Review: Cold From The North by D.W. Ross

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Driven by the promise of an ancient prophecy which will bring the dark ways of an old god back to power and prominence, an army of invaders swarms Ogulf Harlsbane’s homeland slaughtering all those who oppose them.

Along with his people, Ogulf must seek refuge from this savage force. In his search of sanctuary, he is tasked with finding the one person who can put a stop to the onslaught.

Doing so will send him across lands and seas, have him and his closest friend navigate the intricacies of a civil war, and try to win the help of the princess fighting for her throne.

If he fails, darkness will prevail and the reign of the Onyxborn will begin.

Cold From The North encapsulated my attention from the get-go until the very last page.  Norse mythology is contained in a ball of frenetic energy waiting to be released at the perfect juncture.  D.W. Ross knows how to pull in his reader with his dark narrative, shivers ran down my spine at the spiraling cascade of events.  This is Ross’s debut novel and it shook me at how imaginatively beautiful the prose was, the world-building was expansive and straightforward and the characterisation is crafted with precision and care.  This is a story that captures the need to be taken far away, it was fantastic and I can’t wait to read book 2.

The opening chapter of Cold From the North gives the reader insight into the world.  You are under no illusion of just how cold the area of Keltbran is.  It’s the kind of cold that settles into your bones, you can feel the ice travelling through your veins.  I love Norse Mythology but I adore any story that is written in the far reaches of the world.  Ogulf Harlsbane is the son of the Chief and he is your typical warrior from Norse Mythology.  Ross truly displays what is good and right with human nature and can restore my faith in humanity time and time again (even though my heart ached throughout also.)

Ogulf, his father, and the other captains face invasion and they have to make it over the Widows Trail to make it to relative safety.  The journey is not without its hardships and death.  Imagine climbing Mount Everest and trying to make it over cavernous gorges with inexperienced people…there is going to be death and destruction.  An incident happens and Ogulf is now in possession of a golden axe, an axe that he needs to take to a woman to put a stop to a prophecy becoming realised.  Melcun, Ogalf’s friend ends up releasing magic that he has been able to keep hidden until now except to Ogalf, ends up having dire consequences.

The lore aspect of Cold From the North completes the magnificence of this story.  An undercurrent of unease and worry and Ross was more than happy to keep you guessing.  I didn’t want this story to end but at the same time, I couldn’t stop myself from reading more.  This is a book that requires no energy at all to be carried away with the storyline.  The characterisation is solid from the very start.  You’ll keep reading because there is no way you can take your eyes off the vivid picture the author paints with his own life’s blood.  A road travelled that left me on the edge but also pushed me to look over the edge.   

Cold From the North will undoubtedly insert D.W. Ross into the fantasy landscape with ease.  A fantasy book that has reminded me why I love the genre so much.  Ross weaves an atmospheric tale of survival and intrigue.