Daughter of Redwinter

by Ed McDonald Narrated by Samara MacLaren

Overview

Those who see the dead soon join them.

From the author of the critically acclaimed Blackwing trilogy comes Ed McDonald's Daughter of Redwinter, the first of a brilliant fantasy series about how one choice can change a universe.

Raine can see-and speak-to the dead, a gift that comes with a death sentence. All her life she has hidden, lied, and run to save her skin, and she's made some spectacularly bad choices along the way.

But it is a rare act of kindness-rescuing an injured woman in the snow-that becomes the most dangerous decision Raine has ever made. Dangerous because the woman is fleeing from Redwinter, the fortress-monastery of the Draoihn, warrior magicians who answer to no king, and who will stop at nothing to reclaim what she's stolen. A battle, a betrayal, and a horrific revelation force Raine to enter the citadel and live among the Draoihn. She soon finds that her secret ability could be the key to saving an entire nation.

Though she might have to die to make it happen . . .

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

Editorial Reviews

SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Narrator Samara MacLaren’s Scottish accent sets the scene for this immersive high-fantasy audiobook. Raine saves an injured woman from the men pursuing her, an act leading to unforeseen consequences that completely uproots her life. Now she lives among privileged warrior magicians, keeping her ability to see ghosts of the dead a secret to avoid being killed herself. MacLaren’s leisurely pace perfectly suits this rich, atmospheric audiobook. She wields a distinct voice and mannerism for each character to fully engross listeners with a unique world of complex magic. Her emotional connection enhances Raine’s thoughts, in particular, as she considers how her ghost-sight can help solve a high-stakes mystery that leaves others stumped, potentially saving her entire nation. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

★ 04/18/2022

This uncommonly vivid and vigorous sword and sorcery novel from McDonald (Blackwing) follows Raine, a rootless young woman whose only certainty is that she must never reveal that she has “spirit-sight,” the ability to see ghosts. It’s a mortal crime in her society, where people fear both the unknown and, especially, invasion by the dead. After Raine innocently aids the mysteriously ensorcelled Hazia LacFroome to rouse one of the ancient wizard-kings, she hastens to correct her mistake and is taken under the protection of Ulovar LacNaithe, head of one of the clans that make up the Draoihn, elite warriors of the “fortress-monastery” Redwinter. Inside Redwinter, Raine must navigate relationships with Ulovar’s heir, the indecisive Ovitus; Sanvaunt, a forbiddingly grim swordsman; and her new, dear friend, Esher. Then there are “Those Who See,” the skulking rabble who share Raine’s spirit-sight and who insist that the Draoihn are murderously wrong. Meanwhile, the ghostly Queen of Feathers hovers enigmatically behind everything. Raine must use all her wits, not to mention her skill with bows and arrows, to survive in this world and to find her place in it. McDonald makes familiar story and character beats come alive with imagination and energy. The result is a superior start to a promising new saga. (June)

From the Publisher

Praise for Daughter of Redwinter:

“A complex backdrop of culture, magic and characters... Go buy it.”—Robin Hobb

“Uncommonly vivid and vigorous sword and sorcery… McDonald makes familiar story and character beats come alive with imagination and energy.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Daughter of Redwinter has it all: enigmatic characters, shady politics, secret cults, ancient evils, and a young woman grappling with her own shattered identity while navigating a world in which no one is quite what they seem.”—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“McDonald’s medieval fantasy world feels lived-in, with a robust history, an intricate magic system, and a host of fascinating characters, but Raine herself—vulnerable but fierce, direct, and almost ruthlessly practical—is the heart of this memorable story.”—Booklist

Praise for Ed Mcdonald and Blackwing:

“Original world-building and unforgettable characters.”—Brian Staveley, author of The Empire’s Ruin

“Mixes the inventiveness of China Miéville with the fast-paced heroics of David Gemmell.”— Anthony Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow series

“Potent, gritty, bloody, and splendid.”—Faith Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series

“Dark, twisty and excellent.”—Mark Lawrence, bestselling author of Prince of Thorns

“A bloody, gritty fantasy novel that manages not to sacrifice its heart. Fans of Glen Cook’s The Black Company or Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law series will be very happy with this one.”—Django Wexler, author of Ashes of the Sun

“An astonishingly accomplished debut—McDonald is definitely one to watch.”—Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

Library Journal

05/01/2022

When Raine rescues an injured woman from the snow and takes her back to the beleaguered fortress of Dalnesse, she had no idea that it would set off a chain of events that would change her life forever. The rescued woman was fleeing from Redwinter, home of the Draohin, warrior magicians. Now Raine has no choice but to enter Redwinter herself, where she discovers power and secrets abound. She has a bigger secret, however: she can see and speak to the dead. Her power carries a death sentence but may save her nation. A Scottish-inspired setting, complex magical system, and engaging characters create a high-stakes, high-action story. The pacing starts slow and there is a lot of information, but the setup pays off with building tension, twists, and betrayals. VERDICT McDonald ("Raven's Mark" trilogy) begins an immersive new fantasy series, good for fans of George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson.—Kristi Chadwick

SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Narrator Samara MacLaren’s Scottish accent sets the scene for this immersive high-fantasy audiobook. Raine saves an injured woman from the men pursuing her, an act leading to unforeseen consequences that completely uproots her life. Now she lives among privileged warrior magicians, keeping her ability to see ghosts of the dead a secret to avoid being killed herself. MacLaren’s leisurely pace perfectly suits this rich, atmospheric audiobook. She wields a distinct voice and mannerism for each character to fully engross listeners with a unique world of complex magic. Her emotional connection enhances Raine’s thoughts, in particular, as she considers how her ghost-sight can help solve a high-stakes mystery that leaves others stumped, potentially saving her entire nation. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176410990
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	06/28/2022
Series:	The Redwinter Chronicles , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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