This is a creepy horror and I will never look at a snowstorm the same ever...

In New England a storm wrecks havoc and the residents find they are facing more than a bleak winter.

The snow brings a curse and as the residents secrets and sins unfold it becomes a psychological fight for life.

This is a pacy and horrifying read and I loved the many characters that were introduced at different times.

A brutal winter storm isolates a small New England neighborhood, bringing an unnamed curse that causes residents to apparently take their own lives, each in a unique and fitting way. I consider it skillful storytelling that I really can't tell if there is an actual entity, or just some elemental doom that arrives with the blizzard, bent on punishing this neighborhood so ripe with miseries and trespasses. I kept wanting the early exposition to move faster, like I was hearing too much about these people and the day-to-day of their little street. But the victims sins, guilts and fears are used to mesmerize and torture them just before their death, so all that background pays off when the bad thing finally appears and the body count begins. If I didn't like each character, I at least knew them. Watching them go through their final excoriation and death had the frightful impact it did because I had spent all that time in their heads. The last third of this book is one horrifying, brutal death after another, each a satisfying vignette of gruesome power. Eminence Front would be particularly suited to an audiobook experience.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc. Wasn’t really a fan of this one. The beginning sucked me in but once more and more characters got introduced, it just seemed to be all over the place and confusing. And the horror aspect was lacking unfortunately.

Eminence Front is a chilling, atmospheric horror novel that blends cosmic dread with suburban paranoia. When a brutal winter storm descends on a quiet New England neighborhood, the residents of one street are pulled into a terrifying reality where the snow carries more than just cold. It brings with it a curse—an ancient entity that preys on personal guilt, hidden sins, and unspoken regrets.

Rebecca Rowland crafts a gripping narrative that unfolds over a claustrophobic 48 hours. As the blizzard intensifies, strange occurrences mount: whispers in the wind, haunting voices from beneath the snow, and residents losing control of their sanity. At the center is John Stephenson, who watches his neighborhood descend into chaos, powerless to stop it as each household is drawn into a confrontation with something inhuman and unfathomable.

The writing is sharp and immersive, echoing the creeping unease of Shirley Jackson with the existential terror of Lovecraftian horror. Though some moments are deeply unsettling, the novel balances character development with supernatural tension, making the reader care about the people even as they are being consumed by the storm’s madness.

With eerie atmosphere, layered storytelling, and an ending that lingers like a cold breath, Eminence Front is a strong entry in modern horror. It is a perfect read for those who enjoy slow-burning dread and stories where the true terror lies just beneath the surface—literally and figuratively.

Writing Style
Rowland’s style is very compelling. After a slow(ish) start to the story, things get intriguing very quickly. At first, I couldn’t latch on to a character—the story jumped to the next, just as I was getting comfortable, but don’t let that put you off—stick with it because I think that’s the point. This technique allows a feeling of unease set into the reader, and I must say, it’s brilliant.

One of my favourite types of story is winter horror—and I’m forever lamenting that there doesn’t seem to be enough of it to satiate my appetite. Well, consider me well-fed. This story has everything; snow, characters who suddenly act strangely, blood, more snow—and did I mention… snow?

The pacing is on point; plenty of action to keep you turning pages. In fact, I found it hard to put down, which brings me to my only gripe—some of the chapters, though by no means all—were a tad longer than I usually like. I found it incredibly challenging to put the book down to sleep.

Finally, while I admit I struggled to connect to the characters at first—I’m glad I stuck with the book because they are fully fleshed out with compelling backstories and relationships. In fact, these characters seem so real that I wonder if Rowland took inspiration from people she knows.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Eminence Front is an excellent read. If you love winter horror, the contrast of blood and snow, and the occasional gruesome offing, then this book is just what the doctor ordered.

January will be the perfect date for this release given a blizzard is rolling into this town. As it does, it brings something sinister with it and the residence of this quiet suburb, with their own secrets and lies, do not know what awaits them. My only wish is that I had been reading this in the winter, but I can always reread it given it was definitely a one sitting read. I loved how Rowland captured flawed characters in this shorter work. I absolutely enjoy her writing style and will be looking out for more of her work.

This was a really fun, fast and creepy read! Loved it!!! I really enjoyed all of the character development and the slow building creepy/eerie atmosphere that built as the snowstorm moved in. I just wish this book had been longer!! That's not really a complaint, but more of a compliment to the author that I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters.
Can't wait to see what she writes next.

I actually really liked this!!!! a story about a neighborhood where a dangerous snowstorm is barricading them in and an ancient curse makes its way into their homes. what a premise! I thought the pacing of the story was phenomenal and I literally ate this up in like two sittings. at first, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy the amount of characters there were, but immediately, my mind changed, and I loved how unique each of them were. it was also very suspenseful not just because of what was happening but also because the atmosphere was so dreadful so that in my mind, I was thinking nothing good can happen. the only thing that could have been explained further is the curse because I think its so unique that it is sad that I didn’t get to learn much about it and I believe it would have made the book feel more fuller. other than that, I really really really enjoyed this book

There's nothing like reading a wintery horror novella at the fringe of summer's arrival. Everyone needs a few chills when the weather heats up.

In this gripping, one-sitting read, we get the threat of an approaching winter storm, a quiet suburb where secrets and lies hide inside each neighbor's humble dwelling, and a little something extra...something strange and sinister, creeping in with the first snow fall. When the anticipated blizzard is at it's peak, so is the plot of the story as violence breaks out and the body count is high.

"Eminence Front" was my introduction to author Rebecca Rowland's writing and I am definitely a fan! Her ability to develop such complex, flawed characters in such a short book is what will make readers immediately want to read everything she writes. I truly wish this novella had been longer. That's my only complaint. I want more!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

This was such an intense book, and although I do love to read spooky and winter all year round, I will say this is quite a seasonal read.

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Eminence Front is a quick read with a fast pace story setting. The character development is strong throughout and the characters are flawed. The flawed characters create an interesting story line and hooks you. A truly creepy "snowed-in" horror story.

Nobody likes getting snowed in, especially when the blizzard has an extra creepy vibe to it. You definitely get sucked in to this slow burn small town horrifying tale. The neighbors are all interesting in their own way.

Thank you NetGalley! It's only May 2025 and I have already found my favorite book of 2026.

If you are a big fan of the movie “Rubber” (yes…the movie about the killer tire), then you might really love this book. Instead of a tire, the only thing murdering you is the snow.

I would have rated the book 5 stars, but I feel like the ending dropped off a little too suddenly. I turned the page and was instantly met with 'About the Author'. I would have really liked it the last 'article/transcript was a wrap up of how all of our characters were found and the horror of the discovery. You probably rolled your eyes at my reasoning, but I'm sorry! With such a large cast of characters, I needed a recap!

First, I want to thank NetGalley and CLASH Books for allowing me to have this eArc to review. These are my honest and own opinions.

Just finished Eminence Front by Rebecca Rowland, and I’m feeling a solid 3 stars on this one.

The premise pulled me in right away—there’s this creepy, slow-burn vibe and a lot of tension simmering under the surface. I really liked how the book tackled privilege and small-town secrets; it had some sharp commentary without feeling too heavy-handed. The main character was complicated in a good way, and I appreciated that they weren’t super easy to pin down.

That said, the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. I found myself losing focus here and there, and some of the twists didn’t quite land for me—they felt a little predictable or just didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. A few side characters could’ve used more depth, too; I wanted to care more about what happened to them.

Overall, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. If you like character-driven thrillers with a slower burn and a creepy undertone, this might be worth checking out. Just go in knowing it’s not a super fast-paced page-turner.

Rebecca Rowland’s Eminence Front delivers a slow, suffocating descent into suburban dread.
Set during a relentless New England blizzard, the novella captures the isolation and claustrophobia of a quiet neighborhood unraveling under pressure — both external and internal.

Rowland builds tension with unsettling precision, focusing less on overt horror and more on the psychological erosion of her characters. As strange phenomena creep into the edges of their world, it becomes clear the real danger isn’t just outside in the snow — it’s inside their homes, inside their minds.

The writing is sharp and unsentimental, matching the cold atmosphere of the setting. Rather than relying on shock or spectacle, Rowland lets a quiet sense of distortion and unease take over, making the familiar feel increasingly unstable.

Eminence Front is a tight, character-driven story about how easily ordinary life can collapse under the right pressure

A winter storm changes the lives of the residents on one suburban street. "Can you hear the snow"?

This novel was unlike any that I've read of late. The characters are engaging and flawed. Are these flaws the reasons for their unusual behavior with this particular storm? A page turner for sure.

This was a quick read, under 200 pages. It's listed as mystery and horror genre, and I really enjoyed it without being too terrifying, but it was absolutely creepy. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their flaws, and the flow of the story made it possible to predict who was next, which I also liked. All in all, I enjoyed it! Check it out next year when it releases!
I give this a 4/5.
Tell me your thoughts!
This ARC was provided by the publisher via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing, full review to be in Scream magazine, Rebecca Rowland NEVER disappoints this was so creepy and haunting, loved it

Rowland builds a flawed and fascinating cast of characters, messy, weak, wounded, selfish, disappointed and disappointing friends and neighbors, buckling down for a winter storm.

Janet and Dan, married and fun-loving. But Janet is cheating with their across the street neighbor. Kim and Tom are trying to maintain normalcy as Kim fights OCD and Tom wants to begin swinging. Carol is struggling with her elderly wandering mother Rose, Jackie is a functioning alcoholic writer under deadline and John hadn’t left the house in months.

Rowland builds these characters and their relationships with such craft and precision that I was invested on page one. The loneliness, despair, anxiety and unfulfilled want is so clear and tactile, as we feel the unnamed darkness in the storm begin to build.

Rowland adds interviews, news stories, a kids puppet show, and other supporting scenes to build the history of the darkness that speaks through the snow. A creepy monster, a creepy presence that preys upon the trust we struggle to rely upon She is so good at using science and sanity and relatable humanity to delve into our feelings of insanity and fear.

A deeply scary story of a monster that we cannot see and cannot defend ourselves from and the people it manipulates one dark and stormy day.

Thank you @netgalley and @clashbooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

ARC review. I found this book a bit messy, the first couple chapters great but then more and more characters were introduced and I would get mixed up with who’s who. It was a good creepy story to read but I did feel like I was constantly trying to remember who’s who