Winter

Deadly Fae Duology #2.5

by Cassandra Aston

Winter - A Deadly Fae Duology Novella is Coming in 2026

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2026

About the author

Cassandra Aston writes dark fantasy and romantasy packed with dangerous magic, court intrigue, sharp banter, and love that would burn the world before it lets go. Her stories feature morally gray men, stabby heroines, and brutal choices with consequences that bite.

She is the award-winning author of the completed Prophecies of Angels and Demons series and the Deadly Fae saga. She is currently expanding her interconnected universes with new fae stories, villain-led retellings, and gothic standalones that lean darker, sharper, and more emotionally ruinous.

When she can, she escapes to a cozy mountain cottage to write, fueled by hot chocolate and spite, and she believes there is only one rule that truly matters: love fiercely.

Connect with Cassandra through her website or on social media.

Reviews

[Jazzy Mermaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was what I didn't know I needed in this storyline and further into this world. Waiting until 2027 to see where this leads seems so far away but that is how long it may take me to process this book. It is not a long read but it is mighty and full of intrigue and history that has me edged soooooo much so that I will be spiraling to figure out where this goes. My emotions were put through it and I am not mad about it as much as I am at rhe fact that I need more. ✨️📚✨️

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa, play “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opened by the beloved duo of the main duology, I had no idea what was in store. And, despite this being a short story, it was not empty of meaning and action.

Within these pages, I found love, betrayal, hope and loss, all significant and powerful. This story ripples through the duology and I’ve no doubt changes more than I realise, whilst also setting us up for the authors next series in this world.

Whilst this story felt perfect, held appropriate weight and significance, I will eagerly await more. And in the meantime, I will be reading the entire duology again.

Thank you so much to the author for an advance copy (my apologies that this review is later than anticipated), all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me hooked way faster than I expected

It has that enemies to lovers energy where you can feel the tension building every time they’re in a scene together, and it just makes everything feel a bit more intense and addictive

What I really liked was the dynamic between them. Both of them feel like they’ve lived under expectations for so long, and watching that slowly crack when they’re together made it really compelling

The vibe of the story also felt really strong. It’s got that mythical, almost fated feeling where everything feels like it’s building toward something bigger even in the quieter moments

By the end I was just sat there like… yeah, that was a ride

[The Fated Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.75 🌶️1

Short, fast-paced read that delivers exactly what fans of this world need. At 178 pages it flies by, but it earns every page by handing us a PoV that was sorely needed. The pacing is relentless in the best way, and the writing does what good bridge novellas should do: it enriches what came before while making you desperate for what's next. A story that feels like a key unlocking a door you didn't realize was locked.

If you're already invested in this universe, Winter is not optional reading. It's a great intro to the future books Cassandra Aston is building in this world, and honestly the kind of novella that makes the wait for the next full installment genuinely painful.

[Bakingbookdragon (Kinsey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable. I have read all the other books in this series, but I did struggle a bit to remember some of the characters for this book.

I really love the world that Cassandra Aston had created. The underwater palace and winter lands were so well described. I loved the comparison of prisoners from Firethorn and Lorelai. The dual POV worked really well. I thought Mab seemed like less of a bad character than Oceanus did in this book, but she is just a bit more sneaky in her badness.

Still a great read and I loved returning to this world.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

᭙ⅈꪀ𝕥ꫀ𝕣 is book 2.5 in the Deadly Fae Duology and dives into the story of Firethorn and Lorelai. We also get to see a whole new side to the fates and stars and learn more about Mab and her bargains. Overall this is a very quick and fast paced novella and I cannot wait to see what else Cassandra has in store for this world.

[Brittni Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

And nothing could go wrong

Oh my god everything went wrong... this book gave off Pocahontas meets Wuthering Heights vibes so what could possibly go wrong with that combo.. but seriously what a beautiful story with a ouchie giving bite

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is HURTINGGGGG. Firethorn is the story we needed! We got so much more info into this world. But i’m so sad now.