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Rowankind #1
Winterwood
Set in 1800 in Britain, Mad King George is on the throne with Napoleon Bonaparte knocking on the door. Unregistered magic users are pursued to the death, while in every genteel home resides uncomplaining rowankind bondservants who have become so commonplace that no one can recall where they came from.
Meanwhile, Rossalinde Tremayne is satisfied with her life as a cross-dressing privateer captain on the high seas. But a bitter deathbed visit to her estranged mother changes her life completely when she inherits a magical winterwood box. Now, not only is she confronted with a newly-discovered brother, and an annoyingly handsome wolf shapeshifter, Rossalinde has to decide whether or not to open the box to free rowankind and right an ancient wrong—even if it brings the downfall of Britain.
This brand-new series is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Bear, D.B. Jackson, and Marie Brennan, as well as readers of historical fiction who are looking for an accessible gateway to fantasy.
Meanwhile, Rossalinde Tremayne is satisfied with her life as a cross-dressing privateer captain on the high seas. But a bitter deathbed visit to her estranged mother changes her life completely when she inherits a magical winterwood box. Now, not only is she confronted with a newly-discovered brother, and an annoyingly handsome wolf shapeshifter, Rossalinde has to decide whether or not to open the box to free rowankind and right an ancient wrong—even if it brings the downfall of Britain.
This brand-new series is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Bear, D.B. Jackson, and Marie Brennan, as well as readers of historical fiction who are looking for an accessible gateway to fantasy.
424 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
41 people are currently reading
2051 people want to read
About the author
Jacey Bedford
27 books101 followersJacey Bedford is an English writer who is published by DAW in the USA. She lives and works behind a desk in Pennine Yorkshire. She's had stories published on both sides of the Atlantic. She has seven novels out now. Her newest is The Amber Crown, published by DAW inJanuary 2022. Previous books are: Empire of Dust, Crossways, and Nimbus, science fiction (space opera) which make up the Psi-Tech trilogy. Winterwood, Silverwolf and Rowankind make up the Rowankind trilogy. These are historical fantasy, set in 1800, with a cross-dressing privateer captain, the jealous ghost of her dead husband, and a sexy wolf shapechanger.
Jacey is secretary of the UK Milford Writers' Conference, a peer-to-peer workshopping week for published SF writers. She also hosts Northwrite SF, a critique group based in Yorkshire.
She's been a librarian, a postmistress and member of internationally touring a cappella trio, Artisan (and still occasionally is for reunion gigs www.artisan-harmony.com). When not writing she arranges UK gigs for folk artists from all over the world.
Jacey is secretary of the UK Milford Writers' Conference, a peer-to-peer workshopping week for published SF writers. She also hosts Northwrite SF, a critique group based in Yorkshire.
She's been a librarian, a postmistress and member of internationally touring a cappella trio, Artisan (and still occasionally is for reunion gigs www.artisan-harmony.com). When not writing she arranges UK gigs for folk artists from all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 22, 2016
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2016/01/22/b...
Winterwood and I were love at first sight, and all you have to do is take a gander at the book’s myriad subjects to see why: Magic. History. Fantasy. Romance. Fae. Ghosts. Shapeshifters. PIRATES. It’s like an irresistible smorgasbord of all my favorite themes and fantasy elements all in one place, and a strong, compelling female protagonist was the cherry on top.
Set in Britain in the time of King George III, Winterwood tells the tale of Rossalinde Tremayne, a young woman gifted with magical abilities. Seven years ago, she eloped with privateer captain Will Tremayne along with the Heart of Oak, the ship meant as her dowry, and Ross’s mother hasn’t forgiven her since. Now Will has been dead these past three years, and Ross has taken on the mantle of the Heart’s commander, adopting her late husband’s identity and disguising herself by wearing men’s clothing.
The book begins with Ross returning home to visit her ailing mother on her deathbed. In doing so, she learns more about her family than she ever bargained for, including the fact that she has a half-brother named David, who was fathered by the household’s rowankind bondservant. Ross also inherits a beautiful winterwood box, an object of great magical power that she is told only she can open, but the repercussions of that may be far-reaching and dire. Add to that, a shadowy enemy is on the hunt for Ross as well, and he would do anything to stop her from unlocking the box’s mysteries. With the crew of the Heart and the help of her newfound brother and a dashing wolf shapeshifter named Corwen, Ross sets off on a swashbuckling chase across the high seas to seeks answers and uncover the truth about her family’s secrets.
In news that I’m sure will surprise no one, I absolutely adore stories about women characters disguised as men, and even better when the book is a maritime fantasy and the protagonist is a capable heroine who captains her own ship. I love how Rossalinde is a strong and intelligent woman, but that she also listens to her heart. She gave everything up to marry the man of her dreams, and even though she and Will only had four short years together, she doesn’t regret her decision one bit. Interestingly, while Will’s death occurs before the book even begins, we still get to meet him in Winterwood in the form of his ghost. Back when her grief was still a raw and open wound, Ross unwittingly summoned him and now his spirit is a constant presence in her life. Will’s ghost and Ross share some humorous moments, but for the most part his appearances are a reminder of tragedy; he is a symbol of her past at a time when she should really be looking to the future. Being torn between two paths is devastating for a woman like Ross who is so in tune to her emotions, which is why I felt for her.
In addition to offering a well-crafted main protagonist, Winterwood also offers an altogether tantalizing blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Jacey Bedford’s prose is elegant and evocative of the setting, which is an alternate version of early 19th century Britain steeped in magic. The world feels familiar yet new, plus we get the added benefit of being on the ocean for a substantial part of this book, deeply immersed in the life of privateering during this time period. The battles at sea against pirates and French ships alike are thrilling and dramatic, where victory may come at a high cost but the rewards are well worth it. The dialogue is also superbly done, especially when it comes to the crew of the Heart and their nautical jargon and rough accents.
In terms of magic, this book is practically full to brimming with it. Perhaps the foremost fantastical element comes in the form of the rowankind, a docile and subjugated race of people exploited for their labor. Britain’s entire economy is dependent on these unpaid servants, and yet their history and origins are mostly unknown, lost to time. However, there are rumors that connect them to the Fae, who also have a large role to play in this story. Moreover, the realm of the Fae is completely separate from the domain of The Green Lady, who rules over the natural world. While the inner workings of the various kinds of magic go largely unexplained, it is clear that there are many sources of it, and their powers mingle and react in very interesting ways.
Also, when a book’s tagline reads “A tale of magic, piracy, adventure and love”, you’d be correct to expect a heavy dose of romance. Love is something Ross is just starting to allow herself to explore again after losing Will, and Corwen proves to be a good match for her, with lots of chemistry and sexual tension between the privateer and the wolf shapeshifter (just don’t call her a pirate, or him a werewolf—them’s fightin’ words!) But to my surprise, there’s more to this book than just romantic love. Familial love is an important part of this story too, with Ross accepting her half-brother David, becoming overprotective when he is threatened or treated poorly because of his rowankind heritage. I was impressed with the emotional level and complexity of the relationships in this book, as well as its unique perspective on social prejudice.
The best thing about Winterwood is its many fascinating components, which Jacey Bedford weaves into one amazing story of magic and adventure. Rollicking action is expertly balanced with passionate romance in this novel which will leave you salivating for more, and I loved every moment! I’m already looking forward to the next installment and dreaming about a return to this exciting, magical world.
Winterwood and I were love at first sight, and all you have to do is take a gander at the book’s myriad subjects to see why: Magic. History. Fantasy. Romance. Fae. Ghosts. Shapeshifters. PIRATES. It’s like an irresistible smorgasbord of all my favorite themes and fantasy elements all in one place, and a strong, compelling female protagonist was the cherry on top.
Set in Britain in the time of King George III, Winterwood tells the tale of Rossalinde Tremayne, a young woman gifted with magical abilities. Seven years ago, she eloped with privateer captain Will Tremayne along with the Heart of Oak, the ship meant as her dowry, and Ross’s mother hasn’t forgiven her since. Now Will has been dead these past three years, and Ross has taken on the mantle of the Heart’s commander, adopting her late husband’s identity and disguising herself by wearing men’s clothing.
The book begins with Ross returning home to visit her ailing mother on her deathbed. In doing so, she learns more about her family than she ever bargained for, including the fact that she has a half-brother named David, who was fathered by the household’s rowankind bondservant. Ross also inherits a beautiful winterwood box, an object of great magical power that she is told only she can open, but the repercussions of that may be far-reaching and dire. Add to that, a shadowy enemy is on the hunt for Ross as well, and he would do anything to stop her from unlocking the box’s mysteries. With the crew of the Heart and the help of her newfound brother and a dashing wolf shapeshifter named Corwen, Ross sets off on a swashbuckling chase across the high seas to seeks answers and uncover the truth about her family’s secrets.
In news that I’m sure will surprise no one, I absolutely adore stories about women characters disguised as men, and even better when the book is a maritime fantasy and the protagonist is a capable heroine who captains her own ship. I love how Rossalinde is a strong and intelligent woman, but that she also listens to her heart. She gave everything up to marry the man of her dreams, and even though she and Will only had four short years together, she doesn’t regret her decision one bit. Interestingly, while Will’s death occurs before the book even begins, we still get to meet him in Winterwood in the form of his ghost. Back when her grief was still a raw and open wound, Ross unwittingly summoned him and now his spirit is a constant presence in her life. Will’s ghost and Ross share some humorous moments, but for the most part his appearances are a reminder of tragedy; he is a symbol of her past at a time when she should really be looking to the future. Being torn between two paths is devastating for a woman like Ross who is so in tune to her emotions, which is why I felt for her.
In addition to offering a well-crafted main protagonist, Winterwood also offers an altogether tantalizing blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Jacey Bedford’s prose is elegant and evocative of the setting, which is an alternate version of early 19th century Britain steeped in magic. The world feels familiar yet new, plus we get the added benefit of being on the ocean for a substantial part of this book, deeply immersed in the life of privateering during this time period. The battles at sea against pirates and French ships alike are thrilling and dramatic, where victory may come at a high cost but the rewards are well worth it. The dialogue is also superbly done, especially when it comes to the crew of the Heart and their nautical jargon and rough accents.
In terms of magic, this book is practically full to brimming with it. Perhaps the foremost fantastical element comes in the form of the rowankind, a docile and subjugated race of people exploited for their labor. Britain’s entire economy is dependent on these unpaid servants, and yet their history and origins are mostly unknown, lost to time. However, there are rumors that connect them to the Fae, who also have a large role to play in this story. Moreover, the realm of the Fae is completely separate from the domain of The Green Lady, who rules over the natural world. While the inner workings of the various kinds of magic go largely unexplained, it is clear that there are many sources of it, and their powers mingle and react in very interesting ways.
Also, when a book’s tagline reads “A tale of magic, piracy, adventure and love”, you’d be correct to expect a heavy dose of romance. Love is something Ross is just starting to allow herself to explore again after losing Will, and Corwen proves to be a good match for her, with lots of chemistry and sexual tension between the privateer and the wolf shapeshifter (just don’t call her a pirate, or him a werewolf—them’s fightin’ words!) But to my surprise, there’s more to this book than just romantic love. Familial love is an important part of this story too, with Ross accepting her half-brother David, becoming overprotective when he is threatened or treated poorly because of his rowankind heritage. I was impressed with the emotional level and complexity of the relationships in this book, as well as its unique perspective on social prejudice.
The best thing about Winterwood is its many fascinating components, which Jacey Bedford weaves into one amazing story of magic and adventure. Rollicking action is expertly balanced with passionate romance in this novel which will leave you salivating for more, and I loved every moment! I’m already looking forward to the next installment and dreaming about a return to this exciting, magical world.
January 21, 2016
I don't even know where to start with my love for this book. The privateering rocks, the cross-dressing female captain Ross is in the ranks of my favorite heroines, the romance is sexy but doesn't take over the plot, the magic is fan-freaking-tastic, and all of this set in an alternative 1800 England where Fae and magic aren't just myths. It also works well as a stand alone with everything tied up but I'm excited to find out what will happen in the sequel!!!
April 15, 2016
This could have been so much more than it was. The premise is lovely and the prose is readable so why then did I fail to connect with the characters? The protagonist is very flat, one-dimensional even, and her actions and thoughts often fail to have a sense of process and come out absolute and without any sense of internal conflict. For instance, the magic box she is given by her mother. A normal person would show some curiousity, spend some time trying to open the box but she doesn't. In fact, she throws it into the ocean without knowing that it would follow her (it does but she didn't know that when she threw it). The other characters are flatter than she is. The romance is sudden and forced. The whole business of the dead husband's ghost hanging around is unsettling. The fact that she's the only female character of any importance was what made me throw up my hands and call it a day. In fact, she's the only female character except for some transitory characters who make brief appearances. Maybe other people will like it. It certainly wasn't my cup of tea.
September 10, 2017
Winterwood is a good solid read. A delightful blend of historical-fiction, fantasy, shape shifter, and romance.
Rossalinde Tremayne (Ross) is a young woman who has been widowed from her husband Will. She eloped with Will taking one of her father's ships as a dowry for their marriage. Will unexpectantly dies leaving Ross to captain their privateer ship. Will's ghost however continues to hang around. Ross' mother is ill so Ross goes to pay her a visit. The relationship between Ross and her mother is very contentious to say the least although her mother gives her a mysterious wooden box made of Winterwood. Ross doesn't know what to do with the box. As she is leaving her mother's house, the place is goes up in flames which attracts the attention of the British soldiers stationed in Plymouth. Attention that Ross does not want. Ross happens to be an unregistered witch and she has other issues with the law. She also discovers in her escape she has a half brother, David.
The story has many facets to it. There is the mystery of the box, a person that chases them, a pirate who happens to fancy Ross, Ross grieving for her lost husband, family and friendship and not the least of which is the class struggle of Rowankind. They are the lowest of the low. There are a few more surprises as well but I don't want to provide any unintended spoilers.
I found the characters to be interesting. Ross is a refreshing heroine because she knows her own mind and acclimated to leadership by being captain of her ship. While she can be tough, she leaves her heart open to new people. As she travels with David, she grows like him and even to love him. The supporting cast of characters are interesting and create tension as the story unfolds.
I thought the book was well written and liked the author's writing style as the story is written in the first person from Ross' perspective. This is a fairy tale for adults and possibly older teens. I thought the story kind of lost something toward the end of the book but I can't quite say what that "something" happens to be. Perhaps the story didn't go quite as I expected it to go. Overall though, I found Winterwood a fun and enjoyable read. I plan to look into the next book in the series.
Rossalinde Tremayne (Ross) is a young woman who has been widowed from her husband Will. She eloped with Will taking one of her father's ships as a dowry for their marriage. Will unexpectantly dies leaving Ross to captain their privateer ship. Will's ghost however continues to hang around. Ross' mother is ill so Ross goes to pay her a visit. The relationship between Ross and her mother is very contentious to say the least although her mother gives her a mysterious wooden box made of Winterwood. Ross doesn't know what to do with the box. As she is leaving her mother's house, the place is goes up in flames which attracts the attention of the British soldiers stationed in Plymouth. Attention that Ross does not want. Ross happens to be an unregistered witch and she has other issues with the law. She also discovers in her escape she has a half brother, David.
The story has many facets to it. There is the mystery of the box, a person that chases them, a pirate who happens to fancy Ross, Ross grieving for her lost husband, family and friendship and not the least of which is the class struggle of Rowankind. They are the lowest of the low. There are a few more surprises as well but I don't want to provide any unintended spoilers.
I found the characters to be interesting. Ross is a refreshing heroine because she knows her own mind and acclimated to leadership by being captain of her ship. While she can be tough, she leaves her heart open to new people. As she travels with David, she grows like him and even to love him. The supporting cast of characters are interesting and create tension as the story unfolds.
I thought the book was well written and liked the author's writing style as the story is written in the first person from Ross' perspective. This is a fairy tale for adults and possibly older teens. I thought the story kind of lost something toward the end of the book but I can't quite say what that "something" happens to be. Perhaps the story didn't go quite as I expected it to go. Overall though, I found Winterwood a fun and enjoyable read. I plan to look into the next book in the series.
looks-interesting-maybe-read
January 25, 2016The Kindle price is higher than the paperback price! Publishers really do think consumers are idiots.
August 19, 2016
I think it was the cover that got me. Who wouldn't want to be a dashing young woman dressed for piracy?
I like a good historic fantasy, and the Golden Age of Piracy certainly has a lot going for it in the action department. The idea of a woman who was old enough to be married, who is an illicit witch with a ghost husband to boot- sounds like fun!
My first disappointment was that although Ross, our heroine, is indeed a widow, she still is barely over twenty. I know that young heroines are the standard, but would love a slightly more mature protagonist, in part because the young heroines spend lots of time struggling mightily against the demands of the plot in order to appear feisty. And that is certainly the case with this book- Ross doesn't want to do almost anything she must do for the first part of the book (until I gave up) but is pushed, chased, and bullied into everything.
The other thing I noticed was the plot seams showed. As a gamer, you learn to recognize the informational encounter, the fight scene, the chase scene. That's what the first part of the book felt like: a fight/chase scene, then more information for Ross, then more flight/chase.
Really, there's nothing especially wrong with the book; I just got bored because in the end nothing made it special enough for me to keep reading. Those with more patience may enjoy it more.
I like a good historic fantasy, and the Golden Age of Piracy certainly has a lot going for it in the action department. The idea of a woman who was old enough to be married, who is an illicit witch with a ghost husband to boot- sounds like fun!
My first disappointment was that although Ross, our heroine, is indeed a widow, she still is barely over twenty. I know that young heroines are the standard, but would love a slightly more mature protagonist, in part because the young heroines spend lots of time struggling mightily against the demands of the plot in order to appear feisty. And that is certainly the case with this book- Ross doesn't want to do almost anything she must do for the first part of the book (until I gave up) but is pushed, chased, and bullied into everything.
The other thing I noticed was the plot seams showed. As a gamer, you learn to recognize the informational encounter, the fight scene, the chase scene. That's what the first part of the book felt like: a fight/chase scene, then more information for Ross, then more flight/chase.
Really, there's nothing especially wrong with the book; I just got bored because in the end nothing made it special enough for me to keep reading. Those with more patience may enjoy it more.
March 23, 2016
After I read the opening of Winterwood, I thought I was going to love it, but I soon found myself bored by it. It's not that nothing happened; it's just that what did happen didn't interest me and I wasn't invested in the characters. I loved that Ross was a privateer captain respected by her crew, but there was very little characterization and the investigation in the story wasn't that compelling even though I had been looking forward to reading about Ross digging into old family secrets from the past. There were some intriguing parts, but this just wasn't to my taste.
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/0...
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/0...
February 1, 2016
I should read my outside my comfort zone more often: this book proves it. Winterwood is an easy, compelling read which ticks loads of boxes – pirates, fae, adventure, angst, ghosts, wild magic – whilst managing to surprise you with unexpected plot developments and delight you its beautifully paced story and believably strange world. A delicious page-turner.
dnf
January 25, 2016Pages read: 60-some
I could not be more in love with this premise. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling anything for the characters and I'm bored.
I could not be more in love with this premise. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling anything for the characters and I'm bored.
May 3, 2016
Lightning review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Winterwood is an alternate-history Regency fantasy novel with magic, elves, a werewolf, a ghost, and a heroine who is the captain of a privateer vessel (essentially a state-sanctioned pirate). The book is not a romance, although it has romance in it, and it’s the first book in a new series (thankfully, it does not end on a cliffhanger).
There’s an awful lot happening in Winterwood and yet the book feels fairly slow. There are a lot of side trips and digressions and supporting characters whose lives need sorting out. Most of the book takes place on land, which is a pity because I very much enjoyed the parts that happened on Ross’s ship. The actions sequences are glorious but very spread out.
The romance is perfunctory. While the theme of having to move on from loss is powerful, there’s nothing about Ross and Corwen that really suggests that they are a couple for the ages. Ross’s relationship with her half-brother, David, is much more interesting. David is Rowankind, a race of people that are rumored to be part-elven and that live enslaved by humans. Ross has the opportunity to free the Rowankind from human domination, but in doing so she will unleash Fae magic on the world, with completely unpredictable consequences. While there are some unfortunate “white savior” implications in Ross being the Chosen One who can free everybody, the theme does give the book a real moral dilemma (the Fae aren’t particularly nice, so it’s an actual problem).
Unfortunately that dilemma doesn’t arise until pretty late in the book, so most of the time it’s just Ross and David wandering around and trying to figure out what to do with this box. The world building is fascinating and the characters compelling, but I do hope the sequel will have more even pacing.
- Carrie S.
Winterwood is an alternate-history Regency fantasy novel with magic, elves, a werewolf, a ghost, and a heroine who is the captain of a privateer vessel (essentially a state-sanctioned pirate). The book is not a romance, although it has romance in it, and it’s the first book in a new series (thankfully, it does not end on a cliffhanger).
There’s an awful lot happening in Winterwood and yet the book feels fairly slow. There are a lot of side trips and digressions and supporting characters whose lives need sorting out. Most of the book takes place on land, which is a pity because I very much enjoyed the parts that happened on Ross’s ship. The actions sequences are glorious but very spread out.
The romance is perfunctory. While the theme of having to move on from loss is powerful, there’s nothing about Ross and Corwen that really suggests that they are a couple for the ages. Ross’s relationship with her half-brother, David, is much more interesting. David is Rowankind, a race of people that are rumored to be part-elven and that live enslaved by humans. Ross has the opportunity to free the Rowankind from human domination, but in doing so she will unleash Fae magic on the world, with completely unpredictable consequences. While there are some unfortunate “white savior” implications in Ross being the Chosen One who can free everybody, the theme does give the book a real moral dilemma (the Fae aren’t particularly nice, so it’s an actual problem).
Unfortunately that dilemma doesn’t arise until pretty late in the book, so most of the time it’s just Ross and David wandering around and trying to figure out what to do with this box. The world building is fascinating and the characters compelling, but I do hope the sequel will have more even pacing.
- Carrie S.
April 7, 2016
Set in Great Britain in the year 1800, Winterwood overflows with fantasy from the get-go. Rossalinde Tremayne, a witch who's "assumed" the identity of her dead husband and privateer captain Will, returns home for a bitter visit with her dying mother. There, Ross meets a half-brother she never knew about and inherits a magical winterwood box - a box that only she can open and, by doing so, free the nature-born rowankind from slavery. But the British government wants the box as well, and the ghost of Ross's beloved Will begs her to forsake her quest. Nevertheless, Ross is soon running for her life, searching for answers about the box and her family's origins while finding herself caught in the affairs of shapeshifters and the enigmatic Fae. In the end, what is Ross willing to sacrifice so she can right an ancient wrong?
There's no denying that Winterwood has an awesome premise. A high-action plot combining high-seas pirating adventure with a slew of supernatural elements and creatures - how could a fantasy reader not want to read it? The amount of secrets and revelations unearthed in each chapter also kept me in suspense. Unfortunately, that excitement didn't compensate for the issues I had. While I liked some of the supporting characters (especially the wolf-shapeshifter Corwen and Ross's half-brother David), I never connected with Ross. She felt too distant and underdeveloped for a protagonist. The dry, disengaging writing style wasn't to my taste, either. It ushered the plot along at a breathless pace but never really brought the characters to life.
All in all, Winterwood was entertaining, with solid world-building and the potential to be an amazing story, but little more than that. Other readers enjoyed this book more than I did, though, so maybe it wasn't meant for me.
There's no denying that Winterwood has an awesome premise. A high-action plot combining high-seas pirating adventure with a slew of supernatural elements and creatures - how could a fantasy reader not want to read it? The amount of secrets and revelations unearthed in each chapter also kept me in suspense. Unfortunately, that excitement didn't compensate for the issues I had. While I liked some of the supporting characters (especially the wolf-shapeshifter Corwen and Ross's half-brother David), I never connected with Ross. She felt too distant and underdeveloped for a protagonist. The dry, disengaging writing style wasn't to my taste, either. It ushered the plot along at a breathless pace but never really brought the characters to life.
All in all, Winterwood was entertaining, with solid world-building and the potential to be an amazing story, but little more than that. Other readers enjoyed this book more than I did, though, so maybe it wasn't meant for me.
October 14, 2016
Great beginning but kind of fizzled out.
February 29, 2016
3.6
This is a weird one to review because the first half of this book gets a 3.5 star rating for great pacing, plotting, and mystery. And pirates. Lady Pirates!!!
Then, Corwen shows up. It's still good, still awesome.
Then they meet the Fae.
And that's when it starts to go downhill. In fact, I'd hazard a guess and say that they didn't even need to meet the Fae in the book and then this book wouldn't have felt so rushed.
Because that's the real problem. The last 45% was incredibly rushed. This book could've been a standalone with the way that it ended. But with all the potential material, world building, characters and magic, there was no need for the pacing to treble in speed. This book could've been stretched and more attention paid to the budding relationships of Ross and Corwen and Ross and David.
Other things that could've been elaborated:
1 The quest to find the box and struggling with the good and bad of the consequence
2 building up the relationship with the rowankind and half fae
3 Ross adjusting to her new role in life
4 what actually happened to the rest of the world
5 a game plan for Ross, Corwen and David since there will be a second book
The book and the reader would've been better served by slowing down the second half and developing everything further.
This is a weird one to review because the first half of this book gets a 3.5 star rating for great pacing, plotting, and mystery. And pirates. Lady Pirates!!!
Then, Corwen shows up. It's still good, still awesome.
Then they meet the Fae.
And that's when it starts to go downhill. In fact, I'd hazard a guess and say that they didn't even need to meet the Fae in the book and then this book wouldn't have felt so rushed.
Because that's the real problem. The last 45% was incredibly rushed. This book could've been a standalone with the way that it ended. But with all the potential material, world building, characters and magic, there was no need for the pacing to treble in speed. This book could've been stretched and more attention paid to the budding relationships of Ross and Corwen and Ross and David.
Other things that could've been elaborated:
1 The quest to find the box and struggling with the good and bad of the consequence
2 building up the relationship with the rowankind and half fae
3 Ross adjusting to her new role in life
4 what actually happened to the rest of the world
5 a game plan for Ross, Corwen and David since there will be a second book
The book and the reader would've been better served by slowing down the second half and developing everything further.
August 12, 2022
A successful blend of pirates, magic, mystery, and a well written female protagonist - basically the recipe for a great, almost cinematic-like adventure. And such it was and I enjoyed it very much, seeing as I find it so hard to lay my hands on any kind of epic adventure lately. It was strange at times - particularly when it came to introducing us to an altogether different culture - but Rossalinde, as the voice of the story, kept me grounded pretty much at all times (and I especially liked her unpretentious attitude towards all matters sexual). Also, if anyone's a fan of the "Assassin's Creed" series, particularly IV, and the "Black Sails" TV show, the images should float into your heards all on their own. I'm cutting one star from my review for two things, though: sometimes the book lacked feeling when it mattered the most, and the later parts of the story focused too much on romance for my liking, at the cost of pacing and resolution. Apart from that, a good read, with a lot of action, mysteries, and - my favorite - hide-and-seek with the villains. Recommended.
June 17, 2016
I had higher expectations for this book - give its a lady pirate and it begins with her facing her (not dying fast enough) mother and the expectations that lady placed on her (and never forgave her for not living up to).
In the end though it just wasn't fascinating enough to me to read in one go (it took me a couple months).
In the end though it just wasn't fascinating enough to me to read in one go (it took me a couple months).
February 9, 2016
I liked this well enough that I am going to pick up the next in the series. The romance wasn't as strong as I would have liked, but the world building was well done and the characters well drawn.
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September 25, 2017This book had potential and I'm sure there are some people who'd find it wonderful but I just couldn't get into it. In an alternative 1800 Britain with magic and fey a female cross-dressing pirate ( look at that cover - could she ever pass for a man, even with a false beard? I don't think so!) visits her dying mother, inherits a magic box she can't get rid of, discovers family she never knew she had and goes back to her pirate ship. And the ghost of her dead husband (who seems much too creepy and possessive - someone exorcise him, please!).
It's full of action, but the characters felt pretty flat and when I finally gave up I had no idea where the characters were going or why and worse, I didn't care. I'm bailing out now. Maybe sometime in the future I'll give it another try, but right now I have too many books I do want to read.
It's full of action, but the characters felt pretty flat and when I finally gave up I had no idea where the characters were going or why and worse, I didn't care. I'm bailing out now. Maybe sometime in the future I'll give it another try, but right now I have too many books I do want to read.
January 25, 2018
This book was utterly ridiculous (AU England with enslaved tree fairies, complete with some really unfortunate comparisons to actual, historical slavery) and completely historically inaccurate (among other things, the main character basically felt like Devi from the Fortune's Pawn series transported to England in 1800; also, LITERALLY NO ONE had an opinion about her dressing as a man).
This is not a good book by any objective means, but it was the perfect bedtime book because it was impossible to take seriously, so I'd nod off after a chapter or two every single time. I've already started the sequel.
This is not a good book by any objective means, but it was the perfect bedtime book because it was impossible to take seriously, so I'd nod off after a chapter or two every single time. I've already started the sequel.
February 1, 2016
It's the year 1800 and England has a firm handle on magic. Anyone with magical abilities is supposed to register with the Mysterium. Anyone who doesn't register will be punished - most likely hanged. Rossalinde Tremayne never registered herself but she's managed to evade the Mysterium by spending much of her time at sea. In truth, she's never been comfortable with her magical abilities and prefers the life of a privateer anyway. Taking on the guise of her late husband, Ross wreaks havoc on the high seas under the banner of King George himself. But when her mother passes away, all of that changes.
Ross has never been close to her mother. Their relationship turned cold the minute her mother realized that Ross had magic in her veins. So it's strange to find that her mother has been holding onto a magical heirloom passed down through generations of her family. Ross never knew anything about her mother's family, certainly nothing that would suggest magic, but the legacy is apparently hers to deal with. But it's a legacy Ross wants no part of, especially when the King's agents begin snapping at her heels!
Pirates, magic, and fae in nineteenth-century England. Yes, please! Winterwood marks the start of Jacey Bedford's new Rowankind series and it's a series I can't wait for more of!
Having said that, I should probably admit that it took me a while to really get into Winterwood. It begins with Ross's reunion with her mother and launches into the action very quickly. But the world itself takes a little longer to develop.
We know that folks in England employ Rowankind as servants. (Employ is a stretch as most folks don't actually pay the Rowankind.) But it's unclear to the reader exactly what makes the Rowankind different. The varying magical abilities and the Mysterium itself also take some time to become really clear to the reader. None of that was much of a deterrent to me overall because once Ross was really off on her journey to find out more about her family and the box, the book picked up significantly for me and I was able to set aside any lingering questions I had about the world we were diving into.
Patience pays off big time here because it turns out that a lot of those more detailed world building elements are actually key to the overall plot. It helps, too, that Ross herself has little knowledge of the overall workings of magic thanks to her continued efforts to ignore her powers but for the occasional weather change to help her ship.
Ross is a smart and capable leading lady. Of course thanks to the time she lives in, and the story does stay quite true to the history of that time, she's not expected to do much more than be a wife. Which she is, but she's also captain of her own ship too. In disguise. Oh, and her dead husband is still by her side.
Ross's own family history is quite fabulous and I ADORED the blend of British folklore and history. As mentioned above there are the fae, there's also the Green Man and his lady, and Queen Elizabeth's spymaster, Walsingham, plays a significant role in the story as well. See - blending folklore and history :) All in all Winterwood is a fantastic read and one I definitely recommend to fantasy readers who like a dash of history in their stories.
So far there is just one follow up title due out in this series, which we won't see out on shelves until next January. Winterwood does work quite well as a standalone, though, so while it will be a welcome return to the world and the characters there's not really a crazy cliffhanger waiting to be resolved. (Whew!)
Ross has never been close to her mother. Their relationship turned cold the minute her mother realized that Ross had magic in her veins. So it's strange to find that her mother has been holding onto a magical heirloom passed down through generations of her family. Ross never knew anything about her mother's family, certainly nothing that would suggest magic, but the legacy is apparently hers to deal with. But it's a legacy Ross wants no part of, especially when the King's agents begin snapping at her heels!
Pirates, magic, and fae in nineteenth-century England. Yes, please! Winterwood marks the start of Jacey Bedford's new Rowankind series and it's a series I can't wait for more of!
Having said that, I should probably admit that it took me a while to really get into Winterwood. It begins with Ross's reunion with her mother and launches into the action very quickly. But the world itself takes a little longer to develop.
We know that folks in England employ Rowankind as servants. (Employ is a stretch as most folks don't actually pay the Rowankind.) But it's unclear to the reader exactly what makes the Rowankind different. The varying magical abilities and the Mysterium itself also take some time to become really clear to the reader. None of that was much of a deterrent to me overall because once Ross was really off on her journey to find out more about her family and the box, the book picked up significantly for me and I was able to set aside any lingering questions I had about the world we were diving into.
Patience pays off big time here because it turns out that a lot of those more detailed world building elements are actually key to the overall plot. It helps, too, that Ross herself has little knowledge of the overall workings of magic thanks to her continued efforts to ignore her powers but for the occasional weather change to help her ship.
Ross is a smart and capable leading lady. Of course thanks to the time she lives in, and the story does stay quite true to the history of that time, she's not expected to do much more than be a wife. Which she is, but she's also captain of her own ship too. In disguise. Oh, and her dead husband is still by her side.
Ross's own family history is quite fabulous and I ADORED the blend of British folklore and history. As mentioned above there are the fae, there's also the Green Man and his lady, and Queen Elizabeth's spymaster, Walsingham, plays a significant role in the story as well. See - blending folklore and history :) All in all Winterwood is a fantastic read and one I definitely recommend to fantasy readers who like a dash of history in their stories.
So far there is just one follow up title due out in this series, which we won't see out on shelves until next January. Winterwood does work quite well as a standalone, though, so while it will be a welcome return to the world and the characters there's not really a crazy cliffhanger waiting to be resolved. (Whew!)
September 14, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Winterwood by Jacey Bedford is the first book in the Rowankind series. It features a strong female protagonist, angry fae, and pirates, which are an excellent combination.
Although it’s the first book in the Rowankind series, Winterwood is self-contained and forms a complete story arc. Book 2, Silverwolf, is scheduled for release in January.
Rossalinde (or Ross) Tremayne is a privateer captain. Her husband was Captain Redbeard, and when he died, she started cross-dressing and took up his role on the high seas. She’s having a hard time letting go though, as evidenced by the fact that she’s constantly followed by his ghost.
One day Ross gets called to her mother’s deathbed, and she’s given a winterwood box. The box is magical, and is the key to righting a sin committed by her family several generations ago. It’s also the key to understanding the Rowankind, a race enslaved by the aristocracy on the British Isles. Ross initially tries to run away from the task, in part because she’s got some serious Mommy issues. You see, in this alternate version of history, magic exists but is highly regulated by the Crown. And when Ross discovered that she had magic, her mother became cold and hostile, pushing her away. Ross still hasn’t forgiven her, and has built her own happy life on the high seas.
Then Ross discovers that she has a half brother, her other brother is still alive, and there’s some seriously weird shit going on in her family tree. Oh, and she’s also being followed and hunted by members of a Secret Service type of organization, who are hell-bent to kill her and retrieve the Winterwood box. And this is where the book gets political and philosophical, because the Winterwood box holds the secret as to why the Rowankind are enslaved, and using the box will change the face of England. It’s both the right thing to do, and equally terrifying to Ross, because she has no idea how the Rowankind will react and is afraid of triggering a bloodbath.
Winterwood also has a romantic aspect. In her journey, Ross meets Corwin, a mysterious silver-haired gentleman who awakens long-buried feelings. And in order to pursue a relationship with Corwin, Ross needs to learn how to let go of her husband’s ghost and move on, which is easier said than done.
Winterwood was an excellent vacation read. It’s not a particularly serious book, and has a lot of fun fantasy elements, including magic, ghosts, werewolves, hellish creatures, and of course the fae.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Winterwood by Jacey Bedford is the first book in the Rowankind series. It features a strong female protagonist, angry fae, and pirates, which are an excellent combination.
Although it’s the first book in the Rowankind series, Winterwood is self-contained and forms a complete story arc. Book 2, Silverwolf, is scheduled for release in January.
Rossalinde (or Ross) Tremayne is a privateer captain. Her husband was Captain Redbeard, and when he died, she started cross-dressing and took up his role on the high seas. She’s having a hard time letting go though, as evidenced by the fact that she’s constantly followed by his ghost.
One day Ross gets called to her mother’s deathbed, and she’s given a winterwood box. The box is magical, and is the key to righting a sin committed by her family several generations ago. It’s also the key to understanding the Rowankind, a race enslaved by the aristocracy on the British Isles. Ross initially tries to run away from the task, in part because she’s got some serious Mommy issues. You see, in this alternate version of history, magic exists but is highly regulated by the Crown. And when Ross discovered that she had magic, her mother became cold and hostile, pushing her away. Ross still hasn’t forgiven her, and has built her own happy life on the high seas.
Then Ross discovers that she has a half brother, her other brother is still alive, and there’s some seriously weird shit going on in her family tree. Oh, and she’s also being followed and hunted by members of a Secret Service type of organization, who are hell-bent to kill her and retrieve the Winterwood box. And this is where the book gets political and philosophical, because the Winterwood box holds the secret as to why the Rowankind are enslaved, and using the box will change the face of England. It’s both the right thing to do, and equally terrifying to Ross, because she has no idea how the Rowankind will react and is afraid of triggering a bloodbath.
Winterwood also has a romantic aspect. In her journey, Ross meets Corwin, a mysterious silver-haired gentleman who awakens long-buried feelings. And in order to pursue a relationship with Corwin, Ross needs to learn how to let go of her husband’s ghost and move on, which is easier said than done.
Winterwood was an excellent vacation read. It’s not a particularly serious book, and has a lot of fun fantasy elements, including magic, ghosts, werewolves, hellish creatures, and of course the fae.
February 20, 2017
One of the few books for my DNF shelf. Normally i would try to push myself further in a book, but I just can't scrounge up the deisre to do so.
I have two reasons why I'm not finishing this. 1) the random F-Bomb that just came out of now where. I hate cursing I try to avoid it as much as possible when i read and I don't curse myself. Cursing is vulgar and crass and I just don't like it.
2) I was bored. given all that happened in the short amount i read, a house fire escape on horseback riding through haunted woods, a ghost husband and the last thing i remember reading about is the a ship caught in a storm after a sea battle. Sounds exciting right? It should have been but none of these events caught and held my interest and then the story just died for me when they just drop that word out of no where. Yes i get they're pirates, but I've read pirate stories where they didn't offend my sensibilities.
Would I recommend this book? Doubtful I didn't read to far into it so you might not take my word for it, and I know there are people who are not bothered by cursing so maybe they'll give it a try. As I'm writing this I haven't actually checked any other reviews to see how many people did or didn't like this book so before making a decision you can go check them out. But as for me I'm moving on to something else.
Although on a positive note I did like the cover.
I have two reasons why I'm not finishing this. 1) the random F-Bomb that just came out of now where. I hate cursing I try to avoid it as much as possible when i read and I don't curse myself. Cursing is vulgar and crass and I just don't like it.
2) I was bored. given all that happened in the short amount i read, a house fire escape on horseback riding through haunted woods, a ghost husband and the last thing i remember reading about is the a ship caught in a storm after a sea battle. Sounds exciting right? It should have been but none of these events caught and held my interest and then the story just died for me when they just drop that word out of no where. Yes i get they're pirates, but I've read pirate stories where they didn't offend my sensibilities.
Would I recommend this book? Doubtful I didn't read to far into it so you might not take my word for it, and I know there are people who are not bothered by cursing so maybe they'll give it a try. As I'm writing this I haven't actually checked any other reviews to see how many people did or didn't like this book so before making a decision you can go check them out. But as for me I'm moving on to something else.
Although on a positive note I did like the cover.
February 26, 2016
Apparently I promised a review almost a month ago. My apologies to anyone who's been waiting.
The original review will be posted on The Book Adventures the morning of Friday, February 26th, 2016.
This book has so many of the elements I love in a good fantasy: pirates, fae, magic, a wolf shapeshifter, a heroine who disguises herself as a man, adventure, romance, an alternative historical setting... really, this book is just my thing. I loved it.
The original review will be posted on The Book Adventures the morning of Friday, February 26th, 2016.
This book has so many of the elements I love in a good fantasy: pirates, fae, magic, a wolf shapeshifter, a heroine who disguises herself as a man, adventure, romance, an alternative historical setting... really, this book is just my thing. I loved it.
February 19, 2016
3.5 - 4 stars
I thought the world building was very interesting, and I loved the strong protagonist. The pacing was all over the place, though, making it hard for me to stay completely engaged in the story. When the action did kick into gear, the story telling soared. Waiting for these bursts of awesome got a little frustrating.
I thought the world building was very interesting, and I loved the strong protagonist. The pacing was all over the place, though, making it hard for me to stay completely engaged in the story. When the action did kick into gear, the story telling soared. Waiting for these bursts of awesome got a little frustrating.
February 9, 2016
Interesting fantasy romance, which also managed to be an alternate history novel. As the heroine was a cross-dressing pirate, it's no surprise I jumped on this book as fast as I could. And I was rewarded for that, too. I got action, adventure, magic, mythology, and a pretty good romance. I'm kind of wondering what book 2 will bring, as things wrapped up pretty well in here.
April 13, 2016
Let's see here: pirates, werewolf -- strike that, lupine shapeshifter -- Fae, intrigue, social justice, and a strong female protagonist, plus just enough romance and humor, in an easy-to-digest, compact fantasy novel. Yup; no complaints here. It's not a 4-star book in terms of objective quality, but I enjoyed it plenty and look forward to the sequel.
May 16, 2019
Got through 330 pages and realized I just did not care about any of the characters or how it ended. So I dropped it.
January 17, 2018
2.5 stars: cool premise, but the execution was lacking. The ghost-husband was an interesting idea and dilemma, but it feels like the author can't commit to really fleshing out any other relationships to a degree that would make me feel it as a reader. Ross loves her newfound half-brother because the author says so (I didn't feel that bond naturally develop; insta-love), same as the eventual romance happens because the author said so, I made this cool character design and you two are gonna be a thing, so there (there was no natural transition from 'stranger' to 'kinda liking' to 'REALLY liking', just a leap from "he is attractive" to "let's get naked" with nothing but the superficial physical attraction to back it up; it feels like Ross goes into it despite herself, and if that's because this is a breaking-mourning-rebellion thing, I'm not feeling that distinctly enough. It just feels rushed). I had to wait until more than halfway through the book for the rowankind to be explained, which was too long; it made them feel like a slapped-on detail up until then. Everyone in this world has a terminal lack of curiosity, because nobody asks or even seriously wonders about the rowankind, and especially if they're an England-only phenomenon, you'd think people from elsewhere would study it or at least ask about it--and ship crews, port towns, and big cities are full of people from elsewhere!
I'm about 3/4 of the way through and will finish just to see how it ends, but at this point I don't care enough to seek out the next volume in this series.
I'm about 3/4 of the way through and will finish just to see how it ends, but at this point I don't care enough to seek out the next volume in this series.
February 4, 2017
Rossalinde Tremayne has taken the place of her dead husband as a privateer captain, roaming the sea in her ship, the Heart and dressing as a man. When she is drawn to visit her mother on her deathbed, she inherits a magical winterwood box. Soon it becomes apparent that the box is something that a deadly magic user wants, and will stop at nothing to take from her, even using her brother as bait. In her quest to figure out what to do with the box, and find relatives she didn’t know she had, she discovers she has a young brother she never knew about and then comes across an annoying wolf shapeshifter, who seems to show up whenever she needs help. The story has some exciting scenes on the high seas and in the magical woods, and I really enjoyed Ross and her magical family, as well as her shipmates, not to mention the ghost of her dead husband. The mystery of the rowankind was intriguing, as was Ross’s dilemma as to whether she should try to open the box, which would right an ancient wrong, but could spell disaster for Britain, or try to get rid of it, which was harder than you’d think. I enjoyed this fantasy tale very much and look forward to the next book in the series, Silverwolf.
March 19, 2018
Privateer captain and unregistered witch Ross Tremayne feels most at home on the sea, but a deathbed visit to her estranged mother sets her on an unlooked-for different path. Inheriting a half-brother she never knew about as well as a magical box passed down from generation to generation, she is settled with the task of opening the box to right an old wrong. Accompanied by her late husband's possessive ghost and a handsome shapechanger of uncertain aims and allegiances, Ross discovers a weighty family legacy and numerous dangers in pursuit of he unwanted quest.
You had me at "cross-dressing privateer captain" - though I do wish there had been a little more actual privateering. While this turned out rather differently than expected (I'd hoped for more shipboard action, less traipsing through the woods), I quickly got sucked into the story and found it an engaging read all the way through.
You had me at "cross-dressing privateer captain" - though I do wish there had been a little more actual privateering. While this turned out rather differently than expected (I'd hoped for more shipboard action, less traipsing through the woods), I quickly got sucked into the story and found it an engaging read all the way through.
June 11, 2022
Swashbuckling adventure collides with magical mayhem on land & sea in this rousing new historical fantasy series set in a magic-infused England in 1800. Widowed witch Rossalinde Tremayne has done well for herself as a privateer in Mad King George's service, consulting with the ever-present ghost of her long-dead husband (whose reputation and identity she's borrowed) to capture other ships for profit and the Crown. Her estranged mother's dying request that Rossalinde take control of an enchanted box, draws her into a deadly mystery. In order to harness the power within the box, she has to unravel the secrets of a family she never knew existed, all while eluding those who want her dead. When her quest takes her into the hidden land of the Fae, she'll be forced to make a choice that could alter the fate of the British empire--and the Industrial Revolution as well.
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