I will preface that this was not really my cup of tea. I feel like I'm giving a 3 star solely based on this. The pacing was off and it was basically two poor long lost brothers raised differently being dragged into two opposing cult dynamics.

There’s a lot of religious craziness going on and “twists” that felt forced. I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be a psychological or a thriller. It just missed the mark for me.

This was an interesting read. I liked the idea of it but the execution felt jumbled and I don’t think I’ll continue.

Initially I was not going to review, but I gave the book another chance and it still was not for me. The writing just felt too unorganized to be able to enjoy following along with the story. I liked the premise of the book, though!

First of all I want to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers as I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book sounded good from reading the blurb on netgalley but I didn't anticipate getting hooked so quickly. The story was really fast paced but easy to keep up with, the descriptions really set the scene and transports your imagination and makes you very invested. Loved following Eden Dowler and look forward to reading the second book, Indigo Spring!

This is a new to me author. the blurb was intriguing so I took a chance. What a wonderful world this author spins for us. Dark and gloomy but exciting at the same time. Lots of action in this one. A unique story that had me guessing as I turned the pages. I will look for book 2 to come soon.

Okay hold on.

What even just happened?! That was so incredible! This story was gripping right out of the gate, and kept the intensity going long after the first few pages. True Winter follows the relationship between two brothers, Eden & Orion, as they try to obtain the Chains of Peter without becoming part of their bloody history.

This story is part mystery, part thriller, and all fire. The plot moves quickly and deftly, keeping readers guessing between pages. Nothing is reliable and everything changes constantly. The characters are as endearing as they are lethal, and you haven't even met conflicted until you've met these two.

I already can't wait for book 2: Indigo Spring to become available!

Ok book, but I don't think I'll read the rest of them. It was very interesting in the beginning and I expected a lot more from it. It never fully developed to my interests. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is unremarkable and the writing is disorganized. I saw many people liked the book, it just not my cup of tea.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quentin Petty for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I'm sorry to say that this book was not my cup of tea. It felt more supernatural/fantasy than horror/ mystery/thriller. That being said, I liked the writing style, it just was not my genre.

This series started with a bang! I wasn’t sure what to expect til I got a bit more into the book. Maybe it was the book maybe it was my adhd but I had a to put it down a couple times when I started it. Once I got a few pages in I was hooked. I love the secret society vibes mixed with assassins creed and fantasy Indiana Jones!! Eden was such a dope character! I can’t wait to read the next one!

I love the premise … a secret organization (The House of David) that travels the world to collect powerful artifacts in order to sequester them away in some “warehouse” in order to protect us all from the people that would abuse them (yes … I know it has been done before but I still love the concept). The twist here is that there is a counter organization that works toward free access to these same artifacts despite the danger (aka caveat emptor). The House is organized with an absolute head of house that priorities and assigns tasks and goals for the org. Four (4) Tennins armed with weapons of Archangels. Twelve (12) Judges imbued with splinters of the cross (aka Fingers of God) that grants them superhuman abilities … with each Judge training an Acolyte. And various support elements such as clean up crews in the background. Seditio, the opposing organization, is more nebulous and apparently run by a mysterious Mary with a psycho-terrorist second known as Whiteface.

The book opens with a mission to retrieve the “Chains of Peter” in Mobile AL; after which we see a flash back to the MC’s (Eden Dowler aka The Grim Reaper) first mission to retrieve the “Blood of Mary,” both of which are deadly to the unworthy/impure. This pretty much sets the [fast] pace for the first half of the book as the House attempts to retrieve the Aegis of Zeus and the Sword of Joan of Arc before the story turns extremely (and somewhat unexpectedly) dark for the last half of the book. By the end you see something of a personality switch between Eden and his acolyte Orion (which quite frankly was not done that well). There are a few twists and turns, much of which is signaled ahead of time if you are paying attention, until we get to the tragic end with a hint of things to come (it is a series after all).

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TrueWinter #FourSeasons #NetGalley

The book caught my attention with an interesting story that is a mix of Indiana Jones and the Librarians series. The search for dangerous artifacts which have the power to help humanity, but at the same time destroy it? An organization trying to prevent the world from being destroyed without the world knowing about it? Two brothers who don't know each other, with completely different lives and life values? This will definitely draw you in from the very beginning.

And thanks to the alternating viewpoints of the two main characters, the author manages to keep your attention for the entire half of the book. Together with Orion, you try to figure out what it's really about and whether tense situations could not be resolved other than by violence. On the contrary, over time, Eden begins to doubt whether his organization is really that infallible, or whether it has already gone too far to achieve its goals. Gradually, with both heroes, you uncover a much more complicated story than it would seem at first.

But in the middle, the plot starts to break and some twists and turns happen too suddenly, illogically and often too cruelly. The story would deserve a longer and more detailed narration and resolution than a sudden sequence of several terrifying and dramatic events. Sometimes I had trouble getting my bearings in what and why was actually happening.

The only thing I regret about the story is the complete change of Orion, who I liked the most out of all the characters. The biggest twist in the story can be guessed pretty well from the middle of the book, but the ending itself surprised me quite a bit. And for that, the book deserves 4 stars, with the fact that I am very curious about what awaits us next.


A review copy was provided by the publisher thanks to NetGalley.

This needs a prequel. The prologue of True North by Q.K. Petty was so intriguing and interesting, I couldn’t wait to read the rest. While I enjoyed the story, and hope that there are more to this series, there was so much that was unexpected (and one point that was I think supposed to be a twist but was able to see coming from a mile away; but that’s ok – it was still totally worth the read). I would think that the opening piece about St Peter’s chains would have made a terribly interesting story in and of itself. I didn’t expect to just into the 21st century from there. And I certainly didn’t expect Mobile Alabama to be the setting for a story about a secret society who seeks out religious artifacts to prevent them from starting cults, or wars. NYC, sure. Alabama, nope!

The mix of mystery and religion and science was reminiscent of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. The violence and brutality was more reminiscent, however, of R.F. Kuang (the Poppy Wars specifically). There was certainly a fair bit of killing and torture and I cringed while picturing the gruesome scenes painted by the author. And before you ask, yes, those are both books that I liked very much (well, the first of the Poppy Wars anyway).

My criticism is in the laissez-faire manner in which some of the characters treat what is supposed to be this big secret – the existence of their “society”. It feels that as an element, that was underdone. To have no concern for the fact that Orion tells all his friends right away – its playing a little loose with the rules that would most certainly be integral to the fabric of any secret society… I also think there should have been more to Eden’s and Orion’s relationship – we really don’t see much of it for all the time they spend together.

As for the plot – there must be more going on. While there was a lot of action and the plot moved surprisingly fast, I did latch onto the set-up from the prologue about the purpose, and purported not so great nature, of the House of David. And yet, there isn’t really anything in the main story to satisfy the craving that was set up by the prologue. But, it feels like there is at least one more coming because it certainly ended on a cliff hanger.

The characters were interesting and the story was fairly unique for something that has a Warrior Nun (season 1) feel to the it – with the religious undertones – and it sets up the question of is religion really science in disguise, or is it the other way around with some of the twists and tiny bits of science that drip throughout. Warrior Nun is a good comparison for a number of reasons – e.g., Divinium, the crown of thorns, the Halo, Shield of Faith… – as artifacts go, and the story here certainly finds similarities, but in all the good ways. I thought Warrior Nun was awesome and it’s almost like this book could occur in the same universe. I can imagine Eden running some offshoot of the Order that is not just nuns, but maybe reports to them? How cold would that be?

I am eager to read the next – I couldn’t put this one down – would really like to know what happens to Orion. Can he be saved from his reaction to being tortured? Will he and Eden find out more about their father? Will they be able to be brothers? Will they stop the evil they are facing (and which organization is really the evil here)? I do hope there is a sequel (Goodreads lists this as “#1” of “A Series of Four Seasons” and the cover says “Book One” so I take it there will be more, but I am unable to find more info to confirm it). For anyone who likes religious mysteries, secret societies, artifacts with power, and questions about religion vs science, this is worth the read!

If I were to give this book a subtitle, it would be ‘How to argue philosophy and religion in the worst possible circumstances!’ True Winter by Q.K. Petty is a story I don’t know how to feel about. To dissect it completely I would have to spoil it and I don’t generally do that in reviews. I will however spoil one thing that will serve as a content warning; this book contains very graphic on page depictions of physical and psychological torture. I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book and it had no content warning for this, I hope the actual book does have one and I will be honest, if I had known going in that there would be multiple chapters of torture, I would not have chosen to read the book.

Now that I have however, I have to try to formulate a fair review even if this is far from a normal read for me. The book is well written, the prose is uncomplicated and though there are things I would like more or less of, that’s more a matter of taste. It is a well-paced and interesting story, the two main characters are worth reading about, though I feel Eden’s character arc was less well defined than his brothers. I felt something was missing from Eden’s story, he switched gears too quickly for me to truly understand the why behind it. Orion’s story was very well written though, him I understood perfectly. The side characters were unique enough to make me wonder about them and I liked that. The world building was also an intriguing sci-fantasy mix of religious cults and miracles you could see under a microscope.

The plot of the book carried me along nicely though I could see exactly where it was going and to the authors credit, the ending made it clear that the events were never meant to be mysterious, the story was far more about the why of what happened than what actually happened. My slight sense of dissatisfaction comes from the way certain themes were argued. It is clear from the events of the story that the author was trying to show all sides of an argument without picking one as superior; unfortunately, the nature of the action and characters didn’t allow for all points to be equally highlighted so the end result to me feels more negative than it should. If this is sounding very vague it’s because it is truly difficult to address my feelings on this book without spoilers.

If you like action, religious mystery, a story to make you think and you don’t mind graphic violence, this is probably a good pick for you.

1.5 stars rounded up to 2

TRUE WINTER has an interesting premise that offers a unique set-up for a new kind of hybrid type of story - part adventure, part occult and part psychological drama. It is the first in a series of four planned novels.

OVERVIEW: Long ago, a deadly artifact called the Chains of Peter was stolen. Now nearly 500 hundred years later, they have resurfaced in Mobile, Alabama. Two secret organizations are in a race to recover the chains; one the House of David and the other a rival group known as Seditio.

Judge Eden Dowler, is an assassin known as the Grim Reaper. The true winter of the title is the sword that Eden uses to put down his enemies and mete out his own brand of justice. Now he's been sent by the House of David to reclaim the chains from the Bachman family who may or may not know that they have them in their possession. But Eden is linked to the Bachmans by more than the chains, the Bachmans’ only son, Orion, is also the son of Eden’s long-lost father.

Orion Bachman is - intelligent, loyal, and innocent. Completely unaware of the secrets of his late father's life - he is shocked to discover not only that he has a brother but also that his father had once been a high-ranking member of the House of David. In a matter of days, everything Orion believed about his life and his future change as he discovers a purpose he didn't even know he needed.

SUMMARY: TRUE WINTER is a jumbled narrative that starts strong and quickly falls apart. Q.K, Petty alternates between Eden and Orion's viewpoints with the Eden chapters being much more interesting. However, there are so many competing ideas that none are fully developed or realized. The characters are one dimensional, the action is unremarkable and the writing is haphazard. The high ratings for TRUE WINTER are somewhat surprising as this book does not have a compelling narrative that warrants build interest in reading additional installments in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this advance copy in return for a review.

Publication Date: November 22, 2022

I am truly blown away by this and I was pretty hooked. Yes you’ll be From the start, when you starts to read this book. You’ll engaged with Eden Dowler: A grim Reaper and his brother Orion.

With the story, itself, it's very fast paced, but not fast where things get left behind. Q.K. Petty does a great job setting each scene, and when the action slows, it's slowing to prep you for the next action scene by delivering exposition and backstory. My only drawback was the ending,

I definitely enjoyed the book, and knowing that he's working on a second one called Indigo Spring, I'll definitely be on the look out to read more into this series.

I received this book via NetGalley as a review copy.

I wanted to start this off by saying that when I read the initial preview of the book, I was pretty interested, but by about page 40, I was hooked. For a book that's just at the 300 page mark, I'm always a little leery of it simply because I've seen instances where the story and characters do not have enough time to really breathe and form their own presence to stand on their own. This book is not one of those books. From the start, you are engaged with Eden Dowler, and for the core characters, there's history, personality, and a big dose of development despite the page count.

With the story, itself, it's very fast paced, but not fast where things get left behind. There's a core story, and it really sticks to it, but without the pages and pages of description. Q.K. Petty does a great job setting each scene, and when the action slows, it's slowing to prep you for the next action scene by delivering exposition and backstory. My only drawback was the ending, and it's very very minor. To avoid spoilers, I felt like it kind of dulled the investment of a character's involvement, but at the heart, it didn't lose the sharp cut that comes from the final paragraph.

I definitely enjoyed the book, and knowing that he's working on a second one called Indigo Spring, I'll definitely be on the look out to read more into this series. I'm definitely looking forward to what Q.K. Petty has to offer for the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

True Winter by Q.K. Petty is a thrilling and captivating novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Set in Mobile, Alabama, this story revolves around the search for a dangerous artifact called the Chains of Peter, which was stolen centuries ago.

The House of David, a secret organization dedicated to securing such perilous artifacts, sends its most skilled operative, Judge Eden Dowler, to retrieve the chains. Eden believes that the wealthy Bachman family is hiding them and plans to use his estranged half-brother Orion Bachman as leverage to gain access. With Orion’s loyalty and potential contribution to the House in mind, Eden must protect him from both Seditio, a mysterious counter organization set on preventing their mission, and the dark influence of his own organization.

The book’s cover design shines brilliantly, capturing the very essence of its atmosphere and theme. It adds an irresistible charm to an already captivating tale, adding a delightful layer of allure that is simply impossible to resist.

The plot is excellent with a fast-paced narrative that never loses momentum. The author’s writing style is exceptional; it beautifully captures the intensity and suspense of each moment while immersing readers in an intricate world of secrets and danger. The well-developed characters add depth to the story, making it even more interesting.

True Winter was truly an absolute gem. It captured my attention from start to finish. Its impeccable writing style and perfectly timed plot had me completely engrossed. The cast of captivating characters added a layer of depth and complexity that truly enchanted me. This book is nothing short of extraordinary!

The only downside? Waiting for book two! This book left me eagerly anticipating what happens next in this gripping series. Overall, True Winter is an amazing book that I highly recommend to any fan of thrilling adventures filled with mystery and suspense.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Thank you to Q. K. Petty and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"True Winter" by Q. K. Petty is a thrilling and genre-bending adventure that had me hooked from the very beginning. Set in a world intertwined with history, violence, and secret societies, this book offers a captivating blend of action, mystery, and complex characters.

The protagonist, Eden Dowler, also known as The Grim Reaper, is a formidable and brooding character. His mission to retrieve the stolen artifact, the Chains of Peter, takes him on a breakneck journey across continents. Petty's sparse yet vivid descriptions allow the imagination to run wild, creating a world that feels both familiar and wonderfully twisted.

The House of David, an organization focused on securing dangerous artifacts, forms the backdrop for the story. The dynamic between the House and its rival organization, Seditio, adds depth and tension, pitting good against evil in a dark and violent battle.

Orion Bachman, Eden's estranged half-brother, becomes a key player in the quest for the Chains of Peter. As Orion is introduced to the House of David, questions of loyalty and morality arise, creating a compelling internal struggle for both characters.

The pacing of the story is relentless, driving the narrative forward with gripping intensity. Petty's ability to keep readers guessing and lead them in unexpected directions is commendable. The book is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

"True Winter" offers a fresh and enthralling experience for readers seeking a unique blend of adventure, mystery, and supernatural elements. Q. K. Petty's debut is a triumph, and I highly recommend it to anyone craving a fast-paced, character-driven thrill ride.