Romance and Epic Fantasy in one Amazing Book! The Winter King by C. L. Wilson [Audiobook Review]

After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea’s king by taking one of the man’s beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter’s battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother’s death, rages on.

Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father’s palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig’s icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion.

As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin’s wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter’s passion—she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.

SERIES: Weathermages of Mystral, BOOK 1

LENGTH: 21 hrs and 18 mins 

PUBLISHER: HarperAudio 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 2014, AUDIO PUBLISHED: 7/29/14

NARRATOR: Heather Wilds

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Heat Level: SEnSUal

Don’t want to read the whole review?  Click to jump to the Skinny Review.

It’s been a while since I wrote a review and I feel that I have become a bit rusty! Anyway, I will try to get my groove back and review away.

The Winter King by C. L. Wilson blew me away from the first chapter! It had absolutely EVERYTHING that I love in a fantasy AND a romance book.

Kick-ass female? CHECK

Broody alpha male? CHECK CHECK

Magic and power? CHECK CHECK CHECK

Obviously, I am a little late in this book and I absolutely regret not picking this up when it came out! Ack! But anyway, I have read this and I can’t believe how amazing it is.

The Winter King is about Khamsin, the youngest daughter of the King of Summerlea and Wynter Atrialan, the king of Wintercraig. He is out for revenge because of the death of his brother in the hands of the heir of Summerlea, Khamsin’s brother, Falcon. To top it off, Wynter’s fiance also ran away with said brother. Scandalous, yeah? This basically set the tone of the whole book. Wynter, trying to overcome the Ice Heart magic that he embraced to defeat Summerlea. To end the war, Wynter was tricked into marrying Khamsin because her father wanted to get rid of her. Khamsin has weather magic. Think X-Men’s Storm only Khamsin can’t control her powers yet.

Khamsin and Wynter are the perfect couple. Both hurting and both trying to prove themselves: Khamsin to herself and Wynter to his people. Court intrigues play a part of this book and I also love how race was done here. As you know, Khamsin comes from a different kingdom and I love how the book shows her trying to fit in and also being judged by what the Winterfolk know of the Summerfolk. I think this issue seems very appropriate in today’s climate, don’t you think?

Now Khamsin and Wynter have a slow burning romance. I love how Khamsin slowly thawed Wynter’s heart and also revealed a more sensitive side to Wynter. And the sexy times were hot but didn’t overpower the book.

Also, can I visit the ice sculpture room that Wynter created?! (This reminds me of Edward Scissorhands, by the way.)

The last quarter of the book had a lot of action and magic wielding. With the attack and the resurrection of the ancient king Rorjak (brought about because Wynter took the Ice Heart to defeat Summerlea). [spoiler]Wynter actually becomes possessed by Rorjak![/spoiler]

Also, the last quarter shows Khamsin’s strength as a kick-ass female warrior!

Did I love this book? HECK YEAH, I DID! If you haven’t read it yet, please do so!

Thoughts on the Audiobook

The audiobook was superbly narrated by Heather Childs and I absolutely love the accent that she used. Her male voices were also done right AND Khamsin also didn’t sound annoying (which is a plus because Khamsin does a few juvenile things during the first months in Wintercraig).

Her pacing is perfect and I was able to follow along without any problems.

If you love audiobooks, this is the perfect book for it!

Books Like The Winter King

Throne of Glass (Young Adult) – This EPIC series is one of my favorite YA fantasy books featuring another kick-ass female assassin! There are also other amazing characters in this series that are equally as awesome! If you haven’t read this yet, you MUST!

The Falconer (Young Adult) – one of my favorite steampunk paranormal romances! This features a fae assassin!

A Promise of Fire (Adult) – I honestly haven’t read this book (or the second book) yet, but I think that this has the same feel as The Winter King! I am currently upping it on my TBR pile.

Evernight (Adult) – another favorite steampunk romance features a heroine who is able to manipulate metal! The hero in this book is also cursed with metal slowly eating him alive.

Do you love reading fantasy romance? Any good book recs?

Also, this book features a forced marriage trope, what is your favorite book featuring this trope?