Red Winter by Annette Marie
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Japanese mythology inspired
Pages: 750
Cover: Paperback
Age rating: 12+
Buy on: Amazon, Kindle
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"Emi has dedicated her life to preparing for her destiny: to become a living vessel for her goddess’s spirit. With the fulfillment of her divine duty only two months away, she’s never once questioned the strict rules that control every aspect of her daily existence.
Until the day she discovers her entire life has been built on lies. With her inescapable fate fast approaching, she stumbles into the path of Shiro, a fox yokai and enemy of her goddess. He’s mischievous, cunning, unpredictable ... and a little too eager to assist her in finding the answers she needs. His helpfulness doesn’t come from the goodness of his yokai heart. A mysterious curse binds his power and his memories, and he suspects Emi can free him. Thanks to her goddess’s power, she probably can—if she dares. Instead, she strikes a bargain with him: he has to help her first.
Reluctant and untrusting allies, they delve together into the twisted deceits of the gods. With the danger greater and the truth more terrible than either imagined, Emi and Shiro’s fight to save each other will become a war against the heavenly realm itself."
Review:
​​​Characters and Plot
This edition is 3 books in 1, so it's the complete trilogy. HOW IS THIS TRILOGY SO UNDERRATED, NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT!!! This had to be my favorite romantasy, it's been way too long since I read a romance plot in a fantasy book that is this well done, I genuinely would prefer more romance over plot in this trilogy because I love Emi and Shiro so much.
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The slow burn between Emi and Shiro, OMG, LITERAL PERFECTION, like it's slow burn, but the insta-chemistry they had with each other was immaculate. Shiro flirts and tease, his tenderness towards Emi as they spend more time together, how he became more protective of her. They had the best kiss scenes ever, it wasn't spicy but it was hella steamy because the kiss scene was well earn, it had a great build up and I was just screaming the whole time. THE ENDING, BEST ENDING EVER!!!
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I love how Emi grow in this book, in book 1, she started off scare and unsure of herself, was kind of a damsel as Shiro constantly saves her. However, as the story goes on, Emi learn to fight, she ask other to teach her, she channel more of kamigakari power, and by book 3, girl was powerful to challenge a god herself, sure, she still needs help from Shiro and Yumei sometimes, but can fight her battle alone.
By the way let's talk about Yumei, the shadow prince in Red Winter, it's honestly so refreshing to see him as the friend rather than the love interest as he usually would be in most fantasy books. Yumei is the ultimate softie; he is scary and broody on the outside, but once you get to know him, he will protect you with a scowl. He is basically a dad who has seen it all. I found it so cute how he offer his home for Shiro and Emi to stay, get them takeout, and was a friend to Emi in that 7 years. It's so funny that when Yumei first met Emi, he strangled her as he thought she was threatening him, but their relationship progressed, and by book 3, Emi was scolding him for being impatient, and he just took it, so cute.
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The plot and the world in this book were amazing. I love that it's inspired by Japanese mythology, how gripping the plot is, and how it takes time to build things up. Not to mention the beautiful world-building, I love the variety of Gods and mythical creatures. I was so sad when the book ended. This book also had beautiful illustrations, and it's in the normal edition. The characters look majestic, Shiro and Yumei... those pics did something to me, who knew a fox can look so endearing.
Conclusion
If you love romance that has a good balance of plot and romance, a beautiful world, great side characters along with the best slow burn romance ever, pls read Red Winter. I swear you will not be able to put it down, you will be crying after you finish it, and feel like no romantasy could ever live up to this masterpiece. ​
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