father wants a political marriage to save their future…but at the expense of her freedom.
When Lach and Amaya cross paths, long-buried wounds rise and so does something neither of them expected. Drawn together by a mysterious prophecy, they must seek the legendary Favor, the only power capable of breaking Ornuv’s eternal winter.
But time is slipping away.
Allies are uncertain.
And the solstice approaches with a hunger for darkness.
As desire sparks and secrets unravel, Lach and Amaya must sacrifice their hearts… or lose their world.
Perfect for readers who
• Slow-burn romance
• Princess x commoner dynamics
• Elemental magic & curses
• Epic danger + emotional longing
• Haunted/wounded hero
• Found family
• Duty vs desire
• Worlds like Throne of Glass or An Ember in the Ashes
Winter has held the kingdom of Ornuv in its fist for far too long.
For Lach, a stableman haunted by the shadows of his past, survival means returning to the royal castle, the place that once shattered his family.
Princess Amaya, heir to a throne slowly freezing under her feet, must protect her people at any cost. Her father wants a political marriage to save their future…but at the expense of her freedom.
When Lach and Amaya cross paths, long-buried wounds rise and so does something neither of them expected. Drawn together by a mysterious prophecy, they must seek the legendary Favor, the only power capable of breaking Ornuv’s eternal winter.
But time is slipping away.
Allies are uncertain.
And the solstice approaches with a hunger for darkness.
As desire sparks and secrets unravel, Lach and Amaya must sacrifice their hearts… or lose their world.
Perfect for readers who
• Slow-burn romance
• Princess x commoner dynamics
• Elemental magic & curses
• Epic danger + emotional longing
• Haunted/wounded hero
• Found family
• Duty vs desire
• Worlds like Throne of Glass or An Ember in the Ashes
523 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
6 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
O.M. Atembina
1 bookO.M. Atembina is a storyteller who writes stories in which longing, identity, and love weave into every page.
Her debut novel, The Winter Sun, is set in a fantasy world because this particular story needed fire, snow, and prophecy to contain the depth of emotion it carried.
She believes books are mirrors to our deepest feelings. Her writing explores the quiet ache of being human, the suffering of unspoken emotions, and the beauty of becoming. She creates characters who ache, unravel, and transform.
Whether through fantasy or contemporary drama, her stories are about what it means to feel deeply in a world that often demands silence.
She is currently working on her second novel.
Her debut novel, The Winter Sun, is set in a fantasy world because this particular story needed fire, snow, and prophecy to contain the depth of emotion it carried.
She believes books are mirrors to our deepest feelings. Her writing explores the quiet ache of being human, the suffering of unspoken emotions, and the beauty of becoming. She creates characters who ache, unravel, and transform.
Whether through fantasy or contemporary drama, her stories are about what it means to feel deeply in a world that often demands silence.
She is currently working on her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 2, 2025
If Throne of Glass, An Ember in the Ashes, and The Winter King had a snowy, secret-filled lovechild, it might just be The Winter Sun. O.M.
Atembina created a tale that feels both classic and original, like a fairy tale passed down by moonlight, dusted with sorrow, magic, and fire.
The kingdom of Ornuv is drowning in endless winter. Not just a chill in the air, but a magical, cursed deep freeze that has gripped the land and won’t let go.
Lach, a stableman with a traumatic past and secrets colder than the snow underfoot, finds himself bound to the castle by his father’s debts. And there he meets Princess Amaya, the fiery and burdened heir to a frozen crown.
Together—with a small band of unlikely allies—they must search for the mythical Favour, the only thing that may break Ornuv’s curse before the solstice seals its doom.
The catch? The journey isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, spiritual, and lined with ancient power and soul-deep secrets.
What melted my frozen fantasy-loving heart:
* The slow-burn romance: Ugh, the angst. The aching. The lingering gazes in snowstorms. Lach and Amaya are two halves of a broken prophecy, and their chemistry simmers beneath layers of trauma, duty, and unspoken yearning. This isn’t insta-love—it’s the kind that creeps in like sunlight after a storm.
* The worldbuilding: Atembina creates a realm that feels. You can hear the crackling fires, see the frost coating every surface, and feel the burden of generations that have suffered under the same cold curse.
* Characters with depth: Lach isn’t your usual charming rogue, he’s weighed down by grief and guilt, and his journey toward healing is slow and painful. Amaya isn’t your typical royal either, she’s torn between saving her people and following her own heart, and her struggle is deeply relatable.
* Themes of sacrifice, identity, and legacy: Underneath the magic and mystery is a tale about choosing who you want to be….even when the world tries to decide for you.
The Winter Sun is a stunning debut with emotional punch and fantasy flair. It’s perfect for readers who love slow-burn romance, elemental magic, royalty with a conscience, and epic quests drenched in snow and soul-searching.
Mood check:
🔥 Princess with a backbone
❄️ Cursed kingdom vibes
💔 Longing and loyalty 🗡️ Prophecy-fuelled adventure
🌕 A solstice deadline that could end it all
Highly recommend!
July 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
The Winter Sun by O.M. Atembina swept me into a cursed land where eternal winter has blanketed the kingdom of Ornuv and only fire, longing, and love can melt its grip. This is the kind of fantasy that wraps you in atmosphere and aching.
The story reminds me a lot of Aladdin because we follow two compelling leads: Lach, a young stableman burdened by a tragic past, and Amaya, a fire hearted princess caught between duty and desire! 💜
When their paths cross, a fragile alliance forms and transforms into something deeper as they uncover a mystery tied to their kingdom’s survival. Their connection is slow, tender, and meaningful a romance that simmers while the snow never stops falling.
What I loved most was the blend of political tension, elemental magic, and soul deep character wounds.
That being said, there wasn’t much sense of place.
The pacing did feel uneven in spots, sometimes dwelling too long on inner turmoil while I was itching to get back to the action but the emotional payoff is worth the wait. Also, the writing style may take a few pages to settle into, as her first language is French.
Final thoughts:
A cursed kingdom, forbidden magic, and a romance that burns quietly but fiercely!
The Winter Sun is a touching debut that left me ready for the next installment. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on O.M. Atembina! 💘
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
The Winter Sun by O.M. Atembina swept me into a cursed land where eternal winter has blanketed the kingdom of Ornuv and only fire, longing, and love can melt its grip. This is the kind of fantasy that wraps you in atmosphere and aching.
The story reminds me a lot of Aladdin because we follow two compelling leads: Lach, a young stableman burdened by a tragic past, and Amaya, a fire hearted princess caught between duty and desire! 💜
When their paths cross, a fragile alliance forms and transforms into something deeper as they uncover a mystery tied to their kingdom’s survival. Their connection is slow, tender, and meaningful a romance that simmers while the snow never stops falling.
What I loved most was the blend of political tension, elemental magic, and soul deep character wounds.
That being said, there wasn’t much sense of place.
The pacing did feel uneven in spots, sometimes dwelling too long on inner turmoil while I was itching to get back to the action but the emotional payoff is worth the wait. Also, the writing style may take a few pages to settle into, as her first language is French.
Final thoughts:
A cursed kingdom, forbidden magic, and a romance that burns quietly but fiercely!
The Winter Sun is a touching debut that left me ready for the next installment. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on O.M. Atembina! 💘
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 19, 2025
I absolutely ADORED this book. I was taken in from the very beginning, and this book held my attention throughout the entire book. The world-building in this book is truly beautiful. The descriptions are wonderfully done, and the author makes it so easy to visualize the world that she created for this book. I loved the characters in this book; they all have such depth to them. My favorite character overall ended up being a side character, Bett.
Despite the fact that this book is a little over 600 pages, it didn’t feel that long because I was so absorbed into the story. The pages just flew by. I was reading with my husband nearby when I *audibly gasped* and he was like, “That’s it. That’s a five-star book.” And he was NOT WRONG. If you like fantasy, read this book. Another thing that sets this book apart is that the FMC is Black! I don’t see much of that, and I loved seeing that represented!
Here’s my overall take: 5 stars across the board. Storytelling? 5 stars. Characters? 5 stars. World building? 5 stars. This is just an excellent book. By reading this, you’re also supporting an indie author.
Despite the fact that this book is a little over 600 pages, it didn’t feel that long because I was so absorbed into the story. The pages just flew by. I was reading with my husband nearby when I *audibly gasped* and he was like, “That’s it. That’s a five-star book.” And he was NOT WRONG. If you like fantasy, read this book. Another thing that sets this book apart is that the FMC is Black! I don’t see much of that, and I loved seeing that represented!
Here’s my overall take: 5 stars across the board. Storytelling? 5 stars. Characters? 5 stars. World building? 5 stars. This is just an excellent book. By reading this, you’re also supporting an indie author.
June 12, 2025
The Winter Sun is a magical story set in a kingdom trapped in an endless winter. The main characters, Lach and Princess Amaya, are both struggling with their own problems. Lach has a past he can't escape, and Amaya feels trapped by her duties as a ruler.
As they search for a way to break the curse, their connection grows slowly. Their love story isn’t rushed- it takes time, with small moments that feel real and meaningful.
The world of The Winter Sun is beautifully described. You can almost feel the cold air and the weight of the curse that hangs over the kingdom. There is magic, mystery, and danger, but also moments of hope.
If you enjoy The Queens Rising by Rebecca Ross, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, or The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, than The Winter Sun by O.M. Antembina might be perfect for you!
As they search for a way to break the curse, their connection grows slowly. Their love story isn’t rushed- it takes time, with small moments that feel real and meaningful.
The world of The Winter Sun is beautifully described. You can almost feel the cold air and the weight of the curse that hangs over the kingdom. There is magic, mystery, and danger, but also moments of hope.
If you enjoy The Queens Rising by Rebecca Ross, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, or The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, than The Winter Sun by O.M. Antembina might be perfect for you!
May 12, 2025
The Winter Sun is a lush, immersive fantasy rooted in political intrigue, and richly drawn world-building. Atembina crafts a story that feels both timeless and urgent, with themes of power, legacy, and the burden of prophecy woven through every chapter.
The world is brutal and beautiful in equal measure—icy kingdoms, ancient magic, fractured alliances—and the writing is atmospheric, pulling you into a setting that feels completely original. I especially loved the way Atembina balances intimate character development with high-stakes conflict.
At its core, this is a story about survival—of a people, of a magic long thought lost, and of a protagonist who must navigate betrayal, war, and their own destiny.
Fans of Elly Blake and M.K.Lobb will love this.
The world is brutal and beautiful in equal measure—icy kingdoms, ancient magic, fractured alliances—and the writing is atmospheric, pulling you into a setting that feels completely original. I especially loved the way Atembina balances intimate character development with high-stakes conflict.
At its core, this is a story about survival—of a people, of a magic long thought lost, and of a protagonist who must navigate betrayal, war, and their own destiny.
Fans of Elly Blake and M.K.Lobb will love this.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews