BookCompleted2023

A Kingdom of Frost and Malice

by Ashley McLeo

Book 1 in The Winter Court

Come for the fae-court dealmaking and stay for the slow, messy pull between survival, freedom, and the prince who keeps ruining Neve's good sense.

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goodreads 3.95/5 4,025 ratings

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A decision-first view of the reading experience.

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Content warnings: Slavery, Violence, Human trafficking, Sexual harassment, Injury detail, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Colonialism, Gore, Classism, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Death of a parent, Captivity, Imprisonment, Dubious consent

Length620 pages

Series statusOngoing series

Spice1/5 · Closed door / fade to black

PacingSlow

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

Morally gray love interest (LI)
Male/female pairing (M/F)
Slow burn
Low
Closed door / fade to black
Addictive read

Fae prince
Protective love interest
Tension / anticipation focus
Book hangover incoming
Warrior/fighter
Push and pull
Longing glances
The angst delivered
Morally gray
Forbidden love
Eye contact intensity
Tension finally satisfied
Possessive alpha
Class difference
Possessive/protective
Power imbalance
Tension
Anticipation
Found family

Fantasy promise

Romantasy
Fae romance
Royal court / palace
High fantasy
Fae
Fake engagement

Castle / fortress
Fae realm / faerie courts
Vampires
Forced proximity
Forest / wilderness
Love triangle
Prison / captivity
Captive romance
Political intrigue
Marriage of convenience

Reading experience

First person
Slow
Dark
Atmospheric
Moderate
High

Seamstress / dressmaker
Immersive
Damaged survivor
Tense
Dramatic
Runaway / on the run
Brooding
Character-driven
Survivor
Yearning
Dangerous
Magical
Epic
Adventurous
Fae courts and politics
Forbidden desire
War-torn kingdom
Bargain with consequences
Cliffhanger warning
Morally complex
Series binge material
Slow start explosive finish

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

368 pages Completed

To Kill a Fae

Jamie A. Waters

Similar because

Found family · Slow start explosive finish · Runaway / on the run

Different because

Medium pacing rather than Slow. A shorter read (368 vs 620 pages).

339 pages Completed

Lore of the Wilds

Analeigh Sbrana

Similar because

Class difference · Power imbalance · Damaged survivor

Different because

Spice is higher (3/5 vs 1/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.

510 pages Completed

Illuminance

Kara Douglas

Similar because

Found family · Epic · Adventurous

Different because

Spice is higher (2/5 vs 1/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.

Book details

Length: 620 pages
Publisher: Meraki Press
Language: English
Format: Book