Dead of Winter by Lee Collins

Dead of Winter, by Lee Collins review.

I approached this novel with reservations. The cover reminded me a little too much of the latest entry in the Dresden Files, but I bought the book anyway and started reading.  I later found out the similarities in the cover are because the two novels share the same cover artist, Chris McGrath.

Anyhow let’s jump to the review.

Please note: Unmarked spoilers ahead.

The story starts as what seems to be urban fantasy except set in the western era, and essentially that’s what it is. The author pulls this off magnificently and it actually feels as though I’m in a cold Colorado western town.

The Dead of Winter reminds me of the Nightside Novels because it is essentially two stories in one book. The first is the typical kill the beastie, and save the day monster hunting goodness. That’s when it gets twisty. After the main character, Cora Ogelsby(Who has just made my list of favorite female main characters next to Hermione and Rachael Morgan) kills the Wendigo that is hunting the townsfolk, she is  approached by the Lord who owns the silver mine near the town to clear out a nest of vampires and kill the Nosferatu, the vampire lord controlling them. I’ll leave the biggest twist in the story for you to find out for yourself.

This is probably one of the best Fantasy novels I have read in a while and puts the modern day brooding vampire tale to rest. Collins attempts to revive the vampire genre from lovesick teen to dark lord, and succeeds masterfully. I’m not big on westerns but this book leaves me eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series.

 Dead of Winter may be his debut novel but Collins writes like a seasoned pro. Lee Collins is definitely a name to watch in the publishing world.

You can purchase Dead of Winter at my amazon affialiates account by clicking the highlighted text, and you visit Lee at his website, Here.

Cold Days Review

Two posts from me in two days, what is the world coming to?

WARNING:

This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk. You have been warned.

Cold Days by Jim Butcher. Book 14 of the Dresden files. Review.

First, a word of advice: I highly recommend you read the first thirteen books in the series before you read this. It will make sense if you don't but you'll miss a lot of the finer plot details and backstory.

When we last left our snarky t-rex riding hero he was back from the dead. Now his new boss. Mab, Queen of the Winter Court and Air and Darkness, has given him his first assignment. Kill Maeve, her daughter and the current Winter Lady.
Demonreach, an island that Harry claimed for himself in book 11, is revealed to be a prison for evil beasties.

A few old faces make an appearance. Elder Gruff for an example, and Harry finds out what exactly the black council is. Butcher is he usual awesomeness, and the twist ending, Maeve and Lily, the Summer Lady, both dieing. Sarissa, who was his hand maiden/physical therapist, is also Mab's daughter. She replaces Lilly. Molly, Dresden's apprentice and the daughter of his best friend,  becoming the Winter Lady was shocking to say the least.

My main gripe was how little of the supporting cast knows Dresden has returned from the dead. But this book is definitely beginning to pull together the BAT that Butcher has promised his fans at the end of the case files.


Jim Butcher continues to improve with age and has if anything, increased the sheer awesomeness that can be contained between two covers.

I give this book a 9/10.

Cold Days: A Novel of the Dresden Files