Yeah I've talked to a few people about Winter's Orbit and there seems to be a mild consensus with our reactions. It would be interesting to know what the process was behind the changes. When the first book came out I thought part of the issue was that I just liked the fic I read first better but with the second I think it's clearer that it's not just an question of familiarity.

Interestingly we have a second draft in the form of the serialized story before it went to Ao3, and she did make some edits between that and "A Course of Honor". The only big change I can recall was that she removed some worldbuilding exposition about Kiem and Jainan using face disguising tech before they went skiing. I'm sure I'm reading too into things but that's why I wonder how much editorial influence pushed things in the other direction.

I hope Maxwell keeps writing books. I think she has some interesting ideas and obviously she has a good grasp on character and relationships so she can find a better balance she can probably put out a real banger.