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Winterbourne's Daughter
When her parents are overthrown, Lisette is demoted from princess to servant. Refusing to stop caring for her people simply because she's no longer royalty, Lisette cooperates with the new royal mistress, Emeline, to smuggle people out of the castle.
She also befriends the champion of the deathfights, and finds herself in the unusual—and impossible—situation of falling in love with both of them. Before she can sort the matter out, however, an assassination attempts sends her fleeing for her life—with the new queen's fearsome huntsman close on her heels...
She also befriends the champion of the deathfights, and finds herself in the unusual—and impossible—situation of falling in love with both of them. Before she can sort the matter out, however, an assassination attempts sends her fleeing for her life—with the new queen's fearsome huntsman close on her heels...
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2017
4 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rabig
46 books36 followersI love mythology and fairy tales (those form the basis of about 60% of my current projects), Pacific Rim, Firefly, The Avengers, tea, Welcome to Night Vale, and chocolate. Recently, I've had several short stories (and soon novels!) published by the wonderful Less Than Three Press.
Though I write mostly fantasy and romance, my first and main love will always be horror. A few years ago, my grade-school librarian came up to me at work and said it was nice to see me again. I was surprised she recognized me, considering how many kids she'd interacted with over the years, and she laughed. "True, but not many kindergartners come up to my desk wanting to borrow Dracula, dear."
Basically, I was doomed from the start.
Though I write mostly fantasy and romance, my first and main love will always be horror. A few years ago, my grade-school librarian came up to me at work and said it was nice to see me again. I was surprised she recognized me, considering how many kids she'd interacted with over the years, and she laughed. "True, but not many kindergartners come up to my desk wanting to borrow Dracula, dear."
Basically, I was doomed from the start.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 26, 2017
god, that was fucked up.
and i enjoyed every minute of it.
this is quite possibly the best retelling of snow white i've ever read (i haven't read many, but ssh). the level of political intrigue and complexity of the characters reminded me of A Song of Ice and Fire; yes, it was that good.
the narrative was perfectly paced; one of my pet literary peeves is when there are plodding sections of 'filler' just for the sake of bulking the book out a bit, and i am glad that rabig did not commit that sin.
the extraordinarily diverse cast of characters was the cherry on top of the multifaceted, intricately plotted confection that was winterbourne's daughter. i honestly cannot recommend this book highly enough, and if you're a fan of asoiaf, it's a must-read. definitely an author to watch.
and i enjoyed every minute of it.
this is quite possibly the best retelling of snow white i've ever read (i haven't read many, but ssh). the level of political intrigue and complexity of the characters reminded me of A Song of Ice and Fire; yes, it was that good.
the narrative was perfectly paced; one of my pet literary peeves is when there are plodding sections of 'filler' just for the sake of bulking the book out a bit, and i am glad that rabig did not commit that sin.
the extraordinarily diverse cast of characters was the cherry on top of the multifaceted, intricately plotted confection that was winterbourne's daughter. i honestly cannot recommend this book highly enough, and if you're a fan of asoiaf, it's a must-read. definitely an author to watch.
March 17, 2017
A diverse and detailed fantasy world!
Winterbourne's Daughter is a fantasy novel, and like many fantasy novels it has a truly enormous cast of characters.
What makes this one so different and intriguing is how diverse those characters are. Of the four primary protagonists, there are two bisexual men, a trans woman (who is unable to physically transition because there is no medical or magical means for her to do so) and an asexual (but not aromantic) woman.
Polyamory is a norm, there is a nonbinary side character, and a neighboring kingdom is thought to be 'stifling' because at adulthood people have to choose to be either homosexual or heterosexual; bi or polysexuality is frowned upon. Even the 'bad guys' respect people's chosen gender pronouns almost all the time, though there is one distressing scene where Lisette's hair is cut off and she is forced back into boy's clothing.
That's not to say that there is no discrimination in this book; indeed, the conflict arises primarily from a huge class divide between a caste of aristocrats and Everyone Else. There are some dark parts as well, including a fair bit of torture and death, so it may not be for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, and I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy and would like to read a book with some gender diversity as a central theme. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through ReadingAlley.
Winterbourne's Daughter is a fantasy novel, and like many fantasy novels it has a truly enormous cast of characters.
What makes this one so different and intriguing is how diverse those characters are. Of the four primary protagonists, there are two bisexual men, a trans woman (who is unable to physically transition because there is no medical or magical means for her to do so) and an asexual (but not aromantic) woman.
Polyamory is a norm, there is a nonbinary side character, and a neighboring kingdom is thought to be 'stifling' because at adulthood people have to choose to be either homosexual or heterosexual; bi or polysexuality is frowned upon. Even the 'bad guys' respect people's chosen gender pronouns almost all the time, though there is one distressing scene where Lisette's hair is cut off and she is forced back into boy's clothing.
That's not to say that there is no discrimination in this book; indeed, the conflict arises primarily from a huge class divide between a caste of aristocrats and Everyone Else. There are some dark parts as well, including a fair bit of torture and death, so it may not be for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, and I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy and would like to read a book with some gender diversity as a central theme. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through ReadingAlley.
November 26, 2017
High fantasy with some true diversity - asexual/bisexual, cisgender/transgender, and polyamorous - but the plot took a long time to come together. It was still an entertaining read, but I was constantly aware that I was waiting for something significant to happen.
March 16, 2017
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I feel that I need to praise how incredibly diverse this book is! The main character is a bisexual trans woman, another is genderqueer, there's a biromantic asexual character who dislikes kissing, but likes some other parts of relationships, there's a lot of bisexual characters in general (so nice!) and yet neither of those parts is really the main focus of the stories. It has a huge influence on the singular character of course, but it is never their main storyline, which was nice to see. There's also two different polyamorous relationships, one that is portrayed as unhealthy whereas the other is lovely and very healthy.
Another thing I really liked was how different fairy tales were incorporated into the book (mostly Snow White). Some parts were quite similar (though with an interesting twist to most of them), many others, however, were super different, and it had a good balance.
However, it is really hard to keep track off all the characters, as the viewpoint constantly changes and there are a lot of characters you have to keep track off. ()
There's a lot of complexity and political intrigue, kind of like A Song of Fire and Ice but with way less sex. The level of violence and the death count is similar and I cried when some characters died because I had grown to love them a lot. (However: None of the Main Gays uh Bis are buried, hoorah!) There's also abuse and misgendering, as well as some casual biphobia (all of this is challenged in the text though), one suicide and an attempted sexual assault, but neither is described in detail.
The story is really long, which felt exhausting at times, even though the story never felt dragged out and it is very hard to read at times due to the different viewpoints and all the characters, but if you have the time to really submerge yourself into a novel, this is definitely a good choice.
I was however not really a fan of the later antagonist in the book. She felt over the top for me a lot of times, but I liked her ending even less. It just didn't sit right for me.
But despite this, this book was a really good and it is definitely a lovely fantasy/fairytale retelling with an incredibly diverse cast. I really liked it.
First off, I feel that I need to praise how incredibly diverse this book is! The main character is a bisexual trans woman, another is genderqueer, there's a biromantic asexual character who dislikes kissing, but likes some other parts of relationships, there's a lot of bisexual characters in general (so nice!) and yet neither of those parts is really the main focus of the stories. It has a huge influence on the singular character of course, but it is never their main storyline, which was nice to see. There's also two different polyamorous relationships, one that is portrayed as unhealthy whereas the other is lovely and very healthy.
Another thing I really liked was how different fairy tales were incorporated into the book (mostly Snow White). Some parts were quite similar (though with an interesting twist to most of them), many others, however, were super different, and it had a good balance.
However, it is really hard to keep track off all the characters, as the viewpoint constantly changes and there are a lot of characters you have to keep track off. ()
There's a lot of complexity and political intrigue, kind of like A Song of Fire and Ice but with way less sex. The level of violence and the death count is similar and I cried when some characters died because I had grown to love them a lot. (However: None of the Main Gays uh Bis are buried, hoorah!) There's also abuse and misgendering, as well as some casual biphobia (all of this is challenged in the text though), one suicide and an attempted sexual assault, but neither is described in detail.
The story is really long, which felt exhausting at times, even though the story never felt dragged out and it is very hard to read at times due to the different viewpoints and all the characters, but if you have the time to really submerge yourself into a novel, this is definitely a good choice.
I was however not really a fan of the later antagonist in the book. She felt over the top for me a lot of times, but I liked her ending even less. It just didn't sit right for me.
But despite this, this book was a really good and it is definitely a lovely fantasy/fairytale retelling with an incredibly diverse cast. I really liked it.
February 19, 2017
This book has a deliciously diverse cast of characters, but I'm halfway through and there doesn't seem to be a central plot tying everything together. Abandonment beckons.
It starts off very promisingly and I was much looking forward to the story of Lisette, the ten-year-old transgender princess, who experiences a drastic change in fortunes after a coup results in the death of her mother and one of her fathers. Rather than swear allegiance to her surviving father, she prefers to live as a bondservant, exiled to live "downstairs" and serve others.
However, the story meanders as a number of other characters are introduced, including Emeline the royal mistress, the huntsman, the champion of deathfights and the royal executioner. Some sections also read rather flat, and you struggle to make sense of what's happening. My review copy says it's an uncorrected proof, but it's more an unedited manuscript. This book could well be a diamond in the rough, but doesn't live up to its promise in its present form.
(Review copy from NetGalley.)
It starts off very promisingly and I was much looking forward to the story of Lisette, the ten-year-old transgender princess, who experiences a drastic change in fortunes after a coup results in the death of her mother and one of her fathers. Rather than swear allegiance to her surviving father, she prefers to live as a bondservant, exiled to live "downstairs" and serve others.
However, the story meanders as a number of other characters are introduced, including Emeline the royal mistress, the huntsman, the champion of deathfights and the royal executioner. Some sections also read rather flat, and you struggle to make sense of what's happening. My review copy says it's an uncorrected proof, but it's more an unedited manuscript. This book could well be a diamond in the rough, but doesn't live up to its promise in its present form.
(Review copy from NetGalley.)
December 1, 2020
Loved it!! This was a random readathon pick to fit the prompt for a Queer book with a winter vibe and pre/non medical transition. I was worried at first because there were only 18 ratings but I realized that is usually the case with indie books which I believe this is. I am sooo glad I took a chance, it worked out perfectly!!
March 19, 2023
4 /5 Stars
CW: Death, Blood, Torture, Transphobia, Misgendering, Deadnaming, Classism, Racism, Mentions of Suicide
One of my favourit fairytales is Beauty & The Beast. And everytime I read a retelling of it, that I enjoy I say something along the lines of "This book has ruined me for any and all future retellings."
It's a line, that I consider giving this book as well, even though it's not a Beauty & The Beast Retelling.
People have used the words "retellings" as in, more than one, when talking about this book, but I - for the life of me - can't figure out which fairy tales we are referencing besides the obious: Snow White.
I've read a lot of Snow White Retellings. And from a simple Retelling standpoint, it's great. But it would also work amazingly as it's own thing.
And yet, I'd like to compliment it for a few of it's choices. I was so certain that our MC was the "Snow" of this story, that I was shocked when the Evil Queen ended up sending her Huntsman out for someone elses heart. It makes sense, it's so smart. I loved it.
Another thing I loved:
Emeline:"Godess, may my child hate taking anothers life"
Godess: Time to kill a bitch.
Since we're already talking about the evil queen, I loved every second we had with her. I had mixed feelings about the way her story ended, but after sitting on this book for a while, I've decided that it's a fitting end for the story.
Speaking of. This is slower paced & heavily character focused. Be ready for that. We do a lot of build up and I do think most of it gets payed of. Especially on the character development & relationships part of the book. Which are - at least, for me - the hightlight.
Let me quote myself: This book has ruined me for any and all future ... books with polyamoury.
The more people in a relationship you have, the harder it gets to showcase that they truly care about the other and that they have good chemistry. Not only does this book pull it off, it does so amazingly. I've seen many other books - who I shall not name - struggle with this. Either because the throuple between A & B, and A & C was fine, but B & C felt like an afterthought OR because the book focused more on the "hot, steamy smut" instead of what actually mattered: emotions.
I guess, I could be biased, since one of the people was ace and not the biggest fan of sex & kissing, but than again, who cares if I'm biased. It did great! The amazing handling of aceness was just the cherry on top.
I WOULD have liked to know more about the ace & her past partner(s) but I was also understanding that we didn't have that much time for that.
9/10 people in this retelling are queer by the way. We're missing someone aro, but I THINK 1 or 2 people were implied to be aro-coded. At least, I've read them that way.
It has - as you can see from my Tags- a trans lead. I think the book did great in that department. Considering it one a price that had to do with the way gender related topics were handled, it's save to assume that other people enjoyed the rep as well.
I could say more about this book, but I kind of don't want to spoil to much, because I honestly believe that you should go and read it for yourself.
So let's summ it up:
+ Creative Snow White Retelling
+ Queer & Poc Snow White
+ 4 people in a healty amazing poly-ship
+ Great character development
+ amazingly written villains
It has a huge cast, but you get around that pretty fast and easier than I thought.
Take some quotes before I go:
"You have nothing to fear," he said. "You are but a child."
"So was the babe my mother carried."
Great way to establish our main villain as a horrible person right from the start.
"If you wish me dead, then you can see it happen in the same way you cut down my mother and father―while they were defenseless."
And great way to establish our MC as a person you'll love right from the start.
A few things that might interest you: Age gaps.
Our youngest person in the poly ship is 30 - we know because she's 10 at the start and the book jumps around a few times till we get there. Nothing happens romantically or sexually before that - which is good! - but considering that all the other 3 are AT LEAST 10 years older than her is something that might put you off. Which is why Im letting you know.
Besides that: Would reccomand
CW: Death, Blood, Torture, Transphobia, Misgendering, Deadnaming, Classism, Racism, Mentions of Suicide
One of my favourit fairytales is Beauty & The Beast. And everytime I read a retelling of it, that I enjoy I say something along the lines of "This book has ruined me for any and all future retellings."
It's a line, that I consider giving this book as well, even though it's not a Beauty & The Beast Retelling.
People have used the words "retellings" as in, more than one, when talking about this book, but I - for the life of me - can't figure out which fairy tales we are referencing besides the obious: Snow White.
I've read a lot of Snow White Retellings. And from a simple Retelling standpoint, it's great. But it would also work amazingly as it's own thing.
And yet, I'd like to compliment it for a few of it's choices. I was so certain that our MC was the "Snow" of this story, that I was shocked when the Evil Queen ended up sending her Huntsman out for someone elses heart. It makes sense, it's so smart. I loved it.
Another thing I loved:
Emeline:"Godess, may my child hate taking anothers life"
Godess: Time to kill a bitch.
Since we're already talking about the evil queen, I loved every second we had with her. I had mixed feelings about the way her story ended, but after sitting on this book for a while, I've decided that it's a fitting end for the story.
Speaking of. This is slower paced & heavily character focused. Be ready for that. We do a lot of build up and I do think most of it gets payed of. Especially on the character development & relationships part of the book. Which are - at least, for me - the hightlight.
Let me quote myself: This book has ruined me for any and all future ... books with polyamoury.
The more people in a relationship you have, the harder it gets to showcase that they truly care about the other and that they have good chemistry. Not only does this book pull it off, it does so amazingly. I've seen many other books - who I shall not name - struggle with this. Either because the throuple between A & B, and A & C was fine, but B & C felt like an afterthought OR because the book focused more on the "hot, steamy smut" instead of what actually mattered: emotions.
I guess, I could be biased, since one of the people was ace and not the biggest fan of sex & kissing, but than again, who cares if I'm biased. It did great! The amazing handling of aceness was just the cherry on top.
I WOULD have liked to know more about the ace & her past partner(s) but I was also understanding that we didn't have that much time for that.
9/10 people in this retelling are queer by the way. We're missing someone aro, but I THINK 1 or 2 people were implied to be aro-coded. At least, I've read them that way.
It has - as you can see from my Tags- a trans lead. I think the book did great in that department. Considering it one a price that had to do with the way gender related topics were handled, it's save to assume that other people enjoyed the rep as well.
I could say more about this book, but I kind of don't want to spoil to much, because I honestly believe that you should go and read it for yourself.
So let's summ it up:
+ Creative Snow White Retelling
+ Queer & Poc Snow White
+ 4 people in a healty amazing poly-ship
+ Great character development
+ amazingly written villains
It has a huge cast, but you get around that pretty fast and easier than I thought.
Take some quotes before I go:
"You have nothing to fear," he said. "You are but a child."
"So was the babe my mother carried."
Great way to establish our main villain as a horrible person right from the start.
"If you wish me dead, then you can see it happen in the same way you cut down my mother and father―while they were defenseless."
And great way to establish our MC as a person you'll love right from the start.
A few things that might interest you: Age gaps.
Our youngest person in the poly ship is 30 - we know because she's 10 at the start and the book jumps around a few times till we get there. Nothing happens romantically or sexually before that - which is good! - but considering that all the other 3 are AT LEAST 10 years older than her is something that might put you off. Which is why Im letting you know.
Besides that: Would reccomand
August 23, 2023
I love the twist on fairytale aspects that effect each character in the book and how each character is in a fairytale of their own, but all of them are running to each other to create their happy endings together
June 13, 2018
Review forthcoming - let see what the book club has to say about this first
February 20, 2017
This is a book with many fairytales woven together and altered slightly.
I've always enjoyed fairytales and to have different sexual leanings for each main character was interesting too. A woman born a boy is our main protagonist Lissette as her world is thrown asunder but 2 of her parents murders by their 3rd.
This story was long but I loved each character and what they brought to the story with their love and strength to carry on even when it felt like all was lost.
I've always enjoyed fairytales and to have different sexual leanings for each main character was interesting too. A woman born a boy is our main protagonist Lissette as her world is thrown asunder but 2 of her parents murders by their 3rd.
This story was long but I loved each character and what they brought to the story with their love and strength to carry on even when it felt like all was lost.
listed
October 27, 2019Alloro ace MC
March 26, 2017
I wanted to finish this book. I really did. But I’m going to be honest and admit that I only made it to about the 15% mark. This just wasn’t the book for me. I always support queer authors and publishers, so I hope this book sells–I hope the right audience members find it and love the shit out of it–but I am not one of those audience members, and I most certainly did not love the shit out of it. Check out my blog to find out specifics (though I did think the book had some vaguely interesting class politics).
April 23, 2017
This is a book that I loved in theory...and didn't like at all in practice. For one thing, when the story starts, Lisette is nine? NINE. Which is fine if you mention that in the blurb, or if there's immediately a big time jump, but I wasn't expecting a child protagonist when I requested the title.
Thumbs up for diversity and cover art, thumbs down for actual content and plotting. Too many characters and no reason to care about them.
Thumbs up for diversity and cover art, thumbs down for actual content and plotting. Too many characters and no reason to care about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews