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The Redwinter Chronicles #2
Traitor of Redwinter
Traitor of Redwinter is the second in Ed McDonald’s Redwinter Chronicles, full of shady politics, militant monks, ancient powers... and a young woman navigating a world in which no one is quite what they seem.
The power of the Sixth Gate grows stronger within Raine each day―to control it, she needs lessons no living Draoihn can teach her. Her fledgling friendships are tested to a breaking point as she tries to face what she has become, and her master Ulovar is struck by a mysterious sickness that slowly saps the vitality from his body, leaving Raine to face her growing darkness alone. There’s only one chance to turn the tide of power surging within her―to learn the secrets the Draoihn themselves purged from the world.
The book can teach her. She doesn’t know where she found it, or when exactly, but its ever changing pages whisper power that has lain untouched for centuries.
As the king’s health fails and the north suffers in the grip of famine, rebellious lords hunger for the power of the Crown, backed by powers that would see the Crowns undone. Amidst this growing threat, Raine’s former friend Ovitus brings a powerful new alliance, raising his status and power of his own. He professes support for the heir to the throne even as others would see him take it for himself, and desperately craves Raine’s forgiveness―or her submission.
But the grandmaster has her own plans for Raine, and the deadly training she has been given has not been conducted carelessly. In Raine she seeks to craft a weapon to launch right into her enemy’s heart, as Redwinter seeks to hold onto power.
Amidst threats old and new, Raine must learn the secrets promised by the book, magic promised by a queen with a crown of feathers. A queen to whom Raine has promised more than she can afford to give…
The power of the Sixth Gate grows stronger within Raine each day―to control it, she needs lessons no living Draoihn can teach her. Her fledgling friendships are tested to a breaking point as she tries to face what she has become, and her master Ulovar is struck by a mysterious sickness that slowly saps the vitality from his body, leaving Raine to face her growing darkness alone. There’s only one chance to turn the tide of power surging within her―to learn the secrets the Draoihn themselves purged from the world.
The book can teach her. She doesn’t know where she found it, or when exactly, but its ever changing pages whisper power that has lain untouched for centuries.
As the king’s health fails and the north suffers in the grip of famine, rebellious lords hunger for the power of the Crown, backed by powers that would see the Crowns undone. Amidst this growing threat, Raine’s former friend Ovitus brings a powerful new alliance, raising his status and power of his own. He professes support for the heir to the throne even as others would see him take it for himself, and desperately craves Raine’s forgiveness―or her submission.
But the grandmaster has her own plans for Raine, and the deadly training she has been given has not been conducted carelessly. In Raine she seeks to craft a weapon to launch right into her enemy’s heart, as Redwinter seeks to hold onto power.
Amidst threats old and new, Raine must learn the secrets promised by the book, magic promised by a queen with a crown of feathers. A queen to whom Raine has promised more than she can afford to give…
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2023
About the author
Ed McDonald
14 books1,410 followersEd McDonald is a UK born fantasy writer.
Ed is a medieval historian and swordsman by training. He currently lives in London, UK.
Ed is a medieval historian and swordsman by training. He currently lives in London, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
August 3, 2023
Ed McDonald continues to cement himself as one of the best fantasy writers out there with every new book that he publishes. TRAITOR OF REDWINTER is yet another shining example of this as the second book in the Redwinter Chronicles expands on this amazing story and elevates it in so many astonishing ways. Seeing Robin Hobb's blurb on the front cover of this book is quite fitting and I can see why she would want to attach her name to this series. It has all of the hallmarks of her style of brilliant storytelling which is in itself very character-based and thoughtful with unforgettable moments of sheer magical brilliance.
As far as sequels go, this one did not disappoint and really had my complete focus from page one. This is very much a book where things are starting to change for so many of the characters and most of the time in not the best of ways. There's a lot of political maneuvering (which I'm always a huge fan of) and jockeying of position to determine who gets to hold the reins of power. I was impressed by how McDonald kept his cards close to his vest so to speak with regard to many of the characters and their real motivations and loyalties. That unpredictability and the fact that you never know who is good and who may be a backstabbing scoundrel is another reason why I just love this series.
Suffice to say the worldbuilding continues to be second to none here and TRAITOR OF REDWINTER dives even deeper into the history and tumultuous past events that have shaped the present. There's also a deeply hidden mystery that cannot be denied and I found myself wanting to know more with each enticing (although infrequent) revelation. Hey, we can't give everything away in the second book am I right? So as it happens that excellent worldbuilding and an interesting history are my two favorite elements in a fantasy book, I'd say yeah this one hit all of the right notes for me.
Ultimately I thought this follow-up to Daughter of Redwinter was superb on so many levels. My only criticism is that Ed McDonald has created such an outstanding and compelling story that I am beyond annoyed I can't read the next book immediately. Okay that's actually a me problem and not an Ed problem so scratch that criticism. Anyway, if you enjoy character-driven fantasy that also contains some of the most creative worldbuilding, imaginative magic, and a richly detailed history shrouded in mystery, then you absolutely must pick up this series and give it a read. Ed McDonald is writing some unbelievably earth-shattering stuff right now and I for one can't get enough.
As far as sequels go, this one did not disappoint and really had my complete focus from page one. This is very much a book where things are starting to change for so many of the characters and most of the time in not the best of ways. There's a lot of political maneuvering (which I'm always a huge fan of) and jockeying of position to determine who gets to hold the reins of power. I was impressed by how McDonald kept his cards close to his vest so to speak with regard to many of the characters and their real motivations and loyalties. That unpredictability and the fact that you never know who is good and who may be a backstabbing scoundrel is another reason why I just love this series.
Suffice to say the worldbuilding continues to be second to none here and TRAITOR OF REDWINTER dives even deeper into the history and tumultuous past events that have shaped the present. There's also a deeply hidden mystery that cannot be denied and I found myself wanting to know more with each enticing (although infrequent) revelation. Hey, we can't give everything away in the second book am I right? So as it happens that excellent worldbuilding and an interesting history are my two favorite elements in a fantasy book, I'd say yeah this one hit all of the right notes for me.
Ultimately I thought this follow-up to Daughter of Redwinter was superb on so many levels. My only criticism is that Ed McDonald has created such an outstanding and compelling story that I am beyond annoyed I can't read the next book immediately. Okay that's actually a me problem and not an Ed problem so scratch that criticism. Anyway, if you enjoy character-driven fantasy that also contains some of the most creative worldbuilding, imaginative magic, and a richly detailed history shrouded in mystery, then you absolutely must pick up this series and give it a read. Ed McDonald is writing some unbelievably earth-shattering stuff right now and I for one can't get enough.
October 27, 2023
4,5*
It's hard being a Sarathi among the Draoihn, but it's even harder being young and not knowing what to do with all the feelings.
Basically. :)
The story continues after the events of Daughter of Redwinter with Raine joining the ranks of young Draoihn applicants, training to master the First Gate and passing the test to join their ranks. But that's not the only thing Raine has to deal with. She is practicing dark Sarathi magic in secrecy, Ulovar is fading away, her diplomatic mission she was sent on was a disaster and the rift between clans is being deepened, Queen of the Feathers still hasn't cashed in on her wish, but she is always there. With the upcoming change on the throne and clans backing up a different candidate it seems like war is coming to Redwinter, the Crown is in danger and Raine and her friends have to grow up fast.
The second book in Redwinter Chronicles is simply said more- more of everything from the first book. It's a more complex story in terms of events because the things that happened will shook the entire nation and are not just contained to Redwinter. Even the fairies, the hidden folk who, so far, were mentioned as an elusive, unseen part of the world have more prominent role in this one. There is more Raine's developing powers, more of her messiness and confusing feelings about Esher and Sanvaunt, more politicking, more death ( :( ), more Ovitus being the worst, more Sarathi and Draoihn magic, more Ulovar being grumpy and fatherly, more Robilar scheming and most importantly, more Castus.
And I ate it all up.
The thing about both of books in this series is that despite the fact they go dark places they feel like a comfy blanket I can wrap around myself because I genuinely get lost in this story and characters without feeling beaten to the ground. There is a nice balance between serious and grave scenes and scenes of just Raine and her friends being young and everything that comes with that: emotional, fun and stupid, moody, self-absorbed and sweet.
And this is where I have to talk about Raine. She is a challenging, flawed character, one who goes the route of rash decisions and auto-destructive behavior as we follow her journey. And I understand not everyone enjoys reading that, but McDonald managed to make me invested in her story quite successfully. She's complicated, she's messy and all that fits her age without making it her singular characteristic. Her romance drama got in front of more serious things several times in the book and I caught myself shaking my head because she can't deal with it at all which is funny considering she is ready to do more dangerous things, like assassinating or using Sarathi magic. But her instincts are on point and you actually can believe what drives her to help Ulovar because author made an effort to show us that her Redwinter family are worth fighting for: her friends are great, Sanvaunt is just dreamy, Erish is lovely, Castus is the best and all I can say is that I get her. I totally get her. :)
There is a darkness in this series, a delicious Scottish folklore infused fantasy world and bad things people do to each other, but the author makes an effort to show the good side of humanity and not go to the route of "everyone is actually bad." And yes, there is a drama, a young girl unnecessary drama with heightened emotions mixed in all of that and it just works for me.
What an underrated gem this series is, I can't wait for the next book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Tor Books, and Ed McDonald for an advanced copy of Traitor of Redwinter. All opinions are my own.
Yes!
I can't wait to get back to Redwinter with Raine, Esher, Sanvaunt, Liara, Ulovar and Grandmaster Robilar (everyone except Ovitus. Ovitus deserves to be kicked by a donkey.)
It's hard being a Sarathi among the Draoihn, but it's even harder being young and not knowing what to do with all the feelings.
Basically. :)
The story continues after the events of Daughter of Redwinter with Raine joining the ranks of young Draoihn applicants, training to master the First Gate and passing the test to join their ranks. But that's not the only thing Raine has to deal with. She is practicing dark Sarathi magic in secrecy, Ulovar is fading away, her diplomatic mission she was sent on was a disaster and the rift between clans is being deepened, Queen of the Feathers still hasn't cashed in on her wish, but she is always there. With the upcoming change on the throne and clans backing up a different candidate it seems like war is coming to Redwinter, the Crown is in danger and Raine and her friends have to grow up fast.
The second book in Redwinter Chronicles is simply said more- more of everything from the first book. It's a more complex story in terms of events because the things that happened will shook the entire nation and are not just contained to Redwinter. Even the fairies, the hidden folk who, so far, were mentioned as an elusive, unseen part of the world have more prominent role in this one. There is more Raine's developing powers, more of her messiness and confusing feelings about Esher and Sanvaunt, more politicking, more death ( :( ), more Ovitus being the worst, more Sarathi and Draoihn magic, more Ulovar being grumpy and fatherly, more Robilar scheming and most importantly, more Castus.
And I ate it all up.
The thing about both of books in this series is that despite the fact they go dark places they feel like a comfy blanket I can wrap around myself because I genuinely get lost in this story and characters without feeling beaten to the ground. There is a nice balance between serious and grave scenes and scenes of just Raine and her friends being young and everything that comes with that: emotional, fun and stupid, moody, self-absorbed and sweet.
And this is where I have to talk about Raine. She is a challenging, flawed character, one who goes the route of rash decisions and auto-destructive behavior as we follow her journey. And I understand not everyone enjoys reading that, but McDonald managed to make me invested in her story quite successfully. She's complicated, she's messy and all that fits her age without making it her singular characteristic. Her romance drama got in front of more serious things several times in the book and I caught myself shaking my head because she can't deal with it at all which is funny considering she is ready to do more dangerous things, like assassinating or using Sarathi magic. But her instincts are on point and you actually can believe what drives her to help Ulovar because author made an effort to show us that her Redwinter family are worth fighting for: her friends are great, Sanvaunt is just dreamy, Erish is lovely, Castus is the best and all I can say is that I get her. I totally get her. :)
There is a darkness in this series, a delicious Scottish folklore infused fantasy world and bad things people do to each other, but the author makes an effort to show the good side of humanity and not go to the route of "everyone is actually bad." And yes, there is a drama, a young girl unnecessary drama with heightened emotions mixed in all of that and it just works for me.
What an underrated gem this series is, I can't wait for the next book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Tor Books, and Ed McDonald for an advanced copy of Traitor of Redwinter. All opinions are my own.
Yes!
I can't wait to get back to Redwinter with Raine, Esher, Sanvaunt, Liara, Ulovar and Grandmaster Robilar (everyone except Ovitus. Ovitus deserves to be kicked by a donkey.)
October 22, 2023
HIGHLIGHTS
~a very shiny horse
~secrets of death-magic
~arguably the Best villain ever
~still shipping my OT3
~the Heels (you’ll know them when you see them)
*Spoilers for book one, Daughter of Redwinter!*
Daughter of Redwinter was a huge surprise for me on every level – it wasn’t a book I expected to be for me, but I fell head over heels for it, not least because of how much I identified with Raine, the main character. But the magically-induced emotional numbing Raine experienced for most of Daughter was ‘healed’ – kinda-sorta-mostly – at the end of that book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Traitor. Would I still care about Raine? Would I even like her? How would her ability to experience the full range of emotions again affect her relationships with her new family – to say nothing of her two love interests? Daughter ended with Raine and the mysterious Queen of Feathers being pretty pissed at each other – what ramifications was that going to have?
I can tell you this: a lot has changed between the two books. Daughter and Traitor are very different in a whole bunch of ways.
But I would say that’s because Traitor of Redwinter levels the fuck up in every aspect, and the results are incredible.
Daughter of Redwinter was a book that took me by surprise; Traitor is a book that is nothing but surprises. Absolutely nothing went the way I thought it would; I never saw the twists coming, spotted the clues only in hindsight, and everything I was sure of slipped through my fingers. Something I thought was a beautiful but ultimately meaningless moment from the first book literally saved the fucking day here; something I thought was McDonald leaning on a lazy cliche was MINDBLOWINGLY NOT; characters I wrote off revealed themselves to be the exact opposite of what I’d thought them to be – which meant something very different for each one of those characters. Everything I thought I didn’t like – little details in the tropes, the plot, the worldbuilding, the politics, the character dynamics, anything and everything – turned itself inside-out into something completely and ridiculously epic before the book was over, and honestly, I want to stand up and APPLAUD. I love how many tricks McDonald played on me; I love how he played me, over and over; I love how this story is patently not going in the direction we’d quite naturally expect.
Epic Fantasy? Oh, definitely. But not like you’ve seen it before – honest.
Traitor opens eight months after the end of Daughter, and I won’t lie, that bugged me. I’m not a fan of timeskips generally, and this one stretched the bounds of belief when it came to the romantic tension between Raine and her two love interests, Sanvaunt and Esther. It’s a little difficult to buy into the fact that all of that stalled for eight months, after how intense both relationships were becoming towards the end of the previous book. But on the one hand, we have both Raine and Esther’s hesitation and confusion over their sapphic feelings, in a world where that’s not commonly accepted; and on the other hand, Raine and Sanvaunt both had A Lot to deal with in the final chapters of Daughter, so…it’s just about possible to let it slide. Just.
Especially because that’s really my only critique of anything in the book. And we dive right in immediately; Raine, with a fair bit more control over her sixth gate than she had when last we saw her, is being sent as part of a sort of ambassadorial party with several other apprentice Draoihn to (politely, not violently) deal with a rebel Draoihn lordling. Who, to be honest, has some pretty good reasoning for telling Redwinter to fuck off. Where Daughter of Redwinter gave us a tight, narrow focus on Raine and Redwinter itself, Traitor zooms out, giving us a much bigger, and clearer, understanding of Raine’s world. The politics of her country Harran, and its north/south divide, is one of the major driving forces of the plot; as are the not-always-so-distant schemes of their overlords in Brannlant. (Though don’t misunderstand me; this isn’t a book for fans of political intrigue. Raine is too blunt of an instrument, much as I love her, to be the star of a story that’s all politicking and intrigue and diplomacy.) We even get glimpses of some very far-away lands indeed, mostly through some of Raine’s expatriate teachers, but once through a very interesting choice of military fashion.
Our view of Raine’s world doesn’t just widen; it deepens. We learn a lot more about the dreaded Sixth Gate in this book, and its connection to the other gates…but what startled and interested me most was how much Raine’s relationship to the Queen of Feathers changed from the last book. Some of the things she says; some of the visions/dreams Raine has; some of the ways the two interact forced me to toss out all of my theories about who and what the Queen is…and the new ones have been keeping me up at nights.
I NEED ANSWERS SO BADLY!
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
~a very shiny horse
~secrets of death-magic
~arguably the Best villain ever
~still shipping my OT3
~the Heels (you’ll know them when you see them)
*Spoilers for book one, Daughter of Redwinter!*
Daughter of Redwinter was a huge surprise for me on every level – it wasn’t a book I expected to be for me, but I fell head over heels for it, not least because of how much I identified with Raine, the main character. But the magically-induced emotional numbing Raine experienced for most of Daughter was ‘healed’ – kinda-sorta-mostly – at the end of that book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Traitor. Would I still care about Raine? Would I even like her? How would her ability to experience the full range of emotions again affect her relationships with her new family – to say nothing of her two love interests? Daughter ended with Raine and the mysterious Queen of Feathers being pretty pissed at each other – what ramifications was that going to have?
I can tell you this: a lot has changed between the two books. Daughter and Traitor are very different in a whole bunch of ways.
But I would say that’s because Traitor of Redwinter levels the fuck up in every aspect, and the results are incredible.
Daughter of Redwinter was a book that took me by surprise; Traitor is a book that is nothing but surprises. Absolutely nothing went the way I thought it would; I never saw the twists coming, spotted the clues only in hindsight, and everything I was sure of slipped through my fingers. Something I thought was a beautiful but ultimately meaningless moment from the first book literally saved the fucking day here; something I thought was McDonald leaning on a lazy cliche was MINDBLOWINGLY NOT; characters I wrote off revealed themselves to be the exact opposite of what I’d thought them to be – which meant something very different for each one of those characters. Everything I thought I didn’t like – little details in the tropes, the plot, the worldbuilding, the politics, the character dynamics, anything and everything – turned itself inside-out into something completely and ridiculously epic before the book was over, and honestly, I want to stand up and APPLAUD. I love how many tricks McDonald played on me; I love how he played me, over and over; I love how this story is patently not going in the direction we’d quite naturally expect.
Epic Fantasy? Oh, definitely. But not like you’ve seen it before – honest.
Traitor opens eight months after the end of Daughter, and I won’t lie, that bugged me. I’m not a fan of timeskips generally, and this one stretched the bounds of belief when it came to the romantic tension between Raine and her two love interests, Sanvaunt and Esther. It’s a little difficult to buy into the fact that all of that stalled for eight months, after how intense both relationships were becoming towards the end of the previous book. But on the one hand, we have both Raine and Esther’s hesitation and confusion over their sapphic feelings, in a world where that’s not commonly accepted; and on the other hand, Raine and Sanvaunt both had A Lot to deal with in the final chapters of Daughter, so…it’s just about possible to let it slide. Just.
they’d lit a fire to the sheet music, and now they danced to a burning tune.
Especially because that’s really my only critique of anything in the book. And we dive right in immediately; Raine, with a fair bit more control over her sixth gate than she had when last we saw her, is being sent as part of a sort of ambassadorial party with several other apprentice Draoihn to (politely, not violently) deal with a rebel Draoihn lordling. Who, to be honest, has some pretty good reasoning for telling Redwinter to fuck off. Where Daughter of Redwinter gave us a tight, narrow focus on Raine and Redwinter itself, Traitor zooms out, giving us a much bigger, and clearer, understanding of Raine’s world. The politics of her country Harran, and its north/south divide, is one of the major driving forces of the plot; as are the not-always-so-distant schemes of their overlords in Brannlant. (Though don’t misunderstand me; this isn’t a book for fans of political intrigue. Raine is too blunt of an instrument, much as I love her, to be the star of a story that’s all politicking and intrigue and diplomacy.) We even get glimpses of some very far-away lands indeed, mostly through some of Raine’s expatriate teachers, but once through a very interesting choice of military fashion.
Our view of Raine’s world doesn’t just widen; it deepens. We learn a lot more about the dreaded Sixth Gate in this book, and its connection to the other gates…but what startled and interested me most was how much Raine’s relationship to the Queen of Feathers changed from the last book. Some of the things she says; some of the visions/dreams Raine has; some of the ways the two interact forced me to toss out all of my theories about who and what the Queen is…and the new ones have been keeping me up at nights.
I NEED ANSWERS SO BADLY!
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
July 27, 2024
Stars: 3 out of 5.
I must admit that I liked book 1 better than the continuation. Don't get me wrong, it's still a solid book, and it packs an emotional punch in the end, but it was just not as entertaining as the first book. I think it might be suffering from the dreaded middle book in a trilogy curse.
But all jokes aside, I think I would have liked this book better if I hadn't been so irritated by the main character for about 80% of the story. This is how long it takes Raine to pull her head out of her ass, and by the time she does it, it's too late to change anything and to save a lot of people. Raine spends most of this book in a spiral of self-loathing and self-destruction. She hates what she is becoming, but can't help using the forbidden Sixth gate anyway. So she goes on a bender including drugs, alcohol, and mindless sex.
And even that would have been okay, though reading about it got old fast to be honest. The issue is that she lashes out against everyone who tries to get close to her, especially people who love her the most. She is truly horrible to everyone around her. I'm honestly surprised that she still has friends left by the end of the book. And yes, I understand why this is happening. I even understand her actions and her reaction, but that doesn't make it for a fun read. For most of the book, I wanted to smack some sense into her and tell her to quit the self-pity party.
The other issue I have with this book is that the middle section drags a bit with nothing much happening while the dominos are set in place. We start with such an explosive event that has Raine and her friends fleeing for their lives, but then they get back to Redwinter and... We get more studying, and practice combat, and Raine going to bars and gambling dens with Castus, and people (maybe) plotting something. As I said, there are a lot of words, but minimal action. It took me a while get through that part of the book. I even had to put it down and walk away for a couple weeks.
The last portion of the book kicks things in to overdrive though. Different plotlines collide with devastating results, and the true traitor of Redwinter is revealed. The ending was heartbreaking, and too many good people perished in the battle.
I will absolutely check out the third book when it comes out, because I need to know that bOvitus gets what he deserves, and with extreme prejudice.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I must admit that I liked book 1 better than the continuation. Don't get me wrong, it's still a solid book, and it packs an emotional punch in the end, but it was just not as entertaining as the first book. I think it might be suffering from the dreaded middle book in a trilogy curse.
But all jokes aside, I think I would have liked this book better if I hadn't been so irritated by the main character for about 80% of the story. This is how long it takes Raine to pull her head out of her ass, and by the time she does it, it's too late to change anything and to save a lot of people. Raine spends most of this book in a spiral of self-loathing and self-destruction. She hates what she is becoming, but can't help using the forbidden Sixth gate anyway. So she goes on a bender including drugs, alcohol, and mindless sex.
And even that would have been okay, though reading about it got old fast to be honest. The issue is that she lashes out against everyone who tries to get close to her, especially people who love her the most. She is truly horrible to everyone around her. I'm honestly surprised that she still has friends left by the end of the book. And yes, I understand why this is happening. I even understand her actions and her reaction, but that doesn't make it for a fun read. For most of the book, I wanted to smack some sense into her and tell her to quit the self-pity party.
The other issue I have with this book is that the middle section drags a bit with nothing much happening while the dominos are set in place. We start with such an explosive event that has Raine and her friends fleeing for their lives, but then they get back to Redwinter and... We get more studying, and practice combat, and Raine going to bars and gambling dens with Castus, and people (maybe) plotting something. As I said, there are a lot of words, but minimal action. It took me a while get through that part of the book. I even had to put it down and walk away for a couple weeks.
The last portion of the book kicks things in to overdrive though. Different plotlines collide with devastating results, and the true traitor of Redwinter is revealed. The ending was heartbreaking, and too many good people perished in the battle.
I will absolutely check out the third book when it comes out, because I need to know that bOvitus gets what he deserves, and with extreme prejudice.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75
I was the enemy of the entire world, they just didn't know it yet.
Thank you to Tor for providing me an arc in exchange for a review.
Those that see the dead are stoned, those that meddle with them are hanged, and those that seek to learn the forbidden Sarathi lore met the pyre. Raine is guilty of all. Yet she still wishes to train to become a Draoihn, part of something bigger than her.
There is a recap of book one included in case you need a refresh!)
I loved book one and couldn’t wait to get back to McDonald’s fantastic writing. I was not let down here. Found family, teasing quips, betrayal, secrets upon secrets, and, most importantly, discovering one’s identity - whether that be sexual identity, culture identity, family, friend, murderer, soldier.
”I am the drinker of blood. I am the chewer of bones.”
“Those sounds like bad life choices,” I said. “You should consider a better career.”
In book one, Raine’s emotions were clamped down on, a seal between her and the world. That’s been torn open now and it seems it has profound effects. Raine is more emotional, quick to anger, and oftentimes seemingly immature. She certainly acts like a teenager in this book, with a lot of pining and self-pitying and social anxiety.
Whilst this does a fantastic job at exploring love and romantic interests, it did, occasionally, feel over the top. They’re about to be killed, be devoured by a demon, go to war; and they somehow have time to have deeply profound conversations and self-loathing monologues about their emotions?
Nevertheless, I felt like this expanded Raine’s understanding of herself and showed us her flaws as she struggles to be fair and good to others. A main character with flaws, yes!
”We don't seem to connect, do we” Sanvaunt said, his voice barely disturbing the night air. “It feels like we're the sun and moon, never quite in the same place.” He sighed and took his hand back. The place where he'd touched me felt colder than before.
“Sometimes there's an eclipse,” I said.
This book seemed slower than book one, and whilst I was immediately drawn into book one, I think I was only as engrossed with book 2 as I was because of the phenomenal start of the series.
Overall, perhaps this suffers from middle book syndrome, but Raine has definitely stepped into her powers and I can’t wait till the epicness of the next book!
Bookstagram
I was the enemy of the entire world, they just didn't know it yet.
Thank you to Tor for providing me an arc in exchange for a review.
Those that see the dead are stoned, those that meddle with them are hanged, and those that seek to learn the forbidden Sarathi lore met the pyre. Raine is guilty of all. Yet she still wishes to train to become a Draoihn, part of something bigger than her.
There is a recap of book one included in case you need a refresh!)
I loved book one and couldn’t wait to get back to McDonald’s fantastic writing. I was not let down here. Found family, teasing quips, betrayal, secrets upon secrets, and, most importantly, discovering one’s identity - whether that be sexual identity, culture identity, family, friend, murderer, soldier.
”I am the drinker of blood. I am the chewer of bones.”
“Those sounds like bad life choices,” I said. “You should consider a better career.”
In book one, Raine’s emotions were clamped down on, a seal between her and the world. That’s been torn open now and it seems it has profound effects. Raine is more emotional, quick to anger, and oftentimes seemingly immature. She certainly acts like a teenager in this book, with a lot of pining and self-pitying and social anxiety.
Whilst this does a fantastic job at exploring love and romantic interests, it did, occasionally, feel over the top. They’re about to be killed, be devoured by a demon, go to war; and they somehow have time to have deeply profound conversations and self-loathing monologues about their emotions?
Nevertheless, I felt like this expanded Raine’s understanding of herself and showed us her flaws as she struggles to be fair and good to others. A main character with flaws, yes!
”We don't seem to connect, do we” Sanvaunt said, his voice barely disturbing the night air. “It feels like we're the sun and moon, never quite in the same place.” He sighed and took his hand back. The place where he'd touched me felt colder than before.
“Sometimes there's an eclipse,” I said.
This book seemed slower than book one, and whilst I was immediately drawn into book one, I think I was only as engrossed with book 2 as I was because of the phenomenal start of the series.
Overall, perhaps this suffers from middle book syndrome, but Raine has definitely stepped into her powers and I can’t wait till the epicness of the next book!
Bookstagram
November 25, 2023
4.5 stars
This was an engaging and often emotionally moving book 2. McDonald covered a lot of narrative ground here on both a sweeping plot front and character arc front and has me itching to continue the tale to see where things go from here in the finale.
There were some great plot reveals that I never saw coming, and some of the magical and fantasy worldbuilding elements dazzled me and felt fresh even after reading hundreds of other modern fantasy books.
This series has the deliberate pacing and emotional heaviness of Robin Hobb's Fitz books, and their single-POV first-person style also makes them a great point of comparison. Fans of those books should flock to the Redwinter Chronicles en masse, since I think they'll find many of the same rewards--a flawed but relatable main character navigating their difficult life as best they can manage amidst a cruel world stigmatizing their existence but with some dear friends to lend their support as well.
I think McDonald tells this particular kind of story beautifully and poignantly, but maybe I'm not in the particular mood for it having just finished the Tawny Man trilogy recently. There's only so much of this kind of self-flagellating 1st person POV who's in continual emotional turmoil I can take, and I found myself making my way slowly through this one instead of feeling gripped to where I wanted to never put it down and speed through it. That's more of a me thing, since I can't find any fault with the book, and the emotionally raw audio narration by Samara McLaren was also superb. If you're in the mood for very emotionally heavy fantasy, this series could definitely do the trick!
This was an engaging and often emotionally moving book 2. McDonald covered a lot of narrative ground here on both a sweeping plot front and character arc front and has me itching to continue the tale to see where things go from here in the finale.
There were some great plot reveals that I never saw coming, and some of the magical and fantasy worldbuilding elements dazzled me and felt fresh even after reading hundreds of other modern fantasy books.
This series has the deliberate pacing and emotional heaviness of Robin Hobb's Fitz books, and their single-POV first-person style also makes them a great point of comparison. Fans of those books should flock to the Redwinter Chronicles en masse, since I think they'll find many of the same rewards--a flawed but relatable main character navigating their difficult life as best they can manage amidst a cruel world stigmatizing their existence but with some dear friends to lend their support as well.
I think McDonald tells this particular kind of story beautifully and poignantly, but maybe I'm not in the particular mood for it having just finished the Tawny Man trilogy recently. There's only so much of this kind of self-flagellating 1st person POV who's in continual emotional turmoil I can take, and I found myself making my way slowly through this one instead of feeling gripped to where I wanted to never put it down and speed through it. That's more of a me thing, since I can't find any fault with the book, and the emotionally raw audio narration by Samara McLaren was also superb. If you're in the mood for very emotionally heavy fantasy, this series could definitely do the trick!
November 15, 2023
Traitor of Redwinter picks up about 8 months after the events of Daughter of Redwinter and it continuously went astray from the path to my personal taste. The magic is simply too powerful. It is hard to care about what happens when often some deux ex machina style magic saves or ruins the day.
That said some parts were wonderfully written and I (mostly) enjoyed how Ed McDonald explored themes like power, moral ambiguity, friendship, trust and love.
I'm a huge fan of Ed McDonald's Ravens Mark series but I'm not sure whether I will continue the Redwinter Chronicles or not.
That said some parts were wonderfully written and I (mostly) enjoyed how Ed McDonald explored themes like power, moral ambiguity, friendship, trust and love.
I'm a huge fan of Ed McDonald's Ravens Mark series but I'm not sure whether I will continue the Redwinter Chronicles or not.
May 19, 2023
LIGHT ABOVE! THIS WAS JUST BRILLIANT! I know I shouldn’t be this shocked that Ed McDonald managed to swept me off my feet a second time, just like he did with Daughter of Redwinter but I am truly taken aback by the sheer brilliance of Traitor of Redwinter, as it managed to exceed all my already sky-high expectations. This is quite a statement considering how much I adored Daughter of Redwinter, which was undoubtedly one of my top picks from 2022. Needless to say, I was yearning for MORE, and Traitor of Redwinter delivered in every possible way. Ed has truly outdone himself with this exceptional sequel that kept me engrossed and eager to devour every single page.
Ed’s prowess in world building has consistently impressed me, and Traitor of Redwinter only solidifies his talent in this regard. Returning to the world of Redwinter was an absolute delight, and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in its intricacies once again. The character development in Traitor of Redwinter was masterfully crafted, and my goodness, the unexpected plot twists and intricate turns were absolutely enthralling. While the initial half of the book may have unfolded at a more leisurely pace compared to the second half, my past experiences with Ed’s writing assured me that he needed the time to build up momentum and deliver something truly awe-inspiring. And indeed, my intuition was spot-on as Ed completely blew me away. The conversations and interactions amongst characters were beautifully done too. The writing was so stunning, by the time I finished the book, it looked like a coloring book, for I had highlighted so many paragraphs and conversations. lol!
Raine’s character development in this installment was truly remarkable. In contrast to her impulsive and impatient teenage self portrayed in Daughter of Redwinter, she exhibited a newfound maturity in Traitor of Redwinter. Taking the time to reflect and carefully consider the consequences of her actions, she became a more sensible and relatable character. However, her self-sabotaging tendencies, though present, added an additional layer of depth to her persona, making her all the more intriguing. Yes, she was overly cautious when it came to her romantic relationships but given her history of abusive and toxic past relationships, I actually sympathized with her in this regard. Understanding the challenges she had faced in the realm of relationships, it was natural for her to prioritize self-preservation and be hesitant to trust others easily.
Sanvaunt continued to shine as an exceptional supporting character, just as he did in the first book. The same can be said for Esher and Liara, who added depth and richness to the story. While I had reservations about Ovitus in Daughter of Redwinter, my dislike for him deepened exponentially in Traitor of Redwinter, leaving me with an intense loathing for his character. lol! I am itching to into details but alas spoilers…. The development of the relationship between Esher and Raine was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, filled with tender moments that touched my soul. Similarly, the dynamic between Sanvaunt and Raine evoked bittersweet emotions, tugging at my heartstrings.
And to think I have to wait at least another year for the next book of the series! :'( Five out of five FECKING stars for Traitor of Redwinter and Ed!!!
I am truly grateful to Netgally, Tor Books and Ed McDonald for providing me this advanced reader copy.
Ed’s prowess in world building has consistently impressed me, and Traitor of Redwinter only solidifies his talent in this regard. Returning to the world of Redwinter was an absolute delight, and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in its intricacies once again. The character development in Traitor of Redwinter was masterfully crafted, and my goodness, the unexpected plot twists and intricate turns were absolutely enthralling. While the initial half of the book may have unfolded at a more leisurely pace compared to the second half, my past experiences with Ed’s writing assured me that he needed the time to build up momentum and deliver something truly awe-inspiring. And indeed, my intuition was spot-on as Ed completely blew me away. The conversations and interactions amongst characters were beautifully done too. The writing was so stunning, by the time I finished the book, it looked like a coloring book, for I had highlighted so many paragraphs and conversations. lol!
Raine’s character development in this installment was truly remarkable. In contrast to her impulsive and impatient teenage self portrayed in Daughter of Redwinter, she exhibited a newfound maturity in Traitor of Redwinter. Taking the time to reflect and carefully consider the consequences of her actions, she became a more sensible and relatable character. However, her self-sabotaging tendencies, though present, added an additional layer of depth to her persona, making her all the more intriguing. Yes, she was overly cautious when it came to her romantic relationships but given her history of abusive and toxic past relationships, I actually sympathized with her in this regard. Understanding the challenges she had faced in the realm of relationships, it was natural for her to prioritize self-preservation and be hesitant to trust others easily.
Sanvaunt continued to shine as an exceptional supporting character, just as he did in the first book. The same can be said for Esher and Liara, who added depth and richness to the story. While I had reservations about Ovitus in Daughter of Redwinter, my dislike for him deepened exponentially in Traitor of Redwinter, leaving me with an intense loathing for his character. lol! I am itching to into details but alas spoilers…. The development of the relationship between Esher and Raine was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, filled with tender moments that touched my soul. Similarly, the dynamic between Sanvaunt and Raine evoked bittersweet emotions, tugging at my heartstrings.
And to think I have to wait at least another year for the next book of the series! :'( Five out of five FECKING stars for Traitor of Redwinter and Ed!!!
I am truly grateful to Netgally, Tor Books and Ed McDonald for providing me this advanced reader copy.
November 17, 2023
“I was a grey-souled, dead thing on the inside. I was poison. And I hungered for it, all the time, I wanted to know more, to see more, to do more… I wanted to be strong, and I didn’t care who stood in my way. The rules didn’t apply to someone like me.”
Damn, is this book GOOD. The first book in the series was good, and so I expected more of the same in book 2 - but I walked away much more impressed than I thought I would be with this one. It is GOOD.
In writing TRAITOR OF REDWINTER it felt like author McDonald took DAUGHTER OF REDWINTER and exploded it. The storyline was absolutely thrilling. I am going to highlight two of my favorite aspects of the book.
First is all the moving pieces. I love to see the author position things on the board like it’s chess. There are clans, governments, people of the monastery, even ancient spirits all jockeying for position, every one of them using Raine as their pawn. There is so much going, which creates so many levels of suspense. There was not a page where I felt bored.
Speaking of Raine, she is the second piece that makes this book so good. Raine is the driving force of the narrative; sometimes it is her decisions and actions that pull it along, sometimes it is the actions of others. But even then things always revolve around Raine. She is the pawn being used but also sometimes the queen calling the shots and playing her own game of chess. And her journey is extremely emotional. I felt it constantly. I also like that she makes so many mistakes. As someone who also constantly makes mistakes, I can absolutely relate to her. Raine is so well-written, and that makes her story the highlight of the book.
TRAITOR OF REDWINTER is a very good read. It takes the series to a whole new level from the first book in the series. I cannot wait for book 3.
Damn, is this book GOOD. The first book in the series was good, and so I expected more of the same in book 2 - but I walked away much more impressed than I thought I would be with this one. It is GOOD.
In writing TRAITOR OF REDWINTER it felt like author McDonald took DAUGHTER OF REDWINTER and exploded it. The storyline was absolutely thrilling. I am going to highlight two of my favorite aspects of the book.
First is all the moving pieces. I love to see the author position things on the board like it’s chess. There are clans, governments, people of the monastery, even ancient spirits all jockeying for position, every one of them using Raine as their pawn. There is so much going, which creates so many levels of suspense. There was not a page where I felt bored.
Speaking of Raine, she is the second piece that makes this book so good. Raine is the driving force of the narrative; sometimes it is her decisions and actions that pull it along, sometimes it is the actions of others. But even then things always revolve around Raine. She is the pawn being used but also sometimes the queen calling the shots and playing her own game of chess. And her journey is extremely emotional. I felt it constantly. I also like that she makes so many mistakes. As someone who also constantly makes mistakes, I can absolutely relate to her. Raine is so well-written, and that makes her story the highlight of the book.
TRAITOR OF REDWINTER is a very good read. It takes the series to a whole new level from the first book in the series. I cannot wait for book 3.
October 2, 2024
dang Raine; you’re a ghost wielding punk. Can’t wait to continue to read the progress of her undead powers.
Still like a 3.5 for me because these books meander and the young characters live for the drama. But I love the world and the vibes enough I’d still suggest these to fans of fantasy books with what are essentially necromancers.
Still like a 3.5 for me because these books meander and the young characters live for the drama. But I love the world and the vibes enough I’d still suggest these to fans of fantasy books with what are essentially necromancers.
October 17, 2023
Second book syndrome Traitor of Redwinter does not suffer from. It does have shady politics and dirty bastards to throw a spanner in the works. I love that Raine is still utterly flawed character. Yes, she's the main character, but being the star of the show hasn't made her 'one that cannot do wrong' .. in fact, she does a lot wrong. Like, everything?! Ha...
This book definitely has a more oppressive feel, even though Daughter of the Redwinter was already quite dark with emotions when it delivered that representation of depression, and did it well. Traitor has a different kind of gloominess to it. There is a representation of illness, of withering away that delivers emotion so well. The feeling of being caged up, of having no control... That's hard!
The two brief sparks that brought a smile to my face were a certain character from the past and Castus. Unexpectedly. These two coming together (literally? tee-hee) was the light entertainment and joy that I didn't know I needed. And the love interest, love triangle thingy that's happening... again, subtle but quite solid and basically, hashtag Team Sanvaunt because he's the kind of steady, level headed calm that everyone could do with in their life!
After Daughter, I was wondering about the possibilities that this sequel might deliver to the reader, and really, plot wise, all expectations get exceeded. It's blown into epic proportions and major betrayals. But I have to say... I was always suspicious of our villain in this particular story. I knew it. I just knew it!
I do have to say I felt the pace didn't have as much of a spring in its step as book 1 would have had, and the secondary characters, whilst delivering surprises, didn't really go through some epic development, but the story? It's so worthwhile and I simply cannot wait what comes next! I cannot even imagine what trick McDonald has to pull out of his sleeve to top the story so far, but I have no doubts. If anyone can do it, it's Ed.
This book definitely has a more oppressive feel, even though Daughter of the Redwinter was already quite dark with emotions when it delivered that representation of depression, and did it well. Traitor has a different kind of gloominess to it. There is a representation of illness, of withering away that delivers emotion so well. The feeling of being caged up, of having no control... That's hard!
The two brief sparks that brought a smile to my face were a certain character from the past and Castus. Unexpectedly. These two coming together (literally? tee-hee) was the light entertainment and joy that I didn't know I needed. And the love interest, love triangle thingy that's happening... again, subtle but quite solid and basically, hashtag Team Sanvaunt because he's the kind of steady, level headed calm that everyone could do with in their life!
After Daughter, I was wondering about the possibilities that this sequel might deliver to the reader, and really, plot wise, all expectations get exceeded. It's blown into epic proportions and major betrayals. But I have to say... I was always suspicious of our villain in this particular story. I knew it. I just knew it!
I do have to say I felt the pace didn't have as much of a spring in its step as book 1 would have had, and the secondary characters, whilst delivering surprises, didn't really go through some epic development, but the story? It's so worthwhile and I simply cannot wait what comes next! I cannot even imagine what trick McDonald has to pull out of his sleeve to top the story so far, but I have no doubts. If anyone can do it, it's Ed.
November 2, 2023
I'm a huge fan of stories told in the first-person perspective. I love that they're written as if the main character is telling their story to me. I especially like it when the character has a few things to learn either through youth or inexperience because then I get to learn about their world as they learn it.
It's so immersive and, because I'm literally inside their heads as the story unfolds, I'm privy to their most private thoughts and emotions as things progress. I might not agree with decisions they make, which could be foolish or even idiotic, but I understand and accept those choices, even support them because I understand how they came to those decisions.
So, if I don't like the narrator or (worse) if I hate their choices, it's tough to enjoy a first person POV book. But I loved Raine from the very first pages of Daughter of Redwinter. Ed McDonald brought a flawed, 17 year old girl with a terrible secret in that book to life in a way that made her easy to relate to. The way she talks and thinks was realistic and her interactions with the people around her felt so real.
There's no shortage of examples of "men writing women badly" (and women writing men badly) in fiction in general and, in speculative fiction in particular. So, I was amazed by how well Ed McDonald wrote Raine in Daughter of Redwinter. It was a book that I literally could not put down not only because of the great protagonist, Raine, but also because of her "found family" and the great action. I also loved learning about the magical world of the Draoihn (mages) and the terrifying power they can wield.
I was a bit nervous that I might not like Traitor of Redwinter as much, but I needn't have worried. I loved it. I literally could not put this book down.
Highly recommended for fans of "found" families, magic schools and dark fantasy stories with kick ass female protagonists. If you liked Daughter of Redwinter, I think you'll like Traitor of Redwinter just as much (if not more).
A note about the audiobook: I loved this story so much I got the audiobook: Samara McLaren did a phenomenal job bringing Ed McDonald's book to life. I could listen to her read the phone book. Kudos to both the author and narrator for producing such a wonderful listen.
It's so immersive and, because I'm literally inside their heads as the story unfolds, I'm privy to their most private thoughts and emotions as things progress. I might not agree with decisions they make, which could be foolish or even idiotic, but I understand and accept those choices, even support them because I understand how they came to those decisions.
So, if I don't like the narrator or (worse) if I hate their choices, it's tough to enjoy a first person POV book. But I loved Raine from the very first pages of Daughter of Redwinter. Ed McDonald brought a flawed, 17 year old girl with a terrible secret in that book to life in a way that made her easy to relate to. The way she talks and thinks was realistic and her interactions with the people around her felt so real.
There's no shortage of examples of "men writing women badly" (and women writing men badly) in fiction in general and, in speculative fiction in particular. So, I was amazed by how well Ed McDonald wrote Raine in Daughter of Redwinter. It was a book that I literally could not put down not only because of the great protagonist, Raine, but also because of her "found family" and the great action. I also loved learning about the magical world of the Draoihn (mages) and the terrifying power they can wield.
I was a bit nervous that I might not like Traitor of Redwinter as much, but I needn't have worried. I loved it. I literally could not put this book down.
Highly recommended for fans of "found" families, magic schools and dark fantasy stories with kick ass female protagonists. If you liked Daughter of Redwinter, I think you'll like Traitor of Redwinter just as much (if not more).
A note about the audiobook: I loved this story so much I got the audiobook: Samara McLaren did a phenomenal job bringing Ed McDonald's book to life. I could listen to her read the phone book. Kudos to both the author and narrator for producing such a wonderful listen.
November 21, 2024
Picking up where book one ended, we find Ulavar suffering a mysterious illness that has him gradually wasting away, the Draoihn apprentices, including Raine, preparing for their upcoming trials, the land's King growing close to death as his health fails, Lords of the land eager to take the Crown for themselves, and Raine feeling even more worried that someone will deduce that she can wield the power of the Sixth Gate as a Sarathi.
Raine, Sanvaunt, Castus, Liara, and other apprentices barely escape when one of the Lords attempts to kill them, alerting the Grandmaster that rebellion is brewing. Then, Ovitus returns home with a major surprise: he's engaged to the Princess Mathilde of Brannlant, a powerful nation, and has a dog tailing him constantly. The marriage would further raise Redwinter's status and power, so everyone is thrilled with this new alliance. Except Raine, as Ovitus had proven himself to be self-centred, and who had damaged Raine's reputation with lies about their relationship.
While Redwinter becomes accustomed to Mathilde's and her retinue's presence, Raine trains unexpectedly with the Grandmaster, who educates her about her own power and past. Raine also vacillates about who to form a deeper relationship with, Sanvaunt or Esher, and in the process pisses off both of them. Raine cannot believe she is anything but evil, since she can interact with ghosts, and having had little kindness in her life, can't understand how anyone would want a relationship with her. Instead, she drinks too much, numbs herself each night with rose thistle, and hurts her two best friends.
Meanwhile, Ulavar loses his ability to command his gates, Ovitus gains access to more than just the First Gate, the Grandmaster wants to deal with the rebellion, and Raine, leaning into her belief that she's worthless and nothing but a killer, offers to deal conclusively with the Lord who attempted to kill her and other apprentices at the book's open. To say things go very wrong, and leaves Raine and others in a bad place is an understatement.
This was fantastic! Ed McDonald goes deeper into his characters, the magic, the history of this world, and the political intrigue. There is much power up for grabs when the king dies, so it's no surprise people are jockeying for power. At the same time, the personal relationships and how they transform under the increased pressures of the new alliance and worries over discovery of forbidden magic keep this novel humming along wonderfully and at a great pace.
There is a lot going on in this second instalment, and McDonald handily manages to grow the political tensions and worries over potential war while balancing that with Raine's fraying mental health, self-destructive actions, and increasingly bad choices. She does gain better control over her powers, and realizes how much she cares about certain people, even if she's not always able or willing to tell or show them.
This was a great second entry, and sets up book three in such a way that I wanted it in my hands yesterday.
Raine, Sanvaunt, Castus, Liara, and other apprentices barely escape when one of the Lords attempts to kill them, alerting the Grandmaster that rebellion is brewing. Then, Ovitus returns home with a major surprise: he's engaged to the Princess Mathilde of Brannlant, a powerful nation, and has a dog tailing him constantly. The marriage would further raise Redwinter's status and power, so everyone is thrilled with this new alliance. Except Raine, as Ovitus had proven himself to be self-centred, and who had damaged Raine's reputation with lies about their relationship.
While Redwinter becomes accustomed to Mathilde's and her retinue's presence, Raine trains unexpectedly with the Grandmaster, who educates her about her own power and past. Raine also vacillates about who to form a deeper relationship with, Sanvaunt or Esher, and in the process pisses off both of them. Raine cannot believe she is anything but evil, since she can interact with ghosts, and having had little kindness in her life, can't understand how anyone would want a relationship with her. Instead, she drinks too much, numbs herself each night with rose thistle, and hurts her two best friends.
Meanwhile, Ulavar loses his ability to command his gates, Ovitus gains access to more than just the First Gate, the Grandmaster wants to deal with the rebellion, and Raine, leaning into her belief that she's worthless and nothing but a killer, offers to deal conclusively with the Lord who attempted to kill her and other apprentices at the book's open. To say things go very wrong, and leaves Raine and others in a bad place is an understatement.
This was fantastic! Ed McDonald goes deeper into his characters, the magic, the history of this world, and the political intrigue. There is much power up for grabs when the king dies, so it's no surprise people are jockeying for power. At the same time, the personal relationships and how they transform under the increased pressures of the new alliance and worries over discovery of forbidden magic keep this novel humming along wonderfully and at a great pace.
There is a lot going on in this second instalment, and McDonald handily manages to grow the political tensions and worries over potential war while balancing that with Raine's fraying mental health, self-destructive actions, and increasingly bad choices. She does gain better control over her powers, and realizes how much she cares about certain people, even if she's not always able or willing to tell or show them.
This was a great second entry, and sets up book three in such a way that I wanted it in my hands yesterday.
November 20, 2023
«Traitor of Redwinter» de Ed McDonald es una notable secuela con bastante más ritmo que su primera entrega.
Una aventura en sí misma que no da sensacion de ser un segundo libro. Para el tercero queda explotar de manera definitiva el aspecto mágico que ya deja detalles super chulos en esta.
Me siguen sobrando las partes más estándar de las aventuras juveniles "joven encerrado/a en lugar del que no puede salir" pero las tramas de esta segunda novela son mucho mas interesantes.
Una aventura en sí misma que no da sensacion de ser un segundo libro. Para el tercero queda explotar de manera definitiva el aspecto mágico que ya deja detalles super chulos en esta.
Me siguen sobrando las partes más estándar de las aventuras juveniles "joven encerrado/a en lugar del que no puede salir" pero las tramas de esta segunda novela son mucho mas interesantes.
May 8, 2024
I loved being back in Raine’s world in this second Redwinter book! I’m so grateful I got book one in a Caffeine and Legends subscription box last year because this series wasn’t on my radar.
There are some familiar story techniques, but McDonald also manages to make it all unique at the same time. I think Raine is a great main character who seems realistic while dealing with extreme situations.
Samara MacLaren is one of my favorite audio narrators, so I recommend listening to this one.
Cannot wait for the next installment!
There are some familiar story techniques, but McDonald also manages to make it all unique at the same time. I think Raine is a great main character who seems realistic while dealing with extreme situations.
Samara MacLaren is one of my favorite audio narrators, so I recommend listening to this one.
Cannot wait for the next installment!
November 23, 2023
Woah! This was great, no second book problems here!
I was late starting this so ended up buying the audiobook and I'm so glad that I did. The narration was excellent; same person that did book one. I did increase the speed a little.
This begins where the previous ended, Raine is still hiding her power and as an apprentice Draoihn is undergoing training. Ovitus (still a jerk) has stepped up as his Uncle, the clan leader, slips further into ill health. Raine's friends provide glimpses into different sides of our hero who at times seems completely self-destructive.
The excitement doesn't let up: murder, witchery, creepy bone users, drinking games and the Grand Master reveals her history. If you've read book one, you know what to expect. If you haven't, what's wrong with you?
I can't wait until book three is released, I'm pretending that it'll be in Spring!
Thanks to Gollancz and Netgalley for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.
I was late starting this so ended up buying the audiobook and I'm so glad that I did. The narration was excellent; same person that did book one. I did increase the speed a little.
This begins where the previous ended, Raine is still hiding her power and as an apprentice Draoihn is undergoing training. Ovitus (still a jerk) has stepped up as his Uncle, the clan leader, slips further into ill health. Raine's friends provide glimpses into different sides of our hero who at times seems completely self-destructive.
The excitement doesn't let up: murder, witchery, creepy bone users, drinking games and the Grand Master reveals her history. If you've read book one, you know what to expect. If you haven't, what's wrong with you?
I can't wait until book three is released, I'm pretending that it'll be in Spring!
Thanks to Gollancz and Netgalley for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.
November 8, 2023
This book/series is misclassified as adult when, in fact, it is very YA. The first book had less teenage angst, so it wasn't so bad, but this was nearly unbearable. I like the world, but I can't spend anymore time in Raine's head
December 6, 2023
Ummm, holy shit? I think this book was better than the first! Talk about the opposite of second book syndrome! The pacing felt better – or it might just be that I devoured this book. I really liked how McDonald explored how difficult dealing with trauma and relationships can actually be, and it shows the MC actually fucking up a lot. I liked seeing characters actually dying and suffering because it felt more real and less plot armory.
I loved all the twists so much too! Extremely engaging and I ate them all up so quickly. However, I do feel like the from the first book was just redone here. However, it was strong enough that the similarities didn't bother me too much, and I was satisfied with the reveal – even though I could see it coming.
A couple completely subjective issues I was a bit annoyed with were the romance and the powers that characters get. One, after a while I felt like the romance was getting a bit boring in the sense that I felt like there should've been more drama. I liked the As for the powers, I have a tendency to only want the MC to be special, so seeing the male love interest get Special™ powers too was something I was annoyed with... But again, completely subjective! Just my personal preferences.
Overall, incredible book, I read it in one day! Don't stay up until 3 am! 4.75 stars!
Side note: I feel like I'm underselling how insane this book made me feel in this review. I need to EAT this book. Holy shit.
Edit 2: I also thought that
I loved all the twists so much too! Extremely engaging and I ate them all up so quickly. However, I do feel like the from the first book was just redone here. However, it was strong enough that the similarities didn't bother me too much, and I was satisfied with the reveal – even though I could see it coming.
A couple completely subjective issues I was a bit annoyed with were the romance and the powers that characters get. One, after a while I felt like the romance was getting a bit boring in the sense that I felt like there should've been more drama. I liked the As for the powers, I have a tendency to only want the MC to be special, so seeing the male love interest get Special™ powers too was something I was annoyed with... But again, completely subjective! Just my personal preferences.
Overall, incredible book, I read it in one day! Don't stay up until 3 am! 4.75 stars!
Side note: I feel like I'm underselling how insane this book made me feel in this review. I need to EAT this book. Holy shit.
Edit 2: I also thought that
March 1, 2024
Daughter of Redwinter was one of my favourite reads when it came out, and Traitor of Redwinter was also a delight. Much as with Daughter, I wasn't sure I'd like it at first -- Raine is really going through it, self-hating, doing so many things unconsciously to ruin herself, drugs and drink and gambling and hurting the people who are in love with her. And as with Daughter, it paid off beautifully. I care so much about these characters, and I want Raine to find happiness at the end of the next book, no matter what.
I also really, really ship this triad. Pleaaase this disaster bisexual love triangle has all the hallmarks of something ending for a three-person relationship and I desperately hope it ends there. And I think it will but, uh, the Redwinter series is not afraid to kill characters off, so I am pretty breathlessly waiting for resolution.
Can't wait to read more!
I also really, really ship this triad. Pleaaase this disaster bisexual love triangle has all the hallmarks of something ending for a three-person relationship and I desperately hope it ends there. And I think it will but, uh, the Redwinter series is not afraid to kill characters off, so I am pretty breathlessly waiting for resolution.
Can't wait to read more!
January 11, 2024
I enjoyed this second book a lot, though ultimately, it is a bit of a mess. McDonald is usually so good at hiding the various plots and counterplots that surprise one when they're ultimately sprung, but a couple of the things that happen here just weren't well-hidden or developed as carefully as in some of his other books. And I was really getting tired of the Young Adult Romance stuff with Raine for most of the book, mooning over Esher and Sanvaunt, unable to decide who she was really in love with. It just got to be a bit ridiculous after awhile. Nice, big, epic conclusion that really throws everything we know about this society into turmoil at the end. It will be interesting to see where things go in the next book.
November 27, 2023
So damn good!!
October 30, 2023
This was still a thrilling adventure, and Raine continues to be a flawed and angst-ridden protagonist who keeps causing her own problems; the new magical stuff and Robilar’s history were great. I’m rating it low because the tone really faltered in places (every time Ovitus started talking about his Poor House scheme he sounded like a modern-day politician) and the “twist” was a little too obvious.
December 1, 2023
4.5/5 - Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the eARC. It's a little late because I just HAD to get the audiobook. I adore the narrator. This is an honest review.
In the second installment of the Chronicles of Redwinter by Ed McDonald, readers are back into a tumultuous world brimming with political intrigue and a complex young protagonist struggling to grapple with her abilities. Raine finds herself contending with the daunting influence of the Sixth Gate, navigating a path fraught with challenges and difficult choices that put her friendships and loyalties to the test. And I just want to shake her for her terrible actions and decisions through the first 80% of the book.
McDonald weaves a narrative of both inner turmoil and external threats. There is a vivid discussion of Raine's internal struggle as she battles depression and self-hatred by sabotaging herself over and over and over. Wrestling with the repercussions of her (terrible) decisions, Raine's journey is marked by moments of despair and introspection, effectively capturing the intricacies of depression and its impact on one's actions and relationships. But oof, it is often frustrating. The author deftly orchestrates a crescendo of tension and suspense, leading to a gripping climax that serves as a testament to McDonald's narrative prowess. All of that frustration is worthwhile in the end. Raine's evolution, characterized by a palpable sense of emotional reawakening and the resurgence of her suppressed feelings, adds a layer of depth to the storyline, immersing readers in her tumultuous emotional landscape. Masterfully done.
Amidst the multifaceted plot, McDonald introduces a compelling array of political machinations, fueling a sense of foreboding and treachery that permeates the story. Raine's struggles are compounded by the conflicting allegiances and the shadowy motives of those around her, culminating in a series of unexpected twists and revelations that heighten the intensity. Ovitus is the worst and I continue to despise him.
While this novel, unlike the first, occasionally grapples with the portrayal of the female experience, particularly in Raine's depiction, McDonald's exploration of her youth and emotional vulnerability lends insight into her often tumultuous decision-making process. The complexity of her character, though frustrating, ultimately adds a layer of authenticity to her portrayal, contributing to the overall depth of the narrative.
I am eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Raine's compelling saga and have no idea where this story will go in the future (in the best way)! PLEASE give us an OT3, Ed!
In the second installment of the Chronicles of Redwinter by Ed McDonald, readers are back into a tumultuous world brimming with political intrigue and a complex young protagonist struggling to grapple with her abilities. Raine finds herself contending with the daunting influence of the Sixth Gate, navigating a path fraught with challenges and difficult choices that put her friendships and loyalties to the test. And I just want to shake her for her terrible actions and decisions through the first 80% of the book.
McDonald weaves a narrative of both inner turmoil and external threats. There is a vivid discussion of Raine's internal struggle as she battles depression and self-hatred by sabotaging herself over and over and over. Wrestling with the repercussions of her (terrible) decisions, Raine's journey is marked by moments of despair and introspection, effectively capturing the intricacies of depression and its impact on one's actions and relationships. But oof, it is often frustrating. The author deftly orchestrates a crescendo of tension and suspense, leading to a gripping climax that serves as a testament to McDonald's narrative prowess. All of that frustration is worthwhile in the end. Raine's evolution, characterized by a palpable sense of emotional reawakening and the resurgence of her suppressed feelings, adds a layer of depth to the storyline, immersing readers in her tumultuous emotional landscape. Masterfully done.
Amidst the multifaceted plot, McDonald introduces a compelling array of political machinations, fueling a sense of foreboding and treachery that permeates the story. Raine's struggles are compounded by the conflicting allegiances and the shadowy motives of those around her, culminating in a series of unexpected twists and revelations that heighten the intensity. Ovitus is the worst and I continue to despise him.
While this novel, unlike the first, occasionally grapples with the portrayal of the female experience, particularly in Raine's depiction, McDonald's exploration of her youth and emotional vulnerability lends insight into her often tumultuous decision-making process. The complexity of her character, though frustrating, ultimately adds a layer of authenticity to her portrayal, contributing to the overall depth of the narrative.
I am eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Raine's compelling saga and have no idea where this story will go in the future (in the best way)! PLEASE give us an OT3, Ed!
May 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As you can see by the star rating, I obviously enjoyed this book. I re-read the first book in the series, Daughter of Redwinter to put myself back into this world before diving into Traitor of Redwinter. However, McDonald has readers’ backs and gives a nice little summary of the story so far at the beginning, so you can jump right back in if you can’t do a re-read (though I definitely would not jump into the second if you have never read the first).
Ok, now to the actual story. I was hooked and flew through it, much like the first installment. Raine is an interesting, fleshed out character who has that mix of frustrating and redeeming qualities. You want her to succeed so badly that sometimes you get really mad at her when she just makes the worst possible choices. Let’s just say relationships and romance are not her area to shine. Where she does shine is her tenacity and loyalty. Again, she steps in with little hesitation in the battle between Draohin and the Night Below even if she’s out of her depth. There is always the tension of the secret she is hiding and just how easily her new life could fall apart. In Traitor of Redwinter, that tension is very palpable as she works to figure out her growing skills and her newfound friendships, as well as the fraught politics of the high and mighty all while hiding a very large part of herself. All of that, along with war threatening on the horizon, leads to a fast-paced read that keeps you wanting more. There were some points where I felt her character had regressed rather than grown that were frustrating, but overall, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to hanging out with Raine again.
As you can see by the star rating, I obviously enjoyed this book. I re-read the first book in the series, Daughter of Redwinter to put myself back into this world before diving into Traitor of Redwinter. However, McDonald has readers’ backs and gives a nice little summary of the story so far at the beginning, so you can jump right back in if you can’t do a re-read (though I definitely would not jump into the second if you have never read the first).
Ok, now to the actual story. I was hooked and flew through it, much like the first installment. Raine is an interesting, fleshed out character who has that mix of frustrating and redeeming qualities. You want her to succeed so badly that sometimes you get really mad at her when she just makes the worst possible choices. Let’s just say relationships and romance are not her area to shine. Where she does shine is her tenacity and loyalty. Again, she steps in with little hesitation in the battle between Draohin and the Night Below even if she’s out of her depth. There is always the tension of the secret she is hiding and just how easily her new life could fall apart. In Traitor of Redwinter, that tension is very palpable as she works to figure out her growing skills and her newfound friendships, as well as the fraught politics of the high and mighty all while hiding a very large part of herself. All of that, along with war threatening on the horizon, leads to a fast-paced read that keeps you wanting more. There were some points where I felt her character had regressed rather than grown that were frustrating, but overall, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to hanging out with Raine again.
October 26, 2023
Traitor of Redwinter by Ed McDonald is the sequel to Daughter of Redwinter. I enjoyed this second book immensely. The pacing at the beginning felt slow for me. However, the combination of plotting, immersive storytelling and action made this an enjoyable reading experience. There is some strong world-building and a ton of magic. The pacing of the story does increase in the last third bringing the storylines and plots together to a satisfying conclusion. As with McDonald’s previous books, the characters are strong and well-rounded bringing plenty of betrayals, tense, and emotional moments with it.
My thanks to both NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an advance e-book. All opinions are my own.
My thanks to both NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an advance e-book. All opinions are my own.
October 29, 2023
I thought I could go into Traitor of Redwinter and just start reading it without a refresher (after all, McDonald helpfully provides a refresher at the beginning of the book), but it turns out I really needed a re-read, so I ended up reading Daughter of Redwinter again so I could have it fresh in mind when I started Traitor of Redwinter. If you haven’t read the first book in this series lately, you may want to do the same, because it really helped me remember all the cogs and sprockets of Redwinter and the characters in this fantastic series.
This book picks up some months after the end of DoR, and Raine, along with other characters from the first book, are on a diplomatic trip to meet up with a Draoihn who has taken over a city. They’re to take the measure of him, because the King’s health is failing and the succession is coming soon. What happens in these opening chapters sets off a chain of events that will follow Raine and company throughout the rest of the book.
Meanwhile, Uvotis has been gone for months to the capitol, Ulovar has fallen gravely ill, rose thistle has become a little too good of a friend, and Raine can’t seem to decide whether to push or pull when it comes to Esher and Sanvaunt.
Sophomore novels in a series are a hit-or-miss phenomena. Luckily, this one is a hit. I enjoyed it a bit more than I did DoR: it had more heart, more depth, more emotion (I cried more than once), more nuance, and (I hate to say it) more actual plot.
There were downsides, though. First of all: Ed McDonald needs to get a female sensitivity reader. I don’t want to read the phrase “tingles tingles” in regards to how a woman feels about a man or woman again. It’s an immature expression of desire for a woman like Raine. It doesn’t fit. It was also predictable. I didn’t mind the predictability this time, but the point stands. The last point is the ending. It felt a bit deus ex machina.
It’s still a fantastic book and a fantastic series. I still love it. I’m still enjoying the magic and the characters and the world. I just think it needs some tweaking.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Epic Fantasy/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/Found Family/LGBTQ Romance
This book picks up some months after the end of DoR, and Raine, along with other characters from the first book, are on a diplomatic trip to meet up with a Draoihn who has taken over a city. They’re to take the measure of him, because the King’s health is failing and the succession is coming soon. What happens in these opening chapters sets off a chain of events that will follow Raine and company throughout the rest of the book.
Meanwhile, Uvotis has been gone for months to the capitol, Ulovar has fallen gravely ill, rose thistle has become a little too good of a friend, and Raine can’t seem to decide whether to push or pull when it comes to Esher and Sanvaunt.
Sophomore novels in a series are a hit-or-miss phenomena. Luckily, this one is a hit. I enjoyed it a bit more than I did DoR: it had more heart, more depth, more emotion (I cried more than once), more nuance, and (I hate to say it) more actual plot.
There were downsides, though. First of all: Ed McDonald needs to get a female sensitivity reader. I don’t want to read the phrase “tingles tingles” in regards to how a woman feels about a man or woman again. It’s an immature expression of desire for a woman like Raine. It doesn’t fit. It was also predictable. I didn’t mind the predictability this time, but the point stands. The last point is the ending. It felt a bit deus ex machina.
It’s still a fantastic book and a fantastic series. I still love it. I’m still enjoying the magic and the characters and the world. I just think it needs some tweaking.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Epic Fantasy/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/Found Family/LGBTQ Romance
November 25, 2023
A slow burn character focused sequel filled with secrets and self-discovery
My favourite aspect of this series (so far) is the ongoing mystery behind the Queen of Feathers, regardless of what was happening plot wise, one of the main drivers for me was waiting for an uninvited appearance for her to reveal that little bit more about her purpose and our MCs role
This definitely had a different feel to it than the first book, like I said, it’s very much focused on Rain, the MC, and her thoughts and feels about herself and the relationships she makes. Sometime I was pushing for the plot to move quicker but I think the character development, including the development of her magical abilities, was done well and kept me engaged
There’s so many secrets, secrets everywhere mixed with betrayals and more betrayals, it’s hard to know who to trust. Theres also some focus on family and it was interesting to learn more about this relatively unique magic system
It suffered from middle book syndrome a little bit at times due to the pacing of the plot but the ending did take me by surprise leaving it on quite the open ended cliffhanger and I am ready for book 3!
Thank you to @gollancz for sending me a finished copy to review 🥳
www.instagram.com/novelswithnick
My favourite aspect of this series (so far) is the ongoing mystery behind the Queen of Feathers, regardless of what was happening plot wise, one of the main drivers for me was waiting for an uninvited appearance for her to reveal that little bit more about her purpose and our MCs role
This definitely had a different feel to it than the first book, like I said, it’s very much focused on Rain, the MC, and her thoughts and feels about herself and the relationships she makes. Sometime I was pushing for the plot to move quicker but I think the character development, including the development of her magical abilities, was done well and kept me engaged
There’s so many secrets, secrets everywhere mixed with betrayals and more betrayals, it’s hard to know who to trust. Theres also some focus on family and it was interesting to learn more about this relatively unique magic system
It suffered from middle book syndrome a little bit at times due to the pacing of the plot but the ending did take me by surprise leaving it on quite the open ended cliffhanger and I am ready for book 3!
Thank you to @gollancz for sending me a finished copy to review 🥳
www.instagram.com/novelswithnick
October 23, 2023
The first thing I will say is a massive THANKYOU to the author who added a ‘previously on’ style recap that refreshed book one in my mind when it came to reading book 2. Such a great idea and I wish more authors did it.
The story picks up shortly after book one and we follow Raine as she tries to navigate her new found strength as well as vulnerability.
The first 60% of this book is character development and world building, which is nice to have the world fleshed out a little and I think will come good in book 3 for sure.
The one thing I could do without is the will they/won’t they of the love interests and potential love triangle (if not more) that takes up a lot of the story. Raine is definitely a self saboteur when it comes to her relationships but I just found that Sanvaunt has been fleshed out a lot more than his love rival.
The rest of the story is beautifully written and had my thoroughly sucked into the world, and sometimes, that is exactly what you need in life!
I think that we will see great things coming in book 3 and from Ed McDonald in general in the future. A great fantasy read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for my ARC copy.
The story picks up shortly after book one and we follow Raine as she tries to navigate her new found strength as well as vulnerability.
The first 60% of this book is character development and world building, which is nice to have the world fleshed out a little and I think will come good in book 3 for sure.
The one thing I could do without is the will they/won’t they of the love interests and potential love triangle (if not more) that takes up a lot of the story. Raine is definitely a self saboteur when it comes to her relationships but I just found that Sanvaunt has been fleshed out a lot more than his love rival.
The rest of the story is beautifully written and had my thoroughly sucked into the world, and sometimes, that is exactly what you need in life!
I think that we will see great things coming in book 3 and from Ed McDonald in general in the future. A great fantasy read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for my ARC copy.
August 28, 2024
3.5 stars
I considered just copy/pasting my review from book one, because nearly all my praises and grievances pretty much stayed the same. There are so many good elements here, but something about it just isn't working for me. I usually fly through a 400 page book, yet this one took me over a week.
Raine is an infuriating main character, and you spend A LOT of time in her head. She's hot-headed, impulsive, and can be quite cruel to her friends. Honestly, it's a great depiction of a moody young adult. I did grow to like her despite her terrible behavior, and there are some interesting things done with side characters that I also enjoyed.
The magic system is still not my cup of tea, and the writing can get pretty repetitive and overwritten. I do not currently own book 3, and I do not know if I'll end up buying it when it comes out. The last 50 pages or so absolutely caught my attention and were some of the most interesting moments of the series so far, but I have yet to decide if its enough to continue on.
I considered just copy/pasting my review from book one, because nearly all my praises and grievances pretty much stayed the same. There are so many good elements here, but something about it just isn't working for me. I usually fly through a 400 page book, yet this one took me over a week.
Raine is an infuriating main character, and you spend A LOT of time in her head. She's hot-headed, impulsive, and can be quite cruel to her friends. Honestly, it's a great depiction of a moody young adult. I did grow to like her despite her terrible behavior, and there are some interesting things done with side characters that I also enjoyed.
The magic system is still not my cup of tea, and the writing can get pretty repetitive and overwritten. I do not currently own book 3, and I do not know if I'll end up buying it when it comes out. The last 50 pages or so absolutely caught my attention and were some of the most interesting moments of the series so far, but I have yet to decide if its enough to continue on.
December 11, 2023
Ed McDonald delivers once again. Traitor of Redwinter dives deeper into questions of identity and destiny, power and law. Raine's struggles are rooted primarily in her desire to do the right thing despite her power coming from the "wrong" place. McDonald has created a multifaceted character in Raine and Traitor of Redwinter goes much further in examining the multilayered traumas that Raine has experienced and how they've shaped her perceptions of herself and those around her. I'm in this one for the long haul and can't wait for The Witch Queen of Redwinter.
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