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Sisters Solstice #2
Winter of the Wicked
Some witches cast spells. Others sacrifice everything.
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History.
For centuries, Sister Winter’s life has been dictated by a Grimoire—the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters’ three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance.
As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Mereville uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order—the shadow regime that wants him dead.
Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what’s been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History.
For centuries, Sister Winter’s life has been dictated by a Grimoire—the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters’ three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance.
As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Mereville uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order—the shadow regime that wants him dead.
Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what’s been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?
Published February 21, 2023
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About the author
J.L. Vampa
13 books785 followersJ.L. is a gothic fantasy author and boutique owner
You can follow JL on
TikTok : jlvampa
Boutique: wickedwhimsyboutique.com
And by signing up for JL’s newsletter on her website jlvampa.com
You can follow JL on
TikTok : jlvampa
Boutique: wickedwhimsyboutique.com
And by signing up for JL’s newsletter on her website jlvampa.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
January 16, 2024
The writing is beautifully descriptive, but it does NOT move. At around 15% in I wanted to throw it and not pick it back up. I didn't even care about the characters any more. Nothing happens until 3/4 of the way in. And THEN it is so stinking subtle and forgettable. It's so sad. She can write, but pacing suuuuuuuuuuucks
January 22, 2023
**I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
This is the second book in the series.. so if you haven’t read Autumn of the Grimoire, start there.
We join Grimm and Agatha along with their cohorts on their various missions, since splitting up. This book felt like it was structured to reveal some backstory for a few main and secondary characters and advance the story along just enough, without really hitting some of the major plot points too hard. The carrot dangle, if you will.
I really enjoyed getting to know Winnie in book two. We were able to see her as more of a multidimensional character, with real pain fueling her shrewdness and hard-hearted persona. Everything she has done has been to protect and care for those around her and she has experienced true losses that her sisters knew nothing of. With this understanding, I grew to truly adore Winnie. ❄️ Vampa did a great job making this character lovable under all that ice.
I loved the dynamic of Sorscha and Gaius and I hope she wears him down soon 😅 I’m looking forward to delving more into Sister Spring’s past. She’s a delightful saucy minx.
I was hoping to find out more about the Grimoire and how the Sister’s have been manipulated by it for so long… we did however, find out a bit about their parents, and that the Sister’s truly have been mislead their whole lives.. but not to a great extent. So in curious agony I reside.
The Order… who in the hell are these fuckers? You won’t find out here lol although you do discover a connection to The Order from the past.
Buckle up, because she is going to cliffhanger your ass on this one and give you that sweet ol book hangover. I don’t want to read anything else.. I want to finish this dang story!
If you’re reading this my dearest, Vampa, leave immediately and go write some more 😅
This is the second book in the series.. so if you haven’t read Autumn of the Grimoire, start there.
We join Grimm and Agatha along with their cohorts on their various missions, since splitting up. This book felt like it was structured to reveal some backstory for a few main and secondary characters and advance the story along just enough, without really hitting some of the major plot points too hard. The carrot dangle, if you will.
I really enjoyed getting to know Winnie in book two. We were able to see her as more of a multidimensional character, with real pain fueling her shrewdness and hard-hearted persona. Everything she has done has been to protect and care for those around her and she has experienced true losses that her sisters knew nothing of. With this understanding, I grew to truly adore Winnie. ❄️ Vampa did a great job making this character lovable under all that ice.
I loved the dynamic of Sorscha and Gaius and I hope she wears him down soon 😅 I’m looking forward to delving more into Sister Spring’s past. She’s a delightful saucy minx.
I was hoping to find out more about the Grimoire and how the Sister’s have been manipulated by it for so long… we did however, find out a bit about their parents, and that the Sister’s truly have been mislead their whole lives.. but not to a great extent. So in curious agony I reside.
The Order… who in the hell are these fuckers? You won’t find out here lol although you do discover a connection to The Order from the past.
Buckle up, because she is going to cliffhanger your ass on this one and give you that sweet ol book hangover. I don’t want to read anything else.. I want to finish this dang story!
If you’re reading this my dearest, Vampa, leave immediately and go write some more 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2023
DNF
Oh man, I'm so disappointed. Autumn of the Grimoire was such a great book. So much potential. But this... I just don't understand what went wrong.
There is just no plot, no forward momentum, no intrigue, nothing. I even stopped caring about the characters that I previously loved.
Huge shame.
Honestly, don't bother wasting your time.
Oh man, I'm so disappointed. Autumn of the Grimoire was such a great book. So much potential. But this... I just don't understand what went wrong.
There is just no plot, no forward momentum, no intrigue, nothing. I even stopped caring about the characters that I previously loved.
Huge shame.
Honestly, don't bother wasting your time.
Read
October 13, 2025If the whole thing had been about Wendolyn and Laurent, their story and the circus, it could have been a 5 stars. No rate cause I only read their scenes.
November 23, 2024
A brilliant read one of those books you just can't can't put down, loving the series and really looking forward to the next one.
August 29, 2023
This author, the owner of phantom house press + wicked whimsy boutique, is scamming her customers, being emotionally abusive towards other authors, and intentionally infringing on copyrighted material. there’s a lot more than this, but this is just the big things. Absolutely awful human behavior. I’m writing this review to let other readers know what is going on. I would not recommend reading it since the author is so problematic and terrible.
November 24, 2024
Wow..another fantastic read in this book series. Loved all the characters they are so interesting and feisty, leaving you wanting to get to know them more, and understand them deeper through what trauma and pain they have been through ..great plot and political intrigue easy to read and follow. I didn’t want to put this book down, can’t wait to start the next one!! Highly recommend this series if you love witchy adventure fantasy with a political background running through it, and with some mildly spicy epic love aspects to it.
January 3, 2024
Więcej pov jeszcze, więcej zmian czasów 🥲
May 8, 2023
While I loved book one, this story didn’t live up to the same enjoyment level as the first. I feel like we lost some of the atmospheric vibes the first book had, got lost in too many POVs, and was missing the climactic effect. The plot moved super slowly for me and I was so ready for something to happen, but when it did - the action sprang from nowhere and then quickly resolved. Winnie, the Winter Sister, had a lot of character backstory in this one which I feel took the focus of the book. Though it was more reflective than showing. There was a shocking and entertaining reveal at the end, but overall I feel a bit unsatisfied with this one.
Read
October 19, 2023Please excuse me while I go sob and anxiously await book 3’s arrival 😭
Edit: I shouldn’t have read this 8 weeks postpartum 🫠
Edit: I shouldn’t have read this 8 weeks postpartum 🫠
December 11, 2023
This series is so good! I really enjoyed this second instalment.
Some witches cast spells. Others sacrifice everything.
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History. For centuries, Sister Winter's life has been dictated by a Grimoire - the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters' three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance. As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Seagovia uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order - the shadow regime that wants him dead. Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what's been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?
Wendolyn reminded me so much of Elsa. She came across cold and icy and aloof in the first book, but of course there is reason for that, which we discover in this instalment.
I love the whole concept of this book and world, how the four sisters each represent the seasons of the year. The plot is so intricate, but well executed and easy to keep up with. The new characters in this book were also interesting and I can't wait to read more about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this instalment. The main focus is on the plot and characters, with just a dash of romance/spice, which suits me fine.
Some witches cast spells. Others sacrifice everything.
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History. For centuries, Sister Winter's life has been dictated by a Grimoire - the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters' three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance. As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Seagovia uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order - the shadow regime that wants him dead. Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what's been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?
Wendolyn reminded me so much of Elsa. She came across cold and icy and aloof in the first book, but of course there is reason for that, which we discover in this instalment.
I love the whole concept of this book and world, how the four sisters each represent the seasons of the year. The plot is so intricate, but well executed and easy to keep up with. The new characters in this book were also interesting and I can't wait to read more about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this instalment. The main focus is on the plot and characters, with just a dash of romance/spice, which suits me fine.
January 16, 2023
"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯, 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳."
"𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵... 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦."
𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘤.
"𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘴."
Oh my heart... this book. I'm an utter wreck. A gorgeously woven narrative featuring complex characters you'll fall in love with, but most of all, feel seen by. Love and sacrifice, healing, and the unshakeable bond of family are the beating heart of this unforgettable tale. We get the chance to see deep inside Winnie's frozen heart and grow to love and understand her in a new light. So many moment of this story made me ache, and particularly the end of chapter 29 had me sobbing.
I don't like sharing spoilers in my reviews, but I'll say the fierce longing between two couples in particular spoke deeply to my romantic heart. The eternal bond between sisters both born and chosen was a powerfully driving force of this novel. The rich characters you come to count as your own friends, the gorgeous world building you find yourself longing to live in, and the high stakes of this brilliantly plotted story will leave you breathless.
THAT ENDING!!!!!!!! I'm at a loss as to how I'll survive awaiting the next installment.
"𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵... 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦."
𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘤.
"𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘴."
Oh my heart... this book. I'm an utter wreck. A gorgeously woven narrative featuring complex characters you'll fall in love with, but most of all, feel seen by. Love and sacrifice, healing, and the unshakeable bond of family are the beating heart of this unforgettable tale. We get the chance to see deep inside Winnie's frozen heart and grow to love and understand her in a new light. So many moment of this story made me ache, and particularly the end of chapter 29 had me sobbing.
I don't like sharing spoilers in my reviews, but I'll say the fierce longing between two couples in particular spoke deeply to my romantic heart. The eternal bond between sisters both born and chosen was a powerfully driving force of this novel. The rich characters you come to count as your own friends, the gorgeous world building you find yourself longing to live in, and the high stakes of this brilliantly plotted story will leave you breathless.
THAT ENDING!!!!!!!! I'm at a loss as to how I'll survive awaiting the next installment.
March 28, 2023
DNF ~75% Only made it this far because it was for a book club.
The plot made no sense, a lot of it felt forced and artificial, and the multiple POVs didn’t help.
I would have preferred if it had been a standalone and we only got the circus story, which honestly has a lot of potential imo. Not the convoluted whatever this was.
The plot made no sense, a lot of it felt forced and artificial, and the multiple POVs didn’t help.
I would have preferred if it had been a standalone and we only got the circus story, which honestly has a lot of potential imo. Not the convoluted whatever this was.
November 19, 2025
3.75 rounded up
February 21, 2023
Winter of the Wicked By JL Vampa| ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Winter of the Wicked is a spellbinding witchy read that explores sisterly sacrifices and the length one would take to protect loved ones. A beautifully woven tale of love, loss, & finding oneself again.
After the shocking events of Autumn of the Grimoire, readers get ready to explore a new perspective, Wendolyn (sister of winter). The moment her sister, Agatha, shook the foundations of their rules and beliefs Winnie struggled with who she is and everything she was supposed to stand for. If that wasn’t enough, thoughts of her past and secrets she has kept from her sisters plague her as well.
JL Vampa did a fantastic job weaving Winnie’s own tale alongside Agatha & Grimm’s current storyline. Both tales & perspectives felt necessary in the development of character arcs for Winnie and the rest of the sisters. The world is a bit expanded with the addition of new characters and the expansion of the old characters. Nonetheless, Vampa does not disappoint with continued world-building and creating more lovable characters.
Throughout this novel, we get to see Winnie struggle against her fears, face her flaws, and embrace the hauntings of her past. Her complex character slowly but surely unfolds as the story continues. Because of this, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Winnie is definitely the mother hen of the sisters, and will do what it takes to protect them. I relate to Winnie on a different level than I did with Agatha. My heart ached for her. I felt her burdens to the very core of my soul. I wanted everything to work for her and her sisters, not to mention for her and Laurent as well. Laurent aka Lau is your mysterious, hopeless romantic circus master. Need I say more?! That should be reason enough. I should think! Another swoony-worthy man going after his only love. He does everything to protect his woman. Also, in the circus troupe, may I introduce you to your knife master, Tomás. He's a jokester, a flirt, caring, and loyal. The chemistry between him and Eleanor is just perfect! Tomás teaches Eleanor, Agatha’s old maid, how to throw knives. Honestly, I love this trope when men teach their women to defend themselves. *fans oneself*
While I always relate to and love Agatha’s story more, I loved Winnie’s for totally different reasons. Vampa did not disappoint with book two. I’m excited to see where JL Vampa takes Sorscha’s story next! Not to mention that Vampa rudely left me hanging with THAT ending! Excuse me ma'am, but how dare you hurt my babies like that?! We need to have a serious talk with you and me.
HUGE thank you to @jlvampa for sending this e-arc my way!🥺
Read if you like:
Second chances
Sisterly love
Winter witch vibes
Touch her & unalive
Political intrigue
Caraval/circus vibes
True loves
Multiple POVs
Winter of the Wicked is a spellbinding witchy read that explores sisterly sacrifices and the length one would take to protect loved ones. A beautifully woven tale of love, loss, & finding oneself again.
After the shocking events of Autumn of the Grimoire, readers get ready to explore a new perspective, Wendolyn (sister of winter). The moment her sister, Agatha, shook the foundations of their rules and beliefs Winnie struggled with who she is and everything she was supposed to stand for. If that wasn’t enough, thoughts of her past and secrets she has kept from her sisters plague her as well.
JL Vampa did a fantastic job weaving Winnie’s own tale alongside Agatha & Grimm’s current storyline. Both tales & perspectives felt necessary in the development of character arcs for Winnie and the rest of the sisters. The world is a bit expanded with the addition of new characters and the expansion of the old characters. Nonetheless, Vampa does not disappoint with continued world-building and creating more lovable characters.
Throughout this novel, we get to see Winnie struggle against her fears, face her flaws, and embrace the hauntings of her past. Her complex character slowly but surely unfolds as the story continues. Because of this, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Winnie is definitely the mother hen of the sisters, and will do what it takes to protect them. I relate to Winnie on a different level than I did with Agatha. My heart ached for her. I felt her burdens to the very core of my soul. I wanted everything to work for her and her sisters, not to mention for her and Laurent as well. Laurent aka Lau is your mysterious, hopeless romantic circus master. Need I say more?! That should be reason enough. I should think! Another swoony-worthy man going after his only love. He does everything to protect his woman. Also, in the circus troupe, may I introduce you to your knife master, Tomás. He's a jokester, a flirt, caring, and loyal. The chemistry between him and Eleanor is just perfect! Tomás teaches Eleanor, Agatha’s old maid, how to throw knives. Honestly, I love this trope when men teach their women to defend themselves. *fans oneself*
While I always relate to and love Agatha’s story more, I loved Winnie’s for totally different reasons. Vampa did not disappoint with book two. I’m excited to see where JL Vampa takes Sorscha’s story next! Not to mention that Vampa rudely left me hanging with THAT ending! Excuse me ma'am, but how dare you hurt my babies like that?! We need to have a serious talk with you and me.
HUGE thank you to @jlvampa for sending this e-arc my way!🥺
Read if you like:
Second chances
Sisterly love
Winter witch vibes
Touch her & unalive
Political intrigue
Caraval/circus vibes
True loves
Multiple POVs
February 23, 2023
I really loved the first book in this series so when the opportunity came up to ARC read for JL Vampa i absolutely jumped at the chance and let me assure you in no way did she disappoint with Winter of the Wicked.
The character development of Wendolyn and the relationships between these sisters was so unbelievably beautiful and heartwarming that I cried 5 times over the course of the last 20% of the book.
No doubt in my mind that this book is a 5 star read!
Already dying for book 3 and JL Vampa is going on the author auto buy list!
The character development of Wendolyn and the relationships between these sisters was so unbelievably beautiful and heartwarming that I cried 5 times over the course of the last 20% of the book.
No doubt in my mind that this book is a 5 star read!
Already dying for book 3 and JL Vampa is going on the author auto buy list!
January 9, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, but I just couldn’t. Autumn of the Grimoire was so enjoyable so we (my book club and I) were really excited about it, but the entire thing just felt so disjointed. Between jumping from past to present, and from character/scene to a different character/scene it was all over the place without anything actually happening. It felt like the plot didn’t happen until the very end. I just. I can’t. I probably won’t continue the series. I definitely won’t be buying a hard copy again.
Also, I am really annoyed that the SE had a shiny cover when the first book was matte. Really disappointing.
Also, I am really annoyed that the SE had a shiny cover when the first book was matte. Really disappointing.
February 26, 2023
I knew this book would wreck me. I'll be back with more words when I stop sobbing.
_____________
Full review:
"A damsel with her own dagger is worth far more than a white knight."
Have you ever read a book that you just don't want to end? Winter of the Wicked is that book for me. JL Vampa's writing is like coming home, after a very long and anxiety-ridden separation.
I didn't re-read Autumn of the Grimoire - I didn't need to. The story of The Sisters Solstice lived on in my head for months. I don't know how to review this book in my usual fashion, my heart is left raw and open after this novel. With swollen eyes from tears cried, let's try anyways.
“For the love of the goddess,” she snapped. “Cease your squabbling, you whores!"
I had a few food laughs. I smiled. I giggled. I got angry. I delayed my reading because I couldn't imagine departing from these characters and their stories, so I drew it out as long as I could. I cried. I recovered. I sobbed. My chest heaved inwards and collapsed under the weight on Winnie's shoulders.
This book broke through part of my traumas, it wedged through the lip under the door in which I shut firmly. There are words to sum up such immense talent, but I am left reeling, in search of them.
"Let down your battlements, Winnie. The limitations you have are placed there by you and you alone. The walls around you are not real. Let them down. Knock them down. Never shrink, dove. You are wild. Free. There is no cage unless you lock yourself in.”
The premise of this book continues to follow Grimm and Agatha, though with added focus on Sister Winter, Winnie. JL Vampa uses multiple POVs to deliver the story while building the plot. As the characters have been separated to achieve separate goals that will contribute to the overall "mission", the reader begins to understand the dynamic between the Sisters Solstice more so than in Autumn of the Grimoire.
In true Vampa fashion, the historical fiction packed within these 450 pages only serves to build the plot and advance the story - every element has most assuredly been thought out and paced in the most elegant manner. JL Vampa's writing is enchantingly detailed, devastatingly poetic, and gracefully atmospheric.
"She should’ve taken a stand all those years ago when she’d had the chance. Alas, she had not. And therefore resigned herself to a life of dancing with her ghosts."
I adored the addition of memories within the chapters as it lends a helping hand to understand the responsibility and burdens that Winnie as the eldest Sister bear,and how that has contributed to her character.
I can't say much more about the plot, because I will rabbit on about it.
"To breathe is to live. To bleed is to feel. And she is nothing. A ghoul in the shadow of a willow weeping. Pillaging the wreckage, sifting for her soul."
The life lessons in this book, the family, the trials and tribulations, the sorrow, grief, immeasurable burdens, and love is written with the utmost consideration to the reality of life, such beauty, honesty and grace. The women of this series are, without a doubt, some of the strongest and progressive female characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The men are also something of their own league, with love gracing the deepest and darkest hollows of their souls - offering their support to only strengthen the women they love - never to hinder.
I cannot praise JL Vampa enough, nor her work with this series and especially Winter of the Wicked. My whole heart is here, in this book. My hat's off to you, @jlvampa. This story has bewitched me.
"Awaken, he sang. Rise, wild one."
_____________
Full review:
"A damsel with her own dagger is worth far more than a white knight."
Have you ever read a book that you just don't want to end? Winter of the Wicked is that book for me. JL Vampa's writing is like coming home, after a very long and anxiety-ridden separation.
I didn't re-read Autumn of the Grimoire - I didn't need to. The story of The Sisters Solstice lived on in my head for months. I don't know how to review this book in my usual fashion, my heart is left raw and open after this novel. With swollen eyes from tears cried, let's try anyways.
“For the love of the goddess,” she snapped. “Cease your squabbling, you whores!"
I had a few food laughs. I smiled. I giggled. I got angry. I delayed my reading because I couldn't imagine departing from these characters and their stories, so I drew it out as long as I could. I cried. I recovered. I sobbed. My chest heaved inwards and collapsed under the weight on Winnie's shoulders.
This book broke through part of my traumas, it wedged through the lip under the door in which I shut firmly. There are words to sum up such immense talent, but I am left reeling, in search of them.
"Let down your battlements, Winnie. The limitations you have are placed there by you and you alone. The walls around you are not real. Let them down. Knock them down. Never shrink, dove. You are wild. Free. There is no cage unless you lock yourself in.”
The premise of this book continues to follow Grimm and Agatha, though with added focus on Sister Winter, Winnie. JL Vampa uses multiple POVs to deliver the story while building the plot. As the characters have been separated to achieve separate goals that will contribute to the overall "mission", the reader begins to understand the dynamic between the Sisters Solstice more so than in Autumn of the Grimoire.
In true Vampa fashion, the historical fiction packed within these 450 pages only serves to build the plot and advance the story - every element has most assuredly been thought out and paced in the most elegant manner. JL Vampa's writing is enchantingly detailed, devastatingly poetic, and gracefully atmospheric.
"She should’ve taken a stand all those years ago when she’d had the chance. Alas, she had not. And therefore resigned herself to a life of dancing with her ghosts."
I adored the addition of memories within the chapters as it lends a helping hand to understand the responsibility and burdens that Winnie as the eldest Sister bear,and how that has contributed to her character.
I can't say much more about the plot, because I will rabbit on about it.
"To breathe is to live. To bleed is to feel. And she is nothing. A ghoul in the shadow of a willow weeping. Pillaging the wreckage, sifting for her soul."
The life lessons in this book, the family, the trials and tribulations, the sorrow, grief, immeasurable burdens, and love is written with the utmost consideration to the reality of life, such beauty, honesty and grace. The women of this series are, without a doubt, some of the strongest and progressive female characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The men are also something of their own league, with love gracing the deepest and darkest hollows of their souls - offering their support to only strengthen the women they love - never to hinder.
I cannot praise JL Vampa enough, nor her work with this series and especially Winter of the Wicked. My whole heart is here, in this book. My hat's off to you, @jlvampa. This story has bewitched me.
"Awaken, he sang. Rise, wild one."
February 25, 2023
What can I even say about this book? JL’s writing is beautiful. Her world-building, mythos, and characters are rich and engrossing, and I dare you not to fall in love with it all. Winter picks up where Autumn left off, as Aggie, Grimm, and the others try to figure out what the Grand Magus and his followers have planned, discover the truth about the draught, and find any hint of a character who goes missing at the end of the last book. They’re getting desperate for answers, and that will drive them to take extreme and dangerous measures in this part of the story.
The story is told through the POVs of all of the primary characters, and Winnie—Sister Winter takes the primary focus as she navigates her first season without the constraints of the grimoire and without her role as overseer/caretaker for her sisters. Throughout the book, she must face the realities of her life and come to terms with some distant parts of her past that have shaped her long life, even as she has refused to acknowledge them.
Things I loved:
-multiple povs
-fantastic characters-both the MCs and the side characters
-so many twists and turns, the way I did not know what was going to happen the whole time
-that ending
-swoony love stories, just the right amount of spice
This book is beautiful, y’all. JL’s writing is truly magical, and watching it develop alongside these incredible sisters and their stories is absolutely one of the best things.
The story is told through the POVs of all of the primary characters, and Winnie—Sister Winter takes the primary focus as she navigates her first season without the constraints of the grimoire and without her role as overseer/caretaker for her sisters. Throughout the book, she must face the realities of her life and come to terms with some distant parts of her past that have shaped her long life, even as she has refused to acknowledge them.
Things I loved:
-multiple povs
-fantastic characters-both the MCs and the side characters
-so many twists and turns, the way I did not know what was going to happen the whole time
-that ending
-swoony love stories, just the right amount of spice
This book is beautiful, y’all. JL’s writing is truly magical, and watching it develop alongside these incredible sisters and their stories is absolutely one of the best things.
April 7, 2023
As someone who spends 90% of her life living in winter (yay buffalo -.-), the vibe of this book perfectly encapsulates that feeling of being stuck inside on a cold winter day, the world blizzarding around you, and your toes always freezing no matter how close they get to the fireplace. Of course, this has nothing to do with the plotline of the book, but it gives off the same vibe nonetheless.
**SPOILER FOR FIRST BOOK IN SERIES**
This book follows the Winter sister and her adventures after Autumn destroys the Grimoire and how they all pick up the pieces afterward. I loved this series (so far) and I love how it follows a different sister each season. You really get to know each sister through her book and I'm so excited to hear what's in store for Spring and Summer!
*I was given these books as an advanced reader by bookinfluencers.com in exchange for my honest review*
**SPOILER FOR FIRST BOOK IN SERIES**
This book follows the Winter sister and her adventures after Autumn destroys the Grimoire and how they all pick up the pieces afterward. I loved this series (so far) and I love how it follows a different sister each season. You really get to know each sister through her book and I'm so excited to hear what's in store for Spring and Summer!
*I was given these books as an advanced reader by bookinfluencers.com in exchange for my honest review*
February 22, 2023
I was obsessed with Autumn. I am addicted to Winter.
The Sisters Solstice series is one of a kind; filled with cottage core prose, intricate magic weaved seamlessly into an immaculate world, and every character is unique and original and devastatingly wrought with very human emotions.
The tension and banter and mystery continues into book 2 and you learn to love these characters even more (or even fall for some new ones).
The Sisters Solstice series is one of a kind; filled with cottage core prose, intricate magic weaved seamlessly into an immaculate world, and every character is unique and original and devastatingly wrought with very human emotions.
The tension and banter and mystery continues into book 2 and you learn to love these characters even more (or even fall for some new ones).
April 25, 2023
Autumn of the Grimoire was such a great book, but with this one..I don't know what direction this was trying to take but it didn't work for me at all..
It was difficult to keep up with what went on and hard to clarify what exactly was happening..
The plot and story went into all different directions, it was so confusing...I fell in love with the characters in the first book but that intrigue vanished with this one..🥺
It was difficult to keep up with what went on and hard to clarify what exactly was happening..
The plot and story went into all different directions, it was so confusing...I fell in love with the characters in the first book but that intrigue vanished with this one..🥺
September 15, 2025
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one in the series. I found the banter between some of the characters quite juvenile and the story dragged out a bit unnecessarily. Coming to the end of the book and looking at the length of the book, the story could have achieved the same result with some cutting down during the editing process. That being said, we heard from a lot more characters, which didn't allow time to go deeper into the main characters. I did enjoy it as an escapism read and will eventually continue the series to see how it turns out, but I'm less invested than I was after the first one.
February 17, 2023
JLV is mistress of plot—Winter of the Wicked is lush, atmospheric, and filled with endearing characters both old and new. If you’re worried of seeing less of Aggie and [redacted], FEAR NOT: our babies are alive and well and getting up to all kinds of trouble. 😏
October 15, 2025
The first half was unnecessarily long. I think I had the wrong expectations going in to this and more time needed to be spent on Winnie's love story to make me care more. The yearning didn't yearn like it did in the first.
June 12, 2025
3.75 ⭐
January 29, 2023
Soooo good!! The four sisters together are amazing. I can’t wait for book three !
September 30, 2025
Girl like why are you singing in the circus??
November 10, 2023
Edit:
I’ve updated my star review to reflect my honest feelings. I had rated it higher initially in good faith but the book was definitely lacking in many aspects. I’m editing now because unlike the author I want to be honest. I also will no longer support this author or her publishing company or storefront due to absolutely shameful and egregious business practices that have come to light since July of this year (2023).
✨Received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review✨ No big spoilers in my review but marking it with a spoiler warning just in case!
Where to even begin?? I fell in love with this world in Autumn and was so happy to get to dive back in Winter!
I was excited to learn more about our Icy sister Winny and book 2 delivered!
I thought I related the most to Aggie in book one but there are parts of Winny that just wrenched my heart. She’s so much more than her cold exterior and we got to peel away those frosty layers and years of sadness, trauma, and loss she experienced being bound by the Grimoire and her responsibility to protect her sisters who she loves so fiercely.
I would have never expected her character to have travelled with a carnival, nor did I expect to love the element of the Druids as much as I did! So unique, unexpected, and fun! And the heat between she and Laurent?!? WOWZA.
There’s a lot to love about the book and we get to see the world and events from many different perspectives.
The complexities and differences between the sisters’ personalities really get to shine and I can’t wait to learn more about Sisters Spring and Summer.
We get suspense, heartbreak, mystery, and several OMG/WTF moments. The last act will have you on the edge of your seat and hate to say it, but the ending will leave you wanting book 3 asap because of the massive cliffhanger!
In the end, the story of the Sisters Solstice is an intricately beautiful love story. It is driven by its characters and their relentless and complex love for one another (familial, platonic, and romantic love). It’s what hooked me in Autumn and will keep me eagerly awaiting Spring!!
…….
With the multiple POVs came my only criticism. It felt a bit like some of the POV breaks came at odd points in the plot progression and it was a little hard to keep track of the overall story especially with flashbacks and dreams being tossed in. I know when I read again it’ll hopefully feel more prepared and easy to follow, but as a reader that little bit of structure choice was the only thing that didn’t make it as smooth a read as book one. Not the fact that there were multiple POVs (loved them!), just where we flipped back and forth. I’m not a writer so I have no idea if I’m expressing that correctly but that technical aspect of the book was the only thing that kept it from being full stars.
I’ve updated my star review to reflect my honest feelings. I had rated it higher initially in good faith but the book was definitely lacking in many aspects. I’m editing now because unlike the author I want to be honest. I also will no longer support this author or her publishing company or storefront due to absolutely shameful and egregious business practices that have come to light since July of this year (2023).
✨Received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review✨ No big spoilers in my review but marking it with a spoiler warning just in case!
Where to even begin?? I fell in love with this world in Autumn and was so happy to get to dive back in Winter!
I was excited to learn more about our Icy sister Winny and book 2 delivered!
I thought I related the most to Aggie in book one but there are parts of Winny that just wrenched my heart. She’s so much more than her cold exterior and we got to peel away those frosty layers and years of sadness, trauma, and loss she experienced being bound by the Grimoire and her responsibility to protect her sisters who she loves so fiercely.
I would have never expected her character to have travelled with a carnival, nor did I expect to love the element of the Druids as much as I did! So unique, unexpected, and fun! And the heat between she and Laurent?!? WOWZA.
There’s a lot to love about the book and we get to see the world and events from many different perspectives.
The complexities and differences between the sisters’ personalities really get to shine and I can’t wait to learn more about Sisters Spring and Summer.
We get suspense, heartbreak, mystery, and several OMG/WTF moments. The last act will have you on the edge of your seat and hate to say it, but the ending will leave you wanting book 3 asap because of the massive cliffhanger!
In the end, the story of the Sisters Solstice is an intricately beautiful love story. It is driven by its characters and their relentless and complex love for one another (familial, platonic, and romantic love). It’s what hooked me in Autumn and will keep me eagerly awaiting Spring!!
…….
With the multiple POVs came my only criticism. It felt a bit like some of the POV breaks came at odd points in the plot progression and it was a little hard to keep track of the overall story especially with flashbacks and dreams being tossed in. I know when I read again it’ll hopefully feel more prepared and easy to follow, but as a reader that little bit of structure choice was the only thing that didn’t make it as smooth a read as book one. Not the fact that there were multiple POVs (loved them!), just where we flipped back and forth. I’m not a writer so I have no idea if I’m expressing that correctly but that technical aspect of the book was the only thing that kept it from being full stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
How dare you end the book like this J.L. Vampa 😭
Winnie is my favorite character now. That’s how you write a character who is cold and rude with a tragic backstory and has character growth (looking at you Sarah J Maas for Nesta).
Like I wished with the first book, my expectations were met with the magic, and lore of the sisters and their parents explored more. Now I need more about Grimm’s powers as a reaper besides collecting souls.
The multiple POVs from different characters in different areas that all connect, as well as passages from the past mixing with the present may be bothersome to others. But I’m used to that in my fantasy books and the past passages were important to the present storylines, so that didn’t bother me.
I can’t wait to read from Sister Springs POV in the next book.
5⭐️ for the plot twists, character and magic developments, and the cliff hanger at the end. Immediately buying this for my collection.
Winnie is my favorite character now. That’s how you write a character who is cold and rude with a tragic backstory and has character growth (looking at you Sarah J Maas for Nesta).
Like I wished with the first book, my expectations were met with the magic, and lore of the sisters and their parents explored more. Now I need more about Grimm’s powers as a reaper besides collecting souls.
The multiple POVs from different characters in different areas that all connect, as well as passages from the past mixing with the present may be bothersome to others. But I’m used to that in my fantasy books and the past passages were important to the present storylines, so that didn’t bother me.
I can’t wait to read from Sister Springs POV in the next book.
5⭐️ for the plot twists, character and magic developments, and the cliff hanger at the end. Immediately buying this for my collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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